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!!!!

5 Days And Counting

Five more days till we leave for China. As many people who have traveled this road before us have said, after over four years of waiting, it's absolutely surreal that we are truly on our way in only several more days. Add to that, the fact that in eight more days our daughter will be in our arms, well, I have no words, only lot's of emotion.
Friday was my last day of work before I began my family leave. I will miss my work colleagues, especially by partner Karen. She texted me yesterday to see if it has sunk in yet, and honestly it hasn't. It still feels like the weekend to me and that I have to get up early tomorrow for work (even thought tomorrow is Labor Day!). John says it will probably sink in once we're in China. We'll see. I've been working straight with small (week) vacations since I graduated nursing school (I'm not telling how long ago that was ;-) ). I've only taken a two week vacation only twice that I can remember, one was many years ago, and the other was when John and I got married almost seven years ago. Our anniversary is in October, and John knows exactly the day too!! (inside joke that I'll have to explain another time :-)).
So, travel preparations are iin full swing. I'm on my own for two more days. John has to work today and yes tomorrow Labor Day. But then he'll be done too and can join me in the bigger home preparations that we want to do before we leave. I've been busy preparing the lists, packing, reassessing the lists, shopping, then starting over and over again. I think we've got just about everything packed, or gathered to pack, all except our clothes. Yup, suitcases are almost filled and we haven't packed our clothes. Good thing we're not taking an entire wardrobe, we'd never make it with the 44 pound weight limit (China).
I've also been busy getting Renee's room ready. I didn't realize how much we'd accumulated over the last four years. Finding a place for everything has been a challenge.
Oh, I almost forgot, my work colleagues surprised me with a baby shower on Wednesday, and yes Karen I was truly surprised, you and Alison totally pulled it off, I had no idea. It was wonderful, work colleagues from all over the hospital came to wish me well. I truly appreciate it.
Needless to say I have alot of photos to post. I will make it a point to post them before we go.
This week I'll also be making sure that my sister and my nephew know how to post on blogger, should I run into any problems while in China.
We also want to make sure that we are skype ready. Hoping to show off Renee on the webcam while in China!!!
Hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day!!!

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but when dreams come true,
there is life and joy.
Proverbs 13:12

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.
Psalm 127:3a