We arrived home on Wednesday night as planned. We had no flight delays or problems along the way. The girls slept most of the way home. We were greeted at the airport by 22 family members with flowers, balloons and stuffed animals for the girls. Nana and Papa decorated our living room with a "Welcome Home" poster and balloons. Thank you everyone!
Jeannie seemed to recognize her big brother Ben right away. She went right up to him and gave him a hug. She was overwhelmed with the crowd though, and hid her face in daddy's shoulder. Everyone understood that she was confused and tired, and tried to keep their distance from her.
We hope to have her meet her family members in the next few weeks.
It has been a rough transition at home for Gia. Everything that Jeannie sees - she wants. Gia is trying to keep her away from her things, and we are trying to explain to her that she needs to share with her sister. Jeannie is very frustrated with the language barrier, however she is reluctant to try to say words in English. We are very lucky that we have a neighbor girl that speaks Chinese, and she has been helping a little with translation. Both girls are still very tired and slept 14 hours last night. They still woke up crabby and emotional.
We know that things will get better, one day at a time. We have only been home for 2 days and the change has been hard on all of us. We look forward to life returning to "normal". Gia will return to school next week and Bob will stay home with Jeannie. We are not sure when we will start her in school. We are going to wait and see how she does, how her language development goes, and if she acts like she wants to go to school. She will go with her dad to take Gia to school and pick her up every day, so we are hoping for a sign from her that she is ready.
Again, thanks to all of you for following our blog and wishing us well. We are so lucky to have the two most beautiful girls in the world!
Theresa and Bob
Gotcha Day 1/30/2007
Beautiful Gia
Gia and Jeannie
Gia on the left and Jeannie on the right.
Christmas 2009
Gia and Jeannie
Fu Cheng and Jia Fan
Jeannie and Gia March 2009
Jeannie's beautiful smile
Jeannie and Gia eating macaroni at Omaha Zoo
First night's sleep in her clean warm bed. She loves her new home and forever family!
Jeannie, Ben and Gia at home.
Our travel group
Jeannie, Mama and Gia
Jeannie loves her Barbie
This is what it is like trying to work on the computer.
Getting ready for bed, and sleeping with their Barbies
Playing on the monkey bars at an outside playground. Jeannie could not do it at first, but after several attemps, she was keeping up with Gia.
Advertisement outside a restaurant. Looks yummy!
Dressed and ready for breakfast.
Three girls waiting for the immunizations.
Jeannie getting a shot and Gia holding her hand
Jeannie loves her hair in pigtails, Gia had to copy.
Sldeeping beauties. Notice their arms locked together.
Dressed like "twins" in $1.00 Walmart shirts.
Jeannie Fu Cheng
New back packs from Walmart
Gia helping mommy make blankets for the babies in the orphanage.
Happy girls. Notice Jeannie's pig tails. She loves to have her hair done.
Photo from Gotcha Day
I got my sister at last!
Jeannie told us through a translater " Now I won't be alone, I have a sister and a family"
After bath and ready for bed. Notice the hair clips in Jeannie's hair. She is a girly girl!!!
Close up shot of the nicest port-a-potty we have ever seen. Electronic sign to tell you if "occupied or vacant".
Bob and Gia in front of the "birds nest".
The Water Cube
The Olympic Torch
Beijing Airport
Our airplane over the North Pole
Look who we found in the suitcase.
Gia and Jeannie
Dancing girls
Foster Mom
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Gia, Foster mom and Jeannie
Our Family
Bob, Theresa, Ben and Gia
3 comments:
Wow! That was quite a greeting at the airport. I can only imagine the transition to home will continue to be challenging. We continue to keep you all in our prayers.
Sharie & Amelia
So happy to hear you made it home without much hassle. Still, the jet lag can be brutal. I can understand how the dynamics at home may be much different than when travelling. This is Gia's turf, not some neutral ground like a hotel. This has given me some food for thought. Your experiences, I know, will be valuable to us, so thank you for sharing them.
You were so right on two counts, things will get better, and they ARE the most beautiful daughters!
Hugs,
Sue
I heard about your story and read your blog with great pleasure. I wish your family all the best.
Warm greetings from Holland,
Nancy
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