This Side of China...

More Chinese New Years Fun!

2012-01-27T17:38:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year Fun!

2012-01-27T17:27:00.000-08:00

We met with friends to celebrate Chinese New Year recently and guess who got to be the dragon.....non other than Chuck (Baba).

Christmas and New years Fun!

2012-01-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

Cole, Quinn, Lauren, Casey, Whitney, Shiloh, Dakota

Dakota and Shiloh opening gifts.

Fun Breakfast!

Santa brought bikes!!!

Santa Brought Microphones!

New Years Fun!

Christmas is on the way!!!

2011-12-14T16:33:00.000-08:00

The girls are excited about Christmas. They have seen Santa twice so far, each time telling him different things they would like. Chuck and Dakota were in the Christmas Dicken's village at our Church for six nights of fun. Dakota dressed the 1800's in blue and Chuck was the preacher. As usual "Sparky" has the entire front yard lit up with all the Christmas festivities and I have heard you can see our yard from space!

Dakota makes the most important decision of her life...

2011-11-13T16:37:00.000-08:00

Today Dakota was baptized, having made her decision to follow Jesus a few weeks ago! She was really excited though a little nervous this morning and she did so well considering the heater for the water was out and it was rather cold! We are incredibly proud of her in making this decision on her own and starting the beginning of her journey in Christ!

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like these children." Matthew 19:14.

Shiloh Turns Four!!!

2011-11-13T16:24:00.000-08:00

Shiloh turned 4 on 11-11-11...how cool is that? She was so excited about having a birthday and has been counting down the days! She thought it was taking much too long. She had cupcakes with her friends at daycare at Pre-K 3 on Friday and she had a party with friend and family at home on Saturday! Then we spent the evening at Monkey Joe's jumping and playing. So a year and four months since we brought Shiloh home and she has made so much progress with her growth and speech...she is an amazing little girl. She is recognizing letters and numbers and is writing her name pretty good. She is incredibly smart, figuring things out to our amazement. Recently she decided to cut her hair and hid the hair in her closet and the sissors under her bed. When Chuck found the hair and showed her she said it was Dakota's hair. (Dakota has blond hair...) We finally got the truth out of her. We have also found that when there is something she wants or that is special to her, she hides it under her dressor. We were missing Dakota's DS game for several weeks and that is where we found it. She is pretty sneaky, but we sure have a good time with her!

Watermelon Pizza Anyone?

2011-11-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

Shiloh saw on television some children making watermelon pizza so we had to have some at home, our watermelon cut in the shape of a small pizza for each person...what fun!

Halloween fun..of Pirates, Princesses and the Midnight Cowboy???

2011-11-09T16:49:00.000-08:00

Rice Festival Stone Mountain...

2011-10-22T19:29:00.000-07:00

Can you believe a Little over a year later....

2011-10-22T19:18:00.001-07:00

Dakota Plays Her first Season of Soccar...

2011-10-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Labor day in Arkansas...

2011-09-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

We spent Labor day weekend visiting the Springharts in Arkansas. They are the only family that was with us while we were in Hohhot getting Shiloh. It was great fun catching up with them and seeing how much Luke and Shiloh have both grown. This family is so unique, with a grown son adopted from Korea (Colt), a daughter we met while in China named Joy (age 12) and of course Luke (age 3 from China). We had a nice visit to Arkansas so take a look at the pictures!!! We went swimming, ate Asian food, saw the Mississippi River, saw Captain Jack and the Peabody Hotel Ducks, rode a trolley car, rode a sky rail, visited a Mississippi river replica and museum, played games at a great Pizza Place and just had a great time hanging out!

Summer Fun with the Holloways from Savannah...

2011-09-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

Our friends the Holloways from Savannh visited this summer and we had such a great time catching up with them. The kids had a great time playing and we planned a dinner with some other families with children from China. At one point someone commented on the fact that 5 children from China were in the house.....what an amazing journey they all have had!!!

First Day of School Fall 2011

2011-08-09T03:34:00.000-07:00

Dakota started first grade today...where has the time gone! She was excited and wanted her hair rolled last night. (Thus the curls!) Her new teacher is Ms. Franklin and para-pro is Ms. Chadwick. She is right down the hall from the classroom she had last year so today wasn't too scary. Mom, Dad and Shiloh escorted her for the first day and she was pretty content. She also rode the bus to the daycare today and all was well, though Mom had to worry-I only called the daycare once to make sure she got on the right bus and got there. Shiloh moved with her entire class to the 3 year old pre-K room, which is just a door down so her adjustment should not be too bad. They grow so fast! Goals for this year...complete homework in a timely fashion and plan ahead for each day!

Summer Camp out.....Wildcat Creek

2011-07-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

We spent one weekend this summer camping out at Wildcat Creek. I am trying to catch up on blogging and all we have done this summer. This is one weekend where I was having trouble with the computer...so here are the fun pics. Trout fishing, marshmallows, digging worms, playing in camp and the big event, swimming at the waterfall called SLIDING ROCK...even Shiloh enjoyed that! (Mama takes the pictures, not because I am afraid of sliding down the rock, but because I am afraid of the cold mountain water...no thanks!)

Summer Fun at Stone Mountain Park

2011-07-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed July 4th weekend at Stone Mountain Park camping in the heat! (Never again!) Stone Mountain is pretty close to home, only about 45 minutes hauling the camper and depending on Atlanta traffic. We enjoyed cooking out and sleeping in the air conditioned camper and the girls enjoyed all the attractions in the park. Dakota and Shiloh both loved the obstacle course and the zip line. Dakota conquered her fears and made it to the top of the rock climbing wall. She was very determined and got it the second day after she realized it wasn't that much further to the top. Both Dakota and Shiloh had a great time with best buddy Kaylynn. We all enjoyed swimming and the A/C in the 3D theatre watching Yogi Bear! Shiloh was not too sure about getting wet in the theatre as it spit water at us, blew air on us and buzzed our chairs.....too much fun!

Fun at the Beach...

2011-06-25T16:47:00.001-07:00

We had a great week at the beach with family! It was nice to get away and to see Shiloh's reaction to seeing the beach for the first time. She kept looking up and down the coast like she could not believe how big it was. She and Dakota enjoyed the pool more than the beach and we all enjoyed the arcade!

More on Gotcha day and Shiloh

2011-06-22T07:47:00.001-07:00

After a night of battling the computer to get something on the blog, I decided to try again this morning.

Happy Gotcha Day!!!! (Forever Family Day!)

2011-06-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today (6-22) is Shiloh's Gotcha day! This time last year at around 12pm, there was a knock at our door in Hohhot at the Holiday Inn. There she was....after 2.5 years of waiting. I now know that things happen the way God plans. I am blessed to have given birth and to have felt a baby kick, but I am also very blessed to have waited and prayed for a child I didn't know. I have given life and given love....both are amazing! At times I am sad for the 2 years and 7 months of Shiloh's life that we missed. There are some things we will never be able to know about or answer during those years. I often think about her birthparents and pray for them, as they can't know just what a wonderful child she is and maybe they still grieve for her or wonder if she is O.K. I thank God for the choice they made to leave her where they did. If not, she would not be our precious child to raise.

