Updates on the Homefront

Ok several people have asked for some updates so here we go.

First, Alyssabelle is doing great!!! She's doing so much better than we anticipated at this point. Now that we're home she's starting to pick up some English from the boys. However, she has J wrapped around her finger; she'll stand at the top of the stairs and holler for him to come pick her up. And he comes. She was a little leary of D at first (our wild man) but she's now doing great with him and she's been following him around this evening. Actually, this is the first evening where she hasn't had to constantly be held or be near Brad and I - her and the boys are downstairs playing and laughing. Actually, I was just informed that they are teaching her how to play football and yes they are inside with a real (not nerf) football. It never ends.

We went to the dr the first day we got back and she had shots, blood drawn and chest xrays. So far everything seems good. The blood drawn was to check the immunizations that she had taken in China. We go back on 11/19 - where we'll have more shots (oh joy!). We also got an appt for the specialist on 11/14 - I was rather surprised at how quickly we were able to get an appt there. I really thought we would be lucky to get one in by the end of the year. We may be looking at surgery quicker than I initially thought.

Also, I haven't changed the front pic to include her because she took a spill the first week home and her nose and above her lip has been scabbed up pretty good - and also have you tried to get pics of 3 crazy kids smiling all at once???? I have newfound respect for photographers everywhere. So anyways, we're trying.

Also, Alyssabelle is doing much better with Brad. I think both of us splitting up the days and working half days has been working out great. She's been getting one on one time with each of us and has been experiencing each of us leave for work and come home as well as seeing us drop off the boys and being with us to pick them up each day. The first day I left for work and came home a few hours later, her face just lit up.

She picks out the frilliest outfits to wear and has massive amounts of dollar jewelry on her at all times. Also, a friend gave us some dress up sandals which she loves to put on and take off over and over again. All in all, we're having a great time and I promise to try and not wait too long before posting again.

We're Home!!!!

We are home!!!!!!! Do I need to say anymore here.

We arrived in the Charlotte airport Thursday evening at 7p to a most wonderful sight - our 2 boys!!!! Couldn't have asked for a better sight than that or better hugs. After an awesome meal at Olive Garden we finally made it home around 10p. One of the things that Brad noticed on the flight into Charlotte was grass - in China and HongKong; it seemed like all we saw was skyscrapers. We're all suffering from jet lag but we're all home safe and sound and we couldn't ask for anything more.

We did take Miss Squeakers to the dr today and she got 3 shots and several vials of blood drawn as well as a chest xray done. The vials of blood are for titer screenings to see if some of her vaccines have taken or if they will have to be redone; there's also several that weren't done that she got started on today. She weighs in at 22lbs and is 31 1/2" tall. We go back on 11/19 to have her checked again, have more shots, and get her referral appt for the cleft palate specialist. All in all, it's been a rough day for her and she's here sleeping now.

Leaving

We are finally leaving the White Swan hotel today. As much fun as we've had here and as much as we've enjoyed the trip, we are all ready to go home. Well Alyssabelle has been nervous all morning and very loving, I think she's worried about what's to come. She's seen us packing up the suitcases and she's a bit edgy this morning.

We had dinner last night at a Cantonese Restaurant and I tried everything that came out - yes, everything. Some I don't really know what it was. It wasn't too bad; there was some pasty thing though that was gooey but looked like crab cakes and was filled with red bean paste. Not so appealing. It was nice to eat with all the other families and enjoy our last day.

I could write more but to be honest, I'm tired and my back is killing me from sleeping on these rock hard beds, I kid you not, rock hard. Anyways, we are going to the consulate to swear Alyssabelle in as a US Citizen than it's onto the train station to depart to Hong Kong. We have a hotel in Hong Kong for the night and than our flight leaves at 10:30p on Continental. Also, this may be our last post from China as I'm not sure if we'll get a chance before we leave on the flight out tomorrow. Love you all!!!

Boys - we're coming home!!!!!!

A Day of Shopping

Well we didn't have anything to do yesterday except shop, so we did. Along the way of purchasing souvenirs and gifts, we've learned a lot from the Chinese people here in Guangzhou. Not just about their pride of country but also history lessons along the way as well. So many people here speak English, it makes me feel a little embarrassed that I only know English. Now Brad doesn't like to shop because there's a lot of haggling and bargaining going on with the shopping but he's been doing great. We also had to buy another suitcase for the way home so we've obviously been having some fun with the shopping. We've also met some great people here that are from the US and adopting as well. Adoption not only binds you with this amazing child that you've seem to know your whole life but also with all these other families that otherwise you may have never noticed them.

