Update on Karsynn

Karsynn is really settling in well. We are getting into a better sleeping pattern now, with only a few sleepless nights a week. Mommy and Daddy are VERY pleased!!!!!! Karsynn is eating well and playing even better. She loves to play with Mamaw and Papaw Davis and Grandma and Grandpa Hatfield. She really loves Whitney, Dylan and Shelby but wishes she could see them more often. She loves her Aunt Tonya and can't wait to meet her Uncle Eric this weekend. He's been away working in Mississippi and Alabama. Mommy and Daddy both go back to work on Sept. 17th, which will be a difficult transition for everyone, I'm sure. But, you have to do what you have to do. Here are some of Karsynn's firsts:

• First playdate with cousin, Shelby (had her hair pulled AGAIN)


• First football game at the Recreation Bowl (Montgomery Co. beat Clark Co.) YEAH!!!!!


• First Sunday School trip with Daddy and Grandma


• First time using a sippy cup today, but we're not very good at it yet
• Had our first professional picture taken at Walmart (only got one pose!)
  

She's adjusting quite well to life at home and we are so thankful. God is so very good!!!! Enjoy a few pics!

Coming Home to Kentucky!!!!!

Playing with my cousin, Shelby


Home at last!!!!

A nice welcome home!

Aunt Tonya and Dylan

Cousin Whitney worked hard on my signs!!

All American Girl!

Taking in Hong Kong

CJ-Ohio State Fan

Karsynn- UK Fan

A True Blue Family of Three

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy of Karsynn's final leg of her journey home. Some are from Hong Kong, some are at the airport in Lexington, and others are us just relaxing at home.

We're Home!!!!

Wow, what an adventure this has been. We left China headed for Newark, NJ and the plane ride was fine. Karsynn did great seeing that we were on the plane for 15 hrs. and 19 min. Wow! What an experience with a 9 mo. old. I just kept watching each minute and each mile tick off the television screen praying the whole time that it would pass swiftly. NOT! We arrive in Newark and Karsynn was officially a US citizen. Our flight from Newark to Cleveland was delayed two hours, so we missed our connecting fight in Cleveland to Lexington. Many friends and family members were anxiously awaiting us in Lexington, but it would not be so. We were forced to stay the night in a Sheraton in Cleveland, paid for of course by the airlines. We made it home on Saturday about 9:30 am. There were so many wonderful friends and family members waiting for us. We are so blessed. It was great to see everyone. It was even greater to know that our journey was almost over.

Mommy and Daddy are suffering from a terrible bout of jetlag, mommy more so than daddy. Karsynn also seems to be suffering from the time change too, she's only sleeping two hours at a night, so we're exhausted. Karsynn also has a head cold, so we had to start her on a round of antibiotics. That long plane ride wasn't good for anyone's health.

We want to thank you all for following our journey to China. It was truly the most amazing, life-changing event in our lives. Karsynn is worth every mile, every worry, every headache, every tear, every bad lunch/dinner, and every sleepless night. We'll all be settled soon and will look forward to a lifetime of happiness. I will continue to post updates on the blog, so please keep checking in. God bless! It's so good to be home. There's no place like home.

Group Pictures on the Red Couch!!!

It is a tradition for all adoptive families to have the babies' pictures made on the red couch in the White Swan hotel. Ok, imagine 8 squirmy babies all dress in traditional Chinese silk dresses and moms and dads trying to put them down at one time and get a "good" picture. You've got the idea! It was crazy. Nila called it. She said there's always one crying baby and she bet that CJ would be the one to cry. She was right. Miss CJ was not a happy girl. Guess which one she is! We leave Guangzhou tomorrow and travel 2 hrs. by train to Hong Kong. We'll stay there overnight and fly out of HK Friday morning. I pray that Karsynn and CJ both do well on the long flight. They did great on their first short trip, but 14 hrs. is a LONGGGGGG time to fly. We love and miss you all and can't wait to introduce Ms. Karsynn to her new family and friends. You're just going to "eat her up!" She's a special girl and we are truly blessed, although she did bite her mommy today on the shoulder. We may not post again in China, so if not, until next time... We're coming home!!!!!!!!! We were even presented with out Going Home Barbie today at the White Swan. This is a special gift given to all families by Mattel, who stay at the White Swan. It is a Barbie carrying a Chinese daughter. Very nice!!!!

Pictures from Guangzhou

Mommy talking with a local shop owner

Daddy and his new lady

Behind the indoor waterfall

A Happy Family ready to come home!!

Playing in the Mattel "Swan Room"

First time in a swing

Landing in Guangzhou

Karsynn and CJ playing on the airplane

CJ's first plane ride

Going up taking a bottle

Karsynn's first airplane ride

Goodbye Michael!!!!!!!!

Our group picture in Chongqing

Cozy with Daddy

Hey Mom, don't forget me!!!

Guangzhou is lovely! We really are enjoying Shamian Island, especially the shopping. Daddy is quite good at bargaining with the local shop owners. The White Swan Hotel is nice, but not as nice as JW Marriott. We were spoiled there. Tonight we went swimming in the outdoor pool after a long day of shopping. We also ate at Lucy's Bar, which is American Food...YEAH!!! Until tomorrow...

We made it to Guangzhou!!!

It is 11:19 P.M. and we finally made it to Guangzhou. Our flight from Chongqing to Guangzhou was about 1 hr. 20 min. Karsynn did wonderful for her very first flight. I gave her a bottle on the way up, of course she drank the whole thing. Her ears didn't bother her at all. In fact, she slept most of the way. On the way down, her ears were hurting just a bit, so I had to borrow some formula from CJ's bottle to get her through the remainder of the flight. She and CJ did wonderful. In fact, most of the girls did wonderful. Poor Lizzie's ears hurt so bad that she screamed the majority of the time. She's sick, too, so that didn't help. Tomorrow is our Medical Exam and Visa picture. Karsynn's passport is so cute, of course! Well, gotta get into bed. Early morning tomorrow and busy day of shopping. Love to you all. I'll post pictures tomorrow! Too late tonight!

Sammi

Pictures of the Day

Go Wildcats!!!


See how tired mommy is!

Asleep during my first church service

John did a great job with this morning's service!

I have my daddy wrapped!

Today was not very busy. We attended church this morning after breakfast and went for an afternoon swim with daddy. Karsynn is not feeling well today. She didn't sleep well last night. I think she's cutting another tooth and is getting a bit of a cold. We fly to Guangzhou tomorrow, so I hope she feels better then. Enjoy!