Happy Halloween

We didn't want to say anything in fear of jinxing ourselves, but we seem to have "China" Emma back.  The last three nights she has slept through the night about 10+ hours, and taking good naps (little in the morning and more in the afternoon).  We are getting more sleep, and starting to get into a routine, which is good for everyone.  
I will be Mr. Mom for a few days this week while Sue is in NY, so hoping things continue to go smoothly.  I have provided Emma with a written schedule, and some ground rules to make our time this week both efficient, and happy.  We posted the schedule by her bed and review it both when she wakes up, and before she goes to bed.  I am pretty confident that this will work well. 

It is hard to believe she has been home in Chicago for just one week, and with us for three weeks.  In many ways it is like she has been here for years.  Here are some pictures of her from this past weekend.  It was filled with birthday (Grandma S), anniversary (ours), and pseudo-pagan-Christian-ritualistic-sugar laden-celebration (what the heck is Halloween anyway?).  We had a lot of fun, and continued to evolve our routine.

All dressed up for her first dinner out in the States!  Grandma's birthday.

It's been three weeks today!  BEFORE: These are the clothes she had
on when we got her.  Yes, all of them at the same time.  And
it was 70+ degrees.

Emma's new friend Sophie.

Getting cozy in her new blanket.  We will know
which one is hers.

Time to brush her teeth (or should I say tooth).
She actually likes it!  Yay!

Pumpkin patch - not so much.  Seemed like a good idea at the time. 
We also realized no one has probably seen her cry (she does btw).

Things got better.  Just in time for dad's camera battery to die.
Parenting 101 - always have the battery charged - douph!

"Forget the treat, I can't wait for the TRICK!"
Emma's first Halloween, and first house.

You could sense the nervousness and anxiety in the air.
"Will they be home, what kind of treats will they have,
will they like my costume?"

End of a LONG day!  Dinner didn't go so well, but she was styling in her new
bib from Grandma and Grandpa V.

Long nights

Apologies for not posting more updates sooner.  Mom and Dad however, have not been sleeping much, and are back to work full time as of Monday.  Emma is doing well, but waking up every few hours with varying degrees of pitch, range, loudness and duration to her nocturnal repertoire.  We are assuming it is mostly the time change, but of course there are a million other reasons (OK, so I've only come up with 8-9) for her not sleeping well upon our return.

I have a few updated pictures, and a couple of videos (which I will have to do tomorrow night).  We are learning the "sleep when you can" mantra (which I have shunned for her adoring fans).  She remains happy, smiling and a true pleasure, but has her "moments".  

Dad learning to read, and getting very comfortable with pink.

"Just a little to the left ..." She is already working the corporate sponsorship angle.

Still loves her baths, and now has LOTS of bath toys to accompany her ducks from China.

"See ya'll soon!"

Sweet Home Chicago!!!

Sorry for not posting earlier.  We made it safely AND smoothly back to Chicago on Friday.  Emma traveled a total of about 26 hours (door to door) and cried for a whole 5 minutes (we couldn't warm the bottle fast enough on the plane).  However between jet lag, time zones, new child, and the fact that someone switched our child with an exact duplicate that does not sleep through the night - we have been a bit crazed.  All is good though and Emma is adjusting nicely, and getting the opportunity to meet lots of new family and friends.  Here are a few pictures. 

Back to work tomorrow, so will work on posting more in the coming days.



Emma digs traveling.  Enjoying the lounge in Shanghai airport.





We told her not to get used to Business class.
She was a big hit with the flight attendants.




Emma meets Grandma Stautz.





We were worried about the car seat (never been in one before),
but she took it in stride.




Thanks Mattie and Nicholas for the "Welcome Home" sign.



"Dad look at this!".  Thanks Uncle Tom, Aunt Jodie and
cousin Mattie for all the work carving.  BTW what is halloween?




Emma digging her "Baby Einstein".  Especially the mirror
where she can see herself.



First bath at home.  New bathroom was completed
hours before our return.  Yeah.




Emma likes Jordan.  Jordan still deciding :)



HEADING HOME - Final day!!!

The time has arrived.  This is our final day before beginning our trek home to the US!  Our flight is tomorrow morning at 9 from Guangzhou to Shanghai, then 4:20 pm from Shanghai to Chicago.  It will be a LOT of traveling time, but we expect Emma will continue to be a champ. 

