We hope April Showers will bring May flowers!

April has been a month of growth, mostly verbal growth. Lindsey is also able to stand up from the floor on her own to, climb stairs with little help and she can do most things on her own, including helping mommy clean, take on and off her socks and shoes, pretend to cook meals..etc.

We've been having a great time learning about things. Easter was fun, and we had the pleasure of seeing how Lindsey responds to large quantities of sugar!! We also played more at the playgrounds. (when the weather was good) We have a bit of cabin fever over the past few days, but the sun is going to shine this weekend!

Lindsey is saying all kinds of words now, and she loves to imitate mommy and daddy. Monkey see monkey do.... It's so funny. Whenever she gets a speck of dirt on her she exclaims "OH NO!". I guess she's learning too much from mommy. Now we need to teach her how to get out in the dirt and play. She did like the sand box at the park though, and the slide.

Lindsey and Maddie are also becoming good friends. They have a good relationship, Lindsey feeds Maddie the savory treats she's not interested in, and Maddie gladly accepts them.

It's hard to believe we've been back from China for over two months, and it's also hard to believe how much a person can grow and develop in two months. This has been such a wonderful experience, and we think Lindsey is enjoying the experience too!

Lindsey turns 2!! Happy Birthday!!!

Lindsey celebrated her second birthday last weekend. She had a party on Saturday with her friends and another party on Sunday at Auntie Cheryl's house. Lindsey received so many wonderful presents. She enjoyed both days and was in a very good mood each day.

Lindsey is learning so much these days. She recognizes so many words, and understands what we tell her. She's learning about animals, the kitchen and all kinds of things. She continues to be a sweetie. She visited the doctors a lot over the past month. She's walking quite nicely now, and she needs to work on bending down so she can develop the muscles in her legs more. She loves being held and she loves being hugged. She takes her babies for a stroll down the road. She takes excellent care of her baby dolls.

She's opening up verbally too, although mainly in the comfort of her own home. She doesn't talk too much when she isn't with mommy and daddy, but she's starting. She tells us if she dropped something, she knows how to say tissue, and she knows how to throw things in the garbage. We've been having some very wonderful days.

She also is showing some traits of a two year old, and she wants to be independent, so if you do something for her and she wanted to do it, she will tell you for sure!

Is it March 13th already???

Lindsey hanging out at home

Lindsey playing with her friend Katie

My goodness how quickly time passes. We've been doing very well. We're getting into the swing of things and have a routine together. Lindsey continues to be adjusting nicely. She's walking more and more, and can switch directions etc. She had her first swim lesson yesterday and she really likes the water.

She starting to talk more too. She can say hello, hi, ot oh, bye bye, all done, bath, mama, dada, rosey, no, yep, baba, up, out, go, bubbles, I love you, shoe, and she is adding more words each day. She's also very animated, and she can point to her nose, ears, eyes, mouth, teeth, and can stick out her tongue and show you her tummy. It's amazing how much a little person can learn so quickly. She's also starting to like books more. She will look at the pictures and she starts to mimic them. For instance if she sees a picture of a little girl clapping she'll clap. Or if she sees a kitty she will meow.

Her routine is getting better too. When we first came home, she would cry when it was bedtime, now we tell her "good night living room"..."good night stairway"..."good night maxy" etc and she knows it's time for bed.

We went back to the doctors last week and she had an ear infection in her other ear, so she's still taking antibotics. The antiboltics are irrating to her stomach, but she's a toughy with a smile that will melt you.

A Very Nice Weekend!!

Lindsey in the sweater grandma made!!

We had a busy weekend. Saturday was a beautiful day. Our friend Shirlon invited us over in the afternoon for a get together for Lindsey. In the morning we went for walk around our neighborhood, and Lindsey fell asleep in the stroller. Chris's brother Paul and Norbert came over for lunch and came to Shirlon's with us.

Shirlon had a wonderful party for Lindsey. Audra and Shirlon made a delicious cake, and some wonderful dishes and they gave Lindsey presents. Bernard, Jonathan, Jim, Denny, Annette, Leigh, Christine, Sharon and Lynne and Gigi were there and they all made some wonderful food and brought Lindsey presents. Lindsey loved opening the presents and she was very grateful too!!! She got a toy chest too!!!! She needed that! Shirlon's husband Jimmy tried to break the ice with Lindsey, and even gave up his remote control to her, but she wouldn't budge. It was a wonderful day! We can't believe how generous everyone is! Thank you everyone!

Lindsey and Audra

Lindsey, Daddy, Gigi and Bernard

On Sunday Tracy, Bob, Matthew and Nickolas came over for a visit after church. We played with all the toys and the dogs and had a nice lunch. Nick and Lindsey are so much a like, and they are close in age. At first they were both a little leery of each other, but were pals by the end of the day.

Lindsey, Matthew and Nick playing

Lindsey and Nickolas

Yesterday at home, today on the road

Yesterday Lindsey and Mommy spent the day at home. The weather was wonderful, and we went for a stroll around the neighborhood in the morning. After lunch, Lindsey had chocolate pudding, which she loved!!! When daddy came home we went to the Japanese restaurant for dinner. Lindsey loves miso soup!