Shiloh has had an incredible year of lot's of firsts and lot's of learning. Here are a few Tidbits from her first year:

***Shiloh loves to sing. She is surely musically inclined. She sings what we call her "china song". She gets very serious and soulful as she belts our loud words we cannot understand. The tune is the same but the words have changed a little as she has forgotten her chinese for the most part.
***Shiloh has come a long way with her speech, but still has a long way to go. We understand her most of the time and if not, usually Dakota can figure it out. She rarely gets frustrated with us anymore when we do not understand...she will just find another way to tell us the same thing.
***Shiloh didn't run very well when she first came home with us, but it didn't take her long to catch up and now she scares us as she has no fear or climbing and jumping too! She loves the water and has no fear of jumping right in...thank heaven for swimmies! (They keep her afloat!)
***No matter where we eat Shiloh lets us know she wants "meat" and "rice". Now and then I fix rice or noodles for breakfast so she will eat. She has gained from 22 to 29 pounds, and has grown from 18 months to 2T clothing. We still have to be careful and not take any food from her plate unless we ask.
***She copies everything Dakota does but certainly doesn't play the role of the second child...she fights just as hard to be first in line for most anything. She plays well alone but I often hear giggles and laughing when the girls play together. She knows which toys are hers and doesn't like to share.
***Shiloh still cries at times when I leave her at daycare but they tell me she does well. She might be the smallest in her class but she "bosses" everyone around. She knows some of her letters, can count to ten and knows her colors. She loves books and her favorites are ones about adopting babies from China. She will read them over and over. I think she gets that it is about her too.
***Shiloh seems to enjoy her Sunday school class though she still fusses when we leave her. She is usually fine in a few minutes and some of the teen girls who help in the classes love to take care of her. I think they make a fuss over who gets to carry her around. She is quite a hit.
***She is the fastest thing in town in her electric jeep, keeping right up with Dakota. At least now she knows how to drive and doesn't just go forward until she hits something. She has mastered that skill.
***It still looks like Shiloh will not need any further mouth surgeries until she is 5 or 6. For that we are thankful.
***Shiloh clearly prefers Baba to Mama most of the time. (Baba is a pushover and Mama makes her mind.)
***Shiloh loves to view the blogs of children she knew in China or from China. She also loves to look at the pictures of her with the children in the SWI of Baotou where she came from.
***She still hates brushing her teeth so we pretty much have tears every morning but she gets over it quicker these days. She clearly hates pants that have zebra or leopard designs. Not sure why as Dakota loves clothes like that.

We'll miss you Granny...

2011-06-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Granny went to be with Jesus on June 18th, 2011. She is now with her savior and all those that have gone before her. While we will miss her, we have joy in our hearts knowing she is whole again. I will miss her smile, her homemade biscuits and gravy, and as my sister put it, how she always made us feel like we were special. She was special too! We love you Granny...

4.5 Months Post Lapband....27 Pounds gone!!!

2011-06-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

Here is the first pic I took in Jan before surgery and the one just taken this week. I guess it is pretty much time for some closer fitting clothes so everyone can tell. maybe I will shop soon! Looking forward to shopping for smaller sizes, but trying to wait as long as possible!

Turner Family Reunion

2011-06-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

Dakota And Shiloh enjoyed playing with their twin cousins Katie Lynn and Anna Grace at the Turner reunion last weekend! Everyone at the reunion was excited to finally meet Shiloh. This time last year we were anticipating our journey to China...and now she is home!

Dakota's last day of K-5

2011-06-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

Dakota completed K-5 and is now promoted to 1st grade!!! She has learned so much this year from Ms. Gable her teacher and Ms. Collins her para-pro. She has learned to read, add, subtract, counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's. She has made a lot of friends and had a lot of fun along the way. We are so proud of her!

Weight loss journey for 4 months....what have I learned...

2011-05-20T08:22:00.001-07:00

I have now finally lost the first 25 pounds....25.5 to be exact. Next week is the 4 month mark for my lapband placement. I hit a plateau of sorts in April and only lost 2 pounds, and now 2 pounds in May. Slow progress, but at least progress. Life with the band is certainly challenging and at times even strange. People are starting to notice I have lost weight, and it is funny the different comments I get. Some ask about the band and how it works and are mainly curious about it for themselves or someone they know. Other comments leave me a little tense. Comments like, "The band is the easy way out", or the comments by those that think the band is the "solve-all" for weight loss. The band certainly is not a "fix-it" for weight loss or an easy way to see the pounds drop. I HAVE NEVER WORKED SO HARD IN MY LIFE! The band is a tool to assist in better weight loss, but it is by far not fool proof. So life with the band changes a lot of things:
1) Fast Food/Dinner out: I have to just keep driving. I can no longer eat in the car and for the most part the menus do not offer the right kinds of foods. Everything comes with bread or is fried. At restaurants I have to select carefully from the menu just the same. I can now order a regular size entree and eat anywhere from a third to a half of it and be satisfied and as some people have asked....I am not mad that I cannot eat all I want to. I am satisfied with a portion of the meal and taking the rest home for lunch is a bonus the next day!
2) Diet Coke: I was the diet coke queen....having at least 1 every day! I have not had one since Jan. 12, 2011 and the funny thing now is that I do not want one. It does not bother me to see others drink soda at all. Banders have to stay away from carbonation as it can cause issues with the band such as erosion or even esophageal dilatation. Scary enough for me to stay away from all that all together.
3) Slowing Down & Chewing: I have always been a fast eater but in order to get food down, I have had to learn to stop and chew each bite. No eating on the run or when I am not concentrating on my meals. With two hungry kids, this sometimes means I have to get them fed first so I can then sit down and enjoy my food.
4) Fullness/No liquids with food/No Hypoglycemia: I can now tell during a meal when I am full and I can certainly tell when I need to stop. I have never known what it was to feel full until now. I would have to say I have cut in half the meals I use to consume. Banders are also not suppose to have liquids during meals so that our pouch will stay full. That has been hard, but I am doing it pretty well. As I can tell when I am full, my brain is understanding that and I no longer seem to get the headaches from low blood sugars which would be one reason I would over eat.
5) Hunger/Water: There are times I am not hungry. I have never not been hungry my entire life. This is new to me. So I have to create other things besides food to be my outlet. Sometimes I even have to remind myself to eat as my stomach now protests in very loud gurgles when it goes too long without food. I am also drinking way more than 64 ounces of water each day. This is a new one for me too as I never really liked drinking water. I do lose better when I get the water down, so I keep working at that between meals.
6) Exercise/Tracking food intake: I continue to walk with my friend Carolyn several times a week. I call her my personal trainer and she pushes me for 2 to 5 miles several times a week. We go around our neighborhood up and down hills, which I can do better than being board on some kind of equipment like a treadmill. I do have a gazelle trainer for exercise on the rainy days, but I am not good about using that so that should be one of my goals. I also have to track every bite that goes in my mouth. I keep up with calories and stay under 1200 for the day. I track myself at 60g of protein per day, 60g or less of fat a day and not more then 120g of carbs per day and with the help of my friend Kathy (diabetic educator), we have found this is the combination that is helping me to lose weight for now. This changes up now and then as I lose weight. When I was trying to stay under 1000 calories a day I was not losing well. My body just shuts down the weight loss when it is not fed enough. Can you say "no metabolism"? There is so much more I could mention in living with the band, but for now, I hope I got the point across that this is not the easy way out or the end of my weight loss problem for good. This is the beginning of a very long up and down journey for the rest of my life. I am just happy to see progress and feel better! I am excited about one day being able to shop for clothes in the regular section and leaving plus sizes behind. I hope to also be an example to my kids of will power and success so they will know they can do anything they set their minds to as well.

I'm with the band....

2011-05-01T18:33:00.001-07:00

Pretending a camera stand was a microphone, Shiloh belts out her best "Jesus loves me" for the crew cleaning up at the 50th Anniversary party for Chuck's parents. She is such a clown! Dakota got in the act a little too!

The mommies....

2011-05-01T18:28:00.001-07:00

Welcome Home Emily...

2011-05-01T18:24:00.001-07:00

On the 30th, we went to the Atlanta airport to watch Emily come home. What a special time it was! She is just the cutest! My friend Brandi traveled with Summer to bring Emily home. It was so fun to be on the other side waiting instead of returning after 30 hours of flights. Emily's Baba, two brothers and a sister waited so patiently for their return. Brandi's own family was waiting as well. Thinking on the course of events....Talent came home in 2009, Shiloh in 2010, and now Emily in 2011. Check out the picture of us moms. What a moment!

