And One More Makes Six

Challenged Athlete Profile - Scout Bassett

2009-07-06T00:25:00.001-07:00

Show me...

2009-04-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

Smarty pants

Sour face

Sad

Monster

Happy

How mommy looks

PrEaster

2009-04-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

Woodland Park

2009-04-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

This picture looks like an ad! Jieling is such a doll!

My MySpace photo (giving it my sexy)

Yaya was so excited and happy

Dad & Jieling

Four of my Six

My littles

Jieling led the way with our zoo map

Chinese New Year 2009

2009-03-28T18:12:00.001-07:00

Dare you not to smile!

2009-01-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

I don't want to brag (well actually I do) but our Jieling is one talented four year old.

I can't believe how amazing this picture is. Just look at the detail!!

This is one of Jielings earlier pieces... love the green belly button

The bunny

This one is eerily beautiful...look at the eyes...and the cute stumpy

Two sets of boobs?

Amazingly cute flowers

Notice the Boobs? Jieling told Brianna they were mine! The placement is spot on...mid thigh UPDATE: The lady with the boobs is Aunt Liz.

Wonder where she came up with the idea for the lips? UPDATE: The curly haired kid is Nick with chapstick.

My favorite picture...Her Self portrait...notice her stumpy leg? And the beautiful expression....love it

Picasso? Monet? Matisse? Da Vinci? No..............Edwards!!

It's Winter Time

2008-12-20T11:17:00.000-08:00

Life is good! Everyone is doing well. Nick has recovered well from his brain surgery, and although the surgery was not a cure for his seizures, he is doing good. Ya Ya was finally fitted with her prosthesis and has adjusted beautifully.

The girls are getting so big, and life with Ya Ya is finally normal. It really did take a year for her to settle down, relax, and take life in. She has a zest and an excitement that I have seen in no other, and is such a loved and funny little girl. I'm relieved that life has settled down and I feel amazingly blessed so have such an awesome family. I will not worry about the future and will just take one day at a time.

A New Leg for Ya Ya!

2008-12-15T12:30:00.000-08:00

Random Photos

2008-11-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

Last Surgery!

2008-09-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

Well just when I thought all the excitement was over in our lives, I just realized moments ago that the poopy smell we thought was eeking from Ya Ya's bum, is not coming from her bum, but rather from the little drain hole at the bottom of her cast.

I just put a call into the ortho clinic at Children's and hope to hear something back soon. I just keep thinking that a foot amputation and a poopy smell coming from the site doesn't seem normal. This didn't happen with Jieling!

I am holding it together for now.

Update!! After noticing the foul odor from Ya Ya's cast I was instructed to take her in, and if I hurried I could go to the ortho clinic instead of the ER. I was frantic and quite upset, but not because I thought something was seriously wrong, but because of the fear Ya Ya has for people in the medical profession. I think this fear stems from her toe amputation in China and whatever that entailed?
Anyways, much to my surprise and utter shock, Ya Ya did not flinch, whimper, or protest even one second when they started to cut off her cast! I think she was curious and anxious to have her big pink bandaid removed. I on the other hand was trying not to pass out! I was not ready to see her footless and all the messy smelly mess. All the dressing inside her cast was soaked and yucked up, but NO infection. Thank God. If it were infected they would have had to clean her stump and that would have been pure torture! Oh thank you God. In the end they just ended up cutting off the bottom half of her cast changing all the dressing and she was recasted. She sat still (miracle in itself) and let the professionals do their work. I was and am still amazed, because Ya Ya screamed a lot in the hospital. While still in recovery they had to give her ativan to calm her down because she was trying to pull everything off of her. She cried if a nurse even looked at her. She would put her hand up to them and tell them "No thank you." She threw something at one nurse, and was just not a model patient. Poor baby, I just wanted to get her out of there and safe at home, so her reaction, just 4 days after her surgery is amazing.

Fun TImes

2008-08-26T23:44:00.000-07:00

These first two pictures of Ya Ya just make me smile. My baby girl had the BEST time camping ever. She really loved every minute, and I just loved watching her enjoy herself and all her family. We had a good time and really look forward to more trips in the spring.

Mud Baths

2008-08-14T19:27:00.001-07:00

I'm horrible about posting updates! Nick is doing great, No seizures since his surgery! The first week home with him was not fun. He had a lot of anxiety, and did not trust us to take proper care of him. Silly kid.

His recovery and attitude has been amazing. He's been going for walks, and can't wait to start lifting weights again. His Dr.'s say it's too early to call this a cure (especially since his chances of this were very low) but we are hopeful. I love this big kid and it's so nice to see him smile again!

The girls and the rest of the kidlets are doing well. We are looking forward to a week at the ocean next week with all the family.

The little girls thought it would be fun to add dirt to their pool today and take a mud bath. The only time I freaked is when I caught Ya Ya drinking the muddy water!

Multiple subpial transection

2008-07-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

Not exactly the words we were hoping for, but at least Nick still has options. The mapping this morning showed that Nick's seizure focus is located too near his speech and motor areas so he will not have the resection. His loss of function would be too great if these areas were removed. The mapping was interesting but very exhausting for Nick. I read that some patients actually enjoy some of the sensations they experience during mapping, but this was not the case for Nick. It caused him to be very fearful of a big seizure and he stopped multiple times asking for reasssurance. Once the testing was done he got a nice calming dose of Ativan, and he is still sleeping...12 hours later. Today has been the hardest so far, but the Dr.'s have told us how well Nick is doing. They told us most of their patients don't do as well as Nick.
Tomorrow morning Nick will have surgery to have the grids removed and will have the subpial transection. He won't have any tissue removed, but will have tiny slices made in the area of his seizure focus. I don't have the energy to explain the procedure, but it's easy to google.
I am thankful that at least Nick still has options if this doesn't work. Many epilepsy patients are not candidates for grid surgery, so I still feel blessed, but I'm speaking for myself and not Nick. At least we know where Nick's seizures are so this will never be in question. His Dr.'s feel Nick is a good candidate for the deep brain stimulation (neuro-pace) but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Nick has been so amazing through all of this. He is such a brave and awesome young man.

You should see the other guy.

2008-07-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

Nick's grid placement went well. He had 146 electrodes placed on the left side of his brain, and started having seizures before even leaving the ICU. He was finishing up a huge seizure right before his grandpa and I arrived which was very upsetting to everyone. Luckily after some heavy drugs things settled down and he then proceed to have a seizure every half hour (not big ones) which kindof freaked his drs out. He could have these grids in for two weeks, but decided to have all his seizures in the first 4 hours of being hooked up. As is the case in all video eegs, you press the button when the seizure starts which alerts the whole floor with a siren, flips the lights on, and everyone comes running. Well doing this every half hour it became pretty comical. By the time they came in his seizures had stopped. His typical seizures are brief, but very frequent. I think he had twenty yesterday. I told them that I could just reset the monitors, but they wouldn't allow it. Anyways, it's now the end of day two and he's back on all of his meds. He felt pretty crappy today and woke up this am with his eye swollen shut. He's getting tired of hearing how all this is normal for brain surgery.

Tomorrow am his surgeon and neurologist and some other guy will come in and start mapping out his brain by stimulating different parts of his brain with small amounts of current. This data will tell them if they can proceed with the resection. This whole surgery boils down to what they find out tomorrow morning. I am prepared to be disappointed. My heart will break for Nick if he's gone through all of this for nothing. His doctors were talking to us today about implanting a brain stimulator in Nick, but he would have to heal from this surgery first for three months, and even then the stimulator is not FDA approved, so Nick would be part of a clinical trial. I can't imagine him having another surgery in three months, but will support whatever he decides.

The picture of Nick looks a lot worse than he actually is. His head looks so big because they packed the wires on top of his head and then wrapped it all up. His eye really is swollen shut, but this is normal.

Since Nick had seizures like crazy (way to go Nick) in 4 hours, and they got the data they needed, he will have his surgery moved up 5 days! This is so awesome!

I am exhausted and feel like this post is not making sense.

more later...

