March 2007

Wow!!!! We have been home for a month already!!! The time has flown!!! Our we’re home update has turned into our monthly update. We’ll try to backtrack to fill you in on our trip home and those first few days home.

We had to be in the hotel lobby to leave for Hong Kong before dawn that last morning . We all loaded up on the bus and headed to the airport. There were many mixed emotions as we were so excited to be on our way home, but it was a time of goodbyes as well to many new friends. Our guide Amy said her goodbyes on the bus on the way to the airport. She was in tears as she finished. She had really gotten attached to the girls and their new families. She did a wonderful job making sure everything fell into place from paperwork to dinner reservations, bus schedules, etc.

Lottie cried a little on her first flight to Hong Kong, but mainly on the way up and then again on the way down. Probably just her ears. We arrived in Hong Kong and began with goodbyes to some of the families who had earlier flights out. We then took a train into Hong Kong . Shannon’s father had arranged for a business associate to pick us up in Hong Kong and show us around as our flight did not leave until 6:30 in the evening. Suki met us at the train station and took us back to her office which is at the showroom where Shannon’s father goes to buy Christmas lights each year. There were several showrooms filled with all sorts of Christmas lights, trees, and outdoor lighted decorations. We toured the showrooms and the she took us to lunch. Another traditional Chinese lunch , only this time in Hong Kong. After lunch we drove up to the Peak Restaurant which normally has a great view of Hong Kong. It happened to be very foggy the day we were there but we saw pictures of what the view would look like. We walked through a shopping area there and discovered a wax museum. We went in for fun and ended up with some fun pictures!!! They had replicas of celebrities worldwide!!! We drove to Stanley Market and walked around for a few minutes before heading back to the airport. This is where a lot of good shopping can be found in Hong Kong but we were out of time and money. But it was nice to see it as Shannon had heard her father talk about it for years.

We got back just in time to board the plane for our long flight home. We again had bulk head seating and two empty seats next to us for the flight home. We thought Lottie might like to lie down in the seats , but she chose to sleep on our chest. We took turns holding her and she slept for 9-10 hours of the long flight!!!

We were greeted at the airport by some of our closest family and friends – it was 1:00 in the morning!! We were delayed a little in Chicago , but nothing like many in Chicago. Many flights had been cancelled in Chicago due to snow in different places. Walking out of the secured area and seeing the boys as well as our other friends and family was breathtaking!!! We enjoyed watching them see Lottie for the first time. She did so well seeing so many new faces all at once. They joined us back at home for a little while to play with her. She of course felt like it was afternoon and was ready to oblige the crowd. The boys turned on one of her musical toys and she started dancing and bobbing her head and put on quite the show for everyone!!!! About 4:00 in the morning we headed to bed and put her down in her crib. She woke up at 5, 6 ,and 7 and then slept until 10 when we had to wake her up to go to the boys’ basketball games. She enjoyed cheering for the boys. She was quite the fan, clapping along with the rest of us!!! She went to five basketball games in the first two weeks home!! One of daddy’s and four of the boys. This is only the beginning of many for her!!! The next night she woke up maybe one time and then has slept through the night ever since!!! God is sooo Good!!! Shannon was so worried about how the jet lag might affect Lottie and her both but we all seem to have adjusted without too much difficulty!!! Lottie went to the doctor on Wednesday afternoon after returning home for her first check-up. The doctor was amazed at how well she was doing. She said many times she will have a long list of problems to address with children adopted internationally but with Lottie she could not come up with one!!!! They did have to do the newborn screen where they prick the heel for blood. They had to prick each heel 3 times to get enough blood for the test. She was obviously not happy about this but settled down quickly when they were finished. We had to wait until the following week for her vaccinations because she had to be at least a year old for some of them and she turned a year old the following weekend. Yes we have been very busy as we planned and celebrated her first birthday here at the house with many friends and family . We had brought back festive Chinese outfits for her youngest friends to wear to the party. We had a hot dog supper with cupcakes and ice cream. Lottie enjoyed her cupcake. She even tried to grab it while the candle was still lit!!! She has also enjoyed the many gifts she has been given – books, toys, dolls, clothes… fun..fun….fun…!!!!

She did return the following week for her vaccinations. She ran some fever for a couple of days but otherwise had no problems. The rest of the family however managed to come down with Strep throat!!!! She was the only one who did not get it!!!

Shannon’s mother has two friends who gave Lottie a beautiful baby shower the following weekend. Everything was decorated in pink. A big change from the showers Shannon had for twin boys!!! It was sooo nice and Lottie now has many new dresses for spring and summer and even a new bathing suit!!! Shannon’s cousin who is almost 12 years old gave her a beautiful scrap book with all the pictures she had gotten from the website as well as quotes from the guestbook. And many pictures even from after we had arrived home. It is a treasured keepsake!!!!

Since coming home, Lottie has greatly enjoyed playing with her big brothers as they have with her. They make her smile and laugh and they just can’t get enough of her. They can’t walk by her without showering her with hugs and kisses. She enjoys waving goodbye to them in the mornings and welcoming them home from school in the afternoon. If she is asleep in the morning they go in and peer over her crib. Many times she will wake up and they say.. “but we were just looking at her..” Her only recognizable word so far is GE GE which is Mandarin for brother and what we have called the boys at times. She also enjoys welcoming daddy home in the evenings. One night he came in and she was crawling down the hall. She sat right up and started clapping!!!!! Daddy’s heart swelled of course!!!

In the first two weeks home Lottie visited both of her brothers classrooms at school and was also show and tell for one of our friends preschool classes!!! She has been quite the star!!!

She is eating most anything. We thought she would like the baby food for awhile as it is soft and easy to eat, but she prefers the table food which is more seasoned. She likes broccoli, peas, green beans, carrots, rice, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, creamy soups, watermelon, mandarin oranges, and bananas!!! And of course cheerios and puff snacks!!! She has even tried some fried chicken!! She is still taking her formula out of a bottle but has started taking juice or water out of a sippy cup. We will transition to milk out of a cup in a few months.

She is not yet walking on her own , although can stand up on her own and stand unsupported. We expect she will take off after her brothers any day now. She will walk holding to a finger anywhere you want her to go and push the walking toys all over the house. Her brothers have already taught her to climb the stairs. Mommy had to show her how to get back down.

She is not scared of much of anything. She has met several dogs and enjoys patting them, and even the occasional lick on the face. Her brothers are glad she likes dogs as they are pushing for a puppy!!!

She has enjoyed a stroller ride here and there and swinging at the park. Every day is a new experience for her. And she seems to just be thriving in all the newness!!! We never expected the transition to be so smooth . Even in our wildest dreams we never thought it would go so well. God truly has given us MORE than we could ever ask or imagine and it is to HIM we give ALL the glory!!!!! HE is greatly to be praised!!!!!

Thank you ALL for your prayers throughout our trip and for our transition home. As you can see they were answered in FULL!!! We look forward to visiting with those we have not yet seen and will continue to post monthly updates for the next several months. Enjoy the pictures!!!!

Much love to ALL!!!!!

Shannon Battle Graham Noah and Lottie!!!!!