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.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Guangzhou is a really nice town. There are so many little shops with adorable dresses and traditional Chinese clothes. We bought Lindsey some dresses and a little outfit, and the first one we put on her was too small!! We also bought her the squeaky shoes, they squeak when she walks, so loves that!!! She does a little squeaky dance!

My squeaky shoes

If you look closely, you can see my Buddha belly!

I like to share

I really don't like having my hair done, but just this time I'll let you

I'm a happy girl!

We walked around town a yesterday afternoon, and then again this morning. We had American style food last night. A steak! Yummy! Lindsey likes her noodles, rice, and eggs though.

Last night, daddy was watching Lindsey and in minutes, this was the scene! Chocolate? Bad daddy! All children love chocolate don't they? They love wearing chocolate too.

But Daddy and I were having fun mommy......

Tomorrow we will get our visa and then Friday morning we'll be on a plane to Beijing then off to Chicago to HOME!!! Yeah, we can't wait to get home and have Lindsey meet everyone!!

We're in Guangzhou

The view from our room in Guangzhou

We made it to Guangzhou last night. We got to our hotel room at the White Swan at about 11:00 and Lindsey took the trip on like a champ. She's pretty tired today though.

"My favorite activity"

This morning we had breakfast and then headed to her medical exam. Everything is just about in order. We just filled out all the paperwork for the US consulate.

"I'm ready for my medical appointment"

"This isn't so bad, but you better watch it Mr."

"OK, now you've gone too far"

Guangzhou is a very nice city. It's warm here. It's about 80 degrees. The streets are much more quiet here. The White Swan is the hotel where many adoptive families stay while they are finishing up paperwork. At breakfast there were so many children, we felt like we were at a hotel in Disneyland. We could almost cry to know we are at this point in our journey after reading so many other peoples stories.

The moment Daddy's been waiting for all his life.

Our last day in Hefei

Mommy and me!

Today was our last day in Hefei. Lindsey woke up late this morning because she didn't take her nap yesterday. We had a leisurely morning. After breakfast we went for a walk in the park. We went on a boat too.

My family

Nappy time

Lindsey is so smart. She loves her doll and kisses her and takes good care of her. She figured out how to turn the lights on and off in the hotel room. That's something she really enjoys. She also enjoys taking her bath.

Today we are waiting for her passport, and then will fly down to Guangzhou in the evening. We will be arriving there at 10:00 pm. That's way past our bedtime. We've been going to bed at about 7:30-8:00 and then waking up about 2:00 am. Hopefully we'll be able to sleep on the plane.

See you tomorrow.

Sunday in Hefei

The scene from our window in the hotel

"I challenge you to this kind of restraint Rose Mary."

Today we went for a ride to where the three rivers come together. On the way to our destination, we went through a large agricultural area to an ancient city. On our way back to the hotel we visited a little village. There was a big pig there, that tried to jump out of his pen.

Lindsey fell asleep on the way there, and likewise wasn't very tired for her afternoon nap. We tried to put her down for a nap, and she laid in her crib talking in Chinese and practiced saying bye bye.

She's a hard worker. She can take her socks on and off, and she can put her pants on. She even wants to change her own diaper. She very determined. She's been working on walking too. She's taken some independent steps. She likes to hold your hand for added support. Her laugh is contagious, she laughs a lot at Daddy. He's funny.

Tomorrow we will go to the park in the morning, and then we will be heading down to Guangzhou in the evening. Lindsey's passport should be ready by the end of the work day tomorrow. We can't wait to go to Guangzhou. We will be able to meet up with all the other adoptive parents. Here are some photos as promised!

Yogurt is yummy!!

"Hi!!"

Breaking News......Daddy just successfully changed Lindsey's diaper for the first time....I repeat, Daddy just changed Lindsey's diaper.......