Six Months with Alyssa

Sometimes it is so hard to believe that this is the same little girl brought to our hotel room 6 months ago.   The girl who never smiled smiles all the time.  She is one happy little girl who will only throw a fit if you make her mad.  Have to admit with 3 brothers and 2 sisters this does happen several times a week.  She, like her older sister Grace, goes off to pout in her room when you have upset her.  When she is ready she will come out and start playing again.  

Oh, how we love this little girl! People often say she is a lucky little girl but that is not true.  We by far are the lucky ones.  It blows my mind that God chose us to be her parents, that he entrusted us to love her and take care of her.  What an amazing God!  We are often asked why we chose to adopt.  I don't know that we actually did.  I honestly believe we were called to adopt.  There are so many children that need families. Many live in conditions that you can not even begin to imagine.  We know that by stepping out in faith we will be rewarded in tenfold with a wonderful son or daughter.  What greater joy is there? Julia, Grace, and Alyssa are as much our children as the boys.  We have been abundantly blessed!! The other question we are often asked is if we plan to adopt again.  The answer is wherever God leads us we will follow.

Now more about Alyssa.  She is absolutely obsessed with Minnie Mouse or rather Mickey Mouse.  It depends on who you ask.  Alyssa and I have a daily discussion about whether it is Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse.  Most times it is Minnie Mouse but she continues to argue with me that it is Mickey Mouse. Be prepared if you take her to Walmart.  Every Mickey/Minnie Mouse you pass she will yell "Mickey Mouse!" If you happen to pass Ariel, Tinkerbell, or Spongebob she will inform the whole store too.  Now if you pass a Hello Kitty she will yell "Minnie Mouse." We haven't figured that one out yet.

Alyssa plays very well independently.  If I am doing laundry or household chores she plays beside me or plays in her room.  If her siblings are home she loves playing with them.  She loves looking at her books, dressing Minnie Mouse, putting her Minnie Mouses night night, and playing Legos.

During nap time she often doesn't sleep.  I am okay with that as long as she has a rest time and isn't crying.  Today she kept telling Minnie Mickey "Mickey Mouse, come here, go night night!" We often hear her talking to Julia, Grace, Nicholas, Zachary, or Kristopher.  They aren't there but she is talking to them anyway. 

She says lots of words but only a few sentences.  Her favorite sentences are I like this, I don't want that, and that's my home right there.  Almost every time we get home she says "That's my home right there." So funny when she says this. She says it with a very southern drawl.  We have no idea where she picked up that.  One more thing... If you ask her where any one is she will tell you the bathroom.  Guess she thinks we all spend too much time there.

Didn't mean to write a book but I could go on and on about Alyssa.  She is a trip!  Alyssa often wakes up before us and just sings and plays until we get her out of her crib.  Every day she greets you with a smile and a hug!  I can't think of a better way to start the day!

Happy Birthday, Alyssa!

Today was Alyssa's 3rd birthday!  She wasn't sure what the big deal was but was in a good mood all day.  When it came time to open presents she had no idea what to do.  She kept asking the girls to help her.  It was fun seeing her so excited about her day.  She loved all her Minnie Mouse gifts!

Alyssa was born in the fall of 2009.  Ironic that our baby girl was born as we were struggling to make it through each day.  If you asked me what was the most difficult year of my life I would most definitely say 2009, the fall being the worst season of them all.  We experienced something that began late summer that drained us all emotionally. It had a huge financial impact on us too.  We lived in fear for many months and it changed the way we will do things the rest of our lives.  Only a few know what happened and no one can understand the toll it took on our family.  Unless you experience it you just can't imagine the nightmare it created. I felt like I was living in a horror movie.  Then in November Grace and I both had surgery. If that wasn't enough my Mom, my best friend, passed away mid November.  Needless to say it was a rough year.  God was with us every step of the way and got us through that year.

So thankful for our sweet Alyssa! This happy loving little girl that was born during our storm spreads happiness everywhere she goes.  She is a delightful reminder that some pretty awesome things occurred in 2009 too!

Isn't Ice Cream a Finger Food?

April 26, 2012 - Ikea in Guangzhou, China

                   


                                                               June 14, 2012 - Ikea in Charlotte, NC

Two Months with Alyssa

June 15 marked 2 months with Alyssa.   We have seen so many changes in her. She is a remarkable little girl.  Her report from China said she was mentally delayed. There is no way this little girl is mentally delayed.  She impresses us every day with something new she has learned.

We have kept Alyssa'a world very small.  We still haven't taken her to church or taken her around many people that we know yet.  Call us crazy but we dealt with attachment issues with Julia(still do) and we don't want to experience that with Alyssa.  It is definitely worth being a little isolated for a couple of months.  I don't think a person can really understand what it is like until you have gone through it.

