We are two weeks home and I just have to say it again: Claire is the bravest soul I have ever met.
She was beyond excited to land in Seattle. I could hardly keep her in her seat. Somehow she knew this was a very important moment. As soon as the wheels of the plane touched the ground, she became an American citizen. After a brief layover, we boarded a plane for the short ride home. We arrived at noon on October 20 to family and friends waiting for us at the airport. Instead of being shy and timid, this is how she looked.
Here she is meeting her cousin, Stephen, for the first time.
And, here she is with her friend Tai(Long Long to her) who was the catalyst for this whole process. They hadn't seen each other for 18 months and it's clear how happy they are to see each other.
We arrived home and she explored the entire house. She grinned from ear to ear. She carefully put her things away and while she wasn't thrilled with dinner(Tacos, we were craving Mexican food) she seemed to be very happy to be home.
The next morning she began throwing up. She couldn't keep anything down and so day 1 home we called the pediatrician. Since she couldn't keep fluids down, he prescribed nausea medication which she refused to take. I even dissolved it in a cup of warm water and it was still a no go. She slept, oh how she slept. 15 hours that first night and day(not counting all the sleep she did on the plane). The following day, she initially seemed better but threw up as we were walking out the door for soccer. So she and I stayed home and snuggled while she slept. There was lots of snuggling which was good. I just wish it hadn't been because she was sick.
By late in the afternoon we were really worried and on the verge of taking her to the emergency room. She was listless, sleeping, not talking and not eating or drinking. She is 35 pounds and 42 inches tall at 8 years old, so she doesn't have an ounce to spare. As a last ditch effort, we went to a Chinese restaurant. We ordered wonton soup and chow mein. Initially she said she didn't want any, but we told her that if she didn't eat we would have to take her to the hospital. She ate a bit, then more and more. We took the leftovers and headed for home. She fell asleep and when she woke, she was about 75% her old self. She polished off the remaining food and was just fine after that. We think now, that while she may have had a touch of the flu, that she was grieving everything she had left behind. The only place, people, food and language she had ever known. While she was well prepared and wanted to be part of a family, it's a pretty tall order in terms of a transition and this appeared to be her way of dealing with it.
Since being home, here have been lots of firsts. The first doctor's appointment where she said, clear as day(much to our surprise) "Hello David Morgan" to her doctor. She has started school.
She has been to her first Zag Event.
And her first Halloween.
She has faced it all with enthusiasm, excitement and with such bravery that I am in awe of her! We could not have picked a child more perfect for our family and she is rolling like she's been with us for years. We feel so incredibly blessed, that she has joined our family. We are amazed at the gift that God has given us and the way in which He has orchestrated his plan. This whole process has been, and Claire herself is, a miracle!
