What a Month!

It's hard to believe that one month ago we left for China. It seems like it has been longer in so many ways, and in other ways it's seems like we just left. It's pretty amazing how much your life can change in a month. Emma is such a big part of the family now that it's hard to imagine not ever having her.

She went to church for the first time today. We didn't go to our home church, instead we visited Bo's parent's church to surprise his dad for his birthday. They were surprised! Emma was very good. She got a good reception and the pastor recognized her in front of the congregation. She wasn't that impressed. She was doing a lot of squirming at that point. Otherwise she was really good. We went to Bo's parent's for lunch and spent the afternoon with them. We ran home for a quick bottle (for Emma...) and then headed to Lowes to buy tile for the bathroom. A quick trip to Walmart for formula and home again. She managed to make it on a short nap and has been so good all day. She loves a shopping cart.

Things that Emma has learned to do this week: She is clapping her hands, making "Indian" noises on her own (she has been doing it with our help), using her finger to make noises with her mouth. Sounds like she may be a genius.

Things Emma has not done this week: Eaten from a spoon without gagging and acting as though she is offended. I'm hoping that she learns to eat with a spoon this week. I may step it up a notch and be a little more forceful with it. Probably not, just idle threats.

Friday - Back to Work for Me

Emma with her Nanny and Pap.

Just hanging out with my brother Ashton. Doesn't he have the sweetest cheeks!

Emma and I are just hanging out this morning. I am trying to clean off my desk and she if helping me:) She is playing with all of the papers that end up on the floor.

She is very busy this morning. I am hoping that she settles down for a good nap in another hour or so and then I get to take one as well. I am really not looking forward to going back to work tonight. I just hate leaving her even though she will be fine with her dad. We also have a busy day tomorrow with another band competition and picking out tile for the new bathroom downstairs. The pool needs to be closed, the yard mowed..... The list continues.

I don't have a lot to excitement to offer, so I am going to cut it short. It's hard to believe we have been home for 2 weeks. She seems to be adjusting well and other than the eating issue, I think things are going well.

We hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Wednesday

Brady is standing on the right by himself. It was during the band competition that he was in Saturday. He has another competition this weekend, so marching band is certainly keeping him busy.

Today has been a good but busy day. We went to Melissa's house this morning to start a weekly prayer/devotion type time. Today was spent mostly deciding our plan and playing with the kids. Melissa took some pictures of Emma, Rory, and Camden together that should be adorable. Mason (my friend Angel's son) was also there and at 5 months he is the cutest thing! Emma seemed to take it all in and enjoyed herself.

We also had a visit from 2 of her great aunts and a cousin. She enjoyed that as well. My cousin Dana brought her the cutest stuffed lion that sounds like it is snoring when you press it's paw and Emma loved it. She is down now for a late nap, so we are off our schedule but that's how it goes in real life.

Our afternoon consists of picking up the boys and Ryan and taking them to a golf match. Today is the last regular match of the season and then they will have tournaments in a week or so. Tennis is in full swing as well!

My aunts and cousin were in love with Emma. She is very sweet and just laughs and seems so happy. I just look at her and can't believe that she is finally here and that our lives are so much richer for it. Adoption is so powerful. I know that I have said it so many times, but if you even have the slightest desire to adopt, pray about and let God lead you. It has been the greatest thing. Yes, there are hard times and it costs a lot and it can absolutely drain you emotionally, but God can sustain you. It has been worth every cent and every moment of frustration. When Emma wakes up and has that cute little grin on her face and you know that just a few weeks ago she was waking up in an orphanage it just melts your heart. Now she has a family and we have a daughter. It's so amazing and I give God all the glory.

Emma Goes to Walmart

Okay, so I have to brag on my little girl for doing so well on her first trip to Walmart yesterday afternoon. I had prepared myself for the worse and it didn't happen. That's not to say it won't happen the next time, but yesterday was a good day. I dropped Brady off at Sylvan and headed to Walmart (yes, I usually don't shop there, but I had to yesterday). I put the shopping cart mat play thing in the cart and finally got her hooked in. She's so squirmy that's it's hard to contain her. As soon as I started pushing the cart she started smiling. We entered the realm of the unknown - Walmart.

I introduced her to the toy aisle, probably not the smartest thing to do, but she was not interested. Her favorite thing to play with was the ring on my little composition book that I keep my running grocery list in. She liked sticking her pinkie in it and playing with it. Her second favorite thing to do was lean over the front of the cart and watch my feet as I was pushing the cart. She is easily entertained! I didn't even buy her a toy at all. We shopped for over an hour and she never whined. It was very pleasant and I was very proud of her.

