The Divine Miss Adventure

Wow, its been a while!!!

2011-11-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

Well, so much has happened since April!!! We had a very busy summer with lots of fun and lots of growth. I have taken on a few casual positions and working opposite days to Shawn is really working out. Anyway, I think I will just post some updated photos of the sweetie from our summer...

June: Hanging out with her China Sister Anna in Calgary... what a fabulous time that was!!!

July: showing off our brand new garden patios!!!

August: LalaFUlooza in Vancouver, the annual reunion of families. Can't wait for next summer in San Jose!!!!

Annie at the pool in Stanley park. She loves to swim and went down the big slides at the pool many times!!!!!

September: Having a blast with her bud Kate at the fair.

I was going to post more photos but just posting these took an hour. Sorry.

Annie is growing more every day. She is in preschool three afternoons a week and in Mandarin school two afternoons a week. Annie adores her two different schools and gets up every morning, excited about the day. She is almost into a lap belt car seat and talks a mile a minute. Her art skills are wonderful and she has learned to print her name. Shawn gave Annie the camera to use this summer and it turns out, she is a great photographer. I will try and do a "Photos by Annie" in my next post.

Annie has a wicked sense of humour and she is thoughtful and kind. Oh and she picks out her own clothes now so everything MUST match. Her criteria, not mine!!!!!

We had a great Halloween in Ontario and Annie was a "princess". Imagine that!!!!!!!!!! I haven't uploaded the photos from that trip but will soon enough. Life gets so busy!!!!!!!!

Anyway, just wanted to give an update on the life of little misadventure. She is a hoot and a half!!!!!!!!!

Back to work...

2011-04-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

So being back to work a few days a week has worked out fine so far. Fine in the sense that Annie has had some issues but they were expected. The past two nights (I have worked the past two days), she has woken up crying and calling for both of us. Last night (after a full day of work for me) was particularly sad as she had trouble settling and wouldn't take any comfort from us at first. The second screaming wake up, Annie allowed me to physically comfort her immediately and she went back to sleep. All I have to say is, thank goodness her toddler bed is still in our room beside our bed!!!! Annie and her Dad have had some fun days together and when they came to pick me up last night, she ran into my office yelling "Mommie, Mommie, Mommie", jumped into my arms and held on tight for QUITE a while. It was WONDERFUL!!!!! We were all smiles, hugs and kisses and the people at work were enamoured of course!! Annie is a beautiful girl!! So, it seems to be ok and since this is a very part time contract position, I think it will be a good thing. I have to say though, it is very strange for me. Having spent ten years in the position and I was very rarely sick, it felt like old times, just walking back into my office. It really isn't MY office but it hasn't changed that much!!!!!!!! I also have a renewed creative energy and when I left I was burning out so it is great to be able to come back and do some neat fun things. The reason I chose this career path was because of this fact. The welcome I received from the staff was pretty amazing too!! Everyone made me feel so welcome with hugs and kind words. Anyway, I just wanted to post to say Annie and had a little bit of a breakthrough last night at bedtime. Annie hates being by herself. It really frightens her. When she is having a hard day, even being in a room by herself can upset her. So, last night we were talking about me going to work and Daddy going to work and the fact that even though each of us works, the other one is ALWAYS with her. I told Annie that either her Mommie or her Daddy are never very far from her EVER. I could tell she was processing this fact by the changing looks on her face and then she gave me a HUGE bear hug. I have to say however, it is a challenge on a marriage to practice our type of attachment parenting BUT it is so worth it. When I feel a little sad about it, Shawn and I talk and remind ourselves that we only have a short window to build this relationship with our daughter. Soon enough, she won't be very interested in hanging out with us. We had almost twenty years together before she came into our lives and everything must shift and change. It is amazing to have a partner who is willing to do this but it wasn't easy to get here. Believe me, we have had our challenges but again what is more worth a few personal sacrifices then belonging to a warm and loving family who supports you through everything!!!! Oh and Annie's latest activity is paper cutting. We tried the kid's scissors but they just didn't work for her so she uses adult scissors and does wonderfully. She has had a long time obsession with tape and the tape has now been added to the paper cutting, folding and drawing. I must say, Annie is a talented girl and I love getting my little notes taped and rolled up in paper. Oh and Annie has so much control with those scissors she is able to make tiny cuts on strips of paper that we turn into little hula skirts for her dolls. So fun!!!!!!!

Going back to work...or kind of!!!!

2011-03-22T12:15:00.001-07:00

So, for two years I have had the privilege to be a stay at home Mommie with my little girl. Last month, a short term opportunity arose where I will be going back to work, two days a week. We have co-ordinated it so Annie will be cared for by her Dad which works out well for everyone... except maybe the small person who is really upset about it. Her Dad works very long shifts and is gone by the time we are up and doesn't come home until after 6:30 pm sometimes. This is in exchange for four days off, which we enjoy as a family immensely. Anyway, the small person isn't too sure about his whole idea of Mommie being at work as her experience is long hours of not seeing Daddy. Oh and she asks for him all day long so we call him at work and he calls us at least once a day. Anyway, I am sure it will all be fine but my Mommie guilt is coming to the fore... I know Annie will be JUST FINE with her Daddy and the hours are not long, it's just I have worked sooooo hard on her attachment and I don't want anything to ruin all of our precious work... hmnnn... any thoughts?

Oh and here are some photos!!!

Annie reading to her stuffies and Baby Rachael.

Ready to go to yoga class with her teddy on her back and her hair extensions in... LOL, such a silly smile!!!! Actually, I am lucky to get a photo these days as the young miss isn't really interested in having her photo taken!!!

Two years...

2011-03-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

Now and...

Then...

It was two years ago today... Annie became part of our family. Wow, I can't believe it was so long ago and then again, I can't believe how fast the time has gone. She is an amazing child and we are so privileged to have her in our lives.
Annie's latest phrases are: "sure, why not" when you ask her if she would like to do something.
:"my options are..." when she is deciding how to behave in a certain situation
:"my mommy and daddy are my bestest friends EVER... oh and teddy too"
:"not Hot chocolate please, WARM chocolate"
She just cracks me up!!! Oh and Annie can draw an "A" on her aqua.dood.le!! She is very proud of this.
The little girl we met two years ago has grown into an amazing three year old who still loves to eat, party AND read her books. She is a caring, loving child who has to make sure all crying babies are safe, everyone around her is fed and she has people around her to give and get her hugs from. Couldn't ask for more...

