Reality has set in!

Dear Family and Friends,

I know it has been too long since my last post but I returned to work this week and now I absolutely have no time!

My first day dropping Sophie off at the sitter's was horrible! She must have sensed something was up on Sunday because she had an absolutely miserable night! Monday morning came way too early for both of us and she cried all the way to my sister's house (about a 20 minute drive) and still didn't stop once we got there. After about another 15 minutes of crying, she finally calmed down enough to "read" a book with my niece and my sister. I used that time to sneak out and promptly cried half way to work!

Of course, once I got to work and called in to check on her, she was fine! She barely knew I had left! What an ego popper that was!

Now she is much better about it. As long as she doesn't see me leave, she is fine. I do love when I go pick her up though. She gets all excited and her arms and legs go flying in the air! (Of course, she gets that way when she sees her bottle too so I guess I shouldn't get too full of myself! I suppose being ranked side by side with her bottle is better than the alternative!! LOL)

Here are some more recent pictures for you to see. They are some of my favorites!





































She is just too much fun!

Blessings,

Chinamom and Sophie

China's Winter Storms and the Orphans

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been on my heart for the last few weeks and I am asking you to pray about perhaps supporting the orphans in China.

As some of you know, nearly all of China was recently hit with some very severe weather. Many of the already struggling orphanages have been hit very hard. In some cases there is no electricity or running water. Many of the children, especially the babies, are becoming ill.

I don't have any word yet on Sophie's orphanage, but there are so many that are in need. It weighs heavy on my heart. My daughter could easily have been part of this catastrophie had the Lord not worked things as He did.

Someone recently reminded me that during this time, there are still babies being born that will be abandoned. Pray for these children. Pray that the LORD will keep his loving hand of protection over them. They are so helpless, these little ones.

If you would like to donate to help in assisting these orphanages the following groups have a good reputation:

http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php

http://orphan.childrenshope.net/

Please, if you do not feel called to support the children financially, please keep them in prayer.

Blessings,
Chinamom and Sophie

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble..." James 1:27

Did you need new photos?

Dear Family and Friends,

As promised, here are some new photos of my Sophie Joy! These were taken by my brother in law about one week after we came home. She just loves Randy! He did get her to smile in some of the pictures but I can't get them oriented from the side view, ie. lying position. I will work on that and post more.

We did have formal pictures done yesterday. She wore this dress as well as a Chinese outfit that I bought in China. Every picture was beautiful and Momma had a very difficult time picking out the poses she liked! Needless to say, I left there spending more money than I intended! I can't wait to pick them up!

I need to run for now, bedtime is approaching and I need to spend some time with my little one, reading her a story and getting her changed.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Blessings,

Chinamom and Sophie

Time is flying by....

Dear Family and Friends,

WOW! I can't believe how quickly time is going by! I am scheduled to go back to work next week and am dreading it! I am just not ready to leave my baby! (but then again, I don't think I will ever be ready to leave her - even when she's 20!)

We are adjusting very well. Sophie is cutting more teeth but remains a very happy baby despite the gum irritation. She won't take any teething toys (in fact she puts very little in her mouth other than food), so I have been giving her ibuprofen when she gets really fussy - otherwise she just chews on her shirt sleeves.

I have been very blessed in the last week to have had not one but two beautiful baby showers! My daughter will be the best dressed child in the Commonwealth for the next 3 years! She is too cute, my baby! She did very well at both events, despite being extremely over tired at both functions. She just can't help but be charming and flirty! I can't believe how generous everyone was and am so grateful for the warm welcome my daughter received.

I read the comments from my last post - thank you all for taking the time to write! Shawn - I promise to send you an email - I hope you and the tribe are well? Kathryn! Congratulations! I didn't know you were pregnant! How exciting! Can we get together? I know you are in touch with Ramona so maybe we can schedule something? Jane: I will give you a call - probably before you even get to read this! I think about you, Erik, Connor and Maddie all the time! What wonderful memories of Beijing I have because of you two!

I will download new pictures from my camera soon and update the Sophie pictures! She is just the cutest thing! and she talks up a storm! (not that I understand any of it, mind you!)

