Daddy Day-Care & other strange happenings

These past two weeks I’ve gone back to school. Mia is enjoying time hang’in with Dad. It’s been more an adjustment for me, I think, but Mike has had to make some adjustments too. He goes to the store and tries to deal with the paperwork as quickly as possible and then runs his errands. They are home by 10:30 or 11:00 and she’s down for nap till almost I’m home at 4 p.m. She greets me with a squeal and hugs and kisses me. She is so loving. Elliott will be home mid week from MSU and will take his turn bonding with Mia. I’ll be able to take some half-days and finish up my school year in just a couple more weeks. It’s been really nice to know Mia is enjoying time with her Dad and that Elliott, too, will be able to have his time as well. She seems to know who she belongs to and who’s stranger.

We finally finished her room. For many months I would not dare think of a nursery. I claimed it was because I didn’t know her age and couldn’t buy a crib. But actually I think I just was afraid that it never would happen. Well now our arms are full and we have a beautiful baby who needs her space in the household too. Once again the maternal instincts have kicked in and have demanded the nest be fluffed. What fun I’ve had pulling together this niche. We’ve moved Ethan upstairs to share with Elliott, while Michaela has moved over and has and bright purple palace fit for a princess. Our Mia now has pale pink walls adorned with ladybugs and her Chinese calligraphy. We’ve even put in new carpet and it feels wonderful.
At Christmas-time we weren’t sure we would have our baby or not and now our life is complete. She is walking, talking and is so vivacious and alert. Her sleep pattern is beginning to settle down a bit. We attribute much of her nighttime awakenings to her teething. She is 20 months old now and is now cutting eye-teeth. We are so pleased with her progress and you she see how pleased with herself she is too! With every new step forward she seems to be so eager to learn more. We are especially glad that her relationship with Michaela is starting to blossom. They are really loving each other’s attention now.

I've tried twice to load photo's. I HATE DIAL-UP! I'll get them all ready to upload and wait...wait...wait...for an hour then I'm disconnected. UGGHHH! One more try later this evening. Sorry.

Showers of Blessings

He has done great and marvelous things for us and we are rejoicing this Spring season of new birth.
"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth"....Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praised to our King, sing praises, For God is the King of all the arth; sing to him a psalm of praise. (psalm 47: 1-2, 6-7)

Progress is Good? Right?

For the past three weeks we’ve had a Physical Therapist come as part of an Early Intervention Program to help Mia get caught up in walking and crawling. The first week was almost as painful for me as it was her. She struggled to get up from her belly onto her knees and push up on her arms from her chest. If she did manage to assume the correct crawling position she would soon fall flat and sprattle-legged. Lauren, her therapist, showed me correct ways to help her during the week. The whole crew has been praising her as she stands from a seated position, as she takes a few steps and as she squats to pick things up from the floor. For too long she has been content to let us do things for her. It was apparent that she was not progressing and that she needed to be pushed to do things for herself. During one session, Lauren saw that Mia wanted an object and pushed it further out of her reach, wanting her to go for it. Mia looked to me to help her out, but I was only to cheer her on. She became furious and soon was throwing a tantrum. For ten minutes she raged and I could only sit by and watch. I left the room at one point, frankly to get my composure, and she quieted down. It was obvious a lot of her anger was focused on me. I am her helper, why wasn’t I helping her? Since then I think Mia has begun to see me in a different light and not demand me to do so much for her. I struggle with that. I want to ease her pain, but in so doing I am preventing her from becoming stronger. Therapy is helping me a lot too! We’ve seen Mia progress tremendously in just the past few days even. Lauren came today and was amazed at what she can do. As I was cooking in the kitchen and Mike was watching her, he motioned me into the living room. Mia had cruised around the room and had started climbing the staircase. She was half-way up! This afternoon Michaela wanted to hide Easter eggs (we’d never got around to it yesterday L) and Mia was pulling away from my fingers, which she usually grasps tightly, and walking in the cushy grass long distances. Kitchen cabinets are now of great interest also! Oh my, progress is awesome but are we ever fully prepared for the consequences? I am amazed at the confidence that has come to Mia almost overnight. Maybe, just maybe she’ll want to sleep tonight. Please Mia? Please!

