One week at home with Hannah

We have been home for just over a week.  We are enjoying the extra day together on Memorial Day as we gratefully remember those who served our country.  We know many of you have questions, so here are the answers to recently asked questions.

How is Hannah doing?

Hannah is doing very well.  She is a very sweet girl with a smile to light up a room.  She has had minimal tantrums since we arrived home and have had a consistent schedule.  She is sleeping great in the room that she shares with Claire.  

She seems to be growing in her understanding of the English language already.  She is still speaking her local dialect quite often, but we get by with a few known phrases and some sign language.  Her voice is so cute, we just want to bottle it up!  We know she will not speak her native language for long.  She has learned one English word.  "Hello!"  Matt has also been working on "ball" and "up".

She is still pretty picky with her food choices.  She loves carbs and watermelon!  We also found a new favorite...corn on the cob!  We are working on getting her to eat meat and drink milk.  We are thankful that the local Asian Market sells shelf-stable milk.  Who wouldn't like sugary milk?!    

We have found that she loves to swing on the swing set.  She also likes to play dolls, magna-tiles, and kitchen.  When she doesn't get her way she will walk off and pout in a corner until she gets what she wants.

She is quite the character.  She loves to be the center of attention.  She is quick to get everyone's attention at the table.  She makes a fake sneeze, "A Choo!"  The kids love it!  It is her best trick.  

How are the kids with Hannah?

Nathan, Micah and Claire love their little sister, mei mei.  She is quite the novelty.  They love to lead her around and show her new things.  They enjoy playing with her and making her laugh.  Claire loves to have a room mate.  She is a great older sister, jie jie. Nathan likes to make funny faces with her.  He thinks, "she is so cute!"  Micah is wanting to play with Hannah all by himself.  He is liking her sweet milk and treats from China.  He also enjoys one of her toys that plays Chinese songs.  All of the kids were excited to show her off at school.

Is Micah related to Hannah and from the same orphanage?

Micah and Hannah are not from the same orphanage.  They are from different regions of China.  Micah and Hannah are not blood relatives, but are now siblings by God's amazing design.

Can Micah communicate with Hannah?

Micah is unable to communicate with Hannah in her native language.  Their cities have different dialects.  Micah no longer speaks or understands his native language.  It is very common for adoptive children to lose their native language quite quickly.  We anticipate that Hannah will lose her native language even sooner than Micah did based on her age and limited vocabulary.

How are we (Matt and Deanna) doing?
We are doing good.  Matt has been off work, so that has helped during our transition.  We are grateful that we are just about caught up on our sleep and back into the central time zone.  Jet lag was horrible!  We have stayed home most of the week.  We have gone to a few appointments and the kids' activities.

Hannah did well at her initial visit with the pediatrician. She was a trooper for her blood draw.  She didn't shed a single tear while at the doctor's office!  On June 1st she will have a sedated MRI.  We will go to Children's Memorial in Chicago on June 17th to establish care with neurology.  We would love for you to pray that Hannah does well with the MRI.  We also ask for prayers of wisdom and clarity for the doctors caring for Hannah.

We thank you for all your prayers so far.  We know that your prayers have been heard and answered by our sovereign God.  He deserves all the glory for the wonderful transition that Hannah has had so far.  We realize that Hannah has not been a part of our family for long.  We trust that God will hold her and comfort her as she adjusts and grieves.  God's grace is a gift we are so thankful to receive.  We pray that Hannah will learn and grow in her knowledge of our Savior, Jesus.  It is through Him that we have eternal life and forgiveness of our sins.

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?  We would love to share with you the power of the cross and how you can also be adopted into God's family.  In fact, you don't have to travel all of the way from China to the U.S. to join the family.  All you need to do is accept Jesus as your lord and savior.  We'd love to tell you how.

At the park with Mama and Baba while the big kids were at school

First s'more roast of the season.  It was no surprise that Hannah loved this sweet treat.

Cheering on Nathan at baseball.  She is also sporting her first pony tail and pig tails.

Mmm...corn on the cob!  She had two pieces that night.