Blessings,
Chinamom and Sophie

Temper Tantrum

Dear Family and Friends,

I am writing this to keep from going into Sophie's room right now... she is having a bit of a temper tantrum and I am trying to resist going in and picking her up - which is what I really want to do! She went down to bed at about 7:30 tonight and woke up at 10:18 crying. Sometimes she does this in her sleep and will go right back under but not tonight. She cried for about 5 minutes and then started screaming so Mom went in.

She has had gas medicine, a bottle and still having a fit. She is fine when I pick her up but cries when I put her down. Does that sound like a child in pain??? I think she is playing me. I'll give her a few more minutes and go back in.

Other than that, things have been going well. We are adjusting to the time change and settling into something of a routine. She has been to her Auntie Terry's several days this week to become familiar with her soon to be daycare. Next week I'll try leaving her there for an hour or so to see how she does. I think it will be harder on Mom than it will be for Sophie.

We have had several outings which have gone very well. She is becoming accustomed to the car seat and no longer cries when I put her in. Baby steps but steps nonetheless!

Blessings,
Chinamom and Sophie

Updated photos!

Dear Family and Friends,

If you would like to see new photos from China, just scroll back down to my previous posts. I've added pictures to the days we were there. I will add new ones from home later- I'm very tired and need to get some sleep tonight!

Blessings,
Chinamom

Home at last!

Dear Family and Friends,

Sorry it has taken me so long to post but the days are just melting away and the jet lag is torture! My daughter is struggling with changing her former days into night and Mom is exhausted!

We arrived home very late on Saturday night. The day was long as we were up at 4:30 AM to be ready to leave for the airport in Guangzhou at 5:45 AM. Sophie slept most of the way from Guangzhou to Beijing. We had a 5 hour layover there before leaving for Chicago at 5:30 (local time). We had a phenomenal tail wind and arrived an hour early in Chicago - God answered every one's prayers that we would make our connecting flight to Manchester! We certainly needed every minute of that extra hour as it seemed everything that could possibly delay us getting through immigration and then customs, seemed to come up! But there too God gave us His blessings by providing us with people who expedited us along!

Sophie became a U.S. citizen the moment her Chinese passport was stamped by the Immigration officials! Hip, hip, hooray!

We were welcomed at the airport in Manchester by my sister in law and my niece and nephew, Gillian and Jared, as well as my good friends from church, Maria and Lucie! It was so good to see family and friends at that point. Thanks to you all for being there!

I will try to download new pictures soon so you can see my little pumpkin - you will have to wait for those from Forever Family Day as they are in my brother's camera and he will need to provide me with copies of those.

Thank you for all your prayers and support,

Love and blessings to all,

Chinamom and Sophie

Our Last Night In China

Dear Family and Friends,

This is our last night in China and I have mixed emotions. I am so very eager to get home, yet love China and the people I have met here. I almost wish I could have a few more days to see more of the country. But, I am happy to be able to get home and settle into a schedule with Sophie.

She remains a very easy baby. We are starting to figure one another out and it seems to get easier every day.

Today we did some sightseeing in Guangzhou. We visited and archeological dig of a king (at least that's who I think he was) - very intersting - they did a wonderful job of preserving what they could. Then we visited a Buddist Temple that is over 1,000 years old - Paul and the other family climbed the 17 stories to the top, but Sophie and I elected to stay on the ground. The stairs were rather steep and the last thing I needed was to fall down the stairs and fracture a kneecap or something! Sophie, of course, was very charming and flirty! She had two of the guards totally captivated! They talked to her and she laughed at all the right moments! Too cute, my baby! The little old ladies all loved to talk to her as well! At least today I didn't get stopped by the Clothing Police - I'll explain more later to those of you who don't know about this issue in China!

I've got to run for now, we have a very early morning call and I need to get some sleep.

See you all soon,

Blessings,

Chinamom and Sophie

All set to go home on Saturday!

