1st Trip to Disneyland .. and SICK

My best friend and I went to Disneyland on Wednesday with the kids for Lily's first trip to "The Happiest Place on Earth" -- and to celebrate Lily's 3 weeks in America!! I took Hannah out of school for our day of fun (I know, I know but it is only 1st grade!!!) We had a great time & stayed until the park closed at 8pm. Lily's only ride was in her stroller but that didn't stop her from having a great day!

We got home, went to bed .... and ever since life hasn't been the same. Poor Lily woke up around 3am that night very sick to her stomach. I had the baby monitor on but I didn't hear anything. My dog kept waking me up & running over to Lily's door. I just thought the dog was being neurotic (like usual). She always wants to be with Lily -- I am sure b/c of all the food that she acquires when she hangs out near miss Sha-Sha. Some nights our dog sleeps in Lily's room so I just attributed her running to Lily's door with her wanting to be near her. I didn't think for a second that something was wrong. Finally I brought the dog downstairs to go outside but as soon as I let her back in the house she went right back to Lily's door. I went in to check on her, didn't see anything wrong b/c the room was dark but I could tell she was sleeping. I went back to bed but my dog would have nothing of it. She kept bugging me to get up. Finally I got back up, turned on the light in Lily's room & saw that she had been sick all over her crib ... POOR THING!!!!! She & I came downstairs, she had a bath and then more stomach issues continued. She has been sick ever since. Last night we went to Urgent Care. She now weighs less than when we came home (she is under 14 pounds!?!?!) On the way home from Urgent Care, Jim started to feel sick. Sick he was. About 3 hours later, I started to feel sick ... and sick I am. It has been a weekend of unplanned detoxing & colon cleanse. Lily has not has much to eat in the last few days and has been crying a lot which is really not like her at all. Please pray our sweet little one will be better soon!! Thankfully, Hannah hasn't been sick at all. She spent the day at Kim's so that the rest of us could be home sick together.

Ok, I am off to bed ... hopefully a full night of sleep!

Picture Day!!

Lily & I went to Hannah's school this morning to join in on the picture day fun.  Hannah gave her best smile for the camera .... can you say, "Adorable?!?!!"  

The kids in Hannah's class loved coming over to see Lily after they had their picture taken.  And as you can see, Lily suffered through with all those 1st grade kids.  Ha.ha.ha.  She loved every minute with them!

Sisters

Ok, so I am still uploading pictures to the Costco website ... I have a minute to blog some more.

Both of my sisters live out-of-state (not good because they are wonderful sisters, aunties & friends!) but the Lord has provided beyond what I could imagine with friends that are like family here in Southern California. Thank you, Lord! Here is Lily with some of our Southern California gang!

To my sisters, Rachel & Miriam -- Lily cannot wait to meet you at Thanksgiving in the mid-west!!!! It will be a wonderful family reunion for all of us!

Totally unrelated: We are very much NOT into sports in this house. I just caught the repeat of the 10pm news & guess who is in the World Series? Well, I am sure all of America already knows, but WOW, the PHILLIES!!! I grew up going to Phillies games with my dad & my sisters. We went to numerous games every summer. We always sat in the nose bleed seats at Vet Stadium & we'd look down during the game to find better (and empty) seats. Around the 5th inning, we'd make our way from the nose bleeds to the better seats & as we were walking towards the better seats, my dad would always say, "Ok, girls, act like you own the place." We always did & we always got to stay in the better seats! Go, Dad ... Mom never would have done that!!! ;-)

Two Weeks Home

Two weeks home & Lily is sleeping tonight in her very own crib for the first time ever! For the past 2 weeks she hasn't been too keen on the idea of being placed in her crib -- even after being fast asleep in my arms!!

Yesterday, Lily had her pictures taken at Pict*re Peop*e. The picture of Lily with her eyes closed is where she is "smiling for the camera"... even though it looks like she is screaming.

Today, Lily & I went to Corner Bakery for breakfast since the Antimite guy was spraying at our house. While there, Lily literally made friends with every person at every table in the near, and not so near, vicinity. She smiled & waved without discrimination -- the police guys, the businessmen, the grandparents, the young family. I am telling you, this little pumpkin is a people-person to the core!! It is so cute to watch her "work the crowd."

