This afternoon I was talking to Jacob on the phone and as always, Rosie had to talk to him. Once I was finished I handed the phone to her and she nattered away in scribble. I heard Jacob say that he had to go now and then he said, I love you. Rosie said, Bye-bye, dub do. She then hung up the phone.
I rang Jacob right back and asked if he had heard what she said. He told me he heard her but had no idea what she was saying. I told him she said, dub do. Dub do is apparently, love you in Rosie talk. It is so sweet. She says Ai Ni alot but this is the first time she has said it in English.
I hung up with him and looked at her and said, I love you and she said Dub do. My heart melted. Ahhh, those 2 little words can move mountains.
As of lunchtime today we are officially a family in the eyes of the American judicial system.
We pulled Lily out of school early and the wonderful Dade County Public School System even agreed to make it an excused absence since we did show them the letter from the Honourable Judge Cohen. We don't think that they noticed that it said Rosie's name and not Lily's...giggle giggle.
We zoomed and I mean zoomed to the courthouse downtown and waited for our attorney to arrive. No sooner had he shown up we were informed that Judge Cohen had a family emergency and Judge Bernstein would be hearing our case, at some point during the course of the day. Thankfully our attorney knew the bailiff and we were ushered in very quickly. Judge Bernstein was a really nice Judge and he cleared the courtroom for us stating that this was an adoption and his mind that is a private matter. Just as we were seated and everyone was making a huge fuss over the girls I smelt something a bit off. Yes, dearest Rosie had thought that was a great time to poop. I made her stay really still and thankfully the whole proceedings just took a couple of minutes and no one was any wiser. The judge posed for photos with us and chatted for a while to Lily. We then left the room went down to the 20th floor and filed our paperwork. (I made a detour to the nearest loo to take care of business) That was it. We said goodbye to Sandy, our attorney who just so happens to be married to our social worker and we left for a celebratory lunch.
Sandy and his girls. We are so lucky to have met both Barbara and Sandy on this journey. Barbara wants us to adopt again just so that we can stay in touch.
I have no time because there are so many things going on at the moment. We went to see Annie last Sunday and it was fabulous. I had no idea what it was about and of course loved it when I found out if was about adoption. Lily gave the cast a standing ovation. She has been singing , "Tomorrow" ever since. She even had a fancy new skirt to wear courtesy of Nannis.
Our Christmas tree is up! I mean it is still up and has not yet been demolished by the 2 ft Chinese dictator. When we were in Beijing and Guangzhou in February we purchased some ornaments for it and I had completely forgotten and was so surprised when I discovered them. When you come home after 2 days of travelling and unpack that same night you tend to forget a few things.
This is my favourite ornament. It came form "A Gift From China"
This is our little Panda that we purchased in Beijing from the factory. It still has the price on and I refuse to remove it as it is in Yuan and completes the wonderful memory that it holds for us.
We took the girls to see Santa. We went with Hollis and her girls to have lunch with the chubby guy. We pretty much knew that Rosie would shriek like a banshee and run a mile but she didn't. She didn't smile either but she sat in his lap and looked uncomfortable.All the other girls had gone before her so she wanted to do it even though she didn't...if that makes sense. Lily looked a little sheepish as well since she has been doing alot of talking in school again lately and we have told that SC will not come if she isn't good. When Santa asked if she had been nice she sort of panicked! Too funny.
This week is also shaping up to be very busy. CF returns from China, we have a Bat Mitvah on Saturday, we are going to court to adopt Rosie, Lily has her school holiday show and somehow I have to finish my shopping??? Oh and lets not forget the wrapping.
I will try to post more frequently as long as the time bandit stops stealing my time.
Once upon a time there was a couple, who I will call Jacob and Dawn, who every single year at Christmas time would hang two, lowly, sad and pathetic stockings in their home. Each and every year their wish to Father Christmas was the same:
Dear Chubby Guy. Do you think you could see to it that next year we will have three stockings hung in our home? Thank you very much, enjoy the cookies and milk. Love J and D
This tradition continued for many years until finally in 2003 the couple were able to hang three stockings in their home. The extra one was for their beautiful little girl Lily who had made it home just in time for Christmas. (Okay so it wasn't just in time cos she came home in September but this is my fairytale not yours so go along with it). The couple were ecstatic, their hearts ready to burst with joy and they tore into Christmas with a ferocity never seen in there home before.