Dear Family and Friends,

Here we are in Guangzhou - we got in very late last night and didn't get settled into the hotel until after midnight. We had an early call this morning for the babies physicals and visa pictures so we didn't get much sleep. Our appointment for the oath at the US consulate was moved up to this afternoon so technically we are all set for Sophie and Brooklyn to get back to the United States on Saturday. This leaves us free to tour and shop tomorrow (something we have certainly mastered in the last few days!)

Both girls did very well on their first plane rides from Nanchang to Guangzhou. Sophie kept everyone entertained with her singing and dancing (just really bobbing her head back and forth - but very cute!). Brooklyn slept nearly the whole way here. I am praying Saturday will go just as well for the long ride home!

I need to go for now. My little princess is getting restless - time for bed!

BUT, she does want to wish her Auntie Claudette a Happy Birthday! Here you go Auntie:

uhuyttgok hyby hhnuturfgyedtk (I think that's happy birthday in baby Chinese!)


Blessings,
Chinamom and Sophie

Nanchang, China

Dear Family and Friends,

We are here in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. We got here Sunday morning at about 11 am. We got to the hotel at about noon or a bit later and learned we would be getting our babies at 4PM that day! I was pretty nervous the last hour before we left for the Civil affairs office. My stomach was stuck in my throat for some strange reason!

We only had to cross the street to get to the office but it was a harrowing experience! The traffic here is unbelievable. New York and Boston have nothing on these drivers!

The babies arrived a little late to the office, but it was exciting nonetheless. We were the only two families in the room at the time. Sophie was smiling and happy right from the start. The other little girl, Brooklyn, cried non stop for the next hour and a half. The only time she didn't cry was when, believe it or not, was when PAUL held her!!! She actually starting screaming when her new mom or dad came near her! She only wanted Paul!.

Sophie has been sleeping through the night from the start. She is such a good baby! Very funny little thing. Wish I could post pictures but can't as I didn't bring a computer and am using the business center at one yuan per minute!

Yesterday we went to the notary office and police station to complete paperwork and are now waiting for her passport before we leave for Guangzhou and our consulate appointment.

Here is a message from Sophie.

vbu iiibbbbb zx nf7fffffffgggggggggggggggggg


For those of you who read baby Chinese, you will understand what she is saying, for the rest of you, too bad - looks like you are out of luck!

Need to close for now.

Love you all,

Blessings,
Chinamom and Sophie

Beijing

Dear Family and Friends,

Hello from China!

It was a very long flight, longer than I imagined - 13 hours on one leg of the trip just about did me in! Couldn't sleep on the plane for more than about 2 hours total after not sleeping well the night before! But, we made it and here we are in Beijing.

Yesterday was a very full day. First toured the Forbidden City then had lunch at a wonderful little restaraunt. We then went out to the Temple of Heaven for the afternoon then an amazing acrobatic show! I still say the human body should not be able to do some of the things they did!

We ended the evening with dinner at another delightful restaurant.

In bed by 9:30 - very exhausted but unable to sleep past 4AM!

Today we will be at the Great Wall and meet Samuel, the director for my adoption agency, who is here on business, and we will tour Living Hope's school later in the day.

I will try to post pictures when we get to Nanchang, where we should have internet access in the room rather than having to use the business center.

Hope all is well at home.

Sophie will be with me tomorrow afternoon!!

Blessings,

Chinamom

New Photos!

Dear Family and Friends,

WOW! One week from today, when you get up in the morning, I will be spending the first night with my daughter in the same room! Hopefully she will be sleeping at this time! It's very surreal. It just doesn't seem like this is happening - at least not yet.

I got some new pictures from the orphanage late last week. I had arranged through a service called "Blessed Kids" for Sophie to get a birthday cake to celebrate her first birthday. They were thrilled to have it arrive and invited 6 of Sophie's best friends to help celebrate! I'll post a few on the sidebar but here is a sample of the photos:

Aren't they the best? What a blessing it was to receive them!

I will try to update you before we leave, but time is quickly passing me by and I may not be able to talk to you before we go. Keep us in prayer as we leave on Wednesday and hope to be home Saturday the 19th. (Our connecting flight to Manchester is the last one out of Chicago....)

Blessings,

Chinamom

"But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand"

Psalm 31: 14-15

Getting Closer....

