2 Months Ago Today

It's hard to believe we met Sara 2 months ago. In some ways it seems like we have known her forever and in some ways it seems like time has gone by so fast. Every second with her has been amazing. We can't get over how resilient she is and how well she has adjusted to her new life.

We left Sara alone for the first time! Her cousin Robbie (who she LOVES) did a great job! She didn't even miss us!
Sara still likes to eat! The new nipple on the bottle was not a big hit!
This nipple is much better. Sara can climb up the steps and go down the slide all by herself (of course she expects applause each time).
Her 2 new obsessions, dogs (well any animal really) and balloons!We went to the Zoo to see the incredible light display. I think she liked it.
Some friends came over with their daughter Marisa who is exactly the same age as Sara. It was really neat to see the girls play together. They had a good time and loved the new toaster Mommy got at Pottery Barn!!Her cousins can't get enough of her. Here she is with Alexandra (left) and Samantha (right)

Learning new things every day!

Each day is such a joy with our little girl. She has changed so much in the past 7 weeks since we have had her. She babbles A LOT and imitates everything we do. Not only has she mastered climbing up the stairs, but she now climbs down too! Gary went back to work on 12/18 which was very hard for him. He feels very lucky to have had 7 weeks with Sara (and Mommy).

Here's Sara at a visit to Great Grandma's house. Boy, did they enjoy her and she enjoyed entertaining them!!
Proud to be an American!!!
We took Sara to COSI (Center of Science and Industry)She really enjoyed playing in the water! Good thing they had raincoats. She still got soaked!!
Daddy's teaching me how to play the drums!!!
Sara had her 1st (American) haircut. She HATED it!!! (but she liked the suckers)

Hanukkah

This weekend, we celebrated Hanukkah with Sara with a dinner at the Temple on Saturday and with the family here in town on Sunday. Sara had a ball! We had to go back to the Adoption Clinic today and they said Sara tested positive for TB, which means she was exposed to an adult with the virus. It is dormant, but will require medication for the next 9 months.

Here she is at the Temple. These 3 girls were quite fond of her! With the family. Sara was much more interested in the boxes and bags!

Here she is with her cousins Shaina and Samantha.

Who needs toys? Sara would much rather play in the drawers in the kitchen! Our house will NEVER be the same again!

Visit to the Adoption Clinic

Today we took Sara to the International Adoption Clinic at our Children's Hospital. She saw a physician, a nutritionist, and a physical therapist. Monday we have to go back and she will have her sight and her hearing tested. We found out Sara is a normal (well, above average in some areas of course) 13 month old! She impressed the physical therapist quite a bit with her motor skills and her speech. She does have a severe case of eczema on her face and her legs, so we got some medicine that already seems to be helping. We also found out she is 75th% in height and 25th% in weight. They were a little concerned about the weight, but we got some good suggestions. She had a blood draw that she did not like at all and also got poked for a TB test. Overall, she did fabulous! Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures.

Yesterday we took her to her future baby sitter's house. She seemed to be very comfortable there and will probably really enjoy playing with the other kids. She liked their BIG dog! Here are some additional pictures!


A visit to Saks Fifth Avenue (Sue's work) More like Mommy every day!

Having fun in the play area at the mall!
SO PROUD that she can climb all the way up the stairs!
You expect me to wear THIS??
We didn't take her out in it, but here's what the front of our house looked like!

Some of Sara's favorite things!!

Playing in the kitchen drawers Meeting new friends, our inspiration for adoption.









Pushing the button to the aquarium and
playing the music in her crib. Playing with boxes.

Life at the Macklis house

Things are still going very well. Sara is enjoying meeting new friends daily. She has a runny nose, so we took her to the Doctor today. Luckily, it is just a cold and we got her a Humidifier for her room. She is still in a pretty good mood, but seems to be having trouble breathing through her nose which is interrupting her sleep. Hobbes is still missing! Here are some pictures since we have been home!


Great Grandma (94 yrs old)!!

Grandma and Grandpa Chabler
Grandma and Grandpa Macklis
With Mommy and my cousin Shaina
My dog, Gigi , my cousin Robbie
Aunt Leslie
1st bath at home!

MISSING CAT

With all of the baby excitement, one of our cats, Hobbes has disappeared. We are very upset about this. He has never been outside before and has no front claws or tags. Please pray for Hobbes' safe return. His brother, Calvin, is very upset. They have never been apart before.


Sara is doing amazing. All of the house guests are gone and we are adjusting to our new family of 3. Today we are going to take her into Gary's work.

