Checking In!

It has been so long, and I am not sure if any of you are still out there...but I will try to update! She is a blast, and the cutest darn thing I have ever squeezed on a daily basis. Her little cheeks feel like giant marshmallows! Her transistion has been 'no transistion.' It's incredible. She eats everything we put in front of her, has taken 2 naps daily and sleeps from 7-7 every night. I am afraid to put it all in writing. She is ready to walk, gained 3 pounds, and entertains all who she encounters. Her smile is to die for, and when she flashes it for you...you are toast. Daddy especially.

Gotcha Day

Wednesday September 23, 2009 is the day we will celebrate Lily's Gotcha Day. It just seemed right for our family. The whole southeast was covered in storms, and I feared they wouldn't arrive on time, perhaps even at all. As the day wore on, I checked the hourly forecast again around 3:00 - and the storms seemed to have disappeared. They landed in DC late - got through immigration, and believe it or not, got their connection and landed at RDU right on time. I stood with Sean watching the arrivals board (actually, he didn't stand anywhere- he could barely contain himself) and as I saw their plane approach I turned my head toward the Arrivals Board and at that very second it switched to 'LANDED.' That's when my tear's began.

I spotted Ryan first, and as I looked down there she was! That little face.... Her proud, and very tired daddy pushed his little girl to the finish line! Sean and I ran up and just pounced on all of them. Lily was very, very unsure about anyone but Poppa. She cried when she didn't see him, and wouldn't come to me at all. This, I expected.

As we pulled out of the parking deck the biggest, fattest, most vivid rainbow appeared over the airport terminal. It stopped all of us in our tracks. Lily's Rainbow. Could there be a more heaven sent sign? I hope the pictures turn out.

Once we got home and settled...the night was up and down - I was solo. She and I had time together, and morning brought a whole new Lily. After a huge breakfast with Sean, Ryan, Daddy and I...our day progressed and she became more familiar with her new home. Our Golden Retriever scares the hell out of her - but as of this writing Packer is starting to grow on her. Packer is thrilled to have another baby in the house. Her diet just got much more interesting again!

She napped for 3 hours, we woke her up for dinner. At 7:00 she was fast asleep - woke at 2:15, took a bottle, and asleep again at 3:00. At 6:15 this morning, both brothers were in her room ready to greet her and get her day started. It is now 9:00 - and she is fast asleep, in her crib. Our baby girl is home.

Two Men and a Baby

I would give anything to see Ryan and Craig with little Lily right now! I have only heard from Craig via email and all is well. We thought they wouldn't leave for Almaty from Karaganda until Saturday morning, but they flew out Friday night. I don't have many details, but she is smiling and laughing, and has not lost any ground in her fine/gross motor development. We were curious to see if she would still zip across the floor crawling and such.

They have just two full days left - and will leave Almaty on Wednesday at 3:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday EST. As of now, they will touch down at RDU at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. My friend will be with me to take pictures and record their arrival. Please pray for safe travels.

Déjà vu only Different

Today I dropped off Craig and Ryan at RDU - packed and ready to go to Kaz. The next time I see my husband he will be holding my daughter. 'Safe travels and blessings my sweet boys....hug my girl tight!'

Dates for Second Trip

YEA! Sept. 1, 2009 our 15 day 'waiting' period ended. Craig and Ryan leave for the second trip on Sept. 16th! Can't even tell you how happy we are. It looks like my girl will be home in her mom's arms on Sept. 23rd, 2009. What a day it will be.

A few quick pictures

ZZZZZzzzzzz

We are home - physically, but not so sure about mentally. End to end this whole trip was flawless...except in DC where we sat on the runway for 2.5 hours on our last leg. We are exhausted. More later.