Life's blessings...

Well, we've now been home with Alli for 9 months.  Some days it feels like just yesterday that frail, precious, scared little girl was being placed in my arms, and other days it feels like she's always been with us.  It still amazes me at how God knew just where she belonged, and put us together, from all the way around the world.  This little girl is 100% and Ashworth! ;) 
Alli is so sweet and such a happy girl!  She has her siblings "bubu" (BaiLee, our oldest son), "Guh-Guh" (Ethan, our middle) and "LaLa" (Graci), all wrapped around her little fingers!  She seems to do that to most people who meet her!  She loves watching her brothers play baseball...and all the boys on their teams love her.  She's got the "fist pump" or "Knuckles" down and is a true ball park baby! ;) 
This little girl has captured our hearts and is a pure joy!  We had surgery to repair her cleft palate in March and after a week stay in the hospital, she has recovered so well!  Her speech is improving little by little and she's enjoying speech therapy. 
  BaiLee, Ethan and Graci are GREAT big brothers/sister to Alli!  They love her so much and doing a great job spoiling her! lol
She's a little miracle, and we are so greatful that God, yet again, saw us fit to raise such a perfect little person. We love her so much!

 Here are some pictures of Alli's first trip to the beach...which thank God, she loved! ;)  And, one of her and her Daddy on 4th of July
I'll try to get better about blogging more often...my hands are so full, but as I always say...Full of GREAT things! ;)

Going great...

Life with 4 babies....busy, but amazing!  :)
It's crazy, at times it seems Alli has been with us forever, and then I can't believe we have already had her for two months.  I can't even begin to describe this feeling she brings to us.  I posted on my facebook the other day...Everytime she smiles at me, laughs that amazing little laugh, gives me a huge, open mouthed-kiss or crawls into my lap to cuddle, I am assured that this was deffinatly God's plan for us!! Alli has fit in beautifully with our family.
Who knew all those years ago, before Graci was even born, when we had a "Blessing" service in our church and Brian blessed me to have 2 boys and 2 girls, this is how God planned it.  It still amazes me that a woman across the world gave birth to a little girl who was destined to be MY daughter.  I really can't even tell you what a delight she is.  She has stole my heart, just like her big brothers and sister.
Obviously (lol) we are all adjusting very well.  Alli is doing really, really good.  She seems very happy and to love life here.  We were all worried about Graci being jealous, which she does have her moments, but Alli is the one who has wore that crown.  It's funny.  She gets SO upset when anyone touches me.  Brian was out of town for a week for training for his job.  When we picked him up last week he got in the car to drive and put his hand on my seat.  Alli immediatly started crying.  He asked me "What is wrong with her?" I told him to move his hand and she stopped crying right then!! LOL  She's a mess!  Alli is full of personality and is a little ham.  Yup, she's an Ashworth!!  BaiLee, Ethan and Graci are all so proud of her.  Graci and Alli take a bath together everynight, and have a great time splashing and making a big mess.  Great bonding time for them.
I have been incrediably Blessed! God truly has been amazing to this family, and I'm eternally greatful that He allowed me, us, to experiece this miracle of adoption.  It's been far greater than I could have ever dreamed!

our first week at home...

Well, we've been home for a week now and Alli seems to be doing very well.  What a precious baby she is!  BaiLee, Ethan and Graci all seem to be doing great with her.  Graci seems to be doing great, with only mild jealousy.  She has gotten pretty baby-ish and wants me to do everything for and with her, so I do.  The kids all fight over who gets to sit by Alli, who pushes her in the stroller, who holds her...etc.  If they keep holding her all the time she'll never walk!!! LOL
We've had to just jump into our normal routine since we've been home, which most of you know is a very busy one.  I'm praying it doesn't mess Alli up with bonding/attaching to us.  She seems to be great, but doesn't really show a lot of stranger anxiety.  I'm not sure if I should worry about that or not.  We don't pass her around and let everyone hold her just yet, and the only ones that feed her are Brian, myself and our kids.  We don't make her go to anyone she turns away from and one of us are always in a room with her so she can see us.  It's so crazy the things that are different with giving birth and adopting.   I'm sure she's doing fine and will continue to do so. 
Two nights ago I saw a big difference in the way she interacts with her siblings.  She has really started responding to them and playing with them.  I can't tell you how much I love to watch that.  It's the sweetest thing!  We took Alli to church last week.  She did great.  It was so sweet to watch her clap along with the music. :)  Did my heart good to see that.  She is a total doll baby!
Since we've been home Alli has started holding her own bottle, drinking from a sippy cup, can pick up food with her fingers and put it into her mouth, cruises along the couch, can point to "Mama's nose" when asked.  She's really learning and seems to love the attention. 
Sometimes I wish I could go back and watch her for one day in the orphanage...just to see what her personality was like there, compared to now with us.  
God has been so good to my family.  I look at all 4 of my beautiful children and get overwhelmed with grattitude.  I really love being a Mommy and I'm so honored that God chose me to love and raise BaiLee, Ethan, Graci and Alli Ashworth.  They bring us so much joy and make everyday better than the one before!

first night home....BaiLee and Alli

Ethan and Alli

Graci feeding Alli a bottle for the first time.

