It's Good to be Me!

It's been just over a full week since we have been home now and every day brings new experiences for Lilymei.  She has been to the clinic a few times, to church, shopping at the BX and the commissary (grocery), and Saturday night she went to her first movie on base~Wall-E.  She did very well and the boys were excited to finally get to see the movie.  

Lilymei has not liked her bath time at all.  Bath time prior to Thursday night consisted of two parents struggling to shampoo and wash her, trying to keep her from climbing out of the tub, all the while listening to her cry.  This week we had a breakthrough, and as you can see by the photo below, she actually cracked a smile.

We spent Sunday afternoon at the Hyatt pool.  We were taking a chance that Lilymei would do ok with the water since we had gotten a few smiles in the tub this week.  

Nate and Drew acting their normal, goofy selves in the pool.  

Look!  Lilymei has a big smile on her face WHILE she is in the water!  She's come a long way from the crying baby at the pool in Guangzhou.  After swimming in the pool we took the kids down to the beach.  The ocean water was sooo much warmer.  Lilymei sat for nearly 45 minutes playing with shells and coral at the waters edge while the tide slowly came back in.  We knew she would turn into a beach baby!  

Look at me in my Buckeyes t-shirt!  Thanks Maddie!  I love my piano too!!

Lilymei has had so many firsts this week.  We heard her say DaDa and Mom, and she can clap her hands.  She is trying to stand without any help from us.   Saturday morning Lilymei grabbed the fork out of Scott's hand and she proceeded to feed herself breakfast!  She was so proud of herself!  She gives us the cutest little smirk when she does something that surprises us.  

 

"Oh, it's good to be me!"

Isn't she precious?!

Wednesday night, while the boys were at VBS, we took Lilymei to our favorite restaurant, Al Dente at the Hyatt.  Scott ordered lobster (above).  Look at what Lilymei thought about all the great food....

"For me!? Thanks Baba!!

Lilymei is such a blessing to our family.  We just love her to pieces.  Please keep her in your prayers as we head to the hospital tomorrow for the first of many tests.  

Lilymei & her First Doctor Visit

I know many of you are looking for more pictures so here is an assortment of shots taken while we were in Hohhot and Guangzhou, China.  

Jean and Lilymei in the park in Hohhot, China.  It was a beautiful day and the park was very large with lots of shady areas. 

First family photo taken in the lobby of the Phoenix Hotel, Hohhot, China.  Notice the table behind Scott with various Olympic items for sale.  Nate is holding the Crocs bag containing a new pair of Crocs for Lilymei.  They have a little American flag in them which she wore to the American Consulate.  

Nate has taught Lilymei how to hold the TV remote.  

Lilymei looking at her swim diaper.  Too bad she doesn't like being in the water!

The gang with our favorite shop keeper, Jordan, of Jordan's Gifts & Souvenirs.  We visited with him several times.  He allows his customers to shop in peace.  That's one of the reasons we like him so much.  If you are in Guangzhou, check his shop out.  He is very near the Starbucks Coffee Shop.  Notice Nate's yellow rip-stick near him and Drew holding his.  

Our three beautiful children!!!

Here Lilymei is smirking while we are eating our last meal at Lucy's in Guangzhou before leaving the next morning.  We had just come from our American Consulate appointment.  

Here our girl is so glad to be out of that plane from Guangzhou to Tokyo!  She loved relaxing on the chairs in the terminal and proceeded to help Nate eat all of his McDonald's french fries.

Lilymei had her first visit to the pediatrician on base yesterday. Let's just say, from outside the exam room you would have thought we were cutting off her limbs.  She hated it!  We have collaborated with the doctor and it has been determined that Lilymei will have to have a few tests done at the navy hospital.  She will have blood drawn tomorrow (Wednesday), and then she will start the immunization process all over again.  We will keep you all updated once we know the results of her CT scan and x-ray.  It looks like we will be making a trip to Trippler (in Hawaii) for an MRI soon too!  Please keep praying for Lilymei's test results to show exactly what will need to be done for her continued progress in her health and well-being.   

We did it and now we are heading south!!!

We thought this was a fitting sign to post as we truly feel blessed by God! (for those Olympic fans out there, this is the slogan of the Chinese workout gear provider)
We visited a great park today and Lilymei's finding place. We were all touched and had a great time visiting the park which had some amusement rides for the boys.
Cooler than a cucumber in Hohhot!

Laughing for Gaga Nate, as usual. Lilymei had a good day and is fast asleep already.



Well this is a short post because we have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to catch our early flight to Guangzhou. We finished all of the Chinese paperwork and Lilymei is officially our daughter. She received her Chinese passport today and is good to travel. We are all looking forward to getting to Guangzhou and having more of what life has to offer!