Adjusting to home life
We been home now for a little less then 2 weeks and in those 2 short weeks we have done alot. Aislinn is adjusting great. On our first full day home we had more visitors. Aunt Kerri & Uncle Pete came over with Carleigh & Hunter, Gaga & Pama came with a ladybug umbrella from Disney with Aislinn's name on it in Chinese, Kate came over with Tommy & Kenzie plus a load of presents for Aislinn. Kenzie was to cute, she hugged me & held on saying Aunt DeeDee I missed you while you were in China over & over again. Rachael came over for Dinner and after we took Aislinn out for a walk.Grandma & Rachael helped with her bath then it was bedtime (7:30).Daddy went back to work on Monday so Aislinn & I took a ride to have lunch with Grandpa's sister. Then took a ride to the state park but the chipmunk slept thrru the drive. On Tuesday Gma & Gpa went back home so Aislinn and I took a drive to the outlets to Stride rite shoes to get her a good pair of walking shoes. Wednesday was Aislinn first visit to the pediatrician, Dr Nick was please with how she looked and told me not to worry about anything, we would do her shots over a few visits and recommend that we meet with a pediatric behavioral specialist & a neurologist.Thankfully Aunt Jamie came to the appointment with Daddy & I so she took notes on everything that DR Nick said. After the appointment we had some running around to do & popped in on the twins & Anne to a quick visit. On Thursday Andrew & I had a wake to go to plus I was meets some friends for dinner & StewBe had bowling so Aislinn had her first night with a babysitter. Rachael was more then willing & excited to get & spend some time with her godchild. When we left Aislinn was sitting with Rach & drinking her bottle. The funeral home is only up the block so after paying our respect & talking with Steve & Denise for a bit I drove Andrew back home to get his car & popped into the house for a moment. Rach was doing her homework & Aislinn was in bed asleep (did I say that she is sleeping between 10 & 12hrs a night & in bed by 8pm) My friends couldn't believe that I really made it to since I was only home for 5 night with Aislinn. It was great to get out with them now that I too was home from China & have them answer my questions. I only texted Rach 1 while I was out (was exception a call about my Uncle who was in the hospital~ Oh yea, Aislinn also made a trip to the ER not for her but for me to see my uncle who was rushed in that day) and was home by 11:15. Friday morning Aislinn & I along with Aunt Jamie went to the funeral mass for Steve's dad (Aislinn was good) then we stopped and had breakfast. On Friday Night when Daddy came home from work we packed the car got Rachael & drove to Maryland to see Diana & the family.We were nervous as to how Aislinn would be on the 5 hour drive but she did well, just checking out her surrounding eating cheerios & napping. We got to Diana's a bit after midnight, Aislinn woke up smiled at everyone & after 30 minutes I put her down in the packNplay & she was back to sleep till 8am.On Saturday night we went to see our Nephew Matthew in his HS production of the Sound of Music. Again Aislinn did really well and when she fussed Cheerios came in handy!I had called both specialist to get appointment, the Neurologist doesn't have a opening till May 2nd but the behavioral specialist had a cancellation for Monday @ 10. Again Jamie came with me to the appointment , Dr Silverman was very thorough and wants us to take Aislinn for a few test (blood & a MRI) so they need to be scheduled. I also met with the school district to start the paperwork to have Aislinn evaluated for services (speech, psychical & occupational therapy)Dr Silverman said that Aislinn development is more like a 12 month old then almost 36 months but that she feels that this will change rather quickly with services and our love.
On Tuesday I started back to work with Tommy & Kenzie (Carleigh & Hunter come back next week) Aislinn did well with the other kids & Kenzie was a big her (she says Aislinn is her best friend!)

