Sunday, December 31, 2006

I guess she just wanted to come home

I've gotten a lot of flack for not updating since we've been home but you try traveling for over 30 hours with a 12 month old to a new time zone and arriving just before Christmas and see if you can type a complete sentence! Actually, although we are very tired and fighting colds we are doing great! Maia had her days and nights mixed up but it's all figured out now.

We realized why Maia was so fussy in China...she wanted to come HOME!! Anyone we traveled with would not recognize her! She is the happiest, silliest, most playful baby! She can take 3-6 steps on her own and sleeps in her crib. She wakes up only once a night and that's because she's hungry. Her only issue is that she still won't eat any solids, but that will come with time. She loved all the attention she got from relatives over the past week. She's quite a ham. She will play with other people and I can leave the room without her freaking out. She loves her brothers and it's definitely mutual. Everyone says she's cuter than her pictures and I have to agree.

She has this way (as do all of these little Chinese miracles) of putting things in perspective for people. Her existence reminds us of what is important and people just can't help but smile when they look at her.

I have to give a shout out to all our neighbors. Not only did they help keep an eye on our boys while we were gone, they actually decorated our house for Christmas. We didn't have time to do it before we left so they all got together and had a decorating party. We all know how annoying it is to put up Christmas lights, and these wonderful people actually did it for us!!! They also had a giant Welcome Home sign for us! It was so great to arrive home from the airport and see them all run out of their houses to meet Maia.

I don't have many pictures because the pictures at the airport were taken on my aunt's camera. As soon as she emails them to me I'll post them. I'll post pictures from my camera later today.

Many of you have said that checking this blog was a twice a day addiction. We are so surprised at how interested everyone was in our adventure. I've read blogs like this for over a year but never realized how important it was to receive comments from readers. I read tons but rarely commented. Being in China can be a bit lonely, and hearing from people at home helped a great deal. My advice to you is if you stumble across other adoption blogs...leave a comment. I'm surely going to!

3 comments:

Colleen said...

Yea for the Stamp family, home at last! Yes Tricia, the site has been addicting and we all understand why you haven't updated...it just added to the anticipation of knowing Maia wanted to come home. Can't wait to see her (and you) but will wait til things settle down for you. Know that we are all thinking of you and your family during this special time. Welcome home and happy new year.
Colleen

Anonymous said...

Welcome home!! I'm so glad to hear that she's adjusted so well (and the rest of the family too). I was checking every day and knew you'd eventually be able to catch up. I'm actually surprised you did it so quickly. I can't wait to meet her. May 2007 bring as many wonderful blessings as 2006. Carolyn and Olivia

Anonymous said...

We all have been patiently waiting... I knew you were busy with family and Christmas. I am glad she is adjusting well. I can't wait to see little Maia! Happy New Year!
Monica