Autumn Splendor to First Snow

We have officially had Aubrey now for 2 months. In that time we have suffered extreme heat and typhoons in China, seen a beautiful fall with gorgeous leaves changing color and now the first snow. In many ways the changing seasons mirror Aubrey's adjustments to her new family. Hot and stormy in China, blossoming with such delightful joy and colors here, with many more firsts to come.

At first, Aubrey was not impressed with the snow. The more it snowed however, the more she began to sense something special was happening. Of course her brothers were getting all carried away and anxious to don snow gear. In mere minutes Aubrey was outside with only a light jacket running through the flurries. As we were at the photography studio trying to get our first family picture with Aubrey, the boys were becoming more and more frustrated as we waited to view our shots. By the time we returned home it was time for bed. Daddy couldn't wait to get pictures of his little girl during her first snow. He took her out in her nightgown and snow boots. The pictures of Aubrey in the night snow were well worth it.

The past few weekends we have had family visiting. Each time someone comes and returns home Aubrey does a little better saying goodbye. She remembers the whole week and says over and over Poppa and Grandma bye bye, Emmie bye bye, Aunt Jean, Aunt Dee, Unka Gunka bye bye. She still cries when mama leaves for work, but she is learning to trust Baba again.

She has realized now that she is from China, and says often 'Aubrey China, in airplane'. She is able to write Au on paper, we are working on the end of her name. She has started to learn her colors, pink is the one she knows best. Recently she has began yearning for hair. She takes washcloths and hand towels and drapes them over her head. She then turns her head back and forth to feel her fake hair moving to and fro on the back of her neck. I keep telling her it will grow. I think Santa may have to find her a little play wig, anything will look better that her running around with a dish towel for hair.

Ladybug's Halloween

First Peanutbutter cup

Helping rake leaves

Aubrey in Baba's glasses

Surprise

First, Thank the Heavens, we received Aubrey's Memory Book on Halloween morning. I was so thrilled. Dave's sister, Jean, and her husband Stephan were here to celebrate with us.

Aubrey in Emperor's cap

We carved pumpkins and got into costume. Aubrey had the choice of her Chinese lion hat and dressing in red or being a ladybug. She chose to be a ladybug. Prior to donning her costume she tried on my witch wig and decided having hair was great. She fussed as it tangled on her little fingers but refused to take the wig off. I finally had to grab the mess the wig had become and hide it. I thought she was gorgeous with hair, but she is beautiful even when she is having a full blown temper tantrum as well.

Gabe's alive and well!



Long Hair, so cute.

Aubrey loved trick or treating. She learned very quickly that people were handing out candy. She ran from house to house screaming "CANDY!" Of course she remembered to clasp her hands, bow her little head and say "thank you" to everyone. People though this was so cute they gave her twice as much candy. Aubrey has the Aldrich sweet tooth, but for now she seems to like fruit flavored sweets over chocolates.

Candy!!!!!!!!

Saturday, Uncle Patrick sent a wonderful package to Aubrey. She found the cutest Mandarin jacket, an I love NY tee-shirt written in Chinese characters, and some wonderful books. I got some beautiful pictures of her in the setting sun with her new clothes on. She is precious.

So beautiful

Just as an update, Aubrey is now the boss of Daisy. Poor Daisy didn't stand a chance. Aubrey also tries to boss Mama and her brothers. She doesn't get away with her shouting at me. She has learned very quickly to stop screaming and say please. I have learned her personality and her mannerisms. She really is a cute and sweet little girl, and amazingly smart!

First Playdate

Last week was a busy week. We had many doctors appointments, most of which we still have no results from. We do know through the echocardiogram that her heart is normal, the murmur is not going to be a problem. We are still waiting on most of the blood testing results. Aubrey's specialist from Riley Hospital in Indy is going to phone conference us when she has all the results. She did suggest that since Aubrey's Bun/ Creatinine are elevated, and her orphanage was listed as one that used the Sandu milk products, she will need a renal ultrasound. That should help see if the melamine has caused any kidney stones or other problems.

Her ears continue to be a problem, she is on antibiotics now. We see the ENT tomorrow. Hopefully they will set up a plan, tubes in the ears possibly, to get her turned around.

We did take some time off from all the poking and prodding to play. Aubrey had her first playdate with Hannah and Mackenzie. She loved the merry-go-round and of course the slide.
She didn't do alot of play with the girls, but played beside them. It was great to see her run and laugh without needing me to hold her. Each day she is opening up a little bit more and becoming more self confident.

Last night as Aubrey was laying down to go to sleep, she reached for my hand. I thought to myself she needs reassurance that mama's not going to disappear. I layed beside her content to hold her hand. I needed the reassurance that she is really here now, physically here. No longer the dreams in my minds eye, a vanishing glimpse in the ethers, solidly totally Aubrey. My little girl.

Pictures for Ferne

There's No Place Like Home

We are all so thankful to be home. Our first night back in our own beds, complete with pillowtop mattresses, down comforters and soft pillows, felt like heaven compared to the cement slab twin beds at the White Swan Hotel (I'm still puzzeled by their 5 star ranking). Aubrey has been adjusting very well to her new surrounding and addition of 2 more brothers. She smiles most of the time, is playful and mischievious. She is still not a fan of Daisy and has recently caused me to have back spasms with the constant holding and picking her up. She now has to cope with the dog because I am in too much pain to continue toting her around. Dave, Chris and Nate have been wonderful with helping me.

