Making Christmas trees!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
The last month or so...
Aside from my frazzled post yesterday regarding Hannah's Family Day, I have been really struggling to find the time for a proper update. So much has been going on here lately. It just seems like a frenzy of activity! Wonderful memories, but my days haven't left a lot of time to blog...
Here is a little catch up on some of the highlights of the last few weeks...
Mara-Grace celebrated her 5th birthday, and as promised, here are some pictures from her birthday party. She really wanted a Barbie theme this time around. Mara wore a Barbie princess dress, and I made her loot bags, invites, cake, crafts etc. to centre around a Barbie Princess. We decorated tiara's and Barbie bookmarks for our crafts, and Mara's birthday cake was a Barbie cake which I made. It was a lot of fun, and thankfully, quite simple to make. After lunch, Mara and her cousins decorated their own sundaes. Of course Mara-Grace was so excited for her special day. It never ceases to amaze me to see how she is growing and blooming! At 5 she is still the spicy little noodle she was at 15 months. She is sensitive and loving and has a very big heart. She is a busy bee and hardly stops from morning till night. She loves Dinosaurs and crafts and she ADORES pretending to be a cat! I even had to pull her from Winnie's scratching post! She has a wonderful imagination, and happily puts it into play! How we all adore our Mara-Grace.
As I have posted, we were able to pile our wood, and a few days after that effort, it fell. Not sure what went wrong! Yikes! 6 cords of wood to be stacked again. Since we were to have freezing rain, Kev worked at in in the cold last night. And was able to pile it all again. How frustrating, and cold for my poor Kevie!
A month has come and gone since the loss of my beloved Gran. Although we are adjusting, we still miss her dearly. I think of her daily and often think I must tell her something etc... She was so special to all of us. I talk to her often, and the other day I made some of her yummy squares. They were not turning out and I said, "Come on Gran, please help me out on this one... Did you leave an ingredient out of this or what?!" As I was shooting off my mouth I swear she told me add more peanut butter, so I did and they were suddenly scrumptious! hehe It is the little things I miss about my Gran. Making her laugh and teasing her about her love life (ok, my match making ways would always suggest 'someone') to her and she would get such a kick out of this. hehe She was so innocent and sweet and such a terrific person to laugh with and as I say, tease!!!
I have to say, I don't often blog about my darling Victoria. She is almost 16 and a lot of her 'life' is definitely off limits to blog land! But, I just cannot hold back! I must say she has settled in to her new High School with such grace and ease. She is an incredible girl and has gotten involved in so much that makes me so proud. This year she will be participating in an exchange where someone her age will come to stay with us, and she will go West for a week to do some work in their community (staying in cabins). What a terrific opportunity. She is doing really well in school and she is one social butterfly! We had parent/teacher interviews this week and I was very touched by the kind things they all had to say about our Victoria. She is indeed a special girl.
I have been bursting to share that Victoria auditioned for the lead role in the school production of, "Epic Proportions" and she got it! I was really impressed that they put such trust into a new girl at the school! She was incredible in the role of Louise Goldman. Funny thing is, I thought Kev was going to have a stroke watching the performances. She had some pretty intense kissing scenes. Yep, you read correctly. :)) Ok, now would be the blogging OFF LIMITS part! Enough Said then~! (These pics were taking from the play, but Louise is in character as an actress... I don't have pics of Victoria in plain dressed Louise yet on the computer!)
Apart from this excitement, we have been preparing our home for Christmas. I enjoy doing it around my birthday as it then allows us to feel less busy in December! I kind of cringe writing this, but I have dreamt (yes I am a dreamer!) of how it would be to have our three girls home to decorate our tree. I dreamt of soft music, laughter, peaceful tree trimming, with mugs of hot chocolate and many hugs.... Well, I have to say, reality was a bit different this year. Instead, I had Mara-Grace who seemed VERY tired that day, and at the same time she was hurrying everything! That is typical, but the cranky pants wasn't! Tori was busy most of the day, so the tree trimming was later than it should have been, and well... Hannah took, "Christmas Balls" literally and threw with glee I might add, numerous 'balls'. Thankfully the non glass kind! All the while, Winnie who is precious beyond imagination, was enjoying EVERYTHING fully! OOOOH how kind of us to bring a tree indoors for her! She was so excited, as a kitten should be really. But, let's just say the reality was a bit different from the dream!!! I am not forgetting for a second how it felt last year to decorate our tree without our Hannah home.... We really are so very blessed.
