Smiling at the same time, older photo but my favorite

my little action figure - Bennett

Teagan and Howard

Teagan swinging in CT

I have been waiting for you 2012

Happy New Year.

I will try to get here more but won't resolve to do so. If I don't get on here I do not want to feel like I've let myself (or maybe others) down. Sooooo...... Here is to trying!

I feel like I have been waiting for this year to end all year. With dad passing in January it was a bad start. There has been so much sadness and stress for us this year. It is amazing that with all of that, losing dad and Thuy, Teagan came into our lives.

Teagan has been a brilliant, shining light for us. Our daughter is amazing. It is chaos having two, esp at their ages but I wouldn't change it, or them, for the world. Our trip to China was good but it was for a purpose. It was a bit grueling at times. We can't wait to go back when we can take the kids and enjoy the fabulous country more. It is an amazing place.

I hope that I can get back on track with things in 2012 that have been a bit derailed. It is so interesting how the change between two dates can mentally move us towards new beginnings. December 31 - January 1.

I want to thank all of you who have been a support to me this past year. Maybe it was an amazing foot massage after a fourteen hour flight, a sweet posting here, watching my son while we were away, a hug of comfort, an e-mail. It was all greatly appreciated. Truly and from the bottom of my heart.

Happy New Year! Xoxoxoxoxoxo Monique

Amazing photos.....

I HAVE to share these photos. They were taken by "D". I didn't get a chance to ask if I could use his name so for now.... "D". BTW "D", if I CAN use your name, let me know.

ANYWHOO, we were out with "D" and family this past weekend and he shot some amazing photos of the kids. I am saving the best one for our holiday photo. Thanks a million "D", we had an amazing time and these are treasures.

Life is a great big party

We have been having some fun times. {insert true happiness and a bit of sarcasm here}. We have been up to a lot and the list is not necessarily in order.

L'Shona Tova. It was the New Year for the Jewish faith. Bennett had fun making cool apple themed crafts in preschool. Also a watercolor painted plate for apples and honey for a sweet year. I was super happy the paint was truly washable! I was very proud of him as he tried honey and liked it. I guess it was the syrup like similarities that got him to try it. We had a lovely dinner to celebrate with Howard's mom and dad. We also got to celebrate a belated birthday for Grandma Barabara. (I think she turned 35)

Howard has been working hard on getting the basement back to working order after our flooding while we were gone in China. It has been a big project as we wanted the play space to be more user friendly. Thanks to insurance, we also have some of the jobs around the house slated for workers to come. I can't wait for these things to be fixed and also for our basement play space to be fixed.

Teagan's cold had gotten worse since I took her to the doctor. She sounded like she was wheezing to me. This is new territory as Bennett has not had this type of thing. I took her back and sure enough, they put her on a nebulizer. SO. NOT. FUN. Sometimes we get lucky and she is ok or falls asleep. Most of the time it is a body lock and massive screaming. She goes back to dr on Tuesday and I so hope she is clear. She is one very strong little girl.

The very, very fun was this weekend. We went to mom's in PA. She had an open house for our family and friends up there. It was wonderful. We had twelve cousins ten months to nine years and tons of adults. Food was yummy, company fantastic. All of our youngest even got naps ahead of time so that was perfect. It will be such a blast to have all these kids grow up together. I am so blessed with such a great family.

After such a difficult year, the Jewish New Year and this gathering of family helps in turning the page for my mom, sisters and I. I pray for more positive. Teagan being part of our family now is the biggest part of the very happy.

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Teagan got her yummy black beans ALL over her face

Practicing saying "cheese"

Teagan loved getting into this rocking chair at her Nana's house

Big cousin Griffin and Bennett. Griffin is AMAZING with the little ones

My maternal grandparents, Betty and Cappy, with twelve of their great-grandchildren. This group is ten months to nine years.

Teagan and her cake

Bennett and Dorian checking out the cake.

Does it seem like one month ago?

I was asking myself this question. Does it seem like on month since we met Teagan? Yes and no.

