Tyanna Turns 16 and the WHOLE World Can Now Know!

Monday, August 16th was a very special day in our home! Tyanna celebrated her 16th birthday and invited her friends to our home.

The whole world can now know about her baby sister.

Tyanna wanted to keep her sister a surprise. She had secretly hoped that Gabriella would arrive during basketball season and she would just be able to bring her onto the court, but that didn't happen. So, she waited until it could.

With Gabriella's arrival home on July 31, 2010, Tyanna began figuring out when she could get the majority of her girlfriends to our home.

The girls started at the local ice skating rink, stopped for slurpees, and then came home and ate some hamburgers, chips and watermelon. Tyanna prepared her life video (birth to her family 16th party) for her friends to watch... and, at the very end, she added some words about the gift her parents gave her for her 16th birthday. (Of course, the truth is, if you read in one of the earliest posts, Tyanna had known for 16 years that God had two sisters for her). She ended her video with pictures of mama, baba, and mei mei and then pictures of her and Gabriella.

Before the video ended, baba brought in mei mei in her red Chinese outfit and holding a ladybug balloon.

First Doctor's Visit

By the grace of God and my good friend Cheri, we were able to get an appointment with the leading adoption medicine doctor in our area. Our doctor was absolutely amazing and I am so grateful that she will be caring for Gabriella.

Somehow we almost missed our appointment. I had written the day down wrong on the calendar AND I missed the reminder phone call. Fortunately, they called my husband 45 minutes before our appointment. He tried to call me but my phone was temporarily misplaced. So, he was smart enough to call our daughter, who woke us up from our nap.

We were a few minutes late, but we were still given our whole hour.

A sedation MRI, from head to spine, was ordered. Cheri's bill for her son was $10,000 for that procedure. I am wondering what kind of deal I will get and whether or not she will get a referral bonus? :)

Good Morning Sunshine!

I love to get little Mei Mei up in the morning because she wakes up as though the sun does... with a beautiful, contagious smile. It's as though the joy of the Lord is written all over her face.

She doesn't know who Jesus is yet, but someday, that joy will radiate because she has His love in her heart.

It's so easy to say each morning, "Good morning sunshine!"

Guilty... Found in the Cupboard!

While Baba was working in the kitchen tonight, I was conversing with Gu Gu Kai's girlfriend in the other room. I stopped though when I heard some rustling. I knew Baba was walking back and forth to the garage... because he was on an organizing mission.

So, what was all the rustling?

Princess Mei Mei was in the cupboard with her hands in a bag of bread. I caught her red-handed... pulling a piece of bread out, taking a bite of it, and putting it back away. I told her she needed to put the bread away.

I then walked away because she was closing the cupboard door. I wanted to see what she would do. Within seconds, the dogs had joined her and she was back in the cupboard sharing her loot. Boy those dogs really love her!

Her Head Nods the OTHER Way!

We have been together for 3 weeks now. It truly has been so incredible to be part of a family that God knit together with a tiny red thread... thousands of miles a part... from east to west.

When we first met our little Princess Mei Mei, her head only nodded in one direction... the typical direction of a toddler. We had to teach her that her head can actually nod up and down as well.

As she has learned to nod her head in the other direction, we often find ourselves smiling (from the inside out), because it takes so much concentration for her to move her head in the "Yes" direction.

It's a new skill that our little one is learning. What a joy to help her along her journey!

A Moment of Reflection... Home for 6 days

I can't believe we have already been home for 6 days. It seems like we were in China months ago. While we were in China, it seemed like we had been there for a month. I don't understand why time tricks us this way.

China is such a beautiful country. When we flew to Guilin, it was probably some of the most magnificent land to fly over. The hills, rocks, even the way God designed the water to flow... everything was so beautiful, so rich.

Seeing this beauty, it makes me wonder even more, what Heaven is like.

The people of China were so very kind, curious, and always readily available to give a "thumbs up!" Have you ever thought how encouraging it is to get the "thumbs up" several times a day. Where else can you get this but China.

