Tessa at home

I'm sure I don't have much time to post, so I will try to quickly get this one out there.

Our little angel is adjusting VERY well. She was such a trooper on the trip home, it amazed both DH and I, she only whined a little bit the entire 40 something hours back.

Upon meeting the girls she put on her poker face that we see whenever new people are around. We saw this face quite a bit in China, since we were out and about all the time, but behind closed doors she's a totally different baby. It did not take too long though before they were making her smile, and laugh by being their crazy, funny little selves. Now, she just kicks and screams when she see's them first thing in the morning.

It is very obvious that she is attaching nicely to me. She loves her daddy, and will go to him just fine, but she keeps an eye on me at all times, and if she is tired or hungry, he just will not do, she wants me! And I LOVE IT!!!

I know that the bonding can and will take some time, but she is showing many signs that we are doing things right, I am actually reading ANOTHER book on attachment at the moment, and am really excited to find out that she is already developing what this book calls "Family Skills."

We decided to put a twin bed in her room, and I sleep in there with her every night. She always starts out in her crib, but whenever I go to bed, or if she wakes up, I just can't help it, I want her right beside me. I know this is helping with the bonding too.

Well, I hear her starting to stir a little so that's it for now, but I will leave you with some photos.

The last recap

April 6th,

We woke up this morning a little later than usual, we are starting to get tired, and want to go home.

We met our group at 9:30 to go to the Yuntai Park. Back on the bus. We are also getting tired of all the bus rides! It is REALLY humid and hot today, but it is a nice day, at least it is not raining again. The gardens are very pretty, we had fun taking pictures here.

We took a long nap this afternoon, she's such a good little snuggler, LOVE it!

Our guides took us tonight to a Chinese restaraunt where they make and throw noodles right there where everyone can see. This was one of the best places we have eaten at so far. It was really good food. Although they still did not have cold drinks. We miss having ice in our drinks! Supposedly this place has been on the food network before.

Everynight I upload my daily pictures to the shutterfly account, and am starting to dread it, it takes so long to upload them to the little netbook that we brought, and then takes a while to put them on Shutterfly. But I've got people back home who want to see what we've been doing on a daily basis, namely the girls, so I just do it anyway, and then go to bed.

April 7th,

We slept in until 7:30 this a.m. woohoo! Of course she woke up for a bottle at 4:00. We had to stay in our room from 10:00 until noon because our guides are taking our paperwork to the consulates and we need to be by a phone in case there are any questions. I did sneak out for about 30 minutes to go and give the pictures of the baby that was on the camera the orphanage director gave me to the family that we have made friends with. It is kind of funny out of all the babies it could have been, it was theirs. Small world!

We heard from Kelly (our other guide) that everything is fine with our paperwork, so that's good! It is also time for our red couch photos! I got Tessa dressed in one of the outfits that I bought here, it is not the one I wanted her to wear, but it's the only one that I have a hair bow to match. My girl HAS TO have her hair bow! I think she looks just precious, and I am really glad I put this outfit on her, she looks so darling in it. Two words to sum up the picture taking fiasco, Crazy Kaos! I think Tessa was one of the only ones who did not cry, she just was looking around, with this look on her face like, what the heck are y'all screaming about, and why the heck are y'all just taking pictures and laughing at us. It was too funny! I have a video of this as well, will have to try to get it posted too!

We decided to stay in for the rest of the day, it's rainging again, and we are getting tired of eating Chinese food! We just got a couple of snacks from the deli next door for supper.

April 8th,

Slept in again, we did go down and ate breakfast, and then came back to the room for a nap, that is our routine usually if we can, every morning after her bottle, we go eat breakfast, and she starts getting tired, so we go put her down for a nap, but today we all slept. Around noon I started to not feel very well at all, and of all the days for it too. We have our swearing in at the consulates office today, we have to meet downstairs at 2:15. I had to keep running to the bathroom. Took a anti nausea pill, but it does not seem to be helping much. It seemed like a really long bus ride. When we got there, I started to feel a little bit better, but by the time we were leaving, I was just praying to get back to our room as fast as possible. The swearing in was a formal thing where everybody stands together with their hand up, and promises that all the information that we have provided is correct. I had to run to the rest room here too, and it was kind of funny, inside the stalls they have a note taped to the door that says something like, please do not stand on the seat to use the bathroom, please sit down.

