First off, no pictures tonight. The card reader is already packed away. I promise to upload more photos in the next post. I think this blog may just be bullet points :)
* They are SOOO sweet, cute, amazing and funny
* Ayla knows that she is funny. She will throw her head back and laugh and laugh at herself. She also sticks her tough out when she giggles.
* Isaac is so funny too but in a very different way. He has this funny belly laugh that is hysterical.
* Isaac also relaxes with his little hands behind his head. Sometimes he will cross his little feet too.
* They are both great sleepers, love to play, love to take a bath and are warming up to each other.
* Ayla is the little boss lady. Isaac is chill.
* He is so sweet and will share his toys and food with us. He loves to read books.
* Ayla loves to put on her own clothes, try to wear my shoes and wants to do everything that Isaac is doing. He has taught her a few things. The first thing was how to eat from the squeeze food pouches. She still won't drink out of a sippy though.
* They both eat WELL. He eats almost anything. She eats a lot but still mostly very soft things as her diet was not as diverse as his.
* They are starting to really play with each other. They raced down the halls this afternoon.
* Ayla will hold out her hand for lotion after bath time and rub it on her face, neck and belly. She also wants lotion when Isaac is getting his after bath time.
Both of our children were in a foster care situation. Isaac was with an AMAZING family who loved him deeply and took wonderful care of him. He is the sweet, happy and wonderful kid he is because of them and the care they gave him. Ayla was in a rehabilitation/foster home setting where she too received wonderful care. There are approximately 40 children there at any time and many many adults to provide loving care. Her nanny came with her on family day and was so kind. It was clear they had a close and deep bond. Her foster home had a goodbye party for her and posted it on their blog. I will try to pull the photos sometime soon.
We can see them grieving for the people who have loved them for so long and that they loved. This transition has turned their little worlds upside down. That being said, they are doing very well because of that love they have received from the beginning of their little lives. We can see that very clearly. They are doing things we never expected them to do this soon - really laughing and having fun, feeding us/each other, relaxing in our arms, being snuggly (really surprises me), wanting us vs strangers (they really don't like strangers, people looking at them, talking to them, etc), sleeping well, eating well...these are all wonderful things. Although it is "easier" on us that they are doing well it is more important for them and their own stress. We want this peace for them. This is a stressful transition and we are hopeful. We still anticipate their grieving to continue, as it should, but they are doing well.
We are leaving Zhengzhou tomorrow and will arrive in Guangzhou for the last portion of our trip. We will have a few "free" days while we are there between our medical appointments, visa interviews and receiving their visas to enter the US. We received both Chinese passports today so anything HUGE step down.
I would like to say that I love our agency. The in country staff are so kind, helpful and work very hard for the families who are here. Ayla needed more medicine and our guide took care of it. Need laundry done, they arrange it. Problems with translation of documents. Don't worry because they will pick it up at your hotel room and fix it while you nap. Want to go on a day trip. Just say where are it's booked. Your domestic flight was cancelled? They took care of it before we even knew.
This trip has gone better than I could have imagined. We have two super cute and awesome kids.
Funny little side note. Jake and Isaac has the same birth mark on their heads.
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