The couple were greedy and they longed to hang another stocking for Christmas the following year so in 2004 they wrote to Father Christmas again and asked if he would make it possible for them to hang four stockings the next year. The chubby guy didn't get the memo and so they had to wait. They loved their new life and loved their little girl more than life itself but they had an empty space in their hearts and knew with every fibre of their being that they needed that fourth stocking.
Finally, many many years after the gorgeous couple (hey, I already told you this is my story) started their journey of the Christmas stockings their wish came true and in December of 2008 the couple were able to hang four stockings. Their second dream had come true and there were no more empty places, no more cold reminders, no more squashed emotions, and no more sadness. Rosie was with her family and home for Christmas. Their dreams had come true and the four stockings were hung every single year thereafter.
These are Rosie's referral photos which I have just realised not many of you have seen since we were unable to post her photos when we received her referral due to a confidentiality aggreement with our agency.
One year ago today Jacob and I left Miami Childrens Hospital with Rosie's medical file in hand and a huge grin on our faces. We had been given the all clear by the pediatric cardiologist to bring Rosie Qi Min home. Her condition was mild and completely curable as opposed to treatable.
We called WACAP and told them we wanted her and by the end of the conversation she was ours. We,ll she was our barring the CCAA showing any objections. We had waited so very very long to be able to share the news with Lily that she had a sister and finally that day had arrived. Of course we had had QiQi's photo hidden away in my desk for a week and had secrectly been spying on all of her adorableness.
We would still be waiting for her had the red thread not bought us together sooner. It is hard to believe that she has been part of our lives for one year.
Rosie, you are every thing we had always dreamed of. We love you with all our hearts and then some and your big sister says, at least once a week, I just can't imagine not having my baby sister. You have grown so much and changed so much. You are learning to like new things and not be afraid. I think you will always be shy at first but once you are comfortable the world needs to watch out. Your beautiful smile can stop a train and your laughter can reach the stars.
We love you, Mummy, Daddy and Lily.
Since I know who all of you are who read this blog I don't think any of you are considering adopting a child but if you are or you know someone who is all I can say is go for it. We considered special needs adoption right from the start with Rosie but many people shy away from them. Look at my girls, both healthy, both smart and both very beautiful inside and out. SN adoptions are not scary, the conditions can be very mild, just like Rosie's. To think that these children linger without parents and families in cold and sterile orphanages just breaks my heart. Our lives are what they are, full, content and blissfully happy just because of our daughters.
When I was about 10 years old my sister was working on her first aid badge for the Girl Guides and I was her "victim" at the St Johns Ambulance. As she had to learn everything and practice it on me I also learned it. I never ever forgot how to do CPR and now know the modified version that has replaced the older version. When I worked at the hospital I had to learn the Heimlich Maneuver. Again, I have never forgotten it and always hoped I wouldn't have to use it.
Today Rosie was sitting eating her lunch and she was having a Clementine. She has eaten these from day one and I have always cut the segments in half. Today for whatever reason it got stuck in her throat. I looked up at her and she had the most horrendous expression on her face as she was trying to breathe, it was a mix of panic and fear. I grabbed her and turned her over and whacked her on the back but nothing happened so I turned her the right way up and performed the heimlich on her. It worked. She dislodged the orange and gasped a huge breathe of air. Within seconds she was 100% fine.......me not so much. My hands and legs were shaking and I can't quite get her face out of my mind.
If you are a parent you need to know how to do both CPR and the Heimlich. It infuriates me that the Red Cross charges money for these courses but it is a nominal fee and oh so worth it. I found a video on you tube that might help a little bit. Please take the time to learn basic first aid...it can save a life. Parenting is not for the feint of heart!
Whenever I go home, yes I do still call it home and it will always be home to me, it is as if no time has passed at all and we slip right back in to English life. This was a very brief visit but it was worth every second. The visit was made even shorter by the fact that we were delayed in Miami on Wednesday night for 3+ hours. Normally this would be a slight hiccup but when every second counts it was a real pain in the neck.
Rosie rose to the occasion and I am happy to report that she travelled just as well as her sister did at her age. Before the plane had even reached the taxiway both girls were fast asleep and remained that way until we came in for a landing.
