A little more than a week.

I know that all of you have been waiting patiently for an update. It is hard to believe that it has been over a week since Addison and I have come home. She continues to settle into our lifestyle and us into hers. She is still a little bit weary of Bob, but she is getting better. If he feeds her, she is fine and when I sneak out of the room she is okay for a few minutes. It may take a little while, but I think she will be a daddy's girl one day.

Addison is also getting better with the dogs. She walks around them and doesn't seem bothered. However, just like the dogs, she will eat anything. I was giving the dogs a treat the other day and they were sitting there nicely waiting for me to feed them. Along comes Addison with her mouth wide open...she wanted her treat too!!! I am going to try to get a picture of her doing it, it is too funny.

We took her to see the Pedi on the 20th. Poor girl got four shots, but handled like a trooper. The Dr. was a little bit concerned because she was less than 3% on the weight scale (19.5lbs), but when I looked on the Asian she was about 5-10% for her weight. Her height was 30.5inches. The Pedi asked about her cleft and wanted to know if we had been in contact with the craniofacial team. We let her know that we were meeting with the plastic surgeon on the 13th. Overall, she said Addison looked great. She didn't mention too much about her development, but she seems to be right on target except for speech.

The Dr. did give us a little sheet that explained what a child her age could/couldn't do. She was doing most of everything, but we hadn't seen her pull a toy behind her while she walked. So we went out and bought a little telephone (dial - like we had when we were kids) for her to see if she could pull the toy or not. The video shows that she can!! She is catching on to some signs - more, food, mom and all done. Today she said "uh oh." Until her palate gets repaired it will be difficult for her to make many sounds. We are praying the surgeon will be able to get us in quickly.

We love seeing Addison discover new things everyday, but at the same time it is a little bittersweet. At time it reminds us that we will never get to see Nathan do those things. Nathan has truly amazed us over the years and we celebrate EVERY little milestone he meets, but it is a challenge for him to make any progress. I think his struggles has made us appreciate Addison's progress more. Nathan has taught us not to take things for granted and that is what we are trying to do with every new adventure we have with Addison.

Thankfully, Nathan has remained healthy. He seems to like his baby sister most of the time. He doesn't like Addison to climb on our laps when we are holding him, but he loves to hear her sounds. She is doing pretty good with him as well. She hands him his toys if he drops them and will pat his head when she sees us doing it.

I want to thank you all again for your continued support and comments! I will try to update the blog more. For sure I will do it on Sunday nights.

Home Sweet Home

We all were so happy to be home after our 26 hour trip home from China. Addison did very well on the flight home. It helped that she wasn't the only baby on the plane...there were several other families bringing their babies home from China. The 15+ plane ride wasn't that bad, but it is something I don't want to do anytime soon!!!

Bob and Nathan met us at the airport. He was a little late so we had to wait for him to bring the balloons. He was over the moon seeing her for the first time. Addison is very slowly warming up to Bob. She is okay when she wants to play with him, but she doesn't like him to hold her that much. She is pretty much Velcroed to my hip. When I am in the room it is me that she wants. She has been good to Nathan. He is really enjoying hearing her "talk" and laugh. She picked up and gave him some of the toys he dropped.

Addison really doesn't like the dogs. She screams every time they come around her. I guess like everything else it will take some time.

We take her to see the pediatrician tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how she does. We are really anxious to see the surgeon on the 13th of December.

I am putting some pics up from our last days in China and some of us at home. Thanks again for following our journey and all the great comments!!

Leaving china

Thank you to everyone who has followed our blog while I was in China. I enjoyed reading all the comments! I have pics to post, but I will do that when I get home. We are trying to find places in our suitcases for all the stuff we have bought here:-) It isn't an easy task!

We have enjoyed our time here, but we are more than ready to come home! I am so excited for Bob and Nathan to meet Addison. I know they are both so excited to finally see her in person. We have met some wonderful families over here and we will miss them.

Keep checking back...I will add pics of our trip and of course pics of Addison with Bob & Addison.

Squeeky Shoes!

Here is a quick video of Addison in her squeeky shoes!

3 nights/ 4 Days

We are all so ready to come home! It have had a wonderful time in China, but we miss our families so much. It will also be so nice to get in a routine and not be living out of a suitcase. I also can't wait to go shopping at a good ol' American grocery store....or Target!

Addison continues to do well. The whole adoption journey has been amazing. It is hard to believe that four months ago we were staring at her picture for the first time. It feels like she has been a part of our lives forever. She is certainly going to keep us on our toes! She loves to explore EVERYTHING! Bob is baby proofing the house, hopefully it will all be done by the time we get home.

Yesterday we went to the Guangzhou City Zoo. The grounds were beautiful, but the actual animal cages weren't so great. We did get to see the Giant Panda, but surprisingly he was in a small cage without any foliage. It was sad. We also saw some very scary Pomeranian in cages. I guess a lot of Chinese don't get to see dogs. I posted a picture of all the beautiful girls who were adopted with our group.

Today was pretty lazy, I just had to fill out the rest of our paperwork so that we can get Addison's visa. Hopefully it will all be in order so we can leave on time.

Addison has finally warmed up to my mom. I had to leave her with Renee and my mom why I went to fill out the paperwork. Whey I came home, my mom showed me the pic of her holding Addison and Addison was smiling!!! Grandmas was so happy! It is truly wonderful to see Addison smile....it lights up her whole face!