LOVE this photo of Annie and her Bubble Tea in Chinatown during the Chinese New Year Celebrations!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

2011-02-03T10:39:00.000-08:00

Hope that everyone is enjoying the Lunar New Year. We love anything Lunar and are looking forward to a special meal tonight and then again tomorrow night, with friends. As we don't have family who lives on the Coast, many of our dear friends are like family to us so spending this holiday with them is very special. Last year, I made a traditional, complete with homemade dumplings, fish and long life noodles. This year I decided that making the dumplings and everything else was just too much with so many guests and a busy girl so we are headed out to dinner both evenings. Can't wait!!! Annie woke up this morning, telling me everyone who was joining us tonight and then tomorrow night too. She kept saying "I memberd, I membered".
Oh and I realize that I didn't update the sleeping arrangements. Well, after those two nights, we were back to Daddy putting Annie to bed in our bed and then transferring her to her little bed beside ours so that she can access us easily in the night. We are still dealing with nighttime issues and I think we will be dealing with them for some time. These things just don't go away that easily :(
Have to run - being called upon by a small person - it took me three hours to get this much down so pictures next time!!! All the best to everyone in the year of the Rabbit!!!

Missed opportunities...

2011-01-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

I knew that having a toddler who is turning into a preschooler before our eyes was going to be busy but little did I know how busy we would be!! My well organized and ordered life is no longer, I now am forgetting to pay bills and just keeping up with the laundry is a challenge. I am not complaining though, far from it. I love my life with my brilliant, beautiful and charming child. Her sense of humour is amazing and she has us all laughing every day. Annie is a little bossy though but I guess that comes with the territory - her Mom is a little bossy too!!!
Anyway, I am missing opportunities to write about the precious moments that are happening in our daily life. To many, they may seem pedantic but to us, they are family memories we want to cherish.
For instance, today we had a special fondue dessert because it is a special day. I had the chocolate out on the counter and Annie was busy unwrapping it, asking me what it was. I told her it was the chocolate for our dessert and she said "Oh, dat makes sense, dat makes sense, dis is chocolate, mnnnnnn". It was hilarious and because I laughed, she said it over and over again. She also insisted on being the one to cook it all by her "selse" but we were able to negotiate to a truce where I was able to help her with the recipe!!
Another activity which is related to cooking is Annie's love of having a "birthday party" with all of her babies and I mean ALL of her dollies. Luckily, we have kept the dolls down to only around ten. So Annie prepares the M.ellissa and D.oug birthday cake toy that we gave her for Christmas. As an aside, if you have a preschooler THIS is the toy to buy!! After the cake preparation, all the babies who are still in their beds (all around the living room floor) with their covers and their respective animals, have plates of cake served to them. When they are eating their cake, the tea set is then set up (on a little box WITH a tablecloth I might add) and they are all given some "berry" tea while Mommie reads them poetry (my favorite part). The first five times we played this game, I thought is was cute, now, well, it is not so novel but Annie came up with this all on her own, sets EVERYTHING up and plays away using her imagination. THAT is the part I love. She gives each of us presents (imaginary ones) which are sometimes VERY big and heavy according to Annie, which we open and show our joy at the gift she has chosen for us. We then give her a gift and she is just as thrilled with it. We also play the "message" game where we use her toy cell phone and leave "messages" for friends and family. Annie loves the train sets that she plays with at different stores so she decided that our living room rug was a train track and built a hill using a handtowel with stickers. We were then required to chug-a-choo around the rug and go over the hill. It was hilarious!!! Annie is also into "playing games" so we play dominoes as a family and we have a matching card game that she loves. So much fun.
Now that I start to write these little stories down, more come flooding into my brain. Annie as most children her age, is into stickers and colouring. I pick up so many stickers off the floor it is crazy but she loves them and sits for some time, focusing on where the next sticker should go. Annie "knows" they are to go on paper but for some reason, her Dad ends up at work with stickers on his pants!!! Too funny.
Annie talks a mile a minute (like her Mom) and some of her expressions are priceless but for the life of me, I can't remember any right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That will be the next post...

Happy New Year... a little late!!!

2011-01-15T08:50:00.001-08:00

I keep meaning to post but life has just been sooo busy over the holiday season. We had a wonderful Christmas and Open House. Annie is now a firm believer in Santa Claus and is playing happily with all of the neat toys that he brought. She can actually tell us who gave her what which is very neat!!! I think what helped was going through her toys and taking the nicer ones she doesn't play with anymore, to the food bank before Christmas. Annie and I went through the toys together and anything that she didn't want to send, we didn't. I am happy to report we had a good size shopping bag full of toys to give. We are hoping that they made other children very happy this Christmas. I just feel we have so much and it is so important to teach Annie to give to others. She is growing so fast that we might do this more regularly however I do know it will be harder as she gets older and becomes more attached to her things.

So, in a nutshell, we are settled in the new house, we had a wonderful Christmas and we are looking forward to getting outside and using our new backyard very soon. We had the windows open and cleaned the deck yesterday as the weather was great!!! Annie is loving the idea of the sandbox that was a wonderful re gift from Auntie Colleen, Uncle Bob and the boys. Unfortunately, the sand was out in the rain so we have to wait for a nice day to put it into the sandbox to dry :( Oh well. Those lovely days are coming soon and we are eagerly waiting for our flowers to come up through the earth!!! Can't wait to start gardening again!!!!!!!!!

Enough of that, here are some photos.

Blogger won't let me add more photos and the divine one is calling for attention so... will try more later!!!

Annie REALLY does cook...

2010-11-23T19:50:00.001-08:00

Here we are preparing squash, one of Annie's favorite vegetables. The chicken is in the oven and the rice is in the cooker...

Here is Annie with her creation!!

Annie also likes to set the table. She is especially excited about the Raspberry Vinaigrette that we will have with our spring greens. We don't normally have the telescope there or boxes of food on the table but with a toddler...

And finally here is the cook, looking out our front window, waiting for Daddy. This is one of the Christmas wreaths that we made together the other day. Our theme this year is Candy Canes!!!! Imagine that~~

As an aside I HATE these blinds and am planning to have a consultant come and create some beautiful window coverings - dupeoni silk perhaps...

She did it!!!

2010-11-23T08:29:00.000-08:00

Night two of sleeping in her own room in her big girl bed!! Annie gets up in the morning and runs into our bed. It is really sweet. She is liking her big girl bed but we haven't done anything with her bed beside ours. I will let her decide (with some guidance of course) when we need to take it apart.
In other news, we have had lots of snow here the last few days and little miss likes to wear her snow pants BUT doesn't think that you need to wear pants UNDER the snow pants. Too funny. Oh and we have an electric fireplace that only works with a remote. Well, I couldn't find the remote two days ago and Annie found it under the chair. We gave her lots of praise and positive affirmations. So yesterday, I couldn't find it either and Annie found it. Guess where? Under the chair. She told me that she had made it into a game. What a girl!!!
But I can't find it this morning and it isn't under the chair. Hmnnnn...

Another milestone... kind of...

