Friday and Saturday July 20 and 21st

Well, it happened! Indigo ended up in our bed on Friday night. She woke up at some time in the wee hours – I don’t even remember when it was and I just asked David to bring her to our bed. It was not a great idea because although she ended up falling asleep between us, neither of us were really able to sleep with her there. I was just really nervous the whole time about falling asleep and crushing her or her being smothered by the pillows or comforters so if we get into that situation again we think that we’ll just take her onto the single bed which we still have set up in her room. It seems that we’re moving a little closer to a more regular schedule – slowly but surely.
The dolly she is holding in the picture was made for her by a lady that works with my dad - very sweet. Sadly, on Friday morning, Mom & Dad left to return to Myrtle Beach. They had been at house since we left for China and had looked after our pets and house that whole time. We are so appreciative. It was so nice to not have to worry about our “first” children while we were gone. Mom was a Godsend to us this first week back at home, helping us keep it together while we started to acclimate to the 12 hour time change. On Friday morning David waited to go to work while I went to the doctor. All three of us are now on antibiotics. After David went to work I got Indigo bathed and dressed. She was wearing her super cute outfit from Michele S – little blue cotton top with butterflies and matching Capri blue jean pants with embroidery. We were going to join our girls from work for a birthday lunch for our friend Becky at Cactus. However, we changed that plan because Shelli, Jason & Rou Rou , who were en route to Michigan, with Purim the cat, were going to stop by to say goodbye. They arrived around noon and we had a lovely visit apart from Indigo being a little cranky and clingy. She was getting sleepy. We tried taking a photo of her and Rou Rou on the couch together – let’s just say it was close to the red couch experience although not with quite the same intensity. However, she was really happy to have a photo taken with her and Rou Rou both on my lap. We gave Rou Rou some of the things we had bought for her in China – a pink Chinese dress to match one that we got Indigo so that we can take pictures of them together – whenever, I feel geared up to try to put Indigo back into a Chinese dress! Rou Rou also loved the fan that we got for her – she looked so beautiful in her dress holding her fan. Anyway, I had suggested that they all spend the afternoon and evening with us, stay overnight and leave for Michigan on Saturday but they needed to get on their way. We regretfully said farewell and they left with Shelli and Rou Rou in the car, and a Jason and Purim in the U-Haul. Indigo went down for a nap which was wonderful because it was the first time she seemed ready to take her afternoon nap earlier. She slept until about 3 p.m. but was very cranky when she woke up – not wanting to walk around and constantly wanting to be picked up but when picked up, wanting to be put down – fickle, one might say. I decided to take her and the dogs for a walk out in the stroller which she loves. It was a bit of a challenge walking the two dogs and the stroller but they were very good and she was very happy. We walked down to where our friend Dorothy lives and she was home so we had a visit in her house – even the dogs were invited in. Well, little miss Indigo loved Dorothy. She was all smiles and chuckles – most charming. At one point she even held out her arms for Dorothy to hold her and she sat with her a minute before wanting to come back to me. She had also devoured a snack trap full of Cheerios on the walk down and Dorothy very kindly replenished her stash. We got home about 5ish and were waiting for Daddy to arrive. Well, just then our doorbell rang and I looked out the window and saw Shelli’s car in the driveway. We answered the door, and said “does this mean you’re spending the night” it did. Traffic had been so very frightful that they had to turn around and come back. David arrived home and we had a wonderful night together. It was so nice because Indigo was much happier at this point and very excited to play and laugh. We had music playing and Indigo just loves, loves, loves to dance with her Daddy and be twirled by him – she just shrieks with joy. It’s so very wonderful to see. Indigo loved her Chinese food dinner and ate plain lo mein, Taiwanese style noodles, tofu, some chicken and some other things. She went to bed pretty easily. David and I were so tired, and I was also so congested - it had been a long day since those wee hours. However, we were enjoying our visit and once both girls were down it was good to chat and enjoy their company. We finally went off to bed and we ended up sleeping so well, that very embarrassingly, we did not hear Indigo when she woke up crying! Shelli heard her and got up and ended up lying with her on the single bed in her room until morning. I could not believe that we had not woken, usually I hear her right away. Needless to say, on Saturday we went and bought a monitor. We had a nice morning together (Rou Rou loved braiding Egan's feathers) and then saw Shelli, Jason, Rou Rou, and Purim the cat (who spent the night in the laundry room) off for real this time. David and I had things to buy and so all three of us went out to Babies-R-Us which was closed still. We went to another store where I made a return and then at 9:30 we went back to Babies-R-US. While there, Indigo fell asleep in her stroller and stayed asleep while being returned to the car seat. David stayed in the car with her while I went into Target – thanks ML for the tip on where to find the Shout gel – bought three bottles. Then David went into the grocery store to get some essentials and I stayed in the car with her. She was awake by the time we got home and we hung out and played and then she had a great lunch. It was momentous because she drank from a sippy cup for the first time and she was mighty proud of herself. She had a good nap in the afternoon – we were so happy that she was taking an earlier nap versus the one she had been taking in the very late afternoon.

At around 4ish we went down to the lake for her first swim there. She wore her adorable bathing suit from Kathy G and family and looked so cute. She took to the lake right away. She went in with me first and got used to the water which was lovely and warm. We were joined by Robyne & Stuart and their twins, Callie & Stirling and their new baby Alexandria Islay who was at the lake for the first time. We had a great time at the lake and then Indigo enjoyed playing in the sand and then spent a little time on the swing before we came home. She again enjoyed a good supper and then Daddy gave her a bath while I went out to get her a humidifier in the hopes that it might help her sleep better through the night. It was a great day and she was super but we should have put her to bed sooner, rather than waiting for me to set up the humidifier – bless her, she was one pooped out girl, and we were pretty exhausted ourselves.

Waiting behind gate at top of stairs with Caleb for Daddy!