Today was "Red Couch" day.  It is a tradition with each group of families to have pictures of the kids taken on the red couches on the second floor of the White Swan (our hotel).  Today started with another bath, and Emma being a bit more vocal than normal. 

Emma - Duck Whisperer  

Then dressed up for the big picture in a traditional Chinese dress. 

As with most events here in China it would prove to be utter chaos.  Off to a good start with the first few kids from Emma's province.  Even with all the crying and fussing going on around her, she always seems to maintain a sense of calm. 

There were probably about 25 families all together.  Add crying kids, siblings, parents and other family members and it all gets big and crazy fast. 

Emma, changed and on her way to lunch with mom and dad.

And one last video before we head to the airport in the morning.

Emma before dinner

Heading home to CHICAGO!!!

Parting thought.  We have been reviewing our pictures of Emma since the day we met her and are amazed at how far we have all come in such a short period of time.  The following picture is from her wardrobe on her first day.  Anything seem "off"? 

Wednesday - free day!

We are getting closer to ending our time here in Guangzhou.  Wednesday was a free day and the weather has remained very nice.  However, there is a Super Typhoon heading in our direction and that has created a bit of a buzz around here.  We are expecting to be fine since we are schedule to fly out on Friday morning and it won't be here until later Friday or Saturday (if it keeps tracking this way).  Many families though are trying to reschedule Friday and Saturday flights from Hong Kong to leave earlier. 

We started the day with a bath.  Emma loves her bath time and is particularly fond of her duckies.

We received her medication this morning and started applying it.  Her face seems to be clearing up quickly, though the redness does tend to come and go.  We also gave her some medication last night and that seems to have stopped the itching.  Hoping we finally have this under control. 

We have developed a bit of a routine - bath, breakfast, a little shopping, nap, lunch, play, nap again and then off to dinner.  While shopping today mom and Emma took a little break in the park. 



After her afternoon nap, we headed out to dinner with our friend who are leaving tomorrow.  Joey, Christy and Hannah (from Alabama) and Jeff, Deb, Dane and Jayda (from New Jersey).  We were all together since our arrival in Beijing and then in Nanchang since our daughters are all from the Jangxi province. 

Joey, Christy and Hannah

Jeff and Jayda

We ran into a few other families that we have been seeing around and spending time with, so we all ended the night with a beer.  It really has been a great group of people, and we have enjoyed getting to know these families from all over the US.  We are both ready to be home (ok maybe Sue a little more than me), but if we had to stay a few more days I wouldn't be too disappointed.  The time we have been able to spend togehter without the "real world" distractions and realities, has been very welcomed. 

We are looking forward to seeing everyone soon, and especially having Emma meet all her new friends and family!!!

Wednesday night at Lucy's!

Almost there "Oath day" - Tuesday

Emma slept great again last night.  She was a bit cranky and fussy getting up (just kidding - you will see that last about 10 seconds).

Emma waking up

After getting up she had a chance to "meet" Grandma and Grandpa Stautz.  I think she is still trying to figure out how her "toys" are interacting with her, but she obviously enjoys it. 

Emma meeting Grandma and Grandpa Stautz

Today was the next milestone on Emma's journey to being a US citizen.  We went to the US Consulate here in Guangzhou to take an "oath" that attested to the accuracy of her paperwork and was the final official stage before having her US Visa issued.  Thursday our agency will pick up her passport and visa, and then as soon as it is stamped for entry on US soil she becomes a citizen (if I have this all correct :)).

Heading to the consulate and
striking a pose.

Of course she can't go to such an important event without getting dressed up (nor could mom).  She was happy as ever. 

Mom and Emma - all dressed
up and ready to go!

The appointment was right in the middle of nap time, which had us first time parents a bit concerned.  However she seems to be very flexible with her naps and sleeping, still with minimal fussing and always a smile to be had.  We remain fairly sure she is "fattening us up for the kill", but for the time we are embracing every second. 

The consulate did a nice job of explaining the process and ensuring that everything went smooth and efficient.  It was about a 30-40 min drive each way, and maybe 60 min total that we were there.  On the ride home Emma was starting to get a little sleepy.  The rash on her face is still lingering so we went to see a local doctor earlier in the day.  We have some medication coming tomorrow (Wed) and heard back from our pediatrician in Chicago.  Latest is that we think her cheeks may be eczema.