Chuck's Parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary

2011-05-01T18:13:00.001-07:00

Chuck in the Easter Play ...

2011-05-01T17:42:00.001-07:00

Chuck was one of the Pharisee's at our church's Easter Production about Jesus' Ministry. Take a look at the pics.

3 Months into the Journey...

2011-04-28T18:26:00.001-07:00

So three months since surgery I have lost 23.5 pounds. I have had 3 weeks of no real loss, which is frustrating, but I get another fill on Monday which should change things up a bit. I can tell the difference in my clothes so that is plus. I have been able to tell when I am full and have learned to stop in time before feeling too full which is not a good thing for a bandster. Out for dinners, I am making healthier choices most of the time and cannot eat all I order as I use to. In fact there are times that me and both girls share an entree...hey, I am a cheap date now! I am looking forward to the next fill on Monday so I can hopefully feel fuller sooner so I eat even less. The doc said last time with 1 or 2 more fills I should be where he wants me. I am ready to get there!

Easter Fun!

2011-04-25T17:51:00.001-07:00

Shiloh's Domestication for the USA!

2011-04-19T17:20:00.001-07:00

We went to the Fayette County Courthouse this morning to have Shiloh's adoption Domesticated. She will get an American Birth Certificate of Foreign Birth. One more thing completed about her adoption. I think all we have left now is the 12 month update to China....

Shiloh's First American Haircut...

2011-04-19T17:11:00.001-07:00

Shiloh gets her ears pierced!!!

2011-04-10T05:45:00.001-07:00

When Dakota was born, I took her to get her ears pierced at about 2 months old. It was not a fun day. I had to be the one to hold her down and then she moved so even today one of the holes in her ear is not straight through but angled. Luckily it still looks fine from the front! Once home with Shiloh I thought about taking her but put it off. I just thought I would wait until she asked me about it one day. Shiloh is always looking at blogs of her friends from China and recently she saw Hope and Emma got their ears pierced. She wanted her ears done with pink! I told Chuck he had to do Shiloh's since I did Dakota's. We were out running errands yesterday and had mentioned to Shiloh we could go and get her ears pierced. She seemed happy about it, but we had to run some things home first. She was highly upset about that, so we knew she was ready. She thought we were staying home and she pitched a tantrum about it. So off we went again to Claires to get the deed done. She was very brave and luckily the ladies did both ears at the same time. She didn't move but then needed Mama for a minute. She had a few tears but wanted to see herself in the mirror. She was all smiles after that.

A day at the park...spring is here!

2011-04-10T05:34:00.001-07:00

Playing model fashion shoot...

2011-04-10T05:28:00.001-07:00

A recent visit the ZooAtlanta...

2011-04-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

Playing with Emma!

2011-04-09T17:42:00.001-07:00

Shiloh and Dakota enjoyed a Saturday playing with Emma! The girls had such a good time.

Two Months on the Lapband Journey...

2011-03-20T18:43:00.001-07:00

19 pounds gone and counting....so far the before and after pictures. It isn't happening as fast as I would like but at least it is happening. I am attending the Lapband support group meetings and even when we eat out, I am eating much less than I use to. Slowly the habits are changing and while I will not say it is easy, I will say it so far its easier than I thought it might be as I am not as hungry. I can tell when I feel full....I have never had a turn off button before so this is progress. I frankly cannot believe I have not had a diet coke in over 9 weeks....but I do not even want one. That is amazing in itself.

Milestones...

2011-03-10T16:52:00.001-08:00

Dakota pulled her first tooth this afternoon while she was in the afterschool program. Chuck picked her up and she had to call and tell me. She was very excited! So we are awaiting the tooth fairy's first visit to our home tonight! This first little tooth is the one on the bottom that she first cut when she was about 6 months old. Of course mommie will have to add it to the keepsake box.

Happy 6th Birthday Dakota!!!! (3-7-05)

2011-03-06T17:59:00.001-08:00

Look what we got six years ago tomorrow!

VALENTINES....

2011-02-14T10:05:00.001-08:00

Saturday night Chuck and I went to Macon to see Celtic Woman. Chuck gave me the tickets for Christmas which was a big surprise. He often catches me and the girls watching Celtic Woman on Ga. Public Television. Both girls love it but we needed a date night. Even though Celtic Woman was in Atlanta this week, it was easier to make the Macon show on a Sat. night. It only took an hour and ten minutes to get to Macon from where we live anyway. Chuck really enjoyed the show as the stage perfomance is really entertaining. I enjoyed the songs but really loved watching the percussionist with their huge set up of a variety of drums, cymbals and Irish drums. (I play drums so my attention was captured.) We ate Thai food before the show and even though I could not eat but about a third of what I usually do it was enjoyable too....guess this was our Valentines/Christmas date! (Nana and Poppy spent the night with us to keep the girls. We made it home by midnight.) If any of you ever get the chance to see Celtic Woman I am sure you will not be dissapointed.

ONE MONTH POST LAPBAND...

2011-02-10T15:30:00.001-08:00

I have survived the month of liquid foods. Looking back it was hardest the first week. I can start having real food now, but will try to stay around 900-1100 calories....I think I can do it now as I am not as hungry and do feel fullness when I eat. I have never really felt full before....so it takes some getting use to. When I take a few bites I have to slow down, as that is all my pouch will hold. It is a weird feeling, almost like I didn't swallow well and the food didn't go down. I feel like I need to drink, but with the band you are not suppose to drink with meals so you do stay full. When I feel hungry, I have been having hot tea to put it off for a while and that helps, but I cannot believe I have not had a diet coke in a month. Frankly, now that I have not had it, I am not craving it. A big help is the Lapband.com website where I can go to log what I have eaten and it adds everything up for me. This is a major plus as I hate having to add calories or keep track of carbs or proteins. I walked my first mile around the neighborhood two days ago and hope to walk several times a week and increase the miles up to 5 as a first goal. I have spent time visiting some other "bander" blogs, so I can get some recipe ideas and meal plans. I will have support group meetings once a month and that is coming up next week, so I am looking forward to that. It will be nice to hear how others do things. So for the weigh-in this month: 11.5 pounds lost! All I could think at first was "is that all for another week of liquids...1/2 a pound since last Friday".....this has not left me feeling motivated. I did however call a friend who had the band over a year ago and has lost 90 pounds. She assured me she didn't lose very much until her 3rd or 4th fill and then it was very consistent weightloss. She had a few months where she lost nothing in the middle, but she went for more fills to make sure she would lose. So I will have to remain hopeful that the best is yet to come. Here are the comparison pictures for now.

Happy CHinese New Year.....

2011-02-05T13:56:00.001-08:00

We celebrated Chinese new year with other families who have children from China. Of course we ate Chinese food and the kids worked on arts and crafts when finished eating. It was nice to talk to other parents who know just what it is to adopt a child from China. This will be a great connection for Shiloh as she grows up!

First post-op, Lapband visit....

2011-02-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

11 POUNDS!!!

This is after 3 weeks of the prescribed (before and after surgery) diet of protein shakes and liquid style soft foods and broths. One more week and I can start back on softer foods and meats, the idea being to add back slowly with a lower carb diet. My first "adjustment fill" will be on March 3rd where the band is tightened up. This first one is done under flouroscopy (xray) to make sure all is well with the band and it's filling. I will continue to post pictures once every month. So I will try to remember to put the first months picture on next week. I have also been searching for Lapband meal ideas that my whole family can enjoy and will post some recipes here that we will try! I hope to slowly rid this house of the starcy things we have in the cabinents and take this family to a lower carb lifestyle one recipe at a time. (All except for the littlest person who we need to fatten up a bit! She can eat lower carbs later on, when her three year old size isn't wearing 24 months!)