She Sleeps

2008-07-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

Wake me up when it's over

2008-07-03T11:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning we headed back to the hospital for Nick's pre-op appointment and one last MRI. I planned on having a long list of questions, but came empty handed instead. My main concerns were how long Nick would feel like crap for, what his recovery would look like, and is this going to make an already depressed and angry kid more angry and depressed?
Nick will have a horrible headache and nausea right after surgery, and having seizures on top of this will not help things, but we are doing this invasive monitoring to capture seizures so this is the ultimate goal! I am anxious to finally find out where these stupid seizures are coming from, and even more anxious to hear that he can have a successful resection without affecting his speech or motor function. Nick will have left sided weakness that should improve with time. This is probably the part about this surgery that I dread the most. I hope Nick fully understansds this, it was explained again yesterday and he nodded his head so I know he gets it.
After his appointment with the Dr. we headed to the Seattle Center (after eating at Dicks) and walked around. I begged Nick to go on the roller coaster with me and he finally agreed. We got the front seat and I screamed the whole time! We had a good laugh, though Mike pretended he didn't know me when we got off. After a bag of cotton candy, ice cream, and a deck of cards (Nick wanted cards so cards he got) we headed back to Swedish for his MRI, where we waited and waited and waited. What was supposed to be a forty minute MRI turned into two hours. The Dr. ordered a functional motor hand MRI to help map his motor region, which entails Nick tapping his fingers at the appropriate time while looking through some goggles at a screen. I think Nick was a little confused and the test took a little longer. Poor Nick, he has been such a trooper. I can't imagine trying to accomplish all this testing with a little kid. It has been exhausting. My heart goes out to parents who spend all their time in hospitals. Our time has been minimal, and we're wiped out.
Speaking of grueling, the Dr. says for us to plan for two weeks in the hospital, but if Nick has good seizures (good?) that give them the information they need, then they will be able to proceed to surgery right away and Nick can go home sooner, but if it takes longer to get good seizures then we'll be in longer. Did I mention that someone has to be with Nick 24 hours/day to push the button when he seizes? Did I mention that someone was me? With Mike having no work this winter, he has to take the work now. This is okay. I can't imagine not being with my son anyhow. So lets get down to business...we need prayers for

Nick

successful grid placement-minimal amount of swelling and bleeding

Quick seizures but no grand-mals (tonic-clonics)

Smooth and steady hands for the surgeon (I noticed he has pretty shaky hands & isn't this a bad thing for a neurosugeon?)

Good pain control (we have a $100 bet on this) silly kid thinks he won't need pain meds

Peace if they can't do the resection

Peace if they can do the resection

Strength for his mom & dad & family

Good internet connection so Nick can play poker-stars

Decent food & good coffee

God's will

more later...

Head to Toes Update.

2008-06-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

Our oldest son Nick is scheduled for his first brain surgery July 7. For those of you that don’t know, Nick started having seizures for no apparent reason when he was around 11 years old. I laugh now when I think back to our first ambulance ride to the hospital, and how the doctors told us our son just had a night terror. How I wish they were right. It has been years of seizures, different meds, doctors appointments, and heartache for all of us that love him. A few years ago, Nick could have 50 small seizures a day, now he is just having the big ones, which wipe him out both physically and emotionally. He has become a recluse rarely leaving the house. I thank god for our baby girls, his little sisters, which give him a reason to smile, a reason to play, and I hope live. They are all over him when he shows his charming and sometimes grouchy face downstairs. Last week Ya Ya fed him cashews until he almost puked, and just today Jie Ling called him a poopy butt in response to him calling her a monkey. The two of them went round and round. The little girls adore their brother, I just wish he could find that value in himself.

His surgery will be in two stages. First, he will have electrodes placed directly on his brain and we will wait for seizures. The electrodes can only be in place for up to two weeks because of the risk of infection. When they have captured enough seizures (pray for this to happen quickly and safely) and they aren’t coming from critical areas (their concern is they are coming from his speech area in his left frontal lobe) then they will proceed with the second surgery. When they go in to remove the grids they will resect the part of his brain causing the seizures, and then put him back together. I’m not sure how long he will remain in the hospital if they are able to do the resection, and I have a lot of other questions I need to start writing down before his pre-op appointment July 2.

The chances of him becoming seizure free are not great. Frontal lobe surgery for seizures is not as successful as temporal lobe surgery which has a very high percentage of success. Nick fully understands the risks and is willing to move forward. Nick is very bright and has made this decision on his own. He knows he has our total love and support, and he wants to try whatever is possible to get better.

That’s it. The conversation was over back on May 21 when we met with the surgeon. Nick chooses not to discuss it, and does not care to hear about it, so we have not said a word since that day. How I wish I could hold my baby boy and tell him it will be alright, how I wish we could discuss his fears and anxieties, but he won’t allow it. He is trying so hard to be a man and it kills me, but I have to respect who he is. He is a beautiful boy.

So that was the head update, and now for the foot update. I so do not want to see Ya Ya lose her foot. Unfortunately this big foot cannot wait. We see the dr. June 20th. Finding shoes to accommodate her is becoming a problem. Nordstrom is the only place that will sell different sized shoes and this second pair I just bought her (which entails trying on lots of shoes!) are uncomfortable for her. This summer is going to be a problem if we can’t find something to put on her feet. I bought a pair of crocs for her but even those are too tight for her fat foot, it's pretty comical trying to cram her foot in it, reminds me of Cinderalla's step sisters trying to cram their foot in that glass slipper. Poor Ya Ya.

Okay I’m tired of all this depressing stuff, life really isn't so bad!!

Besides a couple of impending surgeries, the kids are doing great! Brianna is getting ready to go to Ethiopia to volunteer for AAI and I couldn’t be more proud of her! She’s been working extra hours to help cover costs. She is a great kid...usually;)

Nick may make the World Championship of Poker after all! He loves the game, and I hope we can arrange something fun before his big day. He can be a big help with the girls when I'm at my witts end. I love him for that.
Aimee is getting ready for her 9th grade dance, and excited to start high school. She has been accepted into a program at her high school to help her prepare for college which is very exciting. Our Jakey boy is the wisest little man around. I miss him being my little guy, but he is growing up. He just loves his brother Nick and understands him so well. Nick and him are extremely close.

Jie Ling informed me I had a baby in my tummy the other day, and also let me know that my boobs were falling down as I was getting ready for work and running around in my bra. How can you not love kids??

Ya Ya has mastered our baby locks, and now gets into ALL the kitchen cupboards! God has answered Mike's prayers that Ya Ya will be our last child...

Only 7 days left of school, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m thinking about living off of my student loans and taking next year off. I need a break from teaching, and would like to concentrate on my family and finishing my masters somehow.

High Fives, Knuckles & Giggles

2008-04-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

2008-04-12T23:44:00.000-07:00

That's My Girl!

2008-04-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

I really don't think Ya Ya could be any cuter! Did you notice the little curl in the first picture?

Our baby Ya Ya has come so far, we have to remind ourselves daily of her progress when she begins to drive us nuts. I think there's light at the end of the tunnel. But then I remember that these babes turn into teenagers!

Seriously though, Ya Ya was so incredibly hard the first few months, it was so miserable for the entire family. We were very stressed out with our forever screaming, constantly hungry, demanding girl. There was no break from it. It felt like a nightmare at times. I prayed for patience and guidance, and slowly she started to come around. She calmed down about the food, she learned to relax, she learned to sleep peacefully, she learned to keep her hands out of her poo by holding her hands above her head (thanks to daddy for teaching her this one), she learned to kiss, she learned to laugh (though she has only belly laughed one time:( she has had to learn a lot this wee one. I think the food issues have been the most difficult for her to overcome, and the second hardest is having her allow us to comfort and hold her. Holding Ya Ya in China and the first few months home was like trying to hold and love on a log. She liked to be physical with us, but it was the kind of physical where we throw her up in the air or twirl her around. When I was finally able to hold her more than three seconds it was never face to face. She would only sit in my lap away from me, and it's only been recent that she will lay back in my arms. She appeared happy to outsiders and ran around the house like a whirlwind, but how happy can a child be who can't give or receive love. I do know that this hard work has deepened our love, and watching her progress is the greatest of all.

It was so easy to love Jie Ling when she came home. She loved all the attention and affection once she settled in with her family. She giggled once and had us all wrapped around her little finger the day we met her (I take that back, she did slap me across the face in China while the rest of the family got kisses:) But within weeks was a total momma's girl. It's hard to believe how opposite our experiences have been, but I suppose no different in how different all our kids are. Although Jie Ling and Brianna the 19 yr old, are freakishly a lot alike which has Mike and I worried...

Anyways, life in good.

Her Family Found Her!

2008-03-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

The little girl that I dreamed may be own, has found her family! This is such great news, and I'm so happy for the family, and even happier for this sweet girl.

Mom, if you're reading this blog, I just wanted you to be the first to know (besides Mike and the kids of course) that our next family member won't be from China :( In my heart of hearts I know that he/she is in Ethiopia. I'm sure already born...maybe has a limb difference...maybe hard of hearing...maybe something more...

To those of you who think I'm crazy? You're right!! I am! But what makes it okay for me is others are crazy too!!! Yah for the crazy people!!!!

And...now I'm late for work.

Love, k.c.

A Better Day

2008-03-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

The kids love it when Grandma comes to visit!

Month four is going so much better for Ya Ya and our family. We are all finally starting to find our groove in this new family dynamic. Ya Ya is really loving having a mama, and she proves it to me all the time by wiping her forever runny nose on me. She is always by me or on me, and is rarely out of sight, unless she's in the bathroom flushing the toilet, or trying to sneak out the front door.
She is talking up a storm, and is starting to put sentences together. The girl is amazing, and whatever they said about her having microcephaly well, whatever...
Here are some of her latest and cutest:

Hi Ya Ya
Come on!
No No
poo poo pee pee (said together, which means change me now!)
nigh nigh baby
Mee-ma! (her name for Aimee) said very loudly!

