Updates!

I know it's been awhile! I have been working on the same post for days! I want this blog to capture the entire journey. After looking back on our trip I realized that I missed telling you about so much. I want to share day by day so it's taking me longer.

So while I'm working on the massive in China post, I'll share these....



Our SS class at church gave us a shower. It was fabulous!








Cousin time with Molly!




Bathtime in Nonnie and Poppie's tub with Mason and Molly








My smiley girl




With her best buddy, Mason, at the Wildlife Refuge










Wagon rides!

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Values

I was going to post about this while in China but find it very appropriate this morning.

There were so many traditions and values about China that I loved. As we drove through Chinese customs into Hong Kong I couldn't help but cry. Bittersweet tears. I was bringing my beautiful child home. She no longer lives in an orphanage. An orphanage that did a phenomenal job with her (especially loving her) even with limited services. I looked back to China thinking about what she will miss that is so difficult to teach and show her in this country.

In China, tradition was still widely respected. They still care for the elderly. They either live with them or they have the proper means for care. They don't expect a government to send a check to their parents each month or expect a non-profit organization to bring a meal by each day. They take care of the ones who cared for them...



Three level houses where three generations live

We were given the utmost respect everywhere we went. It had nothing to do with nationalities. In China, they work hard to get jobs and what they have. You see it when their work is performed. They don't expect the government to send a check when they aren't working. They don't expect to receive aid and free medical if they never worked to earn it. They don't feel entitled to receive something if they don't earn it. We were shocked at all the lengths people would go through in China just while performing their job! If they didn't feel up to standard they gave us several apologies. Jeremy and I giggled thinking why are they apologizing for not inconveniencing us!! We were used to poor treatment at home all the time.

China is a communist country. I love having freedom in the US. I am saddened by the paths we have taken over many many years that have brought us to here. My dad once told me it's way too difficult to get back what's far gone. If each of us could spend a week in another country to experience the ways and attitudes then maybe that would help change this nation.

Teach our children to love, pray, work, give, and NEVER EXPECT!

Much love, hard work, and prayers for years ahead!







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Busy girl!

I thought I would be so good at keeping this blog updated! Well...I thought wrong! Natalee Grace is one busy girl!!

I am so proud to be her mom. She is so well behaved for a 2 year old. I may be biased but let me brag with details...

She whines only when she's hungry or sleepy. She loves everyone. She gets excited to have anyone play with her. She loves to give kisses to mama all day and when baba gets home she runs and kisses him and won't let go all night :) She closes every door or drawer you open. She carries my kitchen rug all throughout the house. She will find the smallest piece of dirt on the floor and hand it to me. She is obsessed with Ladybug (our Weimaraner) and won't leave her alone for one second. She now wants to lick everything just like Lady does...including licking Lady. Oh and she feeds her all her snacks so we have to watch closely. Her sleep & nap schedule is perfect now and there is no crying when its time to lay diwn. She is saying words some in English and some Chinese. She dances when she hears music. She screams when she bathes. She eats everything. She fits right in!

Our post adoption appointment was Friday. We will have several over a span of 6 years. It went well!

We had a busy week so we will sum it up in pictures!



Playing after a bath



Snuggles with Mama and ladybug



Making a mess



Trick or treating with Baba!






Our Birthday Princess



Its a "dird" (bird)



Thanks Poppie and Nonnie!!

Much love,

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Silly Happy Girl

That she is!


Natalee Grace runs, laughs, giggles, says Mama and short phrases (no other words yet), cuddles at night, SLEEPS through the night, gives tons of kisses, loves on everyone, and still hates the bath!

The past few days we visited Nonnie and Poppie (my mom & dad,)


Kyle & Amanda have come to play a few times,


we took her to our favorite walking trail (Point Mallard,)



and we visited our family and friends at TVTC. Jeremy went back to work Thursday so we were a little sad but Cheerios cheered us up!


We have a fabulous SS class that has brought us the best dinners ever since we've been home! We love them so much and just can't thank them enough!

Her cardiologist appt was on Friday morning. She is seeing Dr Israel in Huntsville. We love him! She never cried!! She sat in my lap as he did an echo on her. He said her 3 major repairs performed in China looked fine. However since then she has developed a membrane on the left side of her heart. This causes the blood to flow over instead of through the valve. (I hope I'm telling this right.) Membranes grow and will need to be removed but not too soon. They tend to come back. It will have to be removed through open heart surgery again. The murmur that the Chinese Dr heard was related to this membrane. We will see him again in 6 months and then annually.

This week is a big week but we are keeping it small. She has Halloween, her birthday, then our post adoption visit. I don't think she's quite ready for big events so no big birthday party yet. I think we may just have some cake and family with no pressure for her to open gifts.

Much love,



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Loves meeting people!

At least my girl is social...well without talking! Her laugh and smile says it all!

The past few days she has opened up tremendously. She runs through our house squealing and laughing. Her Baba chases her and she runs into my arms!

We started the day yesterday at her pediatrician's office. He said she looked great! She needs to add on some pounds by taking Pediasure but other than that she's good. Her height is in the 5th percentile on the charts and her weight is below 5th. He'd like to see them both match. We are scheduled to see the cardiologist on Friday.

Later we visited my work. She played and loved on my "family" at work!



Our car ride home after running wild at work

Baba taught her how to get the mail!



She actually rocked herself to sleep on the rocker/rider that Jenifer and Tony gave us.



Last night we went to Aunt Tammy and Uncle Randy's to have dinner with them and Grandma. Natalee loved every minute!


