Finally, a good nights sleep!

I've had a few requests to keep the blog updated and I thought it was a great idea as we would so appreciate continued prayer!

We've been home almost a week now! I would say the hardest part about the past few days is that we've both been on China time. Sleepy during the day and wide awake at night! Thankfully, I think jet lag is starting to come to a close. Last night we both slept really well. Not sure if we've completely rounded the corner, but I'm praying it is so!!

Yesterday, Olivia got to meet her wonderful pediatrician. She was there for about an hour and a half and did really well! Her biggest problem were her ears. Lots of hard, yucky gook (that's a medical term I think I learned back in nursing school) in both her ears. She did not like the big metal thingy the doctor used to get it out. She's got some fluid in her ears (not surprising with her cleft) so the doctor put her on amoxicillin (which she LOVES and wanted more of....hmmmm....moms, how do you deal with this one?!). Other than the ears, he thought she looked great. He took lots of blood (which is routine with internationally adopted babies...they'll check for infectious diseases like hiv, hepatitis, tuberculosis) and asked me to bring back 3 stool samples to check for parasites. I'm thankful she's still in diapers :) So we'll wait for the tests and see him again in a couple of weeks. She'll get some immunizations at that time most likely.

Next week, we see her cleft surgeon for the first time. Hopefully at that visit, we'll decide the best time for her first surgery. Mommy doesn't really want to think about surgery yet though....

Otherwise, she's doing really well! She loves her home and her room. She loves her toys (especially blocks and things she can try to figure out). She's so curious! She loves her baths....and is learning how to brush her very short hair all by herself. Mommy is dressing her in pink as people are mistaking her for a boy....that's ok....mommy was mistaken for a boy too at her age!

Thanks again for the continued prayer for bonding and adjustment to her new life. And thank you too to those who have called and left messages!! I've been so tired that I just haven't been able to answer the phone much but today is a much better day and I will start returning calls very soon!

Love you!!!
Karis and Olivia

p.s....please forgive the poor photo, we need uncle John back here to take better pictures :)

p.s.s....one more cool story! Last night when I stopped at the pharmacy to fill her antibiotic, the pharmacy tech said, "Have you been here before?". I said, "I have, but this one is for my DAUGHTER". It was the first time I said that!! My DAUGHTER!