Snow and a Milestone

After 2 days of snow, cold temperatures, heavy winds and being stuck inside we put the snow suit on and ventured out into the snow today. At first Taylor didn't like it. Don't think she could walk very well in it as it was a very wet, heavy snow. After a bit she got the hang of it and didn't want to leave it. Tried to convince her to lie down in it to make a snow angel but she wouldn't have any part of it. After the snow we walked around the block and found Taylor's true pleasure....a puddle. She really enjoyed splashing around in the one at the end of the driveway and at the street corner which was a bit bigger.

Tonight we reached a milestone. Taylor stood in the bath tub and didn't scream her head off. I had to carry her into the tub and hold her hand the entire time. Once I showed her how to splash her feet she began to enjoy herself. She had to get out twice to go potty and she willingly went back in each time. Still couldn't get her to sit though. Through a yahoo group of other adopting parents who got their kids from the same orphanage as Taylor I found out that most of the kids didn't like the bath either. It took some of them 2-3 months to get comfortable in the tub. This will be a process of small baby steps. Step 1 complete!!!!!

Ready for Technology.....

The glasses are just a fashion statement!!!!

A Visit From Dear Friends Patty and Mike

On Sunday my friends Patty and Mike came down to meet Taylor. We had a wonderful visit and Taylor sure did enjoy playing with them. She even had them on the floor playing ball.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Today the Jersey Shore FCC (Families with Children from China) group had their Chinese New Year celebration. Taylor and I put on our outfits from China and headed out for her first big outting since coming home 2 weeks ago tonight. It was so much fun to finally introduce Taylor to everyone and she had a good time with all the other kids there. The jacket I am wearing I had made for me in China.

First Playdate

My friend Michele came over today with her son Ryan so that he could play with Taylor. They played pretty well for 3 hours riding the vespa scooter, doing puzzles, serving each other tea, taking the various stuffed toys and dolls for rides in the pram, coloring and running around.

After Michele and Ryan left, Taylor took a little cat knap on the couch wearing the new bathrobe and slippers she just received from Grandma.

Thanks for coming over Michele and Ryan, we can't wait for our next playdate.

Happy Valentines Day - Love Taylor

A Visit From Auntie Linda

Auntie Linda came to visit Taylor on Saturday along with Marie Nije and they came bearing gifts. Marie gave Taylor a beautiful stuffed dog in the hopes that she will grow to love dogs and not be afraid of them. This is important since Linda and Rick have ha 90 lb. Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.

When Taylor played in the playroom at the White Swan Hotel in Guanghzou she liked riding around on some of the riding toys they had there. So the request went out to Auntie Linda for one. Well in she walks with a VERY COOL Radio Flyer Vespa Scooter. Job well done Linda. Taylor loved it and enjoyed riding it around the house. The scooter has turn signals, a horn and plays music and storage under the seat. It was a big hit. Linda also brought chocolate cookies which Taylor seemed to enjoy.

Taylor also enjoyed the "big" gift bag. Lets go to the video.

This and That

Kathy came over for a visit today and brought a mat for me to put under Taylor's chair in the dining room. Before I could put it down, Taylor decided it would make a nice blanket.


Thursday night my friend Sue called and Taylor decided she wanted to talk to her. I think this is a sign of the future....contantly on the phone and I won't be able to get on it at all.

Thursday morning watching her Signing Time DVD. No I did not teach her to sit this way.

Blizzard 2010 (Hopefully the last!)

From Our Homecoming on Saturday 2/6/10

Here are some pictures from our arrival in Newark and then the premier of Miss Taylor Mae at home with Linda and Rick and the Zapcic's.

Her first slice of pizza!!!

First Sunday in Her New Home

Here are some images from Sunday morning after Taylor's first night in her new home. As you can see she still loves bags only this time she has moved onto big shopping bags. Was able to put that one away and now she has 2 handbags she uses. Still loves playing with the balloons that the Zapcic's brought over on Saturday night.

Taylor has so far adjusted really well to being in her new home. When I leave the room, she runs down the hall to check where I am. Always has a big smile for me. When I was doing laundry the other day she handed me clothes from the basket for the washer and then helped take them out of the dryer...it is just her level!!!! She has also figured out how to push in the drawers in the dishwasher and close the door. She gets so excited when it is time to sit in her booster seat at the head of the dining room table for a meal. She still eats anything I put in front of her.

Today we went to Target for the first time. She loves going in the car seat and staring out the window. As soon as I get out of the car she is banging on the window ready to get out. She was really good in Target and sat in the cart and didn't point to everything in sight and have a minor meltdown when I wouldn't get her something like she did in China. She liked holding some of the items before she tossed them in the back of the cart. Glad nothing was breakable.

She has figured out how to climb out of bed in the morning. That is fine when I am up but it isn't at 4:45am and Mom isn't ready to get up yet. Got her to hang out quietly for another hour before I decided to get up. Even lying there quietly she is still the comedian. Will see what happens tomorrow morning. I think yesterday her nap was a little to long. Won't be today!!!

Expecting a blizzard tomorrow so will be homebound. Will have to put off our trip to Baby's R Us until Thursday.

