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Sunday, June 7, 2009

Penultimate Post

The Sullivan kids in the pool

Thanks for the ride Luke!

This is my friend vacuum

Nothing like a good book!

A chat with my dear friend Francie

Doing dishes is great!

I began this blog in September of 2007 in anticipation of adopting our daughter. We completed our home study in the fall of 2007 and were officially placed on the waiting list with Journeys of the Heart for a baby girl from Taiwan on December 3rd. Pei Jung was born on June 6th 2008 and referred to us just two months later on August 7th. Our court hearings took place on October 16th, November 18th and December 5th . We were united with our beautiful daughter on December 18th when she was just 6 1/2 months old in Taichung, Taiwan and brought her home on Christmas eve. Never will there be a Holiday as joyful as Christmas 2008.

At one year, Kate weighs 16 lbs 4 oz. and is in the 3rd percentile for height. She is an avid crawler and loves to pull herself up and cruise. It looks like she is going to be a climber. She is a great eater with a highly diverse appetite. We are constantly amazed at her love of spicy foods. She is very social and sweet and would love nothing more than for someone to sit with her all day and entertain her. She is a good sleeper who rarely wakes in the night and takes a 2 to 3 hour nap each day. Her temperament is happy, curious and calm. She plays "so big" and "Peek A Boo"and babbles throughout the day. She seems to be saying mama and dada but I am not quite convinced it is totally discriminate yet. The siblings get along very well and the dog tolerates them all. She has 7 teeth and about 5 more coming in, bless her little heart, it's not much fun. She has definitely been the easiest baby of the three (no offense boys, you are VERY easy children) and truly is a joy.
What an amazing journey this has been! With three wonderful children, our family is complete. If we were younger (and less tired!) and wanted more children we would adopt another child from Taiwan. We adored Taiwan and cannot wait to take the whole family back for a visit within the next decade. We feel honored and fortunate to have the opportunity to incorporate this fabulous culture into our lives. We are now Irish, German, Taiwanese Americans and proud of it. While the adoption process was emotionally challenging, in the end it was a very enriching and fulfilling experience both in terms of the education we received and the amazing people we were able to meet. Words of love, wisdom and support buoyed us throughout and came from family, friends and strangers literally from across the world. What a rare and wonderful glimpse into the essential goodness of the human spirit. To the wondrous Kate Pei-Jung, I have said it before but I will say it again, you have enriched our lives immeasurably and we feel incredibly blessed.
With our busy family of five, I never seem to find the time to post. So, sadly, this blog must come to and end. I am hopeful that I will be able to start a family blog in the future. I hope that anyone who is considering adoption or is in the process can find advice or support from our experience. Blessings to all of those on this complex extraordinary journey! I think you will find that great happiness awaits you!

13 comments:

Journey to our baby said...

Thank you for sharing your journey. I know you have helped me through hard times during the waiting stage both on your blog and through our JOH group. It is so great to witness this process go smoothly and gives the rest of us hope. Thank you and enjoy your wonderful family!

Suzy & Ryan
Prog 3

Farley and Mark said...

Sarah and Dan best of luck always. I still think of Kate as Neko's Taiwanese sister. Keep in touch!

lorabelle said...

I'm going to miss you!
If you decide to start a family blog, be sure to let me know...
I look forward to hearing from you from time to time if you continue to follow ours.
Take care!
Lora

Eva said...

Sarah,

I am so glad to read that all is going well with your beautiful family. Baby Kate is such a happy kid with radiant smiles! I sure will miss your blog and posts. Keep in touch!

Eva

Casey said...

Oh, my dear friend Sarah....I'm so sad to hear you are ending your blog. Do you remember us at this time last year? We were going crazy waiting to hear the news of our baby girls!! I'm so happy that Kate is doing so well. I have enjoyed getting to know you over the past year. Your words of encouragement will never be forgotten.
All the best. Please keep in touch.

Casey

Lisa said...

Sarah,
Your post to your daughter on her first birthday was beautiful. I will miss your blog and hope that you decide to continue on in another blog. I hope to see Kate grow for many more years.
Thanks for sharing.
Lisa

Lisa said...

Your posts were beautiful and so heartfelt.

Wishing you many many years of joy to come with your family.

Please keep in touch as you can!
Lisa C.

KT said...

I have enjoyed following your journey - thank you for sharing!

Sarah k said...

Awee.. she is beautiful hon and I hate to see you stop posting! We will miss you.

Sarah k

rachel said...

sarah, i am so sad that your blog is coming to an end, but look forward to your family blog. please keep me posted if you start another blog. i always love your posts. they are so insightful!

i am so happy that kate is easy and happy and a GREAT sleeper -- you lucky girl! :) i hope our baby is a good sleeper, too! ;-)

thank you for the time we spent on this journey together! you are an amazing woman!

hugs,
rachel

couey2007 said...

OH NO! You can't end your blog!! How will I keep in touch? I love seeing the update. Remeber last year how we lived for blog update!!! I am really trying to blog at least once a month. Please start another blog...
I loved you post, may have to steal part of it LOL!

Your adoption friend,

Michelle C, AL

Tara said...

Sarah,
I have enjoyed reading your blog because your words beautifully articulate my own perspective on adopting from Taiwan. Thank you for your words.
Tara

Nicole said...

OH my gosh-i must have not been here for awhile-it was so nice getting to know you! Your daughter is adorable-growing so big everyday! :)
nicole