Home 6 months

I know it has been a while since I posted but with 4 kids it has been very busy the past few months.  I can't believe it has been 6 months since we have been home with Ciarra.  I posted a photo from "gotcha day" and a photo taken the end of April.  What a difference only a few months make.  Our family has truly been blessed to have this precious little girl as part of our family.  She has adjusted so well and is such a happy little girl.  She will be turning two in July.  A year ago at this time I didn't think the adoption would ever happen and was actually thinking about pulling our dossier from China.  We had put in a request for a 2 1/2 year old from Bethany's last agency specific list and was not matched.  That was our 3rd "no match" call and was very discouraging.  In July the new process of being matched from the shared list began and we decided to submit our paperwork and try at least until the end of the year.  I submitted the paperwork on Aug. 1st and on Aug. 15th we got the call and saw our daughter's photo for the first time.  I know it is easy to say now that we have her in our arms, but it was really perfect timing and the perfect match for our family.  My prayers go out to all those still waiting but believe me the wait is well worth it.  

Home a month

I can't believe it has been a month already since we arrived home with Ciarra. I read so many times on other family blogs during our long wait to just be patient and the long wait would fade once you are home with your child and how you will be matched with the child that is meant for you. And here I am thinking that yes they were right, the wait does fade and how well Ciarra has adjusted and is the perfect fit for our family. She has had her first Christmas, been to church and has sat through several basketball games in the past month. She loves to just run around on the gym floor. We have found out she loves pancakes and tuna sandwiches and of course sweets. She still wakes up during the night but usually goes right back to sleep. Hopefully she will adjust to daycare as I will be going back to work in a couple more weeks. We will be visiting the cleft team at the University of Iowa on February 9th and anxious for the first consultation. She has had several shots and blood drawn twice so she will know the hospital very well. The weather has been so cold here that she hasn't been able to be outside. We are hoping for a little warmer weather so she can play in the snow. She is not talking much but understands very well what we are saying. We have many more "firsts" to experience over the next year and hoping to keep you all updated with how she is changing and adjusting to all the new experiences.

Finally an update!

Sorry it has taken so long to post. Yes we did make it home safe after being awake for about 31 hours. Ciarra did great on our first flight from Guangzhou to Tokyo but the first two hours on the 11 hour flight were not good. She finally settled down and did great the rest of the way home. The flight was full so there wasn't much room to sleep. We arrived home about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday the 17th. The next few days were spent catching up on much needed sleep and Ciarra caught some kind of a viral infection and didn't feel well until about Monday. She did not sleep well the first several nights home but has been sleeping all night for the past 4 nights (what a relief). She and Hannah are doing so well and she is getting more comfortable with the boys but not quite sure yet. Now that Ciarra is feeling better, she is starting to try more foods but is still very picky. Today she tried biscuits and gravy and loved that. We spent Christmas day at my sister's and my parents. She had a lot to look at and get into. She was very tired by the end of the day. I think she liked the wrapping paper and sacks the best. She will visit the pediatrician on Monday and hopefully that goes well. We are expecting some shots and blood work will be done. It has been very cold here and we are hoping for some warmer weather soon so that the kids can get outside and play in the snow. We will see how Ciarra likes that. I will post an update after her doctor visit and hopefully we can get some more photos now that she is feeling better. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. It is so great to be home with family and friends!

Red Couch Day

Group photo

All the Bethany children

Today will be our last post from China. This morning we did the famous red couch photo at the White Swan and this afternoon we will go to the US Consulate for our oath and to pick up Ciarra's visa. It has been an amazing journey and we are so blessed to have found this adorable little girl and honored to be her parents. We can't wait to get her home and meet everyone. This part of our journey is coming to an end but we are really just beginning. Please say a prayer for safe travels tomorrow and that Ciarra will have a smooth adjustment at home. I am not looking forward to the jet lag but can't wait for my soft bed. I will try to post once we get home. Until then.

Enjoying Guangzhou

We are really enjoying our time in Guangzhou. The weather has been great and of course I love the shopping and finally a Starbucks again. Ciarra is doing great and sleeping very well. The first night here we all ate at the famous Lucy's and last night we had Chinese food that was great. Ciarra loved the noodles and we have found out she loves french fries with ketchup. We had the photos developed from her foster family and they turned out well. It will be so nice to be able to show her when she gets older. Today is our consulate appointment, although we do not have to go. Shiyan will take our paperwork and let us know later today if there are any problems. Hopefully everything goes well and tomorrow we take the oath and pick up her visa and will be ready to come home. Off for more shopping.

We made it to Guangzhou

At the play room
Medical exam
Hotel
We are so glad to have arrived to warmer weather. Ciarra did great on her first flight. She slept the entire time. Lets hope the flight home goes that well. The breakfast buffet was wonderful this morning and the temperature was close to 80 today. We had the medical exam this morning. It wasn't anything too much but she weighs 22 pounds and is 28 inches tall. She loves just being outside and walking around in the stroller without being bundled up. They have a playroom in the hotel and I am sure we will be spending more time there. She loved the toys and having the space to play. Tomorrow is a free day and hopefully can get some shopping done. Hope all is well at home and can't wait to get home to see everyone.