I'm in love with my beautiful sweet peas!

I couldn't decide what photos to post, so I decided to do an album. This captures the first 2 days after we arrived home. DH and I were looking at them today, and Gracyn has already changed so much since I met her, and even more so since these photos were taken. Peyton has learned to become a ham for me in front of the camera. Gracyn on the other hand, usually closes her eyes and puts her hands up, so I was very lucky to catch these! We really don't have that many photos of her while in Taiwan, so I'm cherishing these as her "first days" with us.


Gracyn is an absolute doll. DH said that even though she's still rejecting him, because she's so beautiful, it's okay. I couldn't agree more. She's totally coming out of her shell. Jumping around the house, sitting on my stomach, in the refrigerator every second it's opened, (just like Peyt), snacking on EVERYTHING (again, just like Peyt), drinking Capri Sun, eating McDonald's, (I know, we're terrible parents - but what to do when both kids are starving and you're on the way home from the first doctor's appt?!), is a gem during diaper changes, (even throws the diaper away - or takes you to throw it away), eats fruit, knows how to sit to put on her sandals, tries to take them off by herself as soon as we walk in, washes her hands before and after eating, and everything in between (OCD? but so is our household with cleanliness so who cares!), pushes her little grocery cart around the kitchen island, (even though toys aren't allowed in the kitchen), ran down the little slide in the play room - didn't sit, races her brother down the hall, loves to play the ABC song (little leap on the refrigerator) and dance in the kitchen, loves her baths, and only fusses when she's itchy or tired.

She truly is just a beautiful blessing, and on her way to her terrible 2's! Likes me to feed her for a while, but is great at using a fork, and is an incredibly neat eater. Picks up anything that falls, likes her face and hands wiped with a napkin, even purses her lips to be cleaned up. . .I tell you, she is the perfect child for me! At the grocery store today, Peyt and Grace got balloons. Her face lit up, and she held onto it! She's much better at shopping than Peyt. He admits he hates it - unless he's going to pick out a new DVD. Busted again - yep, movies work in the car for us, and even when Peyt just needs a break from being a wild boy! Gracyn will watch in the car, but isn't very interested while at home. She does like music, and has rhythm! Daddy was doing hip hop for her this morning and making her laugh! Should have caught that on video, huh?

Well, the kids are asleep, and I've got more laundry calling my name. I don't mind, now that I have enough pink to do an entire "pink load"! I'm truly enjoying life as Mommy to two. I would have never imagined posting this so early on in this stage of our journey. I couldn't be happier. God is so good!

Brother and Sister Forever. . .

Peyton has done so well in transitioning into his new role as Big Brother. He protects her from the dog, and makes sure no one takes her stuff. He yells for her, "Sister?, Sister?" when I've asked him to go find her. Sure, he's had a couple of meltdowns, but nothing major, and his behavior has improved since I left for Taiwan.

Gracyn is all about sharing, and smiling. So they are quite the perfect sibling match. Peyton has his preferences, she lets him have his way. He yells at her to, "stop!" and she smiles back at him. It's great! I'm sure she'll start to get stronger and may just fight back a bit more in the days to come, but for now, they are such a joy to watch together.

They both enjoy bath time, he hogs the toys, she could care less. He splashes her, she smiles. . .she splashes back, he gets irritated. . .go figure. They both love to sit at the counter and eat, and they're both constantly all over Gong-Gong (my dad). They both love and prefer to be outdoors, and they both like to be fed. I know, I know, I should not be feeding either one of them, but they're my babies, and they know how to feed themselves. I see no harm in helping them get the food to their cute little mouths.

Gracyn has adjusted so well. I can't believe just a week ago we met for the first time. She's starting to show a preference for me over others. Not sure she'd take me over her doting grandfather just yet, but what a special bond for them to have! She runs down the hallway with open arms ready for a hug. Still only gives kisses, if Peyton does it first. She waves at everyone, smiles at everyone, and her big eyes just sparkle and light up when she giggles! Which is almost at everything - if someone else laughs, she laughs too! Far cry from my moody near-4 year old. . .if someone laughs, he gets mad and says they're too loud, or thinks they're laughing at him.

Peyton has been a trooper - it's tough, no doubt. He's been an only child his whole life! And now he has to share everything with Gracyn. I'm so proud of him, and love him so much! I can't wait to watch these two grow up together! He's already teaching her the "bad" things!

I love my kiddos!! They love chasing bubbles!


And playing with the Pablo Sprinkler. . .


And driving around like crazy big kids!


Don't grow up too fast guys!!! I want to enjoy it!

Lucy and Noah are hours away. . .

Hours away from being in their Mommies arms!!! Be sure to follow their journeys. Lucy and Noah are buddies at SLC and have been waiting a long time to come home. Lucy is one of Gracyn's CA BFF's! Their Mommies have been wonderful to me on our journey to brining home Gracyn.

