Busy, Busy, Busy

Boy, it has been a crazy busy week and a half! Life with a one year old is just plain busy! I am trying very hard to get Briana into a routine, and so far, we have been very successful. Since I posted last, we only had one night that Briana had a tummy ache and did not sleep well, but other than that, she is sleeping though the night like a champ! She also takes one nap a day - usually around 1 or 1:30. The one day she refused to take a nap, she literally was falling asleep in her dinner - ha!

Briana is such a happy baby. She laughs and smiles all the time - she is quite the character! I am so relieved because the most important thing I wanted for her was to be happy. Doug and I took her away from everything she was ever familiar with, and I was so worried I would not see smiles for a long time. She is so attached to Doug and me just after a few weeks. I love that she lets me comfort her when she is sad or tired. And when Doug gets home from work, she sees him and literally starts jumping up and down she is so excited. It makes my heart melt...

What has been going on in Briana land? Well, too much to let me blog very much. I hope that changes in a few weeks because I really miss blogging. The Wednesday before last, Briana went with my mom and I for lunch to Steak and Shake and then we ran to JCPenney to pick up a birthday gift for my grandmother. Briana enjoyed it and she really loves my mom! It was a very short trip to the mall, but very significant - ha, ha! Briana's first mall experience - oh boy!

Then Friday before last, Lisa S., Maisie and Kathy came to visit Miss Briana for the first time. Briana let both Kathy and Lisa hold her and let Maisie give her a kiss! So sweet! And Lisa brought dinner for Doug and me to warm up that night - pork loin, potatoes and peach cobbler. Lisa - you rock!

Saturday was my grandmother's 85 birthday, so we took Briana over to my uncle and aunt's house for a few hours to meet family and celebrate with my grandma. My sister Amy was so excited when Briana let her hold her! She is an awesome aunt already!

Sunday, Doug, Briana and I spent the day together on our own - except my parents did drop off our kitty Asia who had been staying with them while we were in China. Asia is still not sure about Briana and vice versa. This will take some getting used to!

And Monday and Tuesday was just me and Briana. It was my first real couple of days without Doug (who was a work) and without the help of my mom or friends. I was pretty nervous (being a first time mom and all), but we had two really good quiet mother/daughter bonding days. I went to Walmart with her all by myself. Now, you experienced moms are probably laughing at me right now, but I was pretty excited. It's the little things you know. But I will say I was VERY tired by the end of those two mother/daughter bonding days!! Briana is still pretty clingy! But I even managed to cook an easy dinner one of those nights - woohoo!

This past Wednesday, my mom came over and help out again so I could get some errands (both in and out of the house) done. Thursday, Randi and Jack, Kathy, and Ann and Katie brought over some lunch for me and Briana. It was so thoughtful! I really enjoyed having lunch with everyone - thanks so much! And it was the first time I got to meet Miss Katie. She was adopted by Ann from China a month before I adopted Briana. And Katie is a real beauty!

And yesterday, my friend and neighbor Amy B. brought me over some Mexican food for lunch and we got to do some girl chat. Yum - O! Thanks so much Amy! And in the evening, Doug's best friend Jimmie stopped by to see Briana for the first time. He is a contractor in Afghanistan and will be going back in about a week. We really wanted him to meet her before he heads back for a few more months of work.

Here are a few pictures of our last week and a half...

Grandma (my mom) and me at the mall with Briana. (Yes, I grabbed the China stroller to use! I have a better one for long mall days!)

Briana and Maisie meet.

Kathy holding Briana.

Lisa S. and Briana

Oh, I love my chair and my snack trap!

Aunt Amy admiring Briana

Briana laughing again.

Briana and Jack playing.

Briana and Katie.

Briana and Asia getting to know each other.

Briana loves the telephone!

Looking outside!

Sleeping Briana

I did not want to get too excited and post this too soon, but I feel I can now! Briana has been sleeping through the night! Woohoo! The past four nights! She does wake for a few minutes during the night. She starts to lightly cry, I go in her room, pat and rub her back a few minutes and she is back out like a light. She just wants to know that I am there, and then she can go back to dreamland. I can't tell you how much better I feel now that I can catch a few zzzz's at night. I am a new woman - ha!