We went to Concord for a few days and spent one night at Great Wolf Lodge.  I was in awe in the changes in Alyssa.  A month ago you couldn't take her into a bathroom without her screaming.  You could tell she completely trusted Dallas, the kids, and I to take care of her.  When in the big pool with her I just couldn't get over how much she has changed.  She loved watching us all go underwater so I asked her if she wanted to go under the water.  She nodded her head yes. She often does this so I wasn't sure if she knew what I was asking. I told her she would have to hold her breath and demonstrated.  I was surprised when she did the same thing. So we counted, she held her breath and under she went. When she came up she had the most priceless expression on her face.  Her eyes were huge with a big smile on her face.  I wish I could have taken a picture of this face. Every time she went under she would have this same expression when she came up. It was priceless! It amazes me that she trusts us so much after such a short time.

While we were in Concord Alyssa played putt-putt for the first time.  Of course she loved it! She got a hole in one on her very first hole. Quite impressive!  She got two more hole in ones before she was overcome with a little attitude.  Her first putt-putt game was cut short after about 9 holes.  She was content watching the rest of the game in her stroller.

Alyssa is still happy and smiling 90% of the time.  She is the happiest child I have ever met.  When it is just the two of us she is constantly talking and singing.  She has learned to throw a little fit.  If you say no or stop she tears up and starts crying. She has even thrown a tantrum or two.  Her latest is she crosses her arms and gives a little pout.  She also does it if you say no or stop to the other kids because she thinks you are talking to her.

I have enjoyed the last couple of months.  Alyssa has experienced so many firsts. It has been so fun experiencing them with her.  I am so thankful God choose us to be her parents.  We are truly blessed.

                                                   
                                         April 15, 2012- Just arrived in our hotel room

         

                                         June 15, 2012- First time playing putt-putt

                                             June 14, 2012- My Amazing Alyssa

May 26,1990- Video Made May, 2007

Twenty Two Years-May 26, 2012

This post was written on May 26.  I just got around to posting it. I will add pictures later.

I don't know why I haven't posted in awhile. I plan lots of posts in my head but just never get around to posting them.  Have to admit it is not due to time because all the littles are in bed by 8:00 and the bigs - one by 9:00.

It was 22 years ago in a church in Richmond, VA that I married my best friend.  What started out as a rainy Saturday turned into a beautiful day for a wedding.  I have probably told this story on my blog or FB before but I feel like sharing it once more.

I was a freshman in college(GO ECU) when Dallas and I first met. I was that scared shy kid that was afraid to talk to anyone.  I didn't want to go away to college but I got accepted to ECU and I was never given a choice about whether to go to college. It was expected of me, there was no alternative.  So off to ECU I went.  A couple weeks into the year I had only met a couple of people in my classes.  I had no real friends and didn't get along with my roommate.  So I worked up all the courage I could and wrote a note to a girl(Vickie Livingston) that was in one of my education classes.  I knew her sister was involved in a christian organization and I knew I was sinking and had to meet some people.  So I asked her about where her sister, Ginger, attended. Wasn't long Vickie took me to the BSU(Baptist Student Union).  Later Ginger became my roommate and when she graduated Vickie and I became roommates.

I regress, back to meeting Dallas.  I became involved in BSU thanks to Ginger and Vickie. If it weren't for them I probably would have begged my parents to let me come home.  People hung out at the BSU, had bible studies, had Wednesday night dinners, and went to other activities together.  It wasn't long until I met Dallas. He was the tall skinny nerdy grad student that was always asleep on the sofa. To be honest I wasn't even interested in him.  I had my eyes on a different guy.

My parents came down for Parents weekend in September.  My dad graduated from ECU, too, so he wanted to go to the football game.  Mom and I went down for snacks and ran into Dallas. He was there with a group from the BSU.  I introduced them and we talked for a few minutes.  After Dallas walked away my mom told me that he was a nice boy and that I should date him.  She even said he would be a nice boy to marry.  I told her he was dating someone else and it wasn't going to happen.

A month later Dallas and I started dating.  New Year's Eve my junior year Dallas proposed at Crab Louie's in Midlothian, VA.  Needless to say my mom was very pleased and loved to remind me that she picked him out for me.  Two weeks after I graduated from college we were married at Fair Havens Methodist Church in Chesterfield, VA. It was Memorial Day Weekend.

The last 22 years hold lots of memories, some of the best days of my life and some of the worse.  We have always tried to put God first in our lives and the rest just seems to fall in place.  We have been blessed beyond measure!

