We're Home!

Hi All,

JCG is still asleep so I'm stealing a bit of time to write. We are still adjusting to the time change, especially Joaquin, but all in all doing great. The trip home went well, considering we were in the air for 18 hrs and in transit for 25 hrs. He only had a couple meltdowns on the longest, 11 hr flight. Benadryl definitely helped, third time was a charm.

Suddenly JCG became the most social I've ever seen him on the last flight home, and at the airport in KC. I wanted to keep the welcoming party small per recommendations of many who have adopted, so as not to overwhelm him. Ha! He loved meeting Chris & Dennis & Maryann, and playing with the balloon they brought. He did well with people who have stopped by the past several days, even made it to church on Sunday. He is a social little guy! We got to meet his new buddies Blake, Eric, Noah (triplets age 3)and older brother Cole (6) last night, at their house no less, and he did just great. He is learning how to share, wait his turn, etc. Also babbling a lot. He started dancing the other night at David & Vilma's house as well, laughed and joked and loved to be tossed around in the air. This after arriving in the US only two days before. He's going to need to go to daycare because I think he'd be bored at home with just me. Every day we go out to the park to go running around, he loves the grass, the sand (doesn't taste so good), and especially the swings at the park. I knew he'd love the swings. Anything that moves. Also, he does really well in the car seat, mainly when the car is moving. I think he'll be used to it by the time we need to take longer drives to work. We made a Target run yesterday and he did better than I'd hoped for.

Mommy is having a big adjustment! I'm not used to have little to no down time, being the introvert at heart that I am. Thankfully as of yesterday my sleep has adjusted back to the extent that when he needed an afternoon nap, I didn't. Two hours alone really helped! I'm hoping for that every day now. We are still both wiped out in the late afternoon/early evening hours, but eventually I should get some time alone after he's in bed at night as well. It feels so good just to be able to write right now - it's 7:00 a.m. and he's still wiped out. He doesn't sleep much in the middle of the night yet, he's still on China time.

I love it that we can create our own schedule now, that we can start to get into a rhythm. I've already met some moms at the park who live in my neighborhood, we'll go to library story hours, etc. I need grown-ups!! We've seen people every day so far which has been good for me. Everybody is so thrilled to know him, it's still pretty emotional, and I'm looking forward to that settling down a bit too. The only living being that doesn't seem impressed is our kitty, Carlos. He is on the fast track to developing an ulcer from anxiety. He slinks around the house as low to the ground as possible, just hoping and praying that somehow JCG will be leaving soon. Of course, JCG loves him and grabs his tail, throws books at him, etc.

We really miss Aunt Sarah who made the entire trip with us. I know JCG and Sarah will always have a special bond. I can't even put into words how helpful and reassuring it was to have her along. She helped to normalize for me all his many little adjustments, gave me examples of experiences with her kids, and just generally was a calming presence. So it's another adjustment being without her, though so thankful to Mark, Emma, and Nick for their generosity in sharing her with us. We love you guys!!

A huge thank you to everybody who has called, e-mailed, blogged. Thanks for your patience in my replies, it's kind of hit-and-miss right now, but I think within the week things will start to iron out.