Today we signed up for swim class at the YMCA. Lindsey will have her first class on Monday. She loves water and taking baths, so she will most likely like swimming. We picked up Gigi (Kelly) and went out to lunch and then up to Litchfield for Kim's mother's memorial. We stopped into grampa's house for a while and Lindsey still didn't warm up to grampa, even after he gave her an ice cream, but she did like his harmonica.

Tomorrow should be low key. A big storm is coming and we don't have plans. On Saturday we're going to Shirlon's house so Lindsey can spend some time with Audra and our friends, and then on Sunday Tracy and Nickolas are coming over.

We went shopping today

Yesterday afternoon, we went outside to play in the snow, but Lindsey was very skeptical of the snow. Mommy jumped around and flopped into the snow and Lindsey watched. Mommy threw a little snow to Lindsey and she started to cry. Mommy never really cared for the snow much either, so we packed it in, and came back inside away from the cold.

Today we went to Baby's r us, to get a diaper genie, then to Target and grocery shopping. Mommy couldn't figure out how to close the stroller, so we were lucky it fit in the back of the car. Lindsey liked going shopping and she helps mommy put the groceries on the conveyor. In the evening, we had our friends Tim and Paula over with Sarah, Mitchell and Katie. Lindsey and Mitchell like each other. She had a hearty appetite again today. So far, she'll eat almost anything we put in front of her.

My friend Carly Came Over Today

Today Kim's childhood friend Dee and her daughter Carly came over. Dee brought Lindsey four chocolate kisses, which was a good ice breaker! Lindsey wouldn't let Dee hold her yet, but she did give her a hug. Lindsey had a lot of fun with Carly. Lindsey and Carly played on the four wheeler, and had peanut butter, fluff and jelly for lunch. Daddy went back to work today, and came home for lunch too.

This week we are having Tim, Paula, Mitchell, Sarah and Katie over on Tuesday for dinner, and then we will be having Val and AJ over on Thursday. We are going to Kid City!! AJ and Lindsey are just a month apart in age. We can't wait for Lindsey and AJ to meet!

I Can Walk On My Own

"Catch me if you can"


Lindsey on Grammy Rusin's pink chair

This weekend was full of excitement! On Saturday we went to Katie's baptism. There were so many children there, and Lindsey had a lot of fun. Mitchell and Lindsey really hit if off. Lindsey didn't even take a nap, and was going strong right until bedtime. She enjoyed all the food at the party too. She ate a whole vine of grapes, crackers, lasagne, green bean casserole, a broccoli dish. After lunch she has some superman and princess cake, and then enjoyed more grapes. We couldn't believe how much she ate. Then at home, she had spagetti and meatballs, and three dumplings.

Today we went to church and Lindsey was a good girl. After church we played with playdough, colored some pictures, and played with her toys. After dinner, we tried to read some books to Lindsey, and just like that she got up and started walking out of the room on her own. She proceeded to walk back and forth up and down the hallway until she got tired. Unbelievable!!! Just like that she became a bipod!!!

See you later....

Baby Tour 2007- Work Edition

Good Morning!

Today Lindsey woke up in a fantastic mood, watched some TV, and had eggs for breakfast. After her bath, we went to visit both the City of Middletown Water Department and the Regional Water Authority. Lindsey played ball with her friends at the Middletown Water Department, and then walked back and forth to mommy and daddy a few times.

After visiting the Middletown Water Dept, we drove down to the Regional Water Authority. Lindsey played ball with her new friends in the GIS Department, and then met many visitors. In all, she probably met around 30-40 people today! A big day. Just as she was getting tired, Patty from the cafe gave her some ice cream. That perked her up some.

The girls at the RWA

The beautiful blanket Ginny made for me!

After lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, Lindsey went down for her afternoon nap. Mommy is going to the hair salon this evening, so when Lindsey wakes up, it will be Lindsey and daddy for dinner.

Tomorrow will be a big day too. Tim and Paula are having a baptism for their baby girl. Lindsey will also meet Mitchell and Sarah for the first time. They just turned 3, so we are sure they will have a great time.

Visiting my great grandmothers

Today we visited Lindsey's Grampa Rusin and her great-grandmothers too. Grampa Rusin had his sister Auntie Gerry and Uncle Pete over along with cousin Mary Ann, and then Auntie Krissy and Shannon came over too. Katherine Kelly also came over during her lunch break. Great grandma Hurd liked Lindsey and wanted to hold her.

We ate pizza, and Lindsey received some toys. She knows how to open envelops and presents. She liked feeding her baby doll.

After grampa's we went over to great gramma Rusin's house. Lindsey liked spending time with grandma Rusin, and liked her toy's and Oreo cookies.

Tomorrow we are visiting Kim's office in the morning, and then Chris's office in the afternoon.

