these legs are made for walking

Oh my goodness, I just have to brag on our littlest bundle of absolute love.  There are no words to describe how proud we are of our teeny, tiny, little angel.

The treasure who, just a few short months ago, never knew that legs are there to take you places.  They only knew a life couped up in an awful crib.

These legs never knew that standing could be so much fun.

But things are changing, friends.

She still has such a long way to go before she is walking independently.

But oh how Hailee is trying.  Hard.

When we adopted her just 7 months ago, I honestly never knew what to expect from her.

At five years old, she only weighed 15 pounds.  She could hardly even sit up alone.  I wondered when she would ever have enough strength to stand on her legs.

Now, at 5 years and 7 months, weighing 21 pounds….I am amazed at all she is becoming, and how far she has come.  I weep just thinking about it.

I can honestly tell you that this girl has totally exceeded my expectations.  She has blown me away with all that she has accomplished in such a short time. 

Just look at her now!

Exploring.  Learning new things every day.  Trying with all her heart.

Never giving up.  Ever.  I learn so much from my sweet daughter. 

Who needs hands to hold me…..

When I can do it all on my own!

My mommy and daddy think that I am just so clever.

Our little miracle girl.

There truly is HOPE for every single child!

Keep growing, keep learning, and keep trying sweetheart.

We are so very, very proud of you.

How thankful we are this Christmas that you are here with us-right where you belong.

With a heart overflowing with the blessings of the Lord.

Comments

  1. says

    Go Hailee!!!! :) What a beautiful post. I am just so thrilled with her. She is awesome. I cannot ever shake the picture you took of her on her birthday in just the little pilot cap and diaper and socks where you said, “she will never look like this again.” I was so excited then to see what she would become and ONLY 7 months later….look at her!

    Merry Christmas to you and your precious family! Thank you for sharing about your family with us all.

  2. Carolina says

    Oh my God I have tears in my eyes after reading your post! It makes me feel so happy!!! What a great Christmas gift you guys got!!!! Don’t be surprised when in a short time you’ll be running after her trying to catch her!!! Our kids are amazing you know, they can do everything, it just takes a little more time and effort but Oh! how they know to work hard for the big prize!!! Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas for you and your sweet family!!

  3. Grace says

    Look at you go sweet Hailee girl! You just keep on going and your Momma will be chasing you in no time :)
    Yippie Jesus!!!

  4. says

    Oh my goodness, sweet friend!! How amazing to see your precious Hailee STANDING by herself! Woohoo!! So amazed at how far she has come in just a few short months. God is good!!

  5. says

    Congratulations on your precious girl’s accomplishment! I bet you will be chasing after her in no time. I have enjoyed getting to know your family/blog these past few days. :-)

  6. says

    OK be still my heart! That last picture - OH MY WORD! Just wrap her up and kiss her all over for me!

    YEAH!!!! So proud of her and amazed by the GREATNESS of our GOD!

    Oh ye, of little faith. When will we ever learn to put our full trust in Him??

    Love you and so excited for you friend!!!
    Jill

  7. says

    I have been lurking, but I could not help but respond. GOOOOO HAILEE!!!! Look at that sweet little girl. So amazing!!!! A total inspiration she is and your family as well. Such a blessing, thank you for sharing!!

  8. says

    Adeye,

    This is so encouraging to see!

    I saw Hailee at Greenforest while on a mission trip…The difference is remarkable! Her life is completely changed-Praise God! And thank you again for sharing so freely!

  9. says

    Oh my gosh I have tears in my eyes! Go Hailee Go! I’ve had 2 recent hospitalizations in a rehab hospital and have seen several children learn to walk like Hailee- truly a miracle. I’ve also had to relearn to walk a couple times and can attest for how hard she is working! (You guys amaze me too- keep on doin what you’re doin, it’s obviously working!)

  10. says

    Oh, Oh, OH!!! That is just maybe the best post EVER!! Not only is she the cutest little thing in the world, she is STANDING?! And learning to walk?? Oh, my heart! Every one of us is in love with your sweet little girl, for sure. We are all rooting for her! Go, Hailee, Go!!

  11. says

    My friend … I just want to bawl my eyes out!!! She is such a little miracle! I am doing flick flacks inside today! Give that beautiful treasure a snuggle from me please!!! So very happy for you guys.

  12. says

    Hailee - You ROCK girl! God has big things planned for you, I can tell.
    Thank you for sharing Adeye - your blog always brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face.
    Have a blessed Christmas!

