Home to Grandy and Poppies, Labor Day weekend

We traveled home to Grandy and Poppies last weekend for Sophie's first long car ride, and she did great! She slept for some of it, watched a baby Einstien Video or two for part of it, and only fussed a bit towards the end.
We went home mainly to see our Uncle Dougie! It was his first time meeting her and she loved him!
The weekend was jam packed and went by too fast..but we're glad we got to spend some time w/him b/c we love him so!

She's a daddys girl for sure!!!!

One Month ago today our Sophia Su Ruth was Finally placed in our arms!

One month ago, on August 2nd, we welcomed our sweet Sophie into our arms for the very first time! That surly was one of those moments that took our breath away and one we will never forget.
I can't believe she's been w/us for one month....it still amazes me that it seems she's been w/us all along...although I guess we are still adjusting to life w/two..which is very different by the way than w/one! Amazing..but different...and a wee bit more tiring..LOL!
Sophie Su is such a blessing..a miracle really. She is the best baby in the whole world...so content and soooo happy...so adjusted in such a short time too.
She continues to be the 'second' light of our eyes and fills us w/more joy than we ever thought possible!

I Samuel 1:27
"I prayed for this child, the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him"

Amen!!!!
OH...I just realized today is actually Sept 3rd, not 2nd....oh well..LOL!!!

Charlie's First Soccer Game and Auntie Kim comes to meet Sophie Su!

Our Big Boy is officially a First Grader!!!

Well we survived the first day of school yesterday...."we" b/c you know I had to get through it as well as C did!!! And he did Fabulous! Loved his new teacher(although he said he misses Mrs Fought and had to go say Good morning to her:) But he did great! Sophie and I went in and had lunch w/him and he was great, a bit tired, but good! And then we finished the day w/soccer pratice!
But this morning he was tired and of course, as I predicted, didn't want to go back, not b/c he doesnt like school, but he just wanted to be home w/me and Sophie....so we just put on a "happy face"...and went back today. He'll be fine, I know he will, but I must admit I felt a bit sad this morning on day two, he is gone again and I miss him!

First Trip to the Zoo!!!!

We took Sophie Su to the zoo today for the first time and she loved it! We met our good friends Lily and Andrew there as well! She amazes me still how easily she had adjusted to her life here....it's almost as if there was NO adjustment time....she just blended in as if she's always been w/us...it's truly a miracle!
And Charlie had his one last day of summer before going into first grade tomorrow! Boy what a difference from last year at this time...he was so apprehensive a/b elementary school and kindergarten(and I was beside myself..LOL)...but not this year...this year at open house he walked in like he owned the place..LOL!! His teacher is wonderful and we've heard tons of positive feedback a/b her so we are really excited for him!
And still he proves to be the best big brother! He adores Sophie and is so attentive to her..and visa versa....she completly lights up for him....the min he comes into her view she babbles and laughs and blows raspberries at him...it's just so amazing....FINALLY living my dream....my dream to have my two children home here, to raise them up and watch them grow.....just amazing!

Sophia's Dedication at Church

Okay..so it's offical.....I am offically that mom...that mom that now has two kids..and is ALREADY slacking on taking as many pic's of the second child that she did of the first..UGH...
Well, actually I left the camera on the kitchen counter as we walked out the door yesterday to have Sophia Dedicated at our church....
It was short and sweet, but we wanted to get it done now b/c our minister is retiring and we wanted him to dedicate her before he left!

Sweet little Sophie Su slept through the entire few min's we were up in the front of the church...so she was introduced and blessed and we were thrilled!
Not too long ago as I would sit on Sunday Service and watch other babies be dedicated I wondered if I would never be up there w/her...and it was surreal to FINALLY be the one up there..Praise God!!!!

What a difference one week makes...and lots of firsts for Sophie Su!

Well we made it one week home...HOORAY!!! And boy oh boy, what a difference one week(and actually sleeping through the night)makes!!!! I am proud to say I woke up this morning at 7am..followed by Sophie..followed by Charlie(and we all slept from 8ish the night before)and I was on my own b/c J had to go into work...BUT..I managed to play, get breakfast for the three of us...get dressed(and even had time for makeup..LOL)and get S dressed and C dressed for soccer..packed diaper bag..drinks for all and loaded us in the van and off to soccer practice by 8:45am...I DID IT!!!! I was proud of myself if I must say..LOL!

So anyway..this week had been(and the two wks in China)some of the hardest,most overwhelming, exciting, exhausting, happiest, most frustrating, exhilarating, tiring, but BLESSED 3+weeks in all my 34 years...but we did it, we got through it and now, today, one week past it all, I can say I truly see the Lord's reward in our precious Sophie Su Ruth...she is the most remarkable baby...so happy and sweet and has changed all our lives for the better!

And speaking of little Ms Sophie Su..she has had a lot of FIRSTS this week:

First trip to McDonalds...and loved the fries I might add!
First taste of baby fruits and veggies..so far she favors sweet potatoes and peas, just like Charlie did!
First walk around the block in her stroller!
First time sleeping through the night(w/us anyway)
First bike ride on the back of mommies bike up to the school park!
First cup of juice
First hair cut
First trip to the mall(but we all know it won't be her last w/me as her mama!)

So there it is...we are good, really really good!
Again, thanks to all of you in our lives, you all mean everything to us..and all the dinners that have been brought all week so far have been AWESOME!!!!! Thankyou, thankyou all!!
Love Amy

Sophies first check up....passed w/flying colors!

Well we took Sophie to see the Dr for the first time here in America today, and it went great! She is in the 50% for weight and 75% for height, and right on track developmentally!
We did have to consult him a/b her sleep...or I should say her not sleeping issues....and I can't believe it, but the plan he set for her actually worked last night and for the first time in 20+days our sweet girl slept through the night..PRAISE GOD!!!! Its the first nt J and I slept more than an hour straight too in 20+days too!!!!! As you can imagine, I'm FINALLY feeling a bit more "me" this morning having actually slept!
Sophie is adjusting soooo wonderfully...it's really so true what they say....This child was specifically chosen for us to fit us precisely....it is the most amazing thing ever....
Charlie is also playing the big brother role effortlessly as we knew he would! He adores his baby sister and is so attentive to her...it brings tears to my eyes to watch a dream I've dreamed for so long come to life right before my eyes....to see my TWO precious children together...it's priceless!
Thankyou again and again to all you out there that have supported us and loved us and prayed for us...all of you mean the world to us and we could not have gotten through this journey w/o a single one of you!
Love Amy