Starting Point

About three weeks ago, when we first got Lilly, we were shocked with the lack of muscle strength she had.  We knew that this was a possibility.  However, Lilly's updates said she was walking, at least a little bit.  When I lifted her the first day to a standing position, she fell to the floor and her legs became like jelly.  She could hold on to furniture and take small steps, but was not cruising.  After seeing her pictures from the orphanage we know that she was walking in a walker (which wasn't adjusted to her height), so she didn't have to hold up her own body weight.  Since day one we have been working on building those muscles.  She can now take 6-7 steps without holding on.
On Wednesday of this week we had First Steps out to assess her.  A speech therapist and occupational therapist did the assessment.  Because of Lilly's cleft palate I knew she would at least need speech therapy.  After two hours of assessing her, they gave me a list of all the areas where Lilly is behind.  Developmentally, she is where an average 11 month old would be.  I'll be honest, hearing the list made me choke up.  We have so much work ahead of us.  Poor Lilly has not been exposed to the things most children have.  I think I might have made a face, because one of the therapists said, "This list by no means says anything about her mental ability.  She has already made so much progress in the short time you've had her.  This list is just things we want to work on to get her caught up.  She just hasn't had the same start as most children in America.  By the end of the summer she'll be running!"  I breathed a sigh of relief.  I should know all this.  I make these type of speeches to parents of my students all the time.  It's just different being on the other end of the conference.  So, Lilly is now in a stimulating environment.  I now know what toys and activities to focus on with Lilly.  You can bet that we are not leaving the therapy just to the professionals.
As part of Lilly's attachment period, we are limiting our trips outside the house, and the amount of interaction with other people.  However, Liam and I can't stay cooped up inside, and yesterday was such a beautiful day, so we decided to go to the park.  We were the only people there for the first hour, which was great.  When people did arrive, Lilly was ready to be held, but Liam (my social little man) was excited to have 'big' kids to play with.

All aboard!  Conductor Liam and passenger Lilly.

Liam let Lilly have a turn driving.

Lilly doesn't like the feeling of grass, but we spend a little bit of time on it everyday.  She won't try to walk on grass.  At least she played with sticks today.

Liam loved being the conductor and checking out all the cars.

My big, strong boy - singing, and turning riding a duck into an adventure.

Lilly watched Liam having so much fun on the duck, she decided to give the raccoon a try.

Lilly explored the caboose.  This was an accomplishment, because she usually wants me near her or holding her all the time.  She actually felt comfortable enough to explore.

Big Brother Liam

Liam has transitioned well into the role of big brother.  It is so encouraging to think that Liam was not only meant to be a big brother, but he was meant to be Lilly's big brother.  Liam has made things easier for me by helping out.  He has made life easier for Lilly too.  Things that used to stress Lilly out are easier, and almost enjoyable, thanks to Liam.  Liam's intelligence and vocabulary will also be helpful to Lilly as she makes up her developmental delay.

Lilly, who once hated water, is playing right along with Liam!

Liam is showing Lilly his playhouse.

Lilly's not too sure about the feel of sand, but Liam is doing a great job of showing her how to play in the sandbox.

Thrivent sent us a bouquet of flowers complete with balloons for Liam and Lilly.  Liam's says Big Brother.  He is very proud.

Liam wants to help feed Lilly, but she would rather feed herself.

Liam showed Lilly the 'right' way to color.

Lilly will now sit on Liam's lap (for a little bit).

Lilly's first wagon ride was made easier by having Liam talk and sing all the way to the park.

Lilly hates her car seat, so Liam decided to hold her hand, which made her quit crying.

I needed a couple things from the store, so I strapped Lilly in the baby carrier, and Liam pushed the cart, and put items in.  He even pushed the cart to the van and loaded the bag into the van.

Lilly's Life in the Orphanage

We were not able to visit Lilly's orphanage when we were in China.  Kunshan, the town the orphanage was in, was three hours away from Nanjing.  We didn't think our first day with Lilly should be spent sitting for six hours in the van.  We were able to meet two of her care-givers and ask them questions.  We actually spent two days with them, so we were able to ask them more questions the second day after having Lilly for one night.  We have had a glimpse into what life was like for Lilly through pictures.  We sent a disposable camera in her care package and just got it developed.  We think Lilly was well liked!  She seems to have had many friends of various ages at the orphanage.  Here are some of the pictures they took of Lilly for us -

Lilly is looking at our pictures in her crib.

Kunshan is a wealthy city.  We are pretty impressed with the amount of play equipment available to the kids.

There were several pictures of Lilly with these three older kids.

There were also a great deal of pictures of Lilly is this walker.  This helps explain why her muscles are so weak.

