It's been one week and one day HOME

     We brought Maggie back from China one week ago yesterday, and we are continuing to celebrate small milestones...
*Today she read a book and played in her room for the first time. She has been so fearful of that room.
*She has been playing on her own around the house more and more each day.
*She is becoming more relaxed when we are around "strangers" (although it is a good thing that she is attached to us)
*She SAT in the bathtub the other day for 5 minutes without crying. : ) We were having to have one of us hold her standing, while the other washed.
*She does fine with her car seat.
*She can give "high 5," blow kisses and give kisses.
*She learned what ketchup is today, and how good it is with CFA fries. : )

     There are so many new things for her. She felt the wind in her hair the other day and would take a deep breath in and giggle, while moving her hands through her hair. So sweet.
     When she sees her stroller she wants out of our arms and in that seat. She knows we are going somewhere!

On a medical note: We took her to the neurosurgeon in regards to her hydrocephalus and dw malformation (cyst at the base of her brain stem). She has what they call "massive hydrocephalus". She has about 3x the fluid on her brain that she should. It is his opinion that she will need two shunts to drain the fluid. One at the top of her skull and one lower. Those will drain the fluid and relieve pressure on her brain. However, our first step is to have an eye appointment on 4/3 to see if the eye doc can figure out how much pressure is on her brain; if not, she will have an MRI before placing the shunts. We will keep everyone updated.
     Matt and I have a peace about it all. Thank you for all the prayers and support!

This one is reality mixed with joy

     I want to be a testimony to the greatness of my God. I want to be known as a woman who is in love with Jesus, but not to appear as a Jesus freak; never really thought it accomplished much to cram Jesus down peoples throats, or to be so heavenly minded that I miss the reality of everyday life. I just want to be a real human being, with needs and desires like everyone else, but in the midst of that understands my need for a Savior.
     Does anyone wonder where I am going with this? On a blog, which was created for bringing home our third kiddo? I will let you know...
     We brought Maggie home 6 days ago. She has done AMAZINGLY well with the adjustment. She is a JOY for sure! And yet, in the midst of the joy, I find myself with selfish thoughts. I am quickly remembering what it is to have a two year old. How that little one wants constant attention. She doesn't care that I haven't folded the laundry done yesterday, or that I need to empty the dishwasher, or need to look at our budget, or just pick up around the house so my mind doesn't go insane, or that I still have winter decor around that needs replacing.
     My mind is so full of me, even in the midst of a new child! Never fear though, I have given the honest thoughts to Jesus. Asked Him to touch me, breathe over me, speak over me; whatever He chooses. I need it.
     So, Jesus reminded me how much in love with me He is. Within 5 minutes of journaling those thoughts above, a good friend from Indiana called me. She has two adopted children so she understands our journey. She told me my thoughts are completely normal. I have to adjust too, just like with any newborn! Imagine that! She said that Maggie is biologically 2, but within our family she is a 2 week old. What does a 2 week old do/need? To be held, comforted...a lot!
     Jesus used that for my heart and mind. I am so very thankful.
     Then I listed to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ZtKzw-ipo&feature=related
     Such a great reminder to my soul...the greatness of our God. So beyond me. I like that. I need that.
   

Crazy, but Good, Weekend

     Maggie has had many 'firsts' these first days home. The main one being Levine's Children's Hospital. Saturday morning she took a tumble down about 10 stairs. She was crying at the bottom but seemed a little spacey. Because we had yet to check into her "hydrocephalus" we were told to take her in, just to be safe. Well, it ended up being a blessing because we were able to get quick results of her CT Scan.

     We found out that she officially has hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) as well as a Dandy Walker malformation around her spinal cord (basically a cyst at the brain stem). So, today we will be calling to get an appointment with a neurosurgeon.

     Through that whole time at the hospital Matt and I felt the amazing peace of our God. The spirit of God will never cease to amaze me! 

     On a less stressful note, we took Maggie to the park and she loved it! So much giggling! She also tried out our trampoline for the first time, which she also loved!

     She seems to know home already. Our biggest hurdles right now are creating a nap and night time routine and her learning that I cannot carry her EVERYWHERE around the house. Not too bad if you ask me.