Dear Family and Friends,

I have been very bad about updating you and ask your forgiveness! The days are flying by and very soon we will be on our way to China!

Flights to and from China have been booked and I am waiting to hear from my adoption agency with the in China details. They hope to have things in place tomorrow.

We are leaving Wednesday morning and my sister, Terry, has very kindly agreed to get up very early and take us to the airport. We need to be there by 4:30 AM so you know how early we all need to get up that day!

The plan is to arrive back home Saturday the 19th. Our flight comes in about 9PM but I am a bit concerned about making the connection in Chicago. We have just under 2 hours to deplane, go through Immigration, collect our bags, go through customs and check in our bags for the flight to Manchester which is, of course, 4 terminals away from where we land!

Please pray that we make that connection or we may well be staying in Chicago overnight as I think it's the last flight out to Manchester.... It's always something! Nothing seems to go smoothly when it comes to this journey!

Keep checking the blog while we are gone - I will somehow find a way to get you updated!

Blessings,

Chinamom

Hot off the press!

Dear Family and Friends,

Just got word from Living Hope that my travel approval has returned from China! That's the go-ahead for the agency to start making appointments and travel arrangements!

The agency is trying to get a U.S. Consulate appointment for January 17 which would have us leaving for China on January 9!

I'll write more when I get details!

Blessings,

Chinamom

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."

Proverbs 25:25

Christmas Day

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas!

For me, it's a time of mixed emotions.

There is joy at the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At the same time there is sadness and disappointment that I am not able to spend this Christmas day with my daughter.

We will, however, have a celebration when she comes home. I do thank my family and those of you who acknowledged my new family with your cards and gifts. It meant the world to me and I have saved them to share with her one day.

May the peace of the season and the gift of salvation be yours today.

Blessings,
Chinamom

"Now there were in the same country sheperds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Ant this will be a sign to you: You will find the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. "

Luke 2: 8-14

December showering!

Dear Family and Friends,

Today the families who were part of my original LID group have left for China. Believe me when I say that I hope to be in China before they get back! It's not that we would catch up with them there, they would likely be at the end of their journey by the time I would be leaving, I just want to get there! Again, we waiting for my travel approval to come in so we can get this travel show on the road!

On Monday evening, I went to my friend, Lisa's, house. She and another friend, Kim, helped me to cut out cardstock paper for some adoption announcements I want to send out when we get back from China. While I was there, they showered me with some gifts for Sophie! Check this out:

Lots of fun things for bath time! Momma is especially excited about the side tub seat! Her old knees just are not what they once were! There's even a little Dora the Explorer doll in Chinese clothing! I didn't know Dora was in China too! Guess I need to get up to date on my children's television!

Thanks Lisa and Kim! You are the best!

Blessings,

Chinamom

Catching you up....

Dear Family and Friends,

So many things to get you caught up on.

First of all, I won't be leaving for China this week with the rest of my original travel group. My travel approval has yet to arrive. It needs to come in this week for there to be any chance of my spending Christmas with Sophie in China.

I'm very happy for my original travel group who will be leaving on Wednesday morning, but of course am sad for me for not being able to be with them.

On Thursday I was able to meet with Sophie's new pediatrician. I was happy to have him give me information about the things I had in my mind to talk about - and that was without my asking the questions first! I am very comfortable that the group has quite a few internationally adopted children in the practice so the issues I may be bringing to them is something they have experience with!

When I left the pediatrician's office, I went to mall. I was only going there to look!! I really was! (at least that's what I told myself when I pulled into the parking lot!)

I went into JC Penny's (someplace I hate to shop at - too confusing with the layout in these kinds of department stores! I can never find the department I want, then I can't find my way out of the store!). Anyway - I found myself in the children's department and saw a dress that I couldn't leave at the store! It is so cute! I decided Sophie would need a dress for Christmas regardless of if I were there with her in China or for when she comes home and we celebrate it at home together! I don't want to give it away so I won't describe the dress, but be assured the blog will be plastered with photos when available.... good thing I'm renting a phone in China to call home with... I think I see a pair of black patent leather shoes in the future - couldn't buy them the other day as I really don't have a clue on shoe size for her!

