We're Home!
I am SO sorry I have not posted - many of you have emailed me asking if everything is OK! When we were leaving China I was getting sick and was full blown sick by the time we arrived home. Then on Monday, Mattie caught what I have and she has been sick all week and is still not feeling well as I type (but is down for a nap giving me a couple of seconds).
We left China/Guangzhou Thursday morning - had a layover in Hong Kong, and left HK at 5pm. Here's what Mattie did for most of the flight...
She was so great - she only cried a couple of times. Our plane did not have enough gas to make it from HK to Chicago, so we had to make an unexpected stop in the US to refuel, and missed our connecting flight to get home! Geesh! So we had to get a hotel room and left Chicago on Saturday instead. Fortunately we were not alone! Our friends Adam, Patty, Elisa and Maria were with us the whole time!
Here's Mattie her first day in the USA - in a hotel - in Chicago! She's proud to be an American!
But getting on a plane AGAIN on Saturday - that
Mattie is cracking up at Gramps...Grams brought a hat to the airport and somehow Mattie ended up with the headband she had on earlier. So most of our photos at the airport Mattie has it in her mouth. 
Someone finally said - you should take that. Duh! So here's one without the headband in her mouth! 
I think the overnight stop really made our transition more difficult - we got about 3 hrs of sleep and had to wake Mattie up to get to the airport. We tried to stay up Saturday. Mattie could not at all - we tried to get her up in the middle of the day (which was the middle of the night in China) but she would sleep in any position we had her in - she cracked us up even with our Jetlag.
It took Mattie a whole week to reverse her days and nights. I think Daddy's about there. Mommy is still trying. After being up several times each night I think my body thinks the new schedule is sleep in 1 and 2 hr. incraments and that's what I am still doing even though Mattie is not! Kind of funny!
There's a lot to tell about the last week - Mattie is up now and sitting on my lap twisting around so I will post again later...
We are looking forward to seeing all of you! 
We reunited in Guangzhou at Lucy's for Dinner. I know Mattie looks unhappy...she was ready to go to bed! But everyone else looks happy, so I put the photo on here anyway:o)
We went to the Pool today!
Mattie LOVES baths - so we had to try the pool. The water was SO cold. She cried at first and then when her feet warmed up she was OK. Within about 15m she was in up to her neck kicking around the pool in Baba's arms - like it was something she had been doing for the last 8 months.
Here's some recent pictures of Mattie. She has been very serious when we take her outside. I think she might be a little overwhelmed by all the activity. 
She does better each time we take her somewhere...and we were thrilled to see her first smile outside! 
Back at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou
Mattie loves to play with toys on the bed. In fact playing on the bed is her favorite thing to do. As soon as I walk over to sit her down on it, she smiles and sometimes let's out a squeel. She's so funny - she has us smiling ear to ear nearly every minute.
First time with Mr. Jingle Bell Ball...
Her favorite thing to do with Mr. Jingle Bell Ball - her eyes are watering from trying to stick the whole thing in her mouth...she will do it for 3-4 minutes before she gives up.
This is Breakfast bright and early yesterday morning. We took our oath at 4pm at the American Consulate. We are all done here and Mattie is ready to head to the USA! At the ceremony our girl made very loud kitty cat type noises during the oath. I couldn't get her to stop so we just "oathed" over her.
We can't wait to go home. We can't wait to go home. We can't wait to go home. It won't be long now...
What sleeping position you ask? Well first she must have...
She's not pulling it - she is just holding on. And then...
So this is how we walk around, ride the bus, and sit in resturants - several hours out of our day.
And when she wakes up...
