Coming up for air... We are settling in.

Here are a few of the many ways our kids are good for one another...

-Jonas makes Willow brave.  I did not know she had it in her.  She can go through massive heart surgery, but little things can tend to throw her for a loop.  When he laughs and doesn't care about something she would normally be bothered by, she toughens up and handles it.  All day long I notice that some of Willow's previously big problems in life just aren't.  She's stepping into her big sister role (although like any new big sibling, some days she takes steps back).

-Willow's trust in us has taught Jonas to trust in us.  I mean, I didn't even imagine how helpful it would be for our boy to see another child completely dependent on us as parents.  Of course it is!  What a blessing.

-Jonas teaches Willow that compromise and flexibility is what life and love is all about in an easy going yet adamant way.  So she has been able to grow and view life outside of her own perspective already, developing compassion for others.  This is exactly the kind of sharpening we have prayed for in her, and sharpening doesn't always feel good but it serves such a divine purpose.  

-Willow's humor and fun loving nature simply delights Jonas.  When she does something, in his eyes it is hysterical.  It's the most wonderful interaction to watch as a mommy.  He thinks the world of her, and she can do no wrong.  His eyes seem like little hearts when he looks at her!

They have forever changed one another, and we get the opportunity to watch this bond form.  I have asked my prayer warriors for prayers for their relationship specifically, because it has been a difficult transition.  I've called on my awesome mom to help.  We recently implemented a 'Calm Space' in our house to teach emotional regulation.  Although we will still have ups and downs, we thank God we've maybe turned a corner and are starting to finally develop a routine in our lives again.  

First walk to Pecan park...

She did have some trouble separating from us and said she would miss us too much, but preschool has been so good for our girl!

The highs are so high and the lows are hard.  This was a good moment!  Jonas raises his eyebrows like that when he's really happy.

Willow and Daddy planted a small garden thanks to Mimi and Pop.  Jonas tried to eat dirt twice!

Daddy is now back to work.  I can do this!  First day went so well!

She has blossomed in creativity lately.

We snack in the living room a lot...

Willow and Jonas giggled about pretending these peg toys were bottles or pacis.

We walked to our local park.  This was the first day I didn't have any activity planned for Willow, so we needed the park!

Sharing that steering wheel is hard work, even when there are two!  Hehe...

We have random sweet moments when both are okay with sharing my lap and snacks.  Those moments are always when my Kyle is somewhere in the house.  (He had just gotten home from work.)

Kyle took Willow to get us some groceries...

Let's start the day with some water play. It didn't take long for it to become too hard to share.

Jonas tries so hard to blow bubbles but can't quite blow.  Willow would sweetly catch a bubble on her wand and pop it on his nose (to his delight).

This is a current favorite evening activity...

We get some one on one time to bond while Willow is happily at preschool.

Kyle's awesome coworkers threw a surprise baby shower for us...

Jonas loves throwing this loudly onto the tile!

He just wants to push the stroller.  Back and forth from the kitchen to the living room on repeat.

When one baby naps, it's time for special Mama time with the other.  This is vital to my girl right now!

The little balled up papers she glued onto the heart are 'polar bears' she informed me.

He has been watching big sister, and this is the first time I saw him love on a stuffed animal!

Silly boy!

A welcome home gift from Ms. Kat!  So thankful for her.

My prayer is that these rare moments in which they share us well will increase!  My heart has never been so full.

One of his favorite things to play with are the plastic and wooden pretend utensils. He pretend eats.

Proud of her masterpiece, a spaceship!

I never want to forget the sweetness of these moments with either of my kiddos.

He successfully transferred to the pack n play for the second time.  We have our bed back!  It's bittersweet to me!

The pacifier is a toy to him, as he sucks his finger and thumb combo.  It's so cute to me that when he puts it in, his upper lip always sticks out of the top of the paci!  It actually distracts him if it's sleep time.

Willow's preschool has tremendously blessed us during this transition.  They make her days so happy!  They even celebrated her birthday (with pickles and brownies) because it will be in the summer.

I'm so proud of her independent moments while I'm tending to her brother during the day as needed.

Making a box beautiful together!

Dumplings and rice with a new cup.  Life is good.

She was careful to slow down because her brother wanted to push her.

First time to go to a large park!  This shirt was the very first thing we ever bought Jonas, and it looks like it won't fit for long.

So glad their aunt and uncle came by!

He kept walking through the porch!

We are at 'Texas home'!

Willow had been counting down excitedly with X's on a calendar every day in China.

Feet on the ground.  It was a good (long) flight and a pretty easy time in customs.  Jonas slept, and Willow only got upset once at the end.  However, I could have collapsed into the arms of family and sobbed.  The relief we three oldest Robinsons felt to be home was very great.  The four of us drove in OUR car with car seats to our house.  Kyle (who is never dramatic) looked at me and said, "We are here.  We made it. That was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

Hubby, I could never and would never do this with anyone else but you.  Going through this intense time together strengthens us.  I am so thankful for Kyle's vision, his compassion, his loving heart, and his leadership.  We work together so well during the fire.

