Progress!

We had a great visit with my mom and dad last week and they were such a huge help to us. We have so much to praise God for and it's hard to believe the huge changes we've seen in just 2 weeks! Cole is doing so well with sleeping now and I can't tell you enough how it warms my heart to hear my two boys on the baby monitor "talking" back and forth at night before they fall asleep. We feel so blessed to have him taking good naps and sleeping all night!
We have discovered his love for sweet potatoes baby food so everything else gets hidden in it for now. He also has come such a long way with self-feeding and is very good at getting small things like cheerios and puffs in his mouth.
One thing I'm so thankful for God's timing in bringing us Cole in the summer time where we have a more flexible schedule and don't have to worry about 10 million layers of clothing just to get out the door. My mom was a great help since I had to take Lucy to Vacation Bible School every day last week but now we have a couple of weeks with nowhere to be and that is going to be great. Still trying to figure out running errands. He & Nate are just not happy shoppers!
Here he is enjoying our little pool and being outside! He is still so little bitty that I put his bath seat in the pool so he could splash around. His tiny 3-6 month bathing suit was barely staying on his waist!

Figuring It Out

We've been home one week today. I can't believe it! What a huge adventure it has been this past week - so many things I felt unprepared for. Cole does great when he has had sleep and food but our biggest issues are sleep and food! :)

He is a great, marathon sleeper but getting him to sleep is a battle. One I haven't handled very well. Still trying to figure out if he needs one nap or two. He is in his room now with Nate and amazingly, that has worked so well. Both boys slept all night together with no problem!

He is slowly starting to eat more. He loves his baby cereal so I am mixing different things in there - yogurt, applesauce, baby food. He just isn't a big fan of solid foods yet which is totally fine. I just want him to get some nourishment of some kind!

We had to cut his hair since I found lice in it. Ewww! He looks like a big boy now and was such a champ during the haircut. I'm so amazed at how well he takes all these new things - from our big, furry dog giving him kisses to the noisy vacuum cleaner.





Lucy is so in love with this new boy. It's like we went to the toy store and brought her back her very own baby doll. She unselfishly entertains him non-stop, calms him down when he cries, and wants to play with him all the time.



Nate, on the other hand....well, he'll come around eventually. :) He does call him "Dole" which is just adorable. I've also heard the word "Mine" quite frequently as well. Who knew a baby brother would be the catalyst for him to start talking more?



My parents are coming today and I am looking forward to the extra help. I've had dear friends come to my rescue this week by grocery shopping for me, entertaining the kids and cleaning my house. It was a humbling experience and I'm so grateful for them.

I'm encouraged that each day is a step forward towards our new normal. I'm encouraged when I remember that God has a plan and a purpose not only for Cole but for all of us as a family.

P.S. I realize Cole isn't smiling in any of these pictures but he does smile all the time. I'm just so bad with the camera, I can't ever get it recorded!

Birthday Pics

Surviving

Our last 24 hours in India were a rollercoaster. It began with a trip to the doctor's office to pick up Cole's medical papers for the embassy appointment. The doctor told us to come before 10 (since that was when our appt was) and we got there at 9. The lady there said the doctor wouldn't be in until 10:15 or 10:30 and told us to sit. About 20 minutes later, after we are quietly panicking and whispering about what to do, another lady comes and just hands us the envelope that was sitting on the counter. Whew - just in time.
Our embassy appointment was really easy. We had a scheduled appointment which got us through the lines quickly but there was still a lot of waiting. I think we got called up to the window 4 times before it was all done but everyone was very nice to us.
We had a late check out at the hotel for 2 pm but our flight wasn't until 12:15 am. I would definitely recommend just paying for the extra night at the hotel to avoid the major struggles we endured. We spent the afternoon doing a little sightseeing and then asked to go to Dilli Haat to shop. Pretty sure that is not where our driver took us since I was told it was a flea market type venue with lots of Indian items. We ended up at what seemed to be a strip mall with Levi's and other Western stores. Hmmm... We did find a few treasures and it was sooooo hot that we didn't stay long and thought we'd just head to the airport early.
Apparently you can not go in the airport before 3 1/2 hours of your flight. So we got dropped off at the visitor's lounge across the street where we had to wait almost 3 hours. It was a nightmare and I broke down and cried several times. Crowded, under construction, hard, plastic chairs and a screaming baby.
When we finally got into the airport, our airline informs us that Cole's ticket is scheduled for July 12th, not June. But they easily changed it since he is a lap child and also hooked us up with the bassinet.
Our stress levels were high at this point and we were hoping to breeze through the officer before going to the gate. Not so. Turns out the first two pages of our packet that we were supposed to give him were for a completely different child. We also didn't have an original copy of something because we gave it to the embassy. Mark was pulling out paper after paper - it was a huge mess - and Cole began to scream...again. We must have stood there for at least 20 minutes. The officer was nice but obviously thorough and finally found what he was looking for in our stack. So to those of you who are traveling soon - check your documents! We just took everything given to us and assumed perfection and then yikes!
And now here we are at home, adjusting. It has not been easy and I hope each day will get a little better, especially since Mark returns to work tomorrow and Grandma & Grandpa leave as well. Thankfully my parents are coming on Wednesday - hope we can survive until then!
On another note, today is Cole's first birthday! Pictures to come...