2010-11-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

Annie decided yesterday afternoon that she would sleep in her big girl bed all by herself. I went into our room and she went into hers, got into bed and went to sleep. She had a good two and half hour sleep which she really needed.
So, last night she decided that she would sleep the night in her big girl bed too. She went through her nighttime routine with Daddy and instead of falling asleep in our bed, she fell asleep in hers.
I was a little (really, really,to the point of tears) sad that she was leaving our room as she has slept in her little cot or her crib beside our bed since she came to us. Anyway, at around 1:13 am, Annie came crying into our room. She said that she had to use the loo and low and behold, Daddy hadn't put on her nighttime diaper. She was still wearing her Do.ra pa.nties. They were dry though!!!! After a quick pot.ty break, Annie climbed into bed with us and at 3 am I was finally able to put her in her little cot.
This morning, Annie was up at her usual time and she told me that she wasn't going to sleep in her big girl bed by her "selse" tonight but she would for her nap. A little too much I guess BUT it was Annie's decision and we were thrilled she felt secure enough to attempt it!!!

November so far...

2010-11-19T16:23:00.000-08:00

Annie and her Dad are out int he backyard doing this, so I have a few moments to download some photos!!!

So far in November we have spent some time decorating Annie's door...

We have spent some time decorating her big girl room. Thank you Joma for the beautiful quilt!!!

We went on an airplane to Ontario...

We went to the same restaurant we went to when the photo at the top of the blog was taken. This is a happy munchkie-moo, enjoying her mango bubbles from out bubble tea. And yes, I know these are not good for kids!!!!

Uncle Kevin and Blake taught Annie how to play hockey... she is an excellent stick handler.

We went to my Dad's birthday surprise party. Annie is the one in the back with the tartan dress while her cousins are in front of her and beside her under the table. Thanks Auntie Tatie, for bringing the movie!!! I love this picture. It is so "kid" and exactly what we would have done at my Grandparent's parties if they had portable DVD players!!!

We hung out in Ontario with some crazy people and then came home...

It has been quite a month so far!!!!

Happy Halloween....

2010-10-30T13:33:00.001-07:00

Update: New House is great, Annie is settling in and very excited for Halloween. Thought I would share some photos of one excited girl...

Visit with Great Grandpa and Grandma Margaret...

2010-09-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Running Barefoot through the grass!!! Love it!!

Catching the wind in her hair on the ferry!!

Loving the flowers... my barefoot baby...

Two heads looking down at the sunken garden at But.chart.

We had a lovely time with Annie's GG and Grandma Margaret. Annie was so sad when we put them on the train for their cross country adventure home to Ontario. Can't believe these two are in their mid- nineties and mid-eighties. Love you both soooooooo much...

Now back to packing... ugh...

Realization...

2010-09-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

My world is small and fairly insular, filled with people I love and who love me. It also consists of my small neighborhood in my larger city. This past week, we had my Grandpa and his wonderful lady Margaret here visiting. We did quite a bit of travelling around and went to the big smoke aka Vancouver twice. My Grandpa is 95 and is having some issues with his hip so walking can be a challenge. Anyway, I went to the train station in Vancouver to pick them up and in Vancouver and on the ferrie home, I was asked many times "does this child have a mother?". Annie is a fast 2 1/2 year old and Grandpa walks slow so I was walking in between them. Yep, people thought Annie was a lost child. Hmnnn.
Then, Shawn was visiting our garden (we have a plot in a community garden) and Annie was stung by a stinging nettle plant that our garden neighbor has let over grow. It is great for tea but feels like a bee sting that goes on for a while. Anyway, it is very painful and Annie cried very loudly soooooo someone called the police. Yep, Shawn is now carrying Annie's identification so that he doesn't have to go through that again.
Oh and I was at a party and a young gal - in her twenties- told me she could understand what Annie was saying (she sounds like all the 2 year olds I know who are talking) because there were so many Asians in her neighborhood. Yep, I was upset and this gal wouldn't leave me alone - she kept wanting to talk about Annie's Asianess and how I as her mother wasn't as in tune to her because I am a white blonde woman. Our hosts are very close friends of ours and when I told them what was going on, they were upset too. We left there fairly quickly but luckily that woman isn't around very much.
I have also heard comments like"Chin.aman" , "she's so bright but Orie.ntals are" and other comments that I wouldn't want to repeat. Some of these things were said with the best of intentions but how can all the people in Asia be brilliant? Please explain this to me. As well, if the "orientals" in your building like to shop and dress well, why does that mean Annie will?
So racism is starting to rear its head and in the small world I have created around me, it really hasn't. Annie is Chinese, her first parents were Chinese, her first caregivers were Chinese so yes, she looks Asian and has many wonderful attributes that we can only surmise come from her first parents and/or her caregivers influence. However, I need to start REALLY educating myself on how we as a family need to deal with this. Shawn has seen his fair share of racism and he has valuable lessons and stories to share but I want to be able to give Annie (and us) the tools to deal with these comments without internalizing them. I have dealt with the ugly or surprised looks from passers by on the road, I have dealt with the much older generation and their embedded prejudices through conversation and enlightenment but this past week has really shown me what the outside world has in store for us.
Here are my thoughts:
1. An open dialogue in our family about racism
2. discussion of our feelings when situations arise
3. story books for Annie where people are different but the same
4. we need to prepare responses to people

Any more ideas or books that would be helpful?
Cheers,
Kristine

photos...

2010-08-17T07:51:00.001-07:00

For posterity, a few of Annieisms...

"dat's ok Mommie, Daddy home soon" while stroking my arm.

"oh well, dese tings appen" after an accident and she has insured that everyone is ok

"gummie bearz, gummie bearz" Annie loves her vitamins!!!

a few things...

2010-08-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

: Annie put two peas up her nose the other day and shot one out on her own and then I had to hold one nostril as she blew the other one out. Argg...

: Annie likes to tell stories and she explains what she just did like "Annie did "sigh" Mommie" "Annie did "sigh" Mommie". Other stories are about what she did while she was "seeping". She told me today that she was eating carrot cake while she was sleeping. Annie does quite a few things while she is "seeping" believe me!!!!

:Annie is into hitting her Mom. I don't know why but she just hauls off and hits me in the arm. Trying to nip this in the bud.

:We have had our condo listed to sell for the past month and we have been talking quite a bit about moving - not that I think at this point it is going to happen due to the market. Today Annie said she was ready for a new house. Uh-oh!!!!

:Potty training is going along. If she has a bare bum, Annie hits the potty every time, on her own- "quick bunny Mommie". Put anything on her and she pees in it EVERY time. Frustrated Mommie. Not sure what to do about this but having a wet floor to clean up is not my idea of fun due to the house having to be "showplace ready" at the drop of a hat. Annie even puts her pull ups or nighttime diapers in the garbage for us!!!!

:Annie is dressing up quite a bit and went out the other night with her wings on. All the other restaurant patrons thought she was lovely.

: Daddy "puts things somewhere" quite a bit when we can't find things!!!!!!

: Auntie Colleen made Annie oatmeal cookies. I don't know what we will do when they run out!!

: Annie told me she had to call Daddy at work today and so we called. Well, it was all about the beautiful tea set that Stella and George gave Annie. She couldn't find it and had to call!!! Daddy suggested she use her white one for now. At this moment, Annie has her dress on, her special necklace, the teacups are on their plates and she is pouring the hot water into her teapot. Guess I have to run to have tea with my darling girl.