As always be good & Be safe

Planes, Trains & Automobiles Our Journey for home started out at 6AM on the 18th. I had checked out the night before so when we went downstairs we popped into the cafe to get Miss Aislinn some breakfast & for mama a cup of coffee. Then we were off to the China Hotel to pick up another family. The ride to the airport was quick and before we know it we were boarding the plane to Beijing. In Beijing we were greeted by Emma (our guide from Xi'An), then off to the Poly Plaza for one night. Andrew ran to McDonald's to get burgers then we all took a nap. For dinner,Emma met us in the lobby and we walked to a Chinese restaurant for a bit to eat. We were glad to be able to spend this time with Emma, she was a great help our first few days with Aislinn. We then walked to Baskin Robins to get some Ice cream. Saturday Morning we were up & out of the hotel for 5am. Another quick ride to the airport. In the Airport, Aislinn had a blow-out diaper so off to the ladies room I went. When I walked in there I was surprise that there wasn't any baby changing station, I wheeled her into the handicapped stall~ took some of the toilet seat covers and laid them on the floor (no I do not have a changing mat) then laid her on the floor to change her, all the while saying to myself "she spent almost three years of her life in an orphanage" We got our boarding passes & were told to hurry that the plane was ready to board. We still had to go thru security & customs plus take a train the the proper terminal.When we got on the plane we realized we weren't sitting next to each other. Since Andrew works for the Airlines (American) & to save money ( boy did we) We decided to take a gamble and travel on Andrew's employee passes. Luckily it paid off for us. We flew First class from JFK to Chicago then Business from Chicago to Beijing, Business back from Beijing to Chicago & Economy from Chicago to JFK(at that point I would of flown cargo I just wanted to get home) but going back to our flight from Beijing, at first all three seat were separated in business but the flight attendant asked a gentleman if he would move & he agreed so Aislinn & I sat together & Andrew was one row behind us. She only slept for 90 minutes on that flight but all in all she was good. Since the seat extend out into a "bed" she was content to lay upside down with her feet up in the air to drink her bottle, play with her toes, look at her books & hold her dog. She also ate well on the flight, every time they would bring something by she would sit right up & go ummm (she even ate a shrimp) She also liked going into the laboratory & looking at herself in the mirror and trying to "kiss the baby". We landed in Chicago @ 7am, After leaving the plane and getting all the way downstairs Andrew realized that he left a bag on the plane so Aislinn & I waited while he ran back up two flights of stairs. When he got back down we continued on to Immigrations. after clearing immigrations, picking up our luggage, customs & rechecking our bags we got onto a train to get to the right terminal. After getting to the terminal we had to go thru another security check (funny all the security checks in China we didn't have to take off our shoes & nothing was said about Aislinn's bottle~ in Chicago they questioned the 2 ozs that were in her bottle from the plane) it was close to 9am. It took a few minutes to find the gate our flight to JFK would be going out of. At this point we knew there was a really good chance that we wouldn't be getting on that flight @ 12:25pm due to our standby status but I had check (before we left China) & knew that there were other planes going out of Chicago to LaGuardia ( the travel distance between the two airports is about 12 miles JFK is on the south shore of the Island & LGA North) I had Andrew Question about getting onto a flight into LGA and we were sent to gate 1(we were at gate 29) we rushed to gate 1 & they were boarding. Andrew talked to the gate agent & was told to wait. After about 10 minutes I heard Andrew talking to her again & his voice was getting a bit loud (I was at this point praying that he wouldn't get himself arrested cause the longer they "talked" the louder the voices were getting) I then