One Month Ago

One month ago we met Alyssa for the very first time. She walked into our hotel room on Sunday, April 15 not knowing that her life would never be the same.  She never cried but did not want to engage in play.  Her body seemed to itch so bad that she was constantly scratching and would turn her body in really strange ways.  It wasn't long before she warmed up to us.  Her itching subsided with lots of baby lotion.

Alyssa has experienced more in the last month than she had in the 2 1/2 years prior.  She had to say goodbye to the only life she ever knew, to all the people that took care of her.  She had to learn to trust these strangers that had been thrust upon her.  She flew on her first airplane, she ate many new foods, she met lots of people, and she landed in a country so different than hers.  So many other changes have happened in her life.  Through it all she has proved to be one amazing little girl.  She seems to love her new home, new surroundings and new family. She is like a sponge and soaking up everything around her.

Things Alyssa loves:
Noodles
Hugs
Tickles
Singing
Throwing the ball
Playing in the yard
The stroller
Her siblings
Her parents
Eating
Clapping her hands
Waving bye bye

Things that Alyssa is not fond of:
Lettuce
Doctors
Giving blood

Things Alyssa is learning to like:
Baths

Words Alyssa can say:
Hug
Uh Oh
Dack(Zack)
Ulia(Julia)
No
Hey
Bye
Peek a woo(Peek a boo)
Hello

I am still in awe of how wonderful Alyssa has adjusted to her new life and our family.  She is a happy little girl who loves life.  She rarely ever cries.  Since we met her she has only cried a handful of times.  She is usually happy and smiling until I pull out a camera.

Last night we had our first post placement visit.  China now requires 6 post placement visits, the first being a month after you get your child.  Our social worker was very impressed with Ms. Alyssa.  She couldn't believe that she was doing so well and fitting into our family so well.  I would like to think it had something to do with our parenting skills but I know better.  We give all the glory to God.  We are truly blessed.

The Honest Post

Please don't hate me but I am going to be honest. I know this is not the norm in adoption but it is 100% true.

Alyssa is doing great! Really great! She only cries if you take her in a bathroom or a doctor's office. There is no doubt that she is bonding and attaching to us. We are prepared if things change but for now she is doing exceptionally well. This has been our easiest adoption yet. Maybe God is trying to tell us something.

Today was Alyssa's first doctor's appointment. It went pretty much as we anticipated. She is 25 lbs and 34 inches long. Alyssa cried as soon as she realized where we were. She cried when anyone touched her. She cried when she gave blood. Lots of blood work and stool samples. Oh what fun! We go back in a month to see what shots she needs and to make sure she is progressing. So who reading my blog goes to Jeffers, Mann, and Artman? I know someone adopting from China does because Dr. Artman mentioned that you mentioned us. Please fess up, we would love to meet you!

Leaving Hong Kong, Arriving Home

On Friday, April 27, we left Hong Kong at 11:10. Almost twenty-two hours later we arrived at RDU.

Alyssa did awesome on the flight. She did not cry at all and slept quite a bit. The flight home was far more enjoyable than the flight there.

Upon landing in Chicago we got through customs fairly quickly. We did get the nice lady that was far too slow. It took way too long to process Alyssa's adoption paperwork thus we missed our flight home or so we were told. Turns out the United guy was wrong, if we had rushed we could have made our flight. Tickets had already been changed, so wait we did.

Maribeth, Nicholas, Zachary, and my friend, Teresa, met us at the airport. Half rode home with Teresa and half rode with Dallas.  Teresa's van went through drive thru at Smithfield's to get me a Diet Coke.  It was much appreciated!

When arriving home we enjoyed a delicious cake that Maribeth bought. We talked and laughed and Alyssa got to know the boys. Nicholas was able to break the ice with the balloons Teresa had bought. Alyssa loved them! She still is not so sure about Kristopher.

Two days home and all is well. We are all trying to adjust and get back on our routine.

Welcome to Hong Kong

We are settled into our hotel in Hong Kong, Marriott Sky City. Great hotel for the money. We used Marriott reward points. We are close to the airport so the excitement is building.

I highly recommend taking a van service from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. It took about 3 hours because of traffic but it was a nice relaxing ride. We didn't even have to get out of the van going through customs exiting China and entering Hong Kong.

The city was beautiful when we arrived. I wish I could have taken photos. One day we are going to arrive in Hong Kong in the daylight. At first I thought we had arrived in London. They drive on the wrong side of the road and there are lots of double decker buses.

Tomorrow we get up early so we can eat breakfast before departing for the airport. It was included with the room and I have heard it is excellent.

Next Post...North Carolina. It has been fun living in the future but tomorrow the time machine(airplane) will take us back in time 12 hours. We can't wait!

Leaving China and Entering Hong Kong

We are in a van, soon to cross the border into Hong Kong. It is bittersweet that we are another step closer to home. More on this later. First I will tell you about our day.

