Good Bye China, Thank you for all the wonderful memories, but most of all... Thank you for the most precious little girl, we will treasure her and love her always and forever.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Home
We are home!! Actually we have been home for two days but it seems like we are in a perpetual fog and doing anything other than staying awake seems to be a monumental chore. We are doing things to help the transition but it is a slow process. It is four thirty in the morning and this is the latest I have gotten sleep so far. Miah is waking up every couple of minutes and lets out a cry, my rule is to give her three minutes and if she is still crying I will go to her, and so far this morning that has not happened. She crys about thirty seconds and then soothes her self for about twenty seconds and then she is quite for about ten minutes and the process starts all over. Please understand this is not a desperate cry or one that is frightened, which at this point I am very familiar with from her. I do not want to let her cry it out but then again if I rush in the second she utters her first peep she will never get on schedule, and to tell you the truth this is working for us. We have gone from her being up at 12:40 to 2:40 to now 4:10 so we should have about another week till she is sleeping through the night... I HOPE!
Our stay at the White Swan was a great experience and we did have some fun, but I am very glad to be home and even more glad to say that long flight schedule is behind us. Both kids did wonderful. They both slept most of the way and played well when they were not sleeping. Randy also got some shut eye.... Me .... I have come to the conclusion I can not sleep in a moving vehicle of any kind! So needless to say by the time we got to Chicago I was punchy to say the least, and missing our connecting flight was NOT A GOOD THING!!! It was poor planing on the part of the travel agency and we knew that it would be a penitential problem but they assured Randy that all would be fine. Not the case obviously and so we ended up spending the night at OHare airport. Now our connecting flight was to take off 1 and 1/2 hour after we landed in Chicago which under normal circumstance I agree would be fine, but when you must go through immigration, customs,recheck your luggage, and then through security again, not to mention the time it takes you to get from one gate to the next across the entire airport time is short! So if you have not traveled yet BEWARE.
Since we have been home Miah is doing pretty well, and she is loving her toys! Some of the delays she is having are a little more obvious now that we have slowed down enough to just let her play, but she is already making process. We are scheduling a therapist to evaluate her and see if she needs therapy or not due to our doctors recommendation. Her eating habits are erratic right now and I am sure most of it is due to the time change, but let me tell you if she does not want something she lets you know and you better move the food or your going to wear it. She has been teething like crazy and has also had a pretty bad cold since our arrival home. She also got started on being re vaccinated which I am not crazy about but the pediatrician was adimate that it was the best thing so that is what we are doing. Other than that all is well in her little world and she is really coming out of her shell. The bonding is happening but I am not so naive as to say she is totally bonded yet. She defiantly knows that it I am the one who feeds, loves, changes, and provides comfort for her, but knowing that this is a forever thing for her will take time. Time I am willing to give....especially when she gives me a smile!
James is also doing well. He is almost completely back on schedule and back to his wonderful self for the most part. We are dealing with a few issues of the sibling nature and I haft to admit they are a little more than what I thought they would be. Since I had been taking care of another baby for over a year and he was use to that I thought the transition to sister would be a little easier. I was wrong and now that I think about I do understand why, but I am having to really step back and re approach some of my handling of this. I am proud of James and how well he traveled, and I am amazed at the young man he is becoming but I am also having to remember he is only five and still little in so many ways. I do not want him to haft to grow up to fast so I am going to make sure we nurture the baby in him as well as the big boy!
It is good to be home and hopefully I will blog a little more often but till then ....
Our stay at the White Swan was a great experience and we did have some fun, but I am very glad to be home and even more glad to say that long flight schedule is behind us. Both kids did wonderful. They both slept most of the way and played well when they were not sleeping. Randy also got some shut eye.... Me .... I have come to the conclusion I can not sleep in a moving vehicle of any kind! So needless to say by the time we got to Chicago I was punchy to say the least, and missing our connecting flight was NOT A GOOD THING!!! It was poor planing on the part of the travel agency and we knew that it would be a penitential problem but they assured Randy that all would be fine. Not the case obviously and so we ended up spending the night at OHare airport. Now our connecting flight was to take off 1 and 1/2 hour after we landed in Chicago which under normal circumstance I agree would be fine, but when you must go through immigration, customs,recheck your luggage, and then through security again, not to mention the time it takes you to get from one gate to the next across the entire airport time is short! So if you have not traveled yet BEWARE.