As I proceeded to check out, the cashier had so much advice to offer me. Wasn't that nice of her. She proceeded to tell me that I should never leave home without a sippy cup (Emma only takes a bottle), that I should have a pacifier for her (never has taken one), that the little toe would be all she needs for balance (really), and that when Emma is putting her finger to her nose and mouth that she wants to be fed. Well, I just didn't realize what valuable advice I would receive as I paid for my groceries. No extra charge!

I did notice a few kids looking at Emma's hands yesterday, but I didn't hear anyone say anything. Now that we have had her for 3 weeks, I don't even notice her hands or feet anymore. She is just Emma. I am preparing myself for the comments and questions ahead, but I admit I am not looking forward to it.

We had company last night. The best part was it was company with food and gifts! My life long friend Shelley brought us a delicious breakfast casserole which we enjoyed some of this morning and our neighbors Iris, Robert, Jessie and Ben came and brought Emma an outfit and visited for a while. It was very nice and Emma stayed up longer than she has before. She seems a little more tired this morning, so we are planning an early nap.

No big plans for the day and I am glad of that. We are about to have bath time, which she has decided is not her favorite. She is still not eating any solids, but I am still trying.

Have a great day!

Monday - Getting Back on Track

Today was the first day that I have taken the boys to school since being home and we survived it. Only a few minutes later than I wanted to be, but when you have a 12 year old who doesn't move very fast in the mornings and a toddler who managed to require 3 diaper changes in 30 minutes, it can delay you.

I had the pleasure of taking a stool specimen (actually 3) to Emma's doctor's office this morning. Are you excited or what? I can only imagine being pulled over and the officer asking me what is in the green container. Do you think he would believe me or think I was being a sarcastic? Good thing I didn't have to find out!

Emma has been very pleasant today. She woke up happy and glad to see her bottle. She traveled well and then we went by the hospital to say hello to my coworkers and she tolerated that well. She was tired by the time we got home and is currently taking a much needed nap. The true test of our stamina will be shopping this afternoon while Brady is at Sylvan. I hope she can handle the shopping cart because I have to get groceries. My family is about to rebel if we don't get some food in this house.

Nothing major exciting to report and my computer/Internet is not wanting to load my pictures right now, so I guess I am signing off.

Weekend Happenings and Look at Her Go

This is Emma crawling through the house. She looks so funny! But she can get around!

What a silly grin!

Her "bug" look. She loves her shades.

Well, we are surviving the weekend, although it's been a little hard. Emma seemed to have a hard day yesterday. She woke up happy, but refused her bottle, cried nonstop, thrashed about and just generally wasn't a happy camper. I don't know if it was because we were off our normal routine with Bo and the boys at home, or if she was just having a bad day. It's funny, but when your biological child wakes up whining you immediately think about the physical things that could be wrong with them. When your adopted child wakes up whining, you start thinking about what you are doing wrong and is she having some type of adjustment problem. Of course, I am only speaking for myself. Her ears could have been hurting due to the wax removal by the doctor, but it wasn't her best day. We had to go to Brady's band competition which was an hour and half away, but she traveled pretty well and immediately started doing her dance when the band began playing. She was better as the afternoon wore on, but her schedule was completely off yesterday. Only an hour nap, less bottles. She slept great and woke up at 6:30 this morning and took her bottle right away. She has been happy all morning except for nap time. She wouldn't take a bottle again, so I skipped it and put her in the crib. She is loving her new crib toy and played with it for about 45 minutes before finally going to sleep.

She and I skipped church this morning. I still think it is too soon to go, especially after she had such a hard morning yesterday. I might toss around the idea of taking her tonight, but we will play that by ear. Bo thought it would be okay to go ahead and take her to the morning service, but I just have my doubts. I keep reminding him that I was the one who actually read the books about attachment, etc. and that he didn't. I know he just wants to show her to our church family and I do to, but not too soon. It seems like she has been here forever, but it's only been a week.

We have a busy week on hand. She will have to go with me to Sylvan tomorrow while Brady is there for 2 hours, so that should be fun. Ashton has 2 golf matches and tennis practice everyday. Brady has another band competition on Saturday and I intend to go back to work Friday night. It should play out to be another busy week around here.

Playing guitar with Brady