Home

We made it home!
The flight was long, of course! Cole slept in the bassinet the first 7 hours which was amazing but the next 7 hours were somewhat rough. Then a quick flight to St Louis and we were reunited with Lucy and Nate and greeted by dear friends and of course Grandma and Grandpa! Thanks to the Younces for these great pictures of our happy reunion.
Nate was not too interested in Cole but Lucy was so sweet and loving on him. He just kept staring at her! He cried in the car seat most of the way home but we did manage a few smiles, too. He has been asleep all day so far! Jet lag suggestions, anyone?
I'll have to blog soon about our last 24 hours in India - lots of unexpected events!

Thanks again for all the prayers. Our God is so good and gracious to us and we felt His protection and provision every step of the way.

Our Welcome Committee:


Family of 5:


Happy to be home:

An Update

We are now back in Delhi and are counting down until we get home. We took Cole for his medical exam this morning. The doctor was very nice but wanted us to take him to another clinic to have a chest x-ray. I don't know why and wish we didn't have to do it - it was a major pain and a huge ordeal. This poor kid, who is slowly learning to trust us, is screaming his head off as Mark & I have to hold him down on the x-ray table. Fortunately, he was easily comforted afterwards and the clinic was not too intimidating. We are supposed to go back to the doctor right before our appointment at the embassy to pick up the finished paperwork. That makes me nervous cutting it so close!

When the doctor found out we were Americans, he asked us right away if we liked Obama. And what we thought of Bush. Mark handled it so well by saying "Nobody's perfect!" Glad we avoided that conversation since this man clearly felt opposite of how we do. :)

Cole is slowly adjusting. He is still getting used to Mark but hopefully after a good nap and an afternoon/evening in the hotel they will get along better. It's amazing how much my arms hurt from carrying him when he is such a tiny, tiny peanut. Even many local people here have commented on his size - they can't believe he is about to turn one. He doesn't eat much or feed himself but seems content most of the time so who knows? He loves his bottles and tolerates them room temp which makes it so easy for us! Gerber puffs are also a huge hit and I'm so appreciative that both Amy & Colleen mentioned those from their trips. It's so strange to have a little baby after my other two who were/are chunks. The one-piece outfits that so many friends gave us are perfect since he has no waist for shorts to stay on.

It's been interesting to be out and about with our little Indian baby. It was very uncomfortable at times in Kolkata, especially at the airport. I will say that most people have been very nice and supportive but sometimes those few who scowl at us put a damper on things. In Delhi, it's not as bad, especially where we are. There are a lot of Westerners here. There was even a couple on our flight yesterday from Michigan.

We will have a lot of time to kill tomorrow as our flight doesn't leave til midnight yet we have to be out of the hotel by 2. We have some things we'd like to see and do some shopping, too, and are hoping Cole is up for it all! My arms ache for Lucy & Nate and I just can't wait til we can all be together and settled! Here are some more pictures!

Trying to get some nourishment in him:



Leaving Kolkata:



First plane ride:



Back in Delhi:



Starting to see more of these:



Watching basketball with Daddy:

How we met Cole

Thanks so much everyone for your sweet words of encouragement. I wish we were home right now with all of you! I thought I'd try to record our adventure yesterday (since Cole is napping now). What an experience!

