We're Home

Saturday, September 15, 2012 There’s a child Been abandoned on the street Now she’s waiting for someone to be her miracle There’s a wife Somewhere halfway around the world Begging God for a little girl she can call her own Well, worlds collide, and colors fade And a man and wife brought their little girl home today… Matthew West – One Less We are home! Ok we have been home a month but it took a while for us to sort things out. The flight from Hong Kong to Newark….was LONG. And the littlest traveler slept all of about 3 hours…..which means the OLDER two slept about that much also. There was more than one point when we both got really frustrated…and I actually started crying when I was told to take EmmeClaire out of the bassinet after I had FINALLY gotten her to sleep (after they offered it to us at hour 10!). When we arrived in Newark we had an ALL AMERICAN WELCOME from my college friend Alicia, her two kiddos, and her mom. She had brought TONS of Panera, baby food of every kind, balloons, and was decked out in red, white, and blue. I am not sure what we talked about because I really think I was delirious by this point. We then boarded the SMALL SMALL SMALL plane to C-bus….and sat….OHHH I think I cried again at this point. EmmeClaire was entertained by a glass of water and Jim got a bath (not going to say he did not need it at that point….we ALL needed it at this point)! We finally made it to C-bus and I am fairly certain everyone heard us coming as EmmeClaire cried almost the entire last 30 min of the flight. Yes, she had finally fallen asleep and I shifted and BAM she was up! We were greeted at the airport by some loyal fans…which included her big brother! That was a LONG 2 weeks for his parents to be away from him!! We still wonder exactly what he was fed while we were gone has he is MUCH bigger J EmmeClaire was so tired by then an introduced herself by crying…and crying…and crying. She was pretty funny coming home in her carseat….I sat between the two car seats and she did not move…her hand was even in the air – frozen. Adam on the other hand fell asleep during that 20 minute drive. He was pretty funny as at one point he said to me, “Mom, just wait until we get home and you see the decorations we put up!” Ha. Mental note. Do not tell Adam any big secrets! (Thanks Nana, Papa, Aunt Jill, Uncle Mike, Adam and Cora for our fun decorations! And also Ms. P and Mrs. H for our decorations on the porch!) Since we have gotten home EmmeClaire has made GREAT strides. She no longer cries when her brother comes in the room. I do not think she has ever been around anyone so ALIVE! She can sit up very well and can stand leaning against something. She has mastered clapping and SOOOO BIG. She has also gained some weight! Yeah! I wish I knew what she weighed on Gotcha Day because I know she is heavier now! (I can tell when she is in the Baby Bjorn!) She has started listening to books – though throwing books is also a favorite pastime. She loves Chicka Chicka ABC. She loves to hear anyone sing – I find myself singing every thing…all day long….yikes! Her biggest accomplishment….crawling ON HER KNEES! She responds to her name and I think she understands the word, “NO!”….but chooses not to listen to it and laugh instead. She has also mastered some other things….like taking the plug covers off the outlets. Ugh! Her personality is starting to come out more and more. She definitely has a little ornery streak in her and knows exactly when to flash her little smile. We are so grateful to many friends and family that have supported us over the last few months and years. Bringing home a 16 month old has been different than an 8 month old that you met at 6 months old. We have had a little different adjustment this time around and know we are not there yet. It is a process and we are thankful for support and understanding as we try to navigate through the changes. EmmeClaire is one strong little girl. She has been through a lot in her short life and seeing her finally become comfortable with us and happy in her surroundings makes the rough patches we have had well worth it. And Adam continues to amaze us. He has had a lot of changes in the last 6 weeks and has taken it all in stride. We are two very, very lucky parents.

Little Buckeye Fans Ready to walk A little tutu action Home one month Standing tall

Big brother and little sister


Mama loves her little girl so much

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home.
~Philip Phillips “Home”

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