GOTCHA DAY MARCH 13, 2007

Today is one year since our beautiful daughter Delaney joined our family-oh how fast the year has gone. Delaney has changed so much-the once fightened, shy and almost life less child is now beautiful outgoing, loving, happy, smart and full of life. It's hard to keep up with her, she is so busy and talks a mile a minute. She makes us laugh and smile and gives the best hugs. She knows her alphabet, can count to ten in English and Spanish, loves to read and play outside. Her favorite TV character is Dora and she loves Winnie the Pooh just as much. She is very social and loves to shop or go bye-bye. She enjoys going to church and is always asking when are we going to see God. Although she is growing in height she has only gained a few pounds over the past year. Her favorite foods are vegetables and fruit, she's not a big meat eater.

I have posted pictures of her in her Gotcha Day shirt we had made for her special day and some pictures of our family celebration. Hope you all enjoy them.

Christmas 2006

The picture below is Delaney ( several times-oops) in her beautiful jean jacket which was a gift from her godparents-Aunt Cindy and Uncle Jeff. Doesn't she look adorable!

Christmas was an extra special one for the Fitzgerald family. Not only did we have a new addition to our family, but grandama came for a few days and spent Christmas with us. She had not seen Delaney since May and could not believe the progress she had made in 7 months. Delaney did not understand the whole idea behind Christmas she just knew there was a big Christmas tree in her family room and pretty lights and decorations every where. She did not get in to opening the gifts, after the first one she was ready to play and the heck with the rest. So mom had to assist with the opening of her gifts. Her favorite gift was a Dora cd player since she loves music. She could not figure how to keep the headphones on her head since they were too big. Mom came to the rescue with a few bobby pins. Then it was time to figure out how the cd worked-maybe not he perfect gift for a two and half year old. She got several ornaments-one that she is holding is a winnie the pooh baby's first Christmas-every child needs one of these. Her day was full of reading books and listening to cd's on her Dora cd player.

Halloween 2006

With this being Delaney's first Halloween we wanted to slowly introduce her to the whole idea of dressing up and trick or treat. She was dressed in a butterfly fairy costume and Mom took her to a few neighbors houses. She wasn't sure what to make out of all the costumes, but she seemed to have a good time Here are a few pictures...

More Updates

Hi Everyone,

We know it has been a while since we added anything to our blog and felt it was about time especially so those of you in other states could view our precious daughter's pictures and hear about her progress.

Delaney is doing well, a typical 2 year old. She is fun, loving, mischievous, busy and sometimes throws a temper tantrum or two. She is 33 inches in height and still only weighs 23 lbs. She is a good eater but I guess with how busy she is all the time burns off what she consumes. She loves to read, listen to music and has discovered Pooh and Mickey Mouse. She also loves the outdoors. We took her to the NC State Fair and she loved all the rides, lights and food.

It gives us all such a good feeling remembering the child we were given in China-sad, frightened, almost lifeless and knowing the beautiful loving child who is full of life and love we now have.

We are looking forward to spending Delaney's first holidays with her and seeing her reaction to the beauty of the holiday season. Here are some recent pictures-ENJOY!

Updated Pictures

All is going well with our new addition to our family. Delaney has adjusted well to her new home and it seems as if she has always been part of our family. She had her second birthday on Friday, June 9th. It was a quiet celebration with just the four of us, but it was nice. Tina has started back to work full-time and Delaney has started day care full-time as well. She has adjusted well and seems to like her teachers and the kids in her class room. She is expanding her vocabulary and will repeat words, no sentences yet. She's like a parrot and also likes to imitate her big brother Michael and his friends. We all enjoy her so much and couldn't imagine our family without her.

Home Sweet Home

We came home to a decorated porch with a "Welcome Delaney" sign and balloons and a nice welcome home greeting from our neighbors the Patti's.

This picture is of Delaney's first night in her bedroom, she seems to like what she sees.



The picture below is Delaney playing with her new friend and neighbor David John.

The picture to the left is Delaney opening her first present given to her by our friends the Meltzer's.Below is big brother Michael showing Delaney that a head band is not so bad to wear after all.

Delaney loves to take baths and loves playing in the water.


We have now been home for two weeks and Delaney has been part of our family for three weeks. Delaney has made great strides the past few weeks sleeping 12 hours a night and taking three hour naps/day. Her tantrums have lessened and Dad and Michael can hold her withour her getting upset. She is eating well, loves most foods and will smile ear to ear if given chocolate. She has the most beautiful smile which will brighten any one's day. Delaney and Lizzie (our dog) are getting along fine neither cares much about the other.
The pictures we know have been long in coming, but we have been very busy getting ourselves acclaimated to the time change and the new member of our family.

Delaney has already brought so much joy to our family and we look forward to all the good times ahead. Thank you God for bringing her in to our lives, we are the luckiest family in the world!

March 21, 2006

There was a misunderstanding about going to the US Consulate today. The agency representatives were going to the consulate and wanted a parent in their room from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM just in case there were any questions about the paperwork. We did not get a phone call which was good news. Tina took Delaney out to shop for a new dress while Michael and I stayed in the room. At 11:30 AM all the families met in the lobby of the hotel for a group photo. Tomorrow is our swearing in ceremony at at he U.S. Consulate for Delaney's citizenship. After the ceremony many of the families are headed home. It will be sad to see them go since we have a bond that is unlike any other.

This is Michael with all the siblings of children that were adopted along with Delaney.