Introducing Carolina!

*This is Teesa's friend Shannon, updating the blog for her, as it seems they cannot access blogs from where they're using a computer.

Bill and Teesa are still in China. The first meeting and adoption went well, and yesterday they took her to the doctor for her checkups. She weighs about 18.3 lbs. wearing all her clothes (and Mommy's watch.)

Here's some tid-bits straight from teesa:

She's not following any of the normal orphanage-raised child protocols, as in, she is making eye contact, she is falling asleep in our arms, she is begging to be held, she loves riding in her Baby Bjorn and she has already learned to say "more" in sign language, so she's communicating with us.

She can nod her head for yes and shake it for no. She can say "gege" (big brother) for Sam (while looking at his picture) and she reaches out to Bill and me. She dislikes other people holding her and throws her body towards mommy.

But, she is definitely developmentally delayed in a lot of ways. She only drinks from a sippy cup once a day and refuses liquids the rest. Plus she won't really eat any solid foods, except baby foods and rice. We did sneak some egg in with her rice tonight and after a while she wanted it on her own, but it's very difficult to get her to eat something new. We're going to need to try cow's milk tomorrow, because she dislikes her formula (which they told us she eats).

We're going to try to visit her orphanage in a couple days and see where she's spent her time. The orphanage director was extremely sweet and even provided us with a little picture book of the orphanage and Carolina standing and playing outside of it.

They need our prayers:

- Teesa has been sick, suffering from hives due to an allergic reaction to some antibiotics. Please pray that she will get well quickly.

- Pray that everything continues to go well, and Carolina will continue to bond with her new parents, and will begin eating and drinking as she should.

- Remember to pray for Sam who is still waiting at home for Mom and Dad to return with his new sister.

Teesa sent me a few short videos of Carolina which I will upload to the blog soon. For now, here are more pictures - isn't she beautiful!! Praise God for answered prayer!!