OH and speaking of darling, that is what I call Annie quite a bit. She has started to call me "dahling" too. It is really cute. When I was in bed with a migraine the other day, she stroked my face like I stroke hers when she is sad/scared/hurt and gave me big smooches on the kisser!! LOVE my little girl sooooooo very much.

:Annie loves to go on the "jump,jump" aka trampoline with the "boys" aka Max and Fred. Even though the boys are 6 and 4 they are AMAZING with Annie and treat her so very well. At the park, Max goes down the slide with her and the one time he went without her accidentally, a little girl pushed her down. Well, all three boys including Jaspar (10) were going to have a "word" with that little girl!!! Luckily for her, her Daddy was reading the riot act so she was spared the wrath of three angry boys!!!! So sweet. It is too bad they live an island away... she misses them very much...

:Annie is an accomplished swimmer and hates life jackets (so glad as she is learning to swim without floaty things). We were in the lake quite a bit and this past weekend, Arthur had his Regional swim meet so we played at the pool and cheered him on. Annie saw "Artur" across the pool and "swam" across to meet him. I have to get her into the water more often as she just loves it. Putting her head under water is not a problem as she goes down the slide and jumps off the side no problem. Love those swimming lessons last summer!!!!!

Photos of her latest adventures to come soon...

a few more photos...

2010-07-18T14:04:00.001-07:00

Camping: sliding down the bank...

Home: artist at work

Camping: "Daddy, camera!!!!!!!!!!"

Camping: getting down

Camping: playing with shadows!!!!

We have lots of photos because Annie is very much into having her photo taken!!!! Will try to post more often...

for Shirley who reminded me how long it has been since I have posted photos...

2010-07-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

Annie set up these animals and then was drawing them on her etch a scetch...

Dress up time: love the bunny suit with heels... or maybe not, just don't tell her Dad!!!

quiet time iwth puzzles - miss those days...

Camping: hanging out

Camping: marshmallow face!!!

Camping, having a snack...

Camping: the fire Annie and Daddy built...

At home sleeping with baby...

Parksville: playing in the sand.

ps: we have listed our house and put an offer in on another one. Please send this stressed out Mommie some white light, prayers, whatever you believe - to have the strength to get through this time and sell this house fast. THANKS A MILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This child...

2010-06-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

is really incredible. The way her mind works is a wonderful thing. Yesterday, when we were in the garden and Annie wanted a hug, she stood at the edge and said "Daddy, listen". He didn't so she said "Daddy, listen, Annie hug" twice and he finally listened, put down what he was doing and gave her a hug. We talk about "listening" quite a bit. I guess Annie has taken it to heart and when she feels her parents aren't listening to her needs, she now has the words to express herself!!!!
Annie had me in tears tonight. I have had a very sore lower back for about four days now and have not been able to arbitrarily pick her up. When I tell Annie that Mommie's back hurts so I need to wait until it is REALLY important for me to pick her up, she says "ok" and "helps Mommie" by scratching my back. Well tonight, my back went into a spasm after standing and cooking dinner for an hour so I had to stop and lay on the floor. Annie was concerned, came over to me, lay down on me and said "Don't worry Mommie, Daddy home soon". I broke down and cried. She is sooo sweet and kind. She also knows that Daddy will take care of us when we need him to which is soooooooo important in the attachment process.
Oh and the other thing Annie is doing, is taking control of her "elimination" process. She has decided not to use the potty but to wear diapers. Fine, no problem. So, I need to check them and the other day when I went to check her diaper Annie looked at me indignantly and said "No Mommie, no touch Annie diaper!!!!!"... I had to laugh at that one.
So, here are some photos of our trip to Parksville and Camping!!!

Annie having her first roasted marshmallow and hanging out by the fire after a few!! Notice her sippy cup in the cup holder. LOVE IT!!!!!!

Playing in the sand and at playground at our motel in Parksville... soooo close to the beach!!!!!

Annie went out every morning and just sat and played with her buckets in the sand. I could see her from our little kitchenette while I made breakfast. She was so very content...

What a week!!!!

2010-06-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

We have had so much fun in the past week. A week ago today, we jumped in our camper and headed out camping for the first time. It was super!!!! Everything worked really well and other than a little leak in the secondary gas tank, all was well. We were out at Sooke with friends and had a great couple of nights learning about how amazing our 1976 camper really is. We even found the trick to putting the wee one to sleep - take her for a walk during nap time!!!!
We came home on Saturday, had a wonderful meal with Veronica, Colleen and Arthur who spent the night and then we packed up for a trip up island on Sunday. There we met with the Wang's who we travelled with to China last year. It was three days of talking, reminiscing and learning even more about each of our families. Annie LOVED playing with Anna and her big brothers Aaron and Christopher. Being a single child, Annie doesn't have the luxury of two older brothers to play with and have at her beck and call. The boys were incredible with both the little ones and we so appreciated the genuine way they took Annie under their wings. She loved the boys and was very sad when they were leaving tonight. We haven't uploaded any photos yet but they will come soon.
So tonight, the Wang's made their way to Victoria, en route to the states and we had a nice long visit as well as a meal together. Annie and Anna were adorable in the matching dresses Carol made them. The boys are EXCELLENT with the camera so they were able to catch the girls in a video as they ate cookies and twirled around the living room. Carol even made Annie a GORGEOUS cape that I would wear if it was in my size!!!!!! She wore it after dinner, all the way home and was reluctant to take it off when she was getting ready for bed. We are hoping that we can have an annual visit together so that the girls will grow up knowing each other - they share so much history!!!
Whew. Now for the weekend, wonder what trouble we can get up to next!!!!!

Posting...

2010-06-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

Being a busy Mom makes posting a challenge BUT I wanted to say thank you to Red Sand and the boys for inviting us to Vancouver to visit with them while they were there. We had a wonderful time and Red Sand is such a super Mommy!!! Annie and the boys played beautifully together and that gave the Mommies some time to talk. After four years of exchanging gifts, reading blogs and supporting each other through some tough times, it was one of those incredible moments when Red Sand opened the door and we hugged for the first time. There we were, with the children we had hoped and waited for, playing together. Really neat!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

2010-05-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

First, here is a photo of a future Mommie!! Annie loves her babies and here she has 'Fu' in her baby carrier. You can see the baby stroller in the background and her medical kit where Annie ensures that the babies are healthy. Every night the babies go to bed in their doll beds and stroller. Oh and this carrier is meant to be worn as a backpack but since we always carry Annie on our fronts, facing us, she tries to do the same with her babies. What a good Mommie!!!

So, I celebrated my second Mother's day this year but really, it was my first Mother's Day. Last year we were deeply grieving the loss of Shawn's Mom and our first daughter Minyun. Shawn was working and although he tried, it really was a very sad day for us.

This year however, Shawn and Annie gave me a Mother's Day weekend!!! We went out for breakfast with friends on Saturday, then shopping, then out for lunch on a beautiful patio and then, I was treated to a pedicure!!!!!!!

