A Year and a HALF later!!!

It is so hard to believe that we have now been home with Jinsey for a year and a half! She is doing so well. She is loved by everyone, always has a smile, and has a "sneaky" and mischevious side to her! She loves to dance and sing, but most of all, she is a little fish that spends a lot of time in the pool and tub! We continue with her monthly transfusions and she tolerates them very well. They usually last 1/2 a day, with a chunk of that time just waiting for her red blood to be ordered and delivered. We continue to be impressed and satisfied with the staff at Phx Children's Hospital. She did see PapaSan (grandpa Shorb) for an eye exam. He then referred us to a pediatric opthamologist (a friend of his) who determined she has moderate astigmatism and near sightedness. We have ordered glasses for her which she will begin to wear a minimum of 4 hours a day. We know she will look so cute in them. As Maya (older sis) is almost starting first grade, the two have connected beautifully as sisters. Don't get us wrong, they certainly have their moments of sisterly "love", but most of time they share and get along great. We feel so blessed to have them both in our lives and as our daughters....we can't understand how we could be sooooo lucky!!!!

One Year Anniversary

Well well, it has been a long time since I have posted to the blog, but today seems very appropriate. ONE YEAR AGO today we saw and held Jinsey for the first time. We are sooooo amazed at her growth and progress in one year's time. She is speaking English very well, dressing herself, saying her abc's, counting, and as active as ever. Despite the mishap of a broken arm from falling off a chair, her health remains stable. She does continue to have monthly transfusions, but her hemoglobin levels are staying high. She tolerates the transfusions very well, and seems comfortable with the staff at Phoenix Children's Hospital. She continues to love to be held and snuggles every night. She has such a great personality and giggles all the time. She has made many friends and shares amazingly well considering her past. We traveled to Mexico for Spring break (see photos) and had a great time! We feel so blessed to have her in our lives.....we can't imagin our family without her!

Adjustment in Arizona

Wow, it is so hard to believe we have now had Jinsey almost 8 weeks! She is adjusting amazingly to life in Arizona. She LOVES the pool and being outside. She continues to want to do everything her big sister Maya is doing, including climbing, riding a bike, and gymnastics. She is a great sleeper and has completely transitioned as far as the time change. I am now back at work and she is slowly becoming accustomed to Day care. The staff have been great, and she cries in the mornings when I drop her off for about 20 minutes, but then settles in and is interacting with the other children and even raising her hand during circle time! We took our first car trip up North to the cabin last weekend and she also did great in yet, another new environment. She wasn't crazy about the long car drive, but loved the cabin, the pinetrees and all there is to do up North.

Medically, we did discover that she actually has Beta Thalassemia Major, otherwise known as Cooley's Anemia. She is doing great and after her blood transfusions, her hmg levels have held strong for 2-3 week periods. We are working closely with the staff at Phoenix Children's Hospital and feel fortunate to have such a great facility near by!

WE are HOME!

For all of you following the blog and our travels, we are now home in AZ. Jinsey did not like leaving the hotel and I think she thought that was where we lived. She got it all out though, prior to our flights and did AMAZING. As did big sister Maya. Our final flight from LA to Phx was delayed 2 hours, which put me in tears. But we made it. Mimi (Scott's mom) is here for one week with us and a huge help. We have been for a walk, went to the park (she even liked the car seat!!) and celebrated Easter today. Happy Easter to all of our family and friends, we are so thankful to be home and feel so lucky to have this new light in our lives.

Last Days in GZ and heading Home!!

Citizenship day went great. Emotional and interesting. They told us that this year was the first ever year that more special needs babies than healthy children were adopted out of China. We have only met two families with healthy children and not in the SN program! They have waited exactly 4 years for their adoptions! We visited the Chinese Orchid Garden and it was absolutely beautiful. It is raining this morning and we head home later today. A bit nervous and hoping Jinsey enjoys this flight a bit better than the last! Can't wait to get home. As we leave China, we also celebrate Maya's Gotcha Day #4 today! What a celebration. Can't wait to see everyone and introduce Jinsey and be home!!! See you all soon!

Boat Cruise

We did the boat cruise last night on the Pearl River. We did not eat, only tea and beer! The kids all loved the ride and all the amazing lights of this HUGE city! Doing some shopping today and then to the U.S. Consulate for our citizenship appointment. Lots of love!

Ni Hao from Guangzhou

Hi all! Having a great time and making a lot of progress and strides with little Jinsey. She is now walking very well, almost able to run, playing, laughing, talking in Chinese and possibly saying Maya....feeding herself and putting on her own shoes and some clothing. She has totally warmed up to Dad and has a very gentle and kind demeanor. She easily shares and loves to touch our faces and hair. Very sweet! Her health seems to be staying stable and she has more energy and appetite than we ever expected! She loves the bath and looking at books. Maya continues to be a super champ and so adaptable to each situation and city and hotel and environment. We have met some very nice couples from New York and have had dinner with all of them each night. The one family has a daughter who is 7 (Margaret) who has become fast friends with Maya. All medicals came back fine including the TB test for Jinsey. We still have no formal diagnosis, but that will come once we return home. Tonight we are going on a boat cruise on the Pearl river with the rest of the families and tomorrow Jinsey will be sworn in as a U.S. Citizen. We are very much looking forward to coming home, but a bit nervous about the flight. Hoping Jinsey does better this time around than the first. Either way, once we are home, we know comfort and our own environment will help foster more love and bonding and trust. XOXOXOXOXO.