Maya's First Halloween

Maya really enjoyed her first Halloween. She was a cheerleader! She loves posing for pictures. Can you tell?

Maya's New Puppy

We got Maya a puppy on April 16, 2008. Her name is Minnie, and she's a 12-week old miniature pinscher.

Maya's Back to School Already!

Maya returned to school last Tuesday (3/4/08) which was a full 4-6 weeks before her estimated return. Terry took her to her surgeon for a follow-up visit on 2/28. They ran some labs and performed a chest xray, and her surgeon thought that she was doing just GREAT!

Unfortunately, even though she'd only been back to school for a couple of days, Maya came down with yet another bug last Thursday. She missed school on Friday. All weekend she had a really yucky sounding loose cough and a rash on the back of neck and up her arms. I can't wait for spring to arrive here in Illinois so the germs will go away!!

Maya is Home!!

Maya was able to come home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. She still has a couple of minor issues, but the doctor wasn't concerned enough to keep her in the hospital. For example, she's bleeding around the patch to close her VSD. The doctor believes this will stop during the healing process. We'll just need to keep an eye on it.

Maya's VSD Surgery - Sunday

Maya is continuing to improve. Today she was taken off her IV heart medicine and is being weaned off the oxygen. Yesterday afternoon, Maya started taking walks. For lunch, Terry smuggled in a McDonald's fish sandwich, fries and orange drink, and Maya's appetite suddenly returned. I think she just didn't like the bland hospital food. The doctor is hopeful that Maya will be able to go tomorrow (a full week ahead of schedule!!).

We are thankful for all of the prayers everyone has been sending our way.

Maya's VSD Surgery - Thursday

Maya is doing really well. She was extubated (sp?) last night. She's had three popsicles today. They're keeping her sedated because the doctor wants to keep her still today. So, she'll wake up briefly for a popsicle or water, then she falls right back to sleep. She asked me for a hug this morning. If things keep going well, they're going to take her off of sedation tomorrow and let her sit in a chair.

Maya's VSD Surgery - Wednesday

Maya's surgery is over, and the doctor is very pleased! He said that she's doing better than he expected. We found out that she also has an ASD (atrial septal defect), but he left that open because it can used as a "safety valve". Obviously, the next 12-24 hours are very critical. She will be monitored very closely before they decide if they can take her of the ventilator. Right now, she's still under sedation. She should be waking up in the next 2-4 hours.

Maya's Surgery Scheduled

Maya's open heart surgery has been scheduled for February 13. How ironic that the hole in her heart is being repaired the day before Valentine's Day!

We're Home!!

I haven't updated sooner because we've been busy adjusting to life at home and the jet lag.

Maya loves her new bedroom. She's adjusted very well to her new bed. She still wants me to sleep in her room, though. I figure there's no reason to rush that, so, as long as she wants me, I'll be there.

We took Maya to the doctor yesterday. She weighs 47 pounds and is 47 inches tall. She is one tall and skinny kid!!

Last Day in China

Today is Maya's ceremony at the US embassy. When you hear the word "ceremony", you would think it would actually be a ceremony. However, we found out yesterday that we can't take any pictures. Bummer. We had planned on dressing up and everything. Oh well.

Our colds are starting to get better, but I'm still afraid that as stuffed up as my head is, the flight is going to be very painful. At least we'll be traveling home. We can't wait to be back in America.

Days 8 & 9

Terry and I have come down with pretty bad colds. We feel terrible!! Yesterday, I decided to let Terry get some rest, and I called our guide, Mary, to see if she wanted to go to the playground with Maya and me. I let Maya run around and play on all the equipment for a couple of hours before returning to the hotel room. I know hotel rooms have got to be terribly boring for 6 year olds, especially with two sick parents. Luckily, Maya loves to watch Shrek. She discovered that movie on our second day together. I think I've seen it about 6 times since then. She repeats what the characters are saying. The donkey really cracks her up. I can't wait to get home and buy her Shrek 2 & 3. Last night, before bed, she gave me a break from Shrek, and we watched her Dora DVD.

Today, we're going to explore the pearl and jade market. We're also going to get together for supper with a family I met on the Gaozhou SWI yahoo group. They've got a daughter the same age as Maya from her SWI (adopted as a baby, I believe), and they just adopted a beautiful four year old, also from the province of Guongdong. I think it will be great for the girls to get together!

Days 6 & 7

Today is Sunday in China. We are preparing to attend a local church service. I left Maya with Daddy so I could run up here to the computer and make a quick post.

Yesterday, we visited a park to look at a statue of 5 goats. It's a symbol of Guangzhou. I'll have to read up on what it's all about on the internet someday. It was a good photo opportunity, though.

