Lily's Surgery

Didn't take long for Lily to kick back and relax. It's easy when you have a great Daddy.Shortly after settling down after surgery.
Dr. Fox with Lily before surgery. Yeah, Dave's a little tired. He just finished working 48 hours in 4 days so that he could be home for the week to help out with Lily.
Lily and Mommy just before the big moment.
Arriving @ 7am for surgery

Surgery went so well. Better than we expected. We went in at 7am and were ready to go home by 1pm. Lily went off with the nurse for surgery with a smile on her face, but when we went into the PACU we could hear her screaming down the hallway. She was steaming mad about having those elbow restraints on, and she hadn't eaten for nearly 20 hours. We got her some water and the screaming stopped and she settled down like a dream.

Her brothers couldn't wait to see her when they came home from school. Nicholas said right away that she has a different look to her now. She has a cute little button nose and her eyes even appear different. It didn't take long after we met her in China that we didn't even notice her cleft anymore. Even though we are so glad to see her lip repaired, we kind of miss "our Lily." Daniel said he misses her big, wide smile. Kinda' hard now, but she'll be smiling again once things heal up. She ate a big bowl of cream of wheat when we got home and had some of the chicken dish that our friends,the Bailey's brought over. She always finds a way to get some food in.

Dr. Fox gave her a local anesthetic which is supposed to last 8-12 hours. That means any time now she'll start feeling discomfort. Although we started alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen since 1pm today. Hopefully, that will make a difference. She's in sleeping with Dave now.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. Once again, our God is amazing and has answered our prayers in bringing us through this time. We are blessed beyond measure.

~Sue for the family.

So, we found our camera and here are a couple of pictures of Lily in her ladybug costume with her cousins. They were all bugs for Halloween. Lily's Grandma also bought her an Asian baby doll that looks just like her, we call it her "mini- me."

We're getting closer to the day of surgery and we'll be glad to have it over with. Doc will call on Friday morning to let us know what time to be at the hospital on Monday morning. She's first on the list.

We enjoyed our first Thanksgiving as a family of five. We didn't have to do any cooking, just brought our "turkey" as an appetizer. Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Her brothers dressed her up and she loved it.

Upcoming Surgery

Finally able to get some pigtails!North Point Summit, September 2010
Lily's first summit!
Poor Dave was a bit tired with our little bundle of joy on his back.
Getting ready to hike up North Point in the Catskills.

It's been a while and things around the Scicchitano household are going just fine. Lily is growing, her hair is getting a little longer. She is saying a few words now, not entirely clear to the new ear... but we can hear her repeat things we say, like "doggie" and "where are you?" Lily LOVES to read books over and over and over... you get the picture. She started making animal noises. She would make a sort of "woof" sound for a while which was so cute, until she learned that the goose says "honk" and now everything says "honk." Although she does like to make fish lips and a sucking noise for the fish. She just went through a bout of teething and has almost a mouth full of teeth all at once. She can also handle her bottle all by herself now.

In September we went on a hike in the Catskills. It was Lily's first... and last summit with us until she is able to do it herself. It was such a beautiful day and she said "Hi" to everyone we passed on the way. I'm sure we'll do some walking trails with her, but the mountains are reserved just for the boys for now. Daniel says he'll come back and re-do some mountains with us when Lily is able. What an awesome kid he is!

We had a fun Halloween. We dressed her up as a ladybug and went out candy harvesting with my brother and his daughters. There will be pictures to follow in a few days (when we find our camera... yikes!).

November 29th is the big day. We will see Dr. Fox in Schenectady for Lily's lip revision and she'll have her ears pierced too. It is supposed to be same day surgery and she will have elbow restraints for a week or more just to ensure she doesn't do any damage to herself. I'm not so sure how this will go over with her. Please keep her and us in your prayers for this procedure and the weeks to follow as she heals.

Enjoy some updated pictures and we'll keep you all posted on Lily's progress.

