Finally home and random photos

We got home safely late Friday night and are so thankful that we made it. There were some really tight layovers and a bit of stress over getting oxygen for Katie Mei on the flights, but other than total lack of cooperation from China Southern airlines, and fantastic help from United Airlines, we got here in one piece, with all our luggage to boot!

Katie Mei is doing well, but we're all tired and working on the jet lag problem. Fortunately Katie Mei, Merrilee and I are all messed up together, so it isn't quite so hard to handle as it would be if Jacob were here already and was 13 hours out of our schedule.

So far the only tough issues we're facing are Katie Mei's fear of the cats and her absolute dislike of being in the crib. She fights it tooth and nail and we've had to resort to putting her in Merrilee's or my bed. She sleeps well as long as she's not in the crib. Normally I wouldn't give in very easily on this, but with her already low oxygen levels, I don't feel it's in her best interest to force the issue and let her cry. She's had enough turmoil in the past two weeks and doesn't need us to tell her she can't be with us, and then allow her to cry and get bluer than she already is. If she sleeps well with Merrilee, then I'm just going to let it be. Merrilee doesn't seem to mind at all. Of course, Merrilee wants to sleep with me, too, so tonight I had all three of us in my bed. I'm rather too tired to care much, anyway.

Here is a smattering of photos from the past week before we left China. Hopefully I'll get back to posting more regularly once we get back in to our routine. We went to a Chinese New Year party last night (for just a short while, since the three of us were way too tired to endure much longer) and I'll post those photos later. Right now it's just after 3 am and I'm not going to get the camera hooked up to download photos.

Just enjoy these photos for now.

Love,

Petrie

Photos taken at our hotel room before we left.

On the red couch at the White Swan hotel in Guangzhou.

Early morning full moon on our flight from Beijing to Jiangxi to pick up Katie Mei. I was so nervous that morning, and am so thankful for all that has transpired since that morning.

Hero Card for Merrilee and Jay for walking up to the top of the Great Wall in Beijing.

One week today

Well, we are on the downward side of our trip and have been with our daughter for one week.   Today we went to Shamian Island where she had her medical check up, and she was found to have bronchitis.  We got some medication for her and pray that it will take care of her congestion and restore her to health by the time we have to fly out on Friday.

Yesterday we visited the Chen Clan Temple and Katie Mei got some time to run amok.  She likes to lead us around and play chase with Mommy.  I really like these times because I don't have to carry her 24.7 pound patootie around.  I love holding her and  carrying her, but my back needs a rest.  It's fun to play chase, anyway.

Here are a few photos to hold you over until the next time.

Daddy sportin' his new daughter in her new stroller.

Looking at the gold fish in the giant porcelain bowl at the Chen Clan Temple.

Checking out Big Sister's books while on her first flight.

Chinese New Year decorations at the hotel in Jiangxi.

Walking and being independent for awhile.

Feeling kind of lousy today.

Merrilee checking out the lucky carp at the White Swan Hotel.

These orange bushes are in front of lots of shops and are covered with fruit now.  Makes us all want to reach out and pick some. This one had lucky red envelopes for Chinese New Year all over it.

Our week in Jiangxi

We're at the end of our time in Jiangxi province and will move on to Guangdong to the city of Guangzhou tomorrow.  This is where all Americans must go for the final portion of the adoption.  We will go through the medical examination, get Katie Mei's visa to go to the U.S. (she's still a Chinese citizen) and take an oath of citizenship on her behalf for her return to the U.S.

While in Jiangxi we've visited the Teng Weng pavilion, gone porcelain shopping, and visited the orphange and a people's park.  It has been nice and slow, with most afternoons back in the hotel room.  I think this visit has been easier than both our other ones.  Enjoy the photos.

Bus rides are so BORING when you're this little.

Cemeteries are packed.  Bones are buried in little boxes to save space.

Merrilee does a little Tai Chi in the People's Park.

Performance at the pavilion.  Traditional music on old, traditional instruments.