After a brief car trip we arrived at my parents home and the games began. Rosie was a little unsure of everything for about 10 minutes but she soon warmed up and followed Lily's lead. Lily has a very strong bond with her Grandparents and it was obvious that Rosie wasn't about to be left out. Most of Thursday was spent awaiting the arrival of the newest member of the family, baby Erin. Jeanne's youngest son and his wife were also coming to stay and they were bringing their new baby. Lily was so excited about it but due to the late night the night before she was already in bed asleep before they arrived. Rosie woke up and was more than a little surprised to find not only Nannis and Grandpa downstairs but also a new baby and a dog. We were all more than a little surprised when Rosie sat with her Uncle Chris so that she could inspect the baby.
The following morning we all woke up really really late and Lily was beside herself with excitement when she met Erin and Gypsy the dog. She still has no idea that Rosie had already met them and we are keeping it that way so shhhhh. Nannis, the girls and myself all went out to do a little shoppy, the second reason for the trip and we stopped to have lunch. When Lily and Nannis went to get a table Rosie suddenly went running after them and was more than happy to be with Nannis.
After all the shopping we went home and played with Grandpa. This is the same grandpa who isn't supposed to be lifting the kiddies at the moment and isn't supposed to be over doing it...hmmmm.
At this point there were 6 of us visiting N and G but that all changed cos Uncle Mike showed up with Lily's favourite cousin Heather. Let me tell you it was chaotic. I left and took Rosie and we went to visit my Uncle John.
We had a really wonderful time. It was short, way to short but Lily got to see her grandparents so for the first time since this summer I am not having to listen to her whinge about missing them. Rosie got to meet her grandparents and is of course smitten, who wouldn't be? The weather was cold, freezing cold and we all loved it. I lost Rosie's blanket when we all went for a walk about the town so that made for a wonderful naptime and bedtime that night! We went to visit Andie's parents and Rosie left me with my mouth hanging open as she made herself right at home and even shared her remaining blankies with Auntie Ann. My father wondered if the similarities between Ann and Andie put Rose at ease...who knows, she just loved being there. Lily loved it too as they didn't have any toys for her to play with so Uncle Brian showed her his gun collection. I know it isn't very PC but what the heck, she loved it and he is a pro with such things so I knew she was safe!
Everybody went to bed rather late on Saturday night and I had to be up at 4am to get us ready to leave at 5:45. I was counting on 3 hours of sleep but Lily woke me up at 2 cos she was sick....very sick. At 5:30 Daddy got up and I told him I didn't think we would be able to leave and did he have a mop and bucket!!! Nuff said! I carried/dragged a very poorly Lily through Heathrow and have to say I was bowled over by all the people who were willing to help. I asked no one yet people kept creeping out of the woodwork. It was truly another example of the human spirit. Lily slept for 8 of the 9 1/2 hours home and was finally feeling better when we landed. Of course not all stories end on a chipper note and once we were back in Miami the horrible attitudes just kept raising their ugly heads starting with immigration! The chap was so rude and I was so tired I swear I nearly told him to kiss my lily white ar*e but I refrained as I didn't fancy another flight back to the UK right then.
The girls spotted Jacob before I did and the whole arrivals area was forced to listen to shrieks of, "daddy, daddy, daddy". It was so sweet.
I woke up yesterday and headed to work when suddenly I was hit like a lead balloon with whatever it was that Lily had. It knocked me flat for 27 hours but it left as fast as it came and we are all hoping that Rosie and baby Erin don't come down with it as it appears that Lily already spread it to Nannis and Uncle John before we left. Oh and this lurgy has a name: winter vomiting disease. I swear I am not making it up. My father rang yesterday and spoke to Jacob and told him that there is a mini epidemic spreading across the UK. If you don't believe me google it. Even I couldn't come up with a name that barmy!
To my wonderful brother and Jon. I am so sorry but there just wasn't time. It would have been to rushed and I didn't want that, I want a night like we had last time. Lets do it this summer.
I saw my sister her hubby and my niece and nephew. It really is amazing how many people you can see when they all live close together!
Last but not least, Thank you Daddy and Jeanne. I wish it were longer but there is always next time.
Yesterday I was at the supermarket and all the registers had enormous lines at them. There is a school close by for troubled, and slightly mentally challenged kids and they were there also doing there shopping. I got into the shortest line and noticed that the man in front of me had 3 trolleys completely filled with turkeys. As he was an elderly gentleman I asked if he would like some help unloading them. He told me that they were very heavy so I told him I have to lug two kids about and I could manage. We chatted about people helping people and what a wonderful world it would be if we all did it.