heard the words ~ long journey~ China~ our first~ then all of the sudden tunes changed. They got us the last three seats on the plane but they were three separate seats. The gate agent said give me one minute & was able to get some passengers to move their seats and we were on the flight. When we were seated (all the way at the back of the plane) I looked at my phone & had a text message from Micheala, I quickly texted her, my sisters, & friends to tell them not to meet us at JFK at 3:45 that there was a change plans & we were coming into LGA @ 12:30. Just as I was about to shut off my phone it vibrated. A quick "I can't talk, about to take off plz call Mr. & Mrs. M with he change of plans". Michela did that & our flight was off. This was the economy seat so the seats were tight but at this point I didn't care and the flight was only going to be 90 minute. It was a smooth flight & Aislinn slept for part of it. When we landed around 12:45 & I put my phone on I had a dozen text messages from everyone that was expecting to meet us at the airport. Since our luggage was on the plane to JFK we didn't need to go to baggage and continued to the entrance where we were met by Andrew's Mom & Dad. While we were saying hello I got a text from my G/F Lori stating that she was at the airport & where were we. I texted her back & went with my mother in law to the ladies room to change Aislinn's diaper. While in there I decided to go before the ride back home (cause you can never tell with traffic on the L.I.E~ it could take 40 minutes or 4 hours) when I came out of the stall there talking to my MIL & Aislinn was Lori, Pat, Jeanne-Marie & her daughter Olivia. These women have been a life line during our wait & to see then at the end of this journey was awesome. After chatting with them for a few minutes we left to walk to the car & Andrew's brother Peter (who drove them there since my FIL's arm was in a brace from a fall while walking Misty Upstate). Aislinn got right into the carseat with out a peep & we were off. Half way home they decided to stop at a roadside hotdog stand, At this point Aislinn started to whine a bit ( I blamed it on being tired,but once we started to feed her a hotdog she was all smiles again. We dropped my BIL off at his house them we were on our way to ours. When we arrived my sister Jamie & her family was here. They had decorated with balloons & a sign & had flowers for me. My mother in-law went into the house to get Misty & she ran ride out to Andrew who had Aislinn in his arm. He bent down to Misty and Aislinn petted her. Our neighbors also came out to welcome us home. After we were home for a bit Andrew & our brother in law Mike took a ride back to JFK to get our luggage. My sister Kerri came over(without her kids) while Andrew was gone to meet her newest niece. Saorla, Seamus & Fianna were so excited to finally meet their little cousin, when Seamus got close to Aislinn to say hello she held off and slapped him (hitting & biting are 2 things we are trying to work on with her). After Andrew got back with our luggage Jamie's gang left & my mother in law was making Corned beef & cabbage for dinner (since I didn't get it in China). We asked Kerri to stay for dinner so she called her husband & they had dinner with us. Aislinn ate some of the corned beef & the potatoes. By this time it was almost 6:30 & the poor wee chipmunk was done ( in 27hrs she had only slept a little more the 2hrs). So it was off to her 1st night in her new crib. She went down with no problem, fingers in her mouth ( when Andrew's parents saw this they said Andrew use to do this as a baby too) her purple dog and her lullaby cd. About an hour later Rachael, Micheala & Siobhan popped over to see us, they were disappointed that she wasn't up but asked if they could go up & peek in on her. I said yes ( I knew this child would sleep thru anything.) We chatted for a bit then they left. By 9:30 we were all in bed. At 10:30 Aislinn woke up crying with a dirty diaper, afte a quick change & the CD put back on she was fast asleep till 1am when she woke screaming . I ran into her & picked her up, brought her down stairs & gave her a bottle which she quickly drank, another diaper change and she was back down till 6:30am.

