In 3 weeks I go back to work after being off since December 31, 2010. People kept telling me that the time will go by fast and I didn't think it would as I was going to be off for 109 days. But they were right it is going by fast. I have mixed emotions about it too. On one hand I don't want to go back to work as I do enjoy being home with Tia much more than I thought I would (I thought I'd be bored - NOT). But on the other hand I am looking forward to work,all my friends and bringing in a paycheck.
So Sam and I decided that it would be best to get Tia adjusted to being at daycare all day. Since he goes to work later in the morning than I, he would be getting her ready and taking her to Grandma's daycare and as I get off right at 5, I would be the one to pick her up. So the this week she's going 3 days, next week she'll go 4 days and the week after that she'll go 5 days.
At first I thought this was to get her adjusted, but now I am thinking it's more for me. I have been with her 24/7 since our Gotcha day (1/10/11). Don't get me wrong, I've had a few hours here and there, but never ever a entire day alone. I am feeling a little lost. Part of me is enjoying it and part of me is bored. What am I going to do all day? My house is reasonably cleaned and I don't have enough laundry to start. I do need to do the checkbook, but am totally dreading that - who doesn't?
I think I'm going to watch the last 4 weeks of Grey's Anatomy, relax and enjoy the day to myself. And like my mom said, if I miss Tia too much I can go in and pick her up whenever I want. But for now's she's enjoying playing with the other daycare kids and is building a stronger bond with Grandma everytime they're together and that's improtant too!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
What a difference a day makes... or a month!
Life in the Wellman house is settling into a nice normal routine. Everything is falling into place beautifully! Thank goodness too!
The little bundle of joy who clung desperately to my leg crying like there was no tomorrow is off and running around and trashing every square inch of the house! It's absolutely wonderful!!
She's jabbering up a storm and can say "dadda" and "momma" clearly and is so funny to listen to when she's giving Bandit and Sadie the "what fore" when they bark and it doesn't matter if they are outside or inside!
She is doing well with the pups and is learning to "fend them off" when she's walking around with or without food or her milk cup. For the most part the pups do well, but there are days when all three (Tia, Bandit & Sadie) are just "at each other."
The poor kitties are never safe from her! Kacie, our Siamese, doesn't like her at all and stays in high places to avoid her. Kalie, our Calico, is more laid back and doesn't mind her too much. However, that doesn't go without saying that Kalie hasn't had her fill of her either and lets her know it but that doesn't seem to stop Tia!
Because my maternity leave is during winter, we've not been outside often. However, the few times it's been warm enough to go out Tia has really enjoyed it! When you let the pups in or out, you have to watch for her as she runs towards the door! We feel that she's going to be an "outside" baby and that brings us much joy, especially for Sam!
One of the other things that Tia "runs" to is the bath! She can be anywhere in the house and the minute she hears the water in the bathtub running she's right there! She LOVES the bath or "swimming" as my 3 yr old niece, Abby calls it!
We actually took Tia to the Swim Center yesterday for the very first time. At first she didn't understand that it was OK for her to stand in the pool so she would just sit. For the first half hour or so she just wanted to sit between mommy or daddy's legs. After a while she got braver and wanted to walk around.
We went in the deeper end and I was holding her on her belly and she was just kicking her legs like there was no tomorrow! It was just so incredibly fun! She had so much fun playing in the water, going up and down the stairs (while holding mommy or daddy's hands) in the kiddie area and walking the pool. We all had such a GREAT time!!
There isn't an inch of this house that hasn't been trashed by Tia! She has discovered mommy and daddy's bedroom closet and so now we have an assortment of shoes as well at measuring cups, spoons and sippy cup lids mixed in with the numerous toys that are scattered throughout the house. And you know what? I don't care, I'm loving every minute of it!!
Parenthood brings a-lot of changes. The one thing that I hope never changes is that Tia still loves to cuddle. Especially when she wakes up and when she's getting tired. I love that throughout the day she'll come to either or both of us for a little "loving" and then is off again to play. My mom tells me I was like that too. At the end of the day when I'm snuggling with her in the glide rocker, I think how Blessed and lucky we are to have trusted in God's plan for us. And even though it took more than 5 years to get her, she was worth the long and emotional wait!
