Another day, another step

Em had a good night sleep. She slept until 5am so we started our day early. By 9am, we had breakfast, a bath and we packed for an outing to the mall. We got there at opening and she sat in her stroller and we did a few errands. She picked out a play food set so I bought it for her knowing how much she likes pretend play. We went to Stride Rite and she did let the woman measure her foot (size 6M) but she wouldn't get a pair of shoes. Oh well, maybe another day. We then had a power nap in the car and went to Trader Joe's. She loves helping put items in the cart and when I told them it was her first visit they rang the bell and gave her a balloon. I bought some things to try like black beans, tofu, ravioli and of course bananas. I always get so much and spend a lot less when I shop there. After lunch and a nap we decided to visit grandma-ma at work (my work too). She had a lovely time until grandma had to go back and she melted. I am learning the key to breaking it is to ignore the tantrum and focus on what we will do next. Nearby is a duck pond with a playground and since the swings were such a hit yesterday we decided a repeat was in order. A few pics from the day.

To Grandpa's House We Go

We decided to go visit Emme's grandparents today (my father and his wife Gail). We left after lunch and she did GREAT in the car seat today. Not one tear was shed and she had a nap for the hour ride there. We arrived at 1:30pm and in a matter of minutes grandpa won her over with bubbles and a ball they threw around. We took a nice walk, went to a playground where she went on the swings , climbed a wall with a little help and rode a springy duck. Soon after we got back from the playground she helped her grandma make meatballs and sauce though she opted for the scrambled egg entree. It did us both some good to get out and an opportunity for her to spend quality time with family. As promised, some updated photos.

Baby Steps

Today was particularly difficult for me. After a 2 hour rest (thanks mom) and an outing I can see a little clearer. It's been 3 weeks since I met Emme in the hotel lobby in Beijing. For 2 weeks she would not walk except in our hotel room. The day we left for home she found her feet and strutted her stuff. The first week in China she had night terrors which she doesn't seem to have now but rather awakenings and as a result meltdowns which seem never ending but are probably less intense. She makes good eye contact, plays games with me and likes to be held. These are all good signs which suggest the attachment process has truly begun. Last night was bad for both of us and today was hard for me. I needed a break so I could regroup. We haven't really gone anywhere in the week we've been home probably out of my fears. Tonight we ended that, took a bath albeit a screaming one and got out of the house. We went to a friend's house for a pizza play date. She screamed the 15 minutes over in her car seat and the first 10 minutes there. Thanks to the husband she relaxed and within minutes was giggling and playing nicely with her play mate. She helped clean up, she shared and had her first taste of pizza. She only cried for a minute in the car seat coming home. So with 5 hours sleep last night and a 2 hour nap today PLUS running around tonight I am hoping she will sleep well tonight. Barring anything unforeseen we have plans to visit her grandpa tomorrow in New Jersey. I haven't taken ANY pictures since we've been home but that will be rectified tomorrow. Please think good thoughts for us tonight so we can start the day fresh tomorrow.

Could it be?

Last night I moved Em's bed into my bedroom and next to my bed. She dragged in her blankets and sat on it for an hour playing and looking at books. She fell asleep in my bed but I moved her successfully and she slept 9 1/2 hours. I hope this is the start of a more normal schedule for her. She went to bed at 9:30pm and woke at 7:15am. We had scrambled eggs and a yogurt drink for breakfast and we are going to play outside a little later. My sleep was a little more restless as I kept checking on her and worried that the damn fireworks going off at midnight wouldn't wake her up.

A New Day

Last night was tough. Em woke at midnight and spent the next few hours up and down and then screaming at 5am when I took her shoes off since she was kicking the crap out of me. She was NOT a happy girl and either was I. A friend stopped by with her son and they played so nicely together. We walked down the block and the kids played a little ball and ran around. Em was SO upset when they left she wailed by the front door. This will be a special friend for her as they will be attending daycare together. The little Empress was so fond of him that she followed him into the bathroom. I didn't ask her what she saw :-) On another note, I have some funky bug that has rendered me a pajama girl for the bulk of the day. The only good part of all this (aside from Emme) is the 15 pounds I've lost.

