November 19-29, 2008
WOW!!
Caitlyn Fly's Away Home!
Homecoming!
We're Home!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow! I need to update for all of the above.

First, let me apologize for taking so long to update everyone. It was really rough to do anything that required a thought process for the first few days. And we have had terrible internet problems ever since we have been home. It has been down just as much as it has been up. So, finally I am spending a few hours this afternoon catching up on emails and updating the website.

So, to recap...

Caitlyn Fly's Away Home!
November 19, 2008
We woke around 4:30am to get dressed and get our final things together. We literally scooped up Caitlyn from the crib and placed her in the stroller to roll out of the White Swan. She did really well with the early morning, multiple airports, multiple flights, meals, etc. She mostly slept or played quietly thanks to "Mama's bag of tricks" I used books, playing cards, stickers, a Pez dispenser (minus the candy), cups, Aqua Doodle and Play Doh. It was so awesome when we got to Detroit. We were on US soil, so close to home. And Caitlyn became a US citizen. We had one last meal with some new friends before we all headed to our final destination. Hopefully we will see some of them again some day soon.

Homecoming!
November 19, 2008
By the time we finally landed in our home airport we were completely exhausted. We had been up and on the go for about 27 hours. Nick had been fighting off a soar throat and cold and I was starting to come down with it fast. Then we were revived when we saw all the wonderful family and framily that came to welcome us home. There were banners, balloons, cameras, gifts and lots of love ready to surround the three of us. I want to thank everyone that came out to the airport to meet us. Grandma, Nana, Guma, Uncle Mike, Uncle Roger, Aunt Joyce, Kevin, Liz, Jason, Laura, Gen, Will, Luke, Jessie, Amy, JB, Danni Lynn, Lee, Connor, Tony, Debbie, Gina, Gary and Zach. We were overwhelmed with the love from everyone. My SIL drove us home. It was difficult to put Caitlyn in the car seat. She did not like it and screamed half the way home. But there is a certain line between what we will allow her to do to give her comfort, and what has to be done so that she is safe. Some day, she will know the difference.

We're Home
November 20-29, 2008
The first thing I did when we got home was take a long hot shower and put on fresh clothes. That meant the world to me. The next few days after getting home were tough. Nick tried to get back on US time right away, and I had to stay on "Caitlyn time". I slept when she slept. We would try to transition her by keeping her up later or napping early. One day when we cut her sleep short, she didn't want anything to do with getting up to play. She literally held her blankie and cried at the bottom of the stairs to be taken back to bed. Poor little thing. But we actually did rather well. In about 5 days we had her flipped around to sleeping on US time. Down around 8:30pm and up around 5:00am. And we are moving it slowly to 9p to 7a or 8a. Other updates are she and the dogs are getting along well. She eats well. She is completely adjusted to the car seat now and runs around this house like she has been here for years.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
November 27, 2008
Well, I think Caitlyn's pajamas for the day said it all. "Everyone is Thankful for Me!" We started with Mama's usual Thanksgiving routine. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and looking at the newspaper and sale ads. Must make a shopping plan for tomorrow. Then after a very short nap, we went to dinner at my brother's. Everyone was very happy to see Caitlyn (and us too). She is very social, very smart and knows how to work a room. And she is a great eater too. She tried everything that I put on her plate, and almost finished it all. She was very observant of my brother. If he ate green beans, she ate green beans. If he ate mashed potatoes, she found the same on her plate and ate potatoes. It was like a game for them. Then we were off to my SIL in-laws. Again, she was quite the little social butterfly floating around the table to each family member flashing that heart melting smile. She was toasting drinks with Uncle Mike and had the rest of the family at her beckon call. When we left she waved her princess wave and then had to shake everyone's hand. Our little politician.
After Thanksgiving, for those that are wondering...yes, I went shopping with my niece at 4:30am. I must get the best deals at Toys R Us for all the good stuff for Caitlyn. :) But then in the afternoon, after her nap, we took Caitlyn out shopping for the After Thanksgiving/Holiday shopping hustle and bustle. She did really well and even got her picture taken with Santa. So we've got a great start to the holiday season. Baba is putting up the lights today and we'll put up the tree tomorrow. After that, who knows what the holiday season will bring.

I will next update this website after the holidays. So allow me to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season. Whether you have children or not. If you are waiting to adopt, already have your little one home, are considering, have bio kids, or are a family or friend.....I wish you all great happiness. Please take the small moments to enjoy your family and friends. Time is a great gift. Nick and I have always enjoyed the holidays. We put up large light displays outside that can make cars turn around for another look. I decorate the inside of the house to the point as one friend lovingly put it "It looks like Macy's exploded in here". Our home is known as being warm and cozy for the holidays. But this year....this year it isn't about the lights, the village or the perfectly placed decorations. No, this year it is about the moments. Each moment spent with our daughter. Each moment as she discovers the world and the love that surrounds her.

Happy Holidays.
Nick, Melissa and Caitlyn