The little bundle of joy who clung desperately to my leg crying like there was no tomorrow is off and running around and trashing every square inch of the house! It's absolutely wonderful!!
She's jabbering up a storm and can say "dadda" and "momma" clearly and is so funny to listen to when she's giving Bandit and Sadie the "what fore" when they bark and it doesn't matter if they are outside or inside!
She is doing well with the pups and is learning to "fend them off" when she's walking around with or without food or her milk cup. For the most part the pups do well, but there are days when all three (Tia, Bandit & Sadie) are just "at each other."
The poor kitties are never safe from her! Kacie, our Siamese, doesn't like her at all and stays in high places to avoid her. Kalie, our Calico, is more laid back and doesn't mind her too much. However, that doesn't go without saying that Kalie hasn't had her fill of her either and lets her know it but that doesn't seem to stop Tia!
Because my maternity leave is during winter, we've not been outside often. However, the few times it's been warm enough to go out Tia has really enjoyed it! When you let the pups in or out, you have to watch for her as she runs towards the door! We feel that she's going to be an "outside" baby and that brings us much joy, especially for Sam!
One of the other things that Tia "runs" to is the bath! She can be anywhere in the house and the minute she hears the water in the bathtub running she's right there! She LOVES the bath or "swimming" as my 3 yr old niece, Abby calls it!
We actually took Tia to the Swim Center yesterday for the very first time. At first she didn't understand that it was OK for her to stand in the pool so she would just sit. For the first half hour or so she just wanted to sit between mommy or daddy's legs. After a while she got braver and wanted to walk around.
We went in the deeper end and I was holding her on her belly and she was just kicking her legs like there was no tomorrow! It was just so incredibly fun! She had so much fun playing in the water, going up and down the stairs (while holding mommy or daddy's hands) in the kiddie area and walking the pool. We all had such a GREAT time!!
There isn't an inch of this house that hasn't been trashed by Tia! She has discovered mommy and daddy's bedroom closet and so now we have an assortment of shoes as well at measuring cups, spoons and sippy cup lids mixed in with the numerous toys that are scattered throughout the house. And you know what? I don't care, I'm loving every minute of it!!
Parenthood brings a-lot of changes. The one thing that I hope never changes is that Tia still loves to cuddle. Especially when she wakes up and when she's getting tired. I love that throughout the day she'll come to either or both of us for a little "loving" and then is off again to play. My mom tells me I was like that too. At the end of the day when I'm snuggling with her in the glide rocker, I think how Blessed and lucky we are to have trusted in God's plan for us. And even though it took more than 5 years to get her, she was worth the long and emotional wait!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
OMG, Friday was AWESOME!!!
Yesterday started out like every other day since we've gotten home from China. Tia woke up, fed her breakfast, cleaned her up and got her dressed. And as usual she was crying and clinging to my legs like there was no tomorrow as I was cleaning up the kitchen.
Then she stopped. I watched her walk a few steps to the dishwasher and start playing the magnetic farm toy that her Aunt Debbie, Uncle Duane her cousins gave her for her first birthday last Saturday. She started jabbering away and I continued on with cleaning the kitchen.
Then she moved into the living room and started pulling the movies off of the shelf. Then she walked over to the pantry and realized that she could pull the food out too! So I had about 50 movies and food scattered all over my living room and kitchen.
Throughout the day I was doing some housework and she was wondering around the house just jabbering away and just having a grand 'ol time. She was chasing the cats and then the dogs. She was doing "laps" from the kitchen to the living room, to her bedroom, bathroom and then back to the living room. Later we walked down to my sister's house so she could play with her cousin Abby (she's 3).
After we got home I started preparing her dinner. Like usual she was crying because I had put her down so I could do something. She would usually cry for about 5-10 minutes and then that would be it. But not last night.
I am not sure what made her so mad, but she had decided to throw a good 'ol fashion tantrum. I mean, threw herself on the floor kicking and screaming. I had never seen her do this before so I was totally surprised. But I just continued on with dinner, after all it wasn't going to make itself as daddy was closing and wouldn't be home until 10 pm.
