Christmas tree and a pretty pink sweater

Our Christmas tree is up, and Emma loves it- one of her favorite places in the house is at its base, on a little sheepskin rug.. So cute to hear her pronounciation of ‘Christmas tree’.. and ‘snowman’.. or hide something and ask ‘where did it go?’ Emma’s vocabulary is steadily expanding; she moved beyond the paroting stage about two weeks ago, and now communicates using English. We were driving past the Seattle Center yesterday, and uncued, she pointed and said “space needle”. I had told her that only once, the day before. She confuses ‘outside’ and ‘raining’though- who can blame her, given the November we had?? She still loves to hear someone talk in Chinese to her.

Mom knit Emma the most adorable pink puff-ball sweater- inspired, I took a bunch of pics and attached. This girl has a way-better wardrobe than I do (thanks to a number of you!) Check out the spotted doggie scarf that Pam brought too..

Life is pretty dang fun these days- Every morning we go somewhere- the Children’s Museum, Zoo, Science Center, a park, etc. If we don’t get going fast enough, Emma pulls me to the door… I try to get her with a bunch of kids every day, she thrives on it. Winterfest is going on at the Seattle Center, so we often eat lunch (Thai for both of us), listening to live music. Emma loves being outside, and sometimes just wants to push her stroller out on the back deck. When feeling secure, she is a real extrovert, working hard to pull others in, spontaneously blowing kisses, and making friends. Ok, I’m running on again…

Snow and visitors

It's been ages since I’ve posted- technology difficulties... I’ll split the update into two posts.. it seems like so much has happened.

On Thanksgiving morning, Alan and I took Emma up to the pass to play in the snow. Emma was reluctant to get out of the car, and I carried her for quite a time… Long story short, she learned to loved it. Then she howled when it was time to get _back_ into the car, so we stayed out longer, and I got her sliding a bit... we have a snow girl for sure. Thanksgiving dinner was at Michelle’s, wonderful food, and Owen and Emma kept everyone entertained with their antics.

The Lathrops came for a visit- it was so great to see everyone, hear about all their latest activities, and Emma thoroughly enjoyed herself.

We had our first bad experience, an (aborted) blood draw for routine tests... For more than a week afterwards, Emma was very anxious around strangers, and reluctant to go out (the latter quite unlike her). During this time, two things happened- 1) Aunt Pam came for a visit, and 2) we had record-breaking cold, and it snowed in Seattle. So we nested for a week- Emma took immediately to Pam, the first time I’ve seen my girl be really comfortable with someone else… it likely was reassuring that we look/sound so much alike.

Any more ideas on how to get a toddler to let their teeth be brushed? I've tried everything so far, still no success..

Smiles and more smiles

Some of you have said they are glad to finally see some smiles from Emma- she laughs a lot! Except when the camera is out. So I was determined to get a few good ones today- we went to the Children's Museum, and then met Dmitry for lunch, then back to the museum again. Dmitry took a very nice one of us.. except for the typical look on Emma's face due to the camera...

A few folks have asked how I'm doing with the change in lifestyle- I'm completely happy, as close to "living in the moment" as I'll likely ever be- no worries, just planning out a day ahead, and enjoying every minute. Not working is such a nice change... I'm really enjoying the break. I don't know if it has come out in this blog, but I have completely fallen in love this little girl, such a sweet, smart, funny, adventurous soul; I am sure I received the most perfect girl, for me, in all of China. And Emma has fallen in love with me too..

Lastly... the sleep saga update: For her nap, the next day, as I was carrying her down the hall to my bed, I said- it's time to go to bed.. she immediately started snoring (have I mentioned how much English she already understands/parrots?) Before her head even hit the bed, she was laughing and wriggling off... So I put her in her crib (first time using it). She didn't object, and talked for awhile to her menagerie of much-loved stuffed animals, before dropping off. She slept in her own bed in foster care, so this isn't new for her. So, we are using her crib, at least for now. Co-sleeping was about bonding, and the bond is pretty tight at this point.

She's starting to behave like a 2yo! Yeah!!