Getting Back to Normal (Sort Of)

We are slowly adjusting to being home. We still have the 4 grandparents as house guests and we are still sleeping on an air mattress on the floor of the baby's room. Jet lag is still a problem and it is too cold in Ohio.

Thanksgiving was wonderful but went by in a blur. It was great to be back in the US and with our families. Sara's 4 cousins, age 12-15, are especially in love with her.

Sara's baby naming was during Shabbat services last night. Sue and I as well as her 4 grandparents and 1 living great grandparent stood on the Bima. The Rabbi blessed her and we gave thanks to G-d for our beautiful daughter in front of the congregation. Sue lost it during her part so I had to take over and finish. Several good friends including Hahn and John Wyman, Suzanne and Caroline Sproule, and Sue's surgeon from her breast cancer surgery , Linda Han, were able to join us and see Sara for the first time. Pictures to come.

Today, we are having a small get together at our house for more of our friends to meet Sara.

By Tuesday evening, everyone will have left for home and Sue and I can begin to adjust to being a 3 member family.

We're going home!!
On the flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles.
First ride in a car seat to Aunt Michele's house.
Squirming away from Aunt Michele.
In my new crib.
With Grandpa Chabler (Sue's Dad).

Welcome Home, Sara

It's about 4 am in Columbus and we are lying on the floor of Sara's room while she plays in her crib. Three of Sara's 4 Grandparents are in the house also but fast asleep.

The return flights went smoothly or as smoothly as possible on the day before Thanksgiving. The 12 hour flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles was a breeze. Sara didn't care for her bassinet, only sleeping in it for a couple of hours. It was handy for changing diapers and clothes, however. Getting through immigration and collecting our baggage took 1 1/2 hours and we were met at the end by Aunt Michele, Gary's sister.

Since we had a 10 hour layover in LA, we went to Aunt Michele's house in Redondo Beach to spend the night. Aunt Michele loved baby Sara and wanted to keep her. It was great that she got to meet Sara on her way home. Again, Sara was the only one who slept and we were back at the airport by 4:30 am LA time to catch our 6 am flight. LAX is a crazy place even at 4:30 on the day before Thanksgiving.

Sara slept the entire 3 hour flight from LA to Dallas. Then, another 4 hour layover in Dallas during which Sara entertained hundreds of people waiting at our gate. Unfortunately, the last leg of our trip was delayed 1 1/2 hours for a blown fuse on the plane. Sara slept through this wait as well as the 2 hour flight home. In fact,she had to be woken up on the way to baggage claim so she could see all of the people who came to meet her. About 15 people were there including her grandparents, her 2 other aunts, her 4 cousins and some good family friends. They made signs and a lot of noise even with all of the other people at the airport.

Sara spent the rest of the evening getting to know her grandparents and the family pets. At first, she was afraid of Gigi, our 90 lb dog (that's 40 Kg in Vietnam), but after an hour, while Gigi was lying quietly, Sara walked up to her and touched her paw.

We will have more pictures to post and now we can look forward to Thanksgiving and Sara's baby naming ceremony on Friday.

On The Way

We are currently at the Hong Kong airport waiting to board our plane to LA. Everything it Hanoi went relatively smoothly. The flight from Hanoi to Hong Kong was also routine. Hopefully the 12-1/2 flight to LA will involve a lot of sleep for everyone. The kids are busy running around a play area tiring themselves out. See you all very soon and Michele the soonest

Almost home

We are enjoying our time here in Hanoi (founded in 1010) Hanoi is full of beautiful lakes and lots of tall trees. The weather is also much cooler. Yesterday, we went to "Baby" Street and got Sara some really cute things, including a pink faux fur jacket for like $6!!! We will not be used to US prices when we return. Sara continues to be cute as ever. She now gives kisses.

We are looking forward to coming home on Weds. at 6 pm from Dallas on American Airlines. We can't wait to see everyone..

For those of you in Columbus, we will have Sara's Baby Naming (officially giving her her Hebrew name) on Fri, 11/23 at 8 pm at Temple Beth Tikvah in Worthington. All are welcome. Then, on Sat, the 24th we are going to have a small gathering at the house to celebrate Sara and her belated Birthday. Let us know if you are coming to the house so we can plan appropriately.

With my mommy at an outdoor cafe:


I like it when my Daddy feeds me.


My Daddy even changes my diaper which is not so easy because I am sooo squirmy!


With my partner in crime in the Hotel lobby.


Hoan Kiem lake in the middle of Hanoi:


Another botanical garden.


The future's so bright I gotta wear shades.


Somewhere on "Baby" Street.