I will do my best to update again soon. Much love from our home to yours... xoxo
P.S. Did I mention that my brother and his wife bought a new home just 5 minutes from ours? I am so happy to have my nieces even closer!!!! That is something that is an incredible result of our move... We are able to have our nieces and nephews over so much easier now. Today we had Kev's sister and her sweeties and our other little nephew over for the day. It was so wonderful! We rolled, baked and painted Christmas ornaments! And Hannah made her first, and didn't throw them, I might add!!!! xoxoxox
Here is a little catch up on some of the highlights of the last few weeks...
Mara-Grace celebrated her 5th birthday, and as promised, here are some pictures from her birthday party. She really wanted a Barbie theme this time around. Mara wore a Barbie princess dress, and I made her loot bags, invites, cake, crafts etc. to centre around a Barbie Princess. We decorated tiara's and Barbie bookmarks for our crafts, and Mara's birthday cake was a Barbie cake which I made. It was a lot of fun, and thankfully, quite simple to make. After lunch, Mara and her cousins decorated their own sundaes. Of course Mara-Grace was so excited for her special day. It never ceases to amaze me to see how she is growing and blooming! At 5 she is still the spicy little noodle she was at 15 months. She is sensitive and loving and has a very big heart. She is a busy bee and hardly stops from morning till night. She loves Dinosaurs and crafts and she ADORES pretending to be a cat! I even had to pull her from Winnie's scratching post! She has a wonderful imagination, and happily puts it into play! How we all adore our Mara-Grace.
As I have posted, we were able to pile our wood, and a few days after that effort, it fell. Not sure what went wrong! Yikes! 6 cords of wood to be stacked again. Since we were to have freezing rain, Kev worked at in in the cold last night. And was able to pile it all again. How frustrating, and cold for my poor Kevie!
A month has come and gone since the loss of my beloved Gran. Although we are adjusting, we still miss her dearly. I think of her daily and often think I must tell her something etc... She was so special to all of us. I talk to her often, and the other day I made some of her yummy squares. They were not turning out and I said, "Come on Gran, please help me out on this one... Did you leave an ingredient out of this or what?!" As I was shooting off my mouth I swear she told me add more peanut butter, so I did and they were suddenly scrumptious! hehe It is the little things I miss about my Gran. Making her laugh and teasing her about her love life (ok, my match making ways would always suggest 'someone') to her and she would get such a kick out of this. hehe She was so innocent and sweet and such a terrific person to laugh with and as I say, tease!!!
I have to say, I don't often blog about my darling Victoria. She is almost 16 and a lot of her 'life' is definitely off limits to blog land! But, I just cannot hold back! I must say she has settled in to her new High School with such grace and ease. She is an incredible girl and has gotten involved in so much that makes me so proud. This year she will be participating in an exchange where someone her age will come to stay with us, and she will go West for a week to do some work in their community (staying in cabins). What a terrific opportunity. She is doing really well in school and she is one social butterfly! We had parent/teacher interviews this week and I was very touched by the kind things they all had to say about our Victoria. She is indeed a special girl.
I have been bursting to share that Victoria auditioned for the lead role in the school production of, "Epic Proportions" and she got it! I was really impressed that they put such trust into a new girl at the school! She was incredible in the role of Louise Goldman. Funny thing is, I thought Kev was going to have a stroke watching the performances. She had some pretty intense kissing scenes. Yep, you read correctly. :)) Ok, now would be the blogging OFF LIMITS part! Enough Said then~! (These pics were taking from the play, but Louise is in character as an actress... I don't have pics of Victoria in plain dressed Louise yet on the computer!)
Apart from this excitement, we have been preparing our home for Christmas. I enjoy doing it around my birthday as it then allows us to feel less busy in December! I kind of cringe writing this, but I have dreamt (yes I am a dreamer!) of how it would be to have our three girls home to decorate our tree. I dreamt of soft music, laughter, peaceful tree trimming, with mugs of hot chocolate and many hugs.... Well, I have to say, reality was a bit different this year. Instead, I had Mara-Grace who seemed VERY tired that day, and at the same time she was hurrying everything! That is typical, but the cranky pants wasn't! Tori was busy most of the day, so the tree trimming was later than it should have been, and well... Hannah took, "Christmas Balls" literally and threw with glee I might add, numerous 'balls'. Thankfully the non glass kind! All the while, Winnie who is precious beyond imagination, was enjoying EVERYTHING fully! OOOOH how kind of us to bring a tree indoors for her! She was so excited, as a kitten should be really. But, let's just say the reality was a bit different from the dream!!! I am not forgetting for a second how it felt last year to decorate our tree without our Hannah home.... We really are so very blessed.