One sweet lady said to me while at McDonalds, "Your baby is so lucky. I know though that you will say, You're the lucky ones." That was for sure. We are the lucky ones. Not because of luck though; but because God supernaturally orchestrated the coming together of this precious little child into our lives.

One thing that made China stand out in such a professional way was their uniforms. Everyone seemed to have a special uniform for their job. They wore them proudly and they did their jobs with excellence. Regardless of the heat or the 95% humidity, they wore their suits or uniforms with class.

Another thing I remember about China is how clean it is. There are more than a billion people there, but when you walk into their cities (we were in Nanning, Guilin, and Guangzhou), they had people in uniforms sweeping, picking up trash, etc. There were people EVERYWHERE working to keep the city beautiful. I wish we would do the same in America. How much we take for granted here in this land of opportunity and freedom.

As we left the airport to drive into the city of Guilin, I marveled at the amazing rockery and design the Chinese put into their walls alongside the road. Everything they did seemed to be by wheelbarrow. No shade, little water, probably not a lot of food, little supplies, heavy labor, no gloves... yet they worked with diligence. I never saw anyone look over another's shoulder. It was as though they worked to build their part of the "wall" or their part of China.

I just had little glimpses into the life of those that live in China. A nation of great beauty. A people of great commitment. A people of great strength.

Her Princess Bed is a Miracle!

My husband and I often look at each other and say, "I can't believe she's ours. She's so beautiful. Such a blessing from the Lord."

Our transition home, since Saturday, has been a challenge during the night, because Gabriella and I are still on China time. Thus, we are often up from 3am until 7am.

Our sleeping arrangements weren't working very well, so Mama and Mei Mei went out and got a princess toddler bed. The first night, that bed was a miracle!

Gabriella slept for 11 hours. I got to sleep for 8 hours. It was a much needed sleep. Sleep hadn't really been a part of my routine since Thursday at 5am.

Now, it's one week later. The princess bed works during the day... let's pray it continues to work during the night as well. Thank you Lord for sweet sleep.

The Simple Pleasures in Life!

Tonight we got to see how simple life really needs to be... and, how just a bit of quality time and a hose can bring hysterical laughter and joy for the whole neighborhood to hear.

Gabriella and I watered some of the flowers out in the front yard. Since she is yet to stand or walk (though we are believing we will in time see God's supernatural healing), I decided to put her in her stroller; that way, we could concentrate on looking at each other and holding on to the hose to control the water.

To her great delight, she found that if she put her hand in the water as we sprayed the flowers, it would make both of us wet... really , really wet.

It was a fun way to cool off and help the dogs cool off too. Oh, the simple pleasures in life! There is so much for us to be grateful for!

She's a Faker!

We have an amazingly fun little one. Gabriella has this way with her eyes. She seems incredibly bright and funny. She rolls her eyes and makes funny facial expressions to get a response. Each day we share many, many of these moments with giggles and funny faces.

One of the fun things that she does as she is playing with Baba is pretend to sleep... she will instantly "fall asleep" while interacting with him. She generally stays "asleep" for 3 seconds and then pops her head up and laughs or smiles. We call her our "Little Faker." She is quite a character. I think we will have to try to get this on video in the next couple days.

She has brought so much joy into our lives... and, so quickly. I can't imagine our life without her.

She's Repeating English and Understands Everything!

As you may already know, her first word was "shoes". We can't remember what her second word was. We coaxed her into her third word: "Starbucks"... and, her fourth was "Jesus." Okay... so, priorities might be a little mixed up in the word choices.

Today she copied me and said, "So, so pretty." It was in reference to a beautiful dress she wanted to put on.

She repeats English words so willingly. I love her desire to learn.

She understands everything we say in English... though, we know it is only by the grace of God and how we are communicating, because it would otherwise be impossible for her to know.

She's 3.5 and WHAT SIZE?

The photo above is actually taken ONE YEAR home... 6-9 mo. pants, age 4yr. 6mo.

Our little princess has stopped eating like the books said she would... thank God. She was eating more than Jason and I put together. We never could figure out where she was putting it. But, by the first day home, she was eating like a normal 3 year old.

