A letter to Taryn on her 1st Birthday

Taryn, I can't even express how happy we feel since you have joined our family. Everyone always comments on how "lucky" you are that we adopted you...well, what they don't understand is that WE are the lucky ones! There hasn't been a day that has gone by that we haven't felt blessed by you. On this day I am reminded that across the world there is a woman who gave birth to you and then secretly left you on the courthouse steps in Jiangxi China. She did this so you could have a forever family. Something that, for whatever reason, she couldn't give to you. In this one selfless act, she provided you with a forever family...but, she also gave us one of the dearest gifts we will ever receive...you! I pray for her today. I don't know where she is, or what she is doing...but I DO know she will think of you today and wonder what became of you. Oh how I wish I could hug her and tell her you are more than okay! We love you our sweet Birthday Girl...we love you!

Birthday Girl Cuteness!

Our Little Nest...

"What U Talkin' Bout Willis.."

Okay...She got into my eye-liner...oops!

Baby Beethoven!

Mozart and Beethoven

Swingin' with my Bubby's!

"My Hero!"

How Cute Is This!

Today was just a beautiful day! It was COLD in the middle of May...but sunny, so we were able to work outside. I am so pleased to say that Taryn is coming along beautifully. Every day is a new surprise with her. She seems to be adjusting so well, and most all of her "past" seems to be forgotten (hopefully...how does one really know with an 11mo!). The other day when I went in to pick her up out of her crib after her nap...she squealed and clapped! That went straight to my heart! It was like she KNEW I was her Mommy and better yet, she LOVED me! I know that sounds silly...but, so many things about this transition have been a mystery! Especially her feelings and thoughts on the whole process! We are constantly wondering about what she remembers, is she bonding correctly, does she feel like a part of the family, etc... When you bring a newborn home from the hospital you have time to grow into all of these questions...and they are really not even "questions" by this point! But, with an adoption, there is just an element of wonder... I guess only another adoptive parent would be able to understand that and not think I am "crazy"!
I do have to say that she does seem very happy with us! She adores her brothers (and they her!) and she lights up when her Dada comes home from work...and, well, I already told how she squeals for me! Right now I couldn't be happier with our little family!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. I pray for all of the Mother's that are carrying babies in their hearts right now... I pray you feel blessed and at peace knowing that the baby God has planned for you is out there waiting!
Enjoy the pictures!

These are the Days of Our Lives...

OMG! I can' believe how long it has been since my last post! Not that anyone is waiting with baited breath for me to post...but, seriously, time just slips away before you realize that the things you love to do have gone by the wayside!
So, much has been going on lately! Taryn is now enrolled in first steps...of course, the minute they make the first appointment over the phone she starts "army" crawling all over the house...and pulling herself up on the coffee table AND the couch! That is ALWAYS how it works right? Your child could be running a temp of 103.0, coughing up a lung, and lethargic...but, take them to the Doctor and they are all smiles and giggles! At least, that has been my experience with the boys! So, hopefully, by the time First Steps comes in she will be running and (this is what I want the most...) saying "mama"!
I took the kids to get there professional pictures taken. It had been about 3 or 4 years since I had taken the boys...I just got to where I started doing it myself! I was really pleased with them! It took Taryn until the end of the session to "warm" up to it all...but, they are still cute!
We also took her to the Cardiologist...I don't know if I mentioned it before...but, she has a heart murmur. And, as a Peds Nurse...you KNOW I had to check that out! He said it was "fine" and a "normal" heart murmur...didn't know heart murmurs could be normal...but, whatever! I was just glad to hear it...and we don't have to see him any longer! Yeah!
Another "biggie", I went back to work yesterday! I am fortunate enough to work part-time and the hours I do work, Steve is home with the kids. So, it really isn't that bad! I think I had like 10 calls from co-workers and friends "checking" on my emotional state yesterday! I WAS FINE! It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! I think, just maybe, I am the one with "separation anxiety" NOT my daughter! Hmmmmm.....
So, I know all of this is extremely boring...but, I had to get everyone "caught up" on what is going on in our household! We are not that "interesting" anyway...but, for some reason, I must think we are to want to "blog" about it!
I pray everyone is "hanging" in there while waiting for their little ones to come home from China! My heart has not stopped "hurting" and sympathizing in the very least with you! In fact, it has grown into such a "passion" of mine to encourage those waiting to bring their babies home! So much so, that I have felt compelled to always end with a note of encouragement to those of you who have been "called" to carry a child in your heart. All while waiting for what seems like an eternity to bring them home! Peace...

Chinese Friends!!! Yeah!!!

Little Sylvia learning to walk! No delays there!

This is Landyn...OMG! Is she not the cutest!

Sylvia and Taryn "catching up" on things since our trip!

Taryn, pick-pocketing through Sylvia's purse!