Since we have been home Miah is doing pretty well, and she is loving her toys! Some of the delays she is having are a little more obvious now that we have slowed down enough to just let her play, but she is already making process. We are scheduling a therapist to evaluate her and see if she needs therapy or not due to our doctors recommendation. Her eating habits are erratic right now and I am sure most of it is due to the time change, but let me tell you if she does not want something she lets you know and you better move the food or your going to wear it. She has been teething like crazy and has also had a pretty bad cold since our arrival home. She also got started on being re vaccinated which I am not crazy about but the pediatrician was adimate that it was the best thing so that is what we are doing. Other than that all is well in her little world and she is really coming out of her shell. The bonding is happening but I am not so naive as to say she is totally bonded yet. She defiantly knows that it I am the one who feeds, loves, changes, and provides comfort for her, but knowing that this is a forever thing for her will take time. Time I am willing to give....especially when she gives me a smile!
James is also doing well. He is almost completely back on schedule and back to his wonderful self for the most part. We are dealing with a few issues of the sibling nature and I haft to admit they are a little more than what I thought they would be. Since I had been taking care of another baby for over a year and he was use to that I thought the transition to sister would be a little easier. I was wrong and now that I think about I do understand why, but I am having to really step back and re approach some of my handling of this. I am proud of James and how well he traveled, and I am amazed at the young man he is becoming but I am also having to remember he is only five and still little in so many ways. I do not want him to haft to grow up to fast so I am going to make sure we nurture the baby in him as well as the big boy!
It is good to be home and hopefully I will blog a little more often but till then ....
Monday, March 12, 2007
Hey where did you take my pants...
MOMMY!!!!!!!!!
Ok This is just CUTE... After I take out the pony tails this is what she looks like.
This is a favorite shot...
We are all doing ok. Sorry it took so long to get back on here and this post will be short, but I wanted every one to know we are doing fine and Miah is adjusting well. James had a really bad couple of Days and we ended up taking him to the clinic here at the White Swan and the doctor was great. He is all better now and all sysetems are a go. Miah had her medical check up and was not to keen on being taking out of mommys arms, but she survived. Miah weighed in at 20.4 lbs and was 29 inches long. She fits perfectly into 9 month clothes and has the smallest little feet. Her shoe size is about a three. Well that is all for now but I am sure you are ready for pictures, this will be my last post from China as we will be leaving on Wensday, but as soon as we are settled I will post more info and pictures.
Still Kicking.... Now at the White Swan
good bye Chongqing
Hello White Swan
First bite of Ice Cream.....
This is NOT Blue Bell!
Sight seeing ... This picture took a lot of coaxing, come to think of it the SMILE took LOTS of coaxing.Wednesday, March 07, 2007
My Birthday Girl
Today my baby turned one....Happy Birthday Miah..... What did we do on her first Birthday? We went to the orphanage she spent all but four months of her first year. It was a whirl wind of emotions as we headed up the steps that led to the rooms where Miah lived. Seeing other babies there was overwhelming and I must admit I was very glad to have Miah very tightly in arms. The wonderful thing is that it is very clear that the nannies love and take care of these tiny little girls. We were also blessed when the staff at Dianjiang presented us with a birthday cake for Miah. It was beautiful and tasted great... Miah could not get enough. I am posting just a few pictures and I will write again soon...
Oh I wanted to send out a special thank you go Ginnie.... Thank you so much for Miahs birthday gift... you rock!!
Now for pictures.....
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Bubbles and Sweet Dreams
The bubbles you see here are from Gymboree and if you are coming to China I would highly recomend them. They are wonderful and stay in the air a long time and when they land they do not pop right away so the little ones can get a good look at them and sometimes hold one like Miah is doing in one of the shots above. They are a great ice breaker for baby and parents too and a wonderful distraction for a baby in melt down mode. I have not found any like these except at Gymboree but I know bubbles of any kind are fun for kids of all ages!
