Sweet Nora

Baby Nora finally made her grand appearance on

March 18 weighing in at 8 lbs 2 oz.

Paula's 4th baby & biggest baby.

My newest niece......

Congratulations E family!

We can't wait to meet her.



Peeling back the layers

March 17, 2012

Chengdu, China

We met Melaina at the Chengdu Welfare Institute orphanage.

She lived with her foster mom in an apartment off the premises.

The temperature was about 40-45 degrees & rainy.

The temperature in the orphange was about 50-55 degrees, so cold you could see your breath!

Melaina was bundled up like the Michelin Man!

Here's her layers 1 year later....

Layer 1

Split pants

Layer 2

Layer 3

Sporting the fancy shoes

Complete with an extra thick, quilted coat!

And then there's Harper who had to try on her China clothes also.

I love it!

Complete~ 1 year

It's hard to believe that Melaina has been with us a year already!

Does it seem like it, yes & no.

It feels like yesterday that we were in China just meeting her & getting to know her personality.

Yet, it seems like we've known her forever.

When we began our adoption journey, I knew in my heart that I would have 2 children from China.

Months after bringing Harper home, my heart ached for another child.

Neil's heart didn't.

It took some time for him to finally agree to bringing home another child.

His only condition was, he would not travel with me.

Physically, his body couldn't handle it.

That's fair, right?

On August 25, 2011 (my dad's bday), almost  1 year after Harper came home, we saw Melaina's file.

Her file was a "special focus" file, meaning we had up to 2 weeks to review it & make our decision.

My decision was made with in seconds!

Hu Hua Xiang

The  emotions of our 2 week trip to China are something to never be forgotten.

I'll be honest, it was a tough trip for me.

It wasn't easy.

It was hard.

I was jet lagged, something I've never experienced.

 The days were long.

The nights were long.

Melaina grieved for her foster family.

I was homesick for my family that stayed behind.

We needed to get through the 2 weeks in China so we could get home & get back to our "new" normal.

We did it.

 We all survived.

It was worth it.

I had hoped & prayed for my 2 girls have a good relationship.

Neil had cautioned me to be realistic.

They may not like each other, there may be jealousy, competition etc.

My  expectations were met.

From the moment they met, they're friendship & love have surpassed what I only hoped for.

They LOVE & ADORE each other!

I love the rawness of these pictures from the airport on March 17, 2012.

Is Harper running up to me to hug me? No, it's Melaina she hugs first.

They've been the best of friends for 365 days now!

We can't imagine our life with out Melaina.

She has progressed beautifully in the last year.

She came home from China with zero independence.

Our little flower has bloomed!

She's now an exploring, curious, sweet, loving, happy toddler.

March 17, 2012

Our entire family has grown in this short year both physically & emotionally.

We have good days & bad days.

We laugh & we cry.

It's not all unicorns & rainbows.

At the end of the day,

do I feel like the luckiest mama?

You bet!

March 17, 2013

ZOINKS!

Not only did we quietly celebrate Melaina day, but we also went to see Scooby Doo the Musical.

Melaina's first visit to Jesse Hall

Both girls loved the show & sat nicely during the performance.

So happy we squeezed this event into our calendar.

Melaina Day

Wow, one year ago, my mom & I were in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, meeting Melaina & holding her forever in my arms.

Words can not express the emotions felt that day.

 

Seeing Melaina for the first time

My first interaction with her

Finally in my arms forever!

March 5, 2012

March 5, 2013

To be continued on March 17, when we became a complete forever family....