We had to check out by 2:00 but we could not leave until 5:00. By 11:00 we were packed and ready to go. We had the porter retrieve our luggage and store it until time to go.

We caught a taxi to Ikea. It was very similar to our Ikea just more compact. We ran into an American couple there and had a nice chat. They said you can lay on the beds there and take a nap if you want. We saw many people doing just that. People were sitting in the rooms hanging out and even using a display desk to work. Very different from the Ikea in the U.S.

For lunch we ordered 2 Meatball platters. Tasted very similar to home. Afterwards we went and got ice cream cones. They were .15 cents a piece. Let me tell you Alyssa loves her ice cream. She ate the whole thing and finished before Grace.

Across the street we saw a huge shopping mall so off we went. It was 3 stories high. Prices on things weren't bargains but I did find a few things.

About 3:00 we decided it was time to head back to the hotel. We are crossing the street and someone comes up behind us and says "Hi Julia and Grace." It was Elvin, our guide. We were near the U.S, Consulate, he was going to pick up the visas for our new children.

We believe God was looking out for us. We were a little concerned about catching a taxi in front of the consulate. It is a very busy place and Dallas is a bit passive. When Elvin heard we were headed to the hotel he immediately hailed us a taxi.

About 20 minutes later we arrived back at the hotel. We walked to 7 Eleven to get drinks and waited for Elvin.

Elvin arrived around 4:30 with Alyssa's visa. We went over everything and had to say our goodbyes. Elvin has been the most wonderful guide we have ever had. He has gone beyond the call of duty. Our time with him was very special. Of course I teared up when we said goodbye.

At this moment we are waiting in line to cross the border. What a journey it has been! It may sound like we have been on vacation but we are physically and emotionally drained. The last 2 weeks have been hard but so worth it.

I am in awe that God choose us to be Alyssa's family. Our girl's file was one that scared many people. This girl is amazing. She talks and sings constantly. She is happy 90% of the time. She loves life and is a joy to be around. We don't know what the future has in store for Alyssa but we will be with her every step of the way. I already feel that strong love for her that only a mother can feel for a child.

My only concern is that Alyssa has yet to grieve. An adopted child typically grieves all they have lost whether good or bad. We want her to grief so she can have a happy, healthy future.

Goodbye, China! Thank you for giving me two precious gifts! I am eternally grateful!

Wednesday- Last Post From China

Of course the day started with breakfast. I think after 5 days we may be getting tired of this feast. Grace asked last night if we could just have pop tarts today(Thursday).

Wednesday morning we had to meet Elvin at 7:55. Early wake up for everyone so we would have time for breakfast before leaving. When Elvin arrived we took some photos with the other families. Such fond memories of our time together!

We loaded the bus and headed to the United States Consulate. After 2 security checks we arrived in the adoption room. There were the 3 families from our adoption agency and 1 other family. An official gave a little speech and the each family was called up individually to present the remaining paperwork. It was a bit emotional, our last step before bringing Alyssa home. The U.S. now recognizes her as our daughter.

After we completed our appointment Elvin took us to Pedestrian Street. It was the same area we had went shopping with Ann but different stores.

Elvin took us to some great stores. One of them was a cd and DVD store. You could get Disney movies for $4. We got Alyssa some Pleasant Goat cartoons and a chinese lullaby CD. Julia got a Justin Bieber CD and Grace got a Barbie movie.

It was time for a snack. Elvin said the BBQ squid was delicious. Everyone tried some except Dallas. It really did have a good flavor. In our family Julia and Alyssa liked it the most.

Instead of taking the bus back to the hotel we decided to explore China on our own. We were walking distance from the island so we wanted to go there one last time. There are so many stores it was fun looking around on our own.

When we were walking to the island there was a street vendor making bikes out of wire. It was incredible watching him. We wanted to buy 3 of the bikes but the police came and chased him away. We were only able to buy one.

On the island, we were able to finish buying gifts and get a stroller for our trip home. There were tons of photographers on the island today. The models had trunks of clothes and would change often.

Dallas and Zachary left us sitting on a bench while they went to pick up some of our purchases. Julia, Grace, Alyssa, and I once again became celebrities. One young man asked if he cold have his photo taken with us. I said yes and the next thing you knew we were surrounded. We must have had 30 photos taken. I think the young man apologized to us. His talking to us was all charades because he didn't speak English.

After finally arriving back at the hotel around 4 we were exhausted. We all took showers and put on our pjs. Dinner was the usual peanut sandwich or noodles.

Have I mentioned how hot it is in Guangzhou? Not as bad as it was when we travelled in August but pretty close. At one point during the day Elvin handed me a tissue because the sweat was pouring down my face.