And yes, we barely made it back to the room and I rushed in to the bathroom and started throwing up, it was bad!!! I hate being sick, but being sick in another country just plain sucks.

I had a very long night. Sometime in the wee hours of the next morning I started to feel better, just tired. I don't know why I got sick, a couple of the other girls did also, and the only thing we can think of is that we ate at the deli next door to the hotel.

April 9th,

Feeling much better, but I am now scared to eat. We did go down to the breakfast bar, but I only ate some plain toast. We had a lazy last day, I went out and did some last minute shopping, and to pick up our laundry. Spent most of the day packing, and re-organizing our suitcases. We bought an extra bag here, so they aren't crammed or overweight. I put all of our new purchases (except for the pearls, they are going in a carry on) in DH's hard sided checked bag, so hopefully nothing gets broken. And then most of our clothes went in the new bag. All three of our bags are under weight, I brought a digital luggage scale with us, and it helps alot!

We went to eat lunch again at Lucy's with our friend couple, and it was kind of sad knowing that this is it.

Took our last nap in China, and then at 6:00 we boarded the bus for our last ride to the airport. The airports here are very nice, but we do not like having to get on another little stand up bus to take us to the plane. Security here is much faster, although it is a bit crazy going through the lines.

As always the plane took off right on time. Again, we LOVE China Southern @irlines, they are so awesome. I just could not imagine being in economy for this long flight. They fed us about an hour after take off, and I had the duck, it was amazing. Most of the babies started crying, except for Tessa. They gave all the families with babies the three middle seats, and we put up the foot rest, put a carry on there, put pillows on top of the seat and bag, and Tessa had her own little bed where she looked all kinds of compfy, right in the middle of us. She did wake up a few times when the kid next to me started screaming, and I mean SCREAMING, she has no problem with her lungs!

As before, on the way over, this flight did not seem to be as long as it was, it went by fairly well!

When we got to L.A. we had to go through customs, but we lucked out, a worker there, who just adopted internationally as well, saw our group of 5 families with babies coming and he escorted us to the far end, and we actually bypassed the long customs line. They never even looked in our bags. This took some time, but we had a 7 hour layover so I was not worried at all. By the time we made it through, and found our gate, we had lost the rest of our little group, and felt bad that we did not get a chance to say goodbye. The first thing we did was get some seats, and then I went and got a slushy drink. Then when I got back, DH went and got some burgers and a coke with ice in it from Mc D! That was the best ever!

Then we waited, and waited. We wanted to curl up somewhere and go to sleep, but where scared that we would miss our flight. About an hour or so before we left, we started talking to a lady there, and that helped pass the time.

Our plane here in L.A. was actually on time too, amazing, that none of our flights for this entire trip were either delayed or canceled. I was sure somewhere along the line they would be, but nope.

For this flight to Memphis, we are back in economy again, and it really sucks, big time. Especially when you've been traveling for over 30 hours already, and you have a baby on your lap, and you are by the window, with your husband next to you, and a stranger in the isle seat, so if I had to get up, we would have to wake him up to get out, and all this at 2 a.m. does not equal a pleasant ride. DH got out the netbook about half way to Memphis, and started writing something in word, he kept cracking himself up, I glanced over and started to read it, and we both started dying laughing. I will have to post the letter he wrote to Delt@ for you all to read, It was really good!

The sun came up shortly before we landed in Memphis, and it was neat from up that high to see it. By this time we where so tired, we wanted to get home so bad, and we started getting really excited too knowing this would be our last plane trip.

Again, took off on time, and this was a tiny little plane, and we were right in the front row, so we could be the first off, yeah!

When we landed and saw the welcome sign, I started tearing up, I was sooooooooo glad to be home!!!

This was one amazing trip, every part of it, even with getting sick was just wonderful, and so worth the wait! Our baby girl is just perfect for us, and we love her to pieces.

We had a great time making new friends, who I hope we will get to visit some, so our girls will grow up knowing each other, that would be so great!

I was really dreading the jetlag, but I got blessed somehow, and was pretty much back to normal a day or two later. I guess maybe those No Jetlag pills I took (kind of) helped a little bit.

Now for the fun, every day, life stuff. I can finally post up to date events!