No, I feel like I was just in China.
No, I can't wrap my head around the fact it has been that long when I'm still "learning" her.

Yes, when I look at her and feel like I've known her forever.
Yes, when I see how attached she is to us.
Yes, when I see how well she fits into our new family of four.
Yes, when I feel this much love.

One month down, a lifetime to go......

A new week.

Teagan is walking around a good bit. I am not sure I would call her an official walker yet but she walks most of the time. She does about twelve steps before she falls (usually out of excitement). She is cutting teeth which is making her a bit cranky at night. It is out of character and I feel so bad for her.

Teagan had her first official playdate today. I met Eve and her daughter Adley on China Adopt Talk before we went to China. Adley happens to be from the same province as Teagan. They live only ten miles away! Adley is now ten months and Teagan is thirteen. It was so nice to have them over to visit while Bennett was in school. Teagan was showing her spicy side as she was constantly taking things away from Adley. (mental note: work on sharing even though only model right now is Bennett who takes things from her constantly) It is so nice to have met our new friends and even more special that the girls will grow up knowing each other.

Bennett is loving school. He is doing a great job. He is also working on sharing and taking turns but in a classroom setting with two year olds, that's the norm. He goes three days a week, three hours each day. His early intervention teachers also meet him there at times which is a fabulous thing. On Fridays the entire preschool meets at the bimah (the alter area of the synagogue) to sign songs and hear stories. I guess it was very good that Bennett's EI teacher was there as he needed some focus not to climb the handrail of the steps or knock on the stained glass! Can you say OY VEY! He loves school and we love that. TSTI preschool rocks!

Bennett has a great imagination that is coming out. He is into the Legos (Duplo size) right now as he found they can be made into other things. He loves making houses, forts and caves. The big cushions also get made into trucks and boats. I can't wait until the basement is finally cleaned up from the flooding and that play space is back. He is getting a bit better about Teagan. Slow and steady steps. They bond in the tub and play well there. She left the room today and after a bit he asked where she was. Good question........ (she was fine)

xoxoxoxoxo Monique

Happy girl on the swing

It's a bird, it's a plane...... no really, what is it Bennett?

Adley and Teagan

Bennett on the big truck we built. The lid was the steering wheel.

A small slice of heaven

I am experiencing a small slice of heaven. It is 3:30 p.m. Both kids are napping. It is not hot outside, the windows are open. I have a cup of crazy dark, hot tea. (also a little sweet to nibble on). My horrid sinus infection cold thing is starting to subside. I finally have milk in the house. My two beautiful children softly snoring. A little slice of heaven.

Also photos of two things Bennett and Teagan sometimes (actually, rarely) do together. Sleep at the same time and eat chocolate chip cookies. I wish they slept at same time more often and wanted cookies less. (I blame Bennett's new obsession with cookies on my mom as that is sometimes breakfast at Nana's)

Not typical sleeping spots but when you have to sleep, you have to sleep......

Now I see what daddy and Bennett love so much!

What? I have chocolate where????

The long and winding week......

Well, one week down, a lifetime to go. It seems like yesterday and also a hundred years since we got home. Jet lag kicked our asses. Yes, I said it, ASSES!!!!! Thank God mom was here during the weekend. By the second day I really did not feel so great. To top things off, Teagan had her worst night Monday night. No mom in the morning. Poor Howard has to work. We survived.

I was convinced that it would last forever and then the doctor happened. Teagan went to the doctors Tuesday afternoon for her physical. Bennett also needed to go as he had a racking cough. Claire from next door came with me and helped at the office. Bennett checked out fine. Teagan gained almost a pound since we met her. She is now 19 pounds. She is cutting at least four teeth that the doctor saw / felt. Then - the shots. She ended up getting six. Man is she strong. The mix of shots and teething had her fevered and she slept through the night except for a few moments where she needed comforting!

Bennett has had a hard time getting used to a sister in the house. He was very angry and sad at first. He is slowly doing better, much less angry. The hard part of this is we cannot leave the two in the room together alone. Hard to get things done but not the end of the world. I know Bennett just needs time. New siblings are hard for kids his age. He is already getting used to her and interacting nicely.

