After 2 weeks at home....

All Smiles

We have been home now for 2 weeks and starting to get adjusted and get times on schedule.  I have had a lot of people ask if we were going to continue this blog.  The answer is yes.  It will not be a daily blog but we will post every 1-2 weeks.  So for the last 2 weeks, how has it been?  We have been busy.  The first week home was just trying to get Sarah Grace to settle in and adjust to her new forever home and family.  She is doing great.  She has become an explorer.  The first couple of days at home, she would just sit mainly and play with her toys.  Since then we have had to toddler proof everything.  She enjoys walking around with her walking toys or any other toy she can push across the floor.  She became very familiar with the steps and where they are.  We got smart and put up a gate.  After she went to bed one night I put up the gate, the next morning she crawled right over as normal and when she got there she stood up and worked her best to try and figure out how to get thru.  Eventually she gave up and now she has realized there is no need to waste her energy going that way.  She is sleeping pretty good now and when she wakes up, she is so precious.  First thing in the morning is so fun.  She will wake up with smiles and grins.  She is so lazy while drinking her first bottle and that makes it fun to hold her.

On our way to the mountains

After that, she is ready to go.  She is amazingly smart I think.  She watches and remembers things that you wouldn't expect.  Amy was at home with her the other day while I was at work and she had stepped into the kitchen real quick.  When she came back to the living room, Sarah Grace had positioned herself on the changing pad and was laying on her back with the powder in hand acting as if she was putting powder on herself.  Each day is a step forward in this new life for both she and the 2 of us.  Figuring out what our new life looks like for now is what we are working on.  That will all change again in February when Seth arrives.  This little angel changes so much as time goes by.  Her hair is growing like crazy, we are ready for it to get long enough for bows.  She is eating great and is just amazing to watch.  I walked in the first day after work and when I came around the door, she saw me.  She pushed her toys aside and crawled towards me for a hug.  I think she is starting to love her mommy and daddy.  I have seen her lunge from my arms into Amy's.  She is a blessing to us and we are so thankful for her.  All the adjusting can be exhausting at times, but just looking at her smiling face with grins from ear to ear will melt all that away.  She is an amazing little girl.

Already trying to talk on the phone and drive

Giving love to my doll.  When we say give her love this
what she does.

I can help do coupons with mommy

First Day waking up at home

First trip to the doctor at home

Today was Sarah Grace's first day waking up at home.  She woke up around 4:30am and was ready to play.  She has a cold, so she didn't sleep that well due to the breathing and coughing.  She went back to sleep around 6 when she got a bottle and slept for another hour or so.  Her sleeping is off a little.  Time change is hard on anybody, but especially on a child.  She did pretty good overall though.  Today we went to the doctor to get her checked out.  She has had a bad tummy and we wanted to make sure everything is alright.  We took off to Raleigh and she did great at the doctor.  They did a check up and now have to do some lab work results to make sure all is ok.  Probably just the transition and all that has her tummy upset.  When we left the doctor, we went to the mall to get her some shoes that fit.  We had lunch and got fitted for some new shoes then we were back to Rocky Mount.  She took a nap in the car for a while and when we got home, she fell asleep for 2 hours on the floor.  I was off to Walmart for some supplies.

Mommy is good at this

She and mommy were tired little girls.  We had to wake her up after 2 hours of sleeping to make sure she would sleep tonight.  She was so hard to wake up.  Took us about 20 minutes of playing with her and moving her to get her going.  She played, but was extremely tired all afternoon.  We had to keep her going.  At one point she started to fall asleep and we had to go get a bath to wake her up.  She has explored the house today and been all over the place.  She is off to sleep and hopefully for a good night.

I like my new chair

Ready for dinner.
Fourth child for this highchair
made by Granddaddy.

