Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Siblings Meet!

We made it home! Lucy was fantastic on the plane—she slept a lot of it. The car seat, however? She's not a big fan.



We came home to two excited boys (and an exhausted Nana). They planned a party, complete with princess decorations and a cake! We're all pretty jet lagged... in fact, she and Daddy are still sleeping...

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Yu-Ting's Law

We spent the morning at AIT getting Lucy (the artist formerly known as Yu-Ting) her visa (to go to the US, not shopping, of course). We arrived promptly at 7:45, handed over our cameras and phones to the very serious man at the counter, skipped through the metal detectors and zipped on up to the third floor. After a surprisingly non-stressful passing of the paperwork, we sat and waited an hour and a half for our turn to be interviewed.

During our wait, Lucy walked holding Daddy and Mommy's hand (big step from constantly being carried), smiled, laughed (I did it this time!), blew kisses, and actually kissed me! Jeff and I realized that if we kiss each other and then go in for one from her, she'll oblige.

Of course, the one place during our trip that no cameras were allowed--she decides to show her stuff. And, another funny thing happened at the American Institute in Taiwan... another adopting family--the gorgeous Emma and her parents--were waiting as well. I hadn't seen them sitting on the other side of Jeff until I heard, "is that Lucy?" -- yes, my little Internet star was spotted and recognized from the blog! I have to give Emma's mom, Eva, a shout out here. Nice to meet you today!

After that, we headed on over to meet Uncle Joe. Yes, an actual uncle! My brother-in-law (of 30+ years together with my sister) happens to be on business in Taipei. We were able to see him for a few minutes before his meeting. Guess who saw him and immediately wanted to be held? Yup, it's true.



After we met for a while, Lucy decided it was time to go and literally walked Jeff out to the car. Problem: it wasn't a taxi so Mommy and Daddy had to put the kibbosh on that.


We stopped off for a little lunch on the way back to our room. Man, that little one loves food! (hmmm... a temper, loves food--starting to sound familiar...)

Back at the room, things got a little hard for her... I think she really likes to be outside, experiencing all the things she's never seen. When we're locked in a room, she's reminded of how scary this all is for her. We try to comfort her but it just breaks my heart. I know I can't make it all go away but we're doing everything we can to let her know we love her and we're here for good. The silver lining... all that fussing leads to very restful naps.


Monday, September 8, 2008

Gaining a Daughter, Losing a Husband

OK, he's toast. Done. Wrapped around her tiny little finger.

I am SHOCKED at how well the first day has gone. As long as Lucy is with Jeff, she's OK. He held her while I fed her some dinner. (Hey, J/B - she eats VEGETABLES and FRUIT. You're next.) She will play little peek-a-boo games, although a little timid. She slept for an hour in the crib and then when she woke up, she wanted Daddy and slept with us all night -- half of it lying on his chest.

I woke up at one point (OK, 500 times to check on her) and she was rubbing my arm with her hand and when I looked at her, she waved to me. It was the cutest thing in the middle of the night!

I know we have a long road ahead and a lot of work to do before she's really OK, but I expected this day to be so much harder. I'm so proud of her. I know she's sad and confused by it all but she's such a strong little girl.

Maybe today she'll actually let me hold her.

More pics to come... I promise.

THE Post One Year in the Making...

She's ours! This has been the most breathtaking, life-changing (and exhausting) day EVER!

Where do I begin? We got to SLC at 10 a.m., along with Tami and Bobby. Around 10:15, there she was... WOW, she's even cuter than she was in May. I immediately offered her the bracelet of mine she liked to play with three months ago. She was happy about that. She was definitely overwhelmed and a little upset with the situation. In fact, there was only one thing that caught her attention and would soothe her instantly. Her Dad. It was UNBELIEVABLE. She lunged out of my arms and into his, and hasn't left them since.



We left SLC and took a cab back to the hotel for our things and onto the High Speed Rail. She did well as long as Daddy was holding her. And then, it happened. 5 hours after we were united, she gave her dad a big old smile and giggle. I think he may have melted.

We got to Taipei and checked in and she had a little nap.

She's the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen. I can't wait to get her home to her brothers.

And, for those of you still waiting--the reality is WAY better than the dream.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Last Breakfast



Haha... nothing gets by you guys! Yes, Jeff shaved the goatee. We figure Lucy sees very few men that a 6'5" hairy one could be pretty scary!

The Day Leading Up to Our Daughter...

Many people have asked me how we're able to be in Taiwan without running over to SLC and scooping up Lucy. Well, as difficult as it is... and it REALLY is... we've learned over the past four years that we don't often get time as a couple. So we enjoyed today exploring the birth country and city where our daughter spent the first 19 months of her life. The people have been just wonderful--I think with Jeff's height and my freckles and blue eyes, people don't know what to do with us!

In our 48 hours pre-Lucy, we've napped, eaten, shopped a bit, did some sightseeing, found a night market, got massages at the hotel spa, and video chatted with the boys as much as we could. We even got to have a long breakfast with Tami and Bobby--Noah's parents! We'll grab a car with them in the morning and pick up our babes at the same time. I can't wait!

