Much Happiness and More Adjustments

Today has been spent helping Lia adjust to yet another new environment (after 2 hotel rooms in 2 weeks) and more new people. A lot of new people. After 2 weeks of only Mommy and Daddy, she now spends her days with us as well as 4 older siblings who ADORE her. And while this is every mother's dream, it is hard for them to understand why she may need a little space for a few days until she settles in more.

I've noticed she's more reserved again, like she was earlier in our trip. It's completely understandable since not only is she adjusting to another new environment, she's also on a completely different time table. And nobody messes with a tired Lia. We've come to understand that pretty quickly :)

It's also interesting when littlest brother takes on the added responsibility of being the big brother to an 18 month old who's never been a little sister before. There's no warm up. You go straight into how to share toys and not clobber each other with them. And she may be tiny but she's a quick one.

So, this week will be spent helping Lia adjust to life here, crazy as it is. The laundry and unpacked suitcases will have to wait...as usual.

Here are some pictures from the Welcome Home Party the kids planned for us. They went all out with their friends on the homemade decorations and (with Nanna's help) they even scored a cake.

Enjoying her cake

Dancing with jie-jie

Wouldn't he fit right into ancient Chinese history?

Table decoration with homemade ladybug card

More festiveness

Chinese lanterns on the mantle (nice touch)

Banner made by the kids and their friends (and a streamer or two)

Proudly wearing "big brother" and "big sister" shirts

Sweet cake (very sweet)

Life of the party

Happy to be home