More pictures of this to come in another post.

Kyle and I enjoyed time with our immediate families back at our house for a cookout.  We could've collapsed immediately, but sharing our joy together was more important!

Willow was thrilled about being home.  She laid on the carpet happily.  She counted the speed bumps and stop signs until our house.  She shrieked when she saw it.

First time home!

We went up to see Willow's bed (bliss for her) and to introduce Jonas to his room!

Jet lag has been a beating, especially for Willow.  Finally last night she slept until 4:15am.  She's done so much better today because she's had sleep.  Of course I was awake at 2:30am on the one night she actually slept, and I couldn't go back to sleep!  

I have to tell one funny story (in retrospect) during one of Willow's marathon nights.  I stayed awake with her for a while, and then Kyle came after four hours to relieve me and let me sleep.    So, Willow started screaming at the top of her lungs and Kyle ran her down the stairs to try to keep from waking us up.  I heard her but was very confused about if it was her or Jonas (who was right next to me).  Then I heard a car door shut, and I freaked out.  I was certain Willow got hurt and Kyle was taking her to E.R.  I grabbed poor sleeping Jonas and ran outside, shouting "What happened?!"  Kyle was so confused as to what I even meant.  He was just going to take her on a drive and get coffee since she was so agitated.  This is just an example of the kind of weird sleep madness that we've been walking through.

Coloring works when you can't sleep...

It's been fun to watch him try to figure out how to navigate his new territory.  When outside in our yard, he falls all the time because he's never walked on natural land like that!  

He really likes the swing!  Yesterday he did the sign for all done when swinging.  He then said 'Mama' a couple of times.  I asked if he wanted out, and he said 'Mama' again while reaching for me.  I was so proud of him, already learning signs!  

He has also done the sign for 'more' when eating a couple of times.  We've already noticed he's much less urgent about food than he was when we met.  The constant 'uhhhhhh' sound has decreased substantially.

Everyone has left us alone during this time of cocooning, and we feel so grateful.  I know it's hard, so to have people unselfishly respect our wishes means the world to us.  We are glad we also get the chance to reinforce our relationship with Willow during this time (by meeting all of her needs), as she had a lot of medical and personal trauma before meeting us and the family change has thrown her a bit.  Attachment and bonding will be life long, and we will always be intentional.  However, during certain seasons we will work extra hard on parenting with connection in mind.  What a perfect opportunity to teach them that our forever love for them comes from God, because He is love.  Our prayer for our babies is that they feel totally secure in our family, permanently and unconditionally loved for always.  

Willow drawing her feelings, an idea she heard about on CC's favorite show!  This was the coolest drawing I've ever seen her do...

Jonas isn't scared of much, but little man is terrified of our dogs.  We are only gradually giving him exposure to them since he's so scared.  Willow has loved being back with them again.

A kid who loves hats is new to me!  He immediately bobs his head when you put one on him.

I think Willow thought being home would feel exactly the same, but it doesn't because we have a new family member!  When she gets sleep, we see these beautiful moments of the beginnings of sibling love.  When she's tired, we have to watch very closely because nice touches turn to squeezes quickly.

We took Jonas to the pediatrician today (on the first day we could).  His lungs haven't sounded good to us at all since we met him, and the medicine they gave us in China only cleared up his nose.

She was also concerned when she examined him, and she sent us to get a chest X-ray. We got good news times two!  It's not pneumonia; he just has some mucous plugs he doesn't know how to cough up.  And best news of all, the xray showed a normal size aortic valve which means he doesn't have pulmonary hypertension!  Praise God!  This has been my fear since we met him, as that is the one thing our cardiologist said he may have to deal with after viewing his files.  What relief we feel to know this sneak peek of cardiology information; now we can keep his appointment at the end of the month rather than moving it up.

He was super chill during his exam, and Dr. Pam said she was amazed at how adjusted he seems already.  Willow thoroughly enjoyed showing Jonas off and telling them about our trip and her new brother.

Jonas cried a tiny bit for his first xray when they put his arms above his head, Kyle said.

Our little boy's wonderful personality compliments our family so well.  I can already think of so many ways he and his big sister will be so good for each other.  

From the sky - Hong Kong to DFW

Goodbye Hong Kong hotel room.

Too much luggage; we are crazy.

I instantly remembered Hong Kong being the most intimidating and massive airport I've ever been in.

We thought we would have time for a bite to eat.  Instead we ran around, covering huge amounts of space and taking at least four elevator rides and a train ride to our terminal.  I think they looked through our bags about a dozen times at different stations.  Once they took everything out of my purse and scanned it three times.  I don't know what they thought I had in there!

In the air...

Jonas is now sleeping peacefully (Hopefully for the next 10 hours or so and Willow is laying down as well.  Just about 11 hours until we land!