4 Weeks Home!!

Wow!

Have we already been home with this sweet girl for a whole month?!? Time flies!! I am somewhat ashamed that it has been so long since I have posted, but, in my defense, there is a certain 2 year old (and a 5 and 8 year old) that have been demanding much of my attention these days!!! 

Tulah is doing SO great adjusting to her new family! After just a few nights, she was sleeping in her room, in her own bed! It does take a little while for her to get to sleep, but when she finally dozes off, she sleeps all night! She is a great eater and has already gained at least 2 pounds since coming home, and really probably more!! She LOVES her big sister, and is liking her big brother more every day!! She is also WAY more tolerant of Tuff, (our 8 lb Yorkie).... he can now be in her line of sight without getting screamed at!! Yeah for progress!!

In her 4 weeks home, she has already done so many things, and she is a celebrity everywhere we go!!! She is so loving and will give such a sweet smile to everyone she meets. She has been to church, the park, pool parties, ball parties, awards day, the pediatrician, the cardiologist, the orthopedic surgeon, family cookouts, play dates with friends, the movies, and even the beach!!! She has even had her first haircut!!! It has been a busy month!!

All of Tulah's medical appointments have gone very well. Her pediatrician did find a heart murmur that we were unaware of, but after a trip to see the cardiologist, we have been assured that her heart is perfectly healthy!! What a blessing!! This past Monday, we went to see the orthopedic surgeon. This is the appointment that we have been anxious about, as all of her special needs are orthopedic in nature. She was such a trooper as the doctor examined her and she had several x-rays taken of her hand, spine and hips.

 On July 9th, Tulah will have a MRI of her spine. A spinal abnormality was picked up on x-ray, both in China and here, so the doctors want to make sure that there is no nerve damage, or damage to her spinal cord. Any damage to this area would greatly affect her future mobility and may prevent the correction of her hips. Based on the things that she is already able to do, the doctor was very optimistic that everything would be fine, and in my heart, I really feel the same, but it is still VERY hard not to worry. Michael and I would SO appreciate if you would join us in praying that this MRI would be NORMAL!!! After we find out the results of this test, we will proceed with the casting of her feet. After the correction of her feet is complete, and if the MRI is normal, then we can schedule the surgery for her hips.

Though the next year is going to be challenging, I know that it is temporary. God has great and mighty things planned for Tulah’s life, and through all of this, we will give Him all the glory. She has overcome so many obstacles already in her 2 years of life, and by God’s grace and love, she now has a family, and will never have to face these difficulties on her own again. 

This verse has given me much comfort this week:

" In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus". Phillipians 4: 6-7

Thank you so much for your continued prayers for Tulah! Promise not to go so long without blogging anymore!!!

Here are a few pictures of Tulah's first month home :))

 Tulah exactly 1 month from "Gotcha" night!!

 First Beach Trip!!

First time in the pool!!!

 

Tulah and her jie jie!!

All of my babies!

 

Family Cookout!

 

 Tulah's first visit to church!

We are Home!!!!

.... and actually have been for 6 days now!! 

So sorry that I have not blogged since coming home, but honestly, that little thing they call jet lag is NO JOKE!! I didn't even feel human for the first 2 days home, and I don't think our new precious 2 year old did either! We were all exhausted and experiencing a huge transition, but everyday is getting better and easier. I say easier, because I had obviously completely put how hard it was to have a 2 year old in the VERY back corner of my mind! But, she is getting used to her new home, her new family and very slowly to her new dog!!

We arrived back home to Charlotte about 7 pm last Thursday night. I cannot tell you how excited I was to get off that last plane and know that I didn't have to hop right on another one! Tulah really did great on the plane.... as long as I was holding her, which was fine.... but, during 20 hours of flying, one tends to just need a little break! Too bad Tulah didn't see it that way!!

This was a trip like no other we have ever taken, and we came home to a homecoming  like no other!! As we made our way down the escalator towards the baggage claim, I saw a sea of red.... and it was moving up and down. I thought, Hmmm..... is my equilibrium that off from flying ?? No!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was that sea of red... and they were jumping up and down with excitement to see us!! (ok, well really just to see Tulah!!!)

My whole family waiting to see us... my sisters had these t-shirts made just for the occasion! They said "welcome" in Chinese on the front, and Team Tulah on the back!! So cool!!!!

 These 2 cuties couldn't wait to meet their new cousin.... another 2 year old.... YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will all have so much fun together!!

 My precious Zoee girl waiting patiently for us to land!! I'm pretty sure my mom was ready to see us too!

 

 My 2 beautiful sisters.... the geniuses behind the t shirts!!! They couldn't wait to be new aunties again!!

Zoee and Grayden taking their first look at their new sister! They were so gentle with her even though they were so excited!!!
   

 Ahhh..... diet sundrop, how I missed you!!! My sister brought me an ice cold one!!!

 

 Our best friends and neighbors came to the airport to see us too! They have made this journey 3 times themselves!

 

 Finally out the door and headed HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really thought that Tulah would be shy and apprehensive about meeting all of her new family.... but I was wrong! She was excited to meet everybody and had no problem heading over to their lap for a visit!!

 

 

 Drammy

 

Aunt Court-Court

 

Grayden... so sweet to see him so gentle with his sister!

 

  Poppy was THRILLED to get to hold her.... he was actually the first one she went to! She was equally THRILLED to let him hold her!!

Britt Britt's first Tulah squeeze!!

 We've been so busy since we've been home that I haven't taken that many pictures:( I promise now that I am back and rested, I will do better!!) Tulah LOVES Zoee and she has been such a big help to me. She loves to entertain her, help take care of her and sleep with her. I don't know how I would have done it without her. I'm so glad that she only has 2 more days of school left!!

Tulah also had her first MD appt yesterday. She did great! We have to start all of her immunizations over, so she got 4 shots, but she was a trooper! We have several specialists to see regarding all of her special needs, but the doctor gave us the most encouraging comment. She said, "this time next year, all of this will be a distant memory, and she will be running around with everybody else her age"!! That was great to hear, and even though I know these next months will be very challenging, I know that as tough as this little girl is, she can do ANYTHING!!!!

Photo Shoot In the Garden

While we are in Guangzhou, we are staying at The Garden Hotel. It is a very nice, pretty swanky place. And guess what they have behind the hotel?? You guessed it, a really pretty garden with a huge, winding koi pond.... perfect for picture taking! So after lunch, I spiffed our sweet girl up a bit and we were off to the garden for a little photo shoot.

Enjoy the pictures!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only 2 more days til we're home!!!!! Can't wait for everyone to meet this girl!!!!!!!

An Adventure at Safari Park

Even though we are required to be in China for nearly 2 weeks to complete Tulah's adoption, there are really only a few days when we are busy with adoption related "official" business. The other days are for us to have free time or to go and sightsee. I have been looking forward to today's visit to Safari Park ever since my friend Jen visited there in February for Pearl's adoption. And even though it was HOT.... and I mean HOT.... it was still a really great time and all 3 of us really enjoyed it. All of the animals were much closer than we would ever get to see them back in the US. And, we had the opportunity to see animals that we just don't get to see back home.

Michael was on camera duty, and he took tons of pictures! But here are just a few of my favorites!!

 

 

 

 

Tulah continues to do great!! Still loving on her baba, but she really loves her mama too!

4 more days!! Look out Redah Acres, Tulah is coming home soon!!!

Life with Tulah: Day Four

Today is a traveling for us. We are packing up now and will head to the airport soon. We are flying to Guangzhou for the last part of this journey!! Halfway home!!

Here are a few pictures from the last few days...