And let me tell you, she has grown so much. When we got her she only had two teeth. Two months later, she has 6 teeth, and her hair is coming in nicely too!

April 1-5

Sorry that I am taking so long with these updates, it has been a little hectic around here, with end of the school parties, and the girls getting sick, fun stuff!

Anyway, I want to go ahead and quickly get these updates done so I can start posting current happenings.

April 1st,

6:00 a.m. Just changed Tessa's first poopee diaper woohoo! She is such a happy thing too, you can tell she feels much better!

We went to the Six Banyan Trees Temple today where a Buddhist Monk gave the babies a blessing, it was really neat! It is very hot and humid today.

Before we got off the bus, our guide told us to wait a minute so she could get rid of the beggars. There are these (most of them) little old men missing a limb, that comes up to us and holds out a cup or bowl. It's kind of sad, to just ignore them, but we were told not to give them anything.

I saw more stray dogs today on the way into town, they just run around like they know where they're going.

After the temple we went to the jade market. I had no idea real jade was this expensive. Apparently there are different grades, and the highest quality is an A, and the next step down is a B, and then C.

I love jade and wanted to get more, but Matt didn't seen in the mood to let me spend much, so I just got a pendant for Tessa. I didn't ask which quality it was, but I know it wasn't the A's, I didn't look in that case except once, saw the prices, and turned around. The one I got for her has a sterling clasp on it, and has a sterling Chinese symbol for good fortune on it, it is really pretty.

This market also has other things too, the had some really pretty porcelan cups, that were hand painted, and so delicate, I know it would have gotten broken coming home.

There was also a young man there that was painting with just his fingers, amazing painting too! He was painting them right in front of us. Miss Tessa had another poopee today, the prunes work well, it was red! Of course the antibiotics could have something to do with the coloring too.

We went shopping around the hotel again this evening, there are some shops that have the fake watches, and he was bartering with them, and it was a hoot to watch. Of course when I threw in the stuff that I wanted it made it all the more fun!

Did I mention that Tessa has a Mongolian spot on her bootie? It is kind of actually on her lower back area, and it's a pretty big one, but is kind of light colored.

We went to the Deli beside the hotel tonight, and just got some snacks, and a deck of cards to play Gin later. We didn't feel like going out to eat tonight.

April 2nd,

Bright and early this a.m. Tessa is eating much better since I switched bottles, and she is such a good sleeper too! We were suppose to go to the gardens today, but it is raining, so our guides took us to a Memorial instead. I did not get the name of it, but it was discovered not too long ago, it is the tomb of some Imperor, quite interesting.

Today, we also went to the electronics market. Lots and lots of stuff, pretty much the same stuff over and over again, we looked at a few camera lenses, but the price was too high, so we past.

The rest of our day was free, so we went back to the room, took a nap, and then later met up with several families, and went to eat at an Italian place at the end of the street. They have really good food!!! We had pizza, and fried mozzarella, it was GOOD!

April 3rd,

We didn't do too much today, it rained again, so we met at 10:00 to do more paperwork for Tessa's Visa, all of our fees are paid, woohoo!!!

The group was going to a Sichuan restaraunt tonight, but Tessa started to get really fussy, and feverish so we skipped it, and stayed in the room. This was the first time she has really fussed since we got her, she did not want her bath, she screamed for a couple of hours, and DH wanted to jump out the window, but once her fever medicine kicked in she slept O.K.

April 4th,

Happy Easter!

Tessa is feeling much better this morning, her fever is gone, and she is eating well again.

We went to the Chen Family Temple today, it is right in the middle of town, but when you are inside, it does not seem like it. Very pretty. While we were there we saw some limo's pull up outside, we had seen them this morning at the hotel too. apparently some high ranking official from Canada is there, and he was touring too.

Our guides took us to the pearl market, and now DH is mad at me!

He was all for getting the girls some pearls, we agreed to get them a necklace to give them for their wedding day, but the ones that I picked out where a little high, I did not want to spend that much either, and kept putting them down, and looking at others, but they were just not as nice as the ones I liked, so I got all three sets the same, they are big size pearls too, that is what made the price higher. I also got matching ear rings for them too. I would have gotten me some, but they had so many pretty colors, I could not pick, plus, I didn't want to push hubby over the edge!