The girls: Lexi (I couldn't get one of her alone cuz' she is a fast little booger!);Landyn;Sylvia; and Taryn

Since we have been home it has been hard to find a "group" of families with Chinese kids! I have looked on-line and it appears that there is NO FCC GROUP IN LEXINGTON!!! There was at one point, but now the contact person is "not available"! So, I have been kind of "disappointed" because I KNOW there are tons of families in this area! Luckily, I know someone, who knows someone (and so on and so forth...) and I was able to go to a "play group" yesterday with 4 girls from Jiangxi Provence...one being our travel buddy (Amy and Sylvia) and the other two traveled last year but the girls all came from the same Provence and orphanage! It was so darn cute and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being with other adoptive families. Even if our personalities are like polar opposites...it doesn't matter! We are all bonded under the same love of adoption and that our babies all came from the same country! I love that! So, I am posting a few pictures of our time together...I hope you enjoy them! These girls are so darn cute you can just "eat em' up" (as I like to say!). If you haven't received your referral or gone to pick up your new child from China...IT WILL HAPPEN! And you too will someday have cute play date pictures to post! Yeah!!
On a different note...we have "First Steps" coming this afternoon to work with Taryn. I knew she seemed "delayed" in her motor skills (not going to the sit position alone, not crawling, etc...). And, frankly, wasn't surprised that she was referred! She is functioning on a 8 month level (she is 11 months this weekend!) as far as motor development. Let me assure you that her brain functioning is definitely on an 11mo level! So, I will have to post what the PT says today later, but just thought those of you that have returned and are facing the same "issues" might be interested to know that you are not alone!!!!

New Beginnings...

Wesley answering questions about China, Himself and his "sissy"...
The kids lining up to say "hi" to Taryn

Major Egg Hunt
The Lady Bug "Easter Dress"
..."Uh...what do I do with this stuff?"
Garrett loves his Webkinz!
A Robot Bug! How did the Easter Bunny know!


It was Taryn's first Easter with our Family. I don't think she really cared...but she looked cute anyway! You would have thought that it was Christmas the way the boys were so excited about the Easter Baskets! We had a Easter egg hunt at my sister's house...and Taryn just sat around looking cute in her lady-bug dress!
Last week Wesley had Taryn come for his "show and tell"...hilarious! He wanted to talk about China and his new sister! All of the third graders wanted to "touch" her and say "hi"...can we say Purell??? I would NEVER have taken Wesley (our first) to a class full of "touchy" 3rd graders! I guess a lot has changed in the last 9 years! It was funny to see all of the kids (all 24 of them!) lined up to say "hello" to Taryn (once again, AFTER using hand sanitizer!). Wesley than sat and held her in front of the class while they asked questions. The highlight was when she started making "raspberry" noises for everyone! Of course the kids loved that. He also liked showing off her "squeaky" shoes...(BTW, those of you going to China, get as many of these as you can in different sizes...they are only like $2 American dollars a pair and they are SO DARN CUTE! You won't be able to find them as cheap here in the States...). It was heartwarming to see him so proud of her!
I hope everyone had a great Easter! I hope that this time next year many of you have your new little China baby to celebrate with...I truly mean that!
Blessings and enjoy the pictures!

Princess T debuts at her first public event...

Garrett and Taryn trying out one of her gifts from our shower!

One of my friends feeding her cake! Busted!

Taryn "socializing" with the guests...

Yes, she is holding celery...but, she can't "eat" it!

Wesley and Steve "helping" me open presents! A lot has happened since the last post a week ago! I really could do two separate posts, but will combine it all into one...lucky you! We had our second out of three showers last Sunday. Most of my friends wanted Taryn to be there...which worried me a tad, only because I didn't know how she would respond to ton's of people! She did FABULOUS! As long as I can assure her I am right there she does okay. She doesn't "go" to people (just me, Steve, and the boys :) which I really LOVE!), but she does let people hold her. When she tries to come right back to me, I just move in closer and touch her and assure her I am right there and won't leave. So far, that has worked perfectly...hopefully, it will only get better from here! She looked adorable in her "red couch" dress (slightly biased opinion!). It was a great shower and I am, once again, so thankful to have so many wonderful people in my life! I truly believe that friends are a gift from God...and it is VERY hard to make them...so I want to keep all of my wonderful friends around as long as they will have me!!! Anyway, off the shower and on to the first Dr.'s visit! Wow...talk about a long, drawn out appointment! We actually have an "adoption clinic" here in Lexington that is run by a Pediatrician specializing in post adoptions! This is such a blessing, that not very many people have... So, our first appointment consisted of an OT appointment to see where Taryn falls as far as development. Then, of course, the physical assessment by the Dr. which consists of about 100 questions and looking her over. Then, my favorite part, (I say that as I am rolling my eyes!) the blood tests. OMG...be prepared waiting parents! We are talking massive amounts of blood being drawn from a baby! I have been a Pediatric RN for 14 years and have NEVER seen this much blood being taken out of a baby! Apparently, this is "normal", or so I have been told! I also have a few friends who have had the same experience...THANK GOD THAT IS OVER! I also FORGOT MY CAMERA...not that I would have taken bloody pics or anything...it just would have been nice to document her first visit! She ended up having a DOUBLE EAR INFECTIONS (nice Pediatric Nurse Mommy-huh!). I never would have known! She had NO FEVER. I guess the only signs would have been her fussiness at night and the inability to settle down...Anyhoo, we are on 10 days of Antibiotics. We also will be using "First Steps"...an OT program used for developmentally "delayed" children. The Dr. said she was delayed by about 3 months...which,we knew. We also know she will catch up very easily! I think she has made incredible strides in her Development (aside from the above information!). She adores the boys, and visa-versa. She reaches for all of us. She is rolling all over the place and loves to stand...I do believe she may skip crawling all together, the way she loves to stand and "pretend" walk while we are holding her. She is feeding herself "bites" now (we have 2 teeth!)...so, all in all, I am very pleased with her progress! The boys are bringing her in to school (well, I am bringing her in and they are going to take the credit for it!) for "Show and Tell" Friday. They both want to talk about "China" and their new sister...it is very cute...I have just one word to describe my thoughts on it...PURELL! Do you think they make a "Purell Spray" for instances like these? Until next time...