Sisters...and God's Faithfulness

It couldn't have gone better...I met Paul and Karis at the airport (I couldn't believe how nervous I was) and after Karis hadn't slept for 30 some hours she giggled when she saw me. She melted my heart. It was 10pm when we got home, so I gave her the bottle and she fell asleep in my arms...yeah, I was hooked. She slept through the night (except one dirty diaper), we couldn't believe it! The next morning Paul got Elli out of bed and she was absolutely ecstatic that Daddy was home! After they played for a while we asked if she wanted to meet Karis? She came into her room and watched her sleep then we woke her up. We sat the two beside each other and Elli told Karis all she knew like all of Karis' body parts and Karis thought this girl was amazing. We also noticed they both like sucking on their left thumbs:) Karis was a sweetie all day, laughing and cooing. It couldn't have been a better first day.
Then night came...Karis didn't get the memo that her new world is on a different time zone. At 11pm she woke up and laughed and smiled at Grandma until 4 or 6 am. Then it was time to sleep. Well, we got her up and she wasn't too excited about that and tried to keep her awake a lot of the day and she didn't like that either. By evening there was no way we could keep her awake and put her down at 7:30pm. But 10 pm was her party time and she thought it was so fun to see Grandma again. Paul was on major jet lag and I am still in first trimester ickyness, and night time is the worse for nausea. So poor Grandma. Finally at 3 am, Paul took Karis and went for a walk and tried it all. She went to sleep close to 6am again. Elli had woken up, too, at 3, so Grandma ended up with Elli, and everyone was so nice to me, but I couldn't sleep through the commotion, so I woke up this morning pretty sick. Needless to say, our household was a mess. I had to be out the door at 8:30 for a doc appt. with Karis. I laid on my bed this morning crying out to God..."We can't do today...I can't do today...I NEED you!!!" After a while, I started feeling better, it even felt good to get out of the house and see the pediatrician. She was so helpful and got Karis signed up for Early Childhood Intervention because Karis is pretty delayed and helped out with other things, too. Karis, of course, was a total trooper and still cooed and smiled for everyone, though she had a few hours of sleep. I felt so encouraged and knew that at my worst hour God had provision.

Red Couch Pics

It's tradition that every Chinese adoptive family has to get a "red couch" picture at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou. I think Paul did an awesome job picking out Karis' Chinese outfit...even a bow! The last pic is of Karis and her Chinese sister, Maddie, who shared their first 9 months together at the Laibin City Orphanage.

Karis Cuteness!!

Here are the latest and greatest of Karis!! Today was their big embassy appointment and it sounds like it went well...she will be coming home soon! Each morning we get on the computer and all sit on the couch and get so excited for the pics of the Paul's day. As soon as we sit down Elli excitedly says, "Karis Paul Papa on puter!" I cannot wait to see them each morning in person:)

In Guangzhou

They arrived in Guangzhou, the last stop before home. They will be working with the embassy to finalize paperwork to bring her into the US. Paul said they are staying on a beautiful island and the hotel is amazing. Karis has a pretty nasty cold as some of the other babies do, too. But Paul said Karis' personality reminds him of Elli's. She constantly laughs and smiles and is a little comedian. By looking at the pictures, she's pretty attached to her grandpa.

Meanwhile in Texas....

Elli is having a blast with Grandma!! Sprinklers and making "chocolate cake" were highlights today.

Visiting Karis' Orphanage

Paul, his dad and Karis with Maddie's family (her playmate in the orphanage) had the opportunity to visit the girls' orphanage (3 hours away from where they are staying). What I have heard is that the nannies really loved them and the movies Paul sent of Karis and her nanny...she won't take her eyes off of her nanny. What a blessing that Karis has been in such a loving environment. The last pic is of the rail station where Karis was left on one of the chairs the day she was born. What a redeeming pic...Karis with Daddy and Grandpa at that rail station!

Favorite First Pic

This is the first pic when Karis was handed over to Paul and Paul's face is priceless...you are so loved, Karis

Pictures of Sweet Karis

Paul sent some pics of Karis...I cannot get them downloaded bigger. Paul said she is such a sweetie. She slept all night the first night and they had to wake her up at 7:30 to sign paperwork. Paul said she is so content...what an answer to prayer

She's in Good Hands!

Paul and Grandpa Houge are holding baby Karis!! Paul wasn't able to get pics sent to me YET, but he said she is so sweet, she didn't cry at all when handed over to him and just loves to interact and wants to play with him. What an answer to prayer!! I cannot believe I am not a part of this day, but it's for good reason. Now, I just cannot wait for them to come home and so motivated to feel better soon! This is silly, but 2 other families were able to blog and you can catch glimpses of Paul, Karis and Grandpa in the background:

fisherpriceless.blogspot.com

bigskybabywatch.blogspot.com

Matched with #4!!

A couple of days after we got matched with Karis, we found out we got matched with #4! This one will share our DNA...in other words, Elli, Dawson and Karis are going to big siblings already because we are pregnant! We are extremely surprised, yet excited, and maybe a bit overwhelmed. When God blesses, He pours it out! Don't worry, we have had 2 ultrasounds already and there is only one, whew!

Growing a baby is making me extremely nauseous, so traveling to China and India is not an option for me. Paul and his dad left for China last Wednesday while my mom, Elli and I are holding down the fort (actually my mom is taking care of Elli and I...moms are awesome).

Gotcha Day is "tomorrow", which is in a couple of hours for Nanning, China!! Paul and Grandpa will be holding Karis SOON! I will post any pics I get! Please pray that God will prepare Karis' heart for this huge transition.

Elli's plans

Today Elli said "play baby Karis: babies, books, tea parties & shoes". So that's Elli's plan...Baby Karis will be influenced in all girl play:)

Introducing Karis Jia Houge!

I get teary-eyed as I look at these pics...I cannot believe this little girl is our daughter. February 3 (the first day of the Chinese New Year) we got matched and we received new pics today! We also got clearance for Dawson today, too! We will travel to China before India, though.