We were supposed to arrive between 2:30-3 but our driver got us there so fast that we were there well before 2 o'clock. Everyone was happy to greet us but you could tell we threw things in a frenzy by coming so early! So things didn't go anything like I expected. Mark went down to tell the driver how long we would be and I was immediately ushered into the room with the babies. It was so much smaller than I imagined. There were about 3 big cribs with multiple babies and then 6 or 7 smaller cribs with one baby each. Although the conditions appeared bleak, the atmosphere and mood in the room was so happy and peaceful. There were a few ayahs (nannys) in the corner and I figured they had Cole - changing his clothes and brushing his hair super fast. So I focused on all the little ones around me - it was so neat to know most of them through our agency and to be able to love on them and give them the hope that their families are coming soon.

I have to say again that the babies were so content and so very loved. I could have stayed there for hours (which actually we did!) Mark came in and they brought Cole over to us. He looked exactly as I thought he would (thanks to so many pictures we've been given from other families) and he just stared at me with those big eyes. He had on a basketball jersey, pink flower pants and a bib that said "Thank Heaven for Little Girls." :) :)

The ayah handed him to me and before I could get even one snuggle, his lip went out and he wailed so loud! So I handed him back to her and of course he immediately was fine. :) The ayah would point to me and say "Mommy" and to Mark and say "Papa" - it was so meaningful, I can't explain. They seemed as excited as we were to be getting Cole that day. Next she handed him to Mark and he got the same reaction! So she took him back and we decided to take pictures of all the babies while the ayah rocked him to sleep.

I had so much fun taking pictures and talking to the little ones. They were so responsive and so full of personality. Some smiled wide and others cried whenever I looked at them! The ayahs were so helpful and just absolutely adored each child. When we were done I got to hold Cole again since he was sleeping and couldn't protest. The babies' doctor was there and answered all of my questions about him giving us such details as to sleep and diet. Ms. Roy, the director of the children's home came to get us to do paperwork so Cole went back to the ayah. We went to Ms. Roy's office and did more paperwork and she presented us with this sweet handmade book all about Cole from his perspective. I lost control then because the last page had a picture of our family and mentioned that even though he was sad to leave his friends and caregivers that he was more excited to be with his mom, dad, brother & sister. (Hopefully someday that will actually be true - ha!)

After paperwork, I went to another room to see some of the newer babies - all under 4 months old I would say. So tiny but so content. Then it was time to go. It was hard to say goodbye - the ayah who cared for Cole had such a hard time and finally just rushed into the other room. And then there we were going down the steep, gray steps carrying this little boy! He was so stunned that he wasn't crying at this point and then the lull of the car kept him content for most of the ride. We stopped to get his visa pictures which he did not enjoy and then back to the hotel. He then fell asleep on the bed around 4:30 pm. We kept expecting him to wake up and ordered room service but he never did! Slept until after 5 am this morning. Not too many tears today but no smiles either. He took a bottle wonderfully though isn't showing too much interest in anything else. He is asleep again now - poor thing must be so over stimulated that it's easier to escape to his dreams.

We still have a journey ahead of us before we get home and settled. But we have our son and continue to praise our God for this precious gift.

At last...

More to come...

A Time Warp or Something...

For some reason, time moves soooo slowly over here. Or maybe it's the jet lag! I laid down to take a "nap" Sunday afternoon and although Mark tried to warn me, I slept until 11 pm. Thus, this post at 4:45 am here in India. I could have posted at 1 am but wasn't ready to admit defeat yet on this sleep stuff. I could just say India has made me a morning person but seriously, not so true. It doesn't help that I keep replaying meeting Cole in my mind - very challenging to unwind from that.

We arrived in Kolkata yesterday around lunchtime. The domestic airport in Delhi was so nice and efficient - not what I was expecting. We were the only Westerners around which was interesting. It was amazing to look at this city from the sky as we got ready to land. Buildings upon buildings as far as the eye could see. The Kolkata airport was okay but intimidating. People everywhere and I'm so thankful we arranged our trip through the travel agency who has taken very good care of us.

