Pictures From The Forbidden City

One Month with Jianna

This post is a little late but we have had Jianna for a month now. What a difference time makes! Most of the time she is quite happy and content. She enjoys being in our family. She loves going places. She loves all this good food. Most of all she loves American TV and her new pretty clothes. She is such a girly-girl!

Here are some photos of her since we have been home.






Nathan and Jianna are truly brother and sister. I have had to break up a few squabbles but, for the most part, they get along well. Nathan is having to deal with a lot of jealousy since he was used to being the only child and having all the attention. He likes being able to show her how to do things and will take her by the hand saying, "Come on Jianna!" She seems to like him quite a bit. I think she is impressed that he knows his way around this strange environment so well.

I cannot believe how much more difficult it is to get somewhere with two children! When I send them to do a task they distract each other and, instead of it taking twice as long to do something, it takes three times as long. Then they both jockey for position next to me so I am tripping over them.

It's definitely an adjustment but the first month is over and I'm sure that will be the hardest. I look at this beautiful little girl and find it so amazing and strange that she is my daughter. I am sure she still finds her surroundings strange and surreal.

I look forward to the time when I can hear what she is thinking.

Jianna's First Snow

She couldn't seem to figure out why we would want to go out and play in this stuff. She wasn't thrilled with the experience but enjoyed herself at times.

Nathan was having so much fun and didn't want to come back in. As always we played with the dogs and they love the snow.

One Week Home

We have been home for one week although it feels like much longer! We have enjoyed relaxing with our new daughter but this weekend will take us back to work. One of us will be home all the time for a couple of months.

It's going well with Jianna. She already seems very comfortable in her new home. She can't wait to see what I'm going to give her at mealtime. She doesn't much like American food but will try anything. There is always Ramen noodles and rice and she loves the fresh fruit.

Today saw Jianna's first snow. We didn't go out and play in it because of the howling wind but maybe tomorrow we will.

Nathan and Jianna have started competing with each other so there have been some ups and downs in that area but nothing too bad. Fortunately, their taste in toys is different and that helps quite a bit. Nathan is quite willing to give her toys of his. She hoards them in her room and doesn't like anyone touching them. She will relax when she realizes no one is going to take them away from her.

It appears she loves being part of a family and is starting to like us a bit more. She wants to play and seems happy most of the time. We did not expect her to transition so quickly so this is a real blessing.

The language issue has really been pretty minor. The only real challenge has been when she doesn't understand why she is not allowed to do some things. She also doesn't understand why Mommy keeps bringing these annoying flash cards out to work on learning colors in English. She had no interest until I brought out gummy bears as a reward for getting the answers right. Hopefully she will become motivated to learn since she starts kindergarten in the fall.

She also got to meet our friends who have daughters her age who are from China. She was so intimidated by these girls who look familiar but sound so strange. I'm sure they will all be great friends.

My two amazing kids are learning what it is to have a sibling. I know this will be so good for both of them as they grow.