I will do my best to update again soon. Much love from our home to yours... xoxo
P.S. Did I mention that my brother and his wife bought a new home just 5 minutes from ours? I am so happy to have my nieces even closer!!!! That is something that is an incredible result of our move... We are able to have our nieces and nephews over so much easier now. Today we had Kev's sister and her sweeties and our other little nephew over for the day. It was so wonderful! We rolled, baked and painted Christmas ornaments! And Hannah made her first, and didn't throw them, I might add!!!! xoxoxox
Thursday, November 25, 2010
One Year......
I am feeling so guilty that I didn't write on our Family Day (November 23rd).... The day we were able to finally hold and kiss our Hannah Faith in person. That day in Nanchang, Jiangxi China will be forever etched in our hearts...
Here is the post from that incredible day.
FAMILY DAY! (Monday November 23rd 2009)
Upon waking this morning it dawned on us that TODAY is the day we will be meeting our little one, Hannah Faith! TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We quickly got up, showered, dressed, Skyped home and then proceeded to run down to breakfast. As we came off of the elevators, we saw a group of new parents with their babies!!!!! Oh my how it hit me! We had to eat in the smoke filled lobby as the breakfast room was jammed solid with all of the new families!
So, as Kev went to make his plate I sat there and felt so emotional. I cried again... Must be a record! Emotions are definitely running high! I couldn't help but cry. Very small.... should I have bothered mentioning that?!!!
Anyway, I ran back up to the room for my hand sanitizer (you would have too!) and the thermos so that we could bring Hannah some rice/veggies/meat for lunch. Kevin was finished and grabbed me a spot with another family in our group. He then came up to the hotel room as he was finished and there were NO other spots.
So, here we are.... in our hotel room...... waiting! We will leave our hotel in 1 hour! We are meeting Hannah at 11 AM.... All feels very surreal. I cannot help but wonder where she is right now. I believe that she is traveling... I am prepared that our transition may be very difficult. Understandably.
I pray that all goes well as we meet our littlest angel. May she somehow sense we will shower her with love. May she learn to trust us and love us with time.
Please send us some prayers, good vibes that all goes as smoothly as possible. The next time we write we will have Hannah with us.....
All of our love xoxo
(Monday November 23)
What a glorious day!
What an incredible day it has been! As I type, Hannah Faith is sound asleep in her crib behind me! Kevin has just left on hot pursuit of some more bottled water.
Let me start at the beginning. I cannot promise I will get in every detail as I am emotionally drained tonight.
We were bussed to the adoption affairs building which was approx. 20 minutes from our hotel. As we got out of the bus to walk in to the building I couldn't help but be emotional. We all were. There were 5 families total meeting their angels today. As we walked to and then into the building I kept wondering where she was at that moment. Was she in one of the many cars around the building, or perhaps inside, or only arriving shortly etc... The office was on the 26th floor and it seemed as though the elevator made 100 stops before arriving!
We walked in and our emotions were definitely running wild. We walked in to a very lovely room with benches and coffee tables around the perimeter. Towards one end of the room were a handful of men and possibly a woman sitting and standing and talking amongst themselves. I am not sure if they greeted us. I think our guide went to them. As we walked in, I could see two babies standing with their backs towards us. They were both dressed in puffy blue suits and were there with two women. We all wondered if these could possibly be our babies? No one said a word regarding that. I don't know what it was.... I couldn't see anything but the back of her but I said to Kevin that I felt it was our Hannah on the left. But, no real reason to think this. Just hoping perhaps! We stood there and waited for probably 10 minutes, but really felt like an eternity. I couldn't take my eyes off of these babies and couldn't help but wonder. They still had their backs to us.