~Sue, for The Scicchitano's

Apple Picking

It's been a long day.
"Hmmm... which one should we get?"
Again with the eating...

Tried to get some pictures while we were apple picking, these were the best ones...

1 Month With Lily

"Sooo Big"
Mama's darlin'
She loves to play in her room and look at books.
Lily's favorite past time... eating.
Daniel & Nicholas' 1st day of school.

Daniel and Nicholas have started school and are doing great. Daniel is in 7th grade now, changing classes, doing choir, percussion, and strolls around the house playing his Ukelele. Nicholas is in 5th grade and is also starting percussion in school. They are greeted with smiles, hugs and kisses from their little sister when they get home. The 16th marked one month as a family of 5 and Lily is doing amazing. We've been to church, the library and even had a couple of play dates. She is a very social little girl and loves music, stopping to bop to the beat whenever she hears it. She's also getting used to our dogs (Cleo & Bella), saying "Hi" to them every morning and every time we come home. Bella gives her kisses and Lily likes to toss the ball for Cleo to chase. Yes her first official English word is "Hi." She waves and says "Hi" whenever she can. She also likes to SCREAM lots of other things that are just baby babble, it's hilarious, she definitely has a lot to say. She's also learned to say "Uh oh" as she drops various objects. What an appetite this girl has. Where does she put it all, I don't know, but she eats more than me! She also loves to look at books and play "Sooo Big."

We saw the pediatrician and all of her blood work came back within normal limits. She's very healthy, just little. We'll interview 2 different doctors in October for her surgery. Please pray for God to be in all the details of this decision and surgery... no complications, infections, or scars...

Dave's back to work after some much needed time off and I plan on returning to work in November. Enjoy some pictures of Lily at home.

~Sue for the family.

Back in the sweet USA. Tired, but happy.

Our Journey Continues

That "head cold" I mentioned yesterday has actually turned out to be the flu. Daniel seems to have it also. Dave and Nicholas are fine. Lily has her first doctor appointment today. She seems to have a cold also, no fever. We came home on Saturday to a broken hot water heater also. It's all fixed now. My house is an absolute mess, I have mounds of laundry to do and am feeling a bit discouraged about not being able to take care of my family and this little one. Dave has been great though. This too shall pass. There's a peace I've come to know though my heart and flesh may fail. There's an anchor for my soul and I can say it is well...

The good news is that Lily slept through the night last night. She woke up around 1am, but we let her cry a bit (16 minutes exactly) and she was back to sleep until 6:30am. I don't know if I mentioned that Lily's cleft lip and palate actually turned out to be a cleft lip and gum. Her palate is intact. We will be seeing Patricia Fox in October for a consult as she is out of the country for the month of September on a medical mission trip to Mexico to fix cleft lips and palates down there.

Sorry if this seems very jumpy and fragmented, that's all I can muster up for today. Just gonna lay low for the day. Thanks for following along with us. We'll continue to post Lily's progress through her surgeries and such so keep in touch...

Back In The USA!

Daddy and baby sleeping in the van on the way to Hong Kong.The boys playing their Calabash Flutes.
A park next to our hotel.
This girl is a natural in front of the camera.
Goodbye beautiful Shamian Island.

Friday afternoon we took a van from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, hoping to see some of China's country side. There was none to be found, just city as far as the eye can see. The ride is about 3 hours which is the equivalent of driving from Albany to NYC. Apartment buildings and factories were all that we saw. We knew when were close to Hong Kong because we could smell it. We stayed a night in the Marriott at the Hong Kong airport and it was the best night's sleep we had in 2 weeks. The beds were SO SOFT.

