Saturday, February 25, 2006 It is a miracle that we were able to get to China in January just before both Howard’s tax season and my toy season got into full blast. You can never really make exact plans when adopting a baby from China. So much of the process is out of your control. The waiting period, though outlined in an approximate timeframe, is unpredictable. My fingerprints, or should I say lack of fingerprints, delayed the process at least eight weeks and probably closer to twelve weeks. Our DTC month (Dossier to China) seemed to be the first group in a long while that started to slow down at CCAA headquarters in China as well. In previous months the wait from paper receipt (DTC) in China was running about six months and our group had a minimum of an eight month wait. Howard and I planned to be in China in November the latest, a relatively slow time for both our businesses. In the fourth quarter of the year I would be able to take time off to be with Brooke. I had planned to stay home all November and December and the first two weeks of January. So much for my game plan! Well, as you all know, we did not get to China until January 1st, and got back just one week before Howard’s tax season and one and a half weeks before my International Gift Show and Toy Fairs. This has been a whirlwind month in our lives. I don’t know how we all got through it but we did. I was so fortunate to have friends and family pitch in and help and of course our babysitter Dee was a huge help. It was hard being at the trade shows and being away from Brooke and Matthew but everyone was so nice and all my customers wanted to hear about our trip and especially our daughter Brooke. I must have repeated our story 100 times. I joked with Howard that I should print business cards with our web site address so that everyone could get more detailed information. People are genuinely interested, that I am sure of that from the questions that they ask. One thing is for sure, we have educated a lot of folks about International Adoption. I think so many of our friends, family, clients and acquaintances have passed our web site address to others because I am constantly getting private emails from strangers stating “so and so gave us your website” or “so and so told me about you and your family” or “I heard through word of mouth about your recent adoption”. We love hearing from our friends and family and we especially get a charge when we hear from folks that we have never met. I enjoy hearing from complete strangers. These people have been so kind that we love hearing from them all the time. So folks, if you are reading this web post but don’t know us, drop us a note and let us know your thoughts. Brooke adjusted beautifully even though I began working so soon. She is on a great and very predictable schedule so that I can arrange my day and be able to spend more time with her. She has bonded with us so well and squeals and laughs and jumps up and down for Mama and Daaaa all the time. She adores Matthew and she definitely knows that we are her family. Although she is extremely friendly, and will go to most anybody, she absolutely prefers her Mama and Daaaa and her big brother Matthew to anyone else. Brooke has attached to her family so well and adjusted to her home in America so well we are truly blessed. I was so worried that it would be a hard transition for her and that we may encounter attachment or bonding issues but thank goodness that has not happened. Her activity level has not calmed down just yet and as a matter of fact she is showing us just what she is really made up of. Brooke has absolutely no fear of anything and we need to keep watchful eyes on her every second. We have nicknamed Brooke “Harry Houdini” as she can get out of every carriage and highchair I have put her in. I am grateful that the car seat has a Brooke proof harness. My sister jokes that Brooke is finally free and wants to see the world. She says that Brooke was cooped up in an orphanage for 11 months and is now enjoying her freedom. Now I understand why Brooke tried to climb out of the crib in the orphanage, she must have been trying to break out. If she were only older we could have sent her a nail file in a cake. This little girl is so busy that I care barely change her diaper. Sorry to be graphic but I have mastered a messy diaper in under 30 seconds. I had no choice – this baby is off and running if you take any longer.

All dressed up for Chinese New Year In my favorite bib - It's chow time. My big brother lost his tooth! Another busy day and I am wiped out.  What a sight! Matthew with spaghetti sauce on his face and Brooke with butter on her face. Bath time!   I got the remote again Dad and don't even think about taking it away this time.

Tonight we went out for dinner with some friends. Brooke had climbed out of her high chair twice, knocked over two large beverages (that were out of her reach but she managed to get them) ate the equivalent of an adult portion of boiled penne, then proceeded to screech and squirm through the second half the meal. When she wants out – she wants out and there is no if’s and’s or but’s about it. Brooke is very vocal, though she only says a few words; she has many babbling sounds. She has happy cackling sounds, happy screeching and squealing sounds, cranky and tired sounds, my toys are fun to play with sounds, I want my brother’s attention sounds, hurry up with my bottle sounds, get me out of this crib sounds, I want that really dangerous thing that you won’t give me sounds, and most especially her I am really angry sounds. Brooke can turn the water faucets from her eyes on when she gets angry but can turn them off just as fast. I think we have a born actress on our hands. It amazes me how she can be bright red and angry one second and then in a matter of another second, smile and coo with delight. We will keep you updated on the developments of Brooke Alana aka Harry Houdini next month. Stay tuned to see what she has mastered in the next episode. Bye for now, Mandee, Howard Matthew and Harry!

Web site by myadoptionwebsite.com