My 4 beautiful children

BaiLee 11, Ethan 9, Graci 5, Alli 16mts

Our first Sunday in Church as a family of 6!!!!

What an awesome God!

HOME!!!!!

Oh my goodness!  WE ARE HOME!!!!!  I didn't realize how much I missed home until I got here.  It feels so good to be home, but it felt even better to have my babies in my arms!!  Oh my goodness, what a sight for sore eyes, arms and heart they were.  I missed those beautiful babies!  Mama, Daddy, Our kids, Ames and Jen all met us at the airport.  It was so nice to see my family and friends. :)  On the way home Graci said "Mommy, I missed you so much I almost peed in my pants!!!!" LOL  Ethan sat up front with Brian, Graci beside Alli and I sat in the back with BaiLee.  He was all over me, and I think I heard "You just don't know how much I missed you!" about 30 times or so.  :)  We kept them home from school today so we could all spend some time together.
Alli was a CHAMP on the flights home.  Seriously, I couldn't have asked for a better baby! She was amazing, even during our 7 hour layover in Chicago. 
The kids were so happy to finally meet thier sister.  They have been ALL over her.  It's going to take some getting used to for Alli, but she will.  She's already really taking to Ethan and BaiLee.  Graci, well....I think the two mama's thing may be confussing for her! LOL  Really, the kids are doing great with her. We all stayed up last night until almost 3 am.  I am beat today!!!  That king size bed didn't feel much like a king wit 6 people and a dog in it last night.  Alli and I ended up in Ethan's bed early this morning.  Jet lag is killing me and Brian!  We are exhausted today!!!  I really can't wait for night time so I can go to bed.
Alli took a good 3 hour nap today.  Graci asked me about 6 times if she could wake her up, she wanted to play.
I'm so happy to be home and have my family all together. 
For those of you who are wondering, Alli became a citizen of the United States of America the time she steped onto American Soil, which was in Chicago. :)
Thanks for all the many prayers.  We truly felt them every step of the way.  God is so good!!!
With lots of Love,
Amanda & Brian
*I'm posting some pictures from the trip. I'll post more from us being home when I download them.
This water fall was inside our hotel in Gz.

 Yum, in a resteraunt.

 eel, being sold at a resteraunt.....

 Beautiufl girl in her Traditional Chinese dress.  All ready for the "Red Couch" photo.

 These are the babies in our final group.  They had to divide all of us that started out Beijing.

 These are the families that went to the same province as us.  Dan, Julie & Dani-Lyn, Tony, Lisa, Elizabeth & Samantha.  We loved getting to know these families.

 My new friend, Jen and Ethan. 

 Beautiful sleeping beauty. This is how she puts herself to sleep sucking her fingers...it's SO sweet.

 Part of the whole group.

 The waterfall inside the hotel.  It was very pretty, and there were huge goldfish swimming all around.

 This is supposed to be a video of her laughing,. I hope it pulls up.

it's almost time...

to head to Hong Kong.  How cool is it that Brian and I are getting to hit all the major parts of China on our trip?!  Way cool!  I'm super excited about getting a step closer to seeing my babies. However, it is sad to think about leaving all the wonderful people that we have gotten to know and formed friendships with. 
My friend Jen and I went shopping today for gifts before we leave the island, while the guys kept the napping babies.  Oh my gosh....I'm totally stressed about getting everyone gifts!  I feel like I need to buy for everyone and it's totally stressing me out!!!!! Brian keeps telling me not to worry about it, just get stuff, but i'm stressing for some reason.  I haven't even gotten myself one single thing on this whole trip...and now I regret that.  I wish I would have bought myself some nice jade while we were in Beijing, but I didn't..... :(  Oh well....live and learn.
Alli seems to really like staying in the room.  She is her happiest when we are not in big crowds of people.  She just sits and plays for the longest time.  When we are out and about she is pretty fussy and whines a lot.  I'm sure she's not used to being around that many people.
This morning we did our "red couch" pictures.  This is a picture that adopting families take on this big red couch in our hotel.  We had Alli dressed in her traditional Chinese gown, along with all the other babies.  We got a lot of group shots.  What a wonderful memory.   I'm already looking forward to seeing all the families at a reunion in the future. :)
I better close for now.  I have a sweet baby playing on the ground who just looked at me and said "Mama" and smiled really big.
Much Love,
Amanda & Brian

Counting down the days....