Update

We're been home for 2 days now and while sleep deprived we are doing okay. I finally slept last night when Em took her 9 hour power nap. I tried to wake her after an hour and she wasn't having anything to do with that nonsense. She was in such distress I let her go back to sleep. She slept until 1:30am which is better than yesterday when she slept until 8:30pm. While I want to get us on a normal schedule ASAP I want her to feel secure too. Truth is we have no demands on us for time so if it takes a week so be it. My grandmother and MP have been our only visitors. She is eating and drinking well but is pulling on her ear so I have a call into the pediatrician. She is also sneezing probably as a result of the AC but otherwise a healthy girl. I freaked last night when everyone went home because it was the first time I'd be alone with her since coming home. Quite frankly it scares me to death. Not sure why but it does even though I know it's good for bonding, etc. Today after our groceries are delivered we will go out to the park 2 blocks away and get some daylight in us. It should help make sleeping a little better. I wish she would sleep in her bed since she hates being with me and my bed is SO high. My new mattress is so thick the safety rail sticks out just a teeny bit so it doesn't really do the job necessary. I am hoping in time she will like her little bed and sleep in it so I can worry less and actually sleep with both eyes closed.

Home at Last

After 26 hours, we are home. We are smelly, cranky (me), tired and disheveled but we are home. Emme's grandparents picked us up at the airport and welcomed us with balloons, bananas and water. Emme found her feet the morning of departure and walked through 2 airports holding my hand. When she was tired she crawled into the stroller. She did GREAT for the first 19 hours and then melted down from sheer exhaustion so we spent 2 hours in the galley in the rear of the plane with the flight crew to minimize the disturbance we were causing our fellow passengers. They were very kind under the circumstances since my girl has such a healthy set of lungs. Since our arrival, she has been roaming around, getting into EVERYTHING and has to be watched like a hawk. She had a yogurt drink, cream of wheat, french toast, a scrambled egg and sat in her booster with a bib on. She's happy despite the fact she still has not slept more than 6 hours in the past 40. She wants nothing to do with her bed even when I put the mattress next to my bed on the floor. She loves climbing on and off my (very high) bed but won't sleep with me either. Admittedly I am afraid to be left alone with her. I think it's the lack of sleep coupled with the newness and the ease of having had grandma with us in China.

Final China Post

Today we went to the US Consulate and did the oath. Emme donned her stars and stripes dress and looked beautiful. She had a GREAT day; no real meltdowns ( I am not including her red couch one because it was mom inflicted). She's been sleeping better in her own space (she doesn't like sleeping with me) and I hope this continues. Right now she is parading around in my mom's sneakers and waving her panties and my bra like a flag. All very cute. We leave at 5:30am for a LONG trip home and I have encouraged her grandma and grandpa to bring a banana when they meet us at the airport. Due to her rough adjustment we have asked for no welcome party at the airport. I know this is a disappointment to those who wanted to welcome her home NY/NJ style but it's in her best interest to be as low key as possible so she adjusts in the best possible way. Her grandpa celebrated his retirement yesterday so his first official post retirement activity is picking his first grandchild up at the airport. We look forward to unpacking our bags and sleeping in our own beds. We will definitely be back to visit our special friends in Beijing and so Emme can see her homeland when she is a little older. As requested, her stats are 32 inches tall, 24.86 pounds on adoption day and 26 pounds at her medical. She is wearing size 18 months in most things though some bottoms are too big. She has two precious dimples above her tush and a large mongolian spot (or cluster) on her lower back. She is a healthy girl and has only received one immunization in China so we will work with our pediatrician on a schedule that we are both comfortable with to ensure her maximum health. Farewell from Guangzhou; next post will be from home. Love Lisa, Emme and Grandma-ma Dale

Red Couch, Group Photo and Hysteria, OH MY!

Em went a whole day yesterday without any problems. She's been sleeping like a champ albeit on the floor. The crib is too small, she doesn't like sleeping with me so I made her a crib like bed next to me and she's done really well. I knew the group photo would cause stress but we tried anyway. I did get a few nice shots of just us. Enjoy! This will likely be my last post until we get home. Tomorrow we have to be ready to go at 5:30am. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. It will be a very hard day for all of us. Until New York.....

Misc. Pics

Here are a few random photos from the past few days