Good News

My baby girl screamed during the entire ultra sound today (less than 30 minutes). The good news is everything looked normal. Liver looked good and no kidney stones (melamine exposure).

Kids

I took the kids to the Science Center today. They enjoyed. So did I. It was fun watching the 3 different perspectives. Nathaniel's favorite was the dinosaurs and well pretty much everything. Zach had to play it a bit cool but seemed to like the Lucy exhibit. Naomi was a little overwhelmed and tired. As crazy as it is sometimes, I love having these 3 little people in my life.

Nathaniel in the Dinosaur footprint.

Tomorrow Naomi and I head to Children's bright and early (7 am) for her liver and kidney ultrasounds. Should be a blast considering every time a doctor comes near her she screams. I guess If I had surgery on my lip at age 9 month I might cry too. I hope I get to post that everything looks good.

Christmas cuteness

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Naomi and Daddy - Christmas morning bottle. Naomi slept until 8:30 Christmas morning, not exciting enough for here. (really not enough sleep that night)

Zach and Auntie Kim enjoying Christmas

And the 1st big surprise was the Wii. I am one of the moms' who won't let my kids have a game system. Well this year was a big one, a new sister and a game system. 2nd Big surprise was RockBand. I think Pete and I might actually like this more than the kids. Thanks everyone

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Just plain cute.

Merry Christmas

My Baby boy is 5

5 years and oh so sweet

4 years old

3 years old

2 years old1st birthday

Happy Birthday Thanie. I Love you!!!!

Every year the nights leading up to my kids birthdays I think about the days leading up to their birth. How I could not wait to finally see them, hold them and kiss them. Well 5 years ago today this cute little guy was born. We had a rough go in the beginning. But now (and always) he is just amazing. . . He is a perfect little Thanie, this one wears his heart on his sleeve, gets mad or sad or just plain happy. I love him so.

This morning when we said happy birthday to him he came up to me and measured himself and of course he was much taller than when he was just 4.

Is this really Seattle???

Check out our backyard . . . I can't remember the last time we had this much snow????

Zach just loving the snow, the boys made a jump in the middle of the street and had a blast. I think half the neighborhood was on our hill. FUN

Naomi spent most of her time in the Ergo because we had no boots for her. The boys convinced me to find some boots in the basemen I finally found some size 7's and she is a size 3, a bit big but her feet stayed dry.

This little man finally decided to sled all on his own. And now loves it. Took him a few days to warm up to the idea.

Our old lady Aspen, still has it in her for the snow.

Home for 2 weeks

We have been together as a family of five for 2 weeks now. Isn't that face just so cute?!!! I love this little girl. We have discussed several times how she is the one for our family, she fits right in. I never really believed people when they said such a thing, but it is true.

We had her first visit to the International Adoption Clinic this week. She weighed 18 lbs in China (fully clothed with a toy in her hand) on Monday she was 19.6 lbs (naked) Nice! Everything looked and sounded good. Then we headed over to Children's to have half of the blood drawn from her body . . . no really there was a moment when they thought we would have to come back for a second draw because they needed so much. Poor little thing. We are waiting for the results to come back. We have a referral to see the cleft team and have ultrasounds of her kidneys and liver. She is a trooper. Have I mentioned how cute she is. She is a spunky little thing, she knows what she wants and has not problem expressing so.

Santa Carousel and Cousins

Me and my big kid

Daddy and his littlest 2

All the cousins

We have a tradition (which came by accident one year) Santa with the cousins. Every year we stand in the Santa line for about 2 hours, for some reason it is worth it . . . we keep going back and love it. Then do a little ride on the Carousel. It is so magical to be downtown at Christmas time the hustle and bustle. It was such a wonderful feeling to have Naomi with us this year. Notice she did not cry for the Santa picture, we kinda snuck her in backwards and took the photo . . . tears came as soon as she noticed what was going on (we took her off his lap promptly)

Let It Snow

I love this time of year and it makes it even more exciting when it snows. The boys just love the snow . . . eat it, roll in it, throw it and whatever else they can do. Naomi sat in it for a few minutes, daddy had to walk away, he thought I was mean . . .but she liked it!

My China Doll

We are home

The boys showing Naomi her room

Play time with daddy and her brothers

First bath with daddy

Grace and Thanie in their new Chinese jammies.

We arrived at the airport after about 24 hours of traveling, when I saw my family the tears began flowing. It felt so good to give them all kisses. Naomi took to her brothers within about 2 minutes. And daddy got to hold her at the airport.

We are home and it has been pretty darn good. The boys love her and she loves them. Zach surprised me he wants to get her out of the car, give her bottles he said "mom I think I could do everything for Naomi, just not change her diapers". Thanie just keeps giving her kisses and telling her he loves her. Both have commented on how much they like having a little sister. So sweet!!!

Now if I can just get some sleep. Naomi is sleeping through the night though it is a bit fretful. I on the other hand can not sleep, I am praying that tonight is the night.

Final post from China

Our group photo, we have spent almost 2 weeks with these families . . . it has been very fun getting to see everyone's family grow.

Grandpa and Naomi

Auntie Kim and Naomi

Myriam and me. This is the woman that found us our sweet little girl. I will be forever grateful for her. She has been there for us during this entire adoption process and it has been so great to complete the journey with her here.

It is Monday night here in Guangzhou. (Internet costs $10/day) I probably won't be posting again until we reach Seattle. We leave Wednesday morning China time and arrive in Seattle Wednesday at 11:30 AM (kind of Back to the Future ish). I look forward to seeing all our friends and family.

Tuesday is my swearing in at the US Consulate. After that Naomi will be ours in the eye's of China and the US. (well sort of we have lots more paper work since daddy was not here) We are approved by China and the US . . . HIP HIP HOORAY!!

It feels a bit sad that this part of our journey is over. We have had an amazing time (highs and lows). I am glad the Kim and my dad were able to make it with me. . . I will remember and Cherish it always. I can't wait to see my boy's (big and little) I miss them and so look forward to seeing, hugging and kissing them.

Lots of Love from China . . . May the next leg of our journey be as wonderful as the last . . . see you all soon. Finally a family of five . . . the next chapter

One last foot massage

This is number 3 and the last foot massage in China. . . we are trying to figure out how to get one of the masseuses to fit in our suitcase. They are so wonderful and only about $10.

Red Couch

As you can see trying to get 11 babies together for a picture can be quite chaotic. I have been waiting for many years to take this picture. I just love it!!!