Busy Week of meeting new people

We had a busy week. Lily met many of her family members including Yaya (my sister), her 2 sisters Caroline and Casey, Alyssa and Cohen ( her niece and nephew), Cara and Layla (cousins) and many friends.
We had 2 parties this weekend-one for Michael yesterday and one in Lily's honor today. When we arrived at Michael's house yesterday and Lily saw the big water slide and saw all of the children and heard all the noise she froze and did not want to go. All of my friends were anxious to meet her but she was in her stand off mode. I rally think that she has memories of the orphanage when she sees so many kids in one place. After food, andy and drink bribes she was happy as a lark and decided that these were indeed pretty nice people. She really wanted to try the slide out before we left (which ended up being a big mistake). She got to the top with Dominic, who is Bianca's older brother carrying her, and started screaming. At that point there was no choice but for him to slide down with her. She freaked out for a minute but was ok after that. We won't try that again anytime soon.
Lily's party was great today. I posted pics of it on youbelong.net/lilyreed.
We are now partied out, have had baths and are in pjs.
We enjoyed having Caroline in town with us this weekend. We also enjoyed having Casey, Cohen and Alyssa over today for Lily's party.

a day in the life..

We had a lazy day of staying around the house today. Glen is out of town so we are having girl time. We almost overslept this morning. Luckily Erin stayed over last night and got up in time. We had about 15 minutes before the bus came but the girls made it. I ended up going back to sleep with Lily until about 10:00. That is so unlike me but I am still catching up. At this rate it could take years. I put Lily down in her bed last nigh. She did not like it at all but she did not get up. She tossed and turned and cried for about 30 minutes. I sat in her room on the floor until she went to sleep. Super-nanny would have been proud of me. Of course later in the night Lily waltzed on into my room and I let her in bed-but at least she wasn't crying. That in itself is progress. I hope tonight she will last longer in her room.
Today she just made herself at home, played with her new musical teapot that Miss Cheri gave her and was happy to see her sisters when they got home from school. She tried out grapes and really likes them. Time to try to get everyone to sleep around here. Good night!

Settling in to home life..

Little Miss Lily Ming seems to be enjoying the home life routine. We have been home 5 days now. Each day I can see her trusting more and having a little more confidence. She still likes to be close to me but will play in other rooms that I am not in. We got her toddler bed put together yesterday and she liked that and the fact that she has her own room with her own "stuff" in it. She did not, however, like sleeping in there. She ended up in our room again. I am pretty sure that she does not sleep much during the night but watches me closely to make sure I don't go anywhere. Her little temper tantrums are getting less. I try to ignore her when she starts crying when she doesn't get something that she wants. Its tough but I think it is working... Someone must have spoiled her in the orphanage or either she figured that the loudest baby got the attention. She loves her baths, her shoes, and all of the new foods that she is experiencing. She is funny, sweet, stubborn and smart. Her little smile will melt you. I know that she feels the love and is flourishing more everyday. She comes up to me and hugs me tight and will give kisses out pretty freely. We are happy, tired and blessed with our little Luoyang girl. Olivia and Ave Kate are being great big sisters. Ave Kate feels sorry for her when she cries and Olivia tries to discipline her. We will continue to take each step one day at a time...