In the last week she has learned over 60 words in English and is using phrases correctly. Her favorites are "find shoes", "brush your teeth", "find ge ge", and "I love you". She is no longer afraid of the grass and is running all over the place. She loves being outside with the boys and has proved to be fearless. She loves going down the slides on Nate and Chris' laps and will blow me kisses as she runs to follow them for another ride.

She will scream "Ma" if I'm not giving her my undivided attention just as any 3 year old would. Her smiles of discovery and joy have made the entire 2 and a half year wait and 14 days in Guangzhou worth every second. China may have some distressing customs, but without them we would not have our little girl.

Just a Few More Signs

After 17 hours on airplanes and another 2 standing in lines at security check points and immigrations we finally got to our van. We braced ourselves for Aubrey's displeasure at being buckled into a carseat for the first time. She did not dissapoint. She cried on and off for the entire 3 hour drive from Detroit to our house. As Dave and I thought we would not be able to stay awake in the last 30 minutes it began to rain. As we approached the final few miles the sun came out and we were blessed with a brilliant rainbow for the final leg of our journey home.

A few days after being home I recieved an email from a stranger. A friend had shared our blog with her, as both had adopted from China in the past few years. This person, Connie, was very disappointed that the orphanage had denied us Aubrey's memory book. Connie has become involved with the Half the Sky charity since her return from China, and she made calls on our behalf to her contacts over there. Currently, Aubrey's memory book has left the orphanage and been sent to the Civil Affairs office. We are praying for GWCA to have our guide Kelley pick up the book and have it sent to us. GWCA representatives have stated they need to clear it through the CCAA. I don't know why the memory book would be important to the CCAA, but it would mean the world to Aubrey some day when she begins to ask questions about where she came from.

We're Coming to America

Yes!!! We have finally made it back home. The journey was long and trying but we made it. Aubrey only cried for a few minutes on the plane. She needed to go to the bathroom but the "lavatories" on the plane were too frightening. We passed immigrations with no problems, as soon as we stepped beyond their center Aubrey became a US citizen. It took along time to get through all the lines in Detroit but as we finally made our way to the exit, we all braced ourselves for the 58 degree weather.

Instead, we were still in the airport at a receiving area. I could not believe my eyes to see both of my sisters, and niece Emma, waiting there for us. At the sight of my sisters, my closest friends and confidants, I finally broke down and began to cry. Tears of happiness and relief to be back on American soil. All of the following photos are because they both took off work to greet their new niece, and welcome their family back home. I love you two more than words can express. ( Notice that Aubrey is 3 years old, Emma is 18 months).

Aubrey was thrilled to see our car, but did not approve of the car seat. We have since taken many short car trips that have gotten her used to "Aubrey's seat". She now points to the front door and the van, ready to go at any time.

We are adjusting to Daisy. Each day we hear new screams as Aubrey is completely terrified of the dog. Poor Daisy lopes off with her ears down and tail between her legs, I'm sure Daisy is thinking "I am not an animal". All of your prayers have worked in the past 3 weeks, how about a few more. I need for Aubrey to come to terms with Daisy, that great big dog is part of our family too. I can't return phone calls, get the luggage out of the dining room or pay bills as Aubrey needs me to hold her constantly. Of course I will not put her down, God knows I've waited 2 1/2 years for her. So be warned any visitors, my house is a mess! I'm a mess! But we are home safely and that is all that counts.

To the Consulate

Yesterday we made our long awaited trip to the American Consulate. All of our papers were in order. I'm still not sure what all the fuss was with the USCIS before we left Granger, but I'm happy to have Aubrey's immigration papers in hand.

When we arrived at the Consulate Aubrey became very anxious and started to panic. I wish I knew what was going through her head. I think, she thought we were going back to the orphanage. Someday soon she may tell us. She is already saying some words in English.

Her favorite words are flower, car, light and water. Yesterday she said her first complete sentence, "Where'd Gege(brother in Chinese) go? Chris said she also told him "Get Baba". She has a bit of mischief in her. Nate and Gabe she bit a fork at the table, you both know how much your Dad loves that.

We have stayed so long at the hotel, I have noticed Aubrey points to the stroller every time she is hungry. Wait til she sees the kitchen in our house and begins to realize that food is always available. The last few days she has been doing very well. She played in the Swan Room (a large playroom with Mattel toys) for almost 30-40 minutes last night. Anytime we took her there during the first 9 days she wanted to leave almost immediately. I'll try to include some video but we are having difficulty with the laptop incorporating the clips so it may be only pictures.

In the morning we leave here - Yeah!!!!! So back there in the USA, on Tues. night at 8:20 we fly to Tokyo, then to Detroit to land at 1:20 pm wed. I'm not sure how long it will take to get through immigrations but then we drive home. We should be home around 6pm Wed. night.
I see local temperatures are in the 70's, I can't wait. We are all so ready for Fall!!!