He then paid for his gobblers and as he was tucking his receipt into his wallet the lady from the school approached him and hugged him and thanked him. It turns out that this gentleman had not only purchased 50 turkeys for needy families but he had also picked up the tab for the school. It was a very expensive grocery trip and he did it because he cares and because he can. I was so very touched by his kindness. "My" bag boy Devon helped him out to his car and I told him to hurry back cos he is the only guy the kids will let push the cart. When he came back in he looked sheepish. I asked him what had happened and he very quietly told me the man had given him a very big tip. I told him he deserved and that I thought the old man was a wonderful human being. I felt so good yesterday to find out that there are still kind people in this world.
Now on to today. This might upset some of you as it involves gay rights so if it does just stop reading and come back tomorrow.
Our court system this morning overturned a law that banned gay couples from adopting children. They viewed it as unconstitutional. I am so happy. I was saddened with the outcome of amendment 2 on election day. Gay couples are just like you and I. You fall in love, you cannot help it and since when did love, caring and commitment make you a terrible person. I am teaching my children to respect all others regardless of creed, colour, race and sexual preference. We have a gay couple in our lives and one day I will tell the story of them, with their permission of course. My life would not be the same without them, neither would the lives of Lily and Rose.
It is a happy day and we have so much to give thanks for this year.
I have posted a lot lately but I will be taking a few days off as we are heading across the pond for the weekend. Me and the girlies, off to the Old Country we leave tomorrow evening and will be back on Sunday. We live in Dade County remember, so Lily cannot miss school.
That is what my weekend consisted of. We had a girl weekend.
On Saturday my friend Hollis and her mum bought her 3 girls down so that we could all go together to a Christmas Parade. We went out to lunch and then marked our spot for the parade. The girls just love being together and wouldn't have cared if the parade was cancelled just so long as they could play.
The parade was a hit with them. It is only very small but they got a few goodies thrown at them and they were happy. The weather was perfect as we have finally seen the mercury drop below 80 degrees. The second the parade ended we ran to a restaurant for dinner and got there just in time. Within minutes the lines were out the door. The girls enjoyed their strawberry and nutella crepes and then is was time to leave the swarms of people and head back here where we bid farewell to Hollis, Grace and Little Trevi because the big girls were spending the night.
Oh you can't imagine the shrieks of delight. Apparently a 15 minute car trip can make you very hungry so I fed them dinner and then they headed for the tub. All three of them squished into one tub....Rosie was banned as they feared she would pee. I took a very disgruntled Rosie to my bath tub and bathed her solo. After I put Rosie to bed we were able to get the party started, those were their words.
They played, made bracelets, did crafts, made Hama Bead designs, and made old fashioned fortune tellers out of paper, (they were the biggest hit) and generally had fun. At one point they wanted more food so they made their own ice cream sundaes, huge enormous things that should have made them sick. After that fuelling it was back to playing. Jacob came home at 11.15 and they were still going and seeing him raised the excitement level. After he had showered we suggested it was bed time. One of them fell asleep immediately but not the other 2 they were giggling until well past midnight. Once we were convinced they were asleep we crawled into bed ourselves. Before we knew it Rosie was up and followed mere minutes later by three others. We cooked the biggest breakfast I have ever seen and then they took off playing again.
Jacob took, Anlei, Joie and Lily to the park and I stayed with Rosie so that she could nap. I also showered and finally got out of my jammies. You cannot get anything done when you have 4 kids! Each one of them needs you all the time for something: showing you what they have made, asking you to help with something, asking that I tie Rosie up so she won't bother them, needing a drink, help doing ponytails, it is amazing. I guess if you have 4 all the time you get used to it and work things out but for me I was mesmerised!
Shortly after the girls came home from the park Hollis, Grace and Trevi arrived and we had lunch together here. And following lunch, yes you guessed it, more playing. Once it was time to leave it was quite sad. At one point Lily said, "It is impossible to choose a BFF out of you girls because I love you both so much." We did finally said our sad goodbyes. The girls don't know it but they will be back together very soon cos we are going to a Santa lunch together.
I had a great time with them all. It was fun, it was very tiring but most of all they loved it and they were so wonderful together. The only tough part was the morning. I do not do mornings, my girls know this but I had to jump up and smile and be happy for the others....I wasn't easy but I think they thought the cheerful persona was the real deal! Lily had her first sleepover at her house and she loved it. We must have done it right.
This is Rosie with her "kit". This is what she needs to go to sleep.I thought thumb suckers just used their thumbs to comfort themselves not a whole inventory of supplies. We have to schlepp this lot wherever we go!