Aunt Tammy teaching her some piano skills



Sitting with Grandma

She was so tuckered out from a busy day that she slept much better last night!

Much love,

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Day by Day

Each day is getting better and our relationship is growing stronger! We have had several visitors and she has loved on each one! At least we do know that she loves company :)

Since we have been home we have stayed in trying to get our bodies adjusted from jet lag. I am probably the least affected. I can pretty much fall asleep when my eyes close so adjustment is not as difficult. However the difficult part is the lack of sleep I've had. This is due to Natalee not adjusting well at all. I'm up with her all through the night.

Today we ventured out and made a grocery store run. She of course did great. We also carved a pumpkin with Meg.



At dinner, Natalee fell asleep sitting up. She then slept 3 hrs straight and now wide awake. Oh well, it's a process!

She is a happy, playful, and loving little girl. She loves her parents and loves to give kisses. She is beginning to make sounds other than crying and whining now :)

We have her Dr appt on Monday so I will keep you posted!

Much love,

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Momma's Tears

We decided when we got home that love bug would not be sleeping in our bed. She has a toddler bed that is a perfect size for her little body. Last night (this morning) after getting in from the airport about 2 am, we played and she met our Lady Bug (Weimaraner dog) until about 4:30 am or so. We did bedtime ritual and prepared her for sleep. Remember we are all on China time so our bodies think its afternoon. Daddy started first and rocked her. She screamed. And screamed. And cried. And screamed. Mommy came in and let daddy go to bed. I rocked her for a good hr while she cried some, played with the rocker some, oh and screamed. Finally I gave up with that and decided to lay her in her bed. Wow that girl can scream. I have a cot made right next to her bed so I kept my arm on the bed with her and rubbed her sweet face. While she screamed. She kept putting her hands on my face and rubbing. Finally after a long while she gave out. She lasted all day in her bed! Jeremy came in and woke us at 3:30 in the afternoon!!

Tonight different story. We are trying hard to get on US time so we started to bed early. It would be her nap time for China so I'm not sure she will sleep all night but we will see. I started rocking her until she went to sleep. Perfect! Not! After awhile I went to lay her down and she woke. I tried to rub her back to sleep and then she realized she was in her bed. It was all over. She was screaming!! It got much worse tonight though. She was scared. I held her while still in her bed thinking that would help and it stopped the crying but she would not let go and held tight. For at least 30 min. Finally I said come to momma, crying stopped and she crawled on my cot and on my chest to fall asleep immediately.

That feeling of your child being in total fear and the only thing that gives her comfort is your hug, your arms, your chest, and your kiss. I held her tight, cried, and prayed over her. I see everyday how God has worked miracles in my baby girls life. She has gone from an orphan living in a facility with hundreds of children and a rotating shift of caregivers. In less than 2 weeks she has found strength, love, and comfort in 2 people that look and sound weird. When I see what God gives her the strength to do each day, I know she can overcome bedtime.

Until then, this momma will give up sleeping in her bed, will give her chest to her baby to sleep on, whatever she needs to feel the safety.

Now to share some pics of her first day home!!



In her rocker from Uncle Mark!



Lady Bug trying to steal my bed before bedtime







This video is of her eating dinner that Poppie made us! She LOVED it!

Even though we flew in so late we had a huge turnout at the airport! I'll get those pics tomorrow and post them :)

Much love,

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Airport

We will be arriving in Huntsville on 10/17 at 9:20 p.m. Our flight # is JL 7648 Japan Airlines (I think operated by American Airlines.)

If you would like to come to the airport to see Natalee Grace we would LOVE to see you! Just pay attention to if our flights are on schedule or delayed.

This is a very important time during her attachment to us and we ask that you not hold her or pick her up if she is walking and reaches for you. It is important that this is only Jeremy and myself that hold, feed her, and bathe her just until she truly understands we are her parents. You are welcome to hug, touch, and give all the kisses you want!!

Oh and don't be alarmed when you see greasy, oily, dirty Mommy & Daddy. We will clean up baby but there's no hope for us in the airplane after 20+ hours!!

Can't wait to see you there!!

Much love,



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Packed with Fun!

Early early morning! We left for our consulate appt at 7:50 am. During this we were asked to take an oath, turn in documents, and sign the last forms at the US Consulate.


In her patriotic dress that Tara gave her!

We came home played and then napped.



She loves music!

Then we met with our group and went to the zoo.






Our little hot sweaty monkey
















The bears are the only one that she got scared of after we sat looking for a minute. She wanted to hurry through that section.







The hippo




This is for Mason! Chinese War Eagle!!!










I know this isn't a very good angle but these monkeys were so cute! All 3 were holding on to each other and walking everywhere!

We got back to the hotel and went to the playground. This time Daddy came so we got to try the slide.










She will get better with practice! And maybe a playground for younger children :)

We went to an Italian restaurant for dinner with the Hardee family. It was yummy! Jeremy started packing and let me lay down and get some rest. I've been fighting back a cold (caught from kissing on my daughter!) and that plus the meds I'm taking beat me down at night.


****I started writing this blog on Monday but didn't finish til Tuesday morning so I will combine both.*******

So today (tues) we go shopping at Shamian Island and then leave for Hong Kong!

This will be a stressful day because we will be gone during her nap time but at least we have a 2 hr drive this afternoon to HK. She is just like me and loves to sleep in the car.

It is going to be so so sad to leave the Hardee's today. We have become so close. Wish they didn't live in California. I guess when we go out that way to visit family we will definitely meet up with them!

I probably won't be able to post from HK.

Much love,


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