Last night, I was so proud of Emma- she sleeps with me, and I've always stayed with her til she's fallen asleep. She couldn't fall asleep, but lay contentedly on her side, talking to her (new favorite) large teddy bear. Mixed in with some fake snoring (I kid you not). So eventually I quietly got up and left the room.. she talked to herself for awhile and then fell asleep. A major achievement in her sense of security. AND she slept thru the night, first time here :-)

Tonight she again couldn't settle after the usual bedtime routine. So I again left the room after some time. This time she popped off the bed, and out the bedroom door, laughing (first time she's gotten off the bed by herself). I picked her up dispassionately, put her back in bed, with the words- it's time to go to bed, Mama loves you. Rinse and repeat, 58 times over the course of 1.5 hours (who needs a weight set, and yes, this engineer kept a log book). She never got the least bit upset, clearly just testing, trying new delay tactics, singing, laughing, etc. And then fell asleep. So, it feels like she is a reasonably adjusted 2yo, after only a few weeks.. I never thought she'd be so far along, so soon. (I know, I'm curious about what tomorrow night brings too)

Pics are from this morning's outing- we met up with bubbleman at Greenlake (www.bubbleman.com) and Emma enjoyed the show.

More settling in, and my girl's personality

We're settling in- jet lag for both of us. And Emma wakes up needing to be carried around the house, to reassure her again of her surroundings. We've had an extra meal, most nights, in the wee hours of the morning. But all this will pass soon...

In the few days since we've been home we've been to REI, the zoo (twice), a playground, Trader Joe’s, and of course Starbucks- Emma loves to pick someone out and engage them. Also we've had lots of visitors, which Emma loves.

Some neat things about my girl-

She likes pretty dang spicy food- The Hubei girls are known as the "spicy girls" for their local food tastes. When I dished myself out some curry she let me know she wanted some too (as she wants to try most anything I eat, at least once). I gave her a tiny piece of the curry tuna (a solid 2-3 stars on the Seattle scale).. she focused a bit and made these cute little sucking sounds, to cool her mouth, not reaching for the rice... and then insisted on having more.

She loves being out in the elements- the weather here is awful right now, cold and rainy. While at the zoo it started to rain, as we were heading out. Emma insisted on no hat, loved the cold breeze, and cried when we got to the car and she needed to get in her carseat.

She loves music, and usually wants some Chinese kids music I bought to be playing. She loves me to pick her up and dance with her. She spontaneously starts singing “Mama Ai Ni”, a song I made up in China, and sing often to her. Now I’ve added the English verse “Mama loves you”.

She loves going out. Putting on a heavier coat, she started fussing… when I said “Watchi”, ie “going out”, she immediately stopped.

She's starting to try some fake fussing, to test me. Most times we catch each other out of the corner of our eyes.. and both start laughing instead.

Pics are misc from the past few days. If you click on them you get a larger image.

Amy, flight home, and settling in

Backtracking a bit... on our last day in Guangzhou, we met with my cousin Amy, her husband Paul, and their new daughter Alice. Although we didn't know it until a few months ago, Amy and I coincidently turned our in paperwork to China at the same time. We played at the White Swan toyroom, and then went to a buffet. Alice is a total cutie pie, with super-fine hair that goes straight up. Emma picked this afternoon to start behaving like a typical toddler, not wanting to sit at the table, preferring to explore, so not as relaxed as expected... but so wonderful all the same. Amy's mom had knitted both girls gorgeous sweaters, which fit perfectly- you can see them in the picture.


The flight home- first to Tokyo, then immediately back on another plane to Seattle- Emma did great- She even slept for about 4-5 hours on the second leg. The girl loves remote controls.. The Schantz/Madeleine family had wrapped little presents for Emma, 1 per hour, for the trip home- we went thru about 2/3 of them, just a great idea.



So wonderful to finally be home... Alan and Casandra met us at the airport, and had decorated the living room with a banner and streamers. Emma immediately latched onto the doll stroller, and made the loop round the house about 30 times. We all went for a walk with Emma. Emma is totally happy, not upset at all with this latest change in environment... so resilient.

Lots of visitors on Friday- Margaret/John and family, Jennifer. Alan brought Keith and Casandra over and we had a real sit-down dinner, with Emma presiding at the head of the table. Life is very very good these days.

I'll continue to post pictures, from time to time- thanks all for all your support and love, it has meant the world to me...