Our time
It is our time in China and I am so grateful for that. I am going to keep this short as I know you just want the pictures.... Chongqing is a wonderful place with so much old and new side by side. The people are friendly and very curious about James and then when they see Miah they are even more so. Yesterday we went to Wal mart and did a little shopping while in line an older man came up to James just talking away and picked him up right from between Randy and the shopping cart James was clinging to. He was just chattering and then trying to hold James up for all to see him.... James took it well and we explained to he that the man was happy to see James and that the man only wanted every one to see how cute he was. James was also surrounded by a group of ladies at a market we ventured to yesterday as well. They loved touching his cheeks and I think they keep telling him he is beautiful. James got a yo yo as a reward so he felt it was worth the sacrifice of his cuteness. Miah is doing well. She will go to both Randy and I but wants me in sight and defiantly seems to understand that I am taking care of her so she clings to me. Ok here comes the "POOP NEWS" so don't read if your not interested... She went last night but it was so hard for her. I am talking bricks here.... I think she may have been trying to go for two days now but last night she just cried and whimpered so I picked her up and sure enough she was pushing with all her might and no luck so I layed her down and pulled her knees to her chest and massaged her tummy It still took a long time and she was in pain but we did have success. After that she has sleep really well. POOP NEWS OVER.
Well I guess I will post Photos now and then I am off to get ready to go and see the SWI Miah was in for eight months of her little life.... Oh we did find out Miah was in foster care for four months and then brought back to the SWI for one month before we came to get her.
Miah loves ... LOVES.. Her blocks, and baning them!
Time for our first family outing to .... WALMART
I am not walking yet but I sure do look cute trying.
See my Smile... It comes out from time to time.
My Big Brother Likes to Share With Me.
Miah loves ... LOVES.. Her blocks, and baning them!
Time for our first family outing to .... WALMART
I am not walking yet but I sure do look cute trying.
See my Smile... It comes out from time to time.
My Big Brother Likes to Share With Me.Monday, March 05, 2007
The Most Amazing gift...
Oh if only I could put into words what a day today has been...But I can not, there are to many emotions and to much spinning around between my ears. Not to mention I am just TIRED. I have got to tell you I have the most beautiful little girl on the planet. Miah is perfect from her tiny little nose to the tip of her toes.
The moment came and went in a flash and I was holding her before I even had time to wonder when it would be our turn. It was so amazing when we got to the Civil Affairs floor there were the babies just waiting for us and every one immediately started snapping pictures and trying to figure out who was who... I guessed right but I must admit I was not sure at all until they handed her to me. She did not cry at first she just stared at me her little eyes searching, it was a wonderful feeling. When I handed her to Randy she only fussed for a few seconds before really looking him over as well. It took James a moment before he would say hello, but just as I knew he would he has taken to being a big brother as well... A little jealous, but still wonderful none the less. Miah is fitting into the nine month things I brought her very well and the size 3 diapers are right on the money. She is about middle in our group size wise and she is the youngest. Her hair is thick and course and so shiny .... I LOVE IT! She took just fine to the Playtex bottles we brought and has already had two bottles for us as well as some bread, what I think was Con gee and some banana and Cheerios so we no she will not starve. It is still early to really tell but I do not think she is really crawling very well yet, she seems to scoot backwards and get frustrated with it. She is sitting up but more at the level of a eight month old at this point ... still a little floppy.
When we got back to our hotel room after being in the civil affairs office for three hours she was all about playing with stacking cups and smiling and giggling... She likes to be tickled. James had great fun teaching her how to play with them.Tonight laying her down went pretty well all things considered, she did fight sleep and so eventually I just layed her down in the crib with a soft blanket and just rubbed her head while she just let it all out and went to sleep in a matter of minutes. All in all she really has not cried much at all and has even smiled and laughed for us and that for sure is a blessing. Well I hate to cut this short but I really must get some rest so enjoy the pictures and be sure and check back for more.
The moment came and went in a flash and I was holding her before I even had time to wonder when it would be our turn. It was so amazing when we got to the Civil Affairs floor there were the babies just waiting for us and every one immediately started snapping pictures and trying to figure out who was who... I guessed right but I must admit I was not sure at all until they handed her to me. She did not cry at first she just stared at me her little eyes searching, it was a wonderful feeling. When I handed her to Randy she only fussed for a few seconds before really looking him over as well. It took James a moment before he would say hello, but just as I knew he would he has taken to being a big brother as well... A little jealous, but still wonderful none the less. Miah is fitting into the nine month things I brought her very well and the size 3 diapers are right on the money. She is about middle in our group size wise and she is the youngest. Her hair is thick and course and so shiny .... I LOVE IT! She took just fine to the Playtex bottles we brought and has already had two bottles for us as well as some bread, what I think was Con gee and some banana and Cheerios so we no she will not starve. It is still early to really tell but I do not think she is really crawling very well yet, she seems to scoot backwards and get frustrated with it. She is sitting up but more at the level of a eight month old at this point ... still a little floppy.