Citizen Mia

The "Not-So-Rosy" Part

During the 16 month wait I discovered a great place on line to keep me in touch with others also waiting. The Rumor Queen blog (chinaadopttalk.com) had its share of controversy, but without it I would have been completely clueless in this complicated and tedious process. The Queen, a fellow adoptive mom, published an article called “The Not-So-Rosy Part”. It was a reminder to all of us that these children who were to be placed into our arms were not just little beautiful bundles of joy, but that they were coming to us with a past, even if it was a brief past.
So many of the articles we see posted only show the positive sides. Isn’t it wonderful that we can share our joys our children bring us? But the point is that many people, prospective adoptive parent in particular, see only the successes we’ve experienced and don't realize the difficulties. I see that in my own blog. Maybe, perhaps, because I’ve had biological children it was an understood part of parenthood that there would be dark days. With children there will always be some hardships, some phases they must pass through, but I am finding out that with an adoptive child I have more areas where I am clueless.
For the most part, Mia has come to us without hesitation and has seems to feel totally at home with us. But still I’ve wondered how much she remembers of her foster family. She is so loving. Someone has shown her much love and laughter before us. Mia is smart and has a good memory. She mimics and remembers the “tricks” we teach her easily. Does she stop and ponder the people she no longer sees and the games she played with them? I see her especially thoughtful with persons who have dark hair and eyes, very solemn in fact. Older people and men get the same deep looks. Did an elderly man live and care for her? I’ll never know.
For almost a month now we’ve been home. Mia has been sleeping, eating, and interacting wonderfully, until the past week. Though her day-time schedule is still going smoothly and she’s eating, napping and eating good, her nights have been disturbing. She’s waking nightly before 1 a.m. and not going back to sleep easily. Sometimes she’s refusing to lay down. Sometimes she’s just tossing and turning and crying out every few minutes. We’ve tried almost every trick we know and have reviewed every possible thing that could be triggering her sleeplessness, but we are clueless. My thoughts go back to the article by the Rumor Queen. Could this be part of the attachment process? Could Mia be working out the changes in her life subconsciously? It’s quiet possible. I look at this happy, funny girl and see her so exuberant and think, “how can anything but joy be in her heart”. But because I don’t know her past, I’ll always wonder what is going on in her brain that she can’t begin to comprehend.

Fun in the sun

Musical Mia

We noticed pretty quickly that Mia was familiar with music. She clapped her hands within a few days of getting her so I knew she'd been exposed in some way. Her love for music is something our family enjoys nurturing. Already she's got quite a repetoir developing. Her favorites, please don't blame her, she's not been able to pick these herself, are "Barbara Ann" from the Beach Boys and "Clap Your Hands All Ye People". We are working on "Put Your Little Foot" and an original composed by me! I love to sing little ditties to her like: "Mia Yunzhu, Mia Yunzhu, I love you, I love you. You're my precious daughter, you're my precious daughter, I love you, I love you" sung to the tune of "Are you Sleeping". Yes, I know, not real original, but she's learning her name and she's especially cute when she drops everything to rock and clap along. Wednesday is children's choir night so we've been going and listening in on Michaela and the others as they learn a new musical called "Praise Rocks". Mia, who's usually napping at this time, decided to wake up, and raised her arms charismatically as she sang along.

Others are helping to cultivate her musical talent too. Her Nana bought her the little toy piano in the above photo. She's hilarious when giving her performances. They get better and better with each practice session. Elliott, too, is in on the lessons. He's home for a week now for spring break. Often they sit at the "big" piano singing and playing away. There's a song in our hearts that has replaced those empty days and silent days of waiting.