Here is a little video I put together in honor of Briana sleeping through the night. These are most of the sleeping pics we took since China. Enjoy! (It takes a few seconds for the music to really get going!)

Strides...

Well, we have been home a week and we have made great strides in certain areas and not so great strides in others. Unfortunately, my mother got my flu last Friday and wasn't able to help Doug and I over the weekend, but she has made it to the house a couple of days this week. I miss blogging so much and I miss checking in on my blog buddies. As soon as we get Briana on a semi-schedule, I will be able to check in on you all again!

Let's start with the great strides...I am starting to feel better! Yeah! About time, huh? Briana nows loves bath time! She HATED the bath at first in China. Now she has a ball. Briana loves to go out. She is such an angel when she is out and about. She likes to people watch when we are in restaurants or at the store. She eats like a horse - so we are so glad she has an appetite! We had our first doctor's appointment and she got 5 immunizations and got blood work done. She cried, but she did so well - no real kicking or screaming. Briana is very attached to Doug and me. She is always looking for us and cries when we leave the room. And she calls me "mama" when she is upset. Not that I like seeing her upset, but I like her calling me mama.

Ok, now not so great strides. She doesn't sleep at night. She takes lots of cat naps in the day. We will put her down in her crib at night and she falls asleep with no problem. But, she wakes up about two hours later screaming. Sometimes she falls back asleep after rocking, but most of the time she doesn't. And if she does, she wakes up about an hour later. Her clock is still really messed up. Even if we bring her in the bed with us, she has a hard time falling back asleep. And Briana doesn't want me to put her down - ever. If I have to do a chore in the same room as her, she often gets upset if she is not sitting right on or next to me. Makes it hard to go to the bathroom!!! It is wonderful she is attached, but makes for a very tired mama!

So, I better run now and grab a shower. Hopefully Briana will sleep a few hours tonight. Oh please!

Briana loves her bath!

Sleeping in her crib...

I love my snack trap!

Daddy making Briana do belly laughs!

Adjustment Period

Another quick blog update. I am still under the weather. My system is all screwed up due to the flu and lack of sleep. Briana was up crying 4 times last night. Doug and I are exhausted. Briana is very attached to me - which is good - and bad. At least when you are sick like me. Sometimes I need to walk away for a minute, and she screams and cries every time I do. I just wish I felt better. It is hard enough dealing with a new infant and jet lag - being sick doesn't make it any easier.

She doesn't like to play by herself at all right now and likes to be entertained. It is just so hard to do that when I am so sick. I am trying to play with her as much as I can, and Doug is amazing. He is really stepping up to help me out. I feel bad for him because he is so dang tired too, and he is going back to work soon.

I am sure this will get easier. I just need to feel better. I am so run down right now. Not sure when I will blog again, but hopefully in a day or two.

We're Home, But...

I have been sick. I mean REALLY sick. Stomach flu, throwing up sick. My parents picked us up at the airport Thursday afternoon. We got Briana to sleep at 10:00PM that night and we thought we were golden. At midnight, she woke up screaming. SCREAMED for hours. About 1AM, my stomach started to turn. Yep, I started coming down with something. Doug and I finally got her to sleep at around 4 and I was on the floor dying - not able to stop getting sick to my stomach. Doug had to call my doctor to get them to call in some medicine to keep me from getting sick. My poor dad went and picked up my meds at 5 in the morning because if Briana woke up, I was too sick to pick her up. My wonderful mom came over to the house yesterday at 8AM to help Doug out with Briana. I stayed in the guest room semi conscious all day.

Briana woke up again at 2 this morning screaming (Doug had her sleeping in the pack and play in our room). Her nights and days are all screwed up. I was still in the guest room sleeping but I felt good enough to go in our bedroom and try to help him out around 4AM. We gave her some goldfish crackers and I sat and watched Teletubbies with her until she fell asleep about a half an hour ago. Doug fell asleep around 5AM. He had a long tough day without me yesterday. I can't believe this happened. This stomach flu hit me bad - I thought I was dying! I finally feel sort of decent enough to write a blog post.

