We're Home
August 3, 2008  |  November 2, 2008

Sunday, August 3, 2008 We are home!! Apologies for the late posting - it has been a bit hectic since we returned home. The flight home was very long (16+ hours in coach) but the girls did very well. They both fell asleep about 12 hours into the flight and slept for the last four hours - a lot of entertaining for 12 hours! Kathy let Caroline watch whatever movie she selected and Caroline told her that she would fast forward through the inappropriate scenes! Kathy didn't really care at this point… Katie did very well too and enjoyed watching some of the children's TV shows - she seemed to laugh at the jokes too! We had a very long wait in immigration (we had to wait in the non-US line to process Katie's visa). After waiting for about 15 minutes (and it was hot), Caroline told us that she did not feel well. She meant it!! Caroline got sick on line and there was not too much we could do to take care of her. Luckily we were taken to the front of the line and processed quickly (thanks Caroline!). Our wonderful friends and neighbors, Donna and Walter, met us at the airport and drove us home in their daughter's very large truck (we needed the space for car seats and luggage). It was wonderful to be back in New Jersey and it was beautiful weather. When we turned on our block there was a crowd waiting for us! Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, more neighbors - lots of people! It was emotional for us to return home and introduce Katie to everyone. My sisters had organized the food and drinks so there was a party in our house and we didn't have to plan it!! Katie was very shy meeting everyone and went to bed about 5:00 PM. We thought that she would wake up after a few hours but she slept until 6:00 AM and has completely moved onto a NY time clock. We can't say the same for Kevin and Kathy - both of us had a hard time adjusting back to NY time. It may even take a few more days since we had completely acclimated to the China time clock. Well, what can we say - Katie has adjusted so well that we are wondering what's wrong! She adores Caroline and follows her everywhere - this is, of course, met by cries of, "She is driving me crazy!" but deep down, Caroline is enjoying having a little sister to follow her around the house. Katie calls her "je je" which is Chinese for big sister (very cute to hear her say this). Katie has fit in so well with all of our routines. She has already outgrown the highchair and wants to sit at the table for her meals. She eats very well and will let you know if she wants more before she finishes her meal. She loves her bath time and she loves her room. She falls asleep at night after a book and a song and wakes up with a smile on her face the next morning - while we wake up to check on her, she has yet to wake us up for anything! She probably knows how tired we are! This week, Kathy took out the nail clippers and was expecting a fight. Next thing, Katie's foot is on her lap looking for a pedicure - is this not our child or what!! She won't leave the house without her sunglasses, she clips herself into the car seat, she imitates whatever we say and routinely calls out, "Oh yeah", or "High Five". She understands most of what we tell her and she is starting to communicate back with us. There is little frustration with the language barrier - usually just at meal times when there is something specific that she wants to have but cannot explain it to us. Either way, she gets over it quickly and is happy again! Katie loves to give kisses and hugs and calls out for Mama or Baba when she can't find either one of us in the house. She loves the water and has enjoyed our neighbor's pool (thanks Jaine). In fact, at our neighbor's house, she knows where to go to get changed for the pool and how to find the bathroom! We had a series of doctor visits this week and everything seems to be positive. Katie did not like having to have blood drawn but she was better when it was over. Our only adjustment issue to date has been shoes - she will not walk in shoes so she is barefoot when we are home and we carry her when we are out. She was fine in China until she tried on a pair of shoes that "squeak" - this made her upset and she has not looked back. Oh well, at least its Summer! And if she is anything like her Mom or Sister, she will get over it quickly - the Nordstrom Anniversary sale is about to end!

Homecoming Morning is the fun time Morning tickles Sisters Superstar Christina, Caroline and Katie

All in all, Katie has adjusted very well. She is keeping us busy and is interested in everything. There is still a lot of work ahead of us to develop her language and to allow her to get even more comfortable with us. We are sure that as we look back on these days, months from now, she will have opened up even more and will allow us to love her even more. Thanks to everyone who has followed our journey. We had no idea that our friends and families were thinking of us so much and following our adventure in China. We will post again in a few weeks and share any new, fun stories with you! Love, Kathy, Kevin, Caroline and Katie

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