A Tad Late

If anyone is still out there........my sincere apologies for leaving everyone hanging. I have been updating the pics www.dropshots.com/saritawv and by all means you can now bookmark that website.
Oh where to begin. The last month has been filled with many ups and downs. The trade of spontaneity and 'freedom' for the unconditional love of a child. Oddly enough some days the trade seems tough, and then a small hand reaches out for you in the middle of the night and everything else just disappears.
Alex is growing like crazy - TD folk, I have nothing factual to base this on. No real numbers, just the weight of her in my arms! She is crawling like a mad woman and is starting to tackle the stairs. Alex has been welcomed by so many people and it has been wonderful. She is doing much better with visitors, of course if they are in our home rather than anywhere else. Alex normally returns smiles and loves all silly gestures. Her reaction to busy days comes at night when she can't shut off. She is soooo tired but her little mind is trying to process everything.
We have finally been able to identify the screams when she is sleeping. This ear piercing, blood curdling scream comes with night terrors. It is scary and very sad. We know she is having one when we can't calm her at all. Unfortunately this has been happening every couple of days so we have shed a few tears together.
Alex is one of the only children that has not been sick since we returned home. Once again we have lost track of all the blessings. Some of the other children ended up with pneumonia when they returned home but everyone (including the twins) seems to be doing better now.
Alex is fine with Brian going to school. Of course that came with an adjustment period as well. She is slowly becoming Mama's girl. I love it:)
I won't be updating this blog anymore. It has served its purpose. Thank you for allowing me to share my heart, my secret thoughts, my fears and most of all my joy. The friendship and genuine caring that has been shown through this blog and our community of friends and family is absolutely over whelming - yet another incredible blessing. You will see from the pics that Alex is a happy, curious girl and that everyone who meets her can't help but fall in love.
All my best wishes and once again thank you for being such a big part of our journey.

Home Sweet Home

Home. Sigh. Nothing better than that:) The flight was very long with Alex being over tired and therefore Miss Cranky pants and crying for a couple hours. Then she slept for 6 hours straight! Thank you so much to those that came to the airport. It was so perfect! Once again, we are so very blessed. My brother made a video clip for us - feel free to view. Thanks Mano! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZDkaLzokZY
I have also update the pics with some last ones from China and a couple from here. Skylar and Alex are going to be best friends:)
Alex is very happy and doing way better than expected! Can't wait to see family and friends tomorrow!

Good Bye China, Hello Canada

Well the last day has arrived. This day brings many mixed emotions, all of which have to do with Alex. Moving her again, leaving all sounds, smells everything she knew before she met us, arriving home, Alex meeting Skylar, China, Tiger and of course family and friends. We had a great celebration last night with some close members of our group. It was one of the best times we have had together.
So what can I say to you? The words thank you just don't seem enough. You have supported us before we left, while we were waiting and now since we have been gone. Many of you have cried tears of sadness for us as we tried for 10 years to become parents and then tears of joy when we saw Alex's face. We are so very blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people. For those of you that have joined our journey while you are waiting for your children - your time is near and the wait is so worth it!
We appreciate all the advice and will continue to seek it out as we grow as parents. I will learn to get better at asking for help as this experience has taught me the many benefits of admitting when you can't do everything:)
I pray for each of you to have happiness and joy in your life. Each of us will find joy through different avenues. For me and my heart, my joy is found in small bundle once named Yang Xi Zi Di who was left on the steps of a restaurant in GuangDong Province on the day of her birth November 15 2006. She will be forever known as Alexandria Faith Vandernaalt.

One More Sleep, One More Sleep

At last we are almost home! Alex, Dad and Mom are weary and ready! I will post more tomorrow before we leave the hotel.
A reminder to anyone coming to the airport - we will be delayed due to customs and immigration for Alex. Not sure by how much but just so you know. Can't wait to see everyone and have a Tim's!