Our flight took off @ 9:30am on Saturday 8/28 and landed back in the SWEET USA @ 1:10pm the same day, so needless to say we have been a bit jet lagged. I have a nasty head cold, but by this morning I think we are all back on schedule... EXCEPT Lily. She was awake all night Saturday and last night too. Dave isn't here right now (5:30am) because he took her out in the car to try to make her fall asleep, he left @ 2am. Our job today is to keep her awake, which is no easy task. This girl is such a good sleeper that she can sleep anywhere, anytime regardless of the noise or light.

We came home to family and friends with a meal cooked and groceries for our refrigerator. Enjoy some pictures and we'll post more later.

Bittersweet Endings

Jeff, Shari, and LexiDan, Michelle, and Grace

Tammy, Rod, Sophie, brother Bailey, and Grandpa Jim
Amy, Sophie, and Grandma Diane
Tony, Sarah, Ruthie, and sister Clara
Tonight is our last night here in Guangzhou. We'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon for Hong Kong, spend a night there and head for home on Saturday morning. We arrive in JFK that same afternoon, although we'll have flown ~15 hours. Pray for Lily to make a smooth transition into our time difference as it is exactly the opposite of what she is used to.

Our departure is bittersweet. We've met a few new friends that we will truly miss. It has been a privilege to get to know you all, or y'all as some would affectionately say. The Lord has brought you into our lives at this moment in time and we are grateful for the time that we've spent together. We will continue to pray for you all on this continuous journey and hope to keep in touch though this fantastic "blogging" technology. We look forward to watching all of our families change and grow. We wish you all safe travels and many blessings.

We had a free day on the island today. Took a shopping trip to a place about 10 minutes away. Let's just say I have a new appreciation of our population or lack there of in my little corner of the world. I find it a bit stressful to shop here. The sales people follow you around and the prices are all negotiable. It was nice to go to Pizza Hut and know that what you see is what you get. It was quite an experience trying to get a taxi back to our hotel. It took a "good 'ole boy from Mississippi" to hail a cab for us suburbian New Yorkers. These chinamen are ruthless when it comes to getting a cab, and making a sale.

The next time you hear from us might be from home as internet access in Hong Kong is not free. Then again, we might get the opportunity. Until next time...

~The Scicchitano's

Chinese Medicine Market

Feeding our "baby bird" at Lucy's Restaurant.Dried Deer Legs
Dried Snake Skins
Some sort of beetles a man just poured out onto the sidewalk when we walked up. They were crawling all around.


Went to the Chinese Medicine Market today. Quite the experience. It is an endless maze of alley ways with displays of strange items like dried seahorses, deer limbs, bugs, roots, snake skins, and lots of stuff that we didn't even recognize. To think that some of the people in there never come out of those winding, dirty, smelly, hot alley ways. What a life. How blessed we are to live where we do with all we have.

We made a trip to the American Consulate for our swearing in, a day early. This is a ceremony that all immigrants take part in. We stood with 40+ families raising our right hands and promised that all information given about our family and Lily is correct. I have much admiration for adoptive families of all kinds. There were parents with us there for their 2nd, 3rd, even 4th time to adopt children. One girl being adopted was nearly 14, which is a critical age here. After these children turn 14 they are no longer eligible for adoption and then put out on their own at 16 years of age. Another family was adopting a blind child and yet another family here on their 3rd trip to China adopted a boy and a girl, both deaf. I am humbled by their sacrifices and tremendous ability to love.

Lily is very nearly an American Citizen. As soon as we step off the plane at JFK and set foot on American soil she becomes a citizen!!

Then it was off to lunch at Lucy's, an american restaurant here on the island. We call Lily our little baby bird because of the way she puts her head back and opens her mouth for food. Took advantage of that beautiful pool and off to sleep we went... Enjoy the pictures. Can't wait to see you all.