We went back to the room to nap, then we went with the family that we have made friends with to eat at a restaraunt across the street from the hotel. We call it the fish tank restaraunt, cause they have all these tanks in the front that you can pick something for supper right out of them. We had a hard time ordering, with the language barrier, but got some things that were fun! DH wanted to get the suckling pig, but could not get them to understand, so we got a plate of only about 10 pieces of meat on it, and it tasted o.k., but my friend, when she picked up her piece to take a bite, turned it over, and there were teeth sticking out, well, it was hilarious, and we all had to take photos!

April 5th,

We have had our babies for one week today, yippy!

It is also our 4 year LID anniversary!

We went to the Safari Zoo this afternoon, and it was REALLY HOT, and REALLY CROWDED!

This was a very nice zoo, they have lots of animals. I got to hold a baby lion, he/she was so little and sweet, I could have just took him home!

We rented a stroller today to put our bags on, but once Tessa woke up from a nap, she couldn't see much out of the pouch, so we put her in the stroller for maybe 45 minutes, and she seemed to like the ride, and getting to look around too. I was against putting her in a stroller and did not want to, but she was straining to look all around when she was in the carrier, so I agreed just this one time.

We went back to the Italian place for supper tonight. Tried something different tonight, but it was just as good.

Have I mentioned yet, how much I LOVE THIS BABY GIRL!!!

More to come soon!!!

March 30th/31st

Blog recap

March 30^th-31^st

This morning we went back to the Civil Affairs office to make the adoption official. We weren’t there as long today as yesterday. We had to go into a room with one of the officials and promise to never abandon or abuse her. She also asked if we were happy with her. Stupid question I know! I guess they do this part different in every province. I have seen where some people have to put a thumbprint on the paper with ink, and they also do the baby’s footprint. I was kind of looking forward to getting Miss Tessa’s footprint, but they did not do any of that. We just promised, and then signed the form.

So as of now, she is legally our daughter! Woohoo!

And also, today is DH’s birthday, what better present could he have gotten than a new baby girl! Happy Birthday Daddy!

Tessa woke up around 11:00 and again at midnight last night, tugging and digging in her ears, I’m thinking that she might have an ear infection. She slept pretty good for her first night with us. She is a happy little thing in the mornings!

After lunch I took her to the clinic in the hotel, and they said that she does have an ear infection, so I will be starting her on the antibiotics tonight.

We took a little nap, and then met up with the group to go out an eat at a real Cantonese restaurant for supper. It was interesting, but I did not eat much of it. I did try everything, but Tessa was a little fussy, so I did not have much.

We went back to the hotel, and gave Tessa her first bath. We didn’t want to push it too much by giving her one yesterday, but I think she would have been fine. She loves the bath! Not scared at all.

Put her down in the crib, and two seconds later she is out!

March 31^st

We got up this morning and ate breakfast, and then I went out and did a little shopping. I had to take our laundry to get washed, and while I was there I bought several cute little outfits. Stuff is so cheap here, it’s hard not to buy everything!

We met everybody at 10:00 to walk to the medical exam building, it is here on the island, and is a couple of blocks from the hotel.

It was really warm inside the building, and most of the babies were starting to get a little fussy. Once the exams started there was lots of crying going on. Our little girl is a trooper though, she just was looking around taking it all in. No tears. I totally forgot to ask how much she weighs, and I am kicking myself. I looked at the scale but it was in kilograms.

Our little girl has not had a poopee yet, so this afternoon I gave her some prunes. She wasn’t so sure about them at first, but took them anyway.

I took the camera that the orphanage director gave me to have the pictures developed, and the lady in the shop asked what our babies name was, when I said it, she looked at me funny and said another name, so I am really thinking that the pictures will not be of our girl.

At 3:30 we went to the police station to apply for her passport, it was a quick trip, then we went shopping at a department store for the babies. I did not really need any clothes, although I was tempted to get some split pants just for fun. I did buy some bottles, as Tessa is still not eating a whole lot, another mom said that once she bought some bottles with the Chinese nipples her daughter ate really well, so I got some, we shall see. On the way to the store we went down an alley with street vendors selling anything you could imagine eating. It was interesting! I went and got an ice cream cone from Micky D’z, yum!

For supper we went and ate with another family at Lucy’s.

We are tired, so we called it a night, we headed back to the room, gave missy a bath, and went to bed.