Yes, we are still alive ;-)

Yes, we are still alive, but barely lol ! This past week has been brutal and I wish I were exagerrating. It has not been brutal due to the jet lag although that wasn't fun either. I am here to tell you that we have all had a very healthy dose this week of sibling rivalry and major adjustment issues. I think there is light at the end of the tunnel though so I hope the end of it is close ;-) Our main clashes have been between Lei and Rachel because I think their personalities are both very strong, not to mention Rachel has just had a really hard time since we came home. If I would have known how tough our absence was on her, I think I would have taken her with us to China. Lei is doing wonderfully and adjusting just fine. He hasn't openly grieved again since we came home, but I'm sure in time he will grieve more. He is speaking some english now, but it is taking time. Tonight when it was bedtime, I said to him, "Come on Sweetie" and he promptly repeated the same thing back to me lol. He has a great sense of humor too. He is calling me Mommy and calls Audrey and Rachel by their names now, albeit yelling their names alot because they are taking his toy, etc lol. He is very comfortable with his daddy and openly says "I love you" to him all the time. He already seems to be attaching to us and tonight he kept wanting me to pick him up and hold him, all 45 lbs of him lol ;-) which of course I loved ! Our biggest hurdle right now is giving everyone enough attention so that nobody feels left out. Due to Lei's age, him and Audrey interact and play better together which I think evokes alot of jealousy in poor Rachel so we are trying to really make an effort to include Rachel in their activities as well as do some special things with her. Honestly, adopting out of birth order is probably a bigger deal than we had anticipated. We know everything will be fine eventually but getting to that point is going to be challenging. Ok, well I've said more than enough so I'll post some pictures of the crazy crew ;-)

Hangzhou Airport and Guangzhou pictures

Our Last day in China "Ming Tian Mei Guo"

This morning Lei woke up with a big smile on his face and then began watching his chinese DVDs that teach english. Our hotel room has the bedroom where Lei was watching the DVD and Alex and I were in the sitting room. Lei kept poking his head through the doors and saying english words and letters, most memorable, Banana ;-)

We all got cleaned up and ready for breakfast and Baba was in the bathroom. As Lei and I were sitting looking out the window at the skyscrapers I could only think that this would be Lei's last day in China and while I'm so anxious to return home, I can't help but acknowledge his loss. Apparently Lei and I were both having the same thoughts because I looked over at him and his lips were making the shape they always do before he gets really upset. I didn't know what to say so I first asked him if he was sad. The next thing you know he has big tears in his eyes so I thought maybe explaining that we were going home soon would help. I then said "Ming Tian Mei Guo", translated "Tomorrow America". Lei just started crying uncontrollable tears and started saying what he calls the director of the orphanage which begins with Mama. Lei had not visibly grieved since we left Hangzhou so I knew this was another positive sign. I just comforted him as much as possible and then told Baba that we needed to go ahead and go to breakfast with Lei crying. Once we got out of our room and downstairs where they serve breakfast Lei was fine and he was his wonderful sweet bubbly self. He has been so affectionate and loving today. We are blessed beyond measure.

We are going to the consulate for the swearing in so if possible I will post pics when we come back.

All our Love,