Quick Update

Just a quick note to check in. All is well with us. Yesterday Willow and I went down to Yale to visit their International Adoption Clinic- part of the Pediatric Specialty Unit. We had seen these folks when we first came home and this was a followup to that first visit to see how our little one is doing. To summarize, they thought she looked great and she scored very well on all their tests. Of course this was no surprise to us parents but it is always nice to have a team of professionals verify your own assessment.

So what else is new? Not too much.
At the beginning of March I started a play group. I used an online tool called meetup and so far we have about 15 kids - all under 3. We meet once a week at an open indoor gym and the kids ride their little scooter things and run around for about half the time and then we gather them up to do something as a group. Sometimes we sing and play instruments, other times we do crafty things or fingerpaint. What started out as a way to get Willow out of the house in the last days before spring has turned in to a really nice little community for us.

We traveled to Boston for the last weekend in March and had a B-L-A-S-T. This was our first overnight trip since coming home and we so enjoyed the time away together. Willow loved the hotel but the Zoo and the Aquarium were HUGE hits. At the zoo, we saw real tigers and a lion. At home, Willow has the stuffed versions and she loves to imitate the roar of the Tiger that Uncle Geoff brought her. She was pretty impressed with the real thing but I think her favorites were the Gorillas and Lemurs. Oh yes, and the baboons. She was trying to kiss the little baboons through the glass. She was her typical fun loving self through the whole trip although she did have a little trouble adjusting to the portable crib in the hotel room. As usual, she charmed everyone that she met and we did our best to overlook her new trick - the human water fountain- (where she drinks in tons of water then spits it out of her mouth). Luckily she moved past that little number pretty quickly.

Here are some pictures from our trip:

"Gotcha Day" Anniversary -7 Months Ago Today Our Lives Were Changed Forever By Our Little Miracle

My Amazing Happiness - That's what I call her sometimes when my heart is just bursting. This still happens more often than I would have ever imagined - and no, I am not going to tell you how many X/day or week I weep at the sheer joy of it. It has been a while since I've posted and I really, really am going to get better at this I hope. I still take tons of pictures which hopefully will do a decent job of capturing our story but I still feel a huge need to get more of our daily life down on paper. I so want our wonderful little girl to know just how much joy she has brought to our family. So for now I will attach some photos and a brief summary of what's new.

When I last wrote in December 2008 I said that Willow.....

Has 12! Teeth --- She Now has 16!!!
Weighs more than 25LBs ( hoorahh 75 percentile) ----- Now Weighs 27 Lbs and is still in the 75 Percentile
Was about 32" Tall (90TH percentile) -----Now is Is 33.5" Tall and in the 80 Pecentile
Has been scooting since early October ----- Took 7-8 Purposeful Steps on December 17, 2008
Is now standing up on her own ------- Dances to any Music and Tries Hard to Hop Up and Down Like a Bunny/Frog!!
Is walking holding one hand or Cruising the Furniture ----- Yeah - She's No Longer Cruising She is Now Running!!


Says Mamma, Dadda, Boooo (for what does a cow say) Bahhhhh (for Book), NumMumm(for food) Duuuuk (for Duck and Dog)
Nods excited when asked "does Mamma love Willow" and Raises her arms to the moon when asked the follow up "how much"
Goes to Baby Yoga and Tumble Jungle once a week and loves to "tap her knees" and "says" I Love You in Yoga class Hugs and Kisses without being asked and when asked --- Oh, Those Kisses !!! She is So Affectionate. She Gives Really Nice Hugs Too.
Claps Applause for herself and others
Uses the signs for "More" and "Finished" ---- Now Signs "Please" and "Book"
Still Devours Books with a Passion ---- YUP Can't Get Enough
Still Loves looking at pictures and kissing them --- No Change there -- Kisses her reflection in the windows at night too!!
Pats and Kisses Ollie ---- Now Big Into Tickling Ollie
Understands a ton of words and requests like Stand Up Butter Cup, Sit or High Chair etc. --- There's Virtually Nothing She Doesn't Understand Now -- Very Scary - Have To Watch Every Word.

Shakes her head "no" when contemplating doing something she has been told is off limits (ie touching an outlet) -- For The Past Few Months She Wags Her Finger Instead of Shaking Head, Very, Very, Cute

Loves Riding in the Car and listening to her CD (applauding after every song) --UMMM - Still Listening -Actually Wore Out Said CD and Had To Buy a New ONE!!

Loves Peekaboo and Hiding Out or "Going Away" Likes to switch lights on and off --Still loves Hide and Seek
Points to Noses, Eyes, Ears and Mouth (hers and yours but mostly yours) ----Knows ALL Her Body Parts Now
Amazes her Mamma and Dadda every single day and keeps us asking how we are so lucky! ----No Change HERE!!


