Post - Placement

Our agency requires a visit from our social worker after one month with China required visits at six and twelve months. Yesterday our social worker came over to see how Isabella is doing. I think that she agrees that all is going very well and as she said either we're very lucky or blessed. My vote is for blessed!

Crazy Sisters!

Happy Gotcha Day, Elizabeth!

It is hard to believe that we have had Elizabeth in our lives for two years now! She has brought so much love and joy and we could not even imagine life without her. I'm so glad we took that leap of faith without hesitation to expand our family with the addition of a little one from halfway across the world! We love you so very much, sweetheart!

First Pediatric Visit

Today I took Ella to see Dr. Gold. She was not happy when the nurse weighed her, took her temperature and measured her. Sadly she also needed a TB test and that definitely did not put a smile on her face. Oh well, it's over now and we found out that she weighs 22.5 pounds and is 33 inches tall. Just like her sister she is in the 50th percentile on the U.S. growth charts so they are both tall!

Big Sister...Little Sister

Disney Plans

We have a trip planned to WDW in December. I can't wait to see Elizabeth on her second visit there! I doubt she even remembers the first time we went since she was only 18 months old. We have three character meals planned : one with Pooh and friends, one with Cinderella and Prince Charming and one with Donald, Daisy, Goofy, & Mickey. We are also attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party for the third time. We always love that!

Going Great!

Everything continues to go really well. I know some of it is pure luck, but I really feel that being relaxed about the whole thing and having a schedule really makes a difference, too. When children know what to expect day to day it is easier for them to cope and feel secure. It does make our lives pretty boring at least for the time being and yet we're not so rigid that we never stray from our routine. We just try to not stray too far or too often for a while.

Elizabeth is having some trouble sharing still but she is improving. Having a new member of the family affects her too and we understand that. She's speaking so well and has been waking up dry from her naps so we are just waiting for nighttime dryness. She has really been getting into watching the Toy Story movies especially the second one because she loves Jessie - and for some reason she suddenly likes Shrek. She runs around singing all the songs since she enjoys them so much!

One Month with Ellie!

I can't believe it was a month ago today that we walked for a second time into the Guangdong Civil Affairs Office to wait for our name to be called so we could finally touch and hold our little girl! Just like with Elizabeth it feels as if she has always been in our family. She is absolutely perfect for us and it is so amazing how God works!

A Walk and Dancing

The stroller did arrive yesterday so we had to test it out and go for a walk before the rain started. So far I really like the stroller although lugging it on busses at WDW isn't going to be a whole lot of fun. It folds pretty flat but still weighs a good amount although I guarantee it is easier to fold and lighter than our last double stroller circa 1991!

Dancing Girls!

New Stroller

Our new stroller is scheduled to arrive today. The plan was initially to just use the two single strollers we have, but after being home for a brief amount of time I was wishing I had a double so I could take both girls for a walk so I ordered one of these. Can't wait to take it to Disney World later this year!

Baptism!

Today we enjoyed the baptism of our Isabella. It was held at the 7:30 a.m. mass and Father Pat did the honors just as he did 23 months ago for Elizabeth. It was a wonderful mass even though Ellie did not like the water on her head part! We had a group of twelve who went on to Cracker Barrel for a nice breakfast. The only person missing was our usual waitress Brenda who is on vacation.

The Girls Together!

Now that we've been home just over three weeks with Isabella I thought I'd simplify things and have just one blog for the girls. Below is a photo taken yesterday of our precious little ones playing.