We are home and are now a family of 7!
Our final days in China were busy...Consulate appointments, the Zoo (Safari in Kenya has ruined zoos for us), a dinner cruise (sounds a little more glamorous that it was: there were definitely chicken feet and shrimp complete with heads, legs, and eyeballs on the buffet), and Shamain Island, a beautiful place for shopping and strolling.
Ivey did really well with all the activity.
Then, it was time to go home. We were dreading the 3 flights home, but so anxious to be there! We were in a race against the clock for both our layovers, battling picking up luggage, re-checking it (twice), long lines, security checks, miscommunication between airlines and even a lack of a seat for Ivey that we had paid for (long story). But, we eventually did make it by the skin of our teeth. (we were also with another family and their 3 kids, who we lost at one point and then saw running onto the plane right before the door closed!)
Ivey did pretty well overall, although she only slept about 2-3 hours of a 24 hour travel day!
We arrived at the airport to a vibrant welcome home crew that were so anxious to meet our girl!
So, how is the transition going now that we are home, you ask?
Overall, pretty well! Our main issue is sleep, which we expected. Ivey is still trying to get used to the time change and wakes up many times a night crying, wanting to be held, etc. We are working through that, but we are TIRED.
The boys are loving her, more so than I even expected! They want to be in her face all the time, feed her puffs all the livelong day, and carry her around. She only tolerates so much of this, but she does like them too!
We are working hard on bonding with her, which involves elements that are different than you might employ with your biological children. We are trying to stay home a lot, getting her used to our house as her home. Eric and I spend a lot of time carrying her around, and aren't letting anyone else hold her for the near future, or feed her, change her, etc. To her, we are just another pair of caregivers that she seems to like, but nothing in her little life has shown her that we are here to stay. So this will take time and a lot of effort to make her understand that this is her FOREVER FAMILY, we aren't going anywhere. So please don't be offended if we don't let you hold her or give her things, it's really an important step in bonding.
Overall, she is a pleasant, spunky little girl. She loves Puffs, Chinese noodles, dumping things out of their container, ripping paper, being thrown up in the air and her first taste of ice cream. She hates baths and riding in a car seat.
We can't wait for you to get to know her, Mitchell #7!
Our final days in China were busy...Consulate appointments, the Zoo (Safari in Kenya has ruined zoos for us), a dinner cruise (sounds a little more glamorous that it was: there were definitely chicken feet and shrimp complete with heads, legs, and eyeballs on the buffet), and Shamain Island, a beautiful place for shopping and strolling.
At the zoo (ok, a little creepy)
In front of the US Consulate in Guangzhou
Hungry!?
Lovin some dinner
Cruisin (notice the selfie taking in the background!)
Ivey did really well with all the activity.
Then, it was time to go home. We were dreading the 3 flights home, but so anxious to be there! We were in a race against the clock for both our layovers, battling picking up luggage, re-checking it (twice), long lines, security checks, miscommunication between airlines and even a lack of a seat for Ivey that we had paid for (long story). But, we eventually did make it by the skin of our teeth. (we were also with another family and their 3 kids, who we lost at one point and then saw running onto the plane right before the door closed!)
Ivey did pretty well overall, although she only slept about 2-3 hours of a 24 hour travel day!
We arrived at the airport to a vibrant welcome home crew that were so anxious to meet our girl!
Two Kunming cuties!
So, how is the transition going now that we are home, you ask?
Overall, pretty well! Our main issue is sleep, which we expected. Ivey is still trying to get used to the time change and wakes up many times a night crying, wanting to be held, etc. We are working through that, but we are TIRED.
The boys are loving her, more so than I even expected! They want to be in her face all the time, feed her puffs all the livelong day, and carry her around. She only tolerates so much of this, but she does like them too!
Puff feeding time
We are working hard on bonding with her, which involves elements that are different than you might employ with your biological children. We are trying to stay home a lot, getting her used to our house as her home. Eric and I spend a lot of time carrying her around, and aren't letting anyone else hold her for the near future, or feed her, change her, etc. To her, we are just another pair of caregivers that she seems to like, but nothing in her little life has shown her that we are here to stay. So this will take time and a lot of effort to make her understand that this is her FOREVER FAMILY, we aren't going anywhere. So please don't be offended if we don't let you hold her or give her things, it's really an important step in bonding.
Overall, she is a pleasant, spunky little girl. She loves Puffs, Chinese noodles, dumping things out of their container, ripping paper, being thrown up in the air and her first taste of ice cream. She hates baths and riding in a car seat.
We can't wait for you to get to know her, Mitchell #7!
Love it all! XO
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to meet her!
ReplyDelete