I must mention though one of the cutest things she does. This started a few months ago but she seems to do it more and more frequently. Usually at Dinner, although she may do it at Lunch if we're all together, Willow will reach for each of our hands and then hold them up "celebration style" and giggle like crazy. This usually leads to us giggling too and then before you know it we're hooting and hollering like a bunch of nuts. Sometimes she tries to bring our hands together in front of her so that everyone is touching. It is very, very sweet and we love it even if we do create a scene when dining out - we will never turn away those sweet little mushy hands!!

Oh, one other thing that I will probably regret documenting, but again, it was just so darn cute AND thoughtful. Yesterday, I thought I'd use the powder room by myself - this never happens but she was pretty engaged with her toys so I told her I was going to go to the potty and be right back. Of course, I left the door ajar and after about 1 minute I heard the pitter patter of those tiny feet coming across the kitchen floor. She appeared in the doorway with two books. She quickly handed one to me and then sat down on the floor of the bathroom with hers and proceeded to read. I laughed out loud!!! She is a thoughtful little one!!

I hope you are all doing well and thanks for checking in....

XO,
M.

Where Has The Time Gone?!!

Has it really been nearly 3 months since I  last blogged?  Wow!  We have just been on the most amazing journey getting to know our sweet little one.  She is the most precious gift ever to be received and I still cry just about every day with the joy of it.  We are amazed daily by her.  She is so bright, witty, active and just so wonderful.  To catch you up here's a shot at recapping the last months:

When we came home Willow:

  Had 8 teeth

Weighed 18.7 Lbs (3rd percentile - yikes)

Was about 30" Tall (50th percentile)

Sat Upright 

Said Yee Yah

Loved books 

Ate like there was no tomorrow

Cuddled before naps

Played Peekaboo

Loved looking at the picture book we brought showing Ollie, her room, the garden etc. 

Today Willow...

Has 12! Teeth!!

Weighs more than 25LBs ( hoorahh 75 percentile)

Is about 32" Tall (90TH percentile)

Has been scooting since early October

Is now standing up on her own 

Is walking holding one hand or Cruising the Furniture

Says Mamma, Dadda, Boooo (for what does a cow say) Bahhhhh (for Book), NumMumm(for food) Duuuuk (for Duck and Dog) 

Nods excited when asked "does Mamma love Willow" and 

Raises her arms to the moon when asked the follow up "how much" 

Goes to Baby Yoga and Tumble Jungle once a week and loves to "tap her knees" and 

"says" I Love You in Yoga class

Hugs and Kisses without being asked and when asked

Claps Applause for herself and others

Uses the signs for "More" and "Finished"

Still Devours Books with a Passion

Still Loves looking at pictures and kissing them

Pats and Kisses Ollie

Understands a ton of words and requests like Stand Up Butter Cup, Sit or High Chair etc.

Shakes her head "no" when contemplating doing something she has been told is off limits (ie touching an outlet) 

Loves Riding in the Car and listening to her CD (applauding after every song) 

Loves Peekaboo and Hiding Out or "Going Away" 

Likes to switch lights on and off

Points to Noses, Eyes, Ears and Mouth (hers and yours but mostly yours)

Amazes her Mamma and Dadda every single day and keeps us asking how we are so lucky! 

Hey Everyone - Willow here!! Just thought I'd update you too! 

My typical day is:

7:am Wake Up, Talk in my crib for a while until Mamma comes to get me.  When Mamma gets me we count all the bears on my Dresser then look at my favorite picture of me with my Mamma and Dadda at the beach.  I like to hold it and point everyone out and sometims I even like to kiss it. After that I like to have my Mamma get me Nash and Horsie so I can kiss them. Then I get my diaper changed and go downstairs to see Ollie and have breakfast.  I love Ollie and I kick my legs really fast when I see him.  He wags his tail and kisses my face and, quite frankly, I am not sure how I feel about that.  

8:am After Breakfast I like to just hang out a bit in front of the fire and play with my toys.  Right now I am really into my Brightlings and Blocks and I love putting things in this cool bag I have with a ducky on it.

 

9:am Around this time I usually like a little privacy so I can collect my thoughts and get ready for whatever morning activity Mamma has in store for me. Sometimes its Yoga and sometimes it is tumbling.  They're both pretty cool, I have some friends at both places.

10:30 - Mamma and I cuddle in my chair with some Milk and catch some zs

1:pm- Lunch (I eat pretty much anything and I tell my Mamma when I am full)

2:pm Playdates, Shopping, etc.  

4:pm - More cuddling and Milk

7:pm Dadda comes home and we have dinner.  Afterword I play with him and read him books so he can wind down and get ready for Naked Nudie Time!!

8:30 Naked Nudie Time! - (aka Dadda gives me a bath)

9:15 Cuddle in my chair with Dadda and make plans for the next day -It's a pretty good life.  

