Pearl

I put this picture first because it is my favorite.

It's been awhile since I took my girls on a photo-shoot. I decided to take them separately. Pearl has always been easy to take a picture of. It is sometimes difficult for her to relax and hold a natural position, but she loves being the center of attention and she will flash her gorgeous smile on cue.

We didn't get to bring Pearl home from China until she was 3.25 years old. We were looking for an older child (much older than 3) and then we totally fell in love with her profile. There are several behaviors that she has that we attribute directly to spending so much time in the orphanage. She needs a LOT of structure, consistency and direction. Even with those setbacks, Pearl has been the perfect addition to our family and I expect the brightest of futures ahead for her.

Pearl is very smart, almost too smart. Her reading skills are off the chart for first grade and none of the other students in her class are even close to her level. She learns from imitation and she learns quickly, although her comprehension skills sometimes lag behind. I attribute this to her only having spoken English for less than 4 years.

Pearl is a gentle soul, although she moves quickly and impatiently. She is sweet and loving, but the world revolves around her and she is easily distracted. She is kind and giving, but she is also carefree and oblivious. She is loud, quirky, goofy and a drama queen. She speaks in extremes and is quick to engage in debate. Sometimes I think she is already a teenager. She lights up a room and will strike up a conversation about herself to anyone who is willing to listen. She is amazingly popular.

Pearl is a true gem that needs to be nurtured and loved. She and her little sister Chloe have taught me so much about what it means to be a mother, something I NEVER thought I would be until I turned 40. I feel like my life has just begun.

Happy Mother's Day to all the other lucky mamas out there!