Website with Gotcha video

I have gotten emails that some were unable to watch the video from the blog. If you weren't able to view it...try clicking on the Summer's Gotcha link to the right of this and watch it from the YOUTUBE website. If that doesn't work..I don't know what else to do!!

Forever in our arms day!!!

I finally got around to making a clip of the first moment we laid eyes on our daughter. It was quite an amazing day. It is difficult to explain the emotions that were surrounding this event. I couldn't believe how emotional I suddenly became. We were the last to receive our baby in a group of 5 families, so by the time it was our turn the room was so loud and full of crying and laughing that you really can't hear much on the video. So I put music in it's place!! So turn up your volume folks. Here is a little glimpse into one of the BEST days of our lives! SUMMER FUN DAY!!!!!!!!! Don't click on the arrow in the middle of the page...click on the play arrow in the bottom left corner twice.

Camping....

Summer went on her FIRST camping trip this past weekend!! She LOVED it. We can't believe how well she did. She loves the sand and loves the water. I got some great family photos on my dad's camera...because our batteries died...so I will post those when he gets back. They are still up at the lake.

Anyone need a dishwasher??

Summer's heart...

As you know, Summer has ventricular septal defect in which she has a hole in the wall between the ventricles of her heart. When we first received her paperwork it stated that the hole was 4mm. We had discussed her situation with a pediatric cardiologist and he felt like she would probably need surgery but also stated that it "might" still grow over as she grows. Well...we took Summer in for her appointment last week and they did an ultrasound and echocardiogram at the appointment. Her doctor then came in and discussed her situation with us. He drew a diagram of her heart and showed us exactly where the hole was located. He stated that it is in the membranous portion of the ventricles which is an area which is not "as likely" to close over on it's own. HOWEVER....much to his surprise there is tissue growing over the hole and it has actually shrunk down to 2 1/2mm in size. He said that is actually a very small hole and she could probably live a long life even with a hole that size without doing surgery. However, there was some concern that the blood was not only being shunted into the Left ventricle from the right ventricle but also some up into the left atrium. This is very uncommon and he felt like it was being caused by the tissue that was growing over the hole acting as a cup and causing some of the blood to go up into the atrium through the valve. The only concern with this is that the atrium is very low pressure and stretchy and they do not want it to become too enlarged with blood being pushed into it. So they will monitor this situation. He seemed to feel like the shunting up to the atrium could change as soon as that tissue grows a little bit more. Long story short....SHE DOESN'T NEED OPEN HEART SURGERY YET!!! We are so excited. I think in my mind I was very prepared to have to do it right away but once we got home...the more I thought about it the worse it sounded!! So we are just tickled and praising God that we don't have to cross that road yet, and further, that we may not at all. I feel like God has truly answered all of the prayers that have gone up for this little sweetie.

Speaking of sweet...can I just tell you how sweet this little girl is!!! I just can't get over how special she is. She loves to play and giggle and be tickled and interact with us. She loves to snuggle but also loves to get down and motor around. She is standing up on her own for long periods and it's almost as if she has this DRIVE to walk. She tries over and over and just laughs and laughs!! She is sleeping through the night and goes down beautifully. We rock her and then sit in the room with her until she is asleep. She is so cute because even after lying there for 5-10 minutes with her eyes shut...she will often peek to make sure we are still there! She is waking up happy now instead of crying and just lights up when you walk into the room to get her. The boys fight about who is going in with me and they usually both come!! Jed had some initial difficulty being replaced as the baby. He never took it out on her...just on me!! But he is really coming around and is playing with her often and she just loves him. He lies on the floor and says..."climb on me Summer"....and does she ever. Caleb has been smitten since day one. He is more "in her face" and we have had to remind him that even Summer has a "space bubble". He loves to push her in her stoller and, of course, has to stop every few minutes to kiss her head or cheek!! The other day he wanted to push her on the dirt road by our house. He loves riding through the pot holes on his bike and he figured she would LOVE it too. I let him and he pushed her through each pot hole but at slow motion. It was so cute...of course, he was talking NON STOP to her the whole entire time. He still continues to call her Xiayue and I just think it's adorable.