Now, that being said, she came to us at 25 pounds, so what size should she be?

When I shopped for her, I was surprised to find out that she can wear a 6-9 months on her bottom (as long as they are capris). She wears a 4T on top or as a dress. All of her 4T footed jammies are too small, so, she must wear a 5T.

How could this be?

No More... "She Loves Me Nots!"

The first two days with Gabriella were very quiet. She looked at us, she smiled. She went to either one of us equally. But, the third day, she decided that Baba was everything to her.

We loved to hear her squeal at the top of her lungs "Baba!" as she saw him get his food at the breakfast buffet. It's one of those squeals every parent hopes to hear.

As the days went on, we noticed a clear preference to Baba unless he was out of the room. That's when Mei Mei and I would get our own bonding time.

Now, just two days home, she hugs onto both of us, squeals in delight, looks for just another way to be close to us.

Gabriella is such a sweet, sweet girl and has already brought so much joy to our family.

The first few days, there were times that I felt like I was plucking off the petals to a daisy and saying, "She loves me not, She loves me not, She loves me not" But now, I can say, "She loves me, She clearly, clearly loves me."

Our Consulate Appointment was Today!

Today was our Consulate Appointment (CA). Jason and I showed our passports to the US consulate employee. We sat in a room with about 40 other adopting families. There were several windows. They called each child by their Chinese name and they, and their family, went to the window for Mama or Baba to sign a paper with baby's info. and picture on it.

It's a very fast process. When everyone is done, one of the U.S. Chinese adoption employees shared some fun facts with us. There will be about 3,000 visa's issued this year for adoptions in China. About 57% of those will be children with special needs.

We all stood, held up our right hand, and took an oath that everything we said in our paperwork was true.

The gal congratulated us and then we left. We went "window" shopping today. Which was a real bummer because I found some really cool things; but had no money.

We ate pizza at Pizza Hut with Amy and her son Trevor (17) and daughter Madelyn (6).

We then returned to the hotel by 6pm to pack for our departure home. Oh, how good it is going to be to be finally home.

I am so tired of looking at Chinese food. I know I have shared several times about our food choices, but I am going to share again... duck tongue with ginger, boneless duck feet with ginger, tasty pork trotters, chilled marinated jellyfish with vinegar, roasted crispy pigeon, marinated goose liver with spring onions, double-boiled pork bone with olive and dragon's tongue leaf in soup, steamed loofah with dried whitebait and XO sauce, stewed pork knuckle and sea cucumber with shrimp roe.

Had I stayed away from the plain noodles, fried rice, and steamed buns, I could have lost 20 pounds in the last 14 days.

Funny Faces, Fun Personality

Gabriella's personality is fiesty and spunky. She is a strong-willed princess that wishes for her Baba to serve her, carry her, and give her his undivided attention.

She has a number of facial expressions and can go from happy to mad or sad in the flip of a switch. She can cry on the spot or laugh on the spot.

She puckers her lips and rolls her eyes, she pretends to fake sleep, she laughs and brings us great joy. She's such a funny character.

She still often shakes her head no... though we are learning to shake our head in the other direction.

If she doesn't like something that she's eating, she readily shares it with Baba. If you try to take something of hers to share, she will scream or pout or stick out her lower lip... it's funny (right now). We're whipping her into shape though.

More Shopping, American Food, and Vertigo

We purchased all the clothes we found last night. We also went to another shopping area earlier in the day and found a couple things.

I keep seeing super cute outfits on the people passing me by, but can't seem to find anything in the stores.

Even the things I do find, that I might buy, are just as expensive, or more, than what we would find in America... that's frustrating. I do enjoy the bartering though. But, I will be grateful to get back to Marshalls, Ross, and TJ Max.

We are really tired of eating Chinese, but Jason really doesn't want to eat American fast food either. Argh. We ate at KFC and McDonald's today. He also ordered a couple bowls of noodle soup. Despite what others say, I am an EXTREMELY picky eater even in America. I only eat cow and chicken breast... no other meat, nor anything from the ocean. While we do not eat fast food in America, KFC, McDonald's and Pizza Hut have not only been good, they have often been sought for. Pizza Hut is probably the best in my opinion.

