Settling at home

Been a rough last few days transitioning to a new size family.  Lots of learning going on: how to be a big brother, how to be a little sister, how to manage two jealous and possessive kids, how to manage two kids, how to like a daddy...

Seems like we've now mostly transitioned to our 13 hour time difference, thank goodness.  Last night I got some sleep!  Greg was able to take the night shift with little concern from Audrey. 

Timmy has had a tough time learning to like a new sister.  He's said, "She doesn't belong here!".  Lots of tears and outbursts of frustration.  With some time and attention he's slowly getting used to sharing his mom and dad.

Yesterday went to see the train exhibit at the US Botanical Gardens, an amazing exhibit if your children like trains.  Timmy was transfixed, Audrey not so much.  She did like the people-watching and listening to Christmas music.

Every day life gets a little more normal and a little less dramatic.  Looking forward to a wonderful Christmas with my two beautiful kiddos.

Safe and Sound at Home

We're home!

Caught a huge break in Newark and were able to return home almost 2 hours early on an earlier flight.

Got to see our man Timmy and I swear he's huge!  I was desperate to see him but he was exhausted from his day of fun and was crying from waking up too early from his nap.  Many many kisses later he was a little more comfortable and playing and sharing with his little sister.

Both of them went to sleep around nine at night.  Audrey got me up again around midnight and slept a bit with me.  Then around 3 AM she was up and we've been playing in our bedroom since then waiting for Timothy to wake up. 

It's so good to be home with my family, including Mamaw for a few days to help us with the time change.

More pictures soon, promise!

Consulate Appointment

Had our consulate appointment today.  Now all we need is Audrey's visa which we expect to get on Friday afternoon before we head to Hong Kong for our flight home.

Lots of Smiles

Audrey is playing with her daddy, each day she drops a little of her resistance to him.  Yesterday she even let him hold her!  She wasn't happy about it but tolerated it!  She now notices when he goes somewhere and will talk about it.  She's smiling all the time and all in all is a very happy girl.  Especially when you do exactly as she says, right now.  Did I say right now?  Because she means RIGHT NOW!  Often there is urgency that the world will end if she doesn't get what she wants when she wants it, kinda funny most times.  Except at meal times when we are in a restaurant with Chinese patrons staring at us, wondering why we aren't dealing with our baby?

She loves to put items into ziploc bags and then take them out.  She loves the kleenex wipes packages and will take them out, unfold them and them shred them.  She loves music and will lift up her hands and then wave them around.  She will also turn in a little circle.  She loves other children and today followed the two older boys in our group all around the beautiful Guangzhou gardens.  Molly, our guide, bought all of the kids a little pinwheel which Audrey would switch from hand to hand.

She loves books and will read them to herself, again and again studying the pages.  She is walking around more and relying less on the baby carrier.  She used to throw a fit if I took her out when we are at places.  Now if there are children there she knows she appreciates being able to walk.  Then she will protest getting back into the carrier.  We are letting her tell us what's comfortable for her right now but we love seeing her independent side.  We can see her confidence grow each day.

Walked through some Guangzhou markets yesterday.  Saw some interesting things for sale, differents herbs and medicines.  One thing I wish I hadn't seen was two puppies - dead and being wrapped in newspaper.  That was a big bummer. 

It's a bit cold here (50's) but nothing like at home!  If we have to be away at least it's in a warm climate!

Timmy is happy and healthy and having a great time in Cincinnati. 

Pictures!!!

I told Jill & Greg we needed more pictures, and they complied!  Here she is:

Lots to Update

As we may have mentioned, Audrey doesn't like to stop for anything - she wants to be outside and on the move constantly.  Our guide Hannah spoke to our foster mom regarding some questions we had.  It turns out some of the behaviors she does with us she also did with her foster mom.  One of our biggest challenges with Audrey is regarding eating - as she only likes to stand to eat.  Turns out her foster mom had lots of trouble with this, she would chase after her to get her to eat.  Also the foster mom mentioned that Audrey would stand at her door and point to go outside much like she does with us.

On Friday evening we left for the Nanning airport to fly to Guangzhou.  After a very slow security line with poor Audrey overheated and crying we just made it through by our boarding time -- only to find our flight was delayed two hours.  No matter -- after getting some water (like in the U.S. no liquids through security so lots of fun with a young one) Audrey was happy as can be and was running around the waiting area weaving in and out of people and especially watching and interacting all the other kids waiting for our flight.  Once we finally made it on the airplane for our 1 hour flight Audrey did great -- one lollipop lasted most of the way there -- and on her hands, hair, airplane window and mom's sweater too but it was worth it.  She finally started to doze on the van ride to the hotel and we finally made it in and to bed around midnight.

5:30 the next morning she was ready to start the day.  So we were the first folks down to breakfast and ready well ahead of time for her morning visa pictures and medical exams.  So along with the other (50?  1000?) families here today we all packed in to the Shamian medical office and spent the morning waiting in one line after the other for the perfunctory exams.  That finally done we eventually made it back to the hotel and after a few grumpy protests Audrey took a long nap, almost an hour in the crib and even longer on my lap in bed.  Did i say she's very mommy focused?  If Greg tries to hold her, walk with her or even get between Audrey and me she immediately gets very scared and starts crying.  Maybe she's afraid she's going to lose another Mommy?  She seems ok with other men who interact with her.

Other adoptive parents out there?  Any suggestions for how to get her to interact more successfully with Greg?

First bath.  A few small protests, but she got in the tub and we washed her hair and even had a little fun splashing.  Then a very sweet time reading on the bed. She was reading the book to herself - adorable.  We get lots of smiles  these days!

Last Day in Nanning

We leave for Guangzhou tonight.  Here is a picture with Hannah, our host here in Nanning, taken Wednesday morning at the People's Park just behind our hotel.  Audrey is happy as a clam in the Ergo carrier with Jill -- and fell asleep as we walked.