We are also slowly cleaning the basement. Our amazing neighbors used a wet vac to get the standing water out while we were gone. Now we are going through things and throwing out. Howard had to cut up the rug and pad to haul it out. Still very musty. Still a lot of clean up. The insurance adjustor will come on the 27th.

Teagan is amazing. Like I mentioned she has gained a good amount of weight since meeting her. She has also gone from army man style crawling to knees under. Mostly she is trying to walk though. She stands well and takes two or three steps before falling down. It will not be long. She has also been doing very well in her own crib, in her room. This is HUGE. She does not take long naps. She eats almost anything. She is pickiest about fruit. Doesn't like strawberries, bananas, applesauce, cantaloupe....... Her hair does not feel prickly anymore. It is coming in and feels softer with the length. Still jot long enough to put in clips.

Bennett is amazing. He is getting used to sharing his parents. His language has really blossomed this summer. He had a great time with his cousins, Nana and aunts while we were gone. He had his first day of school yesterday (a shortened start). He went in the room, didn't look back or say goodbye. I had a hard time getting him to leave!

I feel like I just can't get a head up with getting things done. If I told you the list you would say most things do not need to be done. But I would like to do them. I have a bad cold, sore throat thing the last few days so that is keeping me down a bit. Once Bennett has school full session three days a week, I'll be able to catch up. Hope to blog more.

Hope this finds all reading well. xoxoxoxox

Saturday -first full day home

My dear sweet cutie Bennett got home around 8. He gave me the longest deepest hug that was just yummy. Boy I really got missing him a lot at the end of the trip. He had a great time but I know he was happy to be home. That is until he realized Teagan wasn't going anywhere.......

First of all for those of you reading this who will be going to China soon - get help for when you return. My mom saved our collective tushes. It was a bit more hard having one kid on a time zone and another on the opposite but...... extra help would be good anyway. Have them help with laundry, meals, feedings, diapers, whatever. Even if you really do not think you will need it, have it lined up just in case. Jet lag is kicking our butts. Howard and I feel like - yuck. It is so weird to be so tired but not able to sleep.

Manon and the boys were here for just a small visit. Gosh, I really missed seeing them this summer. By lunch Howard's parents came to meet Teagan and brought lunch. Yum, I was super hungry. The kids loved their visit. By the time they left it was nap time again.

So sweet helping to feed his sister. This lasted about 5 seconds

Grandpa and Bennett reading a book. Grandpa's new hat says Ye Ye, grandpa in Chinese.

Teagan and her Nana and Grandma

Bennett and Teagan

Rub A Dub Dub, our two kids in a Tub!

The very long travel day - Friday in too many time zones

We woke way before our wake up call (doesn't that always happen?). So we were ready to go and on schedule. Our car (yes, the Benz again) took us to the airport. With no traffic we were there super early. Got tickets, something to eat and waited. And waited. And waited. Well, right before boarding I went up to check on seat assignments.

The young lady said (in very limited English) that there was ONCE AGAIN something wrong with Teagan's ticket. She let us know someone was coming. She could not explain what was wrong. Needless to say with the limited sleep we had Howard and I got a bit angry. Once someone came the plane was ten minutes from leaving. He did not speak english either but the girl on phone did. They said Teagan's ticket was not paid for, it was. I already made the long story too long but basically, we threw American dollars down on the counter, told them to deal with it, and made them put us on plane. Gosh I was so made. This was the second time it happened with her tickets.

The plane was super empty so we took a row to ourselves and that helped with Teagan and her squirminess. She also ate most of our inflight breakfast. The attendants were fabulous. A quick trip in getting bags, and off to international terminal in Shanghai. We had to wait to check in and while we were waiting we A) had a snack. B) realized the bananas we packed to eat got entirely smashed in the bag and was a huge clean up C) saw Amy, Tom and kids also waiting for their flight.

