2 weeks home- update

I went by my office today to introduce everyone to Ava. It's been 4 weeks since I left and it felt like I was just there. The time has gone by so fast. I didn't make it past my office this time but will return with her again soon to get over to some of the other departments.

Ava is doing amazingly well. She is such a sweetheart. She is reaching and grabbing for everything. She has started to give hugs and kisses. Some say that she has said "mama" but I'm not so sure. Ava has enjoyed every fruit and vegetable that she has tried so far. And, she loves the Gerber Graduates Finger Foods (just the little stars). She gummed a biter biscuit tonight and really liked that as well. Her first tooth is coming out- it doesn't seem to bother her but she always has something in her mouth to bite on.

Sleep is going great. Ava goes down between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. and sleeps until 7 - 8 a.m. She is still in my bed but has taken a number of naps in her crib and doesn't cry as much when she wakes up in there. I figure she'll be in my bed for atleast another month, if not longer.

We were looking at an "Elmo and Friends" book tonight and she kept bending down to give Elmo a kiss. She watches Sesame Street in the morning while I'm showering so she is starting to recognize the characters.

Ava is very friendly and will go with anyone for a little while but she always looks for me and reaches out to me after a short while. I feel that our bonding/attachment is going well.

I am having so much fun with her. She makes me smile all day long. I find that as long as I stay on schedule with her meals and bottles, she is good to go anywhere. She will nap in the car or stroller but will wake up when moved. It seems like she is ready to go again even after a short nap (20 minutes).

The past few days...

Lunch with Mema

Ava and I went to lunch with my mom. Ava doesn't mind the carseat as long as someone is sitting beside her but when she is back there alone, she cries. So sad.

Home and settling in

Resting after her long dr appt

Ava's squeaky shoe collection

Ava and I have been home a few days now. It's hard to remember what day of the week it is. Everything is unpacked but still lots to put away. Ava is doing really well but still has her days and nights mixed up (15-hour time difference and all) so she gets up a number of times throughout the night. Hopefully, we can get back to our nice sleep schedule in China of 10-11 hours a night. :)

Ava's first doctor's appt was yesterday. Poor Ava had to get 5 shots and blood drawn from both her arm and foot. She had bandages all over her. She weighed in at about 15 lbs, 12 oz. which puts her at about 10% for height and 1% for weight. She seems to be super healthy, just small. She is running a bit of a fever today from the shots so she was pretty mellow today.

She has a tooth or two that should be breaking through very soon so her doctor said she can try the little Gerber melt in your mouth snacks- she loves them. We went for a walk around the block today in her new stroller. She liked it well enough so we'll go walking again tomorrow. Her car seat isn't her favorite but she is okay as long as the car is moving.

I have found Ava's development over the past two weeks to be amazing. When I first met Ava, she couldn't sit up on her own, wouldn't stand on your lap for more than a second or two and had very poor eye-hand coordination. Today, she sits up great, stands (while being held) for long periods of time and is able to pick up very small objects with very little difficulty. She continues to be a happy, smiling baby. She has started to give me kisses and hugs and she holds her arms up for me to pick her up when I walk by. Ava is such an angel and I love her so much.

Final post from China

This is the last posting from China. We leave for home tomorrow morning, early. We are looking forward to getting home and seeing everyone. But, first we need to pack. We have lots of suitcases that we're coming home with- gained two in China.

Ava is doing really well. She has already gained about a 1.5 lbs. We both have colds and I shalso have a cough so hoping the flight tomorrow isn't too painful. It will be a really long day.

Ava is sitting up much better and seems so much stronger in just 10 days. She sleeps from about 8 p.m. to about 7 a.m. and takes two short naps throughout the day. She is a good little shopper, especially when she is carried.

Debi- can you pick up some baby food. Carrots, sweet potatoes and some fruit. Also, some bananas. That is about all she is eating.

We can't wait to see you guys tomorrow!

Red Couch Photo

Shop till you drop in Guangzhou

Ava had her Visa photo taken first thing this morning.

We then walked over to where the babies have their very brief medical exams.

The White Swan Hotel is located on Shamian Island. It is really beautiful and peaceful here compared to the cities we've visited. Very lush and humid, almost misty but comfortable and there is a ton of shopping so we've been having fun.

Ava's first airline flight- 3-12-07

At the airport in Hunan getting ready to fly to Guangzhou. What a tiring day. We spent the morning filling out paperwork that we will need for the U.S. Consulate, had Pizza Hut at the hotel and then headed for the airport with a ton of luggage. Finally arrived at the White Swan Hotel at about 8:30 p.m.

We visited Martyr's Park today. It was really amazing. The lake where the boats are is man-made and the park goes all the way around it. We spent over an hour walking around and didn't see half of what was there. Our families were the only ones with strollers so we were quite the attraction.

We walked around some shops that were supposed to carry antiques.

We leave for Guanghou tomorrow so I won't have time to post until the following day. See you in two days.