We're Still Here

and all is well. I have just been busy and have not kept up with the posts. I was down for a few days with a cold turned ear infection but on the mend now.


LuLu is scooting across the floor with ease now and will even venture into a room by herself. Her scoot is done with one leg in a sitting position and the other leg has the foot on the floor. Hard to explain but maybe you can get an idea in this picture. It's actually quite efficient since she is half way there when she wants to sit down.

She is now a champion eater and really doesn't turn down much of anything. Hopefully her number of teeth will catch up with her appetite soon. She weighed 15.1 pounds at the doctor three weeks ago. She's filled out quite a bit since then. Her cheeks are fuller, she has quite the belly and she is working on having thighs. We go back to the Doctor in three weeks and I'm betting on at least 16.5.

For some reason, her favorite thing is having a lime in each hand. She goes crazy for them everytime she sees them. Walking through the grocery store, she just about jumped out of the hip carrier as we walked past the produce. If you came to our house right now, I can not promise that you would not step on a lime. At this rate, we are going to have to open up a Mojito bar.

Here's A few more pictures from the last several days

Here's what we have been up to...

It's been just over a week since we have been home and it has flown by. Here's a little of what we have been up to. We have moved from Up Dog to Down Dog.

Cleaned the rug

Recovered from jet lag. As you can see, some have done better than others.

Tried to juggle limes

Discovered watermelon

Been swimming

Had a belated one year birthday celebration. Complete with a very special dress made by my Mom and worn by two of my nieces.

We also had our first Doctor's appointment since being home. We will have more official word when the blood work comes back but so far so good. Speaking of blood work, frankly that experience sucked. I could go for a while without having to do that again.

Unfortunately, we haven't returned all the lovely Welcome Home emails and phone calls. And we haven't sent Thank You's for all the gifts that have poured in. Maybe next week.

Back Home

We arrived back home last Wednesday right on schedule. Everyone is doing great, despite the jet lag. We actually felt human today. We were welcomed by pink balloons and American flags lining the driveway and a huge Welcome Home sign made by my out of town relatives. And I thought I had cried all the tears of joy I could possibly cry. Thanks Guys!!! My parents have been a HUGE help since we got home. My poor Mom is cooking and cleaning like Cinderella so Jon and I can enjoy LuLu. Our friends Becky and Larry brought a Mexican feast last night complete with Corona and limes. We continue to be spoiled by everyone's love and generosity and I hope that someday we can pay it forward.
I promise to be back soon with some pictures of our first few days home. I will say that LuLu has become quite the daredevil and can't decide if she wants to crawl or walk first.

All Packed Up

We're all packed up and are leaving Guangzhou in the morning. We are sad to be leaving China but excited about getting home as a family of three. We have spent the last couple of days seeing the sights and finishing up the last details. Sorry I haven't posted but just so much going on. LuLu is eating everything that we let her and is getting more mobile by the day. Jon and I have had to up our game on getting her diaper changed now that she can roll over. She is also very close to being able to go from laying down to sitting up and she likes to practice that move just as the dirty diaper comes off and the clean one goes on. Good times.

The next post will likely be after we get home and settled a bit. Here are some pics from Guangzhou. We have lots more, just haven't had a chance to get them uploaded.

Up Dog

Until last night, when we would put her on her stomach, LuLu just didn't know what to do. She could not really lift her head or didn't know to try. Now she is doing a pretty decent Upward facing dog. Of course, it's usually followed by a pretty good face plant. She also rolled over this morning. She was very proud of herself.

P.S. Yes, I now see the rubberband on the floor and I realize it's a choking hazard.

Catching Up

Here are a few pictures taken just before we left Nanchang and a couple from the flight to Guangzhou.