On Mother's Day, Shawn and Annie made me a champagne breakfast in bed!! I was able to lounge in bed and read while Annie came and gave me updates. She was very serious and would tell me "Daddy, breakfast, Mommy, wait here!!!" and then she would run back into the kitchen to help her Dad. It was a perfect morning as we all enjoyed breakfast in bed together. We then went to the garden (we have a small community plot) and gardened until lunchtime. The afternoon was spent watching movies while Annie and Daddy napped. ALONE TIME!!!!!!!! Yipee. The highlight were the cards that my family gave me. One was a Hoop.s and Yo.yo and it sang to me!! Annie couldn't get enough of that one!! Annie signed her card to me and it has a little mouse (her zodiac sign) in a teacup (one of Annie's favorite games). So sweet.

My memories of my "first" Mother's Day is very sweet too!!! Best Ever!!!

Fashionista...

2010-05-04T19:54:00.001-07:00

This first outfit is Annie's choice of her "Big" clothes. She has put together pink boots with a bathing suit mini-skirt and her cousin Emma's beautiful jean jacket!!!

This next outfit is one of my sparkly tops and scarves. Annie paired it with a magic wand.

The Elmo shirt and flower pants are for relaxing at home, on her new stool while eating her ABC pretzels and homemade banana bread snacks. Annie is using her matching Elmo sippy cup to enjoy her water with this afternoon snack.

Annie is practicing her runway walk in this photo. Still sporting the Elmo shirt, Annie has added her sunglasses and apron to the ensemble. What you cannot see in this photo are the shoes that Annie has chosen to wear with the outfit. Both shoes are pink kitten heel backless shoes. One has a bow and jewel while the other has fur. Very cute.

While travelling Annie goes in style with this pretty heart dress and pink capris. Perfect for the camping lifestyle.

Annie has started to choose her own clothes and is having a blast doing it. She has great colour choices and seems to enjoy the task of putting clothes together. For her birthday, Auntie Katie gave her a necklace and bracelet that she wears regularly along with the bangles from Santa. Jack gave Annie a crown for her birthday that she pairs with her kitten heel shoes, worn with a diaper. This is her outfit of choice when she isn't running around in her birthday suit. That's my girl!!!!!

Terrified...

2010-04-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

yes Annie was terrified today. We were invited to visit a nursing home where a friend of mine is the program director. Annie's buddy Jack came along and thankfully he was there because he wooed all the ladies and made the fellows laugh. He really is one cute little guy. Annie on the other hand "shut down" as soon as we arrived and then wouldn't let me put her down for almost the entire visit. I don't know if she was having flashbacks to an institutional setting or what was happening but Annie certainly didn't have a good experience at first. After about an hour though, she was able to function and walk around on her own. The residents were kind and gentle which was great so I think we will try again. We went out for lunch afterwards and Annie was jumping with happiness. She linked her arm with mine as we ate and I took her to her favorite grocery store for her favorite chew afterwards. It was really hard to see Annie like that. It has been quite a while since we have witnessed a total shut down and it just reminds me how different Annie's first year was from Jack's.

Milestones...

2010-04-19T15:22:00.001-07:00

Annie is now able to put her pants on and her shirt. She says "I do" and "by self" for most things these days. I have no trouble giving her age appropriate tasks to do and she LOVES to complete them. She runs up after finishing saying "Annie do it self, Annie do it self". Her language is exploding and she repeats sentences that we say. Have to watch what we say now for sure!!! As well, Annie has started using her kitchen to "cook" things in the oven. Today she was feeding me cookies, sausages and cheese that she had prepared in her "oven". Annie is a pro at "pretend" play. We are doing the "I stole your nose" game and she likes to steal my nose and wear it for a hat. This child has such a great sense of humour and she makes her Mommie laugh every day. I make her laugh too. She has a wonderful array of facial expressions that friends tell me are reflections of mine, that just crack me up and then we both laugh. Her Daddy says that we are crazy kids who run around, make faces and generally cause mayhem in his "quiet" house. Isn't that normal?
Yesterday, Annie showed up by my bed with her princess outfit on, including the shoes. Sooo cute. We then HAD to sing Bibbitybobbityboo!!! Poor Shawn. Today Annie climbed up to the top of the playgroup apparatus by herself and went down the twisty slide by herself!!!! "Self, Mommie, self!!!!". She was sooo proud and with each climbing step she said "Annie by self". At the top of the slide she said "sit down, bum, then weeeeeeee!!!!!" which means, that after sitting down on her bum she could go down the slide having a blast!!!!! Annie was actually talking to herself and not me.
Oh and at playgroup today, she played with another little girl and one of the teachers in the kitchen area for quite a while. I was able to veg out on the big comfy couch and chat with other Mom's. It was GREAT!!!!! Not that I don't adore playing with my little girl but I had dental surgery last week and I am still on meds and sore so it is hard to deal with many of a two year old's demands!!!
So these are Annie's latest milestones. She eats, drinks, dresses herself and loves to do everything on her own. Annie is also quite tall and seems to be growing taller every day. She still loves her fruits, beans and vegis along with the other healthy choices we offer. Yesterday we had my homemade flax pizza crust with arugula (from our garden) pesto (made with roasted walnuts that Annie and I roasted), tomatoes, black olives and cheese. Annie LOVED it and gobbled it up. I can't imagine a child of mine not enjoying the taste of different types of food. One of our favorite things to do on a rainy day, is to organize the herb and spice drawer, smelling each one and tasting a few. I hope that we can keep Annie interested in slow, home cooking with healthy choices. Our girl also likes to sleep and asks for naps - just like her Dad. Love it and love her so very, very much!!!!!!

A day in the life of Annie...

2010-03-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

This is where Annie spends quite a bit of her day... hanging out at the counter eating, watching me cook and "helping" me prepare meals... She drags her little chair over from her "kitchen" and has to "see, see!!!" everything that is going on.

Annie loves fruit as you can see by her excitement in this photo. She is pointing to the pineapple and here she is having a REALLY good look at it. Oh and Annie hates to wear clothes!!!! Her new favorite word is "hot" and she says it as she takes off her shirt!!! It is very cute but not so cute at playgroup!!! We are going to make ham and pineapple pizza for dinner tomorrow night and Annie is very excited - she loves it when Daddy cuts open a pineapple!!!

Daddy and Annie went for a walk to the grocery store and when they arrived home, she came flying through the front door calling "Mommy, Mommy". She met me with this beautiful little blossom that she found and carried lovingly all the way home. Made me cry.

Annie is a caring little girl and she dragged the blanket, pillow and magazine outside of the bathroom door so that Daddy could lay down and read while she had her bath. She wanted her Daddy to be comfortable!!!!

Lastly, this is a photo of a tomato that someone got into tonight. I was mixing the greek salad and wondered why little miss was so quiet!!!!! Gotta love a child who loves her vegetables!!!!!! Lunch today was lentil and spinach soup with a side of pita and leftover chicken. Annie took her soup and "arranged" it on her pita, then she put her chicken on top (which she calls turkey - she loves chickens and can't stand to eat them!!), put the two pieces together and ate them as a sandwich. Brilliant child. Speaking of brilliant, Annie also called it turkey because she saw the whole chicken roasting in the oven. I haven't roasted a whole bird since Thanksgiving and Annie went to the oven, looked inside and said "turkey". Yes she is brilliant.

