Beach Baby Blog: China Earth Quake

We have been watching the news with heavy hearts these last few days. A 7.9 earthquake shook the Sichuan Province in China on Sunday night. The epicenter was about 200 miles from Chongqing where we stayed. It is estimated that up to 50,000 people were killed. We received an email from our CCAI rep in China - Anita and she said that she and her family are fine and that there is no major damage in Chongqing city. We also received word that Chloe's orphanage, about 6 hours outside of town, is okay. The quake registered a 2.0 in Qian Jiang, but there was no damage done to the orphanage. There is a link below for further information about the devastation. Our thoughts and prayers are with those have lost or missing loved ones.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/14/content_6682723_3.htm

On a happier note, Chloe seems to be settling in at home. Towards the end of last week, she began to really respond to the girls. She seems to be comfortable at home and will sit and play with them without Greg or I in the room. She even played for a few minutes without anyone in the room.

We had a busy weekend. The church had a baby shower for a number of new kids, several of which were recently adopted. It was neat to hear each family's journey to adoption. Each one was different. Our church is new to adoption within the last few years, so it will be our job as parents to educate others on the difference between raising a bio kid and an adopted one.

The 5 girls ready for the baby shower.

Chloe got her first haircut from her Aunt Jennifer. It's amazing what a little snip can do. Yes of course we kept some hair for her baby book and Daddy took a video.

Do you like my new make-over?

There was baby dedication at church on Sunday morning and we were happy to be home with Chloe. It is a special time where we as parents commit to raising Chloe to follow the Lord and to live our lives in such a way that will encourage and motivate her to want a personal relationship with Jesus too. What an awesome privilege to pass that on to her. It was nice to have Greg's parents and my Dad and his fiance' Loretta join us.

Chloe still isn't sleeping great, but we did have a mattress brainstorm that has helped. We moved the pack-n-play out and put a crib mattress on our bedroom floor. This allows us to lay next to Chloe for her to go to sleep and then quietly sneak away. We've put a body pillow next to her and she seems to feel secure having some "thing" to snuggle up next to. This has at least allowed me some free time while she's napping. Woohoo :)

Chloe's babbling has begun to sound American. When we first got her, all the sounds she made were distinctively Chinese, but you can tell she is making the transition to another language. She is learning what 'no' means, especially when is decides it's fun to blow raspberries when she doesn't like her new baby food. We're transitioning her to American formula and she starting to eat baby food, most of which makes her shiver for at least the first few bites. Yesturday, we tried carrots and today rice cereal with applesauce. She has also eaten baby yogurt, cheerios, and her favorite - bananas. Her bottle is still the mainstay. We have been trying a sippy cup, but she just doesn't understand what to do with it. We've actually had more success with just a regular cup or a sippy without a valve.

We ventured out as a family of 6 to the Chinese Buffet on Sat. and I took all 4 girls with me to Walmart the other day. I must say we make quite a show. I'm sure some people look at us and think "what are they thinking?" Greg & I have both had that thought on occasion. I just keep reminding myself that where God calls, he also provides. The change from 3 to 4 children seems to be a doozy right now. May is always intense for the school girls anyhow, but my mind just can't seem to keep up with it all. Maybe it's the lack of sleep. We'll get there. I'm more and more thankful for the 6 week I have at home to settle in. I think this must be minimum.