One Week Home

Many have asked how our newest little is doing and how we are all adjusting to our "new normal?"  What I can tell you is that my thoughts today went to how fast this one week home has flown by!  We were in China for two weeks and yet they seemed like forever....home one week today and I feel like we just arrived yesterday!
Backing up a bit....our flight home could not have been better.  We took a train to Hong Kong on Wednesday, slept one night in a hotel by the HK airport, and then departed the following morning for the USA.  The girls settled in well, ate well, and slept well.  We made it to Seattle and I immediately sought out some American-ish food....I say American-ish food because our friend, Veronica, asked me this summer just what was American food!  And that got me thinking....
We boarded our last flight to Atlanta after a brief layover and we were homeward bound.  Again, the girls did great and at touchdown we had a brand new American citizen.  Maryn got off of the plane and immediately asked, "So, where is our hotel?"  I was so happy to tell her that our hotel was at HOME.
We arrived on our street just before midnight and our driveway was packed with well-wishers who stayed up entirely too late to welcome us home.  Tears were shed as we made our way out of the car and introduced them all to Miss Chapman!  Our village certainly outdid themselves by giving so much of their time, cooking skills, carpooling coordinating, etc.!  They are all so amazing and we are indebted to them for life!
Around 2:00am, we made our way to begin to think about bedtime.  Ryan and I were exhausted yet it was at this time that I realized our girls, as sweet as they were on the flights, were not tired because they had rested the whole way home!  EEK!  On and off we slept for a few hours and then it was just time to get up for the day.  This pattern continued for a few nights but, I am so happy to report, we are all adjusted to the time now and sleeping peacefully at night.  HUGE praise!
We have agreed to make a conscience effort to keep Miss Chapman close to home for these first few weeks so as to not overwhelm her and to give her a chance to really know where home is.  Of course there have been a few instances that have interfered with this effort but for the most part, we have been successful in making this happen.
Chapman went to the pediatrician's office on Monday and had to suffer through the finger pricking process - she was less than happy about this process.  She got a great report!
Chapman has learned about ten words this week....we taught her "please" today.  Her delicate little voice is the sound of pure sweetness.  She smiles at just about anything and she charms everyone in her path.  All of her sweetness makes it hard to imagine that she has a bit of spunk sprinkled on top for an added flavor of personality.  When she gets mad, she is mad....and LOUD.  Thankfully, this is not her behavior 99% of the time so, for that, we are thankful!
We have been trying to get her to eat a variety of foods.  She is the most finicky little thing and she inspects every bite before it is allowed in her mouth.  We have been able to add a few new veggies and a few new fruits to her diet but she is still refusing most anything to drink.  Milk is a huge no-no! Chocolate milk is out too!  We have tried several things but, for now, she is living on 75% water mixed with 25% apple juice.  It is the drink of choice and we are sticking with it!
She loves to play.  She loves to go and take out anything that has contents - drawers are being rearranged, cabinets now have new items located in them, toys are strewn about our home - she is what I like to call the "wrecking ball!"  She is hilarious and will have your room turned upside down in a matter of seconds and it will all be done with a very satisfied little irresistible grin on her face.
She is timid around water.
She is getting used to our dog, Finley.  She likes him so much from a distance.
Napping is not something she wants to admit she may need occasionally.  She is in a state of denial and so we will be working on this in the weeks to come!  She does sleep all night and wakes up in the best of moods.
The children all adore her.  The bigs have done a great job loving on her but making sure to love on Maryn too!  Maryn loves being the big sister most of the time but will always be our baby in so many ways.
Integrating another little one in our home has proven to be good!  We were already juggling the schedules of five so number six is along for the ride!  She seems to like her carseat and when she gets bored, she pops her thumb into her mouth and goes to sleep.
We are still early in the game, still on Cloud 9, so though it all is falling into place today, it could change at any moment.  We are definitely still learning her and she is taking it all in.  My theory is that it takes a year.....a year to feel totally normal again, a year to really feel like you know your child and the reactions they are going to have to given situations.  She has a lot to endure in the days to come with doctor visits and a likely surgery so we will buckle up for the ride.  For now, I am thankful that we have our girl home safe and sound and our family is all under one roof!  My favorite part of this first week home has been kissing my babies goodnight every night.  There is nothing sweeter!