It's been just over seven weeks since we brought Mia home. What an amazing and joyful time it has been. Mia never ceases to amaze us with the depth of her adjustment and the speed of her development. This is largely her doing. She has an iron will and is quite driven when it comes to mastering new skills.

Confirming our suspicions, her pediatrician's assessment is that she is a "remarkably healthy, robust and alert child". We are extremely grateful to her caregivers, their management and the leadership of her social welfare institute (SWI) for the loving and high level of care she has obviously received.

Initially, separation from Kate and getting to sleep were quite difficult for her. They both perservered and worked patiently on these issues, to the point where now she is now much more accepting of bedtime and separations. Last night Kate went to back to a limited work schedule and there were no problems for Neil getting Mia to bed. Getting an afternoon nap in, however, is still hit or miss. Even when she doesn't nap, Mia clearly enjoys this private time in her crib --- she uses it for practicing vocalizing and gymnastics.

As part of her weekly routine Mia and Kate get together with other local families with children adopted from China for play in neighborhood parks or recreation centers. Mia also enjoys outings to indoor shopping mall play areas (and likes all forms of shopping) and really loves participating in a weekly "music for kids" class. She has also developed quite a fondness for canines from encounters with friends' and neighbors' dogs and a menagerie of beloved stuffed animals.

In our home state of Virginia and in many other states readoption for foreign born adoptees is a good idea because it provides a legal basis for rights of inheritence . Our preparations for applying for readoption began shortly after our return. We've had our first of three visits over six months from our agency social worker. We've also filled out the first of three detailed questionaires, required by the state, on her health and development. After six months, when all three home-visits, questionnaires and several medical reports are completed we can file the readoption application. These should also help us document her progress for the six month post-adoption report to China (the first of two required reports for China).

Other milestones so far have been obtaining her certificate of U.S. citizenship (accompanied by a letter from W) and her social security number. We soon plan to apply for a U.S. passport.


You may wish to check back occasionally. We hope to update the blog from time to time in the coming months.

Kate & Neil