4am in Beijing and getting ready to leave

Our Welcome home sign

Grandpa thinks I'm all that

Meeting Misty for the First time

Our Welcome home

Labels: homecoming

Happy St Patricks Day

Today was a free day for us so after breakfast we went for a walk. The weather has gotten cooler here so we didn't stay out for long. After Naps for everyone we stayed in the room waiting on Kelly our guide to bring us Aislinn's Visa ( the last piece of paper that we needed to bring her home)We finished packing while we waited (said I wasn't going to do it but bought a new suitcase here) then went for one last dinner at Lucy's, abit more shopping and one more walk in the park.When we got back to our room Andrew ran a bath for Aislinn while I ran down stairs to check out ( we are leaving for the airport @6:30am), poor Aislinn was so tired ( it was after 8pm & she is usually in bed by 7pm) that while giving her a bath she kept putting her fingers in her mouth & tried to lay down in the tub then would cry when her face was underwater. OK we laughed & yes I know that makes us bad parents at least I didn't run for my camera to take photos. I can't believe we leave for Beijing tomorrow then home the next day. This time has flown.

To my family & friends back home~ May you have a safe & enjoyable St Patricks day & to my sister Jamie & her husband Mike~ Happy 10th wedding anniversary! I can't believe its been 10 years since we all traveled to Ireland & watch you become Husband & Wife.

Labels: china, St Patricks Day

Another busy busy day Today after breakfast we met the group to do some site seeing. We got on the bus and drove to the Yuntai Garden. They are situated at the entrance of the picturesque Baiyun Mountain in Guangzhou China & is the largest and most elaborate garden in China .
So we waited, and waited. It was an an interesting place, everything for children under one roof. After Kelly had gotten our medicine we got back in a taxi (had to cross the road ~good thing i am use to traffic in Manhattan)and drove back to the hotel. After dinner (Subway) we treated Aislinn to some ice cream & shopping!

Labels: china

One week as a family

Labels: White Swan

White Swan





Today was a busy morning. After we checked in last night Aislinn went to sleep very quickly & we weren't far behind. At 8am we went down to the breakfast buffet and enjoyed great breakfast. Our group met in the lobby at 10 to walk to the clinic for our medicals. Aislinn weighed 26 pounds & is 36 inches tall, she also had to have a TB test and only issued a small peep from it. We then went to Lucy's for lunch. Walking around this island is beautiful.People are very friendly.Calling you into their store, trying out their English on you. We headed back to the hotel to put the chipmunk down & soon were fast asleep ourselves. I can't believe tomorrow we will be a family 1 week.

Good Bye Xi'An & Thank You



I gave up trying to upload any of my photos since I am having such trouble with the connection from here. On Friday we walked some more around Xi'An, down little side roads & alleyways to the drum tower. Then walked to Pizza hut for lunch with Kim,Ava & Chris. At 3:30 it was check out time and off to pick up Aislinn's passport then off to to the airport for our flight to Guangzhou. The flight was crowded & bumpy & within the first 20 minutes Aislinn had a blow-out of a diaper. All I can say is 20years of changing diapers with a standing baby came in handy(my Linen closet is bigger then the bathroom) but Aislinn did really well on the flight with the exception of the last half hour (she was exhausted).She fell asleep while as we landed. We got our bags quickly, met our guide then it was off to the White Swan.

Labels: Xi'An

Day 6

Another good night with our little chipmunk (she likes to store food in her cheeks). Today was another day of touring. We went to the Shaanxi History Museum & walked around for a bit, afterward our driver took us to this beautiful water fountain.The entire square is composed of waterscape fountains that's Dubbed the "largest musical fountain square in Asia", this beautiful symphony of water, music and light is set against a dramatic backdrop of the thousand year old Big Wild Goose Pagodais
(the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda) which was built during the Tang Dynasty. Afterwards it was back to the room for a nap & then walk to the stores for some supplies. I made Andrew take Aislinn out for a bit this evening for a walk while I tried to pack our bags for our flight tomorrow night. Before bed we took another stroll around so I could get some photos of the bell tower at night.
Goodnight from Xi'An

Labels: Xi'An

Day 5
We are getting into a bit of a routine here. Aislinn woke a little after 6 today so we were down to breakfast by 7:15 & back up in our room & down for a nap by 8:30.After she woke it was off to see The Terracotta Army. It took about a hour to get there & oh so worth it. The figures, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers and date to 210 BC. The figures vary in height, according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. (yes I borrrowed this information from wikipedia) There was three different pits that we walked thru. Afterwards we went to Subway for lunch.
We also went to see where they make these figues to be sold & some beautiful prints.
Goodnight from Xi'An