Well Miss Squeakers was again at her best yesterday. You can see each day how she is getting more and more comfortable with us and how the bonding is really forming when you see her personality start to come out more and more each day. A week ago, she wouldn't touch anything in the shops and didn't want to walk anywhere, wouldn't look at you in the eye, wouldn't smile or laugh. Now she touches everything and looks up at you as if to say "hello, it's me here and I want this". She's smiling and laughing all the time now and she makes the funniest faces at us with a new one each day. She only pushes us away when she throws a temper tantrum and wants something or she's really tired. Now that she has her squeaky shoes she wants to walk everywhere and she walks with this attitude of "here I am". She's starting to talk more and more in her own language and I know it's only a matter of time before she's talking in English and we can't get to stop talking (I think she may be a little like Miss Holli in NC in regards to the talking). Someone who adopted told me that he couldn't remember what it was like without his adopted daughter in his life and I feel the same way, it's like she's always been a part of our family.

Well, we have our Consulate appt today, group pictures, and farewell dinner this evening. I need to get going and get a shower as Miss Squeakers is hungry the moment she awakes and she doesn't wait for showers.

Boys - Dad and I miss you both sooooo much and can't wait to see you. It's been fun in China but we can't wait to get home and give you both some hugs and kisses (yes Jake you too). I hope school went well today and I'm not sure what you all have planned for the rest of the week but I wish we could fast forward a couple days so we could be on that plane and coming home to you today. Only a few more days!!!!

A Changing Day

Yesterday was our best day so far with Alyssabelle. I think it was a turning point for her and us. Her little personality really shone and she warmed up to Brad. She let Brad carry her yesterday inside and outside of the hotel, which has been a first. She has been laughing and smiling all day. Yesterday evening, her and Brad were making funny faces at each other in the mirror and we would all just laugh and laugh. We also went shopping and bought her squeaky shoes, which she loves. All the adoptive children here seem to have these shoes, not sure why, - they squeak every time she takes a step. We've been having problems getting her to walk as she tires so easily, but now that she has squeaky shoes she having a blast walking around and stomping her feet in them.

Boys, watch out - she's trouble in all caps!!!!! I have taken to calling her "Little Miss Squeakers" which she seems to find amusing. J and D, she is going to wrap you around her finger and get you guys into so much trouble. Dad and I can see this already so we'll do our best to patient and understanding - but take note that she is all spunk and sass and thinks her way is the only way.

We went to a Thai restaurant last night, Cow and Bridge, and I thought the food was great and the presentation was unbelievable. Only problem is that they only have chopsticks to eat with. Let me say that Brad is pretty good with chopsticks and me, not so good. I wound up giving up and they had a big serving spoon in which you are supposed to transfer food from the main plate onto the smaller eating plate and I wound up using the serving spoon to eat with. I was starving and I did try!!!! We had appetizers of shrimp cakes, meat on a stick, chicken wrapped in seaweed, and spring rolls with all kinds of sauces. Brad got some type of meat and noodle dish and I got wings in a type of sweet/spicy sauce with peanuts, pepper, onions in a half of a pineapple (yes, I was suppose to eat the wings with the chopsticks, like I said, I tried). Mine was awesome!!! Tuesday night for our group farewell dinner we're going to a Cantonese Chinese Restaurant - don't know what we'll eat there. We had some interesting choices from last night - like pig neck and ears.

Well today we have paperwork to do and we need to finish up our shopping. Tuesday, we have to stay in our room for most of the morning while our guide goes to the consulate for us, than group pictures and group farewell dinner. Wednesday, we have the morning to pack up, than in the afternoon we go to the consulate to swear Alyssabelle in as a US citizen, and we take the train over to HongKong. Thursday AM we fly home. We're in the final days here and I have to say that it has been an amazing experience and trip. I've really enjoyed meeting the people here and getting a small sampling of their culture. I am however ready to go home and see my boys.

SuperStars

Ok, I was going to do this long post about visiting the Guangzhou Zoo but instead I have to tell everyone about our Super Star status. Yes, we are probably going to be on the myspace pages of numerous Chinese girls.