.....until we are home!!  Now don't get me wrong; China has been a wonderful experience, and something I will never forget, but I have 3 babies at home that I have not gotten to see, hold, touch, hug, squeeze, kiss, tuck in at night, cook for, love on, play with, drop off and pick up from school, lay with, etc. and I'm really, really missing them right now.  I miss my BaiLee, Ethan and Graci!!!!!!
China really has been cool.  Brian and I have enjoyed the experience and are thankful we have gotten to experience it.  We're just ready to see our babies!!!
Yesterday we had our consulate appointment at the US Embassy.  We took our Oath and signed the paperwork for Alli's Visa...the final piece of paper we are waiting on so we can board the plane and head to the US.  Alli will be an official Citizen of the United States when we hit US soil....which will be in Chicago Ill. :)
She is still the sweetest little thing, but she's also a little pistol. She knows what she wants and doesn't want and is not afraid to let us know when something is not pleasing to her. She gets pretty fussy when we are out in crowds and on the streets, but as soon as we get back to our room she is all smiles and laughs.  She just doesn't do well with strangers.
Everyone knows Graci's nickname is "Sassy", well Brian and I have already discovered Alli's nickname, which fits her oh so well...."Spicy"  She is one Spicy girl. :) Of course she's going to need that spice to fit in with her brothers and sister. :)
She's a bottomless pit and can put away some food!!!  She's starting to slow down, somewhat.  I'm guessing she is realizing the food is not rationed like in an orphanage and we will always feed her and feed her good proportions.  She loves to eat, just like her big sister.  She still says "Mama" a lot.  Brian will look at her and say "Dada" and she will smile and look at me and say  "Mama"  I think she is a joker, and likes to aggravate her Daddy. She sleeps good at night and loves her naps. 
She and I both have a cold.  I'm starting to get somewhat better, thanks to the medicine's others have given me.  Alli sounds rough.   We both have real raspy voices and a cough.  Lots of congestion. Hoping she will be all better before we get home.  She seems to be bonding very well with Brian and I. I pray that continues when we get home and around all the people who want to love on her.  Adoption is so different than giving birth, and I have to remind myself of that sometimes.  Right now Brian and I are just the most awesome Nannies she has ever had......she's bonding very well, the attachment will take time.  I'm eager to get her home in her new house with her siblings and start life as a complete family.
The people here always ask me if she is my first child.  They are all so shocked when I tell them she is our 4th! In a country where you can only have one child, 4 is unheard of.  They are all very supportive of the adopting families.
Keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow we get her Visa papers and then we fly to Hong Kong for the night before flying home to the states.  Pray for safe travels and for Alli to do well on the flight (me and Brian, too)....it's a LOOONNNGGG one! 14 1/2 hours on one air plane is a LONG time!!!!  I feel like a runner who is almost to the last mile mark.....so close, yet so far away!!!  Not much longer until I can be with my babies! (and eat my Mama's cooking!!!)  Actually the food here is not bad. I've enjoyed it and want to learn to cook some Asian dishes.  Brian ate squid last night and I tried it...not bad at all!  That's where it stops for us.  They had ostrich kidneys and forest frogs on the menu...yikes!  today walking around Brian and I took pictures of turtles, eels, frogs, and all kind of things (live) in front of a restaurant for you to pick out to eat.....we have not went that extreme! :)
See you all soon.  I better rest while Miss Alli girl is napping.  :)
Love you all,
Amanda & Brian

Pictures!!!

We left Nanjing yesterday.  It was a pretty busy day, so Alli missed her nap. Oh boy, that made the flight well.....stressful.  Sweet girl was in rare form and throwing one natural tantrum just about the entire flight! lol I felt bad for the man sitting beside me.  I can only imagine what he and everyone around us were thinking.  Oh well...she's still the sweetest baby!
We went today for her medical appointment.  She did good.  She was getting sleepy and hungry toward the end.  I have tons and tons of pictures I want to post, so bare with me!  My friend, Jen, let me use her card reader, so I was able to download pics to my computer.  I've been so eager for everyone to see this beautifl baby girl!!! :)
Love you all!
Amanda & Brian

                                                 This is when they handed her to us....

                                                      She did so good, I cried more than she did!

                                                              Silly Daddy, trying to make her smile!

                                                                             What a moment!

                                                      She's already laughing at Daddy!

                                            In our room, me feeding her for the first time.

                                             A nice bath and clothes, and here's our girl!!!!  Two hours after we've had her.  She smiles and laughs like this all the time.  God has really Blessed us.

making it final...she is OURS!

                                                     Stamping her fingerprint

                                                   Me and My Love....

                                                Alli's first Oreo...

                 and the messy face to prove it....(this was for you, Grumpy, she loves coke and cookies! :)

First Skype with Brothers and Sister...

                                                    She wanted to touch them...

                                     My friend from the airplane.  She came to our hotel to see us.

                             She loves to say "Mama" and give me kisses. (with her mouth wide open!) :)

                               The girl is LIMBER!!! I see gymnastics in her future. She can do a full split!