Love,

The Scicchitano's

Chinese Medicine Market

Group Picture of all CCAI Families in the White Swan Hotel Lobby.Lily's The Only One Who Didn't Break Down Crying... as long as mom had a Cheerio.
Lily and Some Friends
Our Big Moment on "The Red Couch"

Just want to get some pictures up for you all to see. Had a great day. Red couch pictures, walking, playing in the "swan room" (toddler play room) at the hotel. Then we had dinner at a french restaurant. It rained pretty good here so we opted out of the dinner cruise. We're waiting on our visa paperwork to be done, which will happen tomorrow. Then we need to take an adoption oath at the American Consulate here on Thursday. We'll receive her visa Friday and be on the plane for home this Saturday. It'll be great to settle in at home. Until then, we will continue to enjoy this very unique and beautiful part of God's creation.

Blessings to all

~The Scicchitano's

What Day Is It? ~ Day 7 With Lily

Lily LOVES the tub.It's not all smiles and giggles all the time with this girl...
Making a pearl necklace for Lily at the Pearl Market.
Our Hotel Lobby

Today was a wonderful day and at the same time it was tiring, irritating, hot, and stressful. As beautiful as it is here, there's no place like home. Lily has been sleeping great. She usually sleeps until anywhere from 5am-7:30am and likes to take a little nap shortly after in bed with either Dave or myself. We went down to the breakfast buffet near the waterfall, I tell ya this hotel is just beautiful, but Lily was not into the beauty this morning. She had a very difficult morning. Normally she has a good appetite and opens up her mouth like a baby bird for us to drop food in, but this morning she shook her sweet little head "NO" to everything but a little watermelon. Watermelon, by the way, is her favorite food. Followed by screaming and crying. She knows what she wants and doesn't want and is already testing the water and we are starting to set some limits. Daddy took her out of the dining area and over to the bridge to see the fish and socialize. She brightened right up and was happy again, not too many limits yet as it's hard to do when not in the privacy of our own home and other people would like to appreciate the beauty =D. I have to say that her Baba (Daddy in Chinese) is doing pretty good at resisting the urge to spoil her silly... most of the time anyway.

We visited the pearl market today, got a little lesson on how to recognize quality pearls and did a little shopping. We picked up a string of pearls to keep for Lily until she is older. Had lunch at KFC. Lily had a bite of "creamed potatoes" as some friends from Mississippi call'em, and her first french fry, all the while fussing. Although she pooed last night, we had a sneaking suspicion that there was more to come... and we were right.

So the afternoon came and we took a short walk over to the clinic to have Lily's physical done and picture for her visa taken. On the way she fell asleep. This actually worked to our benefit because she slept through her exam, although we had to wake her for her photo. She did great and this all took just 20 minutes. So Lily only had a short nap. While we were out, the boys went with some friends to the pool. This is no ordinary pool, it's a tropical paradise with a waterfall and is overlooking the Pearl River. This gave us the chance to do some shopping on the island to pick up some souvenirs and gifts.

We were supposed to go out for a group dinner to a Cantonese restaurant, but opted to stay in. It's no fun to be out in public with a constipated baby. The tension of being constantly on the go and living in such close quarters for a week and a half now is weighing on all of us today. Add the stress of a tired, screaming baby and it just magnifies the tension. It was nice to be able to stay in tonight. We ordered a Papa John's pizza and picked up some chicken congee (rice porridge) to go for Lily... and she ate the WHOLE bowl. I think that Lily is definitely bonding with us and is feeling the need to just be "home." She went from her foster family, to our hotel in Nanning for a week to another hotel now for half a week... and we have still another transition to make when we leave for home. She is so sweet and fun to watch as she explores our hotel room. We took care of some potty business, had a bath which she loves and now everyone is passed out.

Tomorrow we will take a picture of all the babies in our group lined up on "The Red Couch" here in the hotel. It's become a tradition here at the White Swan, which is also known as the "baby hotel," for adoptive families to do. We also plan on going with our group for a dinner cruise on the Pearl River.

That's all for now. We'll check back in tomorrow. Visit my Facebook page for more pictures.

~Sue

She's Walking... and Running

Lily with her Ge Ge and Bobai Bear