Adjusting to our "new normal"

Our little firecracker!!

Well, it's been two weeks since we got home and we are slowly adjusting to our new way of life. We've had alot of stuff going on since we arrived home - lots of visitors and of course the 4th of July holiday weekend. All in all, we've had some adjusting to do, but we all seem to be getting along great and settling into a routine.

I have lots of pictures to post - and as soon as I get them gathered up, I'll get them on here. Until then, we've posted a few to get you by. I do want to send a special thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes over the past few weeks. We have had many family and friends checking in on us and making sure all is well. Miss Emma is very loved and I think everyone is just so grateful she is here with us and doing so well! We've had some bumps and bruises, but all in all, she is adjusting very well and seems to be a pretty happy little girl. Of course, if she could master walking on her own - she'd be alot happier, but something tells me it won't be much longer and we'll be chasing after her!!


My 1st meal in America - Chili's at the Detroit Airport!


I've been traveling for 22 hours so far - but I'm still pretty happy!!


One of my favorite pictures - pretty much sums it up, we're ready to be home!!


My 1st birthday present - a new swingset from Grandma and Grandad


Learning to like the lake!

New Site for our Trip

We have recently learned that we may not be able to access our blogger site while in China. That does not bode well for our many friends and family hoping to follow us as we venture around China. Therefore, we have set up a new site @ youbelong.net. I have created a link from this site to our new one. Just click "All About Emma Too" (upper right hand corner) and it should take you to the new site.

Only 5 days till we leave on the trip of a lifetime. We have so much to do, but are ready to get on that plane and get to our baby!!

Also, a special shout out to my east coast girls. I'm thinking of you today and hope all is well!! Love ya!!

CA!

Our appointment is confirmed - China here we come! We have been given the green light to purchase our tickets and I just took a call from our travel agent! AAAAAHHHHHHH! I can't believe this day has finally come. I should have Emma in my arms in roughly 15 days!!!

TA!!!!!!!!!! WE'RE CHINA BOUND!

Today is a great day. Our agency called and said our TA is here! They still have to request our consulate appointment (June 22nd, 23rd, or 24th) and once that is confirmed we will have definate travel dates! Tentatively, they have us leaving June 11th - less than two weeks!! OMG - is this really happening?? We are in shock! But it sounds like Russman will have Emma in his arms this Father's Day and for that we are grateful and excited!! We will be posting updates as we have them! I guess the countdown has really begun!!

Happy Birthday Emma!!

As I write this post, our baby girl is having her 1st birthday. We are very sad and disappointed that we are not there with her - but we will definately make up for lost time whenever we get clearance to go. Miss Emma has taken hold of our hearts and thoughts this week and we are growing more and more anxious by the day. We spent Memorial Day weekend asking the same question over and over - where is that dang TA?? The May batch of referrals finally made their appearance on Friday (congrats to all the new families) so I'm hoping maybe that's a sign that things are moving again and our TA is on the way. I think the swine flu has played havoc with our travel plans, but it would seem that is dying down now. We would like to see something this week as it has now been 6 weeks since our paperwork was sent back accepting our referral. Our schedule is pretty much wide open now - so there's not much left to do but get to China and get our baby!!!

In the meantime, we have decided to go ahead and start getting our stuff ready. In the words of our good friend "if we pack, she will come"! I hope she is right!!