Happy Thanksgiving To All

We'd like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for so many things. For our Lord Jesus Christ, for our freedom to worship our Lord, for our warm home, for food to eat. We are thankful for our country and for all our American troops stationed all over the world, who on this day protect our freedoms, and who are missing their families. We appreciate all that they are doing for us.
For our wonderful family and friends, we love you all.
For my husband John, you rock my world, I love you soooo much. And...
for my daughter Renee Mei Sang, it may be the corniest thing to say... but it's true, she completes me. I am mommy today, and I absolutely love every minute of it.
What a gift, what a blessing, I am so thankful.

Pictures to follow :)

Pictures, pictures and more pictures....

Have lot's more pictures to share. I'm going to try to post again soon, probably once Renee goes to bed. I need the extra time :), there is so much in my heart and in my head that I'd like to blog about, I just need some uninterrupted computer time.
Needless to say, I'm am absolutely loving being mommy to this awesome baby. Gosh, I love her so much!!

Sorry For The Lapse!!

I'll have some roasted corn please!!!

Heading out east to pick pumpkins..."Hey dad are we there yet???"
I love playing "peek a boo"!!

I'm a "South Shore girl", loved Babylon by the water!!

I picked pumpkins with mommy and daddy, hey mommy, would you pick up my hood I can't see ;)!
Mommy just cracks me up!!!
I love watching Nick Jr., especially "The Wonder Pets"!

I turned one years old and thoroughly enjoyed my birthday cake!!:)

I can stand by myself now!!!

So sorry for the lapse of time since the last post. So much to catch up on. I've been posting alot on FaceBook, since I can take photo's quickly with my IPhone and then post them very easily, I have to say I've gotten a bit lazy. But, please excuse me, I'm also caring for a 1 year old who loves her momma's attention. Not to say that momma isn't loving every minute of it :). Hope you enjoy the above photo's, I'll try to label them with the events associated with them. This may take a couple of posts!!

Just When You Think You're On A Roll....

Well I really thought we were on a roll, Renee was just starting to get into a routine with eating and sleeping. Monday was our pediatrician visit, it was a long visit and they evaluated Renee from head to toe. We are so thankful, Renee is a very healthy little girl!!! Due to her time in the orphanage she has some slight catching up to do developmentally, but with the one on one attention she gets from John and I, she should catch up without an issue. While at the doctor's she had two blood tests and three injections. Ouch, my poor baby. Well, about 12 hours after the shots ( three o'clock in the morning) Renee woke up with a fever. Tuesday was a yucky day for Renee, she had fever on and off all day. I spoke with the doctor's office and they said it was probably the 3 injections. She wouldn't eat and hardly drank. I was sooo worried. By about 6p her fever broke and she started to play. She did sleep from about 8p to 5a, but awoke not only with fever again, but a rash.
I spoke with the doctor's office again and they said the rash may be viral to keep a close watch on her (as if I'd do anything else :)). She had a much better day today, she's almost her old self, except we're back to square one in regards to eating. She'll take bottles (but not like before), but no food (except for the occasional puff). It's frustrating, things were going so smoothly till we went to the doctor. I'm sure all will be fine and we'll get back on track again, but gosh, just when you think you're on a roll......
Enjoy the above photo, caught it with my iphone on the way home Monday.

Have Car Seat Will Travel!!!

Until we installed the car seat into my car, it sat in the living room, so Renee crawled over and seemed interested. So we let her sit in it, and as you can see she was tickled!! We have been getting lots of smiles, belly laughs and giggles. I love to see her two bottom teeth when she smiles!!
We went out today and although Renee had a little issue with her car seat, I'm sure that will pass. It has too!!

Mmmmmm Good!!

While in China, Renee really wouldn't eat anything, but would only drink formula. I'd heard from friends who had experienced this before, not to worry and to try again once we got home. Well over the last 2 days, my sweetie pie has started eating oatmeal, rice cereal, and some baby foods like applesauce, banannas and green beans. She gets excited when she sees the bowls with her food and you can tell by her smile that she is enjoying it. It warms my heart after her "projectile spitting" of anything we placed in her mouth 2 weeks ago. Also, as of yesterday, she loves the "puffs" and will keep eating them as long as we provide them. She's unable to put anything in her mouth. When you give her a puff she just holds it and rolls it between her fingers.
I'm going to add another post with some extra smiling pictures. I know I have a lot of China pictures to catch up on, and I promise I will. They are loaded onto my netbook and I'm on my laptop at the moment.