So, that is what is going on. I am trying to get better and we are desperately trying to get Briana on a schedule. Boy - this is tough. Wish us luck!

Red Couch and Heading Home

Every time a Chinese vendor asks where Briana is from, we say "Chongqing" and they say "Oh, spicy girl." And spicy she is! Chongqing girls known for being pretty, petite and spicy! We love our spicy girl!

Well, this is it everyone! Doug and I are packing tonight for our trip home in the morning. I can't wait to get home! I can't wait for Briana to meet our family and friends!

I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who followed our journey in China. I received so many wonderful e-mails and comments. I wish I could have responded to everyone, but I was so busy with Miss Briana.

We took the oath at the consulate today and got Briana's immigration paperwork. We are all set to head home.

Here are a few photos of red couch day...

Miss Briana showing off her outfit!

Still showing off!

Briana starting to cry on the couch! 5 of the girls are Dianjiang babies and the other 3 babies are special needs Nanchung babies. We are all with CHSFS.

The Dianjiang Girls. Briana is now calm with the rice krispies.

The CHSFS families.

Squeaky Shoes

We did a little shopping yesterday! Of course, I had to get Briana some squeaky shoes. She thought they were so funny. I know when I get home, I will probably regret getting them as she squeaks all over the house - LOL! Here is a short video!

Medical Exam, Shopping, Playing and Swimming

Wow - did we have a busy day yesterday! The first picture is of Briana and Madison. After the babies' medical exams (which were so very simple), Doug, Briana and I walked back from the clinic with Lynne, Ashley and Madison and bought some Haagen Dazs ice cream. I swear - I never tasted ice cream so good. We also bought Chinese outfits for the red couch photo today. Then Doug and I found a delicious Thai food restaurant for lunch and had a delicious meal. After lunch, we checked out the White Swan play room. Briana had a ball playing with the toys. The room can get so boring for her at times. She took a nice nap and then we checked out the swimming pool. I was so worried that she wasn't going to like the water - but she is a water baby! She wasn't afraid at all! I am so happy!

Then we ordered in food for dinner from a place called "Danny's Bagels". I ordered some Macaroni and Cheese for me and Briana to share. Oh my gosh - this child was crazy for the Mac and Cheese! Every time she ate a bite, she squealed and laughed! She couldn't get enough! Doug and I could not stop laughing - she is such a ham!

Here are pics from the day! (Doug only took video of the medical exam - no pics.)

Briana and me in front of the Thai restaurant.

Briana in the White Swan playroom.

Boy we are tired from our day!

Look how cute I am in my swimsuit!

Water baby!

Mac and Cheese dinner.

I am a Mac and Cheese fiend! (Can't help cracking up at this pic!)

Here Is The Birthday Girl!

Yep! This is our birthday girl! We had a great morning and afternoon! We started the morning giving Miss Briana a birthday card - which of course she liked the envelope better than the card - oh well! We had breakfast at the buffet and then our group first went to a Buddhist temple. It was so beautiful. And our guide Shirley set it up so the babies in our group were blessed by a Buddhist monk. It was so emotional for me - especially because it was Briana's birthday. Then we headed to a Chinese art museum. It was outside, which meant it was HOT. Muggy, sticky hot. Ugh. I was so happy when we ended the touring at a Jade and Pearl factory. Doug and I got Briana a pearl necklace and earrings.

Right before we left for touring, Doug and I got a free stroller for Briana to ride around in. She likes it and I am so grateful. I am starting to get sore from the Hip Hammock.

After touring, the group went to Lucy's restaurant to have a birthday lunch for Briana. Briana fell asleep as we strolled to the restaurant, but luckily she woke up to have a little apple pie! Doug bought candles before we left the states in case we got a cake for Briana. We even handed out paper tiaras for the babies to wear. It was so cute! Of course Briana was the only one who didn't want to wear her hat!

The day was very special even though we weren't home to celebrate. I am just so happy Doug and I could be with our baby girl on this special day.

Here are the pics!

