Happy Chinese New Year!

Here are some recent pictures that illustrate the fun we've been having!  Quinn continues to be quite the ham.  She is full of joy, humor, and funny faces.  She also has the independent two-year old spirit. "I got it" is one of her favorite sayings when it's time to get dressed, buckle her seat belt, get washed or go down the stairs.  He language skills conitue to grow by leaps and bounds.  She's counting to 5, singing songs (favorites is Tinkle, Tinkle Litto Tah and All Thew Town aka. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Wheels on the Bus), and telling her big brothers what to do.  We've also been surprised at her motor abilities.  She can jump, forward roll, and pedal her tricycle, and, unfortunately, open AND lock all the doors in the house...mama is busy, busy!
Our recent trip to Duke was a waste of time.  After spending over 3 hours in the waiting room, we were given an WebMD description of brachial plexus paralysis and a prescription for physical therapy.  The only positive info we were given was that Quinn seems to be using her arm really well.  (We already knew that!) We'll begin weekly PT this week to be sure she keeps strength and range of motion in the right arm and beyond that nothing else is needed.
We're getting into a routine now,  While I still haven't packed the first lunch for the boys, I AM remembering to help with homework and check teethbrushing at night:)  Colin and Owen are into their routine as well.  Colin confessed to me at bedtime recently that Quinn was a little annoying that day.  "That means you're getting used to her and she's getting used to you," I responded happily.  "Get used to it!"  Chris is working hard and will take his first work trip this week for a couple nights.  Quinn has grown to rely on me for pretty much everything so I'll be sure to give her some extra baba time this weekend:)
We enjoyed a lunch out yesterday to celebrate the Chinese New Year.  Our waitress spoke Cantonese and started chattering away to Quinn.  At first Quinn avoided her completely, but soon she was responding to the waitress.  Thankfully, she hasn't lost her native language yet, but I'm afraid it won't be long before it is gone since we can't speak more than a few words. 
This is all I can write for now as a little girl is craving attention.  Take care.

One month since Gotcha Day

Actually one month and 3 days, but who's counting:)
We're very slowly but surely getting into a routine.  The boys started back to school on Jan 2nd and the first week was incredibly frustrating for me.  I love routine and I love order...we had none!  I forgot about signing hoemwork folders, packing lunches, doing laundry.  Cooking a meal seemed a bit overwhleming while helping two with homework and listening to the third say her favorite word "up, up, up."  I lost my keys, forgot to put refrigerated groceries away, and did not glance at the newspaper all week.  This week I am trying harder to get into a routine since I know it will be my saving grace, but it's still a little slow going. 
Quinn is doing fabulously.  She's eating and sleeping like a champ and even asks to get in the bathtub.  Her language seems to develop more and more by the minute.  Each day she'll have a new phrase she enjoys using.  One day it was "Cheers" before every sip of her drinks.  Another day she walked around saying "I don't know" to every question we asked.  Yesterday Colin taught her "Sup" as in "What's up" with the head bob and all.  She gets really into character with that one!
We had a positive TB test last week despite the negative result in China.  After a fun morning of chest X-rays, we found out that her lungs look good, but we may have to put her on a 9-month regimen of potent antibiotics.  Praying we can avoid it, but we'll know for sure later this week.
Tomorrow Chris and I will take Quinn to Duke for her first specialist appointment.  Duke has a pediatric brachial plexus clinic (of course they do:)  We'll meet with a neurologist and orthopaedist to determine the best approach to help Quinn regain some movement in her right arm and hand.  We'll write again soon with the update on that one. 

For now, in my discombobulated state, I leave you with a few recent pictures...