January 2013
I think I can honestly say that between the settling in of being
in China for over 2 weeks, the enormous piles of laundry that
greeted me everyday for a week, getting back into the groove of
school (Connor actually asked just how he was going to get ready
for school on that first Monday back), cleaning and decorating,
shopping and preparing for Christmas, going to 4 cheer
competition (2 of them out of town), gymnastics meets, planning
for Ally's 13th birthday, oh, and having a 2 year old in our
house again, has made these past few months the quickest of my
life! But oh what fun we have been having!!
The flight home was a breeze, well as much as a 14 hour plane
ride could be. The 6 of us were split up of the plane in 3 seats
of 2, so the girls sat together behind Connor and me, and since
Taytum was taking to John more, she sat with him across the isle
from us. There were lots of crying kids on the flight, but
Taytum wasn't one of them, thankfully. She just laid in her seat
and was happy to sleep and be entertained by dad.
As soon as we landed on American soil, Taytum Mary Fulan Pritz
became an official US citizen. We stood in the long line of
customs, gave all of our paperwork to the immigration
department, were congratulated and off to get our luggage. What
a relief to know that all of the paperwork was finally done!
We were welcomed at the gate by my parents and John's parents, 2
sisters and some nieces all holding sweet dolls and a welcome
home banner. Not sure what kind of a sight we must have been
wearing our matching t-shirts from Hong Kong (only 14 hours
dirty) and having been on a plane for 14 hours, but it was
wonderful to see loving faces. Of course tears were shed by many
as Taytum gave high 5's and knuckles to everyone.
After saying good-bye's to John's family at the airport, our
next stop was a good old-fashioned american meal. Portillo's.
BTW, the car seat is always a big topic (as silly as it sounds)
with some adopted kids since they have never been strapped in
one, but she didn't seem to mind at all. Must have been all the
prayers from Mrs. Z! Taytum had her first American hot dog and
fries, which she gobbled down in typical Taytum fashion. With
Taytum having no palate she can't suck from a straw, so my mom
(Mimi to the kids) served her ice cold lemonade by dipping the
straw in the cup, plugging up the top then pouring it into her
mouth. Taytum thought that was the best thing, and great for
bonding too!
We were met at home by a big bouquet of balloons from some dear
friends, and a welcome home poster from some other friends.
While we soaked in the smell of home, Taytum explored her new
space. She went from room to room checking things out. I don't
think she had ever seen stairs before, but it wasn't long before
she mastered them. Getting down was a bit more of a challenge.
So, I tried to teach her. Imagine the look on her face while she
was watching a grown woman tell her to turn around while using
had gestures and watching me climb down the stairs backwards 20
times. Finally, probably to just to get me to stop acting crazy,
she came up with her own method going forward, but it did the
trick.
She spent the rest of the afternoon just walking around checking
things out. She loved the cat (she must have had one because she
went after her right away), the dog she wasn't so sure about,
but has come to love getting kisses from him. But everything
else seemed like it was somehow familiar. God. :) One of the
best things about bringing the kids with us, was that she didn't
have to get to know anyone new once we got home. So, even though
the setting was different, all of the people we still the same
which really seemed to put her at ease.
Bedtime was a bit more of a challenge. Gone were the days of
just setting her in her crib. I can't say that I blame her
though. I'm sure it was so much more quiet in her new room, and
I'm sure she wasn't used to sleeping in a big room all by
herself. I rocked her to sleep, but by the time I got her into
the crib her eyes were open wide and she wasn't happy. This went
on for several nights until we finally moved a twin bed in there
and lined it with body pillows so she wouldn't fall out. When
she cried at bedtime, or the middle of the night, I could just
lay with her and she would relax. She had night terrors for the
first few weeks. She was so amazing during the day that I think
her subconscious worked overtime at night telling her something
was definitely new. But, they finally subsided. Now, we just put
her down awake and if she does start to cry, Connor has taken it
upon himself to go in and “rub the belly of the mighty Gator”
and put her to sleep. Great bonding time for them and he feels
like a champion when he settles her down. It's the sweetest
thing.
The month of December was just a whirlwind. The weekend after we
got home Taytum came to Indy with Shyla and me for a cheer
competition. She did more amazing that I could have ever
imagined. Not only was the a huge hit with the girls and
parents, Shy's team did so amazing that they were convinced that
she was their lucky charm. She has become and honorary member of
the team so now when we walk in the gym she is swarmed by 30
teenaged girls. It warms my heart to see how well she is
accepted and how much she is loved. She has become the “Norm”
(from Cheers) at the gym. She has the biggest fan club there and
is loved on whenever she walks in the door.
