Friday, Dec 15 at home

We're on day number 2 home from China. The first night Sarabeth slept well, although she awoke a few times due to her inner time clock being different than CST. Last night, however, was a bit different. Sarabeth has not grieved at all since we left the Civil Affairs office with her on Dec 3. Last night she was crying out and seemed rather disoriented. I ended up sleeping with her to keep her calm. She has been quite afraid of our Golden Retriever puppy - kicking at her and screaming her high shrill scream. She was doing the same thing in her sleep last night. Considering her adaptation to us has been rather seamless so far, this is no big deal - just a glitch to add to my jet lag!

Sarabeth and the "twins", Nate and Juls, have been playing very well together. Juls has showed Sarabeth how to play Mulan on the computer and Sarabeth has shared some DVDs that were sent with her - an exercise one and Tom and Jerry, Chinese style. The 3 of them have gotten along quite well - Sarabeth exploring all the new toys and things to do in the house - the twins re-exploring it all with her after being gone from the house for a couple weeks. Meal times have been smooth - Sarabeth eats very slowly, but has had no real issues. Last night I heated up the crock and attempted to make congee for her - a staple food in China that is loose, over cooked rice in fluid - it can be plain or flavored. I started putting twice as much water in to cook the rice and eventually ended up adding 4 times as much water to get it to a thick consistency. Then I added some loose pork sausage for flavor this morning after it cooked all night in the crock. Sarabeth likes to eat her congee with mashed hard cooked egg, so I added the egg last and hoped it would pass her taste test. She ate most of it and now I have a whole crock of congee for her to eat with meals for the next week!!

Sarabeth and I went out shopping yesterday to buy her some needed shoes and staple clothes - she enjoyed the outing with 'just Mom'. She fell asleep both going and coming home, but I hoped to avoid desired naps until she adjusts to the time change. I ended up napping from 6-7p or so last night - the body just couldn't hold up! You get nervous and shaky and the room seems to start to spin - not to mention the yucky sick to your stomach feeling you get. The nap helped, but then I was up till midnight not feeling ready for bed. Some say it may take a day for every hour time change that has occured - that would mean we wouldn't adjust for 2 weeks!! It usually doesn't take that long.

We've cleaned a spot for the Christmas tree - hope to get it today or tomorrow. I still have some unpacking to finish and still more laundry (that never seems to end!). Sarabeth just went up to Tessa, one of our cats, and petted her all by herself - that is a huge step!! She even touched Maggie (dog) while Caitlin held her. She will adjust to these animals in time.

An appointment has been made for next Thursday to get her teeth evaluated - it will be a huge job to take care of at least the 3 obvious rotten teeth - and who knows what else will be found with the exam and xrays! Poor thing - will probably have to put her under to do the work. We have never had a child with severe oral needs - new experiences to live through!

Well, I'm off to do some errands and more laundry. Thanks so much for all the prayers and support. Adjustment is going well so far! We will see when "the meltdown" happens - if it happens. We were able to have her call her foster parents in China yesterday - she jabbered away in Mandarin. We are so fortunate to be able to keep in touch with them and share Sarabeth's progress over the coming years. What a gift!

Peace,

Mary