Lapband recovery...

2011-01-31T09:09:00.001-08:00

OK, so I am now on the 4th day after surgery and finally feel half way decent. My issue with this surgery was not pain at the surgical sites but the gas left in my abdomen that gave me shoulder pain right from the recovery room. It was nerve pain I guess radiating from the pressure on the diaphram, but regardless knocked me for a loop. The pain meds didn't help with that pain but did help me sleep some. This morning I am much better and although I still have some shoulder pain I believe the worst is gone. I have no idea if I have lost anymore during this becasue I have had zero exercise but I have taken in my shakes and liquids daily. I am usually one who has to exercise to lose. SO I go back to the doc on Wed. and we'll see. I think right now the band is not tight. My shakes go down easily and I do not feel like it is tight. I will begin getting the band tightened in a few weeks and from there hope to begin the true weightloss. Thank heaven for Nana and Poppy who have been here to help us get the kids back and fourth to school and daycare. Nana has been busy making meals and making sure that everyone is fed, bathed and to bed on time. Stay tuned...

Tomorrow is the day....an new me on the way!!!

2011-01-26T13:13:00.001-08:00

I went to a CME event today at our hospital where my doc talked to other docs about the lapband and the reasons why he prefers it for weightloss. I left feeling even better about my hopes for successful weightloss. I have never even thought about having Gastric Bypass as I didn't want my pipes cut and didn't want to live with the chronic malabsorption that can go with it. It seems those with GB lose weight very quickly but several years down the road can or might gain it back. Some of the other weight loss measures are still "iffy", but the lapband is now the preferred method by most. I think it is simple....if you are not losing it is time to tighten the band again. (The band has a ring on the inside and saline is inserted to tighten it until you are losing a few pounds a week.) The doc happened to mention that as Americans we are the country with the highest incidence of obesity. One in four children in America are obese and one in five are morbidly obese. (It was mentioned that there has been 152% increase in obesity in China simply due to McDonalds and Microsoft....Interesting....surely this is why we are so far ahead as we have had these things for many years.) The good thing about the lapband is that there are far less complications and though the weight loss is slower; it seems to be more successful for those who do what they are suppose to do. So tomorrow is the day for me. I am anxious but ready. I have to think about all the reasons why I need to do this and I can't wait to lose weight and prove the point that people really do treat people of size differently. There is certainly a prejudice there. Regardless, I am so ready to feel better, look better and have more energy. I can't wait to buy new clothes maybe even in the regular section...not the plus sizes. I can't wait to feel good trying on clothes as usually that is so depressing for me. I also can't wait to set a better example of eating habits for my two little people. I have lost about 6 pounds on the first two weeks of liquids. (But it wasn't easy...I would love a diet coke and a Taco!!) I am also looking forward to the support groups I will be attending to see what others who have had this are saying. The good thing is my partner at work has had the lapband and will be a great support for me at work and Chuck is certainly on my side at home. Onward to a new journey....

Skate time...

2011-01-23T07:00:00.001-08:00

We had a great afternoon skating last weekend. Dakota is really learning how to go faster and not fall and Shiloh even shuffles a little on her own! Dakota made a couple of rounds by herself while we watched. (While a nervous mom kept eyes right on her as it was crowded!) Shiloh must have gotten a little tired as she crawled right up in Baba's lap and dozed off. (How she did that with all the noise I do not know.)

A new journey...Lapband (Before Pictures)

2011-01-13T18:11:00.001-08:00

Today marks a new journey for me as I am having lapband surgery for weightloss on the 27th. I have been meeting the lapband team for 6 months to document my weight and prove I am a candidate. There are a lot of hoops to jump through: labs, ekg, meeting the doc, weighing in monthly, support group meetings, forms to complete, a visit with a psychologist-(that was scarry-not the doc but those sitting around me in the waiting room-Yikes), medical histories from various docs, more papers....you get the idea. I put it off last year due to our adoption and honestly I didn't lose, but gained during this 6 months. Maybe due to stress of trying to get back to normal after China. Some might not understand that but even home 6 months...it is still new and stressful at times and yes, I am stress eater! (Throw in a full time job and other obligations and it is tough.) I didn't worry about losing too as this is the first time in the last three years that I could eat what I wanted and not worry about China calling my doc. Excuses? Yep, but reality for me. So today begins the 4 weeks of liquids-2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. I have made it through day one and so far the expected low blood sugar headache....I know the drill. It will last 2 to 3 days and then my brain gets the idea and calms down. Am I hungry?...Yes, but I am more hungry to feel better, buy new clothes and have more energy for my kids. So here are the official before pictures. Not the best pics but you get the idea. I hope to post pictures and the pounds lost every month...maybe that will help me keep on track knowing that everyone is reading. I will not post my weight as only God and me know that number. Stay tuned...and I could use your prayers.
The liquid diet: (4 weeks)
2 Protein Shakes
2 Apple Sauces
1 Yogurt or 1 cottage cheese
1 Gatorade
2 Pudding
Water, water and more water
2 Multivitamins
(Where is the diet coke on this list???)

Ice skating in the front yard?????

2011-01-13T16:58:00.001-08:00

Both girls went out to walk on the ice and found it was not easy. Five days later the ice is still pretty thick everywhere and schools are canceled again tomorrow. (5 days with no school...write this one down in history!) I grew up in Atlanta and I do not remember getting 5 days in a row for weather. Thank God for Nana and Poppy who kept the girls for 2 of the days and will have them again tomorrow so we can work!

Dakota...Growing up so fast...

2011-01-11T06:31:00.000-08:00

Dakota just got her second report card from K-5 and did very well. She is able to read the "Dick and Jane" style books and does well with math and other skills. Her best friend at school is Laura Lee who is actually 1 of tripletts, the only girl and just adorable. Dakota's favorite thing to do in the world is to go to Monkey Joe's, a place where you can jump and slide on indoor giant inflatables. She now enjoys being a big sister and having someone to play with, while we are snowed in. Dakota loves her teacher's Ms. Gable and Ms. Collins but says the afterschool program is more fun than regular school. (Lessens the guilt of a working mom some.) Dakota loves to watch drama movies if rated OK and loves to watch iCarly and Hannah Montana. She will be six in March, which I can hardly believe. She thinks she wants to take Guitar lessons, so we can check about that soon and give it a try. She sings in tune and really has a nice voice...hope she will use it one day. She is happiest when home and playing Barbies or Wii. Dakota draws and colors very well these days and really has an artsy side. We are so proud of her and how well she has done all along.

Forever Home 6 months...

2011-01-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

Jan. 2nd marks our 6 months home with Shiloh!!! (Finally had time to write about it since we are "snowjammed" in the house.) So many people ask how she is doing and some how we are doing...and I think we have reached a "New Normal" as a family of four! Things flow more smoothly now and we mostly have a routine through the week with not much of a routine on the weekends. We just met with our social worker for our 6 month update that goes to China. Here are some more things about Shiloh:
She loves baby dolls and rocking the baby or pushing the baby in the stroller, telling us goodbye complete with full princess costume, sunglasses and a purse as if she is going shopping. She will begin dancing out of the blue if music comes on and she does this slow, arms held high swaying as if even fast music were slow. She sings to the top of her lungs, songs she doesn't know all the words to, but she sings anyway. She carrys her puppy Hannah around, although as Hannah grows that is harder for her to do...poor Hannah sometimes doesn't know what hit her. She still prefers meat most of the time but will eat almost anything and when dinner is served she is the first to the table, inspite of play. She is still protective of the food on her plate...not good at sharing unless you ask and it can take her a full hour to eat. Her favorite screams are heard as Baba chases both girls through the house and they run to hide. Still potty trained, although she has to have help to get on the potty she is so small, pull ups for night most of the time. She Loves to have us read books to her and wants to read the story books about chinese adoption that we have and she calls it "Mei Mei's China" not "Jie Jie's China"-One she has up on Dakota and she is proud that China is hers. She laughs and plays hard from morning until night, most of the time with only about an hour and a half nap if we are lucky. She knows the toys that are hers and she loves her room. Her speech isn't always clear but everyday we understand more and more and she knows everything we are saying. I think she will be fine by the time she goes to school and if not speech will continue there. She is so funny all the time and loves making us laugh as much as she laughs. When we first started this journey to adopt, there were so many unknowns and so much to worry and wonder about....if I had known it would be this good once we settled we would not have worried so much. I think there are kids that have a hard time adjusting but I think the majority do just fine to know they are home and loved no matter what. If anyone out there is thinking about adoption...we are proof enough it is a wonderful thing.

