Thankful for November!
3 weeks ago
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thanksgiving.....In pictures
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Since I am now getting christmas decorations out, I realized I never posted a Thanksgiving update (nor a birthday or Halloween, but those will have to come later). My family came from Delaware and PA to celebrate with us. Elizabeth enjoyed having her MeMa, Grammie, Poppie, Aunt, Uncle and cousins all in one place.
Elizabeth preparing Poppie's favorite sweet potatoes
Uncle Max and Elizabeth watching the Parade
My baby looks too grown up in this picture. Where did the babyness go?
Poppie and Grammie are here! Let the good times begin!!!
We have so much to be thankful for. Elizabeth is the greatest of blessings.
Half of the family table.
Cousins trudge off to see Santa. Where are the smiles??? Domi wouldn't go but Elizabeth took 18 month old Gabe up to show him how to do it!
The big perk of the weekend was getting to ride in the "back back" with Grammie.
Leaving Daddy to his own devices!
The next day, a little quiet time with Grammie before....
we eat more leftovers, again!
We hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving filled with a bounty of family, friends and good food.
Elizabeth preparing Poppie's favorite sweet potatoes
Uncle Max and Elizabeth watching the Parade
My baby looks too grown up in this picture. Where did the babyness go?
Poppie and Grammie are here! Let the good times begin!!!
We have so much to be thankful for. Elizabeth is the greatest of blessings.
Half of the family table.
Cousins trudge off to see Santa. Where are the smiles??? Domi wouldn't go but Elizabeth took 18 month old Gabe up to show him how to do it!
The big perk of the weekend was getting to ride in the "back back" with Grammie.
We took the kids to a bounce house to burn off a little energy.
Elizabeth liked going down with Aunt Janet.
Leaving Daddy to his own devices!
Too much fun!!!
Aunt Janet reads the night night stories.
The next day, a little quiet time with Grammie before....
we eat more leftovers, again!
We hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving filled with a bounty of family, friends and good food.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Soccer
This summer Elizabeth began requesting to play soccer. One of her little friends at church plays so we decided to join her team. The first few games were a disaster to say the least. After buying all of the "stuff" needed and hauling ourselves out to the field, she refused to play ~ for 3 games. Just as we were about to give up, at the fourth game, the coach took her hand and "helped" her out to the field. She has been going strong ever since. Many games she not only had to play one quarter but all four due to lack of attendance. She didn't really kick the ball but a few times but she sure did chase it around. If it came too close to her, she usually deferred to another player close by. She usually stepped it up and did it for the team. She loved to play "Purple" aka goalie. She was surprisingly good at that position. She had one game where caught all four balls that were heading in. Next season we are hoping that she will kick the ball!
Kicking the ball was reserved for practice!
She really liked being part of a team.
She had to stand on her "stage" aka fireplace hearth to show off her trophy!
So tired!!! Our day started with a school trip to Norfolk to see Elmo, then lunch out with Mommy, then the school Halloween party, then the soccer game, then the team pizza party. I fun day!!!
SCORE!!!
Kicking the ball was reserved for practice!
She really liked being part of a team.
We loved our coach!!! She was great with the kids.
She had to stand on her "stage" aka fireplace hearth to show off her trophy!
So tired!!! Our day started with a school trip to Norfolk to see Elmo, then lunch out with Mommy, then the school Halloween party, then the soccer game, then the team pizza party. I fun day!!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
A Few Recent Updates
Life has been so busy, sometimes it seems hard to carve out a few minutes to update!
We have had a few big milestones in the last few weeks ~
If you read often, you know we have had a struggle getting Elizabeth out of her crib. Since Elizabeth is now too big for the pack and play and the room was too small for the new inflatable bed we bought her, while on vacation, she was forced into the "big girl bed" She did great!!!! Not one issue of crying or getting out of bed. It was wonderful. Of course, once we got home, she wanted to get back into the crib. The first night we let her and the next day, down came the crib!
Another big happening was both for her and for mommy and daddy!!! The picture below is everyone who was at our table for a nice Sunday lunch a couple of weeks ago! Notice who is missing!!!!! Yes, she actually went with her Uncle for the day. I was doubtful but hopeful! After a false start which included lots of crying and "no go". I, who had stayed out of the transfer, gave her a quarter and suggested she ask Uncle Lem to take her to the store for a piece of gum (her favorite thing right now). She grabbed the quarter and they were off before I could get to the window to watch. When they come home, she wanted to go again so they went to the carousel, then Uncle Lem called and said they stopped by the house (we were inside waiting for them to return)to get her backpack and stroller from the driveway and they were off to Busch Gardens for the day! We ran (not really exaggerating) to the car and enjoyed a nice lunch at a new waterfront restaurant. We then enjoyed some restful shopping and time at home to relax together. She did not get home until 9PM. She was exhausted but all smiles with lots of stories to share. Truly, it seemed like a light at the end of our tunnel!
The first date for Mommy and Daddy in 17 months, but who's counting!