Oh and for those wondering how the two little girls are getting along...well, much better than I thought they would. Being my 6th baby I'm SO pleased at how well they get along! Jie Ling is very business as usual and doesn't get too bent over Ya Ya touching her things. There are only a couple of toys that are off limits, and even then before Jie Ling rips whatever it is out of her hands, she has something to replace it with!! Ya Ya may get crazy mad, but now gets it that sisters Play School camera is off limits!! Mike told me in the beginning to give them time to settle their differences (unless of course it got crazy) and he was so right! Jie Ling gets annoyed when Ya Ya calls her Ya Ya, and Ya Ya gets annoyed when Jie Ling takes up too much room on my lap.

Meanwhile:

I know this is crazy talk, but I've been looking at the lists again...there is a 10 year old girl who has touched my heart, she is deaf and mute. She is described as very bright, and loves to do art. In one of the pictures she is wearing a dress that is too big, giving the peace sign. Too cute. I wonder how she'd do in a family like ours? Could we truly give her what she needs? Could we become part of the deaf culture? If our family couldn't or wouldn't learn sign, does that mean there would be no relationship with her? Would she feel isolated? Did I mention that we have a school for the hearing impaired a few miles from our house?

Okay, I'm praying her family finds her soon!

Life with Ya Ya

2008-02-16T22:24:00.000-08:00

We are almost at our three month mark with Elizabeth Xiao Ya. This is supposedly the time it takes to start feeling like a “normal” family again. This makes me laugh, as our family knows no such word.

Our first three months feel something like a dream. At times it has been emotional, sweet, tender, and loving, just like a scene from the Sound of Music. But some days, and even some weeks, it feels like a scene from a horror movie, full of fear, anger, frustration, and regret. We have had a LOT of horror! Ya Ya has not been easy. She is extremely active (I’d like to use the word hyper) very demanding, destructive, and always, always, always, hungry. This is sad, but difficult to overcome.
It’s certain though that it has taken these three months for me to fall madly in love with my baby. It’s funny how the adoption “love cycle works.” Falling in love with a picture, falling in love with a dream. The beginning of the cycle is fun and exciting, but not based on reality. The reality is a two year old full of their own life experiences.

Ya Ya was referred to Children’s Hospital in Seattle for her small head size, her rather large foot, and the number of café-au-lait spots she has. We left there with more questions, and no answers. She has enough café-au-lait spots to have neurofibromatosis, but a small head size is not typical in NF, and she has no other signs, so this is good. She is considering Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome because of Ya Ya’s ear pit (I didn’t even know she had a dang ear pit!), but again Ya Ya doesn’t have many of the features of B.W., like a big tongue. But since this is a possibility she will have abdominal ultrasounds every three months (until she’s seven) and AFP blood work at the same time, due to the very small increased chance of Wilm’s tumor and hepatoblastoma if she does indeed have this or hemi hyperplasia (overgrowth on one side of the body).

What I wasn’t prepared for in the genetics’ report was her referring to Ya Ya as a charming 2 year old with microcephaly. She never said anything like this when we met, so why was I reading this in her report? Isn’t this serious enough to mention? I put a call in to her right away, and thankfully she called me the same day. So…I guess our Ya Ya does indeed have a tiny head, but not to panic as head size does not equal intelligence. She has microcephaly because her head size is so many deviations below such and such, so blah, blah, blah. When I took her to daycare and I compared her to the other kids in her class (all the kids in her class are one year olds.) I really saw that her head is small, but obviously not so small cuz’ I never noticed it before!I was just told that her head is small. Apparently her head is the size of a nine month old. And even if anything were seriously off with our girl it wouldn’t matter at this point, we love her and all her big and small parts. When I look back to February of 2007 when I first got my hands on her file, I thank God at not having her file reviewed by an International Adoption Dr. like we did with Jie Ling. I don’t know why I didn’t have her file looked over, but at the time I thought “why,” what could they possibly tell me that would be so horrible? (well I know why now.) Had Dr. Davies told me that Wang Xiao Ya had microcephaly, and had I researched it, I probably would have scared myself away…honestly I’m sure I would have.

The next day we went back to Children's to see Dr. Mosca who will be performing her foot surgery. Unfortunately he thinks Ya Ya needs a syme's amputation like Jie Ling, but I don't agree. I'm still not convinced that Jie Ling should have lost her foot, and even though we did check out Shriner's, I don't think enough Dr.'s have seen feet like my girls (with three toes and the sole affected.) Shouldn't we first try to keep the foot? My girls' big feet have not bothered them, there is no pain, and Ya Ya is able to wear a shoe on her bigger foot. I don't know, it just seems too radical and permanent, which is why we're waiting on her surgery (among other things.)

I'm looking forward to the next three months with our baby Ya Ya, and also hopeful for more Sound of Music moments!

The Holidays are OVER!!

2007-12-27T21:21:00.000-08:00

And I really don't think I could be any happier! I really tried to keep things as simple as possible for baby Ya Ya, but of course things still got very crazy!

Ya Ya's progress is slow, soooo slow. It's so hard to describe what she's like or what exactly it is she's doing that is so difficult, but we are all pretty tired and cranky. When she's happy (or even not screaming) she is the cutest baby in the universe! BUT in a split second it can all change and the screamfest begins. She gets ticked off pretty easily, and I'm doing my best to teach her basic sign, but it's coming very slowly. I'm extremely lucky that she sleeps and eats great, and when she's happy she plays so well, but when she gets mad it goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on...

Baby Ya Ya has decided that my days on the computer are over, which is a good thing I suppose.

Sheeeeesssss's Baaaaaccckkkkk!!

2007-12-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

A week of calmness and staying at home has really made a difference in taming our wild girl! She has really settled down, and is no longer constantly moving. (I'm not kidding about the constant motion. We would count and I think the longest she ever sat still was 4 seconds!) The past couple of nights Ya Ya was still waking up every 3 hours (& staying up for 4) but her complete despair was lessened to soft cries with long breaks in between. I was finally able to graduate to our king size bed with her, although I was still not allowed to talk to her or touch her, yet she would sit at my feet and fall asleep facing away from me. As soon as she fell asleep I'd pull her up to me and snuggle up to her, hoping she wouldn't wake up and hit me!!!
Anyways last night as I carried her upstairs (with her hitting me because she knew it was bedtime) I set her on the bed while I climbed in waiting for the crying to begin, and guess what??? She laid down right next to me, plopped her thumb in her mouth and fell asleep all night long!! I was frozen next to her, afraid to move. I wanted to shout out my happiness!! I got to snuggle this precious girl and she wasn't resisting!! (well duh, she was asleep.) Yes, this is great stuff!!
Xiao Ya saw the Dr. yesterday and had her pint of blood drawn, and tomorrow I get to scoop her poop out of her diaper and bring in samples. This should be loads of fun, but necessary of course. Ya Ya will be seeing a neurologist to figure out all her cafe-au-lait spots. More than five could be a sign of neurofibromatosis, and between her reg. Dr. and I we counted at least five, but some are pretty faint so it will be nice to have someone who knows what they're doing look at her. She doesn't appear to have any other things going on so we'll see. Neurofibromatosis was something the geneticist ruled out in Jie Ling, so I knew this could be a possibility with Xiao Ya and her macrodactyly.

Today we went to Nordstrom and Xiao Ya got her first pair of shoes!! Nordstrom allows you to buy different sized shoes, so we finally found a pair to accommodate her foot!! I was so excited for Ya Ya! I'm pretty happy that she has had surgery, and maybe removing one of her other toes, she'll be able to keep her foot and still wear shoes comfortably.

Look at this amazing girl!! She was so proud of her castle!!

This Isn't Fun...

2007-12-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

I had a feeling this might happen, but our happy bundle of energy baby has up and left. In her place is a screaming, unhappy, and demanding girl. I guess this is normal, but it totally sucks.

She screams for me to pick her up, and then the moment I do she screams for me to put her down. She woke up every 3 hours last night, and the big family bed on the floor was not up to par for her. She pulled, scratched, and slapped me while thrashing all over on the floor. I tried the crib and she cried and cried, and our bed is up too high and not safe for this monkey girl, so I put her on the floor with me and she screams and flops all over like a fish out of water. Sheesh...it was all I could do to remind myself that this won't last forever. Nothing I have been doing is good enough, and she's not afraid to let me know with a slap or a scratch.

It's not all bad though...She finally laid her little head on my shoulder, and has allowed me to hold her bottle and her at the same time. I think we're up to a one minute snuggle, which is amazing for this ball of energy. She is not too affectionate, but I believe in time she will be. Oh and she really is into playing with cars and trucks, and instead of pushing the shopping cart, she carries it! Her bath the other night was great. I just had Jie Ling in there playing and Ya Ya started pulling at her clothes, so I threw her in and she had a blast! When she's happy she's a riot.

Okay, I'm feeling better after this vent. Dear Aimee is playing with both girls in their room and it's about time for me to tackle diapers and pajamas with Ya Ya. Maybe she'll surprise me tonight and it won't turn into a wrestling match!