These past few days I have just had such a peace about where God has us. My heart is sooo full. It feels like there was so much unknown and so much change during this whole year and a half process. I didn't feel worried about it but did spend much of my time thinking about who my daughter would be. Well...I think we hit the jackpot!! I am soooo enjoying having my 3 kids at home with me!!! We are having so much fun just sitting out in our yard and playing! When I think back on those first weeks with Summer I can honestly say I never thought it could be this good this soon. She is literally a different child after just a few short weeks. She literally went from being almost catatonic ,that first week, to laughing, giggling, smiling, crawling to us as fast as she can and almost walking a few weeks later. I've also noticed she is quite sensitive. She has always liked hitting her hand on almost anything and has started to do that when I feed her a bottle...only she is hitting my face. It's just a fun thing and there is no malice behind it. I just take her hand and rub it on my cheek and say "soft, gentle"...and she often rubs it softly after. Well...the other day she wacked my face pretty good and I gave her hand a little sqeeze and said "no hitting". I literally didn't even raise my voice and out popped that poochy lip (other wise known as "Jed lip") and big tears welled up in her eyes. So I am glad that God gave me such a sensitive little boy (Jed) to prepare me for my little girl!!
As I think back on this experience, I truly believe it is one of the most fulfilling and amazing things we have ever experienced. It equals giving birth to both of our boys. God has truly blessed us with this precious gift. It has just been mind boggling to see this little girl change. And I know she is changing each day as she learns to trust us a little bit at a time. Every once in a while, she will give me a look like "I am still not 100% sure about you"....such a reminder that trust and attachment is such a learned behavior. It is so eye opening to realize how important that first year is. And it is just a reminder to continue to meet each of her needs in a loving and nurturing way so that she can feel a sense of security which will truly give her a freedom to be whoever God wants her to be. So as you think of us...we would love your continued prayers in this area. I would also like to encourage anyone who is "toying" with the idea of adopting... to please go for it!! It may seem like a huge leap of faith...and it is...but what better way to grow your faith??!! We are continually reminded that "He who began a good work with be faithful to complete it" whenever we look into our daughter's eyes!! When I think of the things that the Lord has shown us and taught us already...I can't imagine what it would have been like if we had never gone down this road. I love that quote by Mark Twain....

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. "

This has truly been a faith journey. I would love to talk with anyone about this if you have any specific questions. I would also HIGHLY RECOMMEND Small World Adoptions and Kathy Storro. What an amazing...and hiccup free journey our China trip was. We felt soooo taken care of and never once had a worry while in China. So...as I step down of my soap box I will end with this..... I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.---1 Samuel 1:27

Summer at home!!

"First Tooth"

Home pictures!

Getting to know Grandpa and Grandma C.

Caleb is contantly saying "Summer...you" re just as cute as a

little mouse!"

Let's unpack!!

My first airport!! Let's go home!

Our dear, and hilarious friends, John and Lisa and little Grace!

Summer and her Guiping SWI buddy, Maya.

The traditional red couch picture. Yes, there were more

children...but many didn't want much to do with the red couch!

We are home!!

We are home!! I have been meaning to update but we have been experiencing some serious jet-lag!! I might add that Summer seems to be affected the worst. She has been up most of the night for the past 4 nights in a row. Needless to say, we are a bit zombi-ish around here. Thanks so much to all of our dear friends who met us at the airport. Your love and support has been amazing. Both of our parents were also such a huge support during this time and had the huge job of taking care of our very active boys. We didn't once worry about them (only about our parents!!) They seemed to have a blast! We couldn't have done this without you all!!

Summer is doing great. She is such good baby and is just so sweet. She is really starting to warm up to the boys. I think they were a bit overwhelming initially but tonight Caleb had her laughing hysterically! She is coming out of her shell a little more each day. We spent some time at the lake today and she loved it...however, she didn't want anything to do with her feet touching the sand. It was so cute. It's like everything is a first for her!! She is adding more items to her meal menu!! She actually ate some baby food today!! Squash! She is also eating cheerios. But her favorite is steamed eggs. Our guide, Lily, in China ordered it the last night we were in China and she scarfed them down. That was the first time she ate something other than rice cereal and formula from her bottle!! So, of course, learning to make steamed eggs was a must and she is very happy because of it! Tomorrow is her first visit with the pediatrician and then she sees the heart specialist next week. Please continue to pray for her heart!

We are so thankful to all of you who have prayed us through this and we know that the story is just beginning! I hope to keep you all updated on occasion! I'll add more pics tomorrow!

Last day in China!!

I can't view our blog but it looks like some of the post may be out of order...Oh well!!

Just wanted to let you all know today was our last day in China! We had our consulate appointment today and were issued Summer's U.S. Visa. When we enter the U.S. and her passport is stamped, she will officially be a United States Citizen. I can't believe this journey of a lifetime is coming to an end. But we feel like it is just beginning. We are so thankful that we were chosen for little Summer Anne Xiayue Corbett!

Looking forward to sharing our pictures and videos with friends and family.