Life As We Know It

Dave and I went 30 hours without sleep.  We weren't able to sleep on the plane because Lilly is a mover and she kept trying to roll off the seat.  So, we were exhausted when we got to Michigan.  Lilly is not on Indiana time AT ALL.  She seems like a different child when it's time to sleep.  In China she went down fine and slept through the night.  Here, she screams and yells at the top of her lungs.  She only wants to sleep if I am holding her in a chair.  She wakes up several times throughout the night.  It is exhausting.  We have tried everything to get her to sleep.  Dave and I haven't been feeling well.  We don't know if it's lack of sleep, airplane food, a bug, or all of that combined.  We really hope Lilly adjusts soon.  It's so hard to be patient when you're tired.  Thankfully, I have Dave.  I don't know what I would do without him.  He let me take a nap today, which was good for my body and spirit.  I love Lilly so much, but she is wearing me down this weekend.  This too shall pass, so I will just love her through this.  The truth is that adjustment is hard work and takes time.  We knew that going into it, but it's still human nature to get tired and discouraged.
On a happy note, Lilly was terrified of Daisy at first, but is warming up to her.  She is also playing well with Dave and Liam.  If I am in the room she wants me to hold her non-stop and whines if I am not giving her all my attention.  So, several times today I left so she couldn't see me and let her play with Dave and Liam without me there.  She was perfectly content.  I'm glad she is attached to me, but carrying her around all the time is not realistic.  I am trying to find the balance of when to give her attention and when to let her cry a little.
Liam has been a great big brother!  He has helped in so many ways.  He helps with whatever we ask him to do.  He is so patient and gentle with Lilly.  He is so happy to have mom and dad home.  Tonight, we asked him to take a bath with Lilly, so she wouldn't be scared.  He has shown her all the toys and how to use them.  It is clear that he was meant to be a big brother.  The only complaint he has is when she cries.  He says she is too loud. 

In Michigan I slept with both kids and let Dave sleep in another guest room.  Lilly didn't like the pack-n-play, and I was so tired, it was just easier to have both kids with me.

Liam shared his alphabet puzzle with Lilly.  This picture shows how they compare in size.

We're all tired, but happy to be together.

Liam showed Lilly how to play the piano.

Liam showed Lilly her room and all her toys (most of which used to be his).

Lilly took a bath without crying for the first time.  Thank you Liam!

Last Post From China

Psalm 68:6

God sets the lonely in families...

Isaiah 43:1

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, he who formed you: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Exodus 9:16

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.


We serve a great God!  He has blessed our journey to get Lilly.  He blessed us through the paperwork phase, through the referral, and through the trip to China.  There is no doubt in our minds that God orchestrated this whole process.  Only He is capable of putting all the pieces together in perfect timing.  He instilled the desire in our hearts to be adoptive parents, and equipped us with the skills needed to be Lilly's parents.  He watched over our Lilly from the time she was conceived, to the moment she was found on the bridge, and through her stay at the orphanage.  He put the right people in the orphanage to care for her until we could.  He blessed us with an amazing support system, that not only gave financially, but have been prayer warriors.  He blessed us with a family that will love Lilly unconditionally, will see her for the unique child of God that she is, and will cultivate her faith in Jesus.  


Adoption is such a great example of Christ's love for us.  We are adopted sons and daughters of God.  He has called us by name, and we are His.  He has created us to be in relationships with each other, so we won't be lonely.  We may feel unloved and be disappointed by those we love, but God's love is constant.  He created us for a purpose.  My prayer is that we all remember this, and that we live our lives with purpose, because every life is precious.


As I sit in this hotel room, listening to the steady breaths of a sleeping baby, I am in awe.  I wonder what life was like before knowing Lilly.  It seems like she has always been a part of our family.  I miss my Liam and his stories and songs, his big hugs, kissing his sweaty neck, and running my fingers through his hair.  I am so anxious to hold him.  I am thankful for my wonderful husband, who has the largest heart of anyone I know, who is my calm, and loves us.  I honestly don't know if I could have done any of this without him.  Seeing him love our children the way he does makes me fall even more in love with him.


We have made some great memories here in China.  Maybe, at some point I'll share some of the fun stories from the trip.  For now, I should get some sleep, since we will be waking up very early to head home.  Please pray for safe travels home and that Lilly will handle all the traveling well.
Goodnight from China!

Consulate Day

Our reason for traveling to Guangzhou was to get Lilly's travel visa, get a medical check, and submit Lilly's immigration paperwork.  Today was our last appointment here in Guangzhou.  We went to the US Consulate.  There were about 12 other adoptive families at our appointment.  After waiting for a while, we were given instructions, then we all stood up and took an oath.  After taking an oath we went up to the window for our 'interview.'  We handed them all Lilly's immigration paperwork, Dave signed a form, and then we were done.  We weren't asked any questions.  So, this means that when we land in Chicago on Thursday, Lilly will be a US citizen.  Tomorrow, our facilitator will pick up Lilly's visa and deliver it to us.  Tomorrow is our last full day in China.  Thursday we will get up very early. We have to be in the van, ready to go, by 6am.  We will drive 3 hours to Hong Kong and then our flight is at 11:40am.  We will fly about 15 hours to Chicago, visit immigration, eat dinner, and then get on one more flight to Detroit.  We are scheduled to land in Detroit around 6:30pm Thursday night.  We are anxious to get home.  All the families we talked to today have the same feeling.  Guangzhou has been a great adoption community, and we have met some great people, but it's not home.  So many of us are ready to start real life.

Our little American Girl!

Mommy & Lilly

Lilly loves her patriotic outfit.  Hopefully, by Independence Day we'll be able to put a bow in her hair.

US Consulate

Guangzhou

Yesterday was busy here in Guangzhou, so we stayed around the hotel.  Today, a group of us ventured into Guangzhou to sightsee and shop.  We walked through the medical market and the pet market to get to the mall.  We saw some interesting things.

snakes

sea horses

small scorpions for soup

large scorpions for soup

this stand had a better aroma (due to the rose buds)

We thought of our nephew, Gabe, at this stand.  There were several varieties of turtles.

Beijing Road - popular shopping street

The Pearl Market.  The pearls that they sell here are actually found in a river from Lilly's province.

Dave went back to Beijing Road this evening to see it all lit up.  It's like a smaller version of Times Square.