We didn't even get to the first exhibit before the attack occurred. There were only about 8-10 at first and the CHI clan didn't even know what had happened or what was about to happen. They first descended upon Belle and I asking to take pictures, arguing amongst themselves, taking pics of themselves with us. It was quite amusing all these teenaged Chinese girls thinking we movie stars or something. Then it happened - they noticed 9yr old, blue eyes, blonde hair Claira (our CHI sightseeing family). More pictures ensued of Claira - all exclaiming how beautiful she is (which she really is). We thought that was the end of it but that was only the beginning.

The girls left and came back with FRIENDS!!!!! Next thing we know there are about 30 girls clamouring around us all taking pics and wanting little Claira to look this way and that way. Claira's dad videotaped the whole thing but it was surreal. Everyone taking pics of us and the crowd just kept growing. I would never have believed it if someone had told me so Brad took lots of pics and we had Elsie, our guide, take a group shot of all the girls and us - see top pic above for proof of us movie stars. And in the words of 9yr old Claira, "I don't know how Hannah Montana does it".

Park & Temple

Yesterday was my favorite sightseeing day thus far, despite having a blister on my foot and back killing me. We went to XiuXiu Park with is amazing. Again everyone dancing and playing the hackey sack all over the place. We even heard some Cantonese Opera. There is one other family here doing the sightseeing with us and they adopted a 2 1/2 yr old and they brought their 9yr old daughter with them. The 9yr old went out and was dancing with this large group of ladies and they have been just fawning over her - she is a really pretty and sweet girl. Alyssabelle did really well climbing up the stairs - she lacks strength and tires very easily so we've been trying to make her walk as much as she can. She did throw a small temper tantrum at the park as she wanted me to hold her and I had to firmly telling her that we were walking. She's very stubborn, she decided to walk after that but walked so slow you could barely tell she was walking. Oh the joys!!!

The temple was absolutely gorgeous. Brad took lots of pics that I'll have to post while you are all sleeping later in the day. The city wall in the park was 600 years old and the temple was much much older. The temple is where they used to worship ancestors. They also had many statues and embroidery art there that was amazing to say the least.

We also went to KFC for lunch yesterday. That was an event. We were there without our guide and trying to watch Brad translate was quite amusing. They brought out a different menu with all kinds of food choices and Brad was trying to tell her that he wanted a kid's meal. Finally figured out the kids meal but they gave us hot wheels so Brad had to than ask for Barbie while I held up Alyssabelle. We did get our food though. I also opted to try ham and pineapple pizza last night for dinner, it was pretty good but a little dooey. Yes, we are going to have authentic Chinese food as well. We are going to attempt to go to either tonight or tomorrow to Cow & Bridge Thai Restaurant - I'm told it's very good. Also for our last night as a group, our guide has planned for dinner at a Cantonese Restaurant. I'm sure we'll have some interesting food choices there.

Today, we're going to the Guangzhou Zoo. It's going to be hot and lots of walking - but I hope Alyssabelle likes seeing the animals. I think this will be the most fun for the kids. It's also supposed to be about 2 or 3 degrees cooler but when it's in the 90s with about 90% humidity does 2 or 3 degrees matter - we'll report back later.

Boys - I know that you are down at the Oktoberfest and hopefully having lots of fun. We have to leave at 9a China time and 9p your time so I don't know if we will get a chance to call you guys. We will try but if not we will talk to you tomorrow morning before the soccer game. Love you boys!!! Best be good for the next couple days as tomorrow is our free day and we're going souvenir shopping. We miss you and will see you soon!

Baiyun Mountain

Today, we went to Baiyun Mountain, which is the tallest mtn in Guangzhou but not very tall. The one thing I will always remember about Baiyun Mtn is the steps. Can I first say that this trip is really telling me that I'm out of shape. If I haven't lost at least 10lbs by the time I get home it will be a miracle. By the way, we took the cable car to avoid the steps but we still had a lot of steps. It was very beautiful and the Chinese culture continues to amaze me - all the people just exericising there and dancing and singing. It's very beautiful. There are groups of people in their 60s playing hackeysack - I can't play hackeysack. So many people outside and enjoying the day, I can't remember a single moment in the US where I see people in the park dancing or singing, etc. And incredibly nice - I shudder to think how we would treat some of these people if they were in the US on vacation. Always saying hello (in English) and saying what a pretty girl to Alyssabelle, smiling, etc. It's very eye-opening.

Alyssabelle is still not liking daddy but we're working on it. She has however really bonded to me and now will not even grab our guide, Elsie's, hand or go to anyone else. She is still tires easily and we were able to get through with only one nap today (she tried to sleep in the morning but we were at Baiyun Mtn and all the steps). And let me mention again that she loves hats and bracelets!!!! We took her down to the playroom today and she was somewhat overwhelmed, but we did get her to play with some blocks (she really liked) and a big ball while we were there.

