So how are we doing, really?

We began our trip home a week ago today.  While I will fill in some of the blanks of our time in country eventually, this isn't that day.  Today I reflect upon settling in with Sonnet.  After advocating for her for nearly two years, and honestly struggling about bringing home a child this young and this needy, I am surprised to find that she seems to have filled a gap we didn't even realize we had.  Everyone is just smitten with this tiny little girl.

This is what HAPPY looks like!

 Sonnet's needs are great.  She appeared to literally be starving when we took custody of her.  We were concerned that she wouldn't tolerate food, but WOW you should see her eat!  In spite of very, very rotten teeth she can pack away three meals and snacks beside!  Her Cerebral Palsy is the most severe of any of our children, and has already required us to get some special equipment to care for her needs.  Her global delays put her at about the level of a 6-9 month old baby.  The biggest surprise of all is that she has seizures.  We have already taken her to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for an EEG and are awaiting those test results.  Our big marathon of doctor and dentist appointments begin next week.

Having given the run down on her needs one might think we are struggling, but honestly this has been the easiest adjustment of them all.  I am typically knocked off my feet with jet lag for several weeks following the trip.  We arrived home on Saturday, and it was a rough weekend.  Monday started out feeling like JET LAG will kill me, but it has just gotten better since.  I simply cannot believe that one week in I feel like we have hit our stride of the new normal.  In fact I told Ethan just last night that I'm waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop because it just seems too smooth.  Are we in our honeymoon period of the adoption?  Perhaps, but I'll take it!

Here is a look at our morning.  The kids were just hanging out after breakfast and playing with one another.  Sweet times. 

Had anyone told me that well into my fifties I would again have six children of my own at home I would have laughed at them.  It wasn't my plan.  But I'm thankful that God's ways are not our ways and His plans are not our plans. Sonnet was worth all the sleepless nights, the paperwork, the hassle and the worry.  I am one truly blessed mama and having the time of my life!

This is what HAPPY looks like!

Sonnet is just such a precious child!  She is usually happy like this.  Her care requires a lot of work, but with a smile like this I don't mind very much!

We're home!

We arrived home from China on Saturday.  Aside from some jet lag (honestly it isn't as bad this time as it has been in the past) we are doing well.  Sonnet is settling in to the family very nicely and her siblings think she is just the best.  We're all wondering how we ever managed to live without her!  Yes, we are awfully love stricken here.  I'll have lots of pictures and stories later, but I wanted to let you all know we are home. 

Traveling by Train

On Friday we traveled via the high speed bullet train from Changsha to Guangzhou.  What beautiful country we were able to see!  Our adoption trips have been spent in cities, so this was a part of China that we hadn't seen before.

In the train station in Changsha we were able to hire someone to take our luggage on a cart onto the train car for us.  Once we arrived in Guangzhou it was just us.  We had to get our three large suitcases, our backpacks, purses, diaper bag, camera bag, snack bag, etc. plus a stroller and a child who can't stand up on their own OFF the train (lift it over the rather large crack between the train and the platform first!) then down the escalator to get out of the station.  I got my suitcase onto the step wrong and was so afraid I was going to just lose the whole thing and wipe out Ethan, Tikvah and Sonnet who were in front of me! 

IF you get the chance to take the train I do recommend it.  It was a very comfortable ride with beautiful views!  But be aware that you have to carry off everything you take on, all by yourself!  Travel as lightly as you are able!

When we arrived in Guangzhou we were met by the same guide (Sarah) who helped us when we adopted Isaac.  It was wonderful to see a familiar face and to be in a part of China where many of the staff at businesses know at least a little English.

We had points and were able to get a suite in the Marriott FREE for our stay in Guangzhou.  It is the first time we've stayed in this hotel, and we're so very happy with it.  It has been terribly hot and steamy, but our room in nice and cool.

On Saturday Sonnet had to have her health exam in the morning, then in the afternoon we had (MORE!) paperwork to do with our guide to prepare for the Consulate appointment.  Saturday evening we went out with the rest of the families who are here and with WACAP.   It has been fun meeting online friends.  Poor Sonnet was so tired out from the day that she didn't eat any of her dinner and Ethan and I took turns walking her out in the lobby area so everyone else could eat and not listen to her howl. Adoption trips are probably even harder on the kids then they are on the parents! 

Moving on to Guangzhou

We've spent the week in Changsha, China waiting for Sonnet's passport to be completed.  Our guide will pick it up this morning, then we will board a train and head to Guangzhou, China for a week.  Every adoptive family has to finish their trip in this city since it is where the child completes a health exam, TB testing, and finally the all important appointment at the American Consulate where the immigrant visa is completed.

We are overall doing well.  Sonnet has some health issues that we weren't expecting, and we're emailing back and forth with our international doctor and agency attempting to get some medications for her once we get to Guangzhou.  I will be very thankful to get home to our own doctors and medical clinics in another week!

Statue of Mao on Orange Island

We'd appreciate your prayers.   These are long, stressful trips!

We have Sonnet!

We met Sonnet nearly twenty-four hours ago.

She is an active, happy little girl who took to us right away. 

We are so happy she is ours at last!

Ni hao from Changsha, China!

Ni hao from Changsha in Hunan Province!  We arrived very early this morning.  Just one more sleep then we'll be able to take custody of Sonnet!

We have a lovely room here.  We're thinking to maybe move the little couch up against our bed tomorrow to keep Sonnet really close.  If that doesn't seem to work so well we may request a crib.

We also have a living room area and the couch works great for Tikvah's sleeping arrangements.

Tomorrow morning we get Sonnet!  Here are the gifts for the nannies and provincial officials, and Sonnet's little backpack just waiting for her!

The usual practice in China adoptions is to receive the child then have a twenty-four hour "harmonious" period before the actual legal proceedings to finalize the adoption.  Because of some meetings happening in the province on Tuesday we will be able to also legally complete the adoption on Monday.  Our Tuesday just opened wide up for a free day of getting to know our little girl.  Stay tuned!