We spent the rest of the month getting ready for Christmas, and
quickly remembering how long it takes to get a toddler ready and
out the door, how many times you clean up the same mess (the
markers in the dog's water bowl was a favorite), and just how
busy a two year old is. I have gotten used to
As I read through other's blogs, they all said how much joy
their new little addition had brought and I thought “Yeah Yeah,
how cliche”, BUT... it's so incredibly true. She not only brings
joy, she brings so much laughter too. This little girl is so
funny! She has the very best facial expressions and is so
expressive. She is still just as much of a copy cat as ever, and
the the kids have taught her so many crazy faces (including the
stink eye, which she has mastered). Shyla has her performing a
whole pageant routine, including the twirls and finger
kisses....she works for m-n-m's. :) She is so loving. She is
more than generous doling out kisses, on checks and pant legs
(when I'm standing up and that's all she can reach). She taps on
her cheek or forehead for a kiss from anyone close by, and is
happy to reciprocate. She loves to give hugs and sit on an open
lap. At first I was a bit concerned that she took to strangers
too easily, but now we have established enough of a bond that
she diffidently has some “stranger danger” sense and quickly
turns to me whenever faces with a new person. But once she know
it's safe, she's your best friend.
Taytum has become very vocal. Although when I took her to the
dr. for the first time the nurse asked if she could say 50
words. That cracked me up. Now, I'm sure there are some speaking
prodigy’s out there, but can most 22 month old's even say 50
words?? Hmmmm..... Anyway, she's got down some basics. MaMa
(although most times she just shouts out Maa, like the other
three), Hi, Hey,Ya , I, and ni ni (night night). She can make
the “L” sound, so she can muster out something that kinda sounds
like I love you. Very sweet. She has an appt for a speech
therapist from Early Intervention to come out and evaluate her
and get some speech therapy started. We have continued sign
language with her, although when she really want something she
looks more like a 3rd base coach signaling the pitcher then a
toddler using understandable signing. But, for not being able to
talk, she communicates amazingly well. She points and grunts
until we all know exactly what she wants. She is so strong
willed willed and won't stop until she gets just what she wants.
We haven't quite figured out if that a good thing yet. :)
She amazes us with how smart and intuitive she is. Without
prompting or teaching, she puts soap in the dishwasher, she
feeds the dog, she delivers laundry to the kids, and so many
other things. She seems to be understanding more and more
english every day. She knows when to watch for the bus and gets
so excited when the kids come home from school. She loves
puzzles and will do them over and over.
She still loves to eat, but she is learning that food comes in
plenty here and hasn't been eating nearly as much. She can use a
fork and spoon really well. Drinking has been a bit more of a
challenge. With her palate being open she can't suck from a
straw or a regular sippy cup. She does great drinking from a
regular cup, but it seems every meal of hers ends up with her
pouring her drink into it. If I'm feeling generous I'll get her
a fresh plate, if not, tough luck, she eats her food with a milk
sauce. The crazy thing is, she doesn't even seem to mind. :)
She checked out amazing well at her first visit with the
pediatrician. Although, making heads or tails of her vaccines
that were in Chinese was quite challenging for them. She was at
the 50th percentile for hight and weight on the American chart,
and the dr. scolded me for telling her I thought her legs were
quite chunky. Although she lost 1 ½ pounds since we have been
home from China. I think she gets a lot more activity here. We
have an appt in early February to go to the Cranial Facial
Center at UIC. We will meet with the speech therapist,
audiologist, psychologist, and surgeon. They will be better able
to tell us her course of treatment, as well as start more speech
therapy. Her palate surgery will be sometime in the spring.
January flew by too! I had every intention of getting this out
sooner, but the days just fly by. Life with a toddler.....
Already she has so many nick names. A few people still refer to
her as Mei Mei (which I just love), John and the kids call her
Tay, I call her Tayt and Taytee Mei, Taytee Belle, Taytee Cakes
or what ever seems to flow out. She answers to it all.
So there are all the details. Now for the heartfelt stuff. By
far, I feel that this adoption was the very best decision we
have ever made. Well, getting married and have our first three
kids rank right up there, but hopefully you get what I mean.
While having a toddler in our house after 9 years has turned
everything upside down, it has also been the most natural thing.
To say she fits right in is an understatement. She seamlessly
transitioned into our lives, so much so that nothing about it
seems unusual. It's like she has been a part of our family from
the beginning. God. :) When I look at her I have to catch my
breath. She is just so beautiful. Maybe this sounds crazy, but
many times I forget that another woman gave birth to her. She
feels like my own in every way. The kids have been amazing and
are in heaven. They have all stepped up and help me with her.
They are each so good with her in different ways. Shyla is more
of a 2nd mom to her, Ally loves to be silly with her and no one
can make her belly laugh like big brother. There is no doubt she
was created for our family. She is a Pritz in every way! |
At the airport with the grandparents
Our first family photo in the US
At Portillo's for the first time.
Helping mom bake
Her 1st cheer competition…..of many!
First time in the grass
She got more chocolate ice cream on her than in her
Christmas at Mimi and Mapa's
Santa Baby
Ready for winter
Future cheerleader
Pritz kids
Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart - but in it
--- Fleur Conkling Heylinger
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