Suddenly, the adults gathered and called Marie-Josee forward, they then handed her her baby. The baby on the right of the two standing. Her little one immediately cried. She had been crying before this too. But she really cried and it hit me! I was so emotional, I think everyone was... It was impossible not to be. What an experience. Forever etched in my mind and heart. It all happened so quickly, probably not even a minute until they called the next new parents. But it took me possibly 10 seconds from when the called Marie-Josee's name to mention that our babies are from the same place. The baby on the left had to be our Hannah Faith. Standing right there with her back to us! Before we knew it, our names were called and we came forward. All of the other families gathered to take pictures and as we approached I spoke to Hannah and didn't grab at her immediately but held out my arms to her and said Mama.... She just looked at me, and then I took her into my arms. I was holding my third miracle. My darling Hannah Faith. At the same time, the orphanage director was giving me the cameras I had sent, along with an album, some info and her bottle. I could hardly concentrate on any of that! Kevin was taking our picture. Hannah Faith was silent. Not a peep out of her. She was very still in my arms and she was just taking us in. We then went over to the side and held her. Kevin then held her and she didn't fuss at all with either of us. It went so smoothly. I knew from experience that she was in safe mode. Very still, very silent, except for her little eyes. Speaking of her eyes, she is very fair and has no eyebrows really, but her little black eyelashes are very long and very straight. She stayed silent all the while we were there and then on the bus. I should mention that while we were at adoption affairs and holding her, I gave her many kisses and touched her face alot. When I kissed her she leaned in and wanted more and more. She has done this all day! She LOVES kisses and I am only too happy to oblige her!!!! She also took my finger and held it so tightly on the bus and into the hotel. Her little eyes were very busy, but the rest of her was silent.
We came up to our hotel room and I could see that she was sweating profusely and she was soaked through her 5 layers of clothing. She also badly needed a changing. As I lay her down to change her she began to cry. I was able to soothe her though! She also has a diaper rash so I put some zincofax on her which almost seemed to soothe her instantly. She sighed! I peeled off her layers as she was so wet. After putting her into a fresh undershirt etc... she proceeded to study us deeply. She sat on my knee and I fed her the rice/veggies/ham I had put into the thermos for her. She then ate some baby fruit and drank some apple juice. She was NOT thrilled with her bottle at first, but took some of it at the end of her meal. I put her into bed as she looked exhausted, but the minute I would leave her in it she cried. I held her for quite a while and she was very content. Kevin and I eventually knew that a nap was just not in the cards. Fine by me for today! We opened the blinds and got out two toys. She sat on the bed with me and played and played! I was even able to make her squeal with delight by making this little lamb climb me and jump off my head landing on the bed. Her laugh was absolutely magical to hear. She began to make other sounds and she was clearly comfortable. She had a poopy diaper (that is a major milestone in this kind of situation) and she cried and fell asleep in my arms right before heading downstairs for supper. We didn't want her to sleep at that time! She only slept a minute or two and then opened her eyes and we headed downstairs. She wasn't happy about the prospect of sitting in her highchair as it meant leaving my arms (yes she wants to be held!) at the hotel restaurant but then was happy to sit when I handed her a Bin Bin cracker. We made her a bowl of more rice, veggies, meat and she ate like a little bird waiting for worms. So cute.... I then went to find her fruits and found a kind of fruit cocktail with melons all kind of melons all diced up. Perfect for little hands and mouthes! So she enjoyed eating these and Kevin and I were able to eat too....
Back to our hotel room and we attempted to sponge her off in the baby tub but that wasn't happening! She was far too tired for that and it wasn't something we really wanted to do on her first night. But, with her diaper rash, heavy heavy drooling, her poopy and sweat, we thought we could give it a try maybe? We didn't push it and instead I sponged her hands and face and put her into her fresh pj's. She is so tiny! Her skin is very white. Like mine really (finally another little ghost in the family LOL) and she isn't thin, nor is she plump. She looks very healthy. Aside from teething which is making her drool like mad, and I think that is why her cheeks are red and she has a slight diaper rash. I believe that she has been well taken care of and loved by her foster family. I am so thankful that in her album we have a picture of Hannah Faith Shangguan Xin Xuan with her foster mother. We were even given many pictures of Hannah with each report written. We are very fortunate and we could never begin to thank Zhan Xixian (foster mother) enough.
I tried Hannah with another bottle right before bedtime but she was beside herself. She was very overly tired and crying heavily. She wanted nothing to do with her bottle. Tomorrow we will try to find out what she was drinking and buy that for her. Anyway, I was able to soothe her and she fell asleep in my arms. Once I tried to put her into bed she awoke and cried as she did during her nap today. I rubbed and patted her chest and she watched me closely and fell asleep. She has now been sleeping almost 2 hours.
We really cannot believe all that we have been through today. It was very surreal in many ways. We have been given the most incredible gift. We adore her and cannot wait to see what tonight and tomorrow bring. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we are leaving the hotel at 8 am and will be doing paperwork until the afternoon.
This morning before leaving the hotel, when I looked out the window a verse came to mind.
It has stayed with me all day and seems so appropriate. I know God has brought us to our angel and I am eternally grateful.