Labels: Xi'An

Day 4
We had another good night with Aislinn with the exception of her waking up about 2:30am. She stood in her crib we didn't acknowledge her & she laid back down & in a few seconds was sucking on her fingers and back asleep again till after 7. Breakfast was a repeat of yesterday, anything you put into her mouth she eats & if your not quick enough she is tugging on you arm for more. After breakfast we went shopping in this outrageous "mall" to buy Aislinn a stroller. There must of been like 12 floors to this place (it reminds me of a flea market only higher end.) After we got her stroller we went to a grocery store to get a few staples. Then it was a quiet day with nothing else to do. After Aislinn nap, Andrew had made himself some Ramen pride noodles as a snack & of course she wanted some. Tonight we went to pizza hut for dinner (best meal so far) and then to DQ for ice cream and Yes Ailsinn ate & loved Pizza & the ice cream!
Tomorrow we are off to see the Terracotta Army & we are looking forward to that.
Still not luck up;oading my photos to blogger or shutterfly but was able to get a few onto Facebook~ Go Figure!
Good night from Xi'An

Labels: Xian

Moving right along

Ailsinn woke up close to 7 today, we got her dressed and went down to breakfast. I do have to say she eats well. I fed her fruit, yogurt,a pancake and she sat and ate it all. Afterwards Andrew ran to the bank with Kim & our guide then it was off to the civil affair office to be interviewed( did we want her? would be abandon her? why did we want her?) Also to fill out more papers (think buying a house, sign here here here here here oh and here). We then went back to our hotel where both Aislinn & daddy took a nap. Next it was off to the police station for her passport photo. Tonight Aislinn had her first McDonald's hamburger & fries (sorry Nik). Not much options on food here (KFC, McDees, pizza hut) that you can eat in your room.Just before dinner Aislinn had her first bath & not a tear!
Speaking of our room, its on the small size but the view makes up for it! Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi providence. Our hotel the Bell Tower hotel is in the heart of Xi"An (think Manhattan~ Time square). The hustle & bustle is crazy, horns blaring, the bells towing & Music.
Now that most of our paperwork is done tomorrow we are going shopping (need to get a stroller~ Stew-Be's arms are getting sore) & doing some sightseeing.
Aislinn went down to bed a little while ago hopefully it will be another quiet night.
Love From Xi'An
( blogger is still giving me trouble uploading picturees : (

Labels: Xi"an

Aislinn Day





Our flight too Xi'An was for 7:30 am so we were up @3am & dressed(I never slept) hot facebook &download some of our photos. Then were were off to the airport with the other families. Our flight from Beijing was a little rocky but good, we landed made a pit stop at the restroom then went to get our luggage & meet our guide. Our hotel is right outside the Bell tower

After settling in we and the other family went to the bank to exchange our money. Of coure we would have trouble with that. After the bank it was back to the hotel to get our gifts & bag & head off to the civil affairs office. It was a quick ride and when we got out there walking into the building was two nannies with two little girls.
We rode up in the elevator with theem and into a small room. Besides us there were 2 other families getting thier daughter. Kim who got little Ava & another couple from an different agency.Kim & I have been chatting online for a couple of months since we found out we would be traveling together.
Aislinn went straight to Andrew and he lit up like a christmas tree. After much chaos & a chance to thank Aislinn Foster mother & have some questions answered we were off to have a photo taken. Aislinn was as quiet as a mouse up until this point (she wanted no part of having her photo taken). They finally got it & it was back to the hoetel to do our paperwork. Emma our guide came into our room for the paperwork, when I started filling, writing & signing I broke out in tears & started sobbing (blame it on lack of sleep, getting sick or the finality of the end of this rollercoaster of a ride) & I know it won't be my last one.
Andrew ran to KFC to some chicken & mashed potatoes. Aislinn loved the potatoes afterwhich I washed her up and got her ready for bed. We laided her in her bed about 7:15, Andrew talked to her for a few minutes then left her alone. A few mintes later we went back to check on her and she was sound asleep, with her fingers in her mouth. I turned in a few moments later and didn't get out of bed till 5:30, (slept on & off but slept more then I have in the last few weeks).

to be continued.....................................