After the consulate appointment we had about an hour to get Emma some dinner before we headed out for a boat cruise on the Pearl River.  The boat was nice and the cruise was with all of the families that were here to adopt.  So we had a chance to hang out with many of the folks we have been seeing on the buses and at breakfast, and some time with several of the families we have gotten to know pretty well. 

Pearl River Cruise

Emma had a great time hanging out with her new friends.  Her original paperwork said she was "shy with strangers".  We are finding that to be far from the facts.  She is smiling for everyone, and enamored with the kids, constantly reaching out for them when they are nearby. 

Emma's first boat ride!

After the boat ride we stopped at Lucy's to hang out with a few other families.  We have met a lot of really great people on the trip and it has been a pleasure seeing the joy of so many families loving their new children.  That the children and families have changed so much in just over a week is heartwarming.  To think that this is the beginning of a lifetime for all involved is overwhelming. 

Tomorrow is a free day, so more shopping (I am sure), pool side activity, and starting to prepare for our journey home.

Free time - Sunday / Monday

The last two days we haven't had any "official" work to do.  Sunday morning we went to the Jade and Pearl markets here in Guangzhou.  Sue managed to find some things, and was the local pearl expert for the uninitiated jewelry shoppers.  In the afternoon we had "High Tea" at the hotel (not quite as impressive as it sounds), and then ended the day with some more shopping and a bite to eat with a couple of other families at Lucy's.

Mom and Emma before "High Tea"

Monday morning we were able to sleep in with NO planned activities at all throughout the day. 

Emma was able to videoconference with Grandma and Grandpa V and with Uncle Bob and Aunt Elizabeth.  She was itching for breakfast but clearly happy to meet her new extended family.  After a stop at Starbucks we headed off the island and into the main part of town.  The fact that we were the only Westerners in this area did not help with our "blending in" (as if that is possible here). 

And in a country with over a billion people you get very creative in what you eat.  We saw some very interesting things.  For any SOLIDs out there reading, this is the Chinese version of meat on a stick!  My best guess is a lizard.  There were also snakes and a number of other items that we would need a guide to explain.

It was a pretty hot day, about 88 degrees F and it gets even hotter with Emma in the carrier.  As always she was a champ though, and hung in there, though mom and dad tended to get a bit on the sweaty side.  We stopped off in a local Holiday Inn which had a beautiful marble lobby, and tremendous air conditioning.  We made ourselves comfortable for a little bit in the lobby, before we headed out for the rest of our journey (and a quick diaper change was in order).

We wondered around for a couple of hours (Emma napping as she desired), and came across some interesting streets.  It was a good opportunity to see a more realistic version of life in Guangzhou. 

And while we were out and about I thought I would recruit some of the local talent for RABGRAI '11.  Looking to add Asia to our Team SOLID continents. 

Back to Lucy's for a quick lunch (yes you are sensing a trend).  The following pictures are actually from Saturday, but except for the clothes it has been a similar drill.  Some "juice" for mom and dad, congshie and quesadilla for Emma (and us). 

Yes we coordinated in the morning.

She has several years to go!

Then time for Emma to take a nap.  After nap time we thought it was a good time for Emma's first swimming lesson.  As a future Olympic champion, we figured it is never too early to start.  And of course she must do it in fashion!

I can't say she was excited about the pool, but she was not intimidated or concerned.  Seemingly just confused, I think that a "bath tub' could be so huge.  It seemed like she was trying to figure it out, and not quite sure what to make of it all.  And I think she was probably ready for dinner. 

"Are we done yet/'

"This is a HUGE bath tub. 
Where are my duckies?"

 

After our swim, we hurried up to dry off, get changed and meet another family for dinner.  They are actually from Wilmette (just outside of Chicago) and adopted a beautiful baby boy (18 months old).  We had a very nice dinner outside and enjoyed spending time with them (even though Emma was a bit fussy - probably too late).

So there is our last couple of days.  All in all things have been pretty busy, but we both agree that is has been a great opportunity to focus on Emma and spend some quality time together.  Tomorrow afternoon we head to the US Consulate for our oath taking ceremony which will be the next step on Emma's path to citizenship. 

I know you are all probably looking for some videos.  I think that we have some, but we are now approaching the midnight hour, and the blog master needs to get up early to go for a run before the day starts (things are definitely changing).  So I will check our video "stash" tomorrow and see if we have anything new we can publish.