When dinner was finally ready I picked her up, crying and tantrum instantly stops and I place her in her highcahir. As I was feeding her her dinner, she was back to her normal self, jabbering away and waving at me. After we get all cleaned up from dinner and get into our pj's she's just tooling around the house, pulling down more movies and giving the fur-babies a run for the their money - again or maybe it should be still?
As the night wheres on she's starting to get fussy and rubbing her eyes. I grab her blanket and we rock for a few minutes before I put her down to bed for the night. While I'm rocking her, I realized what a incredibly awesome day we had. It was a day that I always dreamed of.
There were several milestones yesterday. Tia feeling comfortable and safe in her environment to "run around the house" like I hoped and prayed for. Everyday she's showing such huge improvements with her adjustment to her new life.
But the thing I'm most proud of is me and the fact that her crying and tantrum didn't bother me like they did before. As she laid on the floor throwing her tantrum, I just talked to her and continued on with I needed to get done without losing it.
For the first time since we've had Tia, I felt like a real mother. It is an incredible feeling!
Then she stopped. I watched her walk a few steps to the dishwasher and start playing the magnetic farm toy that her Aunt Debbie, Uncle Duane her cousins gave her for her first birthday last Saturday. She started jabbering away and I continued on with cleaning the kitchen.
Then she moved into the living room and started pulling the movies off of the shelf. Then she walked over to the pantry and realized that she could pull the food out too! So I had about 50 movies and food scattered all over my living room and kitchen.
Throughout the day I was doing some housework and she was wondering around the house just jabbering away and just having a grand 'ol time. She was chasing the cats and then the dogs. She was doing "laps" from the kitchen to the living room, to her bedroom, bathroom and then back to the living room. Later we walked down to my sister's house so she could play with her cousin Abby (she's 3).
After we got home I started preparing her dinner. Like usual she was crying because I had put her down so I could do something. She would usually cry for about 5-10 minutes and then that would be it. But not last night.
I am not sure what made her so mad, but she had decided to throw a good 'ol fashion tantrum. I mean, threw herself on the floor kicking and screaming. I had never seen her do this before so I was totally surprised. But I just continued on with dinner, after all it wasn't going to make itself as daddy was closing and wouldn't be home until 10 pm.
When dinner was finally ready I picked her up, crying and tantrum instantly stops and I place her in her highcahir. As I was feeding her her dinner, she was back to her normal self, jabbering away and waving at me. After we get all cleaned up from dinner and get into our pj's she's just tooling around the house, pulling down more movies and giving the fur-babies a run for the their money - again or maybe it should be still?
As the night wheres on she's starting to get fussy and rubbing her eyes. I grab her blanket and we rock for a few minutes before I put her down to bed for the night. While I'm rocking her, I realized what a incredibly awesome day we had. It was a day that I always dreamed of.
There were several milestones yesterday. Tia feeling comfortable and safe in her environment to "run around the house" like I hoped and prayed for. Everyday she's showing such huge improvements with her adjustment to her new life.
But the thing I'm most proud of is me and the fact that her crying and tantrum didn't bother me like they did before. As she laid on the floor throwing her tantrum, I just talked to her and continued on with I needed to get done without losing it.
For the first time since we've had Tia, I felt like a real mother. It is an incredible feeling!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
OMG, we REALLY are PARENTS!
When we FINALLY landed in Rapid City on January 21 we were greeted by a homemade banner, balloons and roses from my wonderful family! There were many emotions flowing at that time in addition to tears. For 3 weeks there was no contact and for me, that was very hard! I am the type of person who has to talk (and talk and talk and talk) to at least one member of my family almost daily, whether it be by text, phone, e-mail or in person. Words cannot express how GREAT is to be HOME with friends and family!
While were in China we got to see some amazing sites like the Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square and a jade and silk factory with other families who were also there adopting through Holt. As an extra treat to ourselves we went to a Chinese acrobatics show. Our hotel room was a corner room on the 15th floor. Beijing was gearing up for their Christmas and Chinese New Year so the city street was lined with blue lights at night it was just beautiful view from our room! The breakfast buffet was mouth watering to say the least! Just anything you could think of was there and was delicious!!
In addition to us, there were seven other families flying into Guangzhou on January 9. All of us would be meeting our babies the next day at 2 pm. There was a mixture of parents who were adopting again and first time parents. These amazing people become your "family" through adoption. Together we will be completing our adoption journey together.
