Thursday, March 23, 2006
After three friends in one week recommended Portrait Innovations to me, Darrin and I took the kids there today for their first real photographs together. We've posted just a few of the 66 poses--we loved the place and the kids did so well. Drew is a natural and Caroline felt very comfortable for the first part (it got a little furry after a room and clothes change). So glad we took them now, she is changing so much every day. The pictures really do capture so many of her true expressions. For the chance to get photographed with Caroline, Drew didn't even complain very much about having to wear a shirt with buttons! Boy is he changing since his little sister came along.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Just a quick update on how we're doing two weeks after arriving home. I believe Caroline and Drew are doing the best. She's sleeping 12 hours a night in her own room (sorry Debbie) and taking a short nap. She's definately taken after me in the food department and has a very healthy appetite. She'll try anything once and loves vegetables, but not so much with fruits (unless it's mixed with something). She even likes the yucky ones like peas and lima beans. She loves being held, but is also content to play on the floor or in her pack n play if I need to get something else done. Her worst moments are anything to do with water--baths or even washing her hands in the sink. She and Drew really get a kick out of each other. He is the great entertainer and loves to "be in charge" when I get a shower or do something else. We've taken note of some great Drew-isms to share. He told me that he loved her so much that he wouldn't even take $500 for her or all the chocolate chip cookies in the world. And once after dinner I told him that she ate so much I think she might explode to which he said, "I hope not, we just got her." Darrin went back to work right away, but still hasn't felt quite right and had to miss one day of work last week. Who knew that two kids would be so much harder than one. It's amazing how much one extra little person would increase my laundry and dish washing duty. I'm getting a little more organized every day, but still have a long way to go before being caught up on. Fortunately my writing assignments have been light lately because I've only had an hour here or there to spend on that. I sure hope that changes soon. It's such a great outlet for me and I miss it.
We are sad when we think about all that Caroline Bei has endured in the last 18 months. She has known change that most of all with never known in a lifetime, yet she is so brave and trusting. Although she is not quick to let other people hold her (unless you are a male) she smiles and waves for just about everyone. Unlike what her nanny told us that she's afraid of everything, we've found that she's hardly afraid of anything (except furry things and things with faces). We love her so much and know by the way she snuggles us she loves us right back.
We are sad when we think about all that Caroline Bei has endured in the last 18 months. She has known change that most of all with never known in a lifetime, yet she is so brave and trusting. Although she is not quick to let other people hold her (unless you are a male) she smiles and waves for just about everyone. Unlike what her nanny told us that she's afraid of everything, we've found that she's hardly afraid of anything (except furry things and things with faces). We love her so much and know by the way she snuggles us she loves us right back.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
We're really home!!!
I'm ashamed to admit that we've been home almost two weeks now, arriving on Feb. 24. Let's try not to remember how late this post is coming, but remember how faithful I was posting in China. We left China after a night's stay in Hong Kong. The flight to Newark was made bearable by the smartest decision we made on the trip--buying Caroline her own seat. She used it to sleep for about 8 hours and then to sit and play in or to have snacks. We hoped to sleep while she slept, but she is a really restless sleeper and kicked and hit both of us everytime we dozed. We also caught her several times before she hit the floor. The only complaint about the flight home was the worse turbulence I've ever experienced as we approached Newark. I've never seen so many of the little blue bags used. Yuck! We landed just before we needed to use ours. The heavy wind also delayed out flight to Orlando for two hours, but when we arrived the faithful 30 or so still were on hand to meet us. They looked so wonderful (as I'm sure we did too after not showering for more than 24 hours). Thanks so much to everyone who came. I cannot tell you what it meant to us receive that greeting. We'll never forget the cheers we heard when we saw the group on the terminal. They ranged in age from 3 months to 89 and came carrying flowers, balloons, signs and stuffed animals. Caroline smiled, laughed and even took a few steps in her green squeaky shoes. She didn't seem afraid at all, but really seemed to take it all in, especially all the little kids. She let cousin Carter carry her around and held big brother Drew's hand.
Drew and Caroline both fell asleep on the way home and didn't even know when we moved them into their beds at the house. Darrin and I just sat in the living room for a while too tired to talk but too tired to sleep. I indulged in a big glass of milk and a yummy chocolate cupcake. Caroline was still on China time and up at 3 a.m. but we were wide awake as well.