My Favorite Books are:

Good Dog Carl, The Big Red Barn, Each Peach Pear Plum, Brown, Bear Brown Bear and Harry 

My Favorite Tunes are:

Bringin' home a baby bumble bee, I love the Mountains, Hickory Dickory Dock, Skidamarinka dink

That's all from me now.  I hope you are all enjoying this very magical holiday season!! 

Willow's First 2 Weeks at Home

Hello Everyone!!

First, we have to thank everyone again for all the calls, visits, cards, gifts and happy thoughts for our new family.  We feel truly blessed to have such wonderful family, friends, and neighbors.  We are all doing very well at the completion of our first two weeks home. It has been a very busy time for us all.  We've had a few doctors appts. (standard check ups) and lots of company including the return of Papa who had been away since the day after we arrived home. 

Meanwhile, Daddy (Rick) has gone back to work but luckily his calendar has been a little lighter than usual so he's been around the house quite a bit.  This weekend will be busy again with more family visits, a Birthday Party for our friend Ben who turns 2, and a special visit with one of Daddy's former school teachers who is visiting in Yonkers from his home in Belgium.   

Willow is growing so fast.  I know everyone says this about their kids as it is always true and in this case Willow has actually gained 1.5lbs and lengthened . 5 inches since we met her- less than 4 weeks ago.  Below are photos from our first two weeks at home. 

XO,

M&R&W! (and Ollie too!)

The  Willow Welcoming Committee - Marcus and Kirstie W, Emma B. and Paige T.

Sharing a Big Belly laugh with Daddy
Getting to know my new best friend Ollie 
Visiting with Neighbors more presents, Oh My!
Hanging out in the afternoon at home

Daddy is smitten and then bitten!
 Last night we received this beautiful bag - I'm pretty sure we'll find something to fill it!  

My Journey Home to Newtown

Hi Everyone, Willow here!  Just wanted to give you all a brief look at my fantastic journey home to the states.  Check out the photos and I'll write again soon to bring you up to speed on my first week as a US Citizen.  I've got a lot of observations and opinions to share so stay tuned. 

XO, WCMAL

First Flight Out of Guangzhou China to Tokyo

 

 

Drinks at the Admirals Club Between Flights

Ready to Take Off for Home!  NYC Here I Come!

Waiting for my hot towel and warm nuts

"UMM....Where's My Mimosa?!" 

"Those Mimosa's really take the edge off"

"I'm awake now! Let's Play"

"Where is MY MIMOOOOSA?!"

Leaving the airport - Next Stop Newtown! 

We're Home

Hi all,

Just a very quick note to let everyone know we made it home on schedule, late last night.  Got in at around 9 pm.  Now if only we could all get our little internal clocks set for eastern time we'll be in really great shape.  

Papa Dick was here to greet us with a house full of balloons which Willow absolutely loved.  She's really coming out of her shell with new people much quicker these days which we hope is a good sign that she is trusting her new Mommy and Daddy. 

We'll write more soon.  Just wanted to let everyone know we're back and we are so grateful for all the well wishes and positive energy we felt from you all when we were away.

Much Love,

M,R, W, & Ollie!! 

A Pretty Rough 48 Hours is Now Behind Us (hopefully)

Hi folks,
Mamma reporting in at 11:00 am Wednesday (China Time - 11:00 pm Tuesday back in Ct).

Well, let me start by saying everyone is ok now. To make a long story short, Monday night at 11:00 pm we loaded ourselves into a taxi and headed quickly to the Eur Am clinic about 20 minutes from our hotel. Willow had been successfully battling a fever since Sunday afternoon and had a normal temp up until about 2 pm Monday but at 10 pm we checked her and found her temp had risen to 103!! How do you say PANIC! in Chinese?! Anyhow, the folks at the clinic were great...technically speaking. The DR. had the personality of a shoe lace but he pricked her finger and within 10 minutes ran the test that confirmed our little peanut was indeed battling an infection. We got some medicine and by 1:00 am we were home (at the hotel) already feeling cooler. She has had a normal temp since.

I think both Rick and I aged about 10 years at that clinic!! You can only imagine the screeming that went on. I am just so grateful that she is feeling better now. I have to say that all through this illness she continued to eat and play and be generally wonderful throughout the day, but she definitely did not appreciate the midnight road trip followed by the torture chamber and she made sure to pay us back. Last night, (Tuesday here), she refused to go down from 9:30 to 11:00 and we finally brought her downstairs to the restaurant and ordered up some congee and warm milk. Ultimately she slept and today she is (so far) back on schedule.

Yesterday was the Consulate appointment and all went well. Today we go back to the consulate and take our oath. Tomorrow (Thurs) we depart our hotel at 5:30 am. Our flight from Guangzhou to Tokyo is at 8:20 and will take about 4 hours. Then we have a 4 hour wait til our next flight direct to JFK. We should arrive in New York at 6:30 pm Thursday night. We have loved it here but are anxious to get home and be with our family and friends. And of course to introduce Ollie (our other baby) to the newest member of the family.

XO,
M,R, & W.