I feel like I am experiencing vertigo since being here. Not sure why, but I am often dizzy (even while resting) and am always tired). I have no idea if it could possibly be related to our protein levels, but they are extremely low... we each eat 2 fried eggs in the morning. Who wants mutton liver, pig snouts, duck wings, back bones, and other yummy food items for their meals?

Chinese Pictures

We dressed Gabriella up in her pink Chinese outfit and matching shoes. She generally loves getting her photo taken, but wouldn't have anything to do with it.

We also put her in a white and pink Chinese dress from one of our special friends.

Our final attempt was to take Gabriella to Starbucks with her Starbucks Guangzhou t-shirt. We bought a couple cups and grabbed a drink there.

Hopefully pictures will go better next time. She was a little stinker today!

24 Hour Shopping

After the Guangzhou Zoo, we came back for another shower... typically, we take 3 showers a day. We rested for a couple hours, checked our email, and then went to dinner and to do some night shopping.

We went to the local shops (not the overpriced mall where just about everything costs $30-$45 each) and chose a number of items. We had each store hold the items for a day... mostly so that we could see what was at each store and not be stuck with items that weren't as cool as something else.

We will purchase them tomorrow evening. We got back to the hotel after 10pm... Mei Mei didn't fall asleep until midnight. That was a bit of a struggle.

Some things that I remember about today were Mei Mei learning that the stroller is a good thing. Baba doesn't have to carry her everywhere or be with her all the time. She loves me dearly now. She even takes naps without crying fits for an hour or more. Yeah! So glad that's happening now. She is a sweet, funny, girl with a huge personality that longs for the attention of others... and, she will get it with her very funny facial expressions with both her mouth and eyes.

The Guangzhou Zoo in July 2010

Okay, I really don't want to spoil this for you, but I must document it for Gabriella's sake. If you want to have a new cause in life, go to the Guangzhou Zoo.

It is perhaps the saddest animal experience you might encounter outside of seeing your own pet experiencing a personal tragedy. The lions and tigers weighed not much more than your neighbors dog. Almost without exception, you saw extremely lethargic animals (not just due to heat, humidity, lack of water, or lack of environmental stimuli), but because of a serious neglect of food.

Some animals were fairly prolific (like bunnies)... the little dear and some white birds. Those, honestly, should have been fed to the larger animals. The animals craved the attention of the others next to them... separated by cages with NOTHING inside... no plants, no water, no toys, no food, and often, no friends.

The panda was the highlight... but, he was even quite small.

They had dogs and a miniature horse in a petting zoo that you pay a separate entrance fee for. Even they did not have water in 95 degree weather and 90 degree humidity.

I even felt sorry for the snakes and I am deathly afraid of them. They were in hard plastic containers about 4 feet tall without any shade. Again, no protection, little air, and lack of environmental stimuli.

Take your own food and water, I guarantee you will not want to eat there. Take the little, open air shuttle around once. Plan on about 2 hours. The most fun (at least for the Chinese - the Americans didn't participate) was to go into the kiddie pools (which is another separate entrance fee) and walk in pools of water and catch the fish with a little sieve. It did look like lots of fun. The Chinese were putting the fish in their drinking bottles.

The Pearl River Cruise

We were told that most people would rate the cruise as a ten and the food as a seven. Honestly, I thought it was a waste of time. I couldn't rate pickled pig intestine, chicken feet, and braised pork bones as a high quality meal. We ended up eating noodles, curry noodles, some plain steamed buns, and about 10 of the mini coconut tarts.

The Chinese raced to the lines... gobbling all the "delicious" livers, bones, skins, and other treats. Not many Americans ran to the buffet table. It's an experience. You can get some good pictures of the chicken heads amongst the chicken though. Eat up fellow friends!

Our dear friend Amy and her son Trevor and daughter Madeline.

That's a chicken foot and Madeline loved it!