Maya continues to amaze us with her mastery of the English language. Yesterday, Terry said, "Hi, little miss". Maya said, "Hi, big miss". Heeheehee. She's so funny. She is counting to five in English already. She is trying to teach me how to count to ten in Cantonese. She just cracks up at my attempts. Well, at least I'm trying. :)

Day 5

Today we had one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. Our ISS guide took us to a botanical garden. It was a place where we could walk around and look at flowers. There were hundreds of Chinese school children there on field trips. Each time we passed a group of these children, they would say "Hello" to us. Every one of them. They would take our picture on digital cameras and cellphone cameras. It was like being a celebrity. They wanted their picture taken with us, too. They were SO excited to see Americans! We posed with them in front of a Beijing 2008 Olympic display. I will treasure those pictures forever. It was truly one world, united. Amazing...

Maya is doing great! She is such a blessing. She has a contagious laugh. She has us cracking up all the time. When we first got her, she wanted to keep all of her belongings with her at all times. It was getting a little heavy. So, yesterday, before we left the hotel room, I put her stuffed animals and doll in her bed and told her that they were going to take a nap. She pulled the covers over them. When we got back to the hotel room, she told me and Terry to "Shhhh" and put her finger over her mouth. We tiptoed into the bedroom and then "suprised" the animals and doll and woke them up. So, now when we leave the room, we put her "friends" down for a nap. heeheehee!!

Thanksgiving in China

Our Thanksgiving started with a buffet breakfast at the hotel. We had given Maya a Beanie Baby turkey for her Thanksgiving present, and she carried it to breakfast with her. Her turkey was a hit with the hotel staff. After breakfast we went to the Guangzhou Zoo. Maya got to see a panda bear!! We bought her a stuffed panda to commemorate the occasion. We had our Thanksgiving lunch at McDonalds. For supper, we went to Lucy's Cafe and ate outside under the palm trees. Our Thanksgiving supper consisted of fried rice, noodles and spring rolls. The weather was in the 70's. I'm sure this is the warmest Thanksgiving Maya will have for awhile!

Days 1, 2 & 3

Yeah!! I finally got this thing figured out. Sorry to those of you that this is a repeat of what I've emailed...

I'm here!! Everything is going GREAT!! We met Maya on Monday afternoon. She came running over to us and called us Mama and Papa. She sat between us and would pat our legs saying Mother, Father. So cute!! She loved the presents we gave her and laughed so much. Her caretaker obviously loved her very much and had her well prepared. She loves carrying her purse like mommy does. To all of you that thought she was going to turn into a mini-Heather, it has already happened. heeheehee. Oh, here's the cutest story. Yesterday we went to a playground. She played and played (on slides, teeter-totters, etc). Then, we went to a this restaurant for supper and got to sit outside by the palm trees in the balmy air. It was amazing. In the cab on the way back to the hotel, I said to Maya, "I love you". Keep in mind, Maya doesn't speak English, and Maya said, "I like you". Terry and I died laughing!! What a response!!! heeheehee. She is just so full of life and energy. She laughs all the time. She loves combing her hair and keeps putting different barrettes in it. She loves to brush my hair, too, and give me pony tails. We are having a blast!! She is very self-sufficient and independent.

She has two favorite toys, so far. She loves this little gadget that my parents gave her that lights up in different colors. She also loves this ball that we got over here. She loves to bounce it and kick it and play catch. Oh, Amanda, she loves the doll you gave her. She has been brushing her hair (trust me, her hair will never be the same again, heeheehee).

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I will update this again when I have a chance!!

Hugs from China,
Heather

Showers

Last week, two showers were thrown for Maya. On Saturday, my sister-in-law and mother threw our family shower. Then, on Thursday, my two best friends, Amanda & Jenny, threw my friends shower. Our family and friends have been SO generous!! Maya now has lots of Barbies and Hello Kitty stuff. She has her towels, bedding, books, DVD's, and so much more!!

Terry & Heather

For those of you who haven't met Terry or me, I thought I should post a picture of us. This picture was taken in March '07 when we took our first cruise to the Bahamas.

Amazing Week

As I write this, it is 1:30 a.m. Sleep is no longer my friend. I just have too many thoughts going through my mind to sleep at night.

This is the week that everything is finally coming together. We got the dates for our trip to China - November 17-November 30. We meet Maya on November 19. We'll be spending Thanksgiving with our daughter!!

First Picture of Maya

This is the first picture we saw of Maya. We received this picture with her file on August 23, 2007. Her smile melted our hearts!

The Journey Begins...

Today is Thursday, October 11. Our LID for Maya is 7/5/06. We are LOI 9/17/07 and LOA 10/1/07.