So, a day in the life of Annie includes all of these things including attending playgroup, walking through Fernwood, helping us renew our garden membership, charming the receptionist at our accountants and grocery shopping with her Dad. Busy girl!!!!

Summer is coming...

2010-03-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

It as a little cold out tonight but a beautiful evening so we wrapped Annie up and went to sit outside on the balcony and listen to the birds sing. She had a blast as we have some very large Gary Oaks in our neighborhood. We were also looking for the Sabie's (dogs) who go walking in our green space just below us. Annie loves it on our new to us chairs on the balcony and we have spent every evening after dinner out there. A lovely way to end the day.

When we came in Annie asked me to "write it" while pointing to the computer. This child loves to see photos of herself and so do we!!!!

Oh and here is our new to us little bbq that is portable, with legs that detach so we can take with us when we go camping in our (Price is Right Voice ) NEW RV!!!!!!!!! Well new to us anyway. It is a 1976 version and is still in great shape with less than 100,000 miles. We have all of the paper work and it has been all over Canada, the US and into Mexico. Neato!!! Can't wait to get out there and go camping!!!! Oh and it has the most important thing for Diva Kristine - a bathtub, shower AND LOO!!!!!!! I finally have my Barbie van that I never had as a kid!!!! Doesn't it just rock!!!!!!!

A few cutie patootie photos....

2010-03-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

Caught in the act and trying to defend herself!!! Annie likes to pick leaves off that poor plant!!!!

Playing outside at Angela, Gary and Jack's last Saturday afternoon. It was a fairly warm day but the little miss wouldn't wear her coat so we settled on the Miga hat!!! She has just finished eating two kiwi's here...

Annie has baby ready for bed. Diaper, pants, pillow and a blanket. She is giving me heck here for disturbing them AND removing baby's blanket so that I could get a good photo.

Here she is saying "nigh, nigh" and curling up on the rug for a snoozer. This is how we spend our days...

Our little Canadian...

2010-03-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

Annie has been a Canadian for a year now. We have also celebrated our first year as a family and our last paperwork is on its way to China. Yes, she is OUR little Canadian girl!!!! We have been approved and are now deemed fit parents by our social worker, agency, province, country and China. Wow, amazing. Imagine if we had our own biological child. We wouldn't have had to prove our worth, both as human beings and financially, to anyone. We wouldn't have had to take parenting workshops, online classes or have had to wait four years for our child. Amazing. No wonder so many adoptive parents go through anxiety and depression- we are judged by everyone, not just our close family and friends. After all this you really feel as though you have to be the "perfect parent". Well it is done now and thank goodness. I must say though that we really do love our social worker, she is a doll and she supported us so well through some really tough times. I also must say that the workshops, networks and connections we have made through adoption, have enriched our lives. We will continue to learn, read and attend workshops because that is just who we are but it is so nice not to have that pressure anymore.

In other news, Annie blew her first bubbles in the tub tonight. She has been trying for a long time and tonight she achieved it. Annie had both Shawn and I howling, she was so proud and didn't stop even when she accidentally swallowed water!! Annie is a little fish and when her snoodles stop, we will be back at the pool. Poor kitten, she seems to have so many snoodles these days that her nose is red from wiping.

AND we are closer to getting our two little kittens!! Can't wait. I miss having kitties here so much.

Soooooooo Excited!!!!!

2010-03-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

Lisa and David finally have Adeline. Go over and have a peek, they have waited since November to be able to go back and adopt their daughter. It is a long story that when Lisa is ready to share it, she will post BUT in the meantime, go have a look at their beautiful new daughter!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby!!!!!!

2010-02-28T15:16:00.000-08:00

Here is the birthday girl in her new princess outfit from Jack and beautiful dress from Susan and Bill. Love the little "WINK" however, I think it is actually a little wobble as she was running towards Daddy in her new shoes!!!!

Annie had three parties this year and her second one was quiet with Mommy and Daddy. Mommy made Mapo Tofu and rice. We asked Annie what she would like for dessert and she said "pie!!". We then decided on lemon meringue. Here is Annie, loving her pie!!!!!! It is a little dark in the photo because we have our evening meal by candlelight. Annie loves her candles.

This next photo is Annie's Daddy dressing up in Annie's new princess outfit- earrings and all!!!

Annie loves beans so we did the pulled pork and beans meal again. Here she is enjoying
her food with the boys...

Annie also received lots of wonderful presents. As Colleen says, Annie is great to give gifts to because she appreciates each one, plays with it for a while and really LOVES to open them. Because of this we unintentionally had Annie open gifts all afternoon!!! I think the kids really liked it that way too.

Here are the "kids" playing with the 1960-70's Fisher Price house, school and accessories that Lisa and David gave Annie. We weren't sure at the beginning if the kids were ever going to have a chance to play with toys as the adults were right on top of it. Annie spent all morning today playing with her new toys. They are in perfect shape and Lisa even reupholstered the beds!!!! Thank you everyone for your generosity. Annie has new books to read, a baby to play with, a few new outfits, a teddy piggy bank AND a new stuffies to snuggle. Oh but Brad, a Nerf bat and ball, in our house, oh my...

Thank you to Colleen for everything you did to make it a special day- I don't think that I could have done it without you!!! Thank you to Veronica for taking time away from your "extra" busy job at the Olympics, to come over for the day. It was a wonderful surprise you little trickster fox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Annie sure loves a party and it brings tears to my eyes knowing that we shared her first birthday with us as a family with our friends and family across the country!!!!!!!!!

Oh and the BEST thing ever was this morning during snuggle time, I said the usual "Mommy, Daddy and Annie. We are a family." Then Annie said "Annie's family". Yep, that made both Shawn and I cry. Beautiful girl, we are so thrilled to have you in our lives and as part of our Forever Family...

Chchch changes....

2010-02-15T13:59:00.001-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year to all. With a new year comes change - Annie is taking her first nap in her "big girl" bed. We have had it for some time and it has been set up in her playroom with her quilt on it. She has been trying to climb out of the crib and achieved it the other day. It was time to get busy and make the big change. Annie had her screwdriver and we took her crib apart together. We then moved her bed into the spot that her crib was - beside our bed. We piled the crib pieces up against the wall so that Annie can see them. Our discussion centred around our family of three so that she understands that the crib is not going to be used by another child in our house. Annie is our baby and there won't be another. Shawn is a little nervous about putting her to bed tonight but I think that she will be fine. Annie just curled up in her bed and went right to sleep, happy as a lark at nap time.