I can't wait for these first few months to pass, and for life to start feeling normal!!

Home Sweet Home!

2007-11-29T22:17:00.000-08:00

The flight home was not as horrible as I thought it would be with my little bundle of energy x 10. The thing I was most pleased with is that she didn't poop!! Imagine trying to wrestle an alligator that had a poopy butt on an airplane! I think she cried for the last hour of our Hong Kong to San Francisco flight, but I really don't remember now. It all feels like a dream, and seems very distant.

We were so happy to finally make it home, and Jie Ling couldn't wait to finally see her big sister Aimee! The girls and I slept from 6 pm to midnight, and then we got up and Ya Ya helped me with laundry (literally) and we ate and changed etc...Oh and Ya Ya has only had 1 bath since we've had her!!! I'm not proud of this fact, I just don't want to upset her! I hate being the bad guy, but I think tomorrow is the big day!

Today has been pretty awesome! I made a big bed on the living room floor and the baby girls and I slept from 4 am to 2 pm. We all woke up feeling good and refreshed. I even made pancakes, and anyone who knows me, knows this is a real miracle. Xiao Ya has been running all over playing with toys, eating, pooping, drinking, and wanting to be held quite a bit...She loves all her siblings she hadn't met and has just been a joy. She chased the cat when she met her, so I guess this isn't going to be a problem. Everything has been a complete opposite experience from Jie Ling. I'm wondering how long this bliss is going to last??

Girl Gone Wild

2007-11-25T17:27:00.000-08:00

We have not been able to update our blog since arriving in Guangzhou as our baby Ya Ya keeps all 6 of us running! When I mentioned that changing her diaper was like wrestling a small alligator, I'd like to upgrade that statement to a large sized crocodile. This might seem like an over statement, but it isn't. I'm thinking of videotaping the event and sending it to the WWF. I'm sure we could draw crowds, her and I. Right now she has 3 losses, and I have 4 wins!! Ya mom! This girl may have a future that we never dreamed of. I am also so thankful that Mike decided to travel with us, as our little monkey needs intense physical play that this mama just can't do. She loves to be thrown, and tossed all about! (I will write more later. Our princess has pooped.)

A Down Day.

2007-11-22T11:51:00.000-08:00

As much as mom and I wanted to jump into a cab again today, or head off to the park, we decided to stay in today for some much needed down time.

We are all doing well, and I'm learning (!!!!!! It's 3:30 am and Jie Ling just got up!!!!!) more things about my baby daugher:

Wrestling a small alligator would be easier than changing her poopy diaper.

She wakes up very happy

Water is the choice of drink

Does not like getting dressed or undressed

Will only suck her thumb when she's asleep

At times she seems to have ADHD times 10 (if you don't believe this ask my mom!)

Likes both her parents (still prefers Dad and Grandpa over mom)

Loves the stroller & sitting in a high chair

Hates elevators

Is a beginning reader

Is not a snuggler

Will not eat any fruit (yet)

Will not eat any food that is disguised in her rice

Loves congee

Likes to play "gotcha last" with her dad

Loves to wrestle with Jake

We are leaving today for Guangzhou with mixed feelings. I miss my 3 kids at home, but I'm not homesick and mom and I don't want this trip to end!! (I'm not sure what the guys would say?)

Happy Thanksgiving From Hefei

2007-11-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

Good Morning from Hefei! It's 4 am and the babies (I love saying that) are still asleep. I don't even know where to start with this post? Should I start with my job offer to teach in China, or our progress with Xiao Ya? (pronounced shee-ow ya).

Okay well it wasn't quite an offer, but we met a lady at McDonalds of all places, who is here teaching english and she was having lunch with her friend who does the hiring for foreigners. I think she thought when I said that I'd love to teach in China someday, as my bags are packed and when can I start. She even came back 10 minutes later to give me more information.

I really would consider living here for a year or two, but the timing is a little off at the moment!!

We were pretty busy yesterday. We started off with a short tour of Lord Bao's Memorial Temple, where all the kids had so much fun running around (the other family we are with are traveling with 3 older girls.) It was such a beautiful day that as soon as they dropped us off back at the hotel we all took off on foot to the park. My mom talked me into renting paddle boats, which was fine, but there weren't any life preservers on them! So we risked life and limb and Grandma Rena and Jake rented a boat, and Jie Ling and I rented one. Jie Ling insisted on steering our mighty fine duck vessel, where we promptly went round and round in circles. I finally had to insist on helping out, and we had a beautiful cruise around the lake. My camera battery of course went dead, so no pictures of this Kodak moment. It was great fun, and the old rickety paddle boat never sank!

All this time baby Xiao Ya hung out in the stroller (Jie Ling wouldn't go near the stroller when we adopted her) kicking her legs and yelling something in Chinese whenever her dad stopped pushing her. I did carry her in the baby pack for a half an hour earlier in the day, and she did okay. She's not crazy about the closeness, so this is something that will take some time.

We headed back to the hotel around dinner time, and I decided to stay in the room with Ya Ya while the others went to eat. This was a good thing as Xiao Ya let me in a little more into her space. I don't know what happened, but by the time everyone came back, she was falling into my arms giggling. My heart was full!!

edited to add: I cut this post early as Xiao Ya woke up!

There are no words.

2007-11-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

As every mother knows there are no words for the joy (and headaches too) that our children bring to us. Our family was really not complete without this precious precious girl. Her little movements and expressions are the cutest I have EVER seen and I can not imagine our life without her.

Of course all the pictures I post are of this happy girl, but she also many moments of utter sadness, and there is nothing I can do to take it away. Only time will do that. Her sadness was less yesterday, but bedtime was especially hard. Her cry is not of anger or frustration, but comes deep from within her. I did not experience this with Jie Ling, but it is apparent with baby Ya Ya.

We don't believe baby Ya Ya is eight weeks shy of being two, and I can't write this off to developmental delays. She seems very young! I thought she walked to us on Gotcha Day, and she may have taken couple of steps, but when we got her back to our hotel and let her go it was scary!! She would fall every couple of steps and I mean fall in every direction hard and fast. She loved it though, and on day two (yesterday) she's really toddling everywhere still crashing into anything in her way, but loving the freedom!!

Jie Ling loves her baby Ya Ya when she doesn't touch her toys, and Jake of course is the best brother any kid could ever ask for. I am so proud of him!

Oh and once again the baby prefers Mike over me. I feed her and change her, but she mostly wants her dad. This is okay, and not as painful as when we got Jie Ling. (Jie Ling slapped me across the face on day two with her) Ya Ya likes me and will bring me toys, but wants dad to hold her and put her coat on etc. He thinks I have no parenting skills and will tell me how and when she likes things!! I just let him revel in his dad glory, but give it a year and she'll be a mama's girl.

Ya Ya is terrified of the bath, and is an extremely picky eater. No fruits or vegetables for this girl, it's noodles, rice, and egg all the way. The only thing she will drink is water also. She had a sip of apple juice and her whole body shuttered like we tasered her!

Have I mentioned yet how cute she is? She is not dainty prissy cute like Jie Ling, but rough and tumble cute! Her mannerisms just crack us up.

Gotta run!! It's 5 am and she's awake!! (so far she wakes up very happy!!)

Kirsten (K.C.)

Introducing Elizabeth Xiao Ya!!

2007-11-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

We have our beautiful girl! She walked right up to us and we exchanged Cheerios for the next half hour! I so wanted to scoop her up, but I kept my distance trying not to upset her.

It was so beautiful as Jake and Jie Ling welcomed their new baby sister. I was just in awe and still am.

I'm going to keep it short...she had a major melt down when I tried to put pants on her to go eat, and finally cried herself to sleep. I'm going to quickly eat and regroup hopefully before she wakes up.

She has had surgery on her foot, and they removed one toe. It looks awful, and I'm sure Ya Ya's outcome will be the same as Jie Lings. The bottom of her foot is just as big as Jie Ling's was and know from Jie Ling's surgery that that just can't be scooped out.

She is adorable with the cutest little voice. She plays with toys very rough, and just makes the cutest and sweetest little movements, though there is nothing prissy about her!! She seems like a very tough girl.

We love her so much!

Thank you God for this amazing gift!

A Day In Hefei.

2007-11-18T02:42:00.000-08:00

Fiberglass on a stick anyone? That's exactly what it looked like this woman was selling, and it was yummy! Jie Ling refused to even try it and glared at Grandma and I while we snarfed. I did pass at the potatoes we walked by, I figured I could get those at home.

After breakfast this morning, and after thinking we were getting baby Ya Ya this morning, we headed out to try and find the park we spotted out our hotel window. We didn't quite go the right way but had a great time getting there. Hefei is not a tourist destination, so it was nice to just walk and not be bombarded with people trying to sell you things. We finally found the park and the zoo and had a great time watching to locals, as I'm sure they had a great time watching us!! The people are so friendly, and mom's Chinese lessons really paid off! She was actually having short bursts of conversations. Way to go mom!!!