Jet Lag What a Pain!

We've all been feeling the effects of jet lag, inability to sleep when it's dark outside and then an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion during the daylight hours. Renee has been sleeping in spurts of anywhere from 2-4 hours at a shot. I feel bad for my sweet girl, she's completely turned around. We took a walk outside before and she fell fast asleep in her stroller, and I still can't get her up no matter how much noise I make or how many time I kiss her tummy :) She opens her eyes, smiles, then rolls back over as if to say "Hey mom, leave me alone, I'm very comfortable here!" Well I can't fight city hall! Looks like I'll be up again tonight.
The above picture is of Renee in her car seat this morning when she accompanied John and I to the grocery store. We were hesitant to put her in her car seat after her first experience Friday evening. Remember how well I said she did on all of her plane rides? Well her melt down came when my sister and brother-in-law picked us up at Newark airport and we had to put her in a car seat for the first time. In China we held her during all bus trips so this was totally foreign to her. She screamed and cried, and to make matters worse traffic was at a standstill. We actually stopped in Brooklyn to help her to calm down and make a bottle. Needless to say, we were all extremely glad when we pulled into our drive way!!
Well, this morning we decided we would have to try the car seat again as it would be a necessity. We were amazed, she was absolutely fine!! Not a peep, only smiles. And on the trip home she fell asleep!!
So...this seems to be a familiar pose lately. Let's hope we all adjust as soon as possible. More photos to come!

We're Home!

Dosen't this picture just say it all!!  Renee woke up early this morning and cuddled with John and I for about 2 hours before it was bottle time.  That smile just warms my heart and soul. Isn't she just the most precious thing you've ever seen!!

Sorry for not blogging over the last week.  The days sort of took on a momentum of there own and I really never did get used to the time change.  I plan on catching up shortly and posting lot's of photos. 

The trip home went smoothly and the long plane ride home went extremely well.  The first 4 hours were the most challenging as Renee had a hard time falling asleep, but once she did she slept most of the flight. Wish John and I could say the same! Anyway, we are home safe and sound, enjoying all the little things we take for granted here in the USA like ice and soft mattresses. LOL!

Enjoying Guangzhou and More Photos!

We have settled in to Guanzhou and the White Swan Hotel.  There are many families with children here, so we are not stared at as much.  We really enjoyed the breakfast buffet this morning so much, that I'm looking forward to breakfast tomorrow!! LOL!

We are getting much better at reading Renee's "signals", we can tell when she's hungry or sleepy.  When hungry she starts to get a bit irritable and then let's out high pitched "Hoos" when she her bottle comes into view.  When sleepy she starts to suck either her left thumb or index finger, if you rock her on your chest, she'll usually be out in less than 5 minutes.  She's taking formula well and so far the "poopsies" have been going well too!! 

I can't tell you how much we love this little girl already!!

Well,that's enough ramble, here are some more photos!! (Oh by the way, hope Renee won't be mad at mommy one day for the bath photo, just couldn't help myself it's just so cute!) ;)

 

More Photos

We're In Guangzhou!

I attempted to post several days ago but email wouldn't go through, will try again now.  I'll try to send it will less photo''s, but make more blog entrys and we'll see if that works.  We arrived in Guangzhou yesterday afternoon.  Renee did great on the hour long flight from Guilin, here's hoping the other flights home on Friday go as smoothly.  Home.... Friday.... wooo hooo, we are almost there.  We have the medical exam and visa photo's today, Wednesday is consulate appt, Thursday we take the oath and get Renee's visa and then we are official and can go home early Friday morning.  Renee is an absolute joy, she is the happiest baby, laughing, cooing and smiling almost all the time.  She's a wiggly worm that doesn't like to sit still for too long, and especially not for a diaper change!! LOL!