After we got checked into our room and was all situated, I started freaking out. What am I doing? Can I do this? What if she doesn't bond with us? These were just a few of the questions racing around in my mind. Thank goodness there were others there who felt the same and some of them are parents already to either adopted and or biological children. That was comforting to know that I wasn't alone.
On the "GOTCHA DAY" I was surprisingly calm. When we finally got to the 8th floor of the Chinese Civil Affairs Building with our group, it was complete chaos! In previous videos we saw some sort of order but that was not the case. We did get video of our "GOTCHA DAY" moment but it wasn't as we had imagined it to be. But the video footage we did get was the IMPORTANT part - the hand off!!
Tia.... She is what the Chinese call "spicy" and she is that for sure! She has eight teeth (and working on cutting her back moellers), lots of hair and always has a big loving smile on her face! Even after she wakes up too! She was just learning to walk and it wasn't long before she was tearing up the hotel room! And like her mother, she's always chabbering away!
Since we all bonded so well in China, I HONESTLY thought everything would be the same when we got home as it was in China. Um, yea, NOT! I mean we are still bonded, but the house is not the hotel room. The hotel room didn't have 2 mini beagles who follow her every move or her own room with a much nicer and cushier bed. Home has all these new smells, new rooms and new people who are suddenly there wanting to hold and kiss on her. Something I'm sure she's not used to.
Home for me has also been a challenge. We all came home sick, me being the sickest. So you combine that with jet lag, hormones and lack of sleep you have a lovely combination for an emotional breakdown. Which I did end up having, in the car on the way home from the phamacy. It was definately long over due. I did feel better afterwards, but still......
We knew parenting would be hard. We knew it would change our life as we knew it. And we were accepting of that after 10 years of marriage (in July) and years and years and years of trying and finally waiting. But what we didn't know was how much of a change it would be. First time parents really just don't know or realize the change and there is no way of preparing for the reality of it. Of course we've babysat for my sisters and my mom does run a daycare, but these kids could be "sent home" when you had your fill. This is just not the case!
Then there are all the emotional fears and thoughts running through your head and the questioning of EVERYTHING. I am constantly texting my sister and asking her "what should I do" questions. And now with Sam back to work and it's just me, Tia and the fur-babies. I feel bad because I'm constantly getting on Sadie's case to quit licking Tia or Bandit to quit stealing her cracker. My poor fur-babies are constantly getting scolded and then Tia is constantly at my feet crying to be held. I pick her up she stops crying. After a few minutes, I put her down and she starts bawling. Up down, up down, up down and scold, scold and scold is all I do. Don't get me wrong, I love holding my daughter and my fur-babies, but I can't get anything done.
So that leads me to the subject of setting up routines. Which, by the way we are still struggling with! We've agreed on a bedtime and are very happy with the desicion we've agreed to. But now we're stuggling with naps. Should she take one and if so how often and how long? In the orphanage she took an 1 1/2 nap twice a day. In the hotel she did take an hour or two long naps, but since we've gotten home she hasn't. She's taken a few little "power naps" but nothing of great length.
Our daughter "fights" to stay awake. My sisters kids did the same thing too. But I am thinking that Tia is more determined as she will "nod off" while fighting to stay awake by crying. This is a daily thing. And once she does fall asleep, whether it's in your arms or on the floor when you pick her up to put her to bed she wakes up and it starts all over again. It breaks our heart! But we just kiss her good night and turn her cd player on and close the door behind us.
Once she does go to sleep, she sleeps through the night. A good sign we've noticed is that she's not "self soothing" herself as often as she did in China. In fact, I've not heard her do that in more than a week. So that has to say something! Right?
In China we met many wonderful people who now are friends. And although we are all scattered throughout the US, I hope we'll stay in contact with each other as we all understand what it took to get our babies and what it's taking to raise them!
While were in China we got to see some amazing sites like the Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square and a jade and silk factory with other families who were also there adopting through Holt. As an extra treat to ourselves we went to a Chinese acrobatics show. Our hotel room was a corner room on the 15th floor. Beijing was gearing up for their Christmas and Chinese New Year so the city street was lined with blue lights at night it was just beautiful view from our room! The breakfast buffet was mouth watering to say the least! Just anything you could think of was there and was delicious!!
