Hello Baby

So I don't think I told you all about Lilly's first night in Grand Cayman. We did what anyone might do right after they adopted a Chinese Baby. We went to our favorite Chinese Restaurant for dinner of course. Lilly loves fried rice and we have the pictures to show just how much. I'm sure that night the wait staff was thinking - they must be babysitting that baby & figured bring her for Chinese food. Why would they think that besides the obvious difference in our ethnicity? Well, because we took her w/out a bib and she was covered, the high chair was covered, the floor was covered and everything else around her was covered w/ fried rice. So I apologized for the mess and wrapped Lilly in a blanket and giggled the whole way out to the parking lot where I sat down on the curb still giggling while I brushed all the rice from her body as she stood in it in her little socks which were also covered in rice. I think even Lilly saw the humor in this. And Aunt Barbie caught it all in pictures. Very funny. In the words of a song from Fred Eaglesmith . . . "When exactly did we become white trash . . . " It was very funny all around. Unless of course you worked in the restaurant and had to clean up after Lilly - then maybe not so much.

Well tonight we went to eat Chinese again - but this time I went prepared. I even had a new bib which had a pocket at the bottom to catch the stray rice. And it did. It caught about 1/2 cup of fried rice that missed Lilly's mouth. My friend Kerri said next time I need to put a little ziplock baggie inside the pocket so I can take it home as a leftover. Note to self.

But none of the above is what prompted me to blog tonight. Tonight I have to tell you about our waitress. She was Chinese and we've learned from many other occasions her English is quite limited. So tonight Scott started asking her where she was from in China and finally he said "are you Mandarin or Cantonese?" To which she promptly replied, "Yes." So Scott just gave up and said "Lilly is Mandarin. You should talk to her." So the waitress went very lovingly to Lilly bent down near her face and said in English, "Hello Baby." Priceless. I love that.

She did finally say something in Chinese and Lilly did nod yes, so it's anyone's guess what she asked her, but Lilly seemed happy w/ her fried rice, so we didn't bother her to fill us in.

So remember when in doubt when talking to Lilly a "Hello Lilly" in English is always appropriate. And while it may or may not be understood by our little one, it is much appreciated as long as it's followed by a bowl of fried rice.

The End.

The Graubards

Lilly's World, Lilly's World, Excellent, Party Time, Bling, Bling, Bling!

Hi all,

Many have said - what's happened to the blogging? How is Miss Lilly and family doing? I'm so sorry - I just didn't feel like blogging - no better excuse.

Week 1 w/ Lilly went just fine. She is both a cuddly and easy baby. She will sit and play quietly by herself, but when she is done w/ that she is ready to cuddle and will call out Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma or Da, Da, Da, Da. And she loves Jesse so she has his attention as well and laughs and plays with him.

Jesse who I have to add grew up over night. He adores his little sister. I knew he'd like her - I knew he was eagerly awaiting being a big brother - and I knew he'd be a good big brother. I just didn't know he'd be a great big brother & I tell him how great he is at it every day & so does Daddy. She'll crash her walker through his toys & he says, "Lilly, no" and then looks at me and laughs. He really is amazing w/ her.

Honestly, she is much easier than I ever anticipated. My biggest adjustment is getting used to the idea that I am on call at all times again, plus working at the children's store I work at is on hold until further notice. Sure, I make an appearance on a Saturday and work just to get out w/ some adults - but for now I am back home w/ baby. I found the first couple of days I was going through a reality check w/ this, but honestly, she is easy - loves to eat & loves to laugh & play & cuddle and everything about her is just really going well. When she cries - it is because she is wet or hungry (she's always hungry - playing catching up as she weighed in at just 16 lbs. - that's what Garbo weighs!). When she is mad we call her "angry Lilly" but really angry Lilly lasts for about a minute & it's usually because she's hungry and we aren't catching the signal or she is tired. She does not stay mad. So keep praying as I believe God answered our prayers.

On a Julie note - you know people ask me how I am and I always answer - well, a little tired, but she sleeps through the night & is an easy baby, so I'm just doing some normal adjusting. Then it dawns on me they mean - how are you doing w/ chemo? How easily a baby makes you forget. So that is good and makes me happy. And I have to say - so many of you have written me and I apologize for not answering you directly. No time these days & I apologize for that! But I'm thinking of you and thank you for your sweet emails.

On a Scott note - Scott is finally over his jet lag. It took him a little longer than Lilly to come through the jet lag, but then again he was working - Lilly was home taking naps. I sometimes give him a hard time about napping, but really he did amazing and deserves some slack - I can't even imagine a 17 hour plane flight w/ a baby. Amazing.

Jesse, Lilly & I head to Florida next week for chemo #4 in Tampa. So send your prayers our way for an easy trip. It is also the first time Lilly will meet Joshua who is in Florida at the moment. Jesse can't wait to see Josh & introduce him to his new little sister. And Josh seems excited to meet her as well. And it is also her first time meeting Gramma Kay who Jesse always talks about - so she is in for a good surprise full of love when she meets her Gramma.

On a prayer note - I just want to thank you for your continued prayers over our family. People continually tell me and the family that we are strong - but we aren't strong in and of ourselves - that is the Lord and so don't kid yourself - you are seeing Him in us. Of course, it is a choice we made to accept Him into our lives - but when you pray it is answer to your prayers bringing us His strength. So thank you & remember even on the hard days:

The joy of the Lord is your (our) strength!
- Nehemiah 8:10

Be blessed & have a wonderful day!

Love,

Julie & Scott & family

Lilly & Jesse on her first day at home

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Lilly's arrival July 10, 2008

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One from the Proud Daddy

After three and a half years of praying for her, our Lilly is finally
home. She is a tiny package of energy. She laughs, smiles and
cuddles. She is perfect.

For those who are not up to date, I left for Nanchang China on the 27th
of June While Julie remained behind in Cayman with Jesse. I arrived on
the 29th. After a whopping 45 minutes of rest there was a knock at my
hotel door and a nice Chinese lady who was fluent in Chinese but spoke
no English (fortunately I am fluent in English but speak not Chinese)
handed me this beautiful crying baby. That was it. Within 20 minutes I
was alone with her.

Yesterday, Lilly and I completed our travel home. We had a 1 hour
flight from Guangzhou to Hong Kong followed by 16 hours from Hong Kong
to JFK. We spent about 4 hours in a hotel room in New York before our
last 4 hour flight home to Cayman where Momma, Jesse and Aunt Barbie
(thank God for Aunt Barbie) waited.

Lilly seems very happy in her new family. She will eat anything you
feed her and apparently has little value for sleep. Who could ask for
anything more.

Thanks to all who have prayed with us and for us over the last 3 1/2
years. Thanks to all who have helped in ways to numerous to mention.
More pictures will follow after a little sleep for me.

Blessings

Scott

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Lilly is amazing!

Lilly is amazing. Truly she is. She's soft spoken, yet confident. You can see her little mind working. She is beautiful. Just a tiny bit of a thing. She loves to smile, belly laugh, eat and just be around all of us. She loves her little brother Jesse as she finds him quite fascinating. And while Daddy is her hero, she has taken nicely not only to me, but to my sister as well.

I am in love w/ our new little addition to the family.

Thanks for all your prayers, please continue them, we are blessed beyond words.

Love,

The Momma

I'm going to be a Mommy!!!!!!!!

It's 10:58 a.m. and all I can think is . . . Holy Guacamole I'm going to be a Mom again in less than an hour!!!!!!!! This is the most surreal moment of my life.