Southern Ice...

2011-01-10T13:25:00.001-08:00

We got ice last night and so schools have been closed today. Can't make a snowman with this stuff but getting pulled in the sled by Daddy is a lot of fun. Dakota loved it but "iloh old"....(Shiloh cold!) She didn't want to go back out. I think Lucy, Hannah and Carly liked it as they have left little feet prints all over the back yard.

Happy New Years!!!

2011-01-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

Ssssshhhhh!!!!!

2010-12-25T19:18:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T19:15:00.000-08:00

We have had some really great days with Christmas....we are thankfull for so much, especially celebrating a first Christmas with Shiloh!!! Merry Christmas baby girl and Merry Christmas big girl too!

Christmas in Dixie...It's snowin' in the pines.....

2010-12-25T17:33:00.001-08:00

Imagine that......It is Christmas Night and here south of Atlanta we have snow!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

2010-12-10T08:22:00.001-08:00

A visit with Santa.....Ho Ho Ho!

2010-11-29T14:05:00.001-08:00

We visited Santa Claus at Discover Mills mall on the Northside of Atlanta yesterday. Dakota was ready to go, asking Santa for a guitar, large doll and horse and a few other goodies. Shiloh was a little uncertain about sitting with Santa, so Dakota carried her over and sat with arms around her. We could not get much of a smile out of her but at least she wasn't crying like some first time pictures with Santa.

One Year Ago Tonight

2010-11-18T18:34:00.001-08:00

One year ago on tonight....we first knew Shiloh was ours. We got her file after another family "made a different decision". What an amazing twist of fate. We were told we could have about a week to make our decision, but it took less than twenty minutes of reading all her paperwork to decide she was our daughter. Something just felt right, even though we had concerns about her health, about her being over age two...so many things could have changed our minds, but God knew this was our child and all the decisions became easy. From that point it took us seven and a half months to actually make the trip to get her home. All the waiting, time, emotions and paperwork seemed to take forever....the not knowing how and when was the hardest part of the waiting. I remember all the steps...Pre-approval, Transfer, which took way too long, Letter of Acceptance, all the government Hague paperwork and then finally Travel Approval. Way too much red tape and us waiting 7000 miles away seemed so long and so far....But now Shiloh has been home for almost 5 months.....what an amazing journey for all of us! So many people tell us she is a very lucky girl.....but when it comes down to it...we truly are the lucky ones.

INNER MONGOLIAN GIRLS RULE!!!!!!

2010-11-14T07:30:00.001-08:00

What an amazing story these three have to tell. Shiloh is blessed to be close enough to keep in touch with Hope from Baotou, who use to care for Shiloh in the orphanage and Emma is right here in Fayette to be her best friend! These three have had long journey's home but now the fun begins!!!!

Welcome Home Party and Happy Birthday Shiloh....3!!!!

2010-11-14T07:26:00.001-08:00

Shiloh enjoyed her 3rd birthday party but did hide her face when everyone sang....Yikes. So many friends and family came by and it was such a fun day! We celebrated with Chinese/Thai style foods and decorations from Kai-Lan to Chinese new year. Just to much fun...

Thoughts on Shiloh's third birthday....

2010-11-09T18:10:00.001-08:00

Shiloh's third birthday is this Thursday…her first birthday with us as her family…as her forever family. We have purchased a cake and will put candles on top signifying the two birthdays we have missed as well as a nice big number 3 for this year! I do not know if the orphanage had a second birthday party for Shiloh….as we got her file after her birthday (On the 18^th of November last year). I know she was also taken care of by CHINA CARES prior to and after her first birthday and so I hope they made a big deal of it for her as well. Still, as we approach November 11th, I have to think about Shiloh's birth parents, especially her birthmother. We have no idea who they were and no idea of the exact reasons they did not keep her. One day Shiloh is going to be old enough to understand that she has birth parents somewhere in Northern China and I have thought long and hard about how I will need to answer the questions she may have about what happened to her. I have been lucky enough to gather a lot of information and pictures of her since her finding, but we really do not know anything about her first four days of life.

I have done a lot of reading about the issues that plague China when it comes to abandonment of infant daughters and sons, and so many reasons play a part in her being left on Minzhou Road in Baotou, Inner Mongolia-we do not know what time of day or if she was left in a box or basket or how long she was there before being found. We can only make assumptions of what might have happened. What brought Shiloh's birthparents to the point they had to make a decision to leave her, let her go, abandon her? Was it that Shiloh had been born with bilateral cleft lip and palate, never mind the heart and lung issues her birthparents must have been unaware of at the time? Was it the pressure to have one child…..one "healthy child", preferably male? Was it that they could never provide her with the medical care she would need to repair her lip and palate? Was she birthed to parents without a permit to have a child or to an unwed mother? Was she perhaps a second, third or even fourth daughter in a "one-child" policy country? So many things could have played a factor in the decision to leave her on November 14, 2007. The truth is that we may never know all the reasons or how things happened or what social and political pressures could cause birthparents to make such an incredibly hard decision. Some want to judge birthparents who could just up and abandon a child…..but I would like to find a way to celebrate the fact that Shiloh's birthparents must have placed Shiloh where she would be found…..where God knew eventually she would find her way to us.

I am a birthmother (and adoptive mother) and I cannot imagine what kind of courage and strength it takes to let go of someone you love as much as your children, hoping they find something you cannot provide, but knowing you leave them to an unknown fate. I can only think that this is an act that leaves a hole in your heart for the rest of your life. So I know as we come together with family and friends to celebrate with Shiloh, seven thousand miles away there are broken hearts who wonders what happened to the little baby girl born on November 11, 2007. Each year after Dakota's birthday, we have always let balloons go to our loved ones who have left before us and last year Dakota sent up the balloons for her little sister waiting in China. For Shiloh's birthday and all her future birthdays, we will release the balloons so we can pray for and remember her birthparents. I hope this will help Shiloh to grow up realizing that it is alright to be adopted, that a birthmother and a birthfather somewhere in northern China probably do think about her and hope she is well. I also hope that Shiloh will find pride in that maybe her smile and skin tone came from her birthmother and maybe her eyes and outgoing personality are like her birthfather and that it is perfectly alright to wonder about these things and to be proud of them and to ask questions even when there may be no answers. I have no doubts that this little girl will do big things one day making us all proud of her, but I hope she can see the bigger picture of God's plan in how her life has unfolded.

Happy Holloween

2010-11-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

We had a great Halloween weekend! Shiloh caught on quick to getting candy in her bag-she dressed as a witch and Dakota dressed 70's complete with real makeup. Chuck won the Trunk or Treat at Shiloh's daycare and we got $150 off tuition! We visited a church carnival and went out trick or treating with friends.

Child Dedication at our Church!!!

2010-10-26T04:00:00.001-07:00

Shiloh was dedicated at our church this past Sunday. In the Christian Church, we do not Christen babies but dedicate to raising them in a home where Jesus is present!

More Zoo!!!

