Home Sweet Home

Last night we moved back home and I spent the day unpacking, doing laundry, and playing. The girls continue to do well together. My friend brought us pizza and a beautiful photo memory book of Olivia. Such beautiful photos capturing all of her faces and spirit. A gift from the heart and one that we will treasure always. Best of all the girls slept in their own beds all night long. Our day began at 6:30 am, but I can live with that.

Today, Aliette was introduced to our St. Paul's family. So many have been praying for our family. She was warmly received and showered with well wishes and love. I feel so blessed to be part of a community of believers. I could not have gotten through these past few months without God's grace and prayer. There is power in prayer and today I am celebrating God's blessings. Thank you God for sending us Aliette to love, nurture, and protect. May she grow up knowing your Grace and Glory.

Tomorrow: Olivia goes to school and Aliette and I wait for the TV repair man to come and fix our tv. Gymnastics.

Huge Accomplishment

Well, the girls are doing very well. Aliette continues to be an easy going baby. We've had an eventful few days, no wonder I'm tired. Recap:
Tuesday: Left Miami 5pm, went on plane for 3 hours, drove through a snowstorm arrived at Grandma's at 2:45 am

Wednesday: Played with Olivia, went to Wal-mart, meet Dr. S., pizza party and meet cousins

Thursday: Had blood drawn, ordered and wrote out invitations for welcome party, mailed final adoption payment, dropped car off to be serviced

Friday: TB test read, chest x-ray and ultra sound done, picked up car Mommy finally BRUSHED her teeth! Thank goodness, she was beginning to be ripe.

Saturday: Finally made it to Ansonia: going nowhere. Word of the day: Laundry.

Sunday: Hoping to go to church, depends on weather and how things are going.

Hoping that once we move home, we can begin a routine. I have no idea what one will look like, but I can dream, at least for a moment.

Big sister

Today was all about the girls. Olivia and Aliette spent the day getting to know one another. We stopped by church and saw some of the prayer warriors of St. Paul's. Thanks Dawn for making Olivia feel special, while the others made Aliette feel welcome. What did we ever do without Wal-mart? Babies need lots of stuff. We went to lunch at Taco bell, don't worry the baby chowed down on baby food not tacos, then stopped by my house to feed the cat and sort the mail. Aliette feel asleep and Olivia and I played some board games and colored. We had a great time catching up. Then onto a 2 hour doctor visit. We waited for about an hour of that, but then the baby was poked and looked over. Until labs and blood work is back, not much to do. Her breathing continues to be labored, but the doctor feels it is viral because she responding well to breathing treatments and rattling isn't coming from the chest if that makes sense. At times she sound like a freight train! She continues to be a very happy baby, with a contagious smile. We came home to an impromptu pizza party. The cousins and Ryan came over to see the newest princess. They were all so good with her taking pictures and fussing over her. Bella was really taken with her. It was so sweet with her. Aliette got some new duds and the girls build her a build a bear leaving a message telling her they love her. She loved her new bear. Both girls collapsed by 9:00. I'm tired, but happy. Olivia is going to school tomorrow and we will be running errands, hoping to get my car serviced before the snow, but just don't know. Nothing urgent, but something that needs to be addressed sooner than later. Oh, well. I'm hoping to be in church on Sunday.

No place like Grandma's

We are in Ct. I haven't made it home yet, maybe tomorrow. I arrived at my parents house around 2:30 am. Olivia was ready to play around 6:30am, she looks like a GIANT, compared to Aliette. She is really taking her big sister role seriously. I'm sure the newness will wear off soon. We have a doctors appointment today and I need to make a Wal-mart run. Life is hectic, but I've never been happier in my life. She was a trooper on the plane, but drank like 3 bottles. By the time we landed she weighed an extra 3 pounds, just threw away those clothes and opted for new ones. Sometimes the laundry challenge isn't worth it, especially if it means bringing them home in a suitcase! Got to go, baby is on the move.

Breathing

A friend from church, reminds me to take a breath, good advice. Last night, was the first night Aliette didn't wake up wheezing or coughing. Momma and baby got a great night sleep! She is still sleeping! Her breathing is labored, but not wheezy, praise God! So glad we have the pink stuff on board as well, because she hasn't pulled her ears. I promise some more pictures today around lunch time, but that will be the final post until we get home. Miami has been great, but there is NO place like home.

Hilary, thanks for posting the pictures up at school. Renee S. thanks for setting me up with Skype and getting the computer ready, Olivia loved it. See you all soon.

One more sleep

Tonight is our last full night in Miami. A surprise, the weather is going to be nice, so we might be able to get some beach shots after all, I'm hopeful. We don't leave Miami until 8:45pm, so we will arive around 12 am at Bradley. We had dinner tonight a Chili's and Aliette love all the attention. Although she ate prior to leaving, she is a member of the clean plate club.

Clare I would love to visit w/ you and Andra. Please bring the exersaucer, she loved the one at His House.

I have loved all the comments and the emails from all of you. We feel so blessed to have so many people who love and care about us.

Special thank you to my parents and brother for taking care of Olivia. My aunt for allowing me to take her husband for a week, and my sister who showed Olivia a great time. Suzi thank you again for allowing us to stay in your beautiful home. It was such a blessing after such a stressful time. I look forward to visiting with you when we get back into town. Now, the real fun begins as we become a family of 3. Stay tuned.

Olivia mommy loves you and finally you can open that big present mommy wrapped especially for you. You are going to be the best big sister in the whole wide world. See you soon.

Monday blahs

Today has been a long day, no Internet until now! We spent the day with a final doctors appointment. She has been cleared to fly. She is still pretty congested, but doctor is unsure what her breathing was like in Haiti, so nothing compare it to. She is responding to the treatment, but not like she would have hoped. She is very happy we will be seeing our doctor in CT on Wed. She did put the princess on amoxicillin for an ear infection, but other than that the princess is doing great. Good sleeper, eater, and great personality.

Sorry, no pictures today. I took some at His House, but they didn't come out. Oh, well, maybe tonight she will do something spectacular for me to post. I'm going to go to pack.