Animal crackers

I've discovered you cannot share a bowl of animal crackers with Jude.

She bites the head or leg off of a cracker then puts it back with the rest.

Nothing so pleasant as grabbing a soggy, pre-gnawed nugget out of the bowl. Nummy num!

M

Verticality and Mobility

Yesterday was Vertical Day. Jude spent most of the day standing and toddling.

 She has been able to stand and get up and down, as well as walk with assistance.  She walks around furniture and holds your hand. She takes three or four steps on her own. I've been working on encouraging her to walk, as she has to be walking for her day care center.

Sunday she took off on her own, stepping out over and over to walk about. She figured out how to ride her push horse and how to push her shopping cart. I moved the portable gate blocking off the living room too (that was there to keep the dogs away from the baby).  She rarely sat down all day.

Today was Mobility Day.  Back to the shopping cart - she chased me around the first floor for a bit.  I noticed she didn't want my help to stand or get back up, which was a first.  She walked between furniture and the TV, then from the toy basket to the TV, and so on.  Her longest walk was a walk around the dog, a perfect circle.

I think she's had her breakthrough.  The house is no longer my own!

m

Bye bye specific baby product brand (buzz buzz)

Jude is still fighting ear and respiratory infections, so we were back at the doctor this morning. The doctor noted Jude has some eczema on her face. When I was redressing her I saw pin point red spots on her neck and arms and showed those to the doc.

The doctor commented that it looked like an allergic reaction, which is interesting, as I've been fighting the same thing on my neck and chest for a few days.

Likely culprit - Jude's baby wash and moisturizer. So bye bye Burt's Bees products and hello super sensitive stuffs.

Bummers - I love the way that stuff smells.

About that name

It was brought to my attention that I didn't formally announce the baby's name, nor explain its origin.

I apologize; I pieced my blog posts of the trip together from my travel diary and I thought I'd included that information.

I called the baby Beach Baby in this blog from the beginning. I decided on her name a few years into the adoption journey. The night before I met Jude the guide came to my room with a form to complete to start the adoption processing. The form asked for the child's English name. I hadn't intended to give out her name until I met her in person. I even had a 'back up' name in mind, just in case she didn't really match her intended name. Oh well, plans change.

Her name is Jude Frances Jie Connelly.

I named her after her grandparents. I was named after my grandmothers, so it seemed right.

Jie was her Chinese middle name. I wanted to retain part of her history.

Frances is the feminized version of my father's middle name.

Jude is for my mother, Geraldine. Her family called her Jed, and I thought Jude was very similar. I've also considered St. Jude to be my patron saint through this adoption so I liked that connection.

So that explains her name. It looks like we will have to wait until this summer to have Jude baptized but she officially Jude Frances Jie, in the eyes of China and the U.S., for now.

First Mass

Jude attended her first church service this morning. She was so well behaved all the way to communion. Then she got frustrated and it was time to leave.

She wore a dress I bought in Nanning. It was also the first time I'd had my St. Jude medal on since leaving for China. I carried a little chaplet with me on the trip, hidden in my diaper bag/ backpack.

Time for a nap!

Week 2 - Out and Sort of About

In our second week home Jude was feeling better, and I was on my second round of antibiotics. So, we ventured outside.

We met the neighbors and even ventured out to the zoo. It wasn't the best weather but it afforded us good views of the exhibits. We also did quite a bit of shopping, picking up things like sippy cups and food bowls. Jude has to be off bottles and walking on her own before she enters the daycare I want to get her in.

We've been to a few parks in the neighborhood but I still haven't found my ideal spot. Jude only plays on the swings for a few minutes, and as she isn't walking on her own yet she's easy for the other kids to knock down. For me, there isn't the right kind of walking track combined with swings for her.

Assessment at Children's Hospital International Adoption Clinic

The first Friday after we arrived home I took Jude for her assessment at Children's Hospital International Adoption Clinic.  This is a fantastic option for families bringing home children adopted of the US.  We met with pediatricians, physical therapists, speech therapists, a dietitian, even a psychologist.  Jude is in great shape.

It was so helpful to discuss concerns with multiple experts.  My biggest issues are her diet and sleep habits and the Children's staff gave me some great advice and guidance.  We will receive a complete assessment shortly and be able to use that as the basis for treatment with her regular pediatrician.

Using the hints they were able to provide, I had Jude sleeping in her own bed by that Sunday.  It's been going well and gets better every night.  Big relief for me, as having a pushy baby sharing my sick bed was not a good thing.

Thank you Children's!

m