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. "
xoxoxo Thank you for all of your love, prayers and wishes. Your support is so very much appreciated. Please Remember to view our pictures!
A summary of our journey to China to bring home Hannah Faith Shangguan Xin Xuan.... Speakers on!!!! xoxo
Here is the post from that incredible day.
FAMILY DAY! (Monday November 23rd 2009)
Upon waking this morning it dawned on us that TODAY is the day we will be meeting our little one, Hannah Faith! TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We quickly got up, showered, dressed, Skyped home and then proceeded to run down to breakfast. As we came off of the elevators, we saw a group of new parents with their babies!!!!! Oh my how it hit me! We had to eat in the smoke filled lobby as the breakfast room was jammed solid with all of the new families!
So, as Kev went to make his plate I sat there and felt so emotional. I cried again... Must be a record! Emotions are definitely running high! I couldn't help but cry. Very small.... should I have bothered mentioning that?!!!
Anyway, I ran back up to the room for my hand sanitizer (you would have too!) and the thermos so that we could bring Hannah some rice/veggies/meat for lunch. Kevin was finished and grabbed me a spot with another family in our group. He then came up to the hotel room as he was finished and there were NO other spots.
So, here we are.... in our hotel room...... waiting! We will leave our hotel in 1 hour! We are meeting Hannah at 11 AM.... All feels very surreal. I cannot help but wonder where she is right now. I believe that she is traveling... I am prepared that our transition may be very difficult. Understandably.
I pray that all goes well as we meet our littlest angel. May she somehow sense we will shower her with love. May she learn to trust us and love us with time.
Please send us some prayers, good vibes that all goes as smoothly as possible. The next time we write we will have Hannah with us.....
All of our love xoxo
(Monday November 23)
What a glorious day!
What an incredible day it has been! As I type, Hannah Faith is sound asleep in her crib behind me! Kevin has just left on hot pursuit of some more bottled water.
Let me start at the beginning. I cannot promise I will get in every detail as I am emotionally drained tonight.
We were bussed to the adoption affairs building which was approx. 20 minutes from our hotel. As we got out of the bus to walk in to the building I couldn't help but be emotional. We all were. There were 5 families total meeting their angels today. As we walked to and then into the building I kept wondering where she was at that moment. Was she in one of the many cars around the building, or perhaps inside, or only arriving shortly etc... The office was on the 26th floor and it seemed as though the elevator made 100 stops before arriving!
We walked in and our emotions were definitely running wild. We walked in to a very lovely room with benches and coffee tables around the perimeter. Towards one end of the room were a handful of men and possibly a woman sitting and standing and talking amongst themselves. I am not sure if they greeted us. I think our guide went to them. As we walked in, I could see two babies standing with their backs towards us. They were both dressed in puffy blue suits and were there with two women. We all wondered if these could possibly be our babies? No one said a word regarding that. I don't know what it was.... I couldn't see anything but the back of her but I said to Kevin that I felt it was our Hannah on the left. But, no real reason to think this. Just hoping perhaps! We stood there and waited for probably 10 minutes, but really felt like an eternity. I couldn't take my eyes off of these babies and couldn't help but wonder. They still had their backs to us.
Suddenly, the adults gathered and called Marie-Josee forward, they then handed her her baby. The baby on the right of the two standing. Her little one immediately cried. She had been crying before this too. But she really cried and it hit me! I was so emotional, I think everyone was... It was impossible not to be. What an experience. Forever etched in my mind and heart. It all happened so quickly, probably not even a minute until they called the next new parents. But it took me possibly 10 seconds from when the called Marie-Josee's name to mention that our babies are from the same place. The baby on the left had to be our Hannah Faith. Standing right there with her back to us! Before we knew it, our names were called and we came forward. All of the other families gathered to take pictures and as we approached I spoke to Hannah and didn't grab at her immediately but held out my arms to her and said Mama.... She just looked at me, and then I took her into my arms. I was holding my third miracle. My darling Hannah Faith. At the same time, the orphanage director was giving me the cameras I had sent, along with an album, some info and her bottle. I could hardly concentrate on any of that! Kevin was taking our picture. Hannah Faith was silent. Not a peep out of her. She was very still in my arms and she was just taking us in. We then went over to the side and held her. Kevin then held her and she didn't fuss at all with either of us. It went so smoothly. I knew from experience that she was in safe mode. Very still, very silent, except for her little eyes. Speaking of her eyes, she is very fair and has no eyebrows really, but her little black eyelashes are very long and very straight. She stayed silent all the while we were there and then on the bus. I should mention that while we were at adoption affairs and holding her, I gave her many kisses and touched her face alot. When I kissed her she leaned in and wanted more and more. She has done this all day! She LOVES kisses and I am only too happy to oblige her!!!! She also took my finger and held it so tightly on the bus and into the hotel. Her little eyes were very busy, but the rest of her was silent.