2010-10-26T03:55:00.001-07:00

ZooAtlanta has a new baby giraff, a new baby Panda and a few new baby kanagaroos! The girls got to feed parakeets, meet curious George and a few others.

Zoo Fun!!!

2010-10-26T03:50:00.001-07:00

ZooAtlanta had a trick or treat fest for kids so we enjoyed this with two other families!!! The kids had a great time! This was Shiloh's first visit to the zoo and she was a little afraid when the tiger came close by to get a drink of water. Still, she was a trooper and it didn't take her long to catch onto the trick or treat idea, only she ate all her candy as she got it!

Talent and Shiloh...both home forever!!!

2010-10-26T03:46:00.001-07:00

We had such a nice visit with the Holloway family. Talent has now been home for over a year and we so enjoyed their watching their journey. Shiloh has been home for a little over three months and they really enjoyed playing together!

Carving this years Pumkin!!!!

2010-10-26T03:44:00.001-07:00

Let's Dance!!!

2010-10-26T03:41:00.001-07:00

Great Granny meets Shiloh!

2010-10-26T03:38:00.001-07:00

My Grandmother was recently moved to a personal care home. She is very confused. The good thing is that she new me and she seems happy. She didn't remember Chuck or Dakota, but she still seemed to be happy to meet the kids when we visited a few weeks ago. Granny always loved having a garden and kept busy canning and cooking. She always made gravy and biscuits for me when I was growing up and the most profound thing I ever remember her saying was that she was so proud that all her children and grandchildren were saved. At the time, I didn't get how profound that really was, but as I wait and wonder about the decision my own girls will one day make, I realize this statement was more than just a simple one.

Happy Anniversary!!!! Oct. 25th!!!!

2010-10-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

Chuck and I have now been married for 7 years and I wouldn't change a thing!! All I can say is you better be careful what you pray for....as God can change everything in an instant. I had prayed for years for a husband and kids and when I tried to do things my way by adopting alone, God said, "wait a second, try this". Here is your husband and now a new baby and guess what you can still adopt. Life is good!

Introducing Carly and Hannah!!!!

2010-10-14T09:17:00.001-07:00

OK, call us crazy, but we could not resist bringing home two free 9 week old Chihuahua puppies and so now we have two new members of the family. Dakota has named hers Carly after her favorite TV show iCarly and so with Shiloh's puppy we followed suit with Hannah. (Hannah Montana of course!) The girls have been so excited to play with the pups each day and they really are so cute taking care of them. These little pups are really adorable too and lots of fun for us all. (Lots of work too!) Lucy our 7 year old Beagle is warming up to the pups and will play a little with them. She is a big ole baby and lays down when they run at her, but they will get there. Elsa our Cat is less than amused and has taken residence on our back porch instead of the basement. She did the same thing when we got lucy years ago so she will eventually warm up to the new little girls. (Well maybe Luke warm!)

A DAY AT THE PARK...

2010-10-14T09:04:00.001-07:00

Dakota gets a haircut...

2010-10-03T18:32:00.001-07:00

Dakota has been asking for more than a year to have her hair cut short. I have been reluctant to allow her to cut it, but she has been persistant and so I gave in and we went to great clips today to make it happen. It really is cute!!! She was all smiles and kept going to mirrors to check it out once we were home. Saturnday, Chuck and the girls got out all the Halloween decorations and decorated the inside and outside of the house. Shiloh was right in the middle of it all, so much fun to watch her see all the new things with lights. (Can't wait until Christmas this year!) We enjoyed an afternoon outside today. The weather is cooler and we were not eaten alive by misquitos...fall is here!

It's a small world afterall.....

2010-10-02T16:08:00.001-07:00

Last night we made our way to the Atlanta airport to see Emma-3 (Hohhot SWI) and Hope-6 (Boatou SWI) come home forever!!! It was a beautiful moment for both families. We are so excited that Emma will live right here in Fayetteville with her family and that she and Shiloh can grow up together. Shiloh has taken a look at Emma's blog over and over and says, "Emma home"....I am not sure that she understood that waiting at the airport we were about to see Emma, but once Emma was in view Shiloh called to her and was quick to try to give her a hug. Emma wasn't too sure about that but it is tough making the long journey home and meeting all the strange new people. I cannot wait to get these two together for a play date. Emma is about Shiloh's size and such a cutie with a smile! Hope's family arrived a few minutes afterwards as they had purchased moon cakes and customs took a closer look! (Gotta love it!) Jenna, Hope's mom had told us that Hope took care of the little kids in Baotou and that she knew Shiloh. I was anxious to see how their meeting would go. After initial family greeted her, Shiloh walked right up to her and Hope said "Hongmei!!!" She hugged Shiloh and carried her around. Shiloh was all smiles. I was all tears...my little girl has another friend nearby in Auburn....not too far to visit-a link to her life before us. It was so touching to watch them play for a moment. Maybe later on Hope can enlighten us all to how it was living in Baotou and maybe she will know some details about Shiloh's life there as well. It is indeed a small world afterall....imagine these three little precious girls, all from Inner Mongolia finding a moment in the middle of the Atlanta airport more than 7000 miles away from all they have ever known.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun!!!!!

2010-09-28T17:38:00.001-07:00

All of you know I am just anything but a "girly-girl"....can you imagine last night me painting fingernails and toenails and tonight rolling hair so we have curls for school in the morning. (Uuuuggghhhhh! But I do love every minute of it!)

Dragon Boat Races in Peachtree City...

2010-09-25T13:28:00.001-07:00

Peachtree City is near us and so we went to the Dragon Baot races and also saw some asian dances and drums. It was fun to be a part of the festivities and do something related to Shiloh's culture. We all enjoyed ourselves though it was very hot!

Carnival at Dakota's School

2010-09-25T13:20:00.001-07:00

Surgery pics...

2010-09-25T13:14:00.001-07:00

Shiloh got ear tubes and some dental work done today. Here are the pictures. I think she kind of looks drugged in a few but she was pretty happy about it all. Even though I am a nurse, it is still hard to send your baby to surgery. Thank God she did very well!

Shiloh's Surgery....

2010-09-23T17:06:00.001-07:00

Today Shiloh had surgery at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Chuck, Shiloh and I left for CHOA at 6:30am, leaving Poppy to take Dakota to school for us. (Dakota was excited to have Poppy's special attention.) We got to CHOA around 7:45 am and Shiloh entertained all the staff by prancing her cute little self up and down the hallways in full open throttle! She took her pre-meds like a champ and Chuck and I laughed as the Versed kicked in and she swayed side to side and had a hard time keeping her eyes open. She was groggy by the time they came to take her back to the OR. They allowed me to go with her and she held my hand and her own face mask on until she was asleep. (No one cried at this time but Mommy...only when I returned to tell Baba all the details.) In no time, the ENT came by to say the ear tubes were in and there were no issues. Our Pastor and another church elder came by which was a nice surprise. The Dental doc came out to let us know he had capped her two front teeth, filled 5 cavities and everything else looked OK for now such as Xrays. He mentioned that a lot of what they thought were cavities, were really misformed teeth which is common for cleft kids. Maybe thirty minutes later, Shiloh was rolled back in the room and slept for probably 40 minutes. She woke up a little unsure and wanted Baba. He got her to drink apple juice and little by little she was back to her old self. Personally we would like to have some of the Versed to give her nightly for sleep, but we will stick to the benadryl....LOL! So this afternoon we are home and Shiloh seems to be doing very well. She will get Tylenol, motrin and ear drops around the clock for this first day. Chuck and I actually think she may be talking a little better on some words....not sure if this is possible being it is only the day of surgery. I have noticed she is really picking up on talking more the last two weeks but today I have noticed some words even more clear than usual. (This is what we were hoping for!) Hope to post pics later on...

Two friends heading for Hohhot....