We hung with them one last time then off for our flight. By now it was twelve hours up and one flight down. There was a collective uneasiness at the gate of who was going to end up next to us. I could see the other passengers eyeballing the kid. We had paid for bulkhead so not only did the guy have to sit next to us, he paid to do it. Teagan did ok. The bulkhead helped a lot. What didn't help was the attendants being a bit yucky and the inflight on demand system being broken. Oh well, the flight was under fourteen hours so I guess it could have been worse.

We got through immigration very quickly. Teagan was a trouper as she had not gotten much sleep and it was her 6:00 a.m. Our friend James picked us up at the airport and there was not traffic so we were home quick! My mom had just come in a bit before and greater us. So did our next door neighbors. It was such a nice welcome. We hung out a bit and then off to bed for what I could only imagine would be interesting. Bennett is expected to be brought home early by my sister Manon and her boys. Hope some sleep is had.

One last bite of moon cake before leaving China.

Yep, in the luggage carrier. Saved my arms and she was happy as a clam.

Teagan in the suitcase helping to unpack.

Thursday. Last full day in China

Howard was feeling a bit better today but we had both just hit a major wall. We ate breakfast and went back to the room and just hung out. All three of us took a long nap. We cancelled our lunch plans and just had power bars and less rich food.

We went to Shamain Island one more time. We got a small suitcase to use as a carry-on for the fun things we got along the way and a couple more items. We did a stop off at Starbucks. Teagan likes it there. All the items there are the same as home but they have a few other fun drinks and treats. We then went over to the White Swan Hotel. There we met up one last time with the other two families from our agency and waited for Peter to meet us. Peter brought us all the very important passports with visas and entry folder with paperwork for immigration. We wish we could have hung out with everyone but off we went to pack.

We did one last stop at happy hour. Teagan fell asleep on the highchair. But she was up long enough to eat. On that level you can check out so Teagan and I ate and ate while Howard checked us out. Then off to the room for the major packing. We did ok. Both big checked in suitcases were well within the 44 pound China plane ride limit. Glad we bought the new little suitcase. Well, we meet our car at 5 a.m. to go to airport. Early morning!

The evolution of Chinese Woman statue on Shamian Island. Teagan is the future!

NOT. ALL. SMILES.

All of the younger kids from our agency's group traveling this week. Three adopted this trip, all amazing!

Our guide Peter, a funny faced Teagan and Monique

Too much wine at happy hour again

It is Saturday and still no posts - what the h€!!

Sorry that I left you all hanging and will have to do so again but hopefully just for another day. Howard was feeling a bit better but by Thursday we just all had hit a wall. Quiet day, a tiny bit more shopping including a new small suitcase. Met one last time with other families and picked up Teagan's visa.

TONS of travel (over twenty four hours)..... Long night of Teagan's jet lag...... Bennett's home....... Met all the grandparents, one aunt, two cousins, and a partridge in a pear tree..... Today was a bit of a blur...... Off to bed and hoping for a slightly better night.

I have loved blogging and promise to go back and go over last days in China and first days in states. Just not tonight. Thank you all for following. It is a bit surreal being home. Anyone traveling to China soon and have ANY questions, just email or comment and I'll give you my fresh impressions and packing advise.

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Wednesday in Guangzhou, busy day

We had a busy day today. We had to be up early. I do not think any of us were ready to be up before six. A quick breakfast then Peter our guide picked us up. He had one of the thief families with him. We then went to the US consulate. There's we met with our third family from our agency and a few other families were there as well. We all had appointments at 8:30. It is a very strict no camera policy. We all took an oath together then each family was called up to go through paperwork. They will then do Teagan's visa which we will get Thursday late afternoon.

From there we went to a Buddhist temple with Amy, Tom and Family. It was so amazing to see all the people there worshipping. We looked around then we were able to get a blessing from one of the monks. It was very special. Most of those photos are somehow stuck on the camera so we won't be able to post them until we are home.