I also thought that I would post a few of the photos from our trip east. The first is my sister and I making the pulled pork for the birthday celebration - Annie is turning two very soon. Her cousins Emma and Jude made the cupcakes with Auntie's help. We had so much fun - my sister's husband is a new vegetarian so Kate really, really REALLY, enjoyed the pork!!!! Talking about fun, Emma and Sally had a blast dressing Miss Annie up. We had to get a photo, she was just waayyyy too cute!!! Annie wasn't too sure about the whole thing but played along. We had such a nice time with everyone and the party was great. Looking forward to Annie's birthday party here in Victoria next!!! It is a tradition in my family to have at LEAST three birthday parties so we are carrying on the tradition with our little one.

Cutie patootie...

2010-01-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

At least we think she is!!!! Annie is growing and changing every day. Today I showed her something that I was doing and I said "would you like to know why" and she said "Why" and then I explained why. Then Annie said "Oh, ok". She is just so very sweet and is really liking the fact that we have conversations. I don't know how much she really gets but she seems to understand.
The other skill Annie is learning is how to say "no, stop" when other kids push her. She just isn't used to being pushed around and when kids give her a push or shout "mine" at playgroup, she doesn't know how to respond. We are stepping in where needed but we want Annie to have the words and gestures to express herself. Annie already knows when to leave when things are getting rough. The other day we were in a toy area of a store and an older boy basically told her where to go when she ventured to touch his toy. I had a little chat with the boy about speaking to other children in that way - there wasn't another parent in sight. Later, he came near Annie while she was playing with a toy so she abandoned it and went to find another. Self preservation - the toy wasn't worth the confrontation.
The potty training is going well but yesterday Annie asked to wear a diaper for most of the day. We are trying not to make it stressful so she ran around in her diaper. This is a long process and we work at it together every day. Can't wait until Annie is diaper free!!!!!!!

The art of the potty...

2010-01-21T08:05:00.001-08:00

There will be no pictures in this post because it just isn't right to post photos of Annie on her potty - I didn't say we haven't taken photos though!!! She is just SOOO cute on her duckie. We actually bought a ducky potty in China and Annie has used it since we came home. Not regularly or on her own mind you, but she has used it. For a while, she preferred to sit on her toilette insert on the "big" seat but mainly for number two!!!
So all this being said, Annie has now started to seriously potty train. We have an Ik.ea red potty in our en suite, we have ducky in the living room and both toilets have inserts. Last week we spent two days at home and Annie went from wearing her diapers to her Dora pa.nties. We were so proud and so was she. Actually most of the time she is just running around in the buff and using her ducky. There are times that she asks for her diaper but lots of times she asks for her "pa.nties" which are usually her pull ups and Mommy has one rule - you must wear pa.nties to the table!!! She hasn't worn her Dora's this week because we have been out and about. Most times Annie waits until she gets home but not always. Oh and I have a portable fold up potty seat that Annie used for the first time at playgroup last week. I was AMAZED!!!
People tell me that she is too young to do this at 22 months but she is so ready. Yesterday, she took off her pull up, sat on her potty and put her pull up back on ALL BY HERSELF - no prompting from Mommy. We are just going to keep plugging away - I don't expect this to happen over night and we have only had one accident in Dora's P's which let Annie know that when you wear pa.nties, you can't just go pee pee in them!! She only did it once!!!!!
Anyway, just wanted to document our darling's progress. She is such a happy little girl and this morning woke me up with the usual Mommy UP UP and then started singing the ABC song - she only does the A B C part but sings it to the tune all the way through. What a kitten.

A few more milestones...

2010-01-11T14:51:00.000-08:00

Annie has started to climb in and out of her car seat. She likes to do things on her own now and is very insistent that things are done her way. Sometimes they can be but sometimes they can't and when they can't well, she does get a little bit cranky!!! Not too bad though. We are working on "listening" to Mommy and Daddy. Today we were in the book store and she wanted to climb the stairs while I had the stroller and I needed to use the ramp. I explained the situation, Annie said "No" and started to climb the stairs. I just stood and waited quietly. She went up two then said "No" again but this time to herself and climbed back down. Oh, it is all just so fun!!!!!
On Sunday we did a speaking engagement for our adoption agency and Annie was wonderful. She introduced us as "Mommie" and "Daddy" to the crowd and won their hearts immediately. We spoke for about a half an hour and in that time, Annie played with her toys. Everyone commented on how happy and "good" she is. I think that Annie is just very good natured and she has the best sense of humour which is great because her Mommy sure has a crazy one!!!!!
Oh and today we took Annie to a food court in a mall. She was joyfully overwhelmed with all of the smells of food and kept saying "sup-per", "sup-per" in her sing song happy voice. Being a celiac, I don't usually go near these places. The one place I can actually eat is N.E.W. York Fr.ies. We bought some of these and when we spread them out on a napkin Annie almost jumped for joy!! It was so funny. She then needed "chup" for dip. Shawn put a white shirt on Annie today and we were a little worried but our darling was able to eat fries and dip without spilling a teaspoon. They were yummy and such a special treat. We felt like terrible parents for feeding our child french fries with chili for lunch but what can you do!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

2010-01-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

Here are a very few photos of our first Christmas together:

Annie opening her Elmo gift of a stuffy and book from Shirley and Terry!! She LOVED it. You can see the paper all over, well it got MUCH worse!!!

This little chef's outfit was a gift that Daddy bought Annie and she loved wearing it around. It is still a little too big but she is a hoot in it!! The second photo is on Christmas Eve after Church. We were getting ready to sit down to a quiet meal.

This photo with the stockings and hat were also taken on Christmas Eve while we put our Santa stockings out. Annie was putting on the stockings and looked so very cute!!!! This last photo was taken by Daddy. Annie is "caught in the act"!!! This box of goodies from Saltspring had tins full of cookies and gingerbread men. We had tucked it away in a corner in the kitchen that we "thought" was safe. Not so much. We heard some shuffling around and then tins being opened so Daddy went to investigate. Needless to say, here she was, little Miss Adventure with her hands in the cookie tins!!!!

We had a lovely Christmas with family and friends. There are lots more photos of course and some video but they have other people in them so I don't feel as though I can post them here. Our New Year's Eve was spectacular and that is with many thanks to Norm and Dorothy for staying with the kids. Annie was asleep before we left which seems to work.

Happy New Year to all!!! All the best in 2010.

A few notes:

-Annie is saying "scuseme" when she tries to get around things and people

-Annie loves to have the candles lit so we have our evening meal by candlelight every night.

-Annie has learned how to open and close her toy box without hurting herself!! Yippee!!!

-Annie is giving us tons of hugs and kisses, running up into my arms and snuggling (want to remember this time when she is a distant teenager!!!!)

- it took me all day to write this because Annie doesn't like me on the "puter

A few things for the record...