Briana opening her card.

Our groovy free stroller.

Blessing of the babies.

All the babies were silent. Our guide Shirley said she had never seen that happen before!

Miss Briana at her birthday lunch.

Briana eating a little apple pie!

Trip To Guangzhou

Yesterday was our flight from Chongqing to Guangzhou. Briana was a perfect angel on the flight - she slept the entire time! I made sure I gave her a bottle just as we began to take off and she was out like a light! That made for a great flight, but unfortunately, she has not been going to sleep easily and not sleeping through the night anymore either. So that made the day very long. We got to Guangzhou at 3:30 and made it to the White Swan Hotel at around 4:30. Just as we got off the bus to check into the White Swan, Shirley (our Chongqing/Guangzhou guide) told us moms to bring our babies across the street for baby visa photos. It literally took five minutes to get us all done. Then Doug and I headed out to eat for dinner and tried to keep Briana up so she would go to bed at a decent time. We didn't get her to sleep until after 10 and we were so tired. That is why I did not post yesterday. Too pooped. I admit got a little frustrated last night because I was tired and I was having a hard time finding stuff. It is so hard living out of a suitcase. I don't think I have ever been so tired in my life. I am so happy - but I am still tired!

Me and Briana at the Chongqing Airport.

At the White Swan...guess what Briana did!

Taking a walk around the White Swan in the evening. Briana loved the breeze coming off the river. (The White Swan is beautiful and do they ever cater to the adoption community. There are people with adopted babies everywhere! We have a room that overlooks the river - it is beautiful!)

Hanging Out

Here are a few pictures of Doug and I hanging out with Briana in the hotel room in Chongqing. This was the day before we left for Guangzhou. As you can see, Briana has quite the personality!

Here is Briana checking out the necklace my mom gave me that says "Today, Tomorrow and Forever." This girl loves jewelry!

I am attempting to check e-mail. It is very hard to blog and check e-mail with a one year old glued to you. But I think she will be a computer geek in no time! (Yes, I look pretty worn out. I am sticky, sweaty and frizzy all the time. Good gawd!)

Briana loves to walk when you hold her hands. She is very wobbly, but soon she will be walking across the floor.

Chongqing Zoo and Paperwork Day

Wow, I haven't had a chance to actually post in a while - Briana is a bundle of energy and when she is awake, we don't have time to do anything! Yesterday, our travel group headed over to the Chongqing Zoo to see the giant pandas. They were so cool. The pandas and giraffes were the best part. The zoo itself was ok - nothing like the zoos in the states. But definitely worth the visit. Then last night, the group went out for dinner. One of the couples in our travel group is Chinese American, and they ordered a bunch of large plates for all of us to try. Talk about handy! Ha! They were such a great help and dinner was very good. Unfortunately, Briana was VERY wiggly and spent the entire time on my lap. Doug was amazed that I ate my entire dinner with chopsticks in my right hand - and I am left handed. You do what you have to do to eat! I have probably lost about 5 pounds already while being here. Forget exercise machines, just adopt a one year old - ha!

Today was two hour paperwork day. Ugh - I can't tell you how happy I am it is over. I went and did all the CIS/INS paperwork while Doug hung out with Briana. I was so impressed - I got back to the hotel room at almost 1PM and Doug had fed Briana a bottle and she was napping. What a guy! I think I will keep him! I was worried about leaving because Briana cries now when I leave the room, but Doug was a pro!

Doug and I had dinner on our own tonight and Briana was a perfect angel at dinner. Sat on my lap with no squirming (the restaurant we went to didn't have high chairs). Where was this angel at dinner yesterday? Anyway, it took a long while to get Briana to sleep tonight. I had to walk the hallway with her until she fell asleep. I guess I really am a mom now.

Well, I am pooped - off to bed. I will write from Guangzhou tomorrow!

Here are pics from the zoo and dinner...

Daddy and Briana at the zoo.

A very sleepy baby.

Daddy being silly with Briana.

Our group at the zoo.

Three of the mamas - me with Briana, Amy with Leah and Jennifer with Eva.

Briana being a character at dinner.