Latest happenings

Spencer got to dress up for school today. He was excited to wear his construction "costume" and kept his hammer with him all morning. After three hours of preschool I went to his classroom to pick him up--he was on the floor reading a book and his teachers were smiling and giggling. They said Spencer refused to take off his helmet or work goggles. They apologized in case he had red marks on his face from wearing the goggles for three hours. We have parties to attend for the next four days so Spencer will have plenty more chances to wear his costume. Here is a photo his teachers took from today. Spencer is the youngest in class. A few of the eight are three already. And here is his school photo that we got back this week; picture was taken last week. Lastly, Aidyn's citizenship certificate came in the mail yesterday from Homeland Security. That photo was taken in China and submitted with our Consulate paperwork.

Woo Hoo!

Narration by Spencer as he saw me writing this post: "Oh, there's two Aidyn's, wearing a Arkansas shirt." He hadn't seen her wearing this outfit yet.

Aidyn is doing well adjusting to Georgia. She has been home a month yesterday and has been with us six weeks tomorrow. Today she met with a physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech pathologist. They recommended that Aidyn have weekly physical therapy and maybe some speech therapy. So we are hopeful that with therapy she will be on target by spring of 2007.

These pictures were taken this morning as I was getting her down for a nap. I picked her up, put her in a sleeper blanket, and she was asleep before I even walked her to the crib. So you can see that even when she is tired she can flash that pretty smile.

GACS Frog Hollow Festival October 7th

Today was a good day. Arkansas beat Auburn. We took the kids to Frog Hollow where we got to see Paxton and Lorelai. Spencer had a blast at the carnival. His favorite part was jumping on the castle. Then we met our travelmates, Mary Joyce, Dusty and Chet, for lunch at Cracker Barrel.

Harvest Moon Festival--October 6th

We had a fun day at the park with our FCC friends. Spencer couldn't understand why he wasn't allowed to roam the playground like usual as this was our first outing with just mom, spencer and aidyn. We ate the cookies, crackers, and candy we brought home from China as well as some moon cakes. That night we continued the celebration by eating chinese food with Sean and Bridget. Spencer likes the terracota soldiers at home better than the ones at the restaurant since the onces at home are only a centimeter tall. He was not sure about this soldier's intentions, so Spence wouldn't get too close.

Enemies for the day Unite for Ring Around A Rosie

Florida-Bama game with a side of Rosie Ringing.
Ashes Ashes, Gators Won.
Callie won too.

Clay and Aidyn meet

Spencer reads a book

Spencer reads a book
Video sent by jandmduncan

Spencer loves to read and as you can see he can quote this one. And at the end when the last page says it is quiet now what do you say? Spencer always answers with, "Read it again."

Portraits

Today we had portraits taken in what Spencer has termed their "costumes". Here are some of our favorites. All grandparents, greatgrandparents, aunts, and uncles--you will be receiving your photos this weekend or in the mail, so no need to print copies from the website. The studio we took them to prints the photos right after taking the pictures, and gave us a picture cd so we could post and email them.

All dressed up

Medical update

Aidyn's surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4th. We will find out Monday what time we need to arrive at the hospital. And her bloodwork came back with high white blood cell count so we will do more blood work in October to determine if her counts are okay. Her neurologist wants us to start her physical and/or occupational therapy to see how much she improves and then meet back with him in November to see if she still has muscle tone irregularities. We are pleased that she has already gained two pounds in two weeks and that she is progressing rapidly to catch up with her peers. Her doctors say she is currently at the stage of a five month old on all indicators but will hopefully be on track soon with her age group.

Thief at the White Swan

Glad to go HOME today!!!!!

Sitting

Sitting
Video sent by jandmduncan

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa

Thank you Grandparents!!!! Grandma and Grandpa left today after visiting and helping out for 12 days. Spencer already misses them. They hadn't been gone three minutes when Spencer was begging for them to come back. Fortunately Poppa and Deedee will be here tonight so Spencer's month of grandparent attention will continue.

Aidyn can SIT!!!!

Aidyn has made some remarkable improvements in the past two weeks since she joined us in China. And since coming home last weekend, she has gained another pound. Yesterday she started sitting. I place her in the upright position and she can hold it for a while as she plays with toys or looks around. This is amazing, considering that on Sept. 13th she couldn't even bend into a sitting position in our laps--as if the muscles just weren't even there. She seems so proud of her self when she sits, as is evident in these photos.

And last Sunday, Kylie, Brandon, and Kimberly came for a visit. And as you can see Kylie is a giant next to Aidyn. Aidyn is one week older. Kylie was born at 2.6 lbs and Aidyn at 5.5 (likely in 8 layers). Both preterm babies. Thanks Kylie for the hand-me-downs!!! As you can see in the "sitting" photos, the clothes are going to great use.

Sept 25th update

We added a few more pictures to Aidyn's website from the film we had developed today. Please look under Sept. Update on her website: www.adoptionvoyages.com/Aidyn.htm

China Update

We are Home!!

We arrived back to our house at 1:00 am, so it was a 31 hour journey from time we left our hotel.

The kids are getting along well. Spencer seems to love Aidyn already. And she likes to watch his every movement.

Saturday afternoon we sent a post in to Chet and Dusty for the adoption voyages site, but since it isn't up yet here are a few of the photos of Spencer and Aidyn meeting at the airport last night.

marsha

Aidyn's Party

Thanks so much to everyone who came tonight to celebrate Aidyn's referral party/baby shower/football game party. We really appreciate our presents and the money tree. And so many of you blessed us with gifts without leaving your names for us to thank. Thank You!!!!!!! The food was wonderful. Thank you to everyone who contributed, especially to Shelly who made the fortune cupcakes.

We had a wonderful evening. And we are glad that we got to spend our last night before travelling, surrounded by friends sending us on our journey.

Also we are thankful that so many of you finally got to meet each other since we combined efforts to have one party instead of several. Thanks to Angela Fogas, Brenda Hunter, Amy Hoffman, and Bridget Kiss for organizing the lovely evening for us and for Aidyn. Was nice to have friends from all over Atlanta join for one event, even though it coincided with a Georgia game and Ohio State at Texas.

I'm attaching a few pictures from the party and one of the gifts. Amy Hoffman made Aidyn a pair of Chinese slippers. They are exquisite. She also handstitched some burp clothes and bibs that are beautiful. Please continue to pray for us as we leave in a few hours and in the coming weeks. Love to all, Marsha

p.s. Blogger is doing something weird in that when I try to post a photo it ends up posting the wrong photo and deletes the one I meant to post so sorry that I can't figure out how to add more than these five. Guess I shall go to bed. Ha Ha.

Aidyn's Party