Farewell dinner and stairs

Yesterday was another good day. We met Christie, an email friend, over a (too-quick) breakfast, just before she got her little girl Abbey. Then off to the consulate for paperwork. There was a great park across the street, so we walked around there. Emma will go up and down stairs forever… bodes well for my mountain girl.

We took a cab back- no seatbelts, crazy driving, both typical here… better not to look. Emma and I did a little shopping- she loves this as the shopkeepers talk with her. She fell asleep in her wrap, so she slept and I dozed, on a park bench next to the water, with Chinese elders visiting on other benches around us.

Our farewell dinner was last night- So amazing to look around and see so many folks we’ve gotten to know- so many challenges overcome, and we felt a real sense of accomplishment. Emma was too dang cute, walking around in her finery (don’t miss the shoes, in the water shot).






Today we’ll meet Amy, my cousin coincidently adopting at the same time- her new daughter Alice, and Emma, will meet for the first time on Chinese soil. Then to the consulate for more paperwork and taking an oath. We’re going to go to that lovely outside grill for dinner, and to celebrate. We have to be up early for our 8:30am flight home… Once we land at SeaTac Thursday morning, Emma becomes an American citizen. Guangzhou is a great place to vacation, but it’s time to get home and settle in.

Med Exam and New Shoes

This morning we walked over to the medical exam- way too many kids in a small area, you can imagine the effect on the kids. They were very gentle and kind during the examination, but the waiting room scene was a bit much for her. I took breaks and got her outside, between the 3 stations we had to go thru.

On the way back, we stopped at a little store, bought drinks, and had our first sidewalk cafe break. Emma flirted with the man on the next bench. This girl is certainly not the introvert the paperwork claimed...

Later Michelle joined us for coffee (at "Seattle Espresso Coffee") and more shopping. We went into our favorite store to try out a stroller (they loan for free). Emma climbed right in, and together we looked at shoes. We've gotten to know an adorable girl, Vicky, that works there- she came over and started talking with Emma, still in the stroller. She laughed, and said Emma asked her to please take her hand off HER stroller. Then we started looking at shoes- Emma had clear preferences, and told Vicki she thought they looked very fine. We bought a pair of leather shoes, and slippers with lady-bug heads on the front. Emma insisted on wearing the slippers first, and off we went in the stroller. The cutest thing- she just wanted to go, and see.. sitting straight up at attention, not resting on the backrest. Every so often she would touch her feet to admire her new finery.





Every day is like Christmas for Emma, new toys and new experiences, and it is a bit hard for her to settle at night- tonight she was very insistent she wanted to go back out, and down the elevator, to see more. (The mandarin for "go out" sounds like Watchi.. not sure of the pinyin spelling... we hear this often.. she's brought me her shoes for more subtle request). She wanted to get in the stroller, and to settle her, I pushed her in a circle in the hallway.... every so often she'd touch her slippered toes and just giggle. Eventually she fell asleep with her cougar tucked in tight... the first time her gogo (doggie) didn't have honored position. Last night she slept thru the entire night, and this evening she got her first real bath (and learned to love it). Ok, I'm running on... we're just enjoying the heck out of this little dynamo right now.

Mama and Emma go shopping

Breakfast was a kick- A huge elegant buffet, indows down one side, maybe 30% or more of the people there are adoption families- just full of families with new babies. Talk about a tolerant wait staff... mealtime is a bit messy for us, with Emma wanting

Emma and I got on our group's tour bus, for our first shopping extravaganza- 10 minutes away, a huge mall filled with gemstones, some baby clothes, also I hear it is a good place to get DVDs ($1 but counterfeit) and the all-important extra suitcase for the trip home. I got her a string of pearls for sometime later (don't spill the beans), and some cute clothes- everything very reasonable. Emma loved being out... til she konked out in the wrap, so she slept thru the clothing shopping. We caught a cab back with another family.

Just outside our hotel is shopping as well- lots of cute stuff. The picture of the 3 of us is from there. I'm wanting to see something cultural as well, will try to figure that out. Talked with Amy, and we'll get together in a few days. Attached are pictures outside our hotel window, and a few of Miss Emma. It is still hard to get a good one of her, as she freezes up when she sees a camera.

Tomorrow morning is the medical exam, then the rest of the day is free. We'll explore a bit more of the island here.