My new walking practice toy

We are Finally Home

Mommy's Gotcha Day

After 17 days, we have finally made it home.  I know many are wondering how she did on the long plane ride.  She was pretty good for the most part.  She played and ate.  The hard part for her is sleeping in your arms.  She doesn't do well with that.  She likes to roll during her sleeping and be free.  When she can't, she gets upset.  She slept probably a total of 2 hours on the 14 hour plane ride home.  She was a little fussy during the end of the plane ride as she was exhausted.  It is hard because you can't do anything for her to make her feel better and you know it is because she want's to sleep, but can't.  Anyway, we made it back on our first leg to Chicago and had to get thru customs and make it to our gate within 2 hours.  We made it thru.  Customs was very easy.  We got to the customs area and there were 3 families with adopted kids.  All of us had little girls of which came from the same orphanage.  If you remember earlier from one of my post, there were 3 of them that came from the same home.  It was pretty cool that they were all on the same flight to America and became US Citizens at the same time.  We all entered customs and then had to turn in paperwork for them.  They took us to a holding room while they processed the paperwork and then said welcome home.  Best words ever.  We then ventured to get our bags and recheck them.  Once all was complete, we made it to the gate with about 15 or 20 minutes to spare.  We loaded up on the flight to RDU.  She had a bottle on the plane and feel fast asleep.  She slept most of this flight home and woke up as we landed. We got off the plane and of course, we wanted to change her clothes.  She had food all over them and we didn't want mommy to think we didn't take care of her.  We finally made it to the waiting area where mommy was anxiously awaiting.  I had already text her when we landed so she knew we were there.  When we got to mommy, she just gazed at her for a short time and then I handed her off.  She kind of had that same look as when I got her on "Gotcha Day".  This was mommy's Gotcha Day.

So happy to see this little angel

She just sat in Amy's arms as if she was trying to figure out everything.  We went downstairs and Amy played with her while I got luggage together and then we headed to the car.  This was going to be the first time she had been in a car seat.  China doesn't require this and she had never been confined in a car before.  We got her in and mommy sat in the back with her.  She had a few snacks and before we got out of the parking lot, she was asleep.  She slept all the way to Rocky Mount.  Mommy just sat in the back and looked at her.  She even made the comment, "I just can't stop looking at her".  We made it home and she came in for the first time.  We took her thru the house and then upstairs to her room.  She just took it all in.  It seemed as if she really liked all there was to see and then we sat in the floor and played for a while.  Some of the family came by to see her for a minute and she played.  She had a blast.  We gave her a bath and it was off to sleep.  She was exhausted and we were too.  First night with mommy.  Let's see how this goes.

Tears of joy and anticipation of this day. FINALLY

Day 16 Last Day in China

All the little ones adopted during our journey (14 Total)

Today is our last day in China.  We are all packed up and ready to go to Hong Kong.  This is our last night away from home.  I have made several ventures on long plane rides going to Japan and I have never looked forward to a 13 or 14 hour plane ride.  I can say that I am really looking forward to this one.  I can't wait to set foot on the plane.  That said, I will be ready to get off just as much, but at least getting on is a good feeling.  We are going to Hong Kong today so we can get close to the airport.  The other alternative was to leave here at 5AM tomorrow morning and head to the airport in Hong Kong.  I thought a good night sleep would do her and us good for the long journey home.  I will say that even though we are extremely excited about going home, I feel a little sorry for her at this time.  I know she has to be feeling that she is getting better care at this point than she was, but she will be leaving every smell and familiar look she has ever known.  The good thing is that she has taken really well to us and you can tell she knows she is loved.  This morning after I got out of the shower, she was laying on the bed finishing her bottle.  I went over to lay with her and play so nana could get a shower.  I would tickle her and she would loose her breath laughing.  I would stop and she would play for a minute laying on her back and I would watch TV for a minute.  She would then get close to me and start hitting my leg with her leg.  I would look at her and she would start to grin.  It was all over her face that she wanted to be tickled and play.  The way she will come to you now and reach up wanting you to pick her up and when you do, she will wrap her arms around me and just hug me.  That gives me a peace in knowing that she has felt the love from us and is comfortable with being with us.  This little girl is so full of life and smiles.  I can't wait to get her to Raleigh and introduce her to mommy face to face.  I would love for her to jump in Amy's arms and just know who she is without blinking an eye, but I think Amy and I both would almost like the sight of her being a little shy right at the start.  This is a sign that she has formed a bond and then know that her bond with Amy will be formed as quick as her bond with me.  As much as I love this little girl, she will feel double when we get home to mommy.  I know she is excited and can't wait to get Sarah Grace in her arms.