The Hefei people really love their fireworks! As I sit here writing this message it sounds like the fourth of July outside. This has gone on every night since we've been here (whole whoppin 2 days.) Well it's 7:30 and Jie Ling is still sleeping from her nap, and Mike, Mom, Dave,and Jake are all in the hotel bar shooting pool.

I can not believe tomorrow is Gotcha Day!! I can't wait to take baby Ya Ya to the park we found, and just let her enjoy all the sights and sounds. Ya hoo!!

Next post will have pictures of our girl!!

We Made It!

2007-11-17T01:15:00.000-08:00

The flight over here was amazingly easy, but did not start off that way at Seatac. My (unreasonable) extreme fear of flying set in, and I almost had myself talked out of boarding. As soon as we settled in on the plane I popped a half of the anti-anxiety the Dr. prescribed and I was fine and was able to enjoy the flight.
Jie Ling is the best little traveler as is Jake, and it was an easy 13 hours.
We arrived in Shanghai around 5:30 and made it to the Astor hotel easy squeezy. We met up with Grams and Gramps had a couple glasses of beer and went to bed. Jie Ling at this time decided that it was time to go home and told me she didn't like China anymore. She was fast asleep within 5 minutes as were the rest of us. The next morning (3:30 am) Jie Ling woke us up declaring to the world that she had to go poop! All went well and by 4:00 am we snarfed down some yummy noodles compliments of United Airlines. Our hotel was right across from the Russian Embassy and was built in 1846. It was pretty cool!

Our tour of Shanghai was fast and furious! Our first stop was an amazing temple where we met a monk from Tibet (new to the temple) who was quite curious about us, and us him! We walked the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Yuen Garden (spelling?), and drove around the French Concession and had an amazing history lesson. We had an awesome guide!! We kept things moving as we had to catch our overnight train to Hefei, which was an 8 hour train ride. I don't want to tell about the train yet, I'm going to leave that post to my mom!! Let me just tell you it was an experience of a lifetime, and we literally laughed all night long and into the morning.

We made it to Hefei this morning and we are T-I-R-E-D. I'm not sure if this post is even making any sense?? Our hotel is nice, and the noodle bar on the second floor is amazing. I was a big girl and tried everything, and was surprised at how delicious it all was!!

Hefei is pretty cold right now, and I pretty much packed Jie Ling light weight clothes...I bought her a cute pink hat from a vendor this evening, and will probably have to go out and get baby Ya Ya some warmer clothes once we get her.

Gotcha day is Monday!! I received some updated pictures of her today (totally unexpected) and she looks great and healthy.

Better go...I'm beyond tired and worried this post is all gibberish. Mom and Dave are doing great. Oh boy do I have some major stories on mom (Liz this ones for you) We had to turn around on our way to the train station, and unload luggage, and go through hotel garbage cans to retrieve lost items!!! We've only been here two days, but it has already been one adventure after another traveling with these two old people!!

Take care!
One more sleep until we meet our girl!!

Passports Gone a Missing in China!!

2007-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

Here's part of a post we received from Grandma Rena:

....we then headed back to go the the acrobatic show...as we were driving I went to get my purse out of my backpack - It was not there! Major panic - although there wasn't too much money in it it did contain our passports and the list of email addresses Liz had so kindly prepared for us - Liz I am so sorry! This was when we found out just how kind and helpful our guide and driver are! First they assured us that everything would work out and they would be with us through the full process. We turned around and went back to the Temple of Heaven grounds on which the police station was located. We made our report and then one of the officers drove all four of us downtown to the police headquarters to complete more reports. By then it was about 10 o'clock so we went back to the hotel. They picked us up at 9 this morning, taking us to the American Embassy where we were able to obtain a temporary passport (normally this could have taken a week, but knowing our circumstances and that we are to leave this Saturday they gave us emergency treatment)....we still had more steps because in order to leave China we must have our Chinese Visa.....our guide, driver and their company went out of their way as it normally is a 5-7 day process which of course would really mess up our plans.....I tell you our guide is like a tiger - we're going to adopt her! She absolutely would not give up when we were originally turned down for speedy treatment - she got someone to agree to issue a Visa tomorrow! If this comes true or not, she had done everything possible to see that it happens....She is someone we will never forget! Well, we've managed to come up with a unique travel experience = how many travelers have been to the American Embassy here or seen the inside of a Beijing police station or the Ministry of Visas!!! This has in no way spoiled our trip, and only made us love the Chinese people even more. Everyone is so open, friendly and helpful. It's been a marvelous trip so far and we can't wait for our next adventure! (by the way Dave now will not let me touch anything important!!

Only 6 More Days...

2007-11-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

I think it's time for us to pack. Our Xiao Ya has had her bags packed for a month, but the rest of us have a long ways to go. I just don't know where to start and I'm running out of time quickly!

Only 13 more days until I'm holding my little daughter! Here's our Schedule:

Nov.14th: Leave for China
Nov.15th: Arrive Shanghai & Meet the Parents (who left 10 days before us)
Nov.16th: Shanghai sightseeing today includes bustling Nanjing Road and the legendary Bund, the Jade Buddha Temple, and the elegant Yu Yuan Gardens. After the tour you will be transferred to the train station to join in your overnight journey to Hefei.
Nov.17th: Arrive Hefei 5:19am.
Nov.18th: Free for one day.
Nov.19th: The family will meet child in Civil Affairs. Sign agreement.
Nov.20th: Adoption registration, notary and apply passport.
Nov.21st: Half day tour to Bao’s Musseum.
Nov.22nd: Free.
Nov.23rd: Take passport in the morning. (not confirm yet. )
Hefei-Guangzhou (Victory Hotel)
Nov.24th: Medical.
Nov.25th: Six Banyan Temple.
Nov.26th: Visa appointment at 10:00. River Cruise.
Nov.27th: Take visa in the afternoon.
Nov.28th: Leave Guangzhou by CZ301 at 08:25. Transfer to airport.

What a Difference a Year Makes!!

2007-10-28T18:16:00.000-07:00

As I sit here preparing all of our documents for our upcoming travel, I came across these photos of Jie Ling. I'll never forget the day I received these updated pictures from Stefani, and my initial feelings when I first opened her attachment. My excitement was short lived, and my heart sank. I went numb...I was afraid and shocked by the size of her foot. I was afraid of my feelings, and to tell you the truth I cut off the bottom portion of the photo before I passed it around. I didn't want to have to explain it to others, and I wanted people, myself included, to see "her" not her foot. I lost many nights of sleep worrying about my feelings and what all this could possibly mean? I confided in very few people and one night asked my then 12 year old daughter, "What if I can't get past her foot, what if there's way more wrong with her, and all of her parts grow unusually large?" I kept my feelings secret and dutifully went to China to receive our daughter.

The moment she was placed in my arms was undescribable. It really was like giving birth, except she was fully clothed, with a little piggy tail on the top of her head, and a fistful of crackers. It was magical, beautiful, and extremely emotional. I had almost forgotten about her foot, but it wouldn't have mattered if her foot was the size of China, because I was hers forever! It did take me a couple of days for the unveiling, and it was just like, oh ya it's pretty big, but beautiful in a weird kind of way, because it was a part of her, and she is one beautiful girl inside and out.

The REASON I am posting this story, is that if it weren't for others sharing their experiences and HONESTY, then I may have never ever considered looking at special needs, and then we wouldn't have our perfect daughter, and we wouldn't be on our way for Xiao Ya!

AND this time around, I am happy to report that I have no reservations what-so-ever about baby Ya Ya's foot, and whatever surprises (yes, Jie ling came with more that a funny foot) I KNOW no matter what it will all be okay!!

Thank God!

We're Really Leaving!!!

2007-10-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

In 23 more days I'll be holding my baby daughter! This just feels unbelievable and like a dream. All of my fears and anxiety have melted away (though I'm sure will reappear our first days together when I say to myself, "WHAT the hell have I done???" Right now though I choose to live in my little fantasy world where my two little Chinese daughters will love one another, and Jie Ling will share all of her toys and her mama lovingly. They'll look so cute in their matching pajamas, giggling while I tuck them into bed. But then reality sets in, because I am the mother of six children now, and no such world exists!!

Anyways, our travel plans are set!! Gramma Nina and Papa are leaving on November 4 for Beijing and then on to Xian. They will fly and spend a few days in Shanghai, and then take the train with us on to Hefei in Anhui Province. This is a 10 hour train ride, but I really thought this would be cool to do with Jake and Jie Ling and a great way to see more of the country. We are leaving on the 14th, and will meet Xiao Ya on the 19th!!

We are so excited!! I just really, really, really, want to meet my little girl and welcome her into our family!! Oh and one small problem...I still don't have a name! Should we just call her Xiao Ya? Will this be too hard for people to pronounce? One of her names for sure is Elizabeth, as both of my youngest girls are named after their Aunts. I also love the name Katlyn, or Kate, or Katie, but isn't Katlyn Elizabeth XiaoYa Edwards just too long?? Maybe I'll just keep it to Elizabeth Xiao Ya Edwards, and call her Ya Ya for short. Or maybe I'll just go crack open another Corona and continue celebrating the fact that our baby really is coming home!!!!!!!!!!

