Proud…

We spread gift opening out over a couple days to limit overstimulation, and Christmas day we were prepared for anything. I have talked with other adoptive moms who have said they have even spread Christmas and gifts into January in efforts to help their children cope, and I have wondered if we might have to do that. But little M did incredibly well in the end.

I was moved to tears with her sweetness… every time she was given a new gift to open, she thanked us profusely, and was genuinely grateful for everything she received.
She was excited over mini lego sets, and dress-up dresses…

She danced with joy over notebooks, activity pads, and scotch tape…

She was beyond thrilled with her new kitchen, and has thanked me every day, several times a day, since.

I don’t know what is was that worked…maybe stepping back and simplifying, maybe little M just pulled herself together, maybe something clicked that helped her realize that change was not the end of the world…whatever it was, our girl was spectacular on Christmas, and I am beyond proud of her.