Thoughts from Acorn Ridge

How precious her love for us. We knew we would love her no matter what, but to see her return that love and to grow in her trust is so comforting. I write a thousand words everyday in my mind, many thoughts on her past, her birth, what her future may have been. Looking into her eyes everyday is changing us in so many ways. I've got so many journal entries, but don't quite know where to begin. Maybe I'll figure out just how to express my discoveries, or maybe you can give me some suggestions. What would you like to know about this adoption journey? Why did we follow this adoption path? Why China? What was her life like prior? What would have been? I'm sure I'll spend many days asking and reasking myself the same questions. But does anyone else want to hear about it? If you do, then I will.

Michaela loves Mia

The weather here is simply delicious. I just want to drink it in. How wonderful the days are passing with Mia's smiles and alertness making us smile along with her. The house is joyous. Isn't it amazing how children can transform any environment?

Settling In

Our jet lag is gone, I think! We are beginning to see some normalcy....I think. What a beautiful little person is Mia ZhuZhu. I love it that the title of this blog is Mia, Mia....where are you, because that is what we love to play with her to get her aquainted with her name and also to make eye-contact. She is learning so fast. She is funny, silly, loves music, dancing and people. Her motor skills are advancing fast too. We have a developmental specialist coming next week to help evaluate her. She is not able to do much on her stomach and needs help rolling over and sitting up when on her back. They will also help with her speech. She babbles and immitates pretty good, but is also behind for her age. My only fear right now is that if we don't jump start her quickly she'll begin to experience frustration. I don't think it will take long for her to catch up. She also is bonding well with me and Mike. I do think I'll have to slow down with her new people exposure. Church is a vast sea of faces and she'll go to just about anyone, especially men! Michaela is fast becoming a great friend and playmate. She especially helps with her "belly-time" as they roll and play in the floor. Mia's first introduction to the animals was a success too! I was so afraid she would freak, but the squeals I heard from her were of joy. She loves to watch them and pull their fur. Can you imagine what joy she brings us? We are beside ourselves enjoying this little delight with which we've been blessed.

Forever Family

Home Sweet Home!

How thank-full we are, for God has brought us safely home! How marvelous His grace and mercy. How excellent are friends who receive our Mia with open arms and open hearts. For all the kindness and many extra miles you've gone to cheer us on this journey we are grateful.

Mia is jet-lagged but still smiling. We had a pretty turbulent pacific ocean flight, our dinner ended up on our laps and scared little Mia. Our luggage is still missing. That's why I'm still up. Waiting for the courier to come with our underwear and souveniers!

I'm still trying to upload photo's. Michaela and Mia's first hug is priceless. Thank you all again for your support. All is well!

(Elliott)
Well I am packed and heading to my first home of Lucedale from Mississippi State University to go and pick up Michaela. I am going to try to make sure the house is in order, so that mom won't have any work to do when they get back. It was great to be able to keep you all informed when mom was unable.
I'm now awaiting tomorrow afternoon when I can see my beautiful little sister for the first time. No sleep tonight.
May The Lord Bless You And Keep You

Swearing and Now Homeward Bound

(Elliott)
Well this may be the last post until mom and the family get back home. I haven't heard from them yet, but I think I they will call one last time before they leave China.
All of the families went to the US consulate and they had to swear (or take an oath rather) that all of their paperwork was truthful and such. Now Mia Grace Yunzhu is an american citizen and she is (and has been for about 2 year) apart of our crazy family. Just from hearing about their trip, I know that Mia has a RICH heritage. The Chinese way is very different, but it is such a respectable thing. I'll let mom tell that story when she gets home...

Ok so Here's the schedule:

Flight out of Guangzhou for Hong Kong at 8:25 a.m. Saturday morning(6:25 p.m. Friday our time).

Flight Out of Hong Kong for Chicago: 11:35 a.m. saturday (9:35 pm. friday our time).

Arrive in Chicago 11:44 a.m. saturday (local Chicago Time.. yes.24 hours. they'll be exhausted!).

Mom said that they should arrive in new Orleans at 4 o'clock p.m. Saturday.. Michaela and I will be there with open arms.