The drive to the hotel was such an experience. The people here are so beautiful and I sense this contentedness even though conditions are more than rough. But that is the way it is here and people are proud of their country. This hotel we are at is the nicest I have ever seen. I'm a little uncomfortable with the 5-star treatment. I'm not a 5 star kind of gal so I feel like a dork when they bring me a cool towel for refreshment and wait to the side with a silver platter to take it away. I'm sure they must get a kick out of me and my unrefined ways. :)

We ordered room service and I got pepperoni pizza. I know so many of you are not surprised at that. :) Mark ordered mutton and I did try a bite - not too bad. We are supposed to be at the children's home at 3 but can call earlier to see if we can come before that. I sure hope so - we have such limited time here and I would like as much time for Cole to get to know us as possible before we hop back on another plane.

Not much else to report thus far. We miss Lucy & Nate so much but they seem to be having a terrific time with Grandma at home. Mark is hoping the Lakers game will show here live in a few hours but I'm not so sure. We did watch some of the Yankees/Rays game around 2 am I think. :)

Sorry for the disjointedness of this random post. Next post will have Cole in it, I promise!

Here we are before heading to the airport on Friday. Last picture as family of 4!



Mark at our hotel in Delhi just before we left for Kolkata:



View from our hotel here in Kolkata:

First impressions

It's about 5 am here and Mark & I are getting ready to head to the airport for our in-country flight. So far we're doing okay with the jet lag and time change - we'll have the rest of today to relax and adjust before we get Cole on Monday!

The travels were such an experience and it was easy to forget why we were going through it all. But there was a sweet Indian family next to us on the plane with an adorable little boy and so I pressed on. :)

The flight from Chicago to Delhi was surreal. I've never flown on one of those huge planes and at first was excited over our own tv's and the chance to see some movies. But our seats were not together and it appeared that the gentleman next to Mark would not be willing to switch. So I almost lost it then. But he did and we were on our way. After a few hours I was so tired and shell-shocked that when they delivered our "meal" I almost cried again. Ewww. But thankfully I was able to somehow sleep on and off for about 6 hours and then the rest of the flight didn't seem so bad. Not trying to be negative about it all - just recording it accurately. :)

It was so interesting in the airport, to be the minority, to not know where to go, to not be able to communicate easily and to not know how to flush the toilet. :) We made it through all the lines and found our driver who was so nice and helpful. We got lost on our way to the hotel and though it was dark, we were able to get our first feel for India.

Much of it I was prepared for - complete ignoring of traffic lanes and all other driving rules, cattle & dogs in the road, children running through the streets. But it was still strange to be in the midst of it and to have such peace as well. I have a newfound respect for people who come to America and bravely face all the changes in culture and custom.

Our hotel here is very nice though different from what you'd expect in the US. I will try to post some pictures when we arrive in Kolkata this afternoon. I've been praying for Cole as this is his last day in the children's home. Our lives are all about to change!

We're here....

Just wanted to post that we made it in one piece with all of our luggage even! We are so tired and have to get up in 5 hours to make our next plane so I won't share much now (still processing a lot of it anyways).

Thanks for your prayers & encouragement!

Getting ready...

Wow, what a whirlwind the past few days have been. Phone calls, trips to Walmart, packing, more trips to Walmart, phone calls late at night to the embassy, baby shower, summer fun with kids and more. What a whirlwind but what a blessing.

We are scheduled to leave Friday. As in 3 days. Wow.

As excited as I am to get Cole, my heart is torn in the sacrifice it takes in going to get him. I am nervous about flying (the crash the other day does not help), am worried about eating (describing me as a picky eater is being generous), am concerned about all the paperwork (I am not an organized person) and am overwhelmed just by the journey as a whole. And that doesn't begin to include my emotions about picking up Cole, thinking of Lucy & Nate back at home.

Beth Moore addressed this very issue in her blog which my mom sent me this morning. What an answer to prayer. I love this line best:

No matter what sets a woman up to live in fear, it is NOT the will of God for us to give way to vain imaginations and waste our valuable mental energies dreading all sorts of things that may – but probably won’t ever – happen. And, if they do, we’ll have the grace to handle them at the time but we don’t get the grace in advance to cover our fear and dread.

She then goes on to quote Psalm 112:1-8 and you better believe these are verses I am writing down and taking with me.

I have never felt God's favor so steadily as I have throughout this process and so I will rest in His will, whatever that may be. As always, may He be honored through it all!