Out Numbered 3 to 1

I thought a daughter would be an ally, instead I am now outnumbeed 3 to 1.

Monday, June 29, 2009

2 years ago today

This is the post from our adoption journal originally posted on this day 2 years ago. It is amazing that time has flown by so quickly since coming home. It seems like it was just yesterday and at the same time like Isabella has always been with us.




There is only one beautiful child in the world and every mother has it."
~Chinese Saying

We finally received the call we have been waiting for on Friday June 29, 2007 at 5p.m. Buck was not home from work yet, so it was just Austin and I. When I heard the words “we have a cute little hunny bunny for you” I lost my ability to think and apparently speak as well. As I choked out strange gasping noises, and yes sounds, Deniece from CCAI asked if perhaps it was a bad time to call. Austin, with his CPR/First Aide course recently under his belt suggested that it would be a good idea if I “just breathed”. Buck arrived home a few minutes later and we waited to open up the pictures together as a family.

All about Isabella Ya Li Kry
Ya Li entered the orphanage for care on January 17, 2006. Her birthday is listed as October 18, 2005. We do not know if this is an estimate or if there was a note left with her. She weighed 10 pounds. She stayed in the orphanage until December 2006 when she was placed in foster care. She is currently 20 months old and is residing in foster care in Ningxia Hui autonomous region of China.

Her last check up was in March 2007 and she was 16 months old. She weighed 18 pounds and was 28.74 inches tall. She can walk with help and feed herself a cracker. She says ma ma, ba ba (daddy), ge ge (brother), jie jie (big sister) and chi (eat). She is close to her foster parents and grandparents. She waves goodbye and is able to point out her own facial features. She has 8 teeth. We are told that she sleeps quietly by herself, sleeps well, and sometimes sucks her fingers when she sleeps. She eats rice, wheat based food, meat, all kinds of vegetables, milk, bread crackers, and cakes.

We hope to receive an update on her progress soon. Our agency hopes we can travel in September or October before the trade shows start.

The meaning of her name:
Hu Yan Ya Li

Hu Yan is her surname and probably given to each of the children that entered the orphanage that year.

Ya- a feminine name

Li- beautiful

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

.....another specialist

In addition to her primary care pediatrician, Isabella is collecting specialist. Our running list consisted of:

EENT
Endocrinologist
Neurologist
Pediatric Neuro Ophthalmologist

Well she felt that they needed new blood in the group so now we will be seeing a pediatric nephrologist.

Her BUN is elevated. We repeated it after making sure she was well hydrated. It is higher now than a week ago. My thoughts go to the tainted formula in China. Doesn't this child deserve a break?

I have to go cry now.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Memorial Weekend

A little late, but life is a whirlwind right now.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Which one do you like better?



I am playing with light room settings on the computer. Which one do you think is nicer?

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Austin the fashion designer





Austin designed this lovely outfit for Isabella. A striking tye dye outfit that apparently makes her want to dance even more than usual. She spent a lot of time in front of the mirror looking at herself from all angles. Then she put the monkey on her back and once again viewed herself from all angles. Apparently she stayed in front of the mirror at school as well. I believe Austin was successful in his endeavor to please his fashionista sister.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Not a Baby Anymore





Doesn't she look so grownup? It is hard to believe we have been home for 18 months. "Me" is her favorite word, which means she wants to do it all by herself. Every night she goes to bed with a book to read. I remember when she didn't know what a book was and kept ripping out all of the pages. Most days she spends dancing. If music is not playing she will go to the radio and say please!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Happy Mother's Day...Early




Well this year I took mother's day presents into my own hands. Don't get me wrong, Buck tries. He just gets led astray by those helpful sales people. One year it resulted in a cocktail style yellow gold ring, with matching necklace and earrings. Anyone who knows me gets that silver, platinum, or white gold is much more my style and as simple as possible.

I have been a fan of Suzanne Myers jewelry for some time. I first noticed her work when a web acquaintance held a fundraiser to bring her child home from China. The name charm necklace was different. It is simple, unique, and affordable!

As I saw her necklaces online, in person (a friend was given one), I started to pine away for one. I entered every adoption drawing I saw in hopes of winning this prize. I was happy to donate to these wonderful causes but really wanted to have one of my own. I have attached some pictures that definitely does not show the beautiful details. I also placed a button on my blogs so that you can see the necklace up close and see all of the options available.

I very much admire this artist for her willingness to help out so many adoptive families bring their children home. Check out her site.
"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all"-------Mulan