Last night I was supposed to be at a meeting at church but I totally forgot even though I had been looking forward to the meeting (hello, new baby brain!?!) Since we had "no plans", we all went to the mall to find the perfect outfit for Hannah's school picture tomorrow. Special thanks to Becki at Limited2 for stepping up to the plate as Hannah's personal shopper & working so nicely with my almost 7 year old! My grown up girl went into the dressing room all by herself for the first time! Also, a special thanks to little Dylan from Hannah's class for giving her a shiner on her left eye from a Tether Ball accident at school. Oops! Hannah decided not to have her 1st grade school picture re-touched .... so that she will always remember the Tether Ball incident :-)!!

Without Hannah noticing tonight I watched her looking at herself in the mirror. She looked at herself with such happiness & pride. She smiled at herself as if to say, "I like what I see!" I am so thankful for her healthy self-image -- if only everyone would look in the mirror & smile back!

Meanwhile, during this post I have been uploading photos from our trip to China to Costco.com. I am up to 638 photos uploaded...humm?

Happy 13 month birthday to our precious Lily Sha-Sha ... what a joy to be with you on this day!

All God's best --

"She's so little but her smile is so BIG"

While picking up Hannah from school the other day, one of the kids said about Lily, "She is so little but her smile is so big!". Very true. Our little Sha-Sha smiles ear to ear & could light up a stadium with her grin!

With the jet lag from our trip it is hard to believe we have been home for over a week now -- we have been sleeping at the strangest times but I think finally we are all somewhat onto the California time zone.

My mom just left on Tuesday and I have to say: THANK YOU, MOM!!!! There is no better Mother!!! Mom, you went above & beyond the call of duty by coming to California to be with your sweet Hannah while we were in China. Your special time with Hannah was something she will never forget! And given Lily's reaction to you, she knew she won the lottery with you as her Grandma (Ni-Ni)!

We are doing so great. Lily continues to be one happy camper and Hannah is doing great in her new role as Big Sister! I am so proud of Hannah & the way she has embraced her role with Lily. I think it helps that she has her own thing in 1st grade all day but truly she is really doing well with her little sister.

I am happy to report that Lily is becoming more of a Momma's Girl.

So far we have introduced her to some of our family, friends at school, Girl Scouts and two of our favorite places to eat: Golden Spoon & Claim Jumper :-)!!!!

We switched car seats because Lily is so tiny. She is now using the original car seat we had for Hannah 7 years ago! Hannah had been using it for the past 2 years in her playroom for her dolls!

Last Friday at the doctor, Lily weighed in at 14.7 pounds -- with clothes on. Much better than the 10 pounds we thought she might be. She is wearing size 1 diapers ... and most of the 6 month clothes are too big on her!?!

Lily will wave hello & goodbye. She is saying "Da-Da", "Momma" & best of all, "Nanna" for Hannah!!!

Hannah & I took Lily to the park today after Girl Scouts for her first ride in the swing. As you can see from the pictures, Lily LOVED the swing!

Life is good and I am so thankful for life at home with two daughters!!

We are HOME!!!!!!!

We are back in California!!!!!!! It was so awesome to land at LAX last night & bring the newest US citizen through Customs. All of the Board Patrol officers were so kind to us & Lily, as was the flight crew! We even got a picture of Lily with the pilot that brought her to America! When we came through LAX customs last night, Hannah came sprinting past the guards into the security area to reach us. She was all about getting her hands on her new sister! It was so precious!!!!!

The flight home went well -- especially since our guide in China was able to coordinate an empty seat between Jim & I so we'd have more room for Lily!!

As to be expected, we are all totally jet lagged! Lily & I made a trip to the 24 hour Walmart at 4:30am since we were up and I needed to get a few things. That is definitely the preferred time to shop: no lines! Last night she slept from 10pm - 3am & then again today from 6am - noon. Hopefully within a week she can be on California time. If not, I did enjoy the 4:30am Walmart trip!

Hannah stayed home from school today for Official "I'm a Big Sister Day". Hannah was a bit disappointed that Lily slept through 1/2 their special day! Hannah, Lily & I took a walk together this afternoon & I got some great pictures of the sisters enjoying each other.

I will keep this short for obvious reason but I just have to say: I am sorry to everyone that I haven't called or emailed back. My phone says I have 15 messages but I haven't even turned on the phone volume to check anything. Give me a few days (or a week) and I will get back to you!

Lily is doing awesome & right now enjoying some sleep in her crib.

We are so blessed!!! I look at Lily & can't stop thanking the Lord for this wonderful gift!! The journey was hard, the road was long and the wait was torturous at times but I can truly say that God has done far beyond what I could have ever imagined for our family.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27