I am posting some pics of Bob and Nathan's at Nathan's school's Veteran's Day Ceremony. They both look very patriotic!

A Visit to the Market

Today we ventured out to the Pearl Market. Along the way we walked through a herb and spice market. We saw some interesting things. Thankfully everything was dried. It would have been hard to see some of the stuff alive or hung up by a string. It was a pretty crowded street, but it was nothing compared to the Pearl Market/Mall.

We went in the Pearl market and by the time we came out all of China was walking in the mall. The Chinese have no concept of personal space or American manners. I had a minor breakdown along walking the street. In America when we go out with Nathan we get some stares, but it didn't prepare me for what happened here in China. People would stop and turn around and stare at Addison. I know that some were making very rude comments and I heard some laughing. I tried to remember that it is a totally different culture here, but I have/had a hard time understanding why anyone would act that towards a child who has a "special need." Our group and guide were very wonderful. They all feel protective of Addison and the other children. I know that Addison will live a much better life than most of the people here in China, but it was a little difficult walking along the street today.

We also went to KFC. We weren't too impressed with it. I don't know if it was the food or the million + people who were crammed into the restaurant with us. The best way I can describe the crowds would be either post Thanksgiving Day sale crowds or Christmas Eve shoppers times 100. We were all glad to back to the quite Shamain Island.

We had a beautiful dinner tonight along the Pearl River. It was a little taste of home --- BBQ. The waitstaff were all wearing jeans, jean jackets and bandannas tied around their necks. It was very good food.

Tomorrow we head to the zoo. I just hope that the animals aren't in little cages. Five nights until we head home!!!

Another Day in China

We have been in China now for nine days. We are enjoying our time, but we are ready to come home. We all miss our families and can't wait for Addison to meet Bob and Nathan. Addison continues to do well. She is getting much more comfortable with all of us, even my mom. Addison is all over the place. She is interested in EVERYTHING and just won't sit still....much different than Nathan. It is wonderful, but stressing at the same time. We are really going to have to baby proof our house when we get home.

Yesterday we visited a Buddhist Temple. Everyone was fascinated by the Americans adopting Chinese babies. Several people came up and smiled and took pictures with members of our group. One lady came up to Addison and started talking to her. The next minute the lady was crying...actually sobbing. We asked our guide what was going on and she said that the lady was so moved and happy that someone would adopt a child like Addison. The Chinese believe that our children are so lucky to be finding homes with Americans...especially those who have "special needs." However, we are the lucky ones. In the few short days Addison has been in our lives, she has brought us so much joy. It is amazing to see her experiencing so much for the first time. Her smile lights up the room.

I have posted some pictures from yesterday. I also posted a picture of some of the "items" available for dinner at the Chinese restaurant we ate at yesterday. Today is a lazy day. We don't have anything planned. I have a video of Addison walking around with her squeeky shoes, but i haven't quite figured out how to post it. I will keep working on it.

Shopping & Drs.Appt.

Today was a pretty busy day. We started out with a trip to a Chinese Department store. They had some neat things, but their buying system was a little weird. You would pick out what item you wanted and then hand it to a sales person who would write up a ticket. You would then take the ticket to a center pay station. Once you paid you would go back around to the different departments and pick up your items. It didn't seem very efficient. We also finally ate at a McDonald's. The whole group was pretty happy to have some real American Food. It all tasted pretty much the same.

Me and another mom (Deb) had to use the restrooms. We figured in a nice Department store that there would be some western potties. Nope....they were squatty potties. It wasn't too bad - quick in and out. I am must not sure how you would do it in heels OR if you had some GI problems. I guess the Chinese ladies have some pretty strong thighs.

They were tons of people. I know that China has billions of people, but it really doesn't seem like many of them have 9-5 jobs. Over all everyone has been very nice and helpful. The driving here makes DC traffic look like a cake walk. Cars, buses, bikes and pedestrians all share the roadway. Everyone plays chicken with each other.

After we got back, Addison and the rest of the babies had their Dr. appts. Addison was weighed (19.6 lbs), measured (30.5 in), and checked out by an ENT. She passed!

She is truly amazing. On Gotcha Day she would stay in one place and wouldn't move. Today she was walking all over the place. She is interested in everything...especially anything we put in our mouth. It is amazing what a little love and attention will do for a child. Even though it has only been four days, it seems like Addison has always been a part of our lives. We are so blessed ot have her in our lives. I can't wait for her to meet her Dad and big brother in a week.

Another Good Day

Today things went pretty well. We had one major break down this morning when I came out of the shower with a towel around my head. Addison didn't recognize me. Other than that she loves for me to hold her and kiss her. She still isn't sure of my mom, but seems to slowly be warming up to her.

Addison loves to watch me eat. I think if she could she would eat all the time. Tonight we went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant, she wanted to "taste" everything. She really liked the rice noodles and even managed to get them down. I have also fed her a little bit of rice from a bowl and spoon. Later she was playing around with them clean. She was holding a picture of Nathan and Bob and started feeding their picture. Hopefully we will be able to get her surgery scheduled soon.

We are really having a nice time. Our travel group all have beautiful babies and it is so nice to be able to get to know my "cyber" family. Our guide is wonderful and very helpful. She is taking us tomorrow to a department store....so I am sure we will get some good shopping in.

Thank you all for the posts. I really do enjoy reading them!