A few things that we've learned since returning:
1. Rhonda should have had knee replacement surgery before tackling The Great Wall
2. Jetlag just doesn't affect sleep; for days we woke up in the middle of the night starving.
3. A new respect for parents of multiples. This is one tough job. Traci, Jenny and other wonderwomen, I'm open to time-saving advice : )
4. We have the best family and friends anywhere. Thanks to: Scott, LouAnn, Gam, Papa, Julie, Mom and Clinton for loving Drew as if he were your own; Tony, Anna, Joanne and Al who fish sat, fixed our vacuum cleaner, watched our house and even entertained Drew and Hayden while we were gone; Pat Kubicek and the other AWAA folks for taking my emergency call from China and expediting additional documents--you came through bigtime; Roger and Debbie, for taking phone calls from a crazed women in the middle of the night; Jerry, Angela and Brayden, for coming all the way from Nashville (we're still wishing for the interview); LouAnn's co-worker Christina, for the beautiful sign and present; all those who posted on our blog, I was a happy woman when I finally was able to read 'em; all those who sent gifts and generously gave money for our adoption fund; the many prayers and well-wishers, you got us through a pretty rough two weeks; and to Silvia and Alan, Scott and LouAnn and Debbie and Roger for providing us with these wonderful photos of our homecoming.
For those who are still on their adoption journey, keep looking ahead. Your day is coming and it will be better than you have ever thought possible. While I know that adoption isn't for everyone, I'm praying that God would move on the hearts of many who read this to consider the many more Caroline's in China awaiting their forever families.
I'm sure you are pooped from reading this and viewing all the pictures so I'll stop for now and post later about our first few days at home.
I'm ashamed to admit that we've been home almost two weeks now, arriving on Feb. 24. Let's try not to remember how late this post is coming, but remember how faithful I was posting in China. We left China after a night's stay in Hong Kong. The flight to Newark was made bearable by the smartest decision we made on the trip--buying Caroline her own seat. She used it to sleep for about 8 hours and then to sit and play in or to have snacks. We hoped to sleep while she slept, but she is a really restless sleeper and kicked and hit both of us everytime we dozed. We also caught her several times before she hit the floor. The only complaint about the flight home was the worse turbulence I've ever experienced as we approached Newark. I've never seen so many of the little blue bags used. Yuck! We landed just before we needed to use ours. The heavy wind also delayed out flight to Orlando for two hours, but when we arrived the faithful 30 or so still were on hand to meet us. They looked so wonderful (as I'm sure we did too after not showering for more than 24 hours). Thanks so much to everyone who came. I cannot tell you what it meant to us receive that greeting. We'll never forget the cheers we heard when we saw the group on the terminal. They ranged in age from 3 months to 89 and came carrying flowers, balloons, signs and stuffed animals. Caroline smiled, laughed and even took a few steps in her green squeaky shoes. She didn't seem afraid at all, but really seemed to take it all in, especially all the little kids. She let cousin Carter carry her around and held big brother Drew's hand.
Drew and Caroline both fell asleep on the way home and didn't even know when we moved them into their beds at the house. Darrin and I just sat in the living room for a while too tired to talk but too tired to sleep. I indulged in a big glass of milk and a yummy chocolate cupcake. Caroline was still on China time and up at 3 a.m. but we were wide awake as well.
A few things that we've learned since returning:
1. Rhonda should have had knee replacement surgery before tackling The Great Wall
2. Jetlag just doesn't affect sleep; for days we woke up in the middle of the night starving.
3. A new respect for parents of multiples. This is one tough job. Traci, Jenny and other wonderwomen, I'm open to time-saving advice : )
4. We have the best family and friends anywhere. Thanks to: Scott, LouAnn, Gam, Papa, Julie, Mom and Clinton for loving Drew as if he were your own; Tony, Anna, Joanne and Al who fish sat, fixed our vacuum cleaner, watched our house and even entertained Drew and Hayden while we were gone; Pat Kubicek and the other AWAA folks for taking my emergency call from China and expediting additional documents--you came through bigtime; Roger and Debbie, for taking phone calls from a crazed women in the middle of the night; Jerry, Angela and Brayden, for coming all the way from Nashville (we're still wishing for the interview); LouAnn's co-worker Christina, for the beautiful sign and present; all those who posted on our blog, I was a happy woman when I finally was able to read 'em; all those who sent gifts and generously gave money for our adoption fund; the many prayers and well-wishers, you got us through a pretty rough two weeks; and to Silvia and Alan, Scott and LouAnn and Debbie and Roger for providing us with these wonderful photos of our homecoming.
For those who are still on their adoption journey, keep looking ahead. Your day is coming and it will be better than you have ever thought possible. While I know that adoption isn't for everyone, I'm praying that God would move on the hearts of many who read this to consider the many more Caroline's in China awaiting their forever families.
I'm sure you are pooped from reading this and viewing all the pictures so I'll stop for now and post later about our first few days at home.
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