We did go in some of the little shops outside of the temple. Got a few things. Then we all took taxis to our hotel. All seven of us ate at the Chinese restaurant here. It was again, an amazing meal. Amy and Tom are great (as are their kids) and are adventurous like us. Then came up to check out our room and then were off. Howard went to lay down and Teagan and I went for a girl adventure. It was hot as blazes still but did ended up wandering around and found the tea shop we kept passing in the taxi. The ladies fawned over Teagan as I was made cup after cup of tea varieties to try. I got two varieties and a tin. Then back to hotel. Howard was not feeling well and Teagan finally fell asleep so I got a Starbucks and went up to executive lounge to hang out. I laid her on couch, enjoyed my tea and read the paper.

Unfortunately, I came back to Howard really not feeling well. He tried to sleep, was drinking 7UP. I ordered him white rice and soup then Teagan and I were off to Happy Hour. Although nice, happy hour is not as happy without daddy. Back to room, some loose packing to see if we need to but another suitcase and off to bed. Hoping that Howard is feeling better in a.m.

Howard and Teagan right after consulate appointment

The Buddhist Temple

A cutie close up

Our family minus one, we are missing Bennett and can't wait to see him!

At the temple

Just some advise......

Tuesday - even hotter!

We went back to Shamian Island. We had to meet our guide to give him a paper he needed for the meeting tomorrow. Then he walked with us and we got Amy, Tom and family. I asked our guide where the jewelry market building was. Peter said it was near where he lived so he would walk that way with us. He and Howard spoke most of walk because he is coming to NYC in a week or so and had some sightseeing questions.

We ended up very near where we were shopping yesterday. It is a five story, MASSIVE mall like building. The whole thing is stalls selling jewelry. I got Teagan some seed pearls and a pearl pendant. Then we went back through the shopping area, made a few more stops! Yes, more shopping. Amy is as bad as I am. Actually, the one thing I wanted to get on the trip was a gold charm for my bracelet. Finally got one today.

We got back to island and we all went straight to the restaurant about Jordon's. My pals who will be here soon - you really cannot get to that place quick enough. Must have the eggplant. Afterwards, a quick stop at Jordon's store downstairs. Then a couple more stores, picked up laundry and to hotel. We messed with the computers for ever and now VPN is going. While I have been catching the blog up to speed, it sounds like Howard got Teagan down for a nap.

We have a very busy day tomorrow. Early to meet van and go to consulate meeting. Then to a Buddhist temple. Amy and Ton may come over to our hotel after that. I'll try to post when I can, we should have good photos tomorrow.

Xoxoxoxoxxo

Loves playing peek - a - boo.

View of the nicer shopping street where we were.

Mommy and Teagan. The Ergo is amazing but crazy hot for the both of us.

Monday in Guangzhou

Monday we got ourselves together pretty quick and went over to Shamain Island. We dropped off our laundry (at Michael's - fabulous job and great prices) then met the other families. They were getting their sons (5 & 9) TB tests read. All kids over two have to have one. They checked out ok. We all then went off island and went to a neat shopping street. First it was the type of herb and animal market you hear about but then there was a nice pedestrian area. One family went back but the other family (Tom, Amy, daughter Sophia and new son Emmerson) hung out with us. We shopped, I haggled, then we left. It was just too darn hot. We ate at the Cow and Bridge, a Thai place with them on the island. It was very yummy. Then a quick shop and back to hotel.

We went swimming again. This time there were a few other families there. It was fun, getting to know some of them. Teagan missed her afternoon nap. So once we bathed and we ready for happy hour she was so tired! Sure enough, dead asleep when we got there. Luckily it was a cat nap enough for us to enough some adult time and a great glass of wine. The food was amazing again and they really switched things up. Teagan woke up in time to get some dinner. Back to the room and to bed a bit earlier.

Just a stroll down the herb street - my doggie pal Darwin would like it there, dried out deer hooves and leg sections.

The swanky ladies: Amy, Sophia and Monique

Emmerson and Teagan at the Cow and Bridge. He likes spicy food.

Daddy and Teagan cooling off in pool.

Dead to the world at happy hour.......

Don't even think about getting between me and my dinner!