Day 15 US Consulate for Visa

Today was a pretty relaxed day.  We started off the morning pretty early to go to the US Consulate for an appointment to apply for the visa.  This was a very short trip and very well organized.  We were only gone for about 2 hours and then we were back.  We had to do group pictures today as well. This was interesting.  We did these about 11:30 which was right in the middle of lunch and nap time for a lot of these kids.  All the kids were dressed up in some sort of an outfit, either casual or traditional Chinese wear.  Sarah Grace had on one of her new dresses that I got her while we were here.  She did pretty good for the pictures, but it was tough.  She was so tired.  She laid her head on my shoulder and went asleep within minutes while we were waiting to do the group pictures.  I was moving her and playing with her to try and keep her awake until we got back to the room and could give her a bottle.  This would not be good if she had slept enough to get her a cat nap and then no nap after her bottle.  The good news is that she did end up waking up and she slept for over 2 hours today for her nap.  We then walked across the parking lot to a little shop trying to find some sort of bag or suit case for her.  The cool thing about shopping in China is that you get to bargain with them.  The CCAI rep on the bus was talking today to everyone about going shopping.  Her comment was if you want to get a good deal, take Chris.  Everyone knows I like a good deal.  It is pretty easy here.  Just name your price and walk away.  They will get there.  The saying in China is "No Bargain, No Fun".  Anyway, after an interesting dinner at a shop across from the hotel, we were back.  Ready to play and have fun for a bit and then bath time followed by sleep!  Can't wait.  She fought it for a bit tonight, but finally gave up the battle.  Tonight is the final night here and tomorrow afternoon we are heading to Hong Kong.  That will be exciting as that is the last night before we fly out.  Not sure how she will do on a 13 hour flight, but I can say I have never looked forward to a flight as much as I have this one.  I am so ready.  We should get her visa tomorrow afternoon and then we off.  Some may wonder why she needs a visa.  For now, she has gotten a Chinese passport as part of this 2 weeks worth of waiting and work.  Anyone entering or leaving China has to have a visa.  This goes in her Chinese passport.  Although officially our little Sarah Grace Hyman, she doesn't become a US Citizen until she lands on US soil.  We will get the passport when we get back.  So looking forward to home and my wife!!!!!!

Day 14 Another Free Day

Eating outside at the park

Today was mostly a free day.  Sarah Grace loves these kind of days.  She enjoys small settings with a few people.  We were able to sleep in and then we ventured down for a nice breakfast.  After breakfast, I ventured down to the pearl market for a short time and then back to the hotel.  After her nap, went outside in the play area and stayed for at least 2 hours.  She really enjoys it out there.  We played and ate and even got on the slide.  She absolutely loved the slide.  As you can see from the picture, she grins from ear to ear.  Tonight was a group dinner at a chinese restaurant.  We walked there as a group and sat together having a family style serving of different dishes.  They were pretty good.  Sarah Grace loves her rice and noodles.  I finally ate some green beans and they were amazing.  I have missed vegetables.  We cam back to the hotel and she then was ready to play for a little while.  She is funny.  I went in the bathroom to start running her bath water in the tub and when she hears the water start, she moves as fast as she can to the bathroom.  She loves her bath time.  Not so much the washing time, but the play in the bath she loves.  Trying to get her to stand up so you can wash her legs is a task.  You have to prepare to be soaking wet when you get done.  I see her most favorite time and her worst time all in one setting.  Getting in the bath is the best time, but taking her out is another story.  She gets mad when it is time to get out.  Doesn't matter how long you leave her in there.  I let her play for a while tonight and even ran more water so she could warm up.  Again, another day closer to coming home.

hanging out with daddy

 We have 1 more night in this hotel and then we leave for Hong Kong.  We spend our last night in Hong Kong before departing for North Carolina to see mommy!!!  Can't wait.

Who would have thought?
I know how to use chop sticks

Playing peek-a-boo with daddy

Day 13 River Boat Cruise

Tonight we went on a river boat cruise.  This was simply a dragon shaped boat that had a lower and upper deck.  We started in the lower deck and ate Papa Johns Pizza.  You don't realize how much you miss pizza and a burger until you have been gone for a while.  Once we were done eating, we went to the upper deck and sat outside to watch the scenery pass by.  The bridges were stranded with lights and the trees along the side were also sparkling.  Some of the buildings had lights going up the and a tower that stood high.  This build was cool as it changed colors every so often.  Sarah Grace seemed to enjoy the ride.  Not sure she cared much or not.  She did watch the lights for little while.  When we got back to the hotel, it was late.  We got back and it was time for bed.  We tried face time with mommy for a minute.  She was getting very sleepy and fussy.  Not a good time for mommy to watch as she wants to be there for her when this happens.  Following her bottle, she was gone.  We only have 2 nights after tonight remaining in this hotel.  We will leave Thursday afternoon by van to go to Hong Kong for 1 night and then FINALLY it is back to North Carolina.  Home Sweet Home.  We have managed to stay away from sickness for the most part here.  I can say that I am ready to see a cheeseburger, steak, salad or anything of that nature.  I am simply looking forward to being able to brush my teeth with water from the faucet and not from the bottle.  Anyway, another day closer.