Well I hear her stirring in her sleep so I better get going. I keep waking up at around 1a and I'm going to try and lay down for another couple hours before getting up. We are going to the Chen Clan Temple and a park this morning. Hopefully there won't be as many steps.

Another Day

Well this morning at the medical exam was not that much fun. Let me tell you that despite appearances, Alyssabelle has a strong lung and is quite a fighter. If she wants to follow her big brothers footsteps and do karate, I think she will do very well in the sparring. She has obviously seen doctors before and does NOT like them. She started to cry as soon as she saw the doctor. When we had to lay her down so he could exam her - she screamed and kicked and wound up hitting her head while trying to get away. After the first doctor, she still had 2 more to go. Next was the height and weight and when we laid her down for the height measurement, we were a little more prepared for her thrashing so she didn't hit her head but I think she surprised the ladies a little. The last doctor, she was ok with and that was the one that checked her ears, nose, throat, cleft palate - not a single cry. After all that though, she was exhausted and fell asleep on the bus.

Remember when I said that she knows exactly what she wants. Well we went shopping to get her some pants as the ones we brought are way too big on her. The ladies in the shop kept bringing out different shirts, pants, etc to see if we liked and during all this I took a shirt and showed Alyssabelle and asked if she liked - she shook her head no. Than the ladies started showing her outfits and she would shake her head no. It was quite amusing. Later in the hotel, I got the outfits out one by one (pants and shirts) and she kept shaking her head no. To test her, I grabbed her little hat and she didn't shake her head no, instead she grabbed it. Result, we're going to have to get her some more hats.

This evening we got to see some more of her personality come out. We went to Lucy's (american style cuisine) and she's a little like Jake and a little like Dylan. She's very focused when she's doing something and pays close attention much like Jake was/is. She's also very devious like Dylan can be. When playing with the blocks she watches our every movement and than imitates and is very careful about putting them one by one on each other. She's also at dinner likes to play little jokes on daddy - like when he's trying to feed her, she grabs onto the spoon with her teeth and than smiles at him. She's also much more active today, but stills tires very easily. We can tell when she gets tired as she'll initially slow her walk and than start to drag her right foot some. She's doing great though thus far and she's still wary of Brad but he's the first one to get her to laugh.

Boys - it was so great to talk to you this morning again. Jake, I've been thinking about you all day and I hope you did well on your test today. I think you're going to love your little sister, she keeps looking at your picture and pointing to you and Dylan. I also said a little prayer that your recorder would come in this week so you can practice this weekend with grandma. Dylan - I think you and your sister are going to give daddy and I many grey hairs - but I know we will all laugh a lot so we will love our grey hairs. I hope you are having fun at school and that the rain holds off so that you and grandma can ride your bike today. Daddy and I miss you both and can't wait to see you. Have fun while we're gone.

She's Ours!!!!!

We have Alyssabelle!!!!!! She's so sweet and quiet, yet very smart and inquisitive. The nannies arrived with her after we got there so we were able to see her come in. She came with 2 female nannies and a male (I'm not sure if the male was one of the nannies or a driver). She wouldn't come to either of us and one of the nannies pushed her a little more to us and she started to cry. Brad entertained her with a sucker until she became a little more at ease and than we went off to a corner to be with her. She just sat and looked at everyone and everything. She's very observant and stubborn (she must be a Lasecki). We tried to give her a bottle and she very adamently shook her head NO. Another child tried to get too close to her and she backed right into Brad, like she wanted him to protect her. I think she's a little scared of the other kids, she seems to watch them but when they get too close she backs off.

She's only spoken once and it was when we were trying to change her and get her to go potty. As soon as I started to take off the diaper she started pushing me away and spoke in Chinese something very loudly and clearly. When I took her into the bathroom she started to cry.

After this morning, we came back to the hotel and took a nap. Later we went to Lucy's to eat and than walked around a bit. Everyone is so nice. A lady working in a shop stopped us and wanted to practice her English so we spent about 20-30min talking with her. Alyssabelle doesn't speak Mandarin Chinese but instead a local dialect of her area but she does understand some Mandarin. The lady was helping us with some Chinese words and we were looking to see if Alyssabelle understood any, some she did.