2010-09-13T19:02:00.001-07:00

For those of you who love following the blogs of those traveling to China, the following two blogs are both friends of mine heading to get their children...one from the SWI in Hohhot and one from the SWI in Baotou! I can hardly wait to relive it all through them again.

http://onegirlpeacefulandsafe.blogspot.com/ Emma Lael age 3

http://followourfamily.blogspot.com/ Hope age 6

Please pray for these families and the children they will soon hold in their arms.

Camping fun.....Labor day!!!

2010-09-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

Labor day we went to our usual camping spot in North Ga. (Wildcat Creek) No running water unless you count the river and no electricity, except our camper is wired to also work off a car battery...so we have lights and the water we carry. We cook on coleman stoves or the fire, hope to avoid bears entering camp....(yes the bears visited a few days before we arrived) and yes we have a real potty and shower in the camper......life is good!!! Dakota fished alongside Dad and Shiloh enjoyed an adventurous slide down "Sliding Rock".....I have not even been down sliding rock...it is not the rock, it is the incredibly cold mountain water...not for me! We had a great time and Shiloh did great camping. Hopefully we will go back a few more times next year.

Look at that smile...

2010-08-25T19:49:00.001-07:00

Going to the GYM.....

2010-08-25T19:47:00.001-07:00

The girls are signed up for Gym class and loving it! Dakota took Gym all last year and is very good at it. She was glad to get back after the summer break. She is in the shooting stars and is out on the main Gym floor, while Shiloh is in a small room for toddler Gym. She did great for the first time in a Gym. NO FEAR!!! (Scares me, but this little outgoing girl will hopefully excel.) With going on Saturdays, Chuck and I can trade off helping Shiloh in her class so we can each also watch Dakota.

Shiloh goes to daycare...

2010-08-17T16:11:00.001-07:00

After dropping Dakota off at school, I took Shiloh to daycare. She cried of course when I left but I made it to work without tears. I worked for a while, went to the eye doc and worked a little more. I called to check on her and the director told me that she cried for about twenty minutes but was holding the teachers hand and doing OK. She evidently tried to leave her classroom any time the teacher put her down. The director told me that she stopped her 6 times and finally Shiloh gave up. I picked her up after nap time and they were outside playing. When she saw me she immediately burst into tears and cried for 2 minutes or so. I guess she was relieved that I did come back. She shakes her head "no" about going back tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. It is so hard to do this and not be upset but this is our life and she has to get use to it. I have to work. No choice there, but I also know she will learn a lot and I have missed work. So for this three weeks we will do a few days a week and see how it goes. Our time home will be up soon enough and then our life will be back to "normal".

Twigs...

2010-08-14T12:57:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I am not into hair and all he frilley girl stuff, but God gave me these two girls both with a mind of thier own. I asked Shiloh is she wanted some hairbows and she brought me three rubber bands. I put a little pony tail on each side but she knew she brought three bands and wanted one more, so I fixed it again like we did in China and she was instantly happy, checking her hair style out in the mirror. She wore this style for two days. I call her Twigs!Shiloh will go to daycare for two days this coming week. (Tues. & Wed.) Not sure how this is going to go for her...she played for a little while as long as I was there on both days we visited. She still kept checking back to see that I was there. I will take her on Tues. and Wed. each week until I go back to work full time....she has to get use to it. Our friends from Savannah came by yesterday. Brandi and Trent have two great daughters and A son from Henan China. Talent is such a cutie and Shiloh's future boyfriend! It was so nice to see them all for a little while. We hope to get to Savannah sometime this fall for another visit with them. Now for tomorrow, trying to get her in the church 2 year old room with her new teacher there. I have gone with her twice, but now tomorrow will be the test. Dakota stayed with her last week but it was the big sister who wanted mom and that didn't work out, so tomorrow Dakota goes with her new teacher in the 5 year old room. Little sis will go to hers and we will see how it goes.

Nana and Shiloh at play....

2010-08-14T12:45:00.001-07:00

First Day of School...Dakota goes to the big K!

2010-08-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

Dakota started K-5 today. Chuck, Shiloh and I walked her into her class where I had to kind of peel her off of me and place her in her seat. I could not get a smile for the first picture until I picked her up! She enjoyed the day but said the the most fun was the afterschool program, of which she started even though I am off, so she can learn the routine. At least none of us had any tears....we are too excited for her.

More fun at the rink...

2010-08-09T17:55:00.001-07:00

We took Dakota skating last Saturday. She does pretty good once she gets warmed up so we want to go more often so she can do even more. I have decided I am officially "old!" I put skates on myself and although I use to skate very well, I could not do much even on the carpet. I guess 25 years takes it's toll! Chuck turned in my skates and traded for a pair of tiny tikes for Shiloh and that girl did great. She is little but we keep forgetting she is big in heart and almost three. She wanted to go everywhere that Dakota did, but she needed help. She could skate a little on her on in the kiddy carpeted area. Too much fun....!!!

Rethinking the Bedrooms...

2010-08-07T09:10:00.001-07:00

Earlier this year we bought bunk beds for Dakota's room as we thought the girls could simply room together. A few months before leaving for China, I was looking at Dakota's room and thinking that it was just that..."Dakota's Room". I knew then I was making mental plans to make Shiloh her own room, which meant Chuck would lose his trout room. (It was all decorated in Trout fishing.) So little by little I got the plans together and with a visit to target and a few gifts from the shower at work....Shiloh has her own room!!! Dakota's room has the Blues, greens, Purples and Pinks with the bunk Beds and now Shiloh's has the pink, orange and green. Shiloh's room has a Queen Bed and so the rails we had fit perfectly and this works better for her sleeping in this bed instead of the bunk beds. So each night the Turner's all lay down in Mommy and Baba's king bed.....when shiloh falls asleep she is moved to her bed and when Dakota is asleep she is moved to hers. Then sometime in the middle of the night Mommy ends up in the bed with Shiloh and sometimes with Dakota and sometimes back in the bed with Baba...it works for us. Hopefully this will give Dakota a better nights sleep for going to school. (Mommy will still probably be tired going to work when she returns....oh well, you cannot have it all!)

Karate Kids!

2010-08-07T08:58:00.001-07:00

Lately Dakota has been hooked on the Karate Kid Movies...the old ones we use to watch when we were teens. She has been trying the stance for the last kick and of course Shiloh give it her best shot too!

Fayette Sheriff and Rescue event...

2010-08-07T08:56:00.001-07:00

Last week we took the girls to the Fayette Police Event where we had them photographed and fingerprinted to keep on hand in case they are ever lost or taken. (You cannot be too careful! We just thought it was a good idea...thanks for reminding us Nana!) Dakota got to put out a real fire and both girls got to stand on the helicopter and of course there were clowns.

There's a first time for everythng...