We're home. . .Home Sweet Home!

Gracyn did amazingly well on the plane. Slept the first 5 or 6 hours. Last hour was tough and full of some tears, but not very long. Luckily the people around us were very understanding, and all male - worked out great for her! During our descent, I was counting the minutes on the screen we had left - 8 to go. . .we can do it. . .then all of sudden you see a plane outside the window, and before you know it, we're going back up and picking up speed. Tower must have made an error - we were way too close!

We landed, got through immigration and customs super fast. When we exited, there were my boys! Flowers and bunny included! She was so happy to see Darryl and Peyton. I think SKYPE really helped. She seemed to recognize them.



The car seat was a bit traumatic, but lasted only 5 minutes. On the way home we stopped at McDonald's! YUMMY, GREASY, All-American food. She loves french fries and watching movies in the car. She didn't shed a tear when we stepped into the house. We were welcomed by a ton of balloons and welcome home signs! She loved her new tricycle, and the play room.




Home is wonderful. The journey to Gracyn amazing. We thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of her. While at times, it felt like a dream that would never came true, I had nothing but my faith to hold onto and carry me through.



Welcome sweet Gracyn! We love you!

AIT Rocks! We're coming home!

Package arrived early at about 12:40PM. We arrived at AIT at 1, they almost wouldn't let us in, but did. Then our contact was out to lunch, he arrived at 1:30 and they got us out in record speed. We were back in the hotel at 2:10PM.

I'll never forget the two men at AIT who helped us make this happen! I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father for guiding us through this journey. We're in the lobby of Les Suites Da-An who's staff I must say is INCREDIBLE!

We leave for the airport in about 30 minutes!!!

We're coming home. . .

Almost home, hopefully

Hi everyone. This is DH. I just want to thank everyone for all your love, support, prayers, and advise. All of it has helped DW this past week. Also thank you for tracking me down. The papers that were driven out to the office late Tuesday night just arrived in my DW's hands an hour ago. They are at AIT as we speak. Please pray that all the paper work is accepted so they can board the plane tonight and have a safe trip home.
Thanks again everyone.

Prayer and Music warms the heart. . .

Here's a post I started earlier on Thursday. . .
Thank you all for lifting me up in prayer. And a big thanks to the prayers from my church family - thanks Pastor Sean!

Thank you Tami! I watched the video dedicated to Celeste and American music sounded so good. Youtube here I come. . .Flashdance, Time after Time, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, September (Earth, Wind & Fire) - a song DH and danced to at our wedding. . .

Then I moved to Chris Tomlin - Amazing Love, Holy is the Lord, How Great is Our God. . .We Fall Down, Blessed be Your Name, God of Wonders. It felt so good to let out some more tears. My dad took Gracyn out for a walk, and I was able to just be alone. To be with God.

Shortly after I wrote this (on Thursday still), we were able to Skype with PEYTON, my favorite little guy! My Hero. While we were Skyping we were eating Mas Burgers and Fries, along with a good ole Coke.

I was talking to Peyton, telling him how much I loved him, I was so happy to see the little guy! I asked him for a kiss (he actually kisses the screen) and guess who comes running to me. . .that's right, little miss Gracyn with lips smooched together and ready to plant one. Everyone got to witness Gracyn and Mommy's first kiss! She kept running to and from me and Dad offering up her love! My Dad said Peyton looked sad when he saw me kissing his baby sister. . .Gracyn apparently started to feel some pressure for attention.

Meanwhile, during the same call, she started climbing all over Dad, apparently has had french fries before because she didn't want a little bite, she wanted a whole fry to dip in ketchup - that's my girl! She ate some burger, and yep, we let her have some Coke - she knows how to use a straw and sip from a water bottle quite well. Peyton is my little HERO! And of course, I thank God for this. It was amazing to see Gracyn waving at Daddy and Peyt with smiles, and for the first time we really got to see Gracyn.

 

Daddy and Peyton went shoe shopping and Peyton picked out Nikes. Then they picked out a dress for Gracyn! How cute! They showed it to use via Skype.

Dad took Gracyn out for a walk after the great call, and she fell asleep in her stroller. Slept over 2 hours like a little angel.


Last but not least, here's a photo from her first bath that I never got around to posting. . .She really doesn't like the flash, so it's hard to take pictures of her indoors. When she sees the camera coming she squints and covers her face!


Today was a good day. . .I loved having time on-line with Peyt, and having Gracyn kiss me for the first time was so sweet. I'm starting to feel what it's like being a Mommy to 2! I was torn. . .I wanted Gracyn's kisses, but I didn't want my Peyton to think I had forgotten about him. . .My love for each of them is so unique, just as they are.

Thank you Heavenly Father for this beautiful day!