One Week Home!

Oh, how times flies this side of the journey!

Just gonna' say, if I had my way we would never leave home...at least for a few weeks.  But LIFE.  It happens.  Dental appointments schedule pre-travel, softball games, necessary desperate grocery runs.  They happen.

Fortunately, I have the energy to do all that's necessary, thanks to the magic milk bottle that may or may not contain melatonin :)  Thank YOU for the encouragement and prayers!  We really are doing so well!

You can't take the two-year-old outa the boy, but you can work hard to encourage the two-year-old boy to express himself without fits.  We are almost there.  Seriously.  Almost there!  In fact, we are planning to attend church next Sunday!

We've been cocooning as much as possible, and while the rest of the family attends worship the last two Sundays, Kohlby and I have stayed home to solidify the bond.  He loves it!  He still struggles sharing Mama with his siblings, but every day is better.  This week I'm going to try to build in some individual time with each of them as well.

I don't have many pictures because my hands are mostly full.  If I'm not carrying Kohlby or picking up Khloie, Kasidi, or Kennah for a quick hug, I'm toting laundry baskets.  Or cooking.  

Speaking of meal time, I'm seeking a way to make it run more smoothly.  I should have this...but I just don't.  Our current method is that everyone sits and we serve them so there aren't 14 people running around the kitchen.  When they are ready for seconds, we get them.  So there aren't 14 people running around the kitchen.  When everyone is excused, they rinse their plate, or throw it away when we use paper, and go on their merry way.  But we still have such a mess.  What do you do?

But enough of the mundane.  What about Kohlby?  He is fiercely possessive of his mama.  He's pretty cool with his daddy because his daddy is fun.  He has a special bond with Kenzie and Kayden, but also loves for Kambry to treat him like a prince of a brother.  He's crazy for Kaeleb and all the Legos he's got to offer.  He really likes Kinley's silliness.  He's growing on the people-who-are-much-too-close-to-his-size, Kennah, Kasidi and Khloie.  He loves playing with Kolton, but mostly I'm pretty sure he's flirting with Allie!

There isn't a button he wouldn't risk his life to push.  He once was terrified of our kid-friendly Great Pyrenees, but his love for the outdoors has diminished his fear some.  He doesn't mind the car seat or the stroller, and he loves the Ergo.  Dream come true, eh?

He reluctantly allows me to brush his teeth, but a week ago he clenched his teeth, so that's progress.  There are so many things I take for granted until I experience the other side of them.  

May this week be glorious as we focus on our Savior!

His Clock's Tickin' China Time

I'm going to share a little secret, and then you'll have no sympathy for me whatsoever.  My kids have been rockstars about sleep transition after travel.  With the exception of one who had night terrors for six months, bless her, they've all slept through the night from the get-go.  Until now.

We've only been home three days so I realize I need to give it time, but it's getting worse.  We landed in bed at 3:30 am Friday and slept till noon, no problem!  All of us.  Friday night, little dude woke up at midnight, guzzled a bottle, and tossed and turned till 2.  That's doable.  

Saturday night, he woke up at 2, downed a bottle and tossed and turned till 5.  Last night he woke up at midnight and tossed and turned till 4:55.  Not cool.  My alarm rings at 5.

Around these parts when the alarms rings, we hit the ground with both feet and all hands on deck.  I don't know how that will play out today.

I'm desperate for suggestions to help Mr. Cool sleep!  And I'm not beyond medication, people.  When he doesn't sleep, I don't sleep.  He goes to his crib until he wakes for a bottle, and then we're co-sleeping.  But my littlest rockstar is like the Energizer bunny...on steroids.  He can be perfectly still for all of 2.2 nanoseconds, and then he's rolling around, kicking his legs and reaching to hold my hand.  He has to have my hand over his.  Sweet, huh?  It really is.  But he is so tired.  He's really awesome about not sitting up and playing.  I can tell he's frustrated though.  

So, what would you do?  And please don't say skip the nap because I've been letting him nap less than an hour.  And we've been staying up till between 9 and 10, which is so past my bedtime!

We all thank you for your words of wisdom :) 

Goodbye, China; Hello, Home!

We are home and fully on China time. Not at all productive but very glad to be here.  Traveling soon?  We highly recommend Tekila and just around the corner, Lemon House!  Try the Chicken breast with lemongrass breading - delicious!

Homebound!

We are leaving the hotel!  Kohlby doesn't handle being confined in a taxi so the flights may be interesting. Thank you for praying us home!!  It's been an amazing journey!

Here's a Glimpse

I have so many thoughts swirling through my overwhelmed brain as we prepare to receive Kolhby's visa this afternoon and pack for the trip home.  But I'm up for a more lighthearted post, so I will share a few of the 200+ shots of Kenzie's photo shoot.

*disclaimer: I am not a professional, but I sure did have fun.*

 Today we plan to visit the Island one last time, pick up the visa this afternoon and then pack for HOME!!!

A Day at Shamian Island

We had the entire day!

We've seen very little of the sun since we've arrived, and today was no different, but we needed to get senior pictures taken.  So much for natural light.  We started with shots at the hotel, and then headed to the Island.

Like a little slice of home.

Lunch at Lucy's with our favorite iced tea.

A little fun before the serious photo session began.

 Families, look at the White Swan!  It's not complete yet...

And I took over 100 shots of this girl.  It was a blast!!!

The girls have promised me they will post today :)  Sisters Point of View

Let's FACE it ~ He's Got Expression

Innonence

Satisfied 

Curious

Zoned

Sneaky

All-out Happy

Proud

Out

Surprised

Distaste

Stuffed, which leads to...

Yeah, never mind

Ornery

Intrigued

And so many more!

Medical Exam - Check!

Going to breakfast.

Dad and the girls stayed at the hotel to do a little relaxing, grocery shopping and laundry...and to avoid the overcrowded medical clinic. 
And a little jaunt to Starbucks to get what Dad initially called a "crappe".  Apparently he's changed his mind :/

 So I braved it alone.  Thank goodness I remembered the Ergo because when Boy Wonder was unbuckled for the exam rooms, he tried to split the scene.

One minute or thirty, he was thrashing and throwing a nice two-year-old fit, and the next he was passed out.

 Crazy Garden Hotel lobby.

Waterfall and fish pond.  Kept Boy Wonder still for 30 minutes.

The whole view.

 In the evening we enjoyed a group meal at Tekila!  Yum!

Kohlby's medical looks amazing!  We'll have to establish a base line and go from there, but we expected far more delays.  From the time line we now have, it appears that Boy Wonder started progressing by leaps and bounds around the time he went to his foster parents.  I am so thankful for the people who have poured into his life.

TO HIM BE ALL GLORY!