Bringing Belle Home: We are back home safe and sound!

We arrived back safely at 8:30 pm on wednesday Night. We could not believe her Homecoming at the airport. Our hearts were overjoyed at the family and friends who took time out of their night to greet us and meet Belle.

Tim and I were afraid to take ambien on the way home because we wanted to be fully aware/awake for her so we were exhausted for thursday and friday. She did amazing for all three legs (about 20 hours total). She fussed maybe for 30 minutes on the really long 13 hour leg. That was just a huge answer to prayer for us. We smelled like sweat and were so ready for a shower. We never had much time between connections and customs so we were hungry and I was running low on diapers and formula-BUT WE MADE IT!

Thank you Lord for your protection over us and that there were no hitches and delays on our return! Thank you friends for reaching out to us over these past few days and making Belle feel so very loved and special.

There is no doubt in our minds that she was hand picked for our family. She seems to be adjusting well so far. The kids completely smothered her all day Thursday. My parents left that day so we were all sad to see them go but I know they must have been exhausted and tired themselves. They never once complained and they got a chance to really know our kids personalities over the past 2 weeks. They took them to doctors appointments, fireworks, to and from camps, Radnor, shopping, out to dinner, pool time, bedtime-you name it! Thankfully-Tim did not have to go to work thursday and friday so we could spend time teaching our children how to attach to their new sister. We have spent hours getting unpacked, laundry, mail, e-mails, grocery-we are finally coming up for air! Finally got a nap in today! Belle is learning to adjust to her own room/crib and all the toys she has never seen. We are slowly letting her experience the eggsersaucer, bouncy seat, swings, etc. She seems to really follow noises well and likes to see what action is going on amongst her siblings. It has been fun to have friends stop by and want to meet her. Today was her first big outing. We went to a pool party. Again-Luke and Meyer and Anna Caroline are just in awe of her and want to introduce her to their friends. Michael is a total toddler-likes her but in his own little world. We are just trying to keep a close watch on him since he likes to swing things and find markers and write on things these days!

Tonight is Saturday night and we hung out by our pool together and she really loved to be in the water and watching the others swim. She also ate a tiny bit of the rice we were having for dinner-a yummy dish that Grandma Ellie had made for us. She ate a tiny bit of baby food yesterday. She loves her bottle best and she took some whole milk for the first time this morning! We are just slowly introducing it all to her. She is also barely cutting a tooth-yipee! Tonight when I was laying her down she actually had enough muscle control to pick her arms up and wrap them softly around my neck-made me tear up a little. Her great grandmother Nannie also left her a message today on the answering machine. I get emotional about all of this because it is such a gift for her to even have a great grandmother and she has been sooooo warmly welcomed into both of our families with grace, love, and hope-A picture of Christ's love for us. He comes to us with open arms and without judgement.

I better go to sleep now! We are going to attempt church in the morning with all 5! Love to all and hope you can see her precious ways from the photos. Please be praying for her doctors check-up this Tuesday if Belle comes to your mind.