View from the pavilion.  You can see the suspension towers of the Ba Yi bridge leading in to the City of Nanchang.

So proud of herself for becoming competent with chopsticks.

 Katie Mei already knows what TV is and had no problem getting fixated with a DVD.  There was a TV in her room at the orphanage.

Sharing Our First Day Together

We met Caroline Mei yesterday, and as of this afternoon she is officially ours in the eyes of the Chinese government.  She has been very quiet and serious, but slowly has allowed us to crack the shell a bit.  She smiled just once last evening when I tickled her foot, and again today when she was trying to nap on the bus and I softly rubbed her back...she's ticklish.  She also started to babble to Jay when he held her while I was grocery shopping.  She seems to enjoy both of us equally, which is really amazing to me.  So far she is still indiscriminate and will go to anyone, but hopefully that will change in the weeks to come.

Enjoy the photos, and I'll post a few more in a couple days.

Love,

Petrie

Waiting for the big moment

Meeting Caroline Mei for the first time

Getting warmed up to us via snacks

Merrilee keeps asking us "Am I being a good big sister?"  She's doing great!

The silly hat that matches the coat and pants she wore

Jay and I have to take turns lovin' on her

She loves media.  Skyping with Daddy and watching DVDs with Merrilee are awesome!

Sharing watermelon slices

Munching on breakfast

She slept all night and we had to wake her up this morning.  She's wiped out!

Lots of appointments and bus rides today

Thanks for changing that silly hat, Mom.

Quick Hello from China

We made it safe and sound, and other than the jet lag and freezy cold temps, we're doing great.  We did lots of sight seeing yesterday and Merrilee had to wear borrowed clothes as her suitcase didn't make it out of the U.S. with ourselves.  But, fortunately, it arrived last night and we're good to go.  We visited Tiananmen square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace yesterday and today we're going to freeze our tushies off on the Great Wall.  Although it's only in the 20s here today, I'm looking forward to going back there.  My new camera has been taking beautiful photos and I'd love to get some good ones today.

Here are a few photos thus far, and though they're out of order, you can enjoy our beautiful blue skies and sunshine.

Merrilee is doing great, by the way, and I couldn't be happier that she's here.  She's behaving amazingly well for being so tired and having to walk and walk, but she hasn't complained.  God is good!

More in a couple days.

Love,

Petrie

Over the River and Through the Woods

To grandmother's house he went.

Jacob left yesterday. It's quiet around here. And Merrilee misses him terribly. But he's in the throws of delight with his grandparents now, and is enjoying all the single life has to offer. Enjoy it Jacob! We love you! Love, Mommy

Temporary relief from The Winter Blues

What have we been doing since Christmas? Well, the weather got considerably warmer in the two days after Christmas, so we raked a few leaves and made a pile for the kids to jump in before we burned them (the leaves, not the kids). Merrilee was disappointed that this fall was so rainy and she never got to play in the leaves, so Saturday was the day. The kids had a blast, my camera got a workout, and my garden got a bit neater without all the leaves in it. Once Daddy got the fire going we grabbed a bag of Campfire marshmallows and enjoyed a few.

Sunday Jay headed back to SC, but it was warm enough for the kids and I to hit the beach for a little while. We had a picnic and hung out there and then played on the playground until the clouds started coming in. Three days of lovely fall temps were just enough to put the wind back in our sails.

Unfortunately, all of us have come down with one form or another of cold virus. The kids have been coughing for over a week, Jay and I have had stuffy heads, and I even had a stomach virus on top of that. I hope all of this is over and we're better before we head out next Wednesday. The kids seem to be doing better and didn't wake us up with coughing this morning, but we're all still a bit sniffly.

The weather is no longer autumnal. We had some snow and sleet this morning, and the driveway was slushy. But after half and hour of teasing snow, it turned to rain and was just dreary. And now the sun is out. Just weird. And cold. I hope we do get at least one good snow this winter, but hope it doesn't interfere with our travel plans or Katie Mei's medical needs.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Stay cozy.

Love,

Petrie