After our walk, we went back to the hotel to talk to the boys and grandma. Hi Boys!!!! She has been shy towards Brad and while walking she played a game with him. She likes me to hold her and will hold my hand but whenever Brad tried to hold her hand she would push him away, but than she would look up at him as if to say "try again". This would go on and on. Back in the hotel, we got out a beach ball and Brad has been playing with her and she's been laughing and laughing. I think she likes him now. Oh, she also loves bracelets. We pulled one out for her and she immediately put out her hand for us to put it on her. We are having so much fun with her this evening and we are glad that we finally have her. She's such a sweetie. I will post some pics after she's in bed for the night.

Boys - have fun at school today.

Hopefully Today

Well it was a pretty bad today yesterday. We went down to the Adoption Centre to pick up A and she wasn't there. At first, our guide was told that they were on their way but after the other families had their children we were told that the orphanage forgot to come and bring her. Yes, you read that correctly, they forgot to come. Our guide tried to get them to bring her directly to the hotel yesterday evening, but the adoption centre did not have the paperwork so the would not let that happen. We are going back at 8:30a this morning and are praying hard that she will be there. It was very draining yesterday and that's why I didn't post earlier. I wanted and am happy for the other families, but it was so hard to walk out of the building without A. I felt like I should just stay there and demand something to happen, but common sense told me that I would get nowhere so I'm trusting our guide that there's nothing wrong, just a mistake.

Brad and I were still suffering jet lag and than this so we just stayed in the room and slept all evening and night. Hopefully we'll have A today and we won't be as tired as we were yesterday.

I also need to note that the driving here is crazy!!!! I'm not kidding when I say that there's 2 lanes of traffics and they somehow have 6 lanes of traffic trying to drive on them along with people just crossing whenever and bicyclists all over the place. I have not seen an accident but it's the craziest thing - absolutely terrifies me.

Well please pray that the next time I post, it will be of pictures of A and her beautiful smile.

We're in China

We are here finally!!!! People are not made to be on a plane for 16 hours straight. Our connecting flight in HongKong was delayed due to thunderstorms so we didn't get in until midnight China time (noon US time). Also, we are missing one suitcase (the one with all the pepto, my brush, makeup, and half of our gifts). Hopefully, the airlines will find it. CHI is so awesome though!!!! We didn't think anyone would be waiting for us because it was so late (our info packet said after 11p we may have to find our own taxi to the airport), but our guide was there!!!!! We were so thankful, after being in an airport or plane for about 30 hours and losing our luggage - I was about ready to lose it but there was a CHI sign and a beacon of light (thank you Lord).

Well the plan is that we have a meeting at 11a tomorrow and than we leave at 2p to pick up Alyssabelle. It has finally really hit me that in a few hours we are going to see our precious daughter for the first time.

Mom, J, & D - tried calling you on Skype (the webcam and internet) but no one answered. We don't have our panda phone yet - got in too late. We'll try and get up at a decent time so we can talk in the AM our time and PM your time. Love you all and miss you already!!!

Leaving

Well we're waiting for Dan to come pick us up and take us to the airport. I had about 15 mins left and wanted to thank everyone for all their support throughout the past couple years. Our flight leaves at 9:15a and we'll land in China at 10:35p (China time) tomorrow.

To my mom: Good Luck!!!!!!

To our boys: We love and will miss you soooo much but we'll see you in 13 days. Make sure you have fun with grandma and enjoy the time with her. J - do your best in everything including soccer and school. We'll call you after your game today. Make sure you help grandma out and have fun!!! D - Listen to grandma and have lots of fun. Make sure you jump 5 extra times on the trampoline for me. Love you both lots!!!!

Safe Travels

Well our travel group started to head out today and we will all be in China by Monday. I pray for everyone in our travel group not only for a safe travel but a joyful trip as well.

My mom will be driving down tomorrow morning and will arrive tomorrow evening. The boys are excited for her to come and Brad and J put together the trampoline this evening (mom's gift to the boys; early Xmas). Still working on another load of laundry so Brad wil be able to pack his clothes. I also went to the store and got some snacks to pack. We're all tired and we haven't even got on the plane yet. How is this so????

Well regardless of how tired we are - we are still so excited and can't wait to meet A. I'm nervous in regards to hoping she'll like us and knowing what to say to her to comfort her. I know that it will be ok and I just need to have faith that it will all work out. I'm also nervous about leaving the boys. They've stayed with my mom before; but it's just different know that we're in a different country than them. I know they'll be ok, but I can't stop worrying about them.

Well I still have loads to do, so I better end for now, but the clock is clicking away.