     

Modeling their 'silks'

 Fun with a dome thing

 Reading with Nonna

 Sharing her pear with Natalie

 Crashing on daddy

 First time on the trampoline

HOME, oh so sweet, HOME

     Our flights home yesterday went really well. Although Maggie only slept about 4 hours during that 17 hours, which resulted in a not so good night of sleep at home. She was awake crying every 2-3 hours. I told Matt it felt like having a newborn. It was surprise though b/c she slept so well in our hotels. Oh well, this too shall pass, as my mom always said.    
     She woke up happy and this first full day back home has been GOOD. Maggie has adjusted so well to her new life. We marvel at how quickly she connected with me (from day 1). And she gets so excited when Matt, Natalie or Jaydn enter the room!
     Maggie giggles A LOT. What a blessing and an answer to our prayers! Most of the pictures we received before hand were of a solemn little lady. And three caregivers at the orphanage described her the same..."timid." So, to hear her giggle so often is a joy.
     There are two things she is working through at home - 1) Our living room ceiling fan. She looks up, whimpers and starts scooting out of the room. Too funny! 2) Her room. It has her crib in it and she does not like to be told it's time for bed. So, in turn, she doesn't want to play with the toys in there at all. haha

 One of my favorite things she does.

  Hugging her big brother

  At the airport

Some friends put this in our front yard! (Maggie Mei - Welcomed into our arms 3/6/2012

 Eating Cheerios with big sis.

 So happy!

 Looking out the window. (don't write me up for Jaydn's skiveys!!! haha)

   
   

Ready

     Today we went to The Safari Park, which was a fabulous zoo! Maggie wasn't really impressed, but enjoyed being outside. She fell asleep as soon as we were in the van on the way back to the hotel and, thankfully slept for over 2 hours!
     Now we are just hanging out in the room while Matt runs to the grocery for a few items. She is wandering the room, making her way back to me every 2 to 3 minutes, just to be picked up and given a hug. Then she is off again. So sweet.
     I keep wondering if her caretakers saw the sides of her that we are already seeing. She loves to tease. And the faces, she will turn her head and turn just her eyes back to you, real sly. She is very quick to give a smile if she trusts you.
     She found Matt's sunglasses, so I put them on to show her. She wasn't real sure about that but made her way back to them and wanted me to put them on again. When I did, she immediately got off my lap, scared. Such a simple thing and yet something she had never seen.

  First time brushing her teeth

  Eating cheerios with her chopsticks

 Random cuteness

     I have a confession to make. I am ready to come home. I am ready to not be stared at for being an American with an Asian child. I am ready to have American food that I know. I am ready to hug my kids back home and have my own coffee.
     I was telling Maggie about home today. As soon as I said the word 'home' to her tears filled my eyes. Even the word reminded me that we still have three days. Don't get me wrong, this has been a wonderful journey, it's just a long time to be away from what is known. I am ready for routine and friends. So thankful that we have a huge support system waiting to meet us along this leg of the journey.
 

We are smitten!

     It is Saturday night here. Maggie is sleeping and we are relaxing. We are now in Guangzhou, where the American Consulate is. Maggie had her medical appointment today. Very basic check-up. She hated it. We told her this was a piece of cake next to what doctor appointments she has coming up back home.  : (
     This province has been my favorite stop so far! It is just unbelievable how many people live in China. Everywhere you look there are apartment buildings!
     Our hotel is unbelievable! S-W-A-N-K-Y! We have a "living area" with a flat screen and then our bedroom, with a flat screen, and the "walk-in" shower/bath area with a speaker so you can hear the tv. We are spoiled.
     So many adoptive families here, it's very cool to see. Our guides have been so appreciative to the families, for giving these kids a home. It is pretty humbling.

     Maggie is doing great! I can't believe we have only had her for four days! Already we have seen so much progress! Small things, but big when you think of where she has come from! 

                             

                                              

     The first day she cried, well let me rephrase that - SCREAMED, when we took her clothes off; even just her shoes or coat. Today, not even an issue. She will begin to take her coat off once we are in the room. And she will now go barefoot!
     She is walking more and more on her own, each day. We don't think she was given much chance to practice. She is steady, just not real quick. I have a feeling that once we are home she will be running in no time! Especially once she starts playing with Braxtyn (my bff's little guy)!
     One of my favorite moments of the day was when I gave her her toothbrush for the first time. She took it, grinned from ear to ear and then started brushing her hair, so proud of herself!

 

     We are realizing that she is a very happy, playful and strong-willed little girl! She knows how to throw a fit, flirt with her daddy and melt our hearts with her giggle and many faces! We are in love with her!

Joy, joy and more JOY

     This little gal has done FABULOUS adjusting to us! What a HUGE answer to prayer! These pics were from today, just hanging out with daddy. She is comfortable with both of us, which is such a blessing. If she is unsure at all, she wants me, but otherwise either is fine.

     We took a bullet train today (180mph) to her orphanage. On the way Maggie was happy. That is until our guide told her that we were going to see her caregivers; she then became sad...cried and little and laid her head on my shoulder for awhile. She completely understood what Jin told her. Amazing. 

     Once there, she cried in the first room, but once she realized that we were not leaving her she was fine. She even went to 2 caregivers and the pediatrician! And then came right back to us!

I would like to write more but it is 9p here and Maggie will not lay down to sleep until lights are fully off and we are sleeping. : ) So, I will write more later.