One Week Home

The Tanner Family!

Haiyan & Elizabeth in their play kitchen. They love to cook!

James playing with Elizabeth & Haiyan. They love to play with balloons, and to climb all over James.

It's been a week now that James, Haiyan, and Elizabeth have been home. Jet lag seems to be over, and all have been sleeping through the night the past few nights. Elizabeth was really sick with digestive problems when they first arrived home, but that was gone by Monday. James was home from work all week, which has helped Haiyan as she gets used to being with me and living at our house. She still cries when he leaves the house and is with me only, but it usually only lasts about 15 minutes. She cried the first couple nights when we put her to bed, but now she really seems to like our bedtime ritual. She shares a room with Elizabeth, which Elizabeth was really happy about. For the past few months, Elizabeth had been wanting "a real person" to sleep in her room with her. They have fun waking up in the morning together and coloring or looking at books.

So far, we've been really surprised at how Haiyan has adjusted so well to our home and seems to be bonding with us. She has a really fun personality and she loves to laugh, sing, and dance. She has a good appetite and has eaten everything we've given her (Mexican, Italian, Chinese, American). She has a huge Chinese vocabulary, which James understands some of. And she's picking up English words quickly. She copies a lot of what we say, and it can be pretty funny. Like yesterday when Elizabeth was getting a time-out, Haiyan followed her to the chair saying "obey! time-out!".

She had her appointment at the International Adoption Clinic at Children's of WI today and it went really well. We met with doctors, a social worker, a psychologist, etc. and they said that she seems to be right on track developmentally. And her weight/height is even a little above average. We thought that she was doing fine, but it was good to have it confirmed by professionals. We also got her new shoes today that fit better, and they have already really improved her walking. She loved them and kept saying "pretty" and "thank you" in Chinese.

So, we think things are going really well. We've been able to stay home a lot this week, and I think that has helped her feel more settled and comfortable. Hopefully next week, we can have some friends over and let her start meeting people.

Home

I decided to try and post a video. I feel this video shows off Haiyan's personality. It also shows how active and busy she stays. Notice how she couldn't care less about the cartoon movie playing (Jungle Book).

Well, it's sure nice to be home! Haiyan is adjusting wonderfully and is beginning to bond with Amy. There have been so many answers to prayer and I will try to list some of the specifics soon. Thank you to those who have prayed for us. My faith has definitely been strengthened through all of this.

A brief story I've told to illustrate Haiyan's current adjustment. The first two nights when Haiyan had to go to bed were a bit nuts. When she heard the term "night-night", a term she learned with me in China, she would flip out. We have a going to bed ritual which consist of brushing teeth, a Bible story, prayer, and Amy singing three songs as well as a "Teddy Bear Teddy Bear" thing. Haiyan screamed through all of it two nights in a row. The third night, after brushing Haiyan's teeth, she secretly slipped away, sat on her bed, opened the Bible story book, and waited with a smile on her face. After the Bible story was read, she folded hands and waited for the prayer. After the prayer, she slipped into bed, pulled her covers up, and then extended her arms for a hug and kiss. When Amy hugged and kissed her and said she loved her, Haiyan repeated back a soft "I love you". Haiyan then went quietly to sleep. We were amazed to say the least.

Lastly, we visited a very talented orthopedic surgeon today for Haiyan's foot. We were led to him through Lesley's boss. What a great find! He spent over an hour with us discussing our options. At this point there are still quite a few unknowns and we would appreciate prayer for wisdom.

Thanks for all of your support. I sure enjoyed meeting with people at church this Sunday. I spent the entire time chatting and missed both services. I hope to catch the service next time.

-James

Flying Home!

James, the girls, and his parents have begun their long trip home. They're flying to Shanghai right now, then they have a layover, then the 13 hour flight back to Chicago. They're all very anxious to get home, and they should arrive around 4pm Thursday. I'm so excited to pick them up and meet Haiyan! My parents and Lesley & Jared are also coming to the airport with me.

It's been a long 2 weeks for both of us. For James, because he isn't used to taking care of the kids all day long, especially from a hotel. And for me, because I'm not used to it being so quiet around the house! I was able to get SO much done though, and I now feel ready for Haiyan and whenever baby Joshua decides to arrive. I'm SO grateful to my parents for coming last weekend and helping me get Joshua's room ready and to Lesley & Jared for all of their help while James was gone. And I am so thankful for my nice neighbors who have checked on me and shoveled snow, otherwise I never would have been able to leave my house last week! And for my friends who helped celebrate my birthday last week, and gave me a really fun baby/adoption shower!

-Amy

And More...

Really, I was just blinking and she has such a wonderful smile.


Posing in front of McDonalds.

Enjoying a sunday at McDonalds

Pop-pop feeding her noodles. I usually don't let others feed Haiyan, but this was pretty funny. She would eat the noodles and then laugh. Many of the noodls fell to the floor.

Elizabeth eating noodles her own way. They were a bit to spicy for her and she eventually had to stop because her lips were swelling.

Time for Some More Pictures

I just can't keep her from loving the princesses.

She loves her pop-pop so much.

It's a bit difficult eating this way.

It's a bit difficult eating this way.

You can see here how happy I am to know that nap time is coming.

God Gives My Heart's Desire!

With much prayer from many people God has given our heart's desire. I will be returning to America for my family to be together once again. What a relief! God has taught me so much through this experience as well as many others in the last two years. He has taught me to trust in him while He continues to be faithful. It is not my job to control everything. I am to work hard and strive for what is good, but to not strive for control. I have learned to desire and to petition God, but to be content and know that God is good.

Thanks for all of your prayers. What a wonderful and supportive community we have.

Need More Prayer!

This morning I was told that my immigration approval had the wrong name for Haiyan. It should have said Xu, Hai Yan, but actually said Hai Xu. This could be a show stopper that keeps me in China for another month. Please pray that the US consulate in China is understanding.