In addition to us, there were seven other families flying into Guangzhou on January 9. All of us would be meeting our babies the next day at 2 pm. There was a mixture of parents who were adopting again and first time parents. These amazing people become your "family" through adoption. Together we will be completing our adoption journey together.
After we got checked into our room and was all situated, I started freaking out. What am I doing? Can I do this? What if she doesn't bond with us? These were just a few of the questions racing around in my mind. Thank goodness there were others there who felt the same and some of them are parents already to either adopted and or biological children. That was comforting to know that I wasn't alone.
On the "GOTCHA DAY" I was surprisingly calm. When we finally got to the 8th floor of the Chinese Civil Affairs Building with our group, it was complete chaos! In previous videos we saw some sort of order but that was not the case. We did get video of our "GOTCHA DAY" moment but it wasn't as we had imagined it to be. But the video footage we did get was the IMPORTANT part - the hand off!!
Tia.... She is what the Chinese call "spicy" and she is that for sure! She has eight teeth (and working on cutting her back moellers), lots of hair and always has a big loving smile on her face! Even after she wakes up too! She was just learning to walk and it wasn't long before she was tearing up the hotel room! And like her mother, she's always chabbering away!
Since we all bonded so well in China, I HONESTLY thought everything would be the same when we got home as it was in China. Um, yea, NOT! I mean we are still bonded, but the house is not the hotel room. The hotel room didn't have 2 mini beagles who follow her every move or her own room with a much nicer and cushier bed. Home has all these new smells, new rooms and new people who are suddenly there wanting to hold and kiss on her. Something I'm sure she's not used to.
Home for me has also been a challenge. We all came home sick, me being the sickest. So you combine that with jet lag, hormones and lack of sleep you have a lovely combination for an emotional breakdown. Which I did end up having, in the car on the way home from the phamacy. It was definately long over due. I did feel better afterwards, but still......
We knew parenting would be hard. We knew it would change our life as we knew it. And we were accepting of that after 10 years of marriage (in July) and years and years and years of trying and finally waiting. But what we didn't know was how much of a change it would be. First time parents really just don't know or realize the change and there is no way of preparing for the reality of it. Of course we've babysat for my sisters and my mom does run a daycare, but these kids could be "sent home" when you had your fill. This is just not the case!
Then there are all the emotional fears and thoughts running through your head and the questioning of EVERYTHING. I am constantly texting my sister and asking her "what should I do" questions. And now with Sam back to work and it's just me, Tia and the fur-babies. I feel bad because I'm constantly getting on Sadie's case to quit licking Tia or Bandit to quit stealing her cracker. My poor fur-babies are constantly getting scolded and then Tia is constantly at my feet crying to be held. I pick her up she stops crying. After a few minutes, I put her down and she starts bawling. Up down, up down, up down and scold, scold and scold is all I do. Don't get me wrong, I love holding my daughter and my fur-babies, but I can't get anything done.
So that leads me to the subject of setting up routines. Which, by the way we are still struggling with! We've agreed on a bedtime and are very happy with the desicion we've agreed to. But now we're stuggling with naps. Should she take one and if so how often and how long? In the orphanage she took an 1 1/2 nap twice a day. In the hotel she did take an hour or two long naps, but since we've gotten home she hasn't. She's taken a few little "power naps" but nothing of great length.
Our daughter "fights" to stay awake. My sisters kids did the same thing too. But I am thinking that Tia is more determined as she will "nod off" while fighting to stay awake by crying. This is a daily thing. And once she does fall asleep, whether it's in your arms or on the floor when you pick her up to put her to bed she wakes up and it starts all over again. It breaks our heart! But we just kiss her good night and turn her cd player on and close the door behind us.
Once she does go to sleep, she sleeps through the night. A good sign we've noticed is that she's not "self soothing" herself as often as she did in China. In fact, I've not heard her do that in more than a week. So that has to say something! Right?
In China we met many wonderful people who now are friends. And although we are all scattered throughout the US, I hope we'll stay in contact with each other as we all understand what it took to get our babies and what it's taking to raise them!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
OK got some things done, but not everything...