A nice day

Lindsey is really recovering now. She slept from about 7:50pm to 6:15 this morning. She ate some Congee daddy made her, and then took her bath and played with her toys for a while. The family then took a ride to her daycare to pick up some paperwork and then off to the grocery store. She was a good little shopper. She was in very good spirits today, just like when she was in China. She seems to be getting acquainted with her surroundings. When we came home, mommy told her "we're home" and she gave a great big smile.

Chris's friends from work stopped by during lunch and brought an ice cream cake. Lindsey enjoyed the ice cream cake and also enjoyed meeting new people.

She also has been using her automatic 4 wheeler around the house too. She loves her bubbles, sun glasses and Mr. Potato Head.

Spending time with my family

Lindsey looks a lot better, and her appetite came back, but we found our she has an ear infection. We went to her pediatrician for the first time today, so she's taking some medicine to make her better. She played in the morning, and explored the house. She's getting more comfortable around the dogs too.

Shea, Alexander, Auntie Cheryl and my favorite Kitty Sintra

Shea and Lindsey enjoying the tub

In the afternoon, Auntie Cheryl, Jenni, Shea and his friend came for a visit. Kelly stopped by too. We had lunch and played with Mr. Potato Head, and bubbles. Lindsey loves taking baths, and loves the water. She showed cousin Shea her new bathtub.

Lindsey's feeling better

We've had a tough couple of days getting back into the swing of things. Lindsey has been fighting a cold, and also jet-lag. We've all been trying to get through the jet lag, we're up in the middle of the night, and then tired during the day.

Yesterday we took a ride to Baby's -r- us to get some essentials. We bought a travel pack and play for Lindsey, and she took a nap in it in the afternoon. We played for a while, and then she couldn't keep her eyes open after 7:00 pm.

We went to Friendly's for the first time too. We met a nice family with two Chinese children during lunch. The Chinese international adoption community is so much larger than I thought. Everyone is so enthusiastic and supportive.

Today we played in the morning, and Lindsey loved her bath. She brushed her teeth and cruised around the house. She loves our kitty Sintra and Sintra loves her. It's so cute. Lindsey's not too impressed with the dogs though. Maddie's afraid of her. Then our friend Andrew might stop by, and we are planning on going to our favorite Japaneses restaurant for lunch. The man that runs the restaurant is from the Guangzhou area of China, and he's been keeping up on our journey.

Tomorrow we will be going to her new Pediatrician for the first time, and then Auntie Cheryl and Jenni are coming for lunch.

We're Home!!

We made it home!! The trip was long, long, long, and Lindsey was tired, and not feeling too well. On Friday morning we woke up at 5:30 am China time which was 6:30 pm Eastern Time and went to the airport at 8:30, then we arrived in Beijing at about 2:00pm. Lindsey was so great on that plane ride, she took a little nap and was her normal self. At the Beijing airport we had to wait in a long line for our ticket, and then we waited at the terminal for a while. We met a whole bunch of people from the US who travel to China often. We had a nice time, and they really liked Lindsey. During the first part of the 13 hour flight to the US, Lindsey couldn't get comfortable. She cried, and she was coughing, and we felt really bad for her (and for the other people on the plane). Then after a few hours she fell asleep. We arrived in Chicago at 5:00pm Central time (which would be 6:00am Saturday morning in China). So it was a long night and a long flight. We had a four hour layover in Chicago, and then we headed for home. We were so excited!

My first breakfast at home

When we got off the plane a family was waiting for us in the hall, they are friends of Chris's brother Paul and the had previously adopted two sweet girls from China. They were so nice, they came all the way from Massachusetts to greet us!

Then in the baggage area we were greeted by Grandma and Gram pa Holden, Paul and Norbert, Kelly, Krissy, Shannon, and Ryan. It was a wonderful homecoming, and Lindsey perked up a little bit when we got there. Everyone came back with us and it was like Christmas morning. Lindsey happily opened up a whole bunch of presents.

We finally got to bed at about 2:00 am, (which would be 3:00pm on Saturday afternoon in China), so needless to say, we are all very tired and not with it today.

Lindsey still has a cough and she's been very tired all day. We hope she's not up all night, because we really only had 3.5 hours of sleep last night.

Here are some pictures of the final night in China. It is customary that adoptive families take a pictures of their children on the red velvet couch at the White Swan hotel in traditional children's clothing.

Our last day in China

Today is our last full day in China. The scene outside the hotel room at night is very festive. People are really getting ready for Chinese New Year now. It's too bad we will miss all the festivities, but we are ready to get back and start life at home too. Today is drizzly too, so we are hoping that it will clear up so we can do a little more shopping before we leave.

This afternoon we go to the American Consulate and take an oath with 49 other families. This is the last formality we need to do for the adoption and then we're free to go home.

Lindsey was up with a fever last night. Poor baby. We gave her a bath, and a lots of hugs and kisses. This morning she is feeling much better. She's still a bit sluggish though. She's taking a nap now.

Tomorrow we'll wake up early, and head to the airport. It's going to be a long day. This will be the last post until we are home sweet home. We don't think Lindsey has been introduced to snow, so that will be interesting.

Thanks for following our journey and for all the wonderful comments. Soon you will all be part of the her American journey.