  13. says

    Haile looks amazing (and she´s so beautiful!) and it´s such a pleasure to see that she´s standing and she´ll no doubt be walking in no time. If this isn´t the perfect testament of what adoption/love/family can do for a child then nothing is. And blimey, what a good Christmas gift this is!

  14. says

    I’m in tears reading and seeing the photos! She’s amazing - what strength and determination in that tiny body! I hope you’ll be able to share her victories with her former caregivers through some adopting family going there to adopt. And really, her name should be Hailee Hope!

  15. says

    What a little trooper. Hard to believe it’s the same little one that couldn’t even sit those months ago. Merry Christmas, sweet girl.

  16. Marie-Claude says

    Go Haillee! One strong little girl. I am in awe!

    Have a very Merry Christmas time with your beautiful family,

    Marie-Claude

  17. says

    Oh Adeye, THANK YOU for sharing!! I am so happy for Hailee! And her testimony is so close to this mommy’s heart, because I am adopting through RR and my little angel just turned 6, and is not yet walking on her own yet. I can NOT wait to get her home, and witness the miracle God works in her life!

  18. Ashley says

    I am so enjoying seeing the progress your children are making. It is such a blessing. Little Hailee’s hair is shining so brightly in those pictures, she is flourishing in her family!

    Ashley

  19. says

    There IS hope for every child! Thank you for sharing this post. Truly a testimony to the power of LOVE.

    I giggled when I saw the very first photo and knew exactly what Hailee was standing on - Emma walked on that very same treadmill thingy thing. Yes, I have no idea what it is actually called!

  20. says

    Hailee, nothing is impossible for you. You can do anything you set your mind to do. Something about your children, Adeye, it’s as if they are surrounded by angels. They beauty that emanates from them is astounding. Merry Christmas, I wish the best for your family and can’t wait to see what God has in store for those beautiful children of yours next year!!

    Love wins,
    Renee Tam
    5cajuns.blgospot.com

  21. says

    adeye,
    I just love yoru posts!! I havent been commenting lately as we are learning our new normal around here but I wanted to make sure I tell you thanks for sharing your journey with all of us!! Your journey is inspiring so many others to step out into what God is calling them to do!!
    Trina

  22. says

    Our daughter has Down Syndrome and came into our lives at 6 years old. She was tiny, under 30 lbs. You can never know the miracles that can happen with these children. Our girl is our greatest joy, big and strong at 14 years old and 100 lbs. Loving and full of joy. So smart, using her I-Pad as a communication device, writing her name and learning to read. The one thing I’ve learning is no one can predict the surprises that are in these wonderful children.

  23. Anonymous says

    love your posts. I just wanted to say the photo under the words “Who needs hands to hold me…..” worries me. looks like your daughters legs are flexing back the wrong way at the knee. I would take her off the soft mat also never have her on a tramp. they have to build the muscle in the thighs before she can walk on soft surface. or have her in AFO’s
    Someone warned me once on Down syn about this but damage was done to my child. Once those ligaments are stretched you have to have them in AFO’s then as the child grows their ligaments will fit them again. Our Pead PT was telling me of a young man 21yrs with Ds that is forever in a wheel chair. Once these kids reach adults and the ligaments are stretched they cant be replaced. Though in 2015 here they will have an op to to grow ligaments so who know where medicine will be. I’ll sign off with what the mum from Down syn said to me. You will hear all sorts or advice about what is right wrong… some of the “best” therapist will suggest trampolines for our kids, but trust me it’s the worst them and soft surface are completely out as the knees hyper flex was too much. don’t rush the standing, lots of work on building the thigh muscles, when you see the thigh muscle has built up try again with standing. You can take or disregard what I say you’re the mom. Love to you

  24. says

    I had missed this post - until today! Wonderful news about your sweet angel. We love seeing her progress and are certain that she will continue to amaze everyone.

  25. says

    I am attempting to get caught up on my favorite blogs and once again…you and your family have brought me to tears. Never fails really! All of your children are amazing but those two little ones….wow…my heart can hardly contain the awesome, overwhelming joy when I see them. When I stumbled onto your blog during your adoption of them, it was amazing because I had seen your girls listing and how they had lodged themselves into my heart…then months later there was your blog and you were adopting them. To be able to follow their transformation…it’s just beyond words. I don’t know how your heart handles it…living it!!! Thank you for sharing your life with us. God NEVER ceases to amaze me!
    Blessings,
    Malissa

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