When we got back to our hotel room after being in the civil affairs office for three hours she was all about playing with stacking cups and smiling and giggling... She likes to be tickled. James had great fun teaching her how to play with them.Tonight laying her down went pretty well all things considered, she did fight sleep and so eventually I just layed her down in the crib with a soft blanket and just rubbed her head while she just let it all out and went to sleep in a matter of minutes. All in all she really has not cried much at all and has even smiled and laughed for us and that for sure is a blessing. Well I hate to cut this short but I really must get some rest so enjoy the pictures and be sure and check back for more.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Today is the day
As I sit here I am just in awe that we are almost there and that our daughter will be in our arms in a matter of hours. Amazing. I am going to keep this short but wanted to let every one know our journey to Chongqing was safe in not long due to the extra three hours we sat on the plane waiting for take off. Beijing had snow yesterday and from what I understand that is rare so needless to say it was a mess at the airport, but the plus to that was the beautiful ride on the way. James continues to do very well and made a special friend on the plane. I will write more on that latter but for now I have a diaper bag to get ready.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Great Climbing at the Great Wall 1
We had a wonderful if not wet and cold day! James was amazing yet again and did very well, Nana and Nene do not worry about him he is doing better than we are and loving it too. Every one is so great to him and that helps a lot. Well I made it to the first tower at the great wall behind James who booked it up there with his dad and would have gone even farther but we decided it was best he stay behind with me as Randy went on and on and on.... Randy did great he made it past the third tower and got a few really great pictures, but when he came back down his legs were doing the noodle dance of there own acord. We also saw Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City both of which are very neat and I could have spent all day taking pictures, but alas it was a quick moving tour and so I did the best I could! My favorite was the Royal Garden and the story behind it. Well I will keep this short for now since we are due to leave our hotel first thing this morning but I will try and send photos of Miah as soon as I can.
Friday, March 02, 2007
We Made It
We are here!!!!! I can hardly beleive it as I type this but it is true and I have a sore everything to prove it. The travel was blessfully uneventful and James did a wonderful job.Infact he did better than Randy and I both.. Thank the Lord. We made it through customs without any hitches and Randy just breezed us through the airport like he had done it a million times. I am so greatful that he is the way he is or I would still be wondering around that airport. I was running on two hours sleep for the trip and did not sleep at all on the plane rides so needless to say but by the time we landed I was a walking Zombie.
What have I done so far? Well I have seen lots and lots of construction, been on my first bus ride( yep it was scary but only a little), gotten money changed over and feel rich LOL, been to my first Chinese grocery store... really small like a convience store so nothing to out of the ordinary, found out they have Subway Restraunts here( did not try it yet it does not smell to good to me) and then crashed ....HARD.... on the HARD bed and slept on and off for the past eight hours. James handled last night pretty well while we were out and then he slept all night, Randy too... Infact they are still sleeping, so hopefully James will adjust pretty well pretty fast and make things go a little smoother. I will try and post pictures tonight...We love and miss you... Just two days till we get Miah!!!!
Today we head out to see the Great Wall and Tianmen Square, as well as the Forbidden City. Hopefull I will down
What have I done so far? Well I have seen lots and lots of construction, been on my first bus ride( yep it was scary but only a little), gotten money changed over and feel rich LOL, been to my first Chinese grocery store... really small like a convience store so nothing to out of the ordinary, found out they have Subway Restraunts here( did not try it yet it does not smell to good to me) and then crashed ....HARD.... on the HARD bed and slept on and off for the past eight hours. James handled last night pretty well while we were out and then he slept all night, Randy too... Infact they are still sleeping, so hopefully James will adjust pretty well pretty fast and make things go a little smoother. I will try and post pictures tonight...We love and miss you... Just two days till we get Miah!!!!
Today we head out to see the Great Wall and Tianmen Square, as well as the Forbidden City. Hopefull I will down
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