**Please pray that everything goes smoothly and that they are safe and NO LAYOVERS!!! I just read on another families blog that they aren't getting home until sunday because of flight changes. I hope that their flight plans stay the same!


I know that mom will be very eager (after her rest of course) to take back over her job as "Blogger" and do a MUCH better job at telling you all her story.

>Some Pictures<

(Elliott)
I talked to mom this morning, and she said that they are all doing really well. Mia kept getting the phone and saying "Zhu Zhu" (jew jew) into it. HA. She really is such a loving, beautiful girl. She would jabber and jabber into the phone but when I said "hey Mia" or talked back at all... she would stop talking.... Mom said that she was kissing the phone. What a sweet, loving little girl. I can't wait to meet her!
Tomorrow the family is "sworn in" and Mia becomes a US citizen (what a BIG day for HER).
Pray for their safety and a safe flight home. They have heard that the flight BACK into the USA is the hardest (the flight over there wasn't SOO bad.. They recovered fastly). They will probably be out for several days once they get back. Thank goodness they get back right before a school holiday!
Thanks for praying for my family and all of the other adoptive families. God Bless!

Happy Valentines Day!

We are counting down the days now! I think we've done all the local siteseeing we're gonna do so we're getting pretty bored. Mia is just a part of the family now and you're gonna eat up her cuteness! We are thankful that we've not been sick. We found some great tea in China that will cure any ailment so we drink a potful several times a day. I've got to learn how to cook Mia congee which is a rice mush laced with chicken and whatever veggie you throw in. She loves it and opens her mouth wide and says AHHHH when she see's it. She also loves broccoli! Our consolate appointment is Thursday (our tommorrow) and we have a group swearing in process. I don't anticipate any problems but please pray that all our paperwork is in order. Things are getting very climatic hear in regards to Chinese New Year. I can now understand the beauty of this holiday and will write more about it later when surfing the web doesn't cost and arm & leg. It's decorated beautifully everywhere and everyone is in the holiday spirit. They will take off for 2 weeks so if our paper work isn't done properly will be here.....indefinetly. I love chinese food, but I'm about done with it for a while...though I have lost those extra five pounds I was wanting. Wish I had time to talk more. I appreciate your love and prayers and hope to see ya'll soon!

Rumors of "Jesus" in Guangzhou

(Elliott)
I was reading another family's blog (Nathan and Lisa-travelling in same group as mom and the family) and there is a rumor going around that one of the men on the trip saw Jim Caviezel (Jesus from The Passion of The Christ) in Guangzhou. He is supposed to be adopting a five year old boy. The man that saw him took a picture with him. No one can find anything on the internet saying that he is over there, but there is a good possibility that if Jim Caviezel is there, they could be in the Consulate on Friday together. How cool would that be?? Adopting a baby with "Jesus." ha.

Tuesday

The internet is 50 Yuan for 20 minutes about $6.00 and it takes a looong time for photo's. But Nathan and Lisa Smith have a laptop and are able to get wireless in their room so if you'll look to the links on the right you'll see what the group is doing. They even have a few photo's of us in the photo section.
We are now in Guangzhou. It's more American friendly here but life as a tourist is pretty tedious. We have it better than most because we were given an apartment. It's huge, about 2000 sq. ft. So now we can spread out and enjoy some solitude. We have 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, an office, a huge kitchen (no pots or utensils) and a bar! We even have a washer and dryer so we do all the groups laundry which keeps me occupied.
Mia is so cute! She's still got a bronchitis type cough and now has a rash, but she sleeps well and is very smiley and happy. We are loving her and she loves us. We are so thankful. I can't imagine that she belongs to anyone else. For the next two days we will just hang out and try to find stuff to do. We have our US consolate appointment Thursday and will start packing to leave on Friday. Our trip back will be over 24 hours long I know, but I'm prepared for 30 - 36 hours of traveling. We're so ready to get home to our Michaela and Elliott. It's been a hard week knowing they are "left behind".

The picture with Mia feeling on Dad's face (which is something that she is quite fond of doing) is on "Gotcha Day," the day when the families meet their children.