Can You Believe This?

2007-10-21T14:44:00.001-07:00

Our LOA is HERE!!!!

2007-10-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hang on Honey, Mama's Coming!!!!!

Oh sweet girl how your life is going to change. I know you're going to be so scared and so confused, and I promise to try and do my best during your transition. Your family is very excited to meet you, and Jie Ling can't wait to share all the toys with you!! (?) Oh sweetie pie did you know you have two big brothers and three big sisters? You also have two sets of grandparents, a ton of aunts, uncles, and around 20 cousins, and we all live fairly near each other!! Your grandparents have been studying Chinese like mad, and well...your mom is a little nutty and has just recently taken an 8th grade math position, but don't stress too much honey, it's only part time!!

Oh Xiao Ya my heart is not cautious anymore!! You are going to be our daughter, our sister, our neice, our grandaughter, our cousin, our friend!! You have a family that is going to love you so much and we can't wait to learn and see your personality! Are you a serious girl? What makes you giggle? Did you know your mom loves to sing songs that get on everyone's nerves? Your dad is pretty serious and loves to fish, and likes to bring home M&Ms for his baby girls. Do you have a sweet tooth? Guess what else? One of your sisters likes to sleep with her mama! Would you like to snuggle with a mama at night and read books in bed? I do like to fall asleep with the tv on, so you'll have to get used to that!! We also love to sleep, so this is one requirement you must fulfill!

More later...

Getting Closer!

2007-09-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

Just two more giant steps before I get baby Xiao Ya in my arms. Our "Seeking Confirmation" or LOA should be here soon, and our Travel Approval will hopefully follow shortly after that.

My heart is still cautious, but ready to totally burst for this little girl! I am unbelievably calm and have only had a few moments of desperation!

The Happiest Place on Earth...Seaside, Oregon

2007-08-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

Aloha

2007-08-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine had a surprise 40th birthday party last Saturday, complete with Hawaiian dancers, with some Tahitian dancing mixed in. It was great to see her expression when she arrived, and it was great for my kids to be able to play with their old friends from the block!! The music, food, and dancing was most awesome...

American Idiot

2007-08-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

My brother is a drummer (a most excellent drummer) in a heavy metal band called Hollywood Lightweights. Their band was one of ten that has been selected to play in the American Idiot competition highlighting local Seattle bands by 99.9 KISW, a rock station in Seattle. I took two of my kids & a friend to watch them play at an all ages concert at Studio 7 in downtown Seattle. The music was Very loud and had I known I would of worn earplugs. It was great fun!! I love exposing my kids to different experiences, and right off the bat they were exposed to some guy relieving himself by a dumpster. I love downtown Seattle!!

I Want My Baby!!!

2007-08-10T19:08:00.001-07:00

I want my baby, I want my baby, I want my baby, I want my baby, I want my baby, I want my baby, I WANT MY BABY!!

Okay, I feel better...well not really...Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this long labor is killing me!!!!
Oohhhhhhhhh someone knock me out and wake me up when it's time to go.

I'm trying to be patient, I'm trying to be patient...enough said.

Dress Up

2007-08-01T18:09:00.001-07:00

Jie Ling's Aunt Liz got her the cutest dress up for her birthday on Saturday, and of course Aimee couldn't wait to have her try it all on! We had a fashion show the next day and I'm pretty sure Jie Ling thought she was hot stuff! But really, have you seen anything cuter? Even though we're really not big into the whole princess, cheerleader, helpless girl mentality, our Jie Ling really did come to us as a real live princess!! She really does love anything girly, sparkly, or pink, so to keep her princess identity from going to her head, she will be baiting her own new Barbie fishing pole by herself!!

The last picture highlights Jie Ling's picking petals abilities. I don't know how many times I have told her to not pick mommy's flowers, but she just doesn't get it! Actually she doesn't pick the flowers she just picks the petals. I can't get too upset with her though cuz she sees me picking the dead ones so I think, she thinks, she's just helping mama.

My Birthday Girl

2007-07-31T12:01:00.001-07:00

2007-07-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

Natural Child: Any child who is not artificial.

Real Parent: Any parent who is not imaginary.

Your Own Child: Any child who is not someone else's child.

Adopted Child: A natural child, with a real parent, who is all my own. --- Rita Laws PhD

Fishing

2007-07-16T19:08:00.001-07:00

Mike and I took Jake and Jie Ling fishing Sunday thinking we'd only be able to have our poles in the water for a couple of hours until Jie Ling became incredibly bored and started whining, or until she became totally disinterested and started whining. She did neither. She LOVES to fish! I showed her once how to hold the pole, and how to reel in her line, and that was it. She's a pro!! I told her, "Jie Ling you're a fisherwoman!!" She answered back, "I'm fishing mama, I do it my-felf!" How can you just not love this girl to pieces? She is so cute and so much fun to be around (usually). She held her adult-sized pole with such precision you'd swear she'd done this before. It was so great just to watch her enjoy herself, getting absolutely filthy, telling her to try and not get her stumpy wet (prosthetic leg) while she walks right in the water. (I suppose she can't "feel" it getting wet, so it musn't be getting wet? ) Over Mike's objections I let her climb up a dirt embankment by herself, she made it with a little help and I snappd a picture, which is the first picture in this post. What a girl she is!!!

Since this is my online diary I wanted to keep track of all of Jie Ling's newest quirks. I have terrible STM & LTM and with almost 6 kids to keep track of I need to write this stuff down!! (STM=short term memory) you can figure out the LTM one.

* refuses to wear jeans, ever.

* any other pants/shorts come off at the front door

* hates socks, will only wear if absolutely forced

* socks come off at the front door

* hates coats/sweaters, prefers to be cold

* hates her hair fixed

* messes up and pulls out barrettes. forget any pony tails ever.

* hates blankets on bed

* throws them off the second she goes to bed

* hates pajamas

* I don't even put them on her anymore

* Loves her diapers, and does not want to sit on the potty

* loves dresses, though lately would prefer naked-ness

* demanded for me to undess her in the cereal aisle today at Safeway. Almost had a meltdown, but her clever mother asked her to help put things in the cart which worked and the clothes stayed on! YA!

* Will pretend smoke for hours, and I mean she's obsessed with this one. (101 Dalmations??)

* Tries to talk underwater calling for her fadder (father) during bathtime. She's always inhaling water scaring both of us, but it won't stop her. (Pinocchio??)

Okay looking at this list you'd think she has some sensory/tactile issues going on, or she's preparing herself for her future career as a stripper?? just kidding...

It's Officially Official...AGAIN!!

2007-07-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

We finally completed Jie Ling's readoption on Friday!! Now she can get a WA state birth certificate, and hopefully save us and her a few headaches in the future.

Just look at our precious girl raising her right hand!! She's too much and just way too cute!

4th of July @ Gasworks Park

2007-07-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

What great fun to spend the day and night at Gasworks Park in Seattle. It was not as crazy as I thought it would be, and all the activities for the kids were free! Jake and Jie Ling made kites, and went on a couple of rides. The fireworks and music were amazing, and I can't wait for next year. It will be so much fun with two babies!! (?)

It's Potty Time...

2007-07-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

It would be so great if she actually went potty on the potty!! It might also help if I didn't follow her in there to take pictures, but really she's almost three and has only gone potty on the potty one time. The potty though does make a great step stool for her, and also doubles as a chair to watch tv in. I'm really not stressing too much, as long as she uses the potty before kindergarten.

She's Fast!!

2007-07-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

It has only been about 8 months since Jie Ling lost her foot, and for a long time she really only hobbled around without her leg on. I really just noticed the other day how incredibly fast she is on one foot. She really has gotten used to her "stumpy" as she calls it, and I think she may actually run faster than she walks, if that makes any sense? Maybe smoother is the word I'm looking for.

( These darn photos aren't in order! When I try and move them around they disappear?? ) So they're not showing her true lightning speed!!!!!!!!!!

Summer Fun

2007-07-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

Jie Ling is so lucky to have Nick for a big brother. He loves to play (and tease) and sure knows how to get her to laugh!!

WE ARE DTC!!!! (Dossier to China)

2007-06-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

Let the countdown begin!
I can't wait to finally meet my baby girl!

I'm typing this on the wii... I need a new computer.

Almost there, nesting, excited and scared!!!!

2007-06-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

Our dossier is finally on its way to Carol Fredericks in D.C. for final authentication from the Chinese Embassy. It really could have been on its way a month ago, but it took FOREVER to get the correct letter from our accountant.

