March 30, 2008

We've been home for just over a month and Adelyn continues to adjust to her KY home. She now sleeps through most nights, at least 10 hours. She naps about 2 hours a day. She is becoming a little more selective with her food choices. It's as though she now understands that food is readily available and she doesn't have to eat everything in front of her. Her favorites are still eggs, bananas, oranges, bread, & mac & cheese. She is now taking milk WITHOUT sugar!

Mom & Adelyn usually get up around 8:00 am, have breakfast, then have playtime. Lunch is usually around noon and then it's nap time around 1:00pm. She usually goes down pretty easy. Only a few minutes of fussing, and she's out. Nap time is a good time (and about the only time) Mom can catch up on house "stuff". Once Adelyn wakes up it's time for play again, then Mom begins dinner. Dad usually gets home by 5:30pm. Dad gets a few minutes of playtime in before dinner. After dinner it's bath time, more play time, then bedtime sometime between 8:30 and 10:00.

Speaking of bath time, Adelyn was at first terrified of the water. We tried just sponge baths in the sink, which she tolerated fairly well. But any time we tried the tub, Mom & Dad usually just ended up looking like goofballs playing in the water trying to convince Adelyn that bath time was soooo much fun . . .while Adelyn screamed with terror. Then we received a bath time gift package from a good friend, and voila . . . .see below!!!!

We visited the International Pediatric Clinic at UK a couple of weeks ago. Her examination was conducted by Doctor Shawn Taylor. We also communicated with Dr. Taylor while in China. She seemed to be pleasantly surprised by Adelyn's development and overall health. Although she is underweight according to U.S. growth scales there are no major health concerns. We had blood work done which confirmed her immunization needs and that she is no longer anemic. Her lead level was a little high (which is common in Chinese children) but should reduce with time. The Doctor did recommend we set up an appointment with a Pediatric Ophthalmologist to evaluate possible blocked tear ducts. (Her eyes have always watered a lot, especially in bright lights or sun.) Dr. Taylor has concluded her evaluation of Adelyn and has transferred her records to our primary care Pediatrician in Bardstown.

Adelyn's Easter weekend consisted of 3 separate Easter Egg Hunts. The first was on Good Friday at one of the homes in our neighborhood. This was her first experience with candy and we were shocked that she wasn't screaming for more and eating as much chocolate as she could. She seemed to enjoy being outside with the other neighborhood kids more than the rewards found inside the eggs. Saturday's egg hunt was at Mamaw & Papaw Osborne's where Adelyn was the only hunter. Her cousins Dylan and Audrey from Georgia will be in town next weekend. We'll have another egg hunt then and I'm sure her cousins will offer some respectable competition for round 2. Sunday's hunt was sponsored by the Aunt Peggy. Again, Adelyn was just happy playing and watching her cousins more than finding the eggs.

Adelyn continues to enjoy music. She loves Daddy's guitar and tries to play with him. The trumpet scared her a little at first but she is warming up to it. Big Black Cadillac might be hiring a third horn player in a few years!!! Daddy decided to pick another instrument that is not so loud....the harmonica, and she loves it! Takes a while to dry out after this little spitfire uses it! Spring is finally here! What an amazing year this will be (and already has been) for us. Adelyn Mei....our daughter is finally here.

We're Home!

We finally made it home after a 24 hr flight. Adelyn survived and so did we. She did great up to the last leg from MI to KY. She 'd had enough flying for the day and decided to scream for 45 minutes before falling asleep for the last 30minutes. It was all smiles after that. We were met at the airport by our families with balloons, signs and smiles. Adelyn pointed and smiled at everyone but clung to Mommie. After the 35min drive home, we were surprised with a wonderful dinner waiting on the stove, gifts, cards, balloons and flowers everywhere. We felt so honored to have such a loving and supportive family.

Adelyn walked around the house like she owned the place. I guess she was thinking, "I'll go anywhere but in that airplane again!" Oh, and she loves to streak around the house. A typical day at her orphanage included wearing around 3-4 layers of clothes. Now, she loves to touch her arms and toes.

We spent the next 4 days trying to catch up on sleep, recover from jetlag and acclimate Adelyn to her surroundings. She seems to be adjusting well. Her sleeping is not quite adjusted, but she is starting to sleep through the night with fewer awakenings. Her appetite is still very good. She eats mostly table food, fresh fruits, eggs, bread, pasta, rice etc. She will only drink milk if it has sugar in it. We were originally told by our guide to bring sugar packets with us because the orphanage babies are given sugar in their formula to make them like it better. We are working on that, but for now we are just glad she is getting nutritious foods.

Adelyn will be going to UK International Pediatric Specialists next week to check over her entire system and update her immunizations.
We will keep posting to the blog with updates every week or so.



Andrea, Don and Adelyn