Great Wall, Great Climb, Great Pain

So I did it! I faced my fear of heights - yup I didn't know I had one either:) and climbed with Alex up quite some way and then climbed back down. For those of you that have climbed the Wall you will appreciate the balance required on the very steep steps. Many people commented on their way down (my way up) that I was one brave girl. I didn't fully appreciate those comments till I got to my stopping spot and looked down. Alex slept sweetly in my carrier and I sweated my a _ _ off in the 48 degree temp. Yup one of the 'hotter' days!
I am now believing that Alex was allergic to one of the medicines rather than having a heat rash. She has never gotten the rash again and she has also not taken the amoxicillin again. I will have her tested when I get home.
It was a great climb, one that I will never forget - especially tomorrow when I wake up in pain! We also went to the Jade factory, absolutely beautiful stuff! Tonight is our group pics because the twins are flying in!!!!!!! Very excited to see them and hopefully their medicals and paperwork will allow them to fly home with us on Thursday!
That's it for now. I am updating the pics as I type so hopefully you will enjoy!

Medical Review

Alex is in clean health! The doctor was a Chinese woman from Montreal and was wonderful. Alex is officially 18 pounds and is in the 25% and her length (can't remember the number) puts her in the 50%. I am not excited nor concerned about those numbers - they are what they are. Alex's lungs are clean - she had bronchitis. Her bum will take awhile to clear up as the bed sores were infected when we got her. Her one spot on her head from scabies will take another two weeks to go away - that is good to know. Her physical development puts her in the range of a 6 month baby but we have seen incredible progress since we got her and think she will catch up in no time. Her speech is delayed and will most likely continue to be for the best part of the year. Alex was already delayed with her speech and then we switched languages on her. Don't get me wrong we aren't saying that she should be actually talking just making multiple sounds - again according to the doctor. Her ears are alright and she responds to the bell when she is ready:) Sweet stubborn young lady.
Alex is still freaking out every time Brian leaves - even to go to the washroom. This behaviour began on the day he went to the orphanage and has yet to go away. I am not taking this as a rejection of me but more of a fear of him leaving her. Alex will only fall asleep at night with Daddy and in his arms. I say will only because it is not for lack of trying. The screaming is quite crazy if he even tries to lie her beside him. As we are in two seperate double beds, I am actually sleeping great:) Alex is waking up throughout the night to smell him, touch him and look at him. We are hoping that this resolves itself by the time we land in Canada otherwise we are very screwed when Brian returns to school - Mom I know you hate that terminalogy but really it captures my concern nicely:)
So that is it! Off to the Great Wall tomorrow. I hear that since the Great Wall was closed for the last two days all the tourists in Beijing will be climbing together tomorrow - can't wait:) Seriously I am pumped because what a wonderful experience to have with my daughter - she will be strapped to my front and we will climb together. TD Folk - bring on the stair climb!!!
Have a great day! Tomorrow will be a long one for us as we are also going to the Jade factory in the afternoon. I will try to post.
3 MORE SLEEPS!!! I may have made a mistake last time with my count I get confused easily!

Almost Home

So Peking/Beijing Duck, not really sure what the big deal is. It is sliced duck eaten in a fajita. I had heard that we see the duck head and stuff but nothing. I'm not sure I wanted to see that but at least I would have more to tell you!
So three more sleeps for me! So very very very excited. Mom, I think the vacuum is in the front closet by the front doors. If not, feel free to open and look everywhere. If any of my other houseguests have seen it please feel free to give mom a shout. Hoping you are able to use my computer at home.
So a couple things about our return.
Toronto - We arrive at 6:15pm on Thursday on Air Canada 0032 direct from Beijing. Those of you that can make it are more than encouraged to be there:) Can someone bring a video camera? Hoping that while you are waiting someone can tape welcome messages to Alex. We will not be staying too long so not to worry this won't take alot of your evening.
Sparta - Open House at 2pm on Saturday. I can't express how much Brian and I are not only looking forward to seeing everyone but also to eat some good ol western potluck food! It may be a very long time before we eat Chinese food again.
Alex and Guests - So I am going to try hard not to come across as a crazy Mom so please just hear me out. This comes from both Brian and I - it took him to be with Alex to really get it. It is important that for right now (I emphasize only for right now) that Brian and I be the only ones to hold Alex. You can play with her cute toes, curious fingers, pudgy nose, big cheeks - essentially anything that you and her would like - we just have to be holding her. We believe that this is the right thing to do for our daughter and we understand that some of you may not agree or even feel hurt by this decision. We are sorry and really don't want to offend anyone we just have to do what we believe is right for our daughter. We are not sure how Alex will react with moving again or being around all these white people:) she may be awesome and fine or she might be terrified - we'll wait and see!
So off to the hospital for the morning. I will post an update on her health later.