I have been so calm with this paperchase and I don't know why?? I keep wondering is it because I have a two year old? Because I have three teenagers? Am I worried about the money? Maybe I'm too old to do this again? Will Jie Ling's world be so shattered by a new baby that she'll never recover and she'll be in counseling for life? I love having Jie Ling! Just her and I, it's a piece of cake. (well not always) I'm scared!! I still feed her, she has to sit in my lap every morning when we share our bowl of cereal, and she knows when it's her turn to drink the last little bit of milk, and then share the rest with Poppy, our overweight cat. She still wears diapers, and I don't think she's close to pottytraining. She tells me her legs don't work so I carry her a lot! How will I carry two babies? How will I get two babies in the car? How will I shop? Are they going to fight 24/7? I hate it when she screams!!! Oh boy. We finally have our routine down pat. It took a year and I'm not kidding. She even stands like a little soldier next to the sink when I brush her teeth, and I know to fake putting on toothpast or she'll cry. She knows how I do things, and I know how she does hers.

BUT, then I think about my baby Xiao Ya. That little girl in the 3 pictures I have, who needs a mommy to hold her, and kiss her, and to sing her silly songs, (my kids hate my singing, even Jie Ling shushes me) to know the love of a family, and the most amazing awesome grandparents who have been studying Chinese with a private tutor so they can teach our kids!! Okay now I'm getting all mushy and I hate that!!

I'm sure things will be fine, I remember being so scared before Jie Ling came home that I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking what in the world am I doing!! Maybe we shouldn't do this, what if Jie Ling is seriously ill and has way more than macrodactyly!! What if, what if, what if? I never confided in anyone but Aimee my then 12 year old!!

Anyways, I'm rambling now...I did nest all weekend, and moved Jie Ling into her big girl bed (right next to ours) and pushed the crib to another wall. I joked with Mike that our room could still fit a few more beds, and he gave me a dirty look!! Jie Ling did not really like the new bed, but refused to sleep in the crib since it was so far away on the other side of the room! She stood next to her bed and just laid her head on it until she fell asleep. I wasn't going to fight with her royal majesty!

Anyways, goodbye!

Oh I just have to post Jie Ling's newest sayings.

* I'm sick of it!

* Oh no, I'm hungry again!

* My legs don't work.

* "Mommy, Aimee's mean to me!"

* I like that song, it's beautiful.

* Mommy you have a headache?

* I need chocolate!

* Shit (I think she's saying ship?)

* Mommy don't leave me!

* No way

* "Hey," said to strangers, "Look at my leg!" (pointing to her prosthetic leg)

* "Mommy, I'm beautiful!" Yes, baby you are beautiful.

Hair Painting by Jie...

2007-05-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

Jie Ling's 1 Year Home Photo Show...

2007-04-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=127430

Jie Ling's Reaction to PA!!!

2007-04-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

I think Jie Ling was excited to hear the news of her little sister coming home!!(???????)

We Have PA!!!!!!!

2007-04-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

We have pre-approval from China to bring home our little baby Xiao Ya!!!!!!!!

I am beyond excited, and can't wait to hold and love and be a mommy to this sweet and precious girl!!

Our I-600A Is Filed!!

2007-04-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

Finally we made the drive over to Yakima to file our I-600A (this is the application for advance processing of orphan petition) deliver our homestudy, birth certificates, marriage certificate, and get our fingerprints. Brianna had to come with us this time since she's now 18! Now...all we need to do is wait to receive our I-171H (Notice of Favorable Determination) Basically our government saying it's okay to bring home our baby! This was a huge step, and as soon as we get our PA (pre-approval) from China, I'll be just about ready to send our entire dossier to China, and then hopefully get little C.J. Xiao Ya home before Christmas!!

3 Miles Is Too Long!!

2007-04-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

Way too long of a walk for all of us in the sun, and for Jie Ling who wanted to be carried and refused to get in the stroller! (she lost and mom won) We did have a couple of surprises along the way; one adorable little frog, and three deer crossing the street.

Someone must have fed the ducks before us, as they weren't too interested in our food. It's a good thing though as Jie Ling wanted to eat her bread crumbs instead of sharing.

It was a beautiful day!

Woodland Park Zoo

2007-04-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

A Perfect Day...

2007-04-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

for the Woodland Park Zoo. It was pretty last minute, but what a perfect day to be out with the kids! Jie Ling was very into the animals, but oddly covered her nose even when the animals were behind glass, I can't believe what a little priss she was being! She was such a crack up, and stopped whenever possible to pick grass or lick the side of the water fountain? I was going to make her drink hand sanitizer, but thought better. She called every animal by name, and even kissed a gorilla through the glass. She loved the beautiful day as much as we did. She did scold a little boy in a little kid sized garden area when he tried to open the gate to come in. Apparently she was the gate keeper and no-one was coming in her garden. I had to use my pre-school voice to try and persuade her to let the little guy in, and then when that didn't work I hauled her little butt out of there and over to the pig pen. Mike gave one of the pigs a grape and I yelled loudly for the zoo keeper! I glared at him as everyone knows you don't feed the animals in the zoo!

Anyways, we had a great time and can't wait to do it again.

It Must Be For Sure!!!!

2007-03-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

Another email this morning from CHI!!

Michael and Kirsten
Your LOI was sent to China on March 26 and delivered 3/29/07.
Your Fed Ex tracking number was 7912-6113-1183.
Any questions let me know.
Terri
China Office Assistant to Stefani

This is such great news...again!!!!!!!

Who Made This Big Mess?

2007-03-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

Like I don't know! Out of my 5 kids none has a tidy bone in their body! Actually Aimee isn't too bad, but the rest are killing me. I swear Jie Ling's room was clean yesterday, and I'm sure when Xiao Mei gets home she'll just blame the mess on her! Jie Ling loves her kitchen set, and I have to watch her closely because if I don't give her water to play with she'll find her own in the bathroom (toilet). She really is so cute and I love listening to her play. She has a great imagination and talks and talks and just carries on with whatever she is playing with. She reminds me a lot of Brianna in how dramatic she is. Right now I just heard her tell one of her toys she'll be right back. She also likes to put her babies on her toy slide and then call for them to slide down, "Come on baby, come on baby, COME ON BABY!" Ah, she cracks us up. Her latest little habit is more annoying...she'll take a big drink of whatever and fill up her mouth and then just open wide and let it run down the front of her. We're trying not to encourage that one, and it doesn't help when the other kids laugh. She also likes to go upstairs in our bathroom and sing and talk to herself in the mirror. This keeps her entertained for quite awhile. (Don't tell anyone, but Brianna is 18 and she's still doing this.) Another exciting news flash is she is finally sleeping in her own bed (crib day-bed) squished right up next to ours. The transition was not too bad. She cried the first three nights, but settled down if I held her hand. Now she just hops in and falls asleep. It wasn't that long ago where I couldn't even turn my back to her in the bed without her crying, so we have come A LONG ways. I can't wait till she's in her own room however, and hopefully Xiao Mei won't sleep with us as long. But whatever, it's not forever.

Guess Who's Coming to China?

2007-03-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

My Parents!! How Awesome & Amazing that they'll travel half way around the world to meet their newest grandaughter and help bring her home! I LOVE them so much, they're the greatest! And...now that I've posted this for the world to see there's no backing out!! (Gramma Neena and Papa according to Jie Ling.)

Our LOI Is In China!!!!

2007-03-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

I e-mailed Stefani this morning about our LOI and here is her reply!!!!!!

"Why yes, Charlene has confirmed that it went out to China on Monday and here is the tracking number."

www.fedex.com 791261131183

"It shows it was delivered 3/29 at 10:41. YEEEHAAAAW!!!"

Stefani

Oh I'm so excited!! Although baby Xiao Ya's (little duck) picture adorns every corner of our house, I'm still not allowing myself to completely fall for her. We've already hit a couple of small road blocks on our short journey to her, and I just don't want a broken heart! I just want her to have a family of her own, and of course that family is ours!!

The Holey Event!

2007-03-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a little photoshow of Brianna when she wasn't 18! Click on Brianna of course.

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=127430

For Adult Viewing Only!!

