Getting to Know Lizzie, Our Last Day in Taiwan

It's sad to write it's our last day but also so good.  As a wise friend once told me two is a game-changer.  That's putting it lightly.    Then add you're half way around the world in a hotel room the size of two shoeboxes with nothing but a few toys that would fit in a suitcase and holy moly batman!  We are missing home and so excited to get there.  Sophie says she'll miss the pool and the nice lady that brings her a floatie everyday and gives her special gifts for just her.

Lizzie is doing well, the sleep thing not so much.  But it was the first night.  We think we may have cracked the code - her gums are raw she's got several teeth coming through so we grabbed the nighttime orajel and went to town.  and she slept today.  We are hoping it works tonight.  She will be 9 months old soon but I would say she is more around the 4 - 5 month mark with the exception of her mobility.  This doesn't worry me one bit as Sophie was more like a 6 month old when we picked her up at 1 year and honestly within 2 - 3 weeks it was like an entire different person. These children gets TONS of attention but it's still hard to imagine these little ones in their cribs for most of the day.  They love these children so much and know each and every detail of every one of these little ones.  When they eat, what their personalities are, how they like to be soothed what their bedtime ritual is, what they like and don't like.  It is truly an amazing thing to witness. It's so neat to watch her head liek it's on a spindle at all the new sights and sounds, smells - she takes it all in!

Lizzie is a pretty cool cat.  She gets very verbal when she gets excited, loves her big sister and follows her everywhere she goes.  She's still eating taking bottles every 4 hours and eating baby food for the most part.  Next month they suggested introducing her to more solids and trying fish and peanuts - yea I know it's another weird thing but guess what?  Allergies are so few in this county to peanuts and fish....wonder if it has anything to do with the children's exposure so early?  Nothing scientific just a passing observaton it's like "Deep Thought by Tiffany Rhine"  scary, I know.  OVerall a very happy baby.  She does well in the carrier I'm curious about the car seat it could get interesting.  Lizzie is a thumb-sucker with a blankie.  Double whammi.  :)

Sophie is adjusting well.  It's truly exhausting to carry Lizzie around all day but equally exhausting for Chris to tend to Sophie's "look what I can do"  running around the american consulate's office in Taiwan (armed guards love that...not!) but for the most part she is adjusting well just missing her times with mommy and daddy So Chris stayed with Lizzie and Sophie and I had special time down at the pool and it makes a world of difference.  We had McDonald's tonight.  Heaven.  Coke Light - is not Diet Coke just so you know.  lol

So we head on our way tomorrow.
FOr the adoptive mom blog readers here is our update:
1.  AIT floors have changed.  Immigration is now on Floor 2 not Floor 3 like it has been in the past.
2.  AIT for us we were in and out in 1 hr and 15 minutes
3.  We were able to pick up Lizzie's visa that same day at 2:30 unlike in years past when you had to come back the next day.
4.  The super secret do not open do not allow babies to knaw on manilla sealed envelopes still exist  :)

So here's praying for a great last day in Taiwan.  We are hitting temples hopefully Lizzie permitting to get a child blessing for each child and then we are going to try to do Taipei 101 as it's to be beautiful tomorrow and Sophie wants to see it.
We will then head to the airport and hunker down until the flight home.

Please pray we have a safe flight.  Please also pray it is extremely uneventful from the child front and that neither of our girls have flying issues tomorrow and sleep most of the flight.
I apologize to my folks in advance for what we may all look like coming off the plane tomorrow we could be a sight for sore eyes or just a plain sore sight - lol.
Yeah Lizzie's heading to the states and will be home for the first time tomorrow!! 

ps.  these scooters are a riot.  Chris wants to move somewhere so he can drive one to and from work.
If you see any random guys in Linsanity T-shirts on a scooter with a navy helmet and white star.  That's him.  Please wave  :)

XO
 to all....leaving you with a few pics.

 Sporting the latest in hair trends. 

 Big sis, lil sis.  Lil sis has hair envy and pulls soph's every chance she gets.  Momma Bear has lost her bling  :( no more earring or necklaces for me for awhile.  Lesson learned more than once this trip.

 Stolen moment

 Lizzie and Daddy

 Boba Tea!!!!!!!!!! 

 Here comes Lizzie Kong.  We call her that because she is constantly attacking her sister and pulling herself up on her, pulling her hair and then falling in a very dramatic fashion.

 My baby girl.

Faster than a speeding bullet!