(blooger is giving me trouble posting photos going to try & get them on the shutterfly account or FB.)

Labels: Aislinn's Day Xi"an

Travel Day

I can't believe how quickly our travel day came & surprisingly I was organized, packed & ready when the car service picked us up at 10am.Our flight from JFK to Chicago wasn't till 2:45 but you never know with Long Island between construction accidents or just plain traffic I wasn't leaving anything to chance. We were in the airport before 11am breezed thru security & went to our gate to wait. A few of Andrew's coworkers popped over to shoot the breeze with him and before we new it we were on the plane to Chicago. We had a three hour layover, grabbed a Starbucks & settled in for the flight. Our flight took off at 7:55 (Chicago time) after a few movies, some pretty good food, a glass of champagne, some baileys on the rocks I fell asleep for a good part of the flight(as did Andrew). We landed abit after midnight found our guide, drove to the hotel and were in bed for 2am. We were out touring at 8:30am with 4 other families. First up was Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City Follow by a really good lunch & a tour of Jade factory. Finally we were off to the Great Wall. Tomorrow We travel to Xi"An and it"s Aislinn Day!

Labels: beijijg

BEIJING
 
After many hours of travel, 2 great plane rides we arrived in China a little after midnight Beijing time. By the time we found our bags & guide, then drove to the hotel it was 1:30am. About to head out to breakfast, then touring. Will update more later.
 
As always Be Good & Be Safe

If I'm dreaming don't wake me up

Well, we are down to the last day before travel. Our bags are pack & under the weight limit, laptop & camera is charged, paperwork all together, Aislinn room is done Misty is at the outlaws & I am still not sleeping but all in all I am calm.
Andrew & I have are thankful & blessed to have the love and support of our family & friends thru this ever winding and bumpy journey.
As I sit here and have a few minutes before the start of my last day of work there are a few thank yous that I want to say.

First to our families~ The love & support you all have given us have never wavered thru all the ups & downs.We can't wait for Aislinn to meet her grandparents, Aunts, Uncles cousins & extended family. She will be blessed to have you all in her life.

Next come our friends~ Whether you've held me when I"ve cried, laughed with us, listened to us complain about this wait and our frustrations with this journey, your love & friendship is a treasured gift & Aislinn will be lucky to have so many Aunts & Uncles.

To my Rugrats~ there has been a lot of them over the years. Each & everyone of them I treasure. The things I have learned from them will hopefully make us better parents.

To the Colony Six/ Chili Girls~ You ladies have been my lifeline thru these years. Your love, guidance, friendship, advice & packing list are gifts I thank god for everyday.

To my blogging buddies~ When I started this blog at the beginning of my journey I "met" some really interesting people. Thru their blogs I got a peek into their lives and I have learned alot. To read a question on a blog, then read the 20 different replies no two alike has been eye opening. I've gotten some great ideas for decorating, cooking & how to get your kid to eat, photography, great websites for everything from clothing to hair accessories. These strangers have lifted my sprits when I have posted with their kind words, advice & wisdom.

Also a big Thank you goes out to LuLu for staying at our house while we are traveling. You Rock! LOL

As Always Be Good & Be
Safe

Labels: Adoption, family

| posted by Unknown at 6:27 AM

ABOUT THIS BLOG

This is an account of our lifes as we head down the path of life towards our first child. An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break." --An ancient Chinese belief

CURRENT ADOPTION STATUS

DTC 4/20/07...LID4/26/07. ...Referral 5/27/10~Waiting for our TA...Aislinn Day is March 6,2011

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