Back To Work

This week Eric and I started back to work part-time. Eric will work 3 days this week and I will work 2 and then next week we will switch. After that we are going to rely on some family for day-care fill-in until Meredith can start full-time September 1st. Today was my first day back in my office and it was a little tough, although very comforting to know that Meredith was with Daddy. Right before I left for China, my office was moved to the third floor so when I went to work today I walked into a new office of boxes, new furniture, 4 weeks worth of mail and 869 unopened email messages.....it was a little overwhelming! Needless to say I don't really feel like I accomplished too much and I am dead tired, but it sure was great to come home to that great smile!!

Swimming and Biking, Oh My!

You know how some kids are just born adventurers? They are constantly on the go, anxious to try one new thing after another - no fear? Well, not Meredith! She tends to be on the conservative side (hmmm - perhaps like her Dad)? She doesn't really mind trying new things, but she is very cautious and her tendency is to resist, at least at first. So it was no surprise that she was apprehensive about the pool. She now sort of enjoys the water in her bath as long as you don't get her face or hair wet (yeah, right), and that is the way she felt about the pool. "Thank you very much, this top step is fine and I'll have a great time as long as I can feel the sides and the bottom"! Anyway, she had a good time and the door is open to explore more the next time.

Biking was a little different. She seemed to really enjoy riding in the trailer...until she had to put her helmet on. The chin strap was tight and the back of the helmet pushed her face down! I have to admit she looked pretty miserable by the time we stopped for a break - -it was hot, the helmet had slipped down over her eyes and she had fallen asleep! We'll have to work on that one I guess. It was a good first try and we managed to get about 4.5 miles in on our new stellar bike path. Last year they took out the old railroad tracks and paved an awesome bike trail that now connects all the way from Glenwood Canyon to Aspen. It might be a while before WE make that kind of progress, though!

Settling in

We have been home now for a little over ten days now and it is finally beginning to feel like we are a "normal" family - - if you can define normal, that is! We are establishing a routine and Meredith is beginning to sleep through the night without too much of a fuss at bedtime. She still hates her crib - or at least puts on a good show that she does, but eventually gives in and succumbs to slumber for a good 10 - 12 hours!

Bert the cat adores her and is always nearby if not at her side on the blanket next to her toys. The dogs are more watchful, especially at mealtime waiting for a morsel or two to drop their way. Meredith adores her big sister, Lindsay and always has lots of fun when she is around, too.

Today we went on a hike and Meredith got to ride in her new backpack. To say she was thrilled is definitely an overstatement, but it was a beautiful day and Mom, Dad and Zoey got some good exercise and Meredith made sure that we didn't sneak up on any bears!

After lunch Sandy, our home-study agent dropped by for a quick visit. Normally she doesn't come on such a spur-of -the-moment, but she was in town and we were both here so we said "why not"! (Besides, she is a delightful person and it is always nice to see her)!

Our adoption agency got matches today for more families in our January LID group. It is always so fun to see the pictures and feel the excitement of the families we have come to know over the past years. In several ways it seems like so long ago that we were matched and yet it was only a mere 9 weeks!!

Doctor's Visit

This morning Meredith had her first well-baby check up with her Dr. The visit went well - much better than the assembly line method at the Guangzhou medical facility!. Meredith is very healthy, weighing in at 17.6 pounds (only the 5th % for her age), 30" tall (75th %), and in keeping with the Young tradition, her head circumference is 47cm ( in the 90th percentile). She will need to have several more immunizations, but we decided not to give them today and will wait a few weeks instead so that she is not over traumatized by her first visit to this office! Everyone was happy to see her there - she seems to make new friends everywhere she goes! We will be gradually switching her formula to straight milk which is good because she is getting low and I have no idea where I might find the Chinese brand she has been eating! Dr. Paul says the table food of chicken, noodles and fresh fruits and vegetables that she loves are perfect for her, so that will continue, as well.
Now we will have to tackle the major hurdle of sleep....starting tonight!!

On a sad note, my Aunt Carol passed away Sunday and we will be traveling to Montrose for her service tomorrow. I am so sorry to see my relatives under these circumstances, but feel fortunate that we will all be together much sooner than we had planned. My brother is flying in tonight from Oregon.
Rest in Peace, Aunt Carol.