Oh what a Merry Christmas is was!! Santa was very good to us and we are very happy to have spent another wonderful, safe and magical holiday with our family! I've done alot and not sure where to begin....
Well last Sunday my sister came over and helped me pack Tia's suite case. Turns out I had a pretty good layout of what to take, just tweaked a few things. Then I remembered that I didn't pack bibs or a hairbrush/comb for her so I fixed that.
Nursery completed.
I bought the gifts for the orphanage - 2 outfits and some meds.
I got the paperwork all completed and organized.
As Sam and I sit down and talk about the most exciting changes that we are about to embark on, we come up with more and more questions. How should we pack our carry on bags? Should I pack mine, like I would if Tia was already with me? Do we really want to make extra copies of our paperwork (worried about lost luggage)? Do the airlines include the suitcase handles in their measurements?? And then there is the whole confusion of paying fees for checked baggage.....
So with all of these questions, we've decided to take our suitcase as is to the airport as it's just a few miles from our house and have them weigh it and then we'll pick the airlines brain! Problem solved!! Now, just finding time to do that......
I have 4 days left of work until I'm officially on maternity leave. I am so Blessed to have the honor to work for a company/firm that is allowing me the amount of time off that I'm taking. I couldn't of asked for a more awesome place to work for and really can't see myself working anywhere else! But it still hasn't really hit me yet that we're leaving in 2 weeks. However, we are getting more and more excited with every passing day!!
For me, there was a period of utter fear of "WTF am I/we doing??" I am assured that this is completely normal whether you're pregnant or adopting. This made me feel better but still wasn't quite convinced. Then I don't know what happened. I was having a daydream of Tia and her being upset about something and she's crying for me. I'm at her side in a heartbeat and soothing her tears. In that moment, a sense of peace and calmness came over me.
Of course I know that I will be doubting myself and have a fear or worry as we are raising her, but I know that will be a different kind of emotion than what I was feeling before.
But now I feel total and utter peace and calmness in my journey to becoming a mother for the very first time. I have totally love and excitement in the joy she'll bring to us and our families. I really can't put into words what I'm feeling, but I'm sure you all know what I mean.
Right now in this moment, I look to enjoy the last few weeks of just being a wife to my darling husband. We are looking forward of celebrating our last New Year's Eve together ending the year of 2010 as it started - just us.
This journey has taught me many, many things. Patience. Those who know me well, will agree with me that I am not a patient person. I want it done when I want it done. But this journey has taught me to have patience because it didn't happen when I wanted it to. But now I'm realizing that is the joy of life! The joy of God and his precious plan for us.
Well last Sunday my sister came over and helped me pack Tia's suite case. Turns out I had a pretty good layout of what to take, just tweaked a few things. Then I remembered that I didn't pack bibs or a hairbrush/comb for her so I fixed that.
Nursery completed.
I bought the gifts for the orphanage - 2 outfits and some meds.
I got the paperwork all completed and organized.
As Sam and I sit down and talk about the most exciting changes that we are about to embark on, we come up with more and more questions. How should we pack our carry on bags? Should I pack mine, like I would if Tia was already with me? Do we really want to make extra copies of our paperwork (worried about lost luggage)? Do the airlines include the suitcase handles in their measurements?? And then there is the whole confusion of paying fees for checked baggage.....
So with all of these questions, we've decided to take our suitcase as is to the airport as it's just a few miles from our house and have them weigh it and then we'll pick the airlines brain! Problem solved!! Now, just finding time to do that......
I have 4 days left of work until I'm officially on maternity leave. I am so Blessed to have the honor to work for a company/firm that is allowing me the amount of time off that I'm taking. I couldn't of asked for a more awesome place to work for and really can't see myself working anywhere else! But it still hasn't really hit me yet that we're leaving in 2 weeks. However, we are getting more and more excited with every passing day!!
For me, there was a period of utter fear of "WTF am I/we doing??" I am assured that this is completely normal whether you're pregnant or adopting. This made me feel better but still wasn't quite convinced. Then I don't know what happened. I was having a daydream of Tia and her being upset about something and she's crying for me. I'm at her side in a heartbeat and soothing her tears. In that moment, a sense of peace and calmness came over me.
