"She's the naughty one." That's what the translator said as Shao Ji Xiang was handed to me on March 12th. Out of the 4 babies from the Shaoyang orphanage, our baby was the only one not crying... but she did look confused and a little angry.

Today, Ellie is an active, giggly, curious little whirlwind with quite a sense of humor. She is anything but confused and rarely angry. She loves being with lots of kids and enjoys entertaining the grownups. And she is not naughty! (although some have referred to her as a handful...)

It is obvious that Ellie has had a loving, attentive foster family. She is very social, developmentally on target for a 1 year old and wonderfully healthy. And did I say that she is beautiful? We are so very lucky.
May 7, 1997

We spent April 10, Ellie's second birthday at the beach in North Carolina and we couldn't keep her out of the water!

Ellie's vocabulary is extensive, and she is always able to make her opinions known. She loves singing and dancing and playing tricks on her older brother. Three mornings a week she spends in nursery school with "Ellie's Kids" as she calls the other children there. Exuberant is the word to describe her... but she is also very smart and oh so loving.
June 10, 1998