We have had a few big milestones in the last few weeks ~
If you read often, you know we have had a struggle getting Elizabeth out of her crib. Since Elizabeth is now too big for the pack and play and the room was too small for the new inflatable bed we bought her, while on vacation, she was forced into the "big girl bed" She did great!!!! Not one issue of crying or getting out of bed. It was wonderful. Of course, once we got home, she wanted to get back into the crib. The first night we let her and the next day, down came the crib!
Elizabeth tucked into bed on vacation!
Another big happening was both for her and for mommy and daddy!!! The picture below is everyone who was at our table for a nice Sunday lunch a couple of weeks ago! Notice who is missing!!!!! Yes, she actually went with her Uncle for the day. I was doubtful but hopeful! After a false start which included lots of crying and "no go". I, who had stayed out of the transfer, gave her a quarter and suggested she ask Uncle Lem to take her to the store for a piece of gum (her favorite thing right now). She grabbed the quarter and they were off before I could get to the window to watch. When they come home, she wanted to go again so they went to the carousel, then Uncle Lem called and said they stopped by the house (we were inside waiting for them to return)to get her backpack and stroller from the driveway and they were off to Busch Gardens for the day! We ran (not really exaggerating) to the car and enjoyed a nice lunch at a new waterfront restaurant. We then enjoyed some restful shopping and time at home to relax together. She did not get home until 9PM. She was exhausted but all smiles with lots of stories to share. Truly, it seemed like a light at the end of our tunnel!
The first date for Mommy and Daddy in 17 months, but who's counting!Saturday, August 22, 2009
Our Gotcha Day Celebration Continued
For Gotcha Day, Elizabeth gets to choose where we go for dinner. Of course she picks "soup" which is her favorite Chinese buffet.
A Blessed Family of 3!
Yum, Yum, her favorite
After dinner we had sang Happy Gotcha Day and got a few treats including a doll that I had bought in China. We also picked out a charm on line which will go on her charm bracelet. It should be no surprise that it is a Mickey charm.
This weekend we went to Richmond to meet with two other families we traveled to China with. We sure did miss Little Miss C and DD and DB. After plenty of socializing and reconnecting on Friday night, we went to the Richmond Zoo on Saturday. It was blazing hot (not quite as bad a China but getting worse by the minute) but it was great. Fin, you would love it!!!!!
Elizabeth and J were happy to see each other and reconnected so quickly!
It was time to part ways at the zoo. Nobody seemed excited to leave or maybe they were just hot, tired, hungry and dehydrated!
We got to share one last meal with J and her family before we parted ways. Cool air, cool drinks and some food brought those smiles back out!
Elizabeth fell asleep in the car and slept most of the way home! She needed it!
We missed those who couldn't come. You were constantly in our thoughts and part of our memories recollected! We have some big plans already in motion for next year. We hope we will ALL be together again!
Momma loves her baby!
A Blessed Family of 3!
Yum, Yum, her favorite
After dinner we had sang Happy Gotcha Day and got a few treats including a doll that I had bought in China. We also picked out a charm on line which will go on her charm bracelet. It should be no surprise that it is a Mickey charm.
This weekend we went to Richmond to meet with two other families we traveled to China with. We sure did miss Little Miss C and DD and DB. After plenty of socializing and reconnecting on Friday night, we went to the Richmond Zoo on Saturday. It was blazing hot (not quite as bad a China but getting worse by the minute) but it was great. Fin, you would love it!!!!!
Elizabeth and J were happy to see each other and reconnected so quickly!
After dinner J joined J and Elizabeth. They were silly and tired!
Fun was had with the all of the treats the girls had received.
The zoo was fun! Lots of different animals. Fin ~ you gotta go!
It was time to part ways at the zoo. Nobody seemed excited to leave or maybe they were just hot, tired, hungry and dehydrated!
We got to share one last meal with J and her family before we parted ways. Cool air, cool drinks and some food brought those smiles back out!
Elizabeth fell asleep in the car and slept most of the way home! She needed it!
We missed those who couldn't come. You were constantly in our thoughts and part of our memories recollected! We have some big plans already in motion for next year. We hope we will ALL be together again!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Today We Celebrate
Today we celebrate. Today, two years ago, We woke up as a family of 2 and went to sleep a family of three. The day I wed my husband and this day were the two best days of my life. Sadly, for Elizabeth this was probably the scariest day for her as everything she knew and depended on changed forever. I hope she never has to feel that again. Kind of ironic that the adoptive mom's greatest joy can be the adopted child's cross to bear.
Tonight we will continue the traditions that we started last year. Miss Elizabeth will get choose where we will go to dinner (she has already declared that we will be getting soup (aka the chinese buffet that she LOVES!), we will pick out a charm for her bracelet that will represent the past year and she will get a small gift from our collection that we bought while in China.