Of course I know that I will be doubting myself and have a fear or worry as we are raising her, but I know that will be a different kind of emotion than what I was feeling before.
But now I feel total and utter peace and calmness in my journey to becoming a mother for the very first time. I have totally love and excitement in the joy she'll bring to us and our families. I really can't put into words what I'm feeling, but I'm sure you all know what I mean.
Right now in this moment, I look to enjoy the last few weeks of just being a wife to my darling husband. We are looking forward of celebrating our last New Year's Eve together ending the year of 2010 as it started - just us.
This journey has taught me many, many things. Patience. Those who know me well, will agree with me that I am not a patient person. I want it done when I want it done. But this journey has taught me to have patience because it didn't happen when I wanted it to. But now I'm realizing that is the joy of life! The joy of God and his precious plan for us.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Packing - what a nightmare I'm making it!
So today I thought I would start working on packing Tia's suitcase. WOW! I always knew that I make things complicated, but this is an all new time high! Diaper bag? No diaper bag? How many bottles? I was thinking 6. Will that be too many or not enough? Clothes. That is another nightmare in it's self. Guangzhou is more "tropicle" with the average tempature of 58 degrees. Should I pack all winter type clothes or will short sleeves be ok too? Should I take a winter coat or heavy jacket? Oh I don't know.......
Friday, October 29, 2010
OMG - It's becomming so REAL
Well there has been some excitement and disappointment in the last couple of weeks.
The disappointment is that our church won't allow us to have the people we want to be Tia's Godparents because they don't meet the requirements. It is SO frustrating that one church is so strict and another of the religion isn't. We did think about going to the other church so we could have "our way" but Sam doesn't like that church at all. I understand and respect that. Rules are rules for a reason, no matter how much we disagree with them. So the search was on to try and find someone who we feel comfortable and confident that meet the requirements of the church and of course us.
But the hardest part of this was telling the person when we desperately wanted couldn't be Godparents. That was so heartbreaking for me as it was for them. My heart is still breaking....
After much debate we have solved our solved our dilemma on who will be Tia's Godparents, and I must say that we are both happy and proud that they have agreed! YEA!! Now that is all settled and done with we will have the baptism later in the summer when Grandpa and Grandma can come out for a visit.
Then earlier in this work week we received word that the Travel Approvals were on there way and that meant that the Travel Dates were right behind them! And folks we have them!!
Here is our itinerary for China:
January 6 Arrive in Beijing, China
January 7 Free day to recover from plane trip/jet lag
January 8 Holt orientation
January 9 Fly to Guangzhou, China (this is where the US Consulate is and happens to be the
same province that Tia is in)
January 10 Tia!!! We will FINALLY meet our beloved baby who we've dreamed of for so long!
January 18 US Consulate visa appointment for Tia's visa
January 20 Tia's visa is issued
January 21 Fly home
The days between the 10-18 will be filled with meetings, paperwork and the Adoption Finalization Ceremony. The thing I LOVE about Holt International is they don't leave you hanging. We will have an English speaking representative with us all the time. We will of course have some down time to ourselves to go shopping and or hang out with other families.
We looked at the temperatures for Beijing and Guangzhou and they couldn't be more different! The average temperature in January in Beijing is 28 and for Guangzhou is 58! WOW Which winter coat do I take??
I guess a sweatshirt, scarf, hat and gloves are a must!!
We are toying with the idea of doing a tour of the Great Wall. But after looking at the average temperature and the slope of the Great Wall, we're wondering if we should risk it. If I understand it right, we have to take a cable car - um yea that requires me to be OFF THE GROUND! I'm already worried about the 13-15 hour flight! I'm sure the flight home will be better as I'll have to focus on Tia, but the flight over is a totally different story! I want my mommy!!
Now that we officially know when we will be traveling to get our precious baby girl the reality is starting to sink in. There is no turning back now. I have all these fears and thoughts in my head. The main one is "WTF am I doing?" I know it's the "fear of the unknown" and that once we get her in our arms, our maternal and parental instincts will kick in but until then it's nothing short of fear/anxiety/excitement all rolled into one. I have been assured that this is all normal, however when I told Sam how I was/am feeling he looked at me like I'm crazy. Don't men have these same thoughts??