2010-08-03T19:54:00.001-07:00

This evening we had dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant and right in the middle of dinner, Shiloh (Who was standing up in the booth beside me) suddlenly said "Mama" and leaned over to give me the biggest hug out of the blue. Chuck got one recently and was tickeled pink about it. Of course we hug her all the time and we ask for hugs and get them, but it is great to get one we didn't even have to ask for. Earlier today, Shiloh, Dakota and I headed out to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for Shiloh's initial dental check. (I really hate they could not do this when we were there last Friday as all that happened was the Dentist looked inside her mouth for all of a minute or two-of course with her screaming.) Shiloh has a number of cavaties that need to be filled and this is not really a surprise and very common for children who have not had good dental care and this can also be common with Cleft Palate kids. So at this point, we know she will need anesthesia to have all the cavities filled. We have the appointment with the ENT Monday the 9th and so if Shiloh need ear tubes then this can be done along with the dental surgery at the same time. So we will wait another week to see what the pan will be. Shiloh is talking more and more and I love it when she is playing and sings a little Chinese Nursery song...I wish I knew what she was singing, as she hums this tune all the time. The best part of my morning is when she wakes (And she does wake first!) and she lays in bed with me and I tickle her and remind her to giggle quietly as Dakota is still sleeping most of the time. Then when Dakota wakes we all tickle and laugh until we are ready to get up. Dakota usually goes and gets dressed and brushes her hair and teeth, while I do the same for Shiloh. Then I send them to play while I take my shower. This seems to be when they play the best together. I hear lots of giggles and Shiloh copying what Dakota is asking her to say. Dakota is so good with her until evening when everyone needed a longer nap and they aggravate each other. (I remember being a sister and how this work! Love ya Wendi!) So this is our last week home like this as Dakota will start school on Monday the 9th. Then we will have a different routine. Shiloh will start daycare at some point in the next few weeks depending on when her surgery is scheduled. I turned in all the forms and her shot record to the daycare and so she is set to begin when we are both ready! We did meet her Teacher Ms. Felicia and shiloh went to her for a few minutes and then got down to play as we were outside with all the climbing equipment. (She kept an eye on me to make sure I stayed...not sure how it will go when I do have to leave...we will give it a few practice runs before I go back to work.) So As I sit here writing this, both girls are asleep right here beside me. (Haven't moved them to their own beds yet...which I have been doing each night after they are asleep.) I look at Dakota and I cannot believe she is going to kindergarten....how did she get this old? Still, she is very bright and I am excited for her. She has been talking a little about the girl in her class that she sat beside on the bus ride she got Saturday. She also is excited about her iCarly lunch box and her first day outfit. She will do well, but we have to work on an earlier bedtime with her, but that is going to be tough with the little person spinning wildly until afte 10pm most nights. After our dinner tonight we went to a Fayette County Police event for a while. We got both girls fingerprinted and photographed for safety. The girls got to see a helicopter up close and police dogs too. Dakota was able to put out a small fire and see how an extinguisher works. It was a lot of fun from 6 to 8pm but the temperature was still well over 95 and very humid.....

Dressed in our Chinese Best...

2010-08-01T17:41:00.001-07:00

Shiloh's Craniofacial Visit...

2010-08-01T08:09:00.001-07:00

Friday Shiloh, Poppy and myself headed downtown for a visit the the Craniofacial team at Chidlren's Healthcare of Atlanta. This is the team that will take care of Shiloh's palate issues. We saw a number of team members including the physician, speech therapist, social worker, nurse, and she had a hearing test done which she passed. It looks like for now we work on her speech and let her adjust to the family. Next week we visit the Dental Team and then the ENT. The Palate physician said he would want to do surgery to raise the nose and to close a hole in her gum sometime around the age of 5. (The ears are full grown at around 5 and they use cartilage from the ear to raise the nose.) Depending on her speech he may need to lengthen the palate at that time if her speech is not good. The dental team may want to put her to sleep to clean her teeth but they will only do this if the ENT decides that she needs ear tubes...that way she is only given anesthesia the one time. This is the good thing about the team, they work together to make everything best for the child at one time. So we should know more on this next week. The ear tubes are important for helping her hear better so she will be able to speak better. After finding out that her heart issues are very minimal with no further need for medical care and now seeing that all she needs for now may be ear tubes and teeth cleaning.....we feel incredibly blessed. When we first got Shiloh's file we were worried that her diagnosis might be more than we could handle, but it was such an easy decision. I know know why...God knew all along this was our child and that she had what we could handle. Shiloh continues to adjust pretty well. We still have some nightime hours of crying but she does well all day. Let me just say SHE IS BUSY! I think we have a hyperactive child here. I cannot get one mess she made cleaned up before she makes 3 others. She climbs anything and everything and you never know what you will find where? Example....I was rinsing dishes to put in the dishwasher and found a pair of flip flops in the sink...how did that happen? She and Dakota play pretty well but again it hasn't taken long for them to each learn how to aggravate the other. I cannot hold Dakota for very long before Shiloh tries to push her out of my lap. It is pretty interesting when both want to be in my lap. At night, we all 4 get in the king bed and watch Hannah Montana or iCarly until the two girls doze off. Then everyone is moved into thier own bed for the night....or not!

Dakota's school visit

2010-08-01T07:49:00.001-07:00

Yesterday morning we spent two hours at Dakota's school. We met her teacher Ms. Gable and took a tour of the school. Dakota stayed in the classroom while I went to the cafeteria to listen to the priniciple and PTA folks. Dakota was very independant and wanted me to leave, so I suspect the first day of school will not be very traumatic for her. They took the kids for a ride on the bus and Dakota hopped on the bus but told me I had to wait on her instead of ride with her...as I said Ms. independant. This is one of the highest rated schools in Georgia and I can see why. They have a lot to offer the children...computer media lab weekely, art lab, PE, Music, and the list goes on. Dakota even gets a choice at lunch... for now between two lines and after christmas the Kindergarteners can visit the salad bar. I think they get them ac climated little by little. Dakota will start school on Monday the 9th and she will also begin going to the afterschool program so she can learn the routine. (this was suggested by the afterschool ladies, who said it would be best for her to start with everyone so there is no question about the routine and where she goes when school is over.) So while I am off work, I can pick her up early from the program, but she will be able to get use to the routine. The day visit to school was fun and though I thought I would be sad, I wasn't....I am so excited for her and she is too!

Skating Rink Fun...

2010-08-01T07:39:00.001-07:00

Dakota wanted to go skating with her friend Kaylynn and so we went along. This is the first time Dakota has had on real skates instead of the kind that fit over your shoes and don't roll backwards. She did great for the first time out, kind of walking and rolling and then an occasional spill. I was proud of how well she did. Meanwhile Shiloh played in her socks out on the rink since it was not very crowded. She enjoyed all the lightst that sparkled and flashed on the flooring to the music. She also had a good time crawling and climbing all over the carpeted seats.

More pictures of friends...

2010-07-27T13:49:00.001-07:00

Another friend developed her pictures from the Baotou SWI and we got a few more sightings of Shiloh's life before us....

Day by Day...

2010-07-27T13:13:00.001-07:00

I remember when Dakota was a newborn, I could get most of the chores done and have supper on the table for Chuck and the house stayed pretty much in order. Fast forward...it is a new life with a new two and a half year old... Shiloh is a bundle of energy and everything in this house is something new for her to explore and either tear to shreads or toss it all in a million different directions....so the house has not been in order since I got home from China. I have to admire stay at home moms for the most part as this is not something I could do all the time. Right now of course it is easy, as I know it is temporary. I have always worked so I suppose I do not have the skills needed to run an orderly household unless I am at work. (I have never understood how I get more done when I do work than when I do not.) Of course of love these two girls and right now am trying to spend time with them and not worry about the order of things, so I can make the most of this time off. I think at times Dakota is a little board with not being at daycare with all of her friends and of course Shiloh follows her every step. They play well for the most part, but it has not taken the big sister long to learn how to aggravate and the little sister to learn how to scream....I took Shiloh to the pediatric cardiologist last Friday for an evaluatons and we have truly been blessed. The reports from China said that Shiloh has Tricuspid Regurgitation of her heart with mild Pulmonary Hypertension. (Both diagnosis can be very scary and even life threatening...we knew this when we accepted Shiloh's file but we knew she was our child and made the decision to accept her, regardless of her condition.) So for this visit, the Physician ran and EKG and an Echocardiogram to see what was going on with her heart and lungs. The verdict...she does have a mild amount of Tricuspid regurgitation but not enough to need any further treatment and there was no evidence of the Pulmonary Hypertension...so praise God! We can move on and see what is needed with her cleft palate...we see the Cleft team downtown this Friday. (More on that later.) I will attach some pictures that show what we have been up to...sorry I do not get to blogging more often, but I am quite busy these days. I promise to try and do better!