10 hours, little girl!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

24 Hours!

Forget counting the days... we're down to hours, people!

The moment we've been holding our breathe waiting for is really going to happen... stay tuned.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Foreign What?

For those of you who are nervous to fly half-way around the world to pick up your little one, let me set your mind at ease.

We got off the plane... spent approx 3 minutes going through the customs process... grabbed a cab quite easily... grabbed Starbucks (yup, they've taken over here, too)...got two tickets for a train leaving in 15 minutes... took a 90 minute clean, quiet ride... grabbed another cab (hint, bring the name of the hotel written in Chinese--BIG help)... and ended up in the hotel lobby by 8:30 a.m.

The people here are so helpful -- from those in the airport pointing to where the cabs are before we even asked, to the lady at the train station who, not only told us where to wait, but stood up before our stop to point it out so we didn't miss it.

The hotel checked us in at 10 a.m. -- five hours before their check-in time. We ordered big, fat burgers and watched some of the LA Dodger game on TV. (the Yankees were on too but anyone who knows me knows I'd never be THAT homesick for baseball.)

We showered, got ready... and then realized... man, we're tired!

So we'll spend the rest of the afternoon doing a little lounging, a bit of shopping at the huge department store right next door... and call it an early night.

Somewhere, not too far from here, is our daughter spending the last moments with the most incredible caregivers and sweet little friends. I hope she has some idea that, while her life will be a huge adjustment, we're so in love with her and can't wait to be her forever Mommy and Daddy.

45 hours to go...

The parents have landed!

We're here! Flight was perfect. I am posting this from a taxi heading to the train. You've got to love technology. Nana, if you are reading this, call the number I left on the fridge.

The parents have landed!

We're here! Flight was perfect. I am posting this from a taxi heading to the train. You've got to love technology. Nana, if you are reading this, call the number I left on the fridge.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Family of Four

This is the very last time you can call us that. We're off to the
airport!

Family of Four

This is the very last time you can call us that. We're off to the
airport!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

What a Day!

So there I was, minding my own business at work, when an impromptu meeting was called. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the conference room just busting with pink, pink, pink! There were my co-workers with a surprise baby shower...complete with pastries and champagne! It was fantastic--adorable pink fortune cookie boxes and pink paper lanterns. I just LOVED it!

Check out some of the beautiful gifts. Lucy is already a fixture at momlogic.com!
Lucy is going to be the best-dressed girl in Southern California. And, check out the books in one pic... they're children's stories in both English and Mandarin. How cool is that? And, not to be left out--even the boys, Jeff and I got cool surprises out of the deal!


Thanks to my fabulous co-workers and friends at momlogic!

What a Day!

So there I was, minding my own business at work, when an impromptu meeting was called. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the conference room just busting with pink, pink, pink! There were my co-workers with a surprise baby shower...complete with pastries and champagne! It was fantastic--adorable pink fortune cookie boxes and pink paper lanterns. I just LOVED it!

Check out some of the beautiful gifts. Lucy is already a fixture at momlogic.com!
Lucy is going to be the best-dressed girl in Southern California. And, check out the books in one pic... they're children's stories in both English and Mandarin. How cool is that? And, not to be left out--even the boys, Jeff and I got cool surprises out of the deal!


Thanks to my fabulous co-workers and friends at momlogic!

Monday, September 1, 2008

What Do You Mean I'm Not Pregnant?

Let's see... I've got a head cold, yet I'm bouncing off the walls here organizing toys and closets, straightening up everything from the kids' stuff, to my own clothes (some I haven't seen in years), to our kitchen pantry——doing the whole out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new.

Isn't that what they call 'nesting'? And don't women do it right before going into labor?

Just sayin'.

Oh, and if you want some goosebumps or big, fat tears on your face... go to Tiff's blog and see the moment it all began with Gracyn. Congrats to the family of FOUR!

P.S. Hey Lucy, if you happen to be reading by now and you're computer savvy, maybe you can see this. You're 19 months today, little girl. Remember this day, it's the very last time you'll get a month older without having your family there to celebrate. We're six days (and two hours, but who's counting?) away from the rest of our lives. Get some rest... you're gonna need it.

XOXO
Mommy

What Do You Mean I'm Not Pregnant?

Let's see... I've got a head cold, yet I'm bouncing off the walls here organizing toys and closets, straightening up everything from the kids' stuff, to my own clothes (some I haven't seen in years), to our kitchen pantry——doing the whole out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new.

Isn't that what they call 'nesting'? And don't women do it right before going into labor?

Just sayin'.

Oh, and if you want some goosebumps or big, fat tears on your face... go to Tiff's blog and see the moment it all began with Gracyn. Congrats to the family of FOUR!

P.S. Hey Lucy, if you happen to be reading by now and you're computer savvy, maybe you can see this. You're 19 months today, little girl. Remember this day, it's the very last time you'll get a month older without having your family there to celebrate. We're six days (and two hours, but who's counting?) away from the rest of our lives. Get some rest... you're gonna need it.

XOXO
Mommy