She's drinking formula well, but doesn't like any of the solids yet and still gives us the rasberries!! Here are some photos, hope they go through, if not I'll keep trying.  Miss everyone, can't wait to get home to the USA!

Sorry For Not Posting Sooner

Well it's about 9pm, we are now in Guilin in Giangxi province, a mere 6 hour drive in a bumpy van from Nanning.  Renee did really well considering.  She's what I call a "wiggly worm", she likes to be moving at all times.  She's inquisitive, reaches for everything and loves anything that makes sounds.  It's weird sometimes watching the other babies so quiet, an John and I on our toes with our "mover and shaker". Renee can roll over by her self, and tries to pull her self up to a standing position.  She can't do it just yet, but when we help her, she can stand holding onto the bed for some time before her legs give way and I help her gently to the floor.  Not that I want to be graphic or provide "TMI" but I'm happy to report that Renee has had 3 "poopies" so far, which is a good thing.  She drinks her formula pretty well but it's hysterical when we try to feed her anything, she usually projectile spits at us and gives us the rasberries.  We'll have to work on that. 

Above all, we are so blessed at how she has taken to us already, she love sJohn and cuddles up to us both and gives us lots of smiles and belly laughs.  I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it.  We love her so much and can't believe in just a few days time how our life has changed forever. Well sorry for the ramble, here's some pictures you've probably been waiting for!

We Have Renee!

Am posting in the dark! Everyone is sleeping.  Renee is a dream come true and I am can't believe how much in love I am with her.  She has taken to her Mommy and Daddy so quickly too! She's precious.  She really hasn't cried, maybe a whimper here ore there. Her grins are wonderful.  Enjoy the picture, more to come!

This Is It!

We got into Nanning late last night after a whirlwind day of sightseeing yesterday in Beijing.  We have lot's of pictures to post.  John made it up all the way to the top of the Great Wall, my hero!!

We meet our daughter in about 3 hours.

We are meeting our group now for lunch, will post again after we have Renee!!

Woo Hoo!!

We're Here!

We are in Beijing! The flight was long.  John and I tried to sleep but only napped on and off.  We had our own video units on the seat backs so we could watch movies, tv and play games galore.  It really helped to pass the time.  We arrived on time and made it through the temperature checks and immigration quickly and easily. After we met our guide Linda, we were able to do a drive by of the birds nest and swimming cube.  We checked into our hotel quickly, then we were taken out for an authentic chinese food dinner, the peking duck was fantastic, and that's from someone who won't eat duck in the US! John loved it.

We are now back in our hotel, trying to stay up a little bit longer, but I have a feeling the minute I lay down, I'll be out.

Tomorrow is sightseeing and a late flight to Nanning.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

More to come!

This Is It!!!!

We're all packed and ready to go.  We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning for the drive to Newark.  Our flight leaves at noon, and gets into Beijing Saturday at 2pm (really 2am to John and I, eastern standard time). I don't believe we have anything scheduled Saturday evening, as we'll probably just want to crash!! Sunday will be spent sightseeing in Beijing.  We fly to Nanning in Guangxi province later Sunday evening.  Renee will be brought to us at our hotel!! sometime Monday morning.

I'll try and see if I can post at the airport, if not the next post will be from Beijing!!

This is it!!!

More Shower Photos

Everyone wrote messages to us and Renee on the balloons, we released them at the end of the party.

My wonderful sister Karen, who has waited with us through thick and thin, good and bad, happy and sad. She is my best friend and my rock. Love you sis!

The cake was delicious!

My "babies", my niece and nephew, Anthony and Dana, with John and I. They know no matter how old they get, they will always be their aunt's "babies"! :)

Another photo with my "babies"!!

Karen and Dana. A beautiful picture!

Had to show Renee's "Mets" outfit!! Sorry Kim, sorry John!! ;-)

This picture shows how much fun I had opening gifts, with my nieces nearby. Lynette, thanks so much for making this process run so smoothly!! You can see my sister on the left keeping tabs of what we received.

No explanation needed! ;)

Thank you David for taking these awesome photo's, these are just a few of over a hundred pictures. The video is awesome too!!!!