Well we have been home two weeks now and have things changed. I am not going to tell you everything is peachy and going perfectly, but we are making progress everyday. Coming home from 16 days in china leaves you physically and emotionally drained. All you want to do is just sit, sleep and be a zombie...but oh yeah, you just brought a new child home with you and there is no sitting, sleeping and being a zombie. You have to jump right in with both feet and start your new life. Well, I won't lie it hasn't been easy. Sebastian tested us at every turn the first week and then Annie decided she had enough of her new brother and him taking all her stuff! The sweet little girl, who shared everything with her new brother in china, was done being miss nice. She has regressed and been very difficult. They tattle on each other all the time and both holler "it's mine" constantly. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY! I will admit the first 10 days I really thought we had made the biggest mistake of our lives. I am too old for all this. And then that magic moment happens when your child looks at you, smiles and says, "I love you mommy" Your heart melts and you know you can make it through one more day.

Yesterday, Rich took Sebastian to watch Ryan play water polo and I took the girls for some "chick time" When we got home and were pulling into the driveway, Sebastian was coming toward us on his new bike. I swear he couldn't have smiled any bigger if he wanted to. He saw us and waved me in with that magic smile of his and pointed to his bike and gave me the thumbs up sign and said "Daddy very good" He made me cry. This is why we adopt. To give our children a home, a life and joy!! Every child deserves joy. And the joy he can give to me. One of those smiles can wipe out all the stress. He has been so brave. He is picking up english so quickly and it must be so frustrating for him. I remember when I was young, my dad made us go to Germany so many summers and stay with someone. Before I could understand and speak german, it was so boring and depressing to constantly be around a family speaking another language and I couldn't really communicate with them. Sebastian deals with this every day. Yet he wakes up with a smile on his face.

This past week was so sad for him and for me. We had to start all the doctors appointments and they needed to draw a ton of blood from him. Well I don't know what went on in china, but this boy is completely terrified of doctors. It took three of us holding him down and a nurse getting the blood. All the while he is screaming and crying out in chinese. It breaks your heart as a mom. I held him as tightly as I could and then he started crying out "mommy" that was it. Rich gets to take him the next time. On Tuesday we will go see the specialists at Children's memorial. Please let their be no more tests.
Also this past week we discovered Ryan has an ulcer on his cornea. At first I'm thinking, and eye infection. But NO, the specialists inform me this is very serious. He has been to the opthamologist three days in a row and has to go again on Monday. His eye isn't looking any better to me...so I am worried. Could you say a prayer for him??

And finally it was Annabelle's 4th birthday. I can't believe my baby is 4 years old. Where did the time go? Annie was so excited for this birthday because she was having her first kid party at Chuck E. Cheese. (Yes, I thought I was done with chucky) She had a blast! She was strutting around that place like she owned it. The funny thing is, she thinks he is Mickey Mouse....who am I to tell her differently. I'm sure Mickey isn't pleased! lol. She got a scooter and loves it. Her and Sebastian have a riot riding around the house and chasing each other. He is on her tricycle and she on the scooter. He is too big for the tricycle, but he doesn't care. I love listening to the two of them laughing....until they remember they are arch ememies and the fighting starts again. But everyday it gets a little better. I can't wait for spring. Today we went looking for playsets and Sebastian just smiled the whole time. He kept saying "Thank you mommy and daddy" and we haven't bought anything yet! I love this little boy. He tries my patience, but he is the sweetest, most compassionate little boy. I can't wait until we can really talk to him. He must be getting more comfortable, because now at bedtime, he is in his room and he starts talking to his stuffed monkey in chinese. He is very animated. O.K. I realize he could be telling his monkey that we are complete idiots and he wants out of this nut house, but I choose to think he is happy and telling his monkey all his adventures...even the time outs....

Enjoy the photos and we will put more up every few days and keep you posted on the crazy happenings at the Haske household. Thank you to each and every one of you who followed our journey to china. It meant alot to know so many friends and family were back home cheering us on and keeping us in prayer. We love you all.
Have a Blessed Easter. May God bring you Peace and Joy as you celebrate his Resurrection!
Hugs,
Michele and family