The Crawl

Peace 

Charlotte was just sitting up in China, a mere two weeks ago. She is now on the move, going places fast. As the jet leg is finally wearing off, we are both looking for our new normal. It looks like the baby gates are being put this weekend. One day last week she did scooting crawling, today she can crawl from room to room with no problem.  Today we also went to the Dr. for the first time since we have been home. She is 17.9 lbs now and had 3 shots. We were both crying! The Dr. said she was perfect, we knew that! She is happy baby, as long as it is not bath time or bed time. Peter and I have probably lost a significant amount of our hearing putting her to sleep. We know her lungs work well! But we can't complain, she is sleeping through the night so we are too!

Blooper Reel

Jet Lag Blues

Oh my the jet lag is just well, lagging. Can't get past 12:30am and then I am up until 5:30am, falling asleep just when everyone is waking up. The kicker is that Charlotte is sleeping thru the night and all I  think of is what a perfect opportunity to get some sleep. Then I toss, turn, think about laundry, appointments, getting a job, not getting a job, changing my hair, wondering if Charlie Sheen is faking, you name it. Then I am back to tossing....Ugh!!! According to some travel sites I googled, it takes one day for every hour you crossed a time zone to get back on track.  So I am looking at two weeks. Ugh again!! But, people do this all the time, so I know it gets better. One day at a time.
Charlotte is doing great, better than I expected. She is even crawling. With Peter back at work today, and Connor unexpectedly home from school  ,(sent home for fever that was gone by last night) today was my first official day as a Mom of two. Lots of lounging around in pjs, long baths, naps and playtime for everyone. So far we are all still smiling despite the dust bunnies taking up permanent residence and cheerios encrusted in the couch.


Connor and the cousins waiting at the airport. Not sure if they were happy to see us or having a day off from school.  I think it was Charlotte. They are the best cousins ever, and Ryan rocks too!



One more from the airport. Charlotte had just woken up. This is also the last time I was able to lift lipstick to my lips.

Home

We are so happy to be home. After such a long flight, it was so great having our families meet us at the airport, what a homecoming. Just seeing Connor holding the sign, "Welcome Home My Family" and seeing how big he got (new haircut) I burst into tears.  Charlotte was very quiet but taking everything in, studying everyone. I have never been so happy to be surrounded by family and did not want anyone to go home.
Charlotte did so well in China, and so far the only problems we are having is sleep as was expected. The jet lag has been a killer. I am so sick, nauseous, dizzy, can't sleep, can't eat, I can just imagine what she is going through right now. She is still waking up on Beijing time, and we are slowly transitioning her to East Coast time.
The best part has been watching Connor and Charlotte interact. She was afraid at first, but now she is already warming up to him. I was so sick this morning, yet I heard a lot of laughter coming from the living room.  That cheered me up right away.
Peter must have the constitution of steel, he has been working hard around the house, I am just barely functioning and hope by the end of the week to be back to myself.
It is still strange to be home and have bottles on the counter, and baby toys strewn around the house. Tomorrow will be sunny here so I plan to walk Charlotte in the stroller for our first spin. I can't wait!
Here are a few pics from our journey home, I will have better ones from the airport soon from Aunt Kerry.

Our last moments in Beijing, passports ready.

Just finished walking thru US Immigration, Charlotte is a US Citizen!!

Thank you for the balloons.

Big brother Connor, cousin Laura, and Charlotte

It takes a village to hold that bottle.

Connor, Charlotte, Mommie Carstairs

Poppie and Mommie Carstairs

Charlotte Lorraine and the original.
Still wondering about this crew, but at least they have Cheerios.

Goodbye Guangzhou

We leave this morning to take a 3 hour flight to Beijing. It is so beautiful here it is bittersweet to leave, but we are looking forward to seeing Connor and being home. Once we get to Beijing we have less than 12 hours there, staying at the Poly Hotel again and then early rise to the airport for our flight to Chicago. Four hours in the windy city with our new adorable US citizen and then on our way to New York!!!!!! I don't know if I will be able to post again until we are home, so thank you for sharing in our journey. Charlotte is everything we dreamed she would be and our trip was amazing!!!! See you in the states.

Morning Sunshine

Can you believe we wake up to this beautiful face everyday from now on? I know I am her Mama, but I am going to say it, she is stunning and so pretty!!! She is so easy going and happy. Only gives a fuss when it is bedtime and then sleeps through the night. She also has the best giggle and Connor, she even does what we call her Darth Vader sounds. She is getting ready for her big brother.  She is just a joy!!

Baby Blessings and Pearls

All of the babies were blessed today by a Buddhist monk at a gorgeous old temple, built in 536 BC. It was a very wonderful experience for our group. The monk also blessed any of the jade we bought in China which brings additional value to the piece. Who knew! Then it was off to the Pearl Market, a huge wholesale seller of all kinds of gems but mainly pearls. Most of the Moms bought their daughters a beautiful pearl necklace and earrings to be given on her wedding day or special milestone. We also got made a very petite bracelet for Charlotte's christening. It was so interesting watching them string the actual necklace.

We also get Charlotte's US visa today. Technically, we could fly home tonight, but we leave on Thursday to begin our long trip home. I can't believe how fast it is all happening now. I better pick up the pace of shopping, Peter is thrilled!