My sweet Elizabeth,
I can not believe it has been two years. So much has happened in the last 12 months, that it is hard to recount. Most noticeably, you have grown. You have gotten taller and so much more muscular. Your language has really developed as well. We love to hear you chatter and boy do you like to hear yourself chatter as well. This past year, you have started to become engaged in some fun activities. You enjoyed being part of the church choir and gym class. You learned about Mickey Mouse, Busch Gardens, and the fun you can have playing with friends. You know your colors and letters, you can almost count to 20, and you know how to sing so many songs. You remind us every night to say our blessing over dinner (even snack now) and you recite your prayers each night praying for your family, friends and other people who have touched you that day. Do you think Ms. Gee will ever know how many times you have said, "Dear God, please help Ms. Gee feel better". You still are not a big fan of Mommy and Daddy leaving but you will now leave us, if we sit quietly in one place.
Every day that goes by, we love you more than the day before. When we look into your beautiful almond shaped eyes, we are reminded that we are the luckiest people on earth to have been chosen to be your mommy and daddy. Two years ago we were overwhelmed with gratitude to the Peoples Republic of China for entrusting you to our care. Those feelings have not changed. We are grateful everyday that you are ours and we are yours. You have a brought us such incredible joy. We love our home filled with your devilish laugh. We love you like crazy cakes my dear baby!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
August 20, 2007
On a side note, we went to the dentist yesterday for our first teeth cleaning in a conscious state. There was much screaming but it ended peacefully. We love Dr. Plauka. Best news..... No cavities, no $13,000 worth of dental work needed and six year molars are popping out a year early!
Tonight we will continue the traditions that we started last year. Miss Elizabeth will get choose where we will go to dinner (she has already declared that we will be getting soup (aka the chinese buffet that she LOVES!), we will pick out a charm for her bracelet that will represent the past year and she will get a small gift from our collection that we bought while in China.
My sweet Elizabeth,
I can not believe it has been two years. So much has happened in the last 12 months, that it is hard to recount. Most noticeably, you have grown. You have gotten taller and so much more muscular. Your language has really developed as well. We love to hear you chatter and boy do you like to hear yourself chatter as well. This past year, you have started to become engaged in some fun activities. You enjoyed being part of the church choir and gym class. You learned about Mickey Mouse, Busch Gardens, and the fun you can have playing with friends. You know your colors and letters, you can almost count to 20, and you know how to sing so many songs. You remind us every night to say our blessing over dinner (even snack now) and you recite your prayers each night praying for your family, friends and other people who have touched you that day. Do you think Ms. Gee will ever know how many times you have said, "Dear God, please help Ms. Gee feel better". You still are not a big fan of Mommy and Daddy leaving but you will now leave us, if we sit quietly in one place.
Every day that goes by, we love you more than the day before. When we look into your beautiful almond shaped eyes, we are reminded that we are the luckiest people on earth to have been chosen to be your mommy and daddy. Two years ago we were overwhelmed with gratitude to the Peoples Republic of China for entrusting you to our care. Those feelings have not changed. We are grateful everyday that you are ours and we are yours. You have a brought us such incredible joy. We love our home filled with your devilish laugh. We love you like crazy cakes my dear baby!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
August 20, 2009
August 20, 2007
On a side note, we went to the dentist yesterday for our first teeth cleaning in a conscious state. There was much screaming but it ended peacefully. We love Dr. Plauka. Best news..... No cavities, no $13,000 worth of dental work needed and six year molars are popping out a year early!
Clean Toothy Smile
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Playgroup
This past weekend we had a wonderful time hosting our FCC playgroup. We had 4 little girls all about Elizabeth's age over to play at our neighborhood pool. I hope fun was had by all because E really enjoyed it. It made her so much braver!
I love watching Fin have a good time.
Karen's cooler is so good for many different things!
Our playgroup friends
Later in the week we decided to take advantage of her new found bravery. Uncle Max and I took her to the pool after a long 100 degree day.
"I do myself" was heard alot. I love it.
For the first time she would jump in and let the float catch her which resulted in water in the face and eyes. Until that night, there would have been crying and fussing. Not tonight. Tonight there was laughter.
We continue to struggle on a daily basis with attachment issues. Days like this when she is willing to move away from my immediate presence is wonderful. It gives me faith that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It was especially needed after the huge meltdown at church on Thursday night which was related to attachment.
I look forward to more pool time before the summer is over. Now, just make the rain stop!
What is missing from this picture? Elizabeth clinging to my bathing suit in terror that I will let her go.
I love watching Fin have a good time.
Karen's cooler is so good for many different things!
Our playgroup friends
Later in the week we decided to take advantage of her new found bravery. Uncle Max and I took her to the pool after a long 100 degree day.
"I do myself" was heard alot. I love it.
For the first time she would jump in and let the float catch her which resulted in water in the face and eyes. Until that night, there would have been crying and fussing. Not tonight. Tonight there was laughter.
It was a fun night!
We continue to struggle on a daily basis with attachment issues. Days like this when she is willing to move away from my immediate presence is wonderful. It gives me faith that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It was especially needed after the huge meltdown at church on Thursday night which was related to attachment.
I look forward to more pool time before the summer is over. Now, just make the rain stop!
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