Yesterday was exciting for me also. Sophie's crib arrived! My brother in law brought it over late in the afternoon . My brother's children came over for the evening while mom and dad did Christmas shopping and thanks to Jared and Gillian, we were able to put the crib together without too much difficulty! It looks so beautiful!

Tomorrow evening I will be going to my friend Lisa's house to start cutting out the pieces for my adoption announcements!

Trying to keep busy but finding the wait to be excruciating!

Blessings,

Chinamom

Still waiting...

Dear Family and Friends,

Still no word on my travel approval.... if it doesn't arrive by Friday, there will be no traveling for me next week. But..... as my adoption agency is quick to remind me, miracles do happen and tonight in prayer meeting, my prayer group included my friend and church mentor, Chris, who has adopted twice from China. He and his wife have been such wonderful supports to me in this and they are now praying for a speedy TA arrival!

I went out to look at Christmas dresses for Sophie. I hesitate to buy anything because I don't know what size to buy! I do so want her to have a special dress for the holidays... maybe tomorrow I'll splurge and buy one anyway - even if we aren't home in time for Christmas, we WILL be celebrating the birth of Christ together at some point this year - so I want it to be special for her.

I did put up my tree last night. It was hard to think like a Mom here. You really look at decorations differently when you know a baby will be with you! All those lovely glass ornaments stayed in the box and out came the wooden and crocheted ones to fill the bottom of the tree where little hands are likely to grab on to! Oh its the most wonderful time of the year!

Blessings,

Chinamom

The Coming Messiah

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. " Micah 5:2

My original group is getting closer...

Dear Family and Friend,

Just to keep you in the loop, those people who actually got their referrals on November 5th, those in my LID group, got their travel approvals back from China today! That's huge for them because now Living Hope can start making appointments for them in China and they should know their travel dates by this Wednesday!

Why is that important? Well, obviously, some of these people have become my friends over the last year and I'm very excited for them! They will be seeing their babies very soon! The second reason it's important is that my travel approval (TA) is about 8-9 days behind them. If I should get my TA in the next week or so, there is a chance I could still travel with them! Once MY travel approval comes in, the agency will contact the American Consulate in Guangzhou to see if they can get me an appointment on the same day and perhaps I'll be able to squeeze in before the end of the year!

It's getting exciting!

Blessings,

Chinamom

Getting ready

Dear Family and Friends,

I am THRILLED to report that it was highly productive here this weekend in Massachusetts - thanks in LARGE part to my friend Maria!

She came over on Saturday and we attacked each project until it was finished!We cleared out all the "junk" in Sophie's room and rearranged the furniture so the room makes sense - as soon as the crib gets here I'll take pictures and post them - it's so cute!

Then she helped me re-arrange the front storage closet to fit more storage boxes (we moved the boxes with things like dishes, to the basement (no small feat since I live on the third floor!)She wrapped my Christmas presents while I cleared my dining room table and printed out the completed pages of Sophie's life book I created on the computer.

Finally - and most importantly in so many ways - she helped me re-pack my suitcases! I decided to cut back on some of the baby supplies like diapers and wipes. I'm only bringing 4 outfits for her and found a recipe for a powdered Pedialyte that I will talk to the pediatrician about on Thursday when I meet with him.

I am taking the advice of people who have traveled to Nanchang before me and will ask the guide to direct me to the Walmart there so I can stock up there. (I'll have more suitcase room after I deliver the orphanage donations)

One of the doctors I work with at the hospital is from Nanchang and she said it's much cheaper there than Guangzhou (where her sister lives).My check in bag weighs 42 pounds and my carry on bag is 25 pounds -no lightweight, but technically should get me through the airports!

I feel so much better - I still have things to sort and organize (the pantry, my bedroom....) but I don't feel as overwhelmed at I did before!

Anyone out there preparing their homes for a China adoption want to rent my Maria??? I thought I might be able to raise some money for my possibly outrageous airline tickets! LOL She is FANTASTIC! Thank you so much, Maria, you are such a blessing to me!

Blessings,

Chinamom