With the holidays just around the corner, Sam will be gearing up and will soon be starting to work the longer holiday hours. Between getting the store ready for Christmas season and his photography he won't have a day off to put the crib together until Thanksgiving day. On one hand I'm OK with that. On the other hand, I'm getting SO EXCITED that I want it done yesterday!
But honestly, it's working out for the best this way. It will be just enough time for me to work on getting the final touches and get our required documents together and start packing for China.
The BEST thing about these confirmed travel dates is now I can start buying the stuff we need to take to China for Tia. I've been kept on a very short leash but now I think it's safe to say that it's OK to start buying the baby meds, diapers, wipes, formula, bath for our trip. YEA!!
The disappointment is that our church won't allow us to have the people we want to be Tia's Godparents because they don't meet the requirements. It is SO frustrating that one church is so strict and another of the religion isn't. We did think about going to the other church so we could have "our way" but Sam doesn't like that church at all. I understand and respect that. Rules are rules for a reason, no matter how much we disagree with them. So the search was on to try and find someone who we feel comfortable and confident that meet the requirements of the church and of course us.
But the hardest part of this was telling the person when we desperately wanted couldn't be Godparents. That was so heartbreaking for me as it was for them. My heart is still breaking....
After much debate we have solved our solved our dilemma on who will be Tia's Godparents, and I must say that we are both happy and proud that they have agreed! YEA!! Now that is all settled and done with we will have the baptism later in the summer when Grandpa and Grandma can come out for a visit.
Then earlier in this work week we received word that the Travel Approvals were on there way and that meant that the Travel Dates were right behind them! And folks we have them!!
Here is our itinerary for China:
January 6 Arrive in Beijing, China
January 7 Free day to recover from plane trip/jet lag
January 8 Holt orientation
January 9 Fly to Guangzhou, China (this is where the US Consulate is and happens to be the
same province that Tia is in)
January 10 Tia!!! We will FINALLY meet our beloved baby who we've dreamed of for so long!
January 18 US Consulate visa appointment for Tia's visa
January 20 Tia's visa is issued
January 21 Fly home
The days between the 10-18 will be filled with meetings, paperwork and the Adoption Finalization Ceremony. The thing I LOVE about Holt International is they don't leave you hanging. We will have an English speaking representative with us all the time. We will of course have some down time to ourselves to go shopping and or hang out with other families.
We looked at the temperatures for Beijing and Guangzhou and they couldn't be more different! The average temperature in January in Beijing is 28 and for Guangzhou is 58! WOW Which winter coat do I take??
I guess a sweatshirt, scarf, hat and gloves are a must!!
We are toying with the idea of doing a tour of the Great Wall. But after looking at the average temperature and the slope of the Great Wall, we're wondering if we should risk it. If I understand it right, we have to take a cable car - um yea that requires me to be OFF THE GROUND! I'm already worried about the 13-15 hour flight! I'm sure the flight home will be better as I'll have to focus on Tia, but the flight over is a totally different story! I want my mommy!!
Now that we officially know when we will be traveling to get our precious baby girl the reality is starting to sink in. There is no turning back now. I have all these fears and thoughts in my head. The main one is "WTF am I doing?" I know it's the "fear of the unknown" and that once we get her in our arms, our maternal and parental instincts will kick in but until then it's nothing short of fear/anxiety/excitement all rolled into one. I have been assured that this is all normal, however when I told Sam how I was/am feeling he looked at me like I'm crazy. Don't men have these same thoughts??
With the holidays just around the corner, Sam will be gearing up and will soon be starting to work the longer holiday hours. Between getting the store ready for Christmas season and his photography he won't have a day off to put the crib together until Thanksgiving day. On one hand I'm OK with that. On the other hand, I'm getting SO EXCITED that I want it done yesterday!
But honestly, it's working out for the best this way. It will be just enough time for me to work on getting the final touches and get our required documents together and start packing for China.
The BEST thing about these confirmed travel dates is now I can start buying the stuff we need to take to China for Tia. I've been kept on a very short leash but now I think it's safe to say that it's OK to start buying the baby meds, diapers, wipes, formula, bath for our trip. YEA!!
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