Today... One Year Ago

We were on a very LONG flight home with our sweet Julianna. She only had about 1 hour of unhappiness on the entire 15 hour flight!!! It was soooo good to get home!!

One Year Anniversary

One year ago today on August 2, little Guo Dan Fen was placed in my arms. She was a tiny, sick, scared, crying, hot little baby. I remember thinking she felt so hot. The ride to our hotel must have been so traumatic for her. The orphanage worker told our guide she had just gotten car sick. I remember thinking I didn't want to do anything that would upset her more.

Since she was one of the last babies to arrive, it wasn' t long after we got her that I remember our guide saying, "Babies are hungary. Take babies to your rooms and feed them." Such an unusual feeling. Here we are, we were just given a baby, and now she's ours and we just go back to our rooms with her. No big fanfare - the baby is now yours. WOW!!!!

I tried to feed Julianna a bottle. I did not have the opening in the nipple right, so she got only a bit. She fell asleep fairly quickly and slept through the night for the most part. She was sick, exhausted, and I think she wanted to sleep hoping we would not be there when she woke up.

She slept a lot over the next 2 days. I think it was the combination of being sick and scared.

Each day was better, though.

Now, one year later, we have a beautiful, smart, happy little girl. I thank God, and China for giving us such a wonderful gift.

Enjoy the pictures. Some are from last year, and the pictures from today show her eating her Chinese food dinner. She LOVES egg drop soup!!

A Fun Day

Today, to celebrate our one year gotcha day, we did some fun family things. We started the day off bright and early leaving at 8 am for Watercountry USA. It was a cloudy, cool day, so we did a few fun things. Then, jumped in the van and headed over to Busch Gardens for the afternoon.
Both girls had lots of fun. Caroline and Gary got to ride 2 BIG rollercoasters, and Julianna was happy to meet Elmo and Cookie Monster. I think for her though, "driving" the lady bug car round and round in the circle was the hit of the day!!! I have no pictures because I didn't plan on needing a camera at the water park. We did have a family pic taken at the beginning of the park and it is actually a very good shot of all of us!! I had to capture our 1 year anniversary some way.

One Year Ago

All this weekend I have been saying,"We were doing this one year ago..." I remember waiting in the Newark Airport for 8 hours just to get on our flight to Hong Kong. and Oh, that horrible flight. Caroline was so sick. We only had about 4 hours of sleep then off we go to Hong Kong Disney!! Here are a few pictures from those special days. I would do it all over again in a heart beat!!!!!

A Fun Filled Reunion

We had a blast at our one year reunion. (The hotel alone will leave memories for all of us. LOL) We met up with 6 other families in Ohio for a few days. We had fun at a big aquarium and a fabulous children's museum. Way to go, Georgette for planning it all. I can't wait for next year!!

Not Hairbows, But Headbands

Remember how I said Julianna would not keep hairbows in her hair?? Well, about 3 weeks ago, I successfully put two ponytails in her hair!!! The ponytails remained in place for the ENTIRE afternoon!! I literally thought I had another Chinese baby because she looked soooo different!! She was so super cute, and she looked much older too. (don't want to rush that, though.)

Well, that concept did not last more than 2 days. Yep, she takes them out. About 10 days ago, I had her hair cut. It was much needed, and looks so good. So, pigtails will have to wait again.

Julianna may not like hairbows, but she LOVES headbands!!! Yes, she goes around the house wearing Caroline's headbands. She finds them and puts them in her self. Check out the pics to see.

Also, note the crazy, cheesy grin I now get from her when I go to take her picture!! Too funny!!!!

One Year Ago...

It was one year ago (actually tomorrow is the exact date, but I think of the day as being on a Monday) we received our first picture of Julianna. It was such an exciting time. Caroline and I had quickly gone to get some baby girl balloons to have for our mailbox, Gary had just made it home in time for the phone to ring. Oh, and I can't forget Georgette calling me during "our call". I remember saying to Beth from CCAI, "Oh my gosh, it's Georgette. I can't believe she is calling during "my call". LOL

Here is the picture of Julianna from one year ago and pictures of her today. Love that baby to pieces!!!