Addendum to We Are Home Post

Forgot to add a little tidbit to our journey home that made our arrival all the more interesting. When we were in Beijing boarding the plane home we had to gate check the stroller. The gentlemen that took it was going to put it in a bag then onto the plane. At Newark when we deplaned it wasn't waiting for us. We had to wait a few minutes for it. When it arrived Kathy took it out of the bag (I was holding Taylor) and set it up. We then realized that one of the front wheels was missing. It wasn't in the plastic bag and of course the person who brought it up was no where to be found to see if it was down below. On person we asked said it wasn't his job to go down and look for it. We had to wait for all the other passengers to get off to get the attention of the flight crew. They tried to help but since it was an international flight they couldn't go down to look either or find someone to look. Oh well. We were able to still use the stroller for our carryons and then after we got the luggage cart we put Taylor in it and were on our way. It is going into the garbage on Thursday and I will buy another one. As we said, it was made in China (had to add some humor to the situation!!!!!!)

The Taylor Mae Show Starring.......Taylor Mae

Here are some of the videos I took but couldn't post from China. Enjoy!!!! Think they are funny.

A Special Thank You

I just want to take a moment to thank my dear friend Kathy for travelling to China with me to bring home my Taylor. It was so much fun having her along. I can't tell you how helpful she was to me and not just for pushing the luggage cart. It was so nice having her there to share this wonderful time in my life. We also managed to have alot of fun along the way. If we weren't laughing at something Taylor did or said we were laughing at something we said or did. It was nice to have someone to talk to after Taylor went to bed at night and to have someone to ask for advice. I know right now she is just as tired as I am but happy to be home. We both can't wait to see her again real soon. Thanks again Kathy for all your help, advice and most of all your friendship.

We Are HOME!!!!!

Taking advantage of my munchkin taking a much needed nap to post. After a very long travel day that included an early wake up call, 3 hour flight to Beijing, rechecking bags and going through security again, a 2 1/2 layover and a 13 hour flight we arrived at Newark. Oh so happy to be on US soil. Once we landed the fun wasn't over. When we got the stroller back from gate check it was missing a wheel. Trying to find someone to go below and look for it was impossible so we went on our way minus 1 wheel.

I had to take Taylor to a special immigration room so they can look over all her paperwork before stamping her passport. Kathy was left to pick up the luggage. Then we had to go through an agricultural check before being released. Everyone one on the flight had to do this. When the last immigration officer asked where we came from and China was my answer, his response was "this isn't your lucky night." It went pretty quickly but unfortunately Kathy's bag had to be searched. All they found was candy and after discussion with several people, they cleared it through. On the other side was Auntie Linda and Uncle Rick waiting for us. Never happier to see them. Linda had her camera ready and took pictures. As soon as I get them I will share them.

Eventhough we didn't get lucky with going through the agriculture check we did get luck with the snow. It stopped south of Newark. No airport delays. My house got about 6 inches and Kathy got 18. Didn't prevent our plans from falling into place. Guess it pays to have back up plans and worry a little bit.

Once we got home, Kathy's husband Andy and 3 of 4 kids (Chirs, Scott and Lauren) and Kathy's mom were waiting at the house for us. Taylor was happy....new people to entertain and new people to entertain her. Everyone had a great time. Taylor loves balloons. Kathy's family brought beautiful flowers and balloons. Taylor almost ran over Kathy's mom to get to them when she saw them.

It was great to be home and see everyone and just relax. After everyone left Taylor went to sleep at 9:30pm with Mom praying that she would sleep through the night and not think it was just a 2 hour nap. Then I went to work. Fell into bed exhausted at 12:30am. Woke at 5am and went back to work until Taylor woke at 6. Both my Mom and Linda called today and Taylor loved holding onto the phone and talking to them and pressing the numbers. So glad I have a speaker phone otherwise I wouldn't have been able to speak to either of them as Taylor would not give up the phone. Have to dig out the one I bought for her.

Before posting this I went through my blog to see how it looked (I couldn't access it in China) and read everyones comments. Thanks for following along and posting your comments. I enjoyed reading everyone of them. There is a company I have used for digital photobooks that does one with blogs. I will take this blog of my journey and have a book made of it for Taylor. Nap time is still going on so will head off to do some work like laundry.

Last Pictures of Taylor from China

Last Full Day in Guangzhou

Today was our last full day in China. We said good-bye to some wonderful friends we met here and hello to friends I have known since 2006/2007 who arrived in Guangzhou to finalize the adoptions of their daughters.

Our bags are just about packed and the wake up call set for 5:00am. We leave the hotel at 7:45am for the airport. We fly from here to Beijing, have a 4 hour layover and leave at 5:00pm for Newark. We are hoping the snow doesn't come or the accumulaion is alot less than predicated. Can't wait to get home!!!

Today 3 families that were in our group left for Hong Kong and are flying to the US tomorrow. Those of us remaining here all went down to send them off. It was sad to see them go. We all had such a great time here together.

Had dinner with my friends Mary and Kevin Walker and their new daughter Chloe. It was so nice to see Mary again and spend time with her family. Chloe is a beautiful little girl with a great laugh. It was fun catching up. When we got back to the White Swan our friend Sherry Spring had arrived with her husband Sonny and their 2 darling daughters Cassie and Chloe. They came up to our room for a short visit after getting settled. The girls all played together before it was time for bed. How fun to see them here in China.

Signing off from China. Will post once again after getting home and settled.

More Pictures