We came up to our hotel room and I could see that she was sweating profusely and she was soaked through her 5 layers of clothing. She also badly needed a changing. As I lay her down to change her she began to cry. I was able to soothe her though! She also has a diaper rash so I put some zincofax on her which almost seemed to soothe her instantly. She sighed! I peeled off her layers as she was so wet. After putting her into a fresh undershirt etc... she proceeded to study us deeply. She sat on my knee and I fed her the rice/veggies/ham I had put into the thermos for her. She then ate some baby fruit and drank some apple juice. She was NOT thrilled with her bottle at first, but took some of it at the end of her meal. I put her into bed as she looked exhausted, but the minute I would leave her in it she cried. I held her for quite a while and she was very content. Kevin and I eventually knew that a nap was just not in the cards. Fine by me for today! We opened the blinds and got out two toys. She sat on the bed with me and played and played! I was even able to make her squeal with delight by making this little lamb climb me and jump off my head landing on the bed. Her laugh was absolutely magical to hear. She began to make other sounds and she was clearly comfortable. She had a poopy diaper (that is a major milestone in this kind of situation) and she cried and fell asleep in my arms right before heading downstairs for supper. We didn't want her to sleep at that time! She only slept a minute or two and then opened her eyes and we headed downstairs. She wasn't happy about the prospect of sitting in her highchair as it meant leaving my arms (yes she wants to be held!) at the hotel restaurant but then was happy to sit when I handed her a Bin Bin cracker. We made her a bowl of more rice, veggies, meat and she ate like a little bird waiting for worms. So cute.... I then went to find her fruits and found a kind of fruit cocktail with melons all kind of melons all diced up. Perfect for little hands and mouthes! So she enjoyed eating these and Kevin and I were able to eat too....
Back to our hotel room and we attempted to sponge her off in the baby tub but that wasn't happening! She was far too tired for that and it wasn't something we really wanted to do on her first night. But, with her diaper rash, heavy heavy drooling, her poopy and sweat, we thought we could give it a try maybe? We didn't push it and instead I sponged her hands and face and put her into her fresh pj's. She is so tiny! Her skin is very white. Like mine really (finally another little ghost in the family LOL) and she isn't thin, nor is she plump. She looks very healthy. Aside from teething which is making her drool like mad, and I think that is why her cheeks are red and she has a slight diaper rash. I believe that she has been well taken care of and loved by her foster family. I am so thankful that in her album we have a picture of Hannah Faith Shangguan Xin Xuan with her foster mother. We were even given many pictures of Hannah with each report written. We are very fortunate and we could never begin to thank Zhan Xixian (foster mother) enough.
I tried Hannah with another bottle right before bedtime but she was beside herself. She was very overly tired and crying heavily. She wanted nothing to do with her bottle. Tomorrow we will try to find out what she was drinking and buy that for her. Anyway, I was able to soothe her and she fell asleep in my arms. Once I tried to put her into bed she awoke and cried as she did during her nap today. I rubbed and patted her chest and she watched me closely and fell asleep. She has now been sleeping almost 2 hours.
We really cannot believe all that we have been through today. It was very surreal in many ways. We have been given the most incredible gift. We adore her and cannot wait to see what tonight and tomorrow bring. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we are leaving the hotel at 8 am and will be doing paperwork until the afternoon.
This morning before leaving the hotel, when I looked out the window a verse came to mind.
It has stayed with me all day and seems so appropriate. I know God has brought us to our angel and I am eternally grateful.
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. "
xoxoxo Thank you for all of your love, prayers and wishes. Your support is so very much appreciated. Please Remember to view our pictures!
A summary of our journey to China to bring home Hannah Faith Shangguan Xin Xuan.... Speakers on!!!! xoxo
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Happy 5th Birthday Mara-Grace!!!!!
A birthday update post will follow within the next few days! So far, Mara-Grace is having a wonderful 5th birthday! xoxox
A glimpse of our Halloween
Here are a few pics from last night... I definitely failed at Picture Mom yesterday... All of my pics didn't turn out as I had hoped... It is almost impossible for me to take a good shot of BOTH of our littlest busy bees! And Poor Victoria, I didn't even get one of her last night. Tsk Tsk, bad mommy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)