January 2009

It’s hard to believe that just 6 short months ago I held my daughter, Rachel, in my arms for the first time. Several of my family and friends have been disappointed as I have not updated my website or put new pictures of Rachel up for them to see. I’m actually living my “blog” and raising a 2 year old toddler as a single Mom has been no small undertaking! So, forgive a happy but exhausted Mom for being so late…..

For the first 6 weeks my Mom stayed with me and Rachel and she has been such a blessing to us both! Rachel stayed quite attached to her “Balboa” as she calls her, and wouldn’t let me do anything for her except give her a bath. She kept calling me her “auntie” in Chinese and only wanted to sleep with my mom. It was hard on me but I realize harder on little Rachel whose whole world as she knew it had changed, so I tried to be very patient and was ever so thankful that my Mom could stay and help us get through the initial transition. While my Mom was still here, I started Rachel in a wonderful daycare very close to my house and she loves it. She’s very sociable and loves being around other children her age. She really seems to be coming out of her shell now and sings, hugs everyone, and loves to blow kisses.

Doomsday was on Sept. 12, 2008 when my Mom flew back to Louisiana. Fortunately my best friend Pat (my adopted sister, it’s a long story) had flown in to meet Rachel from Missouri and was staying the weekend. We dropped Mom off at the airport and little Rachel cried and cried. She fell asleep in the car and woke up at Cracker Barrel where we had lunch. That night I met with some other families here, all of whom have 2 year old girls adopted from China for our monthly dinner and thankfully Rachel fell asleep in the car. The second day Pat and I kept Rachel busy with a little blow-up swimming pool in the backyard. That night when Rachel took me by the hand going from room to room looking for her “Balboa” broke my heart. I called my Mom in Louisiana to speak to Rachel and I couldn’t say a word I was crying so hard. Rachel cried herself to sleep and then I cried on Pat’s shoulder……Thank you God for friends like Pat!!!

I had an entire month of family medical leave off from work to give me and Rachel time to bond – just the two of us. I’m so glad I did as now we are stuck like glue! Like peanut butter and jelly! I remember the first time she called me “mama”. She was on the potty and I was sitting on the floor across from her. She reached up and touched my jade mother/daughter pendant and called me “mama”. It was so touching. I call it a “potty” moment. Now she calls me Mama, mommy, and just “mom” and it’s nonstop.

I started back to work part-time on October 10th. I was filled with anxiety and trepidation but Rachel and I seemed to do just fine. Once we got on schedule and got into a routine, things just seemed to flow. Thank goodness her daycare feeds her breakfast. What a time saver!! My wonderful friends threw us a beautiful shower and I discovered what a chocaholic Rachel is when she really lit into the cake!

Being in daycare does have it’s disadvantages. Both Rachel and I contracted mononeucleosis. I got sick first with a horrible sore throat and was absolutely exhausted. Antibiotics didn’t seem to help and it was so hard to take care of Rachel. Then, Rachel got sick at daycare and they called me with what they thought was a “seizure”. I was so frightened and took her to the doctor right away. I had to give her a shot of antibiotics at the doctor’s office but eventually she got so dehydrated from not eating and drinking (she had tonsillitis) that I brought her into my office to get IV fluids while I worked. I think that was the worst day of my life. Thankfully, we have both since recovered.

My brother and his wife and kids along with my Mom and sister all came here for Thanksgiving. Of course they all fell in love with Rachel and surprisingly and much to my relief Rachel has stayed attached to me in spite of being back with her beloved “Balboa”. While my family was in town I had a dedication/baptism for Rachel at the hospital chapel where I work and the chaplain who is a dear friend of mine performed the ceremony. It was very sweet and at the end Rachel said “amen” and “hallelujah” with a little coaching from me of course.