2007-03-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

First, let me start off by saying that I do not endorse my children putting holes into their bodies! I do make exceptions for ears, but that's about it! Brianna has begged me for facial piercings for quite a while, but I just couldn't let her do it! I did let her get an industrial piercing when she was 16, which I think is pretty cool, but others find quite disturbing.
Anyways, since today is her birthday she decided to go and put a steel rod through her tongue. I tried to scare her out of it by telling her I know dozens of kids whose faces went paralyzed, bled to death, lost their tongues, became sterile, poisoned their hearts, went blind, got brain infections, lost their taste buds, lost their drivers licenses, etc. but all of my scare tactics did not work!! So......I decided to go with her. If my baby was going to die on her 18th birthday I wanted to at least be there to hold her hand! When we arrived Brianna jumped right up on the hospital looking exam table (minus the stir-ups) with her cheerleading section of friends, who were also there to put holes in various places in their bodies. The LPN (?) put a raggedy looking green towel under Breezy's (as her friends call her) chin to catch the drool or blood I suppose. Brianna drank some yellow looking potion from a dixie cup and passed it around to her friends. I asked for some too, but never got any. Anyways, during all this I whipped out my camera to capture the magical moment, and by this time Brianna was starting to get nervous and asked me to stop! I was a little insulted, sheesh I paid for half of this circus show and she's shooing me away!! Okay, okay, out came the pliers and then out came the tongue, and then out came mom right out of the room!! I swear I thought I heard each layer of tongue being pierced, but I'm not sure. I did hand off my camera to another girl so she could capture the blessed event. Shortly after the excitement died down, and Brianna finally put her tongue back into her mouth, she starts to feel dizzy. So dizzy that piercing lady had her lie down, ran out of the room, and came back with some bottled water. Brianna starts really complaining that she didn't feel well, and then I start not feeling so well either. And please note, that I'm not too worried because if she passes out and they have to call an ambulance, or if her tongue falls off, that I did not say it was okay!! She's 18, and if she wants a hole in her tongue then so be it!!
Five minutes pass, and too bad if Brianna's dizzy, because she gets kicked off the table for the next customer. I walk Brianna out to the "waiting room" where she continues to get worse. She tells me she thinks she's going to barf, and I don't see any barf buckets in the near vicinity so I usher Brianna (and Jie Ling) out to the parking lot in the pouring down rain!! Brianna slides down the side of the building and starts puking, while Jie Ling heads for the nearest mud puddle and starts stomping her feet! Most of Brianna's friends have booked it by now (thanks guys) so I guess that left me to clean up the mess. (meanwhile Brianna's last friend Breanne, is in the room getting a hole in her face, and I can't figure out what's taking so long, plus they have the door closed!) I'm thinking man this is a house of horror, or however the saying goes! Anyways, Brianna starts feeling better, and pulls herself up off the cold concrete, while I try and get Jie Ling away from the mud puddle, which does not make her happy! All the while my phone has been ringing, and it's Aimee because I'm late picking her up from soccer. We're all soaked, Breanne finally comes out with her new hole in her bottom lip, and I force Jie Ling into her car seat to go and get Aimee. My day does not stop here and even gets more exciting, but I need to cut this short. Jie Ling has pooped her pants, and Mike has to go take our cat to the vet, cause he accidently cut her while trying to remove some matted hair from her belly. Why would he take scissors to a cat, when he can't see worth a darn. Oh man I'm exhausted, enjoy the pictures. Happy 18th Birthday my Sweet Girl!!

Where has the time gone??

2007-03-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Brianna turns 18 tomorrow!! Well actually in 7 more hours, but who's counting? I can't believe my little girl is no longer a little girl. I put together a photoshow this weekend for Brianna, and it took forever!! http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=127430

One Year Jie Ling Video

2007-03-10T20:51:00.000-08:00

Our one year anniversary video. Hopefully it will work!!

Click on the video that says Jie Ling. It takes about 1 minute to buffer,
at least that's how long it takes on my computer.

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=127430

Special Day for a Special Girl

2007-03-08T17:52:00.000-08:00

At Jie Ling's preschool they celebrate "Special Days," instead of birthdays, and today was Jie Ling's special day! She was so excited on our drive to school and just jabbered away in the back seat of the car. She really knew today was her day and it showed in her behavior!! She has always followed the "rules" at preschool but today they did not apply to her!! She was such a stinker and even refused to get in the car when it was time to go home, there wasn't any particular reason for her refusal, she just didn't feel like leaving. It was an odd morning watching my baby being all whacked out, nothing that a long afternoon nap couldn't take care of!

Jie Ling Adoption May 15, 2006

2007-03-04T19:20:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOo0S-MUxH8

Daddy's Girl

2007-03-03T19:18:00.000-08:00

Hurry Up and Wait...

2007-03-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

I'm so bummed!! Our LOI has been sitting in Utah for 2 weeks now! Unfortunately there are many who have to have their LOI's (letter of intent) done ASAP in hopes of making the May 1 deadline for dossiers. As you've probably heard you know China has changed the rules for adoptions, so many will no-longer qualify after May 1. They've got to hurry, hurry, hurry, and I cross my fingers that everyone makes it before the deadline and gets those babies home!!

It still makes it hard knowing that our baby Xiao Mei waits for her mommy and ginormous family!! We meet with our social worker on March 13th and as soon as our updated homestudy is completed we can make the exciting drive to Yakima to get finger printed, and then wait for our I-171! Word on the street is that the wait is very short!

So....no LOI date yet. Stefani says next week for sure!!

*The pictures are from the Seattle Children's Museum, and the fountain at the Seattle Center.

A Very Busy Week

2007-02-24T17:29:00.000-08:00

Brianna, Nick, dad & mom recover from the flu

Jie Ling starts toddler gym at the YMCA

Sophie the rat dies (but not without supplemental oxygen, antibiotics, a humidifier, lots of TLC, and a huge vet bill!!)
Jie Ling becomes world class poker player (thanks Nick)

Aimee starts soccer

Nick starts up with some nasty seizures (the big ones have not reared their ugly heads for over 4 years) We suppose it's because he's done a lot of growing, so hopefully we just need to tweek his meds and all will be well again.
Brianna has appointment to meet with admissions staff at Gene Juarez.

Jie Ling learning to "dress" herself

A Day in the Life of Jie Jie...

2007-02-18T21:11:00.000-08:00

Just some cute pictures of Jie Ling doing her thing. I better hurry as she's pulling on me saying, "Mama nigh nigh." Which means, come on mom lets go to bed. How have I gotten so lucky that all five of my kids like to go to bed!!!!

Announcing Bin & Hussein

2007-02-18T20:33:00.000-08:00

Brianna has convinced me that rats make great pets. She has had Sophie for over a year, and Sophie has such personality! We finally decided to go ahead and let Jake get a rat, and decided after a day that Hussein needed a cage mate so today we went and picked out Bin!! Jie Ling loves them and is very gentle, though we have to watch her cause she likes to blow on them!!

Time line for Xiao Mei

2007-02-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

2/03/07 Stefani sent pictures of Xiao Mei
2/05/07 Call SW to start Homestudy Update
2/10/07 Her Family Has Found Her!!
2/12/07 Received Xiao Mei File
2/14/07 Announced our plans to Adopt!!
2/14/07 Stefani's Poem to our Sweet Girl!!
2/15/07 Stefani okays our LOI
2/19/07 Mailed LOI to Stefani!!

(Xiao Mei's name is Darcy on the list)

Sweet Baby Darcy

Sweet baby Darcy,

This poem must unfurl

With just the right cadence

For this special girl.

Must be fit for nice paper

And say the right things,

Because this family

All good things brings!

So, here goes my effort -

I hope to match up

To a previous poem

That really stood UP!

Darcy, you're perfect!

From head to sweet toes!

In this great family,

You'll have the 5th child's nose.

A sweet sister from China

Has truly paved the way,

For you now to be Baby

In their arms,

you will stay.

Darcy, your photos

Show elegance true.

Your family is anxious

To love and hug you!

So, raise your hands up

And feel hugs coming near!

Darcy, you are the one

They treasure so dear!!

In this busy family,

There will always be

Someone to talk to you

And enjoy your company.

(and your strong mind!)

Darcy, reach up your hand

Others are reaching toward you.

"By the By" and "eventually"

You'll be HOME in evergreen hue.

About Jie Ling

2007-02-17T20:43:00.000-08:00

Our first adopted daughter is Jie Ling, or Jaidyn Margaret Jie Ling, but we like to call her Jie Ling for short. She was adopted May 15, 2006 from Nanjing, and has been a great addition to our family. She was considered special needs because she was born with macrodactyly. Macrodactyly made 3 of her toes and whole forefoot quite large, which made wearing shoes impossible. It's basically a form of gigantism, she had one huge foot! Our baby had surgery in October after being home for 5 months, to remove a couple of toes, and try and reduce some of the bulk, but ended up having a syme amputation. It was a shock, and I still wonder if we made the right decision, but she is doing so well. She was fitted with a prosthesis, and now runs around and finally gets to wear shoes! She really is the best little girl and makes us laugh everyday, we love her so much!!!

Announcing Katie Elizabeth

2007-02-17T20:24:00.000-08:00

Xiao Mei Edwards!! (sounds like shee-ow may)

Before you jump to conclusions...no I'm not pregnant!!

We're adopting again silly!!

On February 4, we got an email from the director of the China program Stefani Ellison telling me she just received a file on a little girl with macrodactyly, and did I want to see her pictures? Of course I just had to see her! It took about 2 seconds to know she should be our daughter! Our LOI (letter of intent) should be on it's way to China next week. If China agrees that Xiao Mei should be our daughter then we would probably travel this Sep/Oct. She would be 21 months old, same age as Jie Ling! Her birthday is 1/6/06, and she is in the southern part of Anhui Province at Xuan Cheng SWI. Her foot looks exactly as Jie Lings did, except the two toes that were fused on Jie Ling are not joined on Xiao Mei. According to her file this is Xiao Mei's only problem, really not a problem to us.

Anyways, gotta run!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Love from the Edwards Eight!

What took me so long??

2007-02-17T20:19:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to finally be starting this! I'm not a very good writer, but I have a very poor memory, so I'm blogging for the sake of the children!
We are starting our paper chase for our second little daughter from China, and look forward to documenting every step of the way!