Home at last :o)

After a Thursday that seemed as though it would NEVER end, we have made it home. We were so happy to see the boys. Tian, though a little nervous, took it all in stride as long as I held her. We were happy to see my mom had survived the various tortures her grandsons had put her through for 2+ weeks. I can't even begin to thank her!! We were surprised at airport by Beth from our adoption agency ( wow at 10 at night!!!) , but most especially by Tom parents who drove all the way from Omaha for the 10 minute thrill! WOW!! It was wonderful to see everyone even though we were bleary eyed, sweaty and covered in every snack we could think of to feed Tian. After a few minutes, Tian even wowed everyone with her walking, in squeaky shoes of course, and thrilled Tessa when she held out her hands to her to be picked up. In typical Tian fashion as Tessa bent to pick her up her arms folded and she shook her head no - she just wanted to make sure that everyone wanted to hold her!!

It is now Saturday so we have been home since Thursday night. My mom has returned to her real life- she seemed kind of anxious to get out here... :o) Ttoday was the least I have seen/ held Tian in the 13 days we have had her. As long as she can't see or hear me she does very well with the boys and Tom. She has played and wowed them with her rendition of patty- cake, itsy bitsy spider and playing with various toys. She is far from the unresponsive, afraid to make eye contact baby we prepared ourselves and the boys for - she acts as though she has always been here and is getting better at making her wishes known. The hardest thing for all of us is not knowing what she wants, and we know for her not being able to say - I'm thirsty, hungry, tired, wet etc. We are learning her cues and she is making the effort to help us.

Tonight she enjoyed some salsa? ( spicy of course) and American Jell-o and we have found another cereal lover in the family! In China they do not eat cereal. Breakfast is much like any other meal so for something so new to her she has fallen in love very quickly. She had a quick visit to our doctor who is also puzzled by her face rash, but thinks some eczema cream may help - so we shall see.

All in all - she had a great day even when I made her run into a store to buy tights - something new to me to buy for a little girl! It is a whole new world shopping for this little thing - Tom assures me I am doing very well in the shopping department! The stores here seemed strange to us after being gone so long and it was so nice not being wall to wall people. Tian didn't even seem to mind the long wandering session at the store as I searched for tights - I didn't even know here to look, let alone what exactly I should buy!

She is currently sleeping soundly and doesn't seem at all phased by her brothers running up and down the hall talking, fighting and turning lights off and on - so much for me threatening - "Shh - you'll wake the baby." We are quickly recovering from jet lag and are actually relieved it wasn't worse. Poor Tom has to return to WI on Monday and hopefully get the house ready for us to join him by the end of October.

Hope all is well with everyone .
Tara