looking back.

Moments before we met Sweet P in the orphanage, we were presented a photo album from her time there.  Considering she lived there all but about three months of life, it is still not comprehensive.  Less than ten are of her before age one, by my guess.  Regardless, it's a treasure to have them.  We were given a few peeks into her first years on the planet but no where near this much into her life at the orphanage.

I spent a few minutes today scanning them from the album and wanted to share a few favorites.  I love knowing her personality and mannerisms now and seeing bits of them in these pictures from a year or two ago.  

My assumption is that this first picture is shortly after she arrived at her new home, since she arrived around three months.  The next stage of life jumps to around a year, possibly when she was placed onto the list to be adopted?  

If you know Sweet P, you know the eyes below... she makes this face when she's not happy about something.   No words necessary, it's all in those eyes!

The next two pictures make me feel so happy about her care while she waited to come home to us.  The nannies at the orphanage care so much about the children.  I can't remember if I have shared here about the nannies.  You see, we never were able to meet Sweet P's assigned nanny because she wasn't at work the day we were there.  Oh, how I wished I could have thanked her in person!  

Nannies at her orphanage do not come to work the day their assigned children go home with their forever families, so they don't have to watch with sadness to say goodbye and so the children aren't even more sad to see the nanny as they go away with "strangers."  It is a tremendously difficult - and yet incredibly selfless - thing to do to make the transition easier for everyone.  I hope and pray she had a special goodbye time with Sweet P on March 29 before she went home for the day.  

I assume her nanny and maybe a collaboration of nannies sent Sweet P with gifts as we left.  The orphanage is an extension of the Thai government and runs by its funds, so it is my guess these were purchased by individuals because of the way they were presented.  

(Sorry, crazy picture, but it's the only I could find in the dress!)

Many Thai people wear a buddha on a chain around their neck, much like Christians wear a cross.

A jade amulet necklace.  I like the trio of jade colors.  

The elephant is a royal symbol in Thailand.  This incense set is a pretty reminder of her homeland.  

I look forward to giving them to my little girl when she is older.  I hope she sees them as a dear connection to the people who loved her while she waited.  

Blessings, angela