2009-12-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

I haven't written in a while because significant other was in China and Christmas prep!!! Shawn has taken the little one out shopping so I have some alone time to write. I wanted to get these little tidbits down so that we don't forget. Annie is growing so fast and changing every day!!!
Bullet style:
- Shawn said "Oh Great" last night and Annie copied him but it sounded like she had a thick scottish brogue. Did we ever laugh!!!! She is copying EVERYTHING we say so it is time to be careful as she repeated a few words that I had said that can't be written here!!!! As well, when something happens I say "AAAAAHHHHHHKKKKK" and she has started using that expression with the same amount of energy as I use when something happens that she doesn't like!!!! I am so thrilled that she is expressing her emotions and we are really encouraging it, whether they be sadness, frustration, happiness or contentment.
- If Mommy has a little burp, Daddy gets blamed by Annie EVERY TIME. I love it and we laugh hysterically after she does it.
- Annie is addicted to Elmo or "Lelmo". Thank you Ricci and Ozzy for the Tickle Me Elmo - she loves him!!!! The Elmo Christmas Countdown special plays at least twice daily in our house and we can sing all of the songs off by heart. Annie also gets very excited when Grover arrives - every time!!!!!
-Yesterday Annie said "Mommy...Me" as in "Mommy look at Me" for the first time. She was threading her legs through the back of her play chairs. Yes, she is very daring.
-Annie is helping in the kitchen. She says "see, see" and gets her play chair to stand on. She also says "stir" which means anything from helping beat the eggs to stirring the tofu stir fry on the stove the other night. Our girl LOVES to cook and that is great because we do quite a bit of it in our house. This is the first week that we have actually included her in the cooking process - before she had little jobs like arranging the drying rack and wiping the counters.
-The little play kitchen that we picked up in the summer is a wonderful thing. Annie eats her snacks on it and yesterday for the first time, she was using the oven part as an oven or microwave. She put her water bottle in it, closed the door and then said "Bing". We use the timer on the stove quite a bit so I wasn't sure which appliance she was using but was it ever cute!!!!
- Annie notices when new gifts arrive under the tree - every time. Our relatives and friends are sending us gifts through the mail and I open the boxes when she is napping. When she gets up she runs in and says "oooooooooooooo", noticing all the new pretty parcels under the tree. Interestingly enough, she isn't really interested in opening them yet - we may be in trouble next year once she figures out this is what you do with them!!! As for the tree itself, I went and found some unbreakable ornaments this year so that if the tree falls over, it is fine. I gave her some ornaments and curled some wrapping ribbon that are specifically Annie's ornaments. She takes them off and puts them on the tree at her whim. It is really cute. Otherwise, she really hasn't shown an inclination to climb it like Shawn was afraid of, rightly so as Annie will climb anything.
- Another new word is "nap". For a while now, Annie has placed her head on one of our pillows on our bed, pulled up the duvet and called out "BOOK!!!" . She then directs us to lay down beside her and read (yes, she is VERY bossy!!!!) so I know that I have been a good influence- about the reading that is, ha ha!!! Anyway, yesterday she curled up on the couch under a blanket with a pillow and said "nap" then "Elmo...Santa" so that I would put on her favorite show. This was after she ate a peanut butter cookie that she absconded from the cooling rack, ate the top of a hello dolly with the big rice spoon (which she removed from the rice maker), poked her finger into black cake AND poked her finger into a mincemeat tart. This was all done in a VERY short period of time because when the child is quiet, I KNOW I need to check into what she is up to!! Yep, she was on a sugar high and danced in front of the Christmas tree singing to herself for about 10 minutes before she "crashed" on the couch. It was hilarious!!! I couldn't help but laugh. Oh and when I caught her with her "fingers in the pie" so to speak, she gave me a Cheshire cat smile and said "mmmnnnnnn"!! So funny. Annie has a great personality and she has a wonderful sense of humour.
-All cuteness aside, she had her first two meltdowns in public because I wasn't following her directions. Annie threw herself down on the shop floors both times and screamed. I remained calm and chatted with her while she calmed down. The cool thing was, instinctively I didn't even care what people around me thought, only that my little girl was having a rough time and I needed to be there for her - even though I caused the problem by holding the basket the wrong way the first time and helped her steer the cart the second time!!! Annie has to do everything herself these days which is great.
-Annie is attaching to us in a very secure way. When I watch other children her age interact in public and with their parents, they are doing exactly the same thing as Annie. It is wonderful to know that our hard work to become a family is starting to pay off. When Shawn came home from China, she did regress but we expected that. It only took her a few days to come back emotionally to her present state. Great to see. Annie knows that we always come home and that Mommy and Daddy are here for her whenever she needs us. Now, if we can go out on New Year's Eve without issue, all will be well.

I also wanted to ask everyone to say a prayer, white light, whatever you do, for my Uncle as he heals from his double lung transplant and for our dear friend Terry who is healing from a quadruple bypass. They are both doing very well but a few extra prayers, positive energy etc always helps!!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweetie...

2009-12-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

A lovely lady that we know is making Annie cute little pants. I wanted to help and cut them out from the pattern that Irene made. Annie loved the fabric so much that she wanted to be wrapped up in it. I made her a little toga and don't ask me how I knew how to do this!!! She had a blast playing around and hamming it up for the camera!!!

The Christmas season is in full swing. Thank you Shirley and Ricci for a great night the other night. I enjoyed being your "date"!!!!!!! Annie was perfect and slept right through. So much for being worried about leaving her!! Thank you Angela and Gary for being wonderful babysitters!!!!!

The tree is up and Annie chose silver as her theme. I wanted non-breakable ornaments for her first tree so we went shopping and she LOVED the silver ones. It looks gorgeous. I decorated it while she was sleeping and surprised her with it. Annie was surprised and said "WOW" when she first saw it. Now she "instructs" me to turn the lights on every day. And Shawn was worried about Annie and the tree!!

Speaking of Shawn, he should be home from China next weekend (we hope as they are trying to extend his time there) and we can't wait to see him in person. Skype just doesn't do it.

I also want to ask for prayers, white light, good thoughts etc for my wonderful Uncle Ken. He had a double lung transplant two days ago and has made it through the first 48 hours. We love him sooooooooooooooooooooooo much and can't wait to see him back on his bike, cycling through Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPINESS...

2009-11-24T19:34:00.001-08:00

our friends met their baby for the first time. If you want to see some sweetness, check out this little darling. Congratulations Lisa and David - we are over the moon thrilled for you both and can't wait to meet your sweet little girl.

Our first Santa Clause parade...

2009-11-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

as a family. I would be lying if I told you that Shawn and I didn't tear up a little at the parade. We have waited sooooo long to take a little squirt to the parade and she had a blast!!! I think Annie's favorites were the tap dancers and the bands. She danced and clapped as she took turns sitting on our shoulders.

Glenn and Baxter joined us for the evening and the photo of Annie with her drink is at Noodle Box where we went for a pre-parade meal. The other photo is of her doing a "cheers" with her Dad's beer bottle and I didn't think that it would go over well!! Too funny. Anyway, a fun time was had by all. Hot chocolate and candy canes were consumed yet the little one was fast asleep by 8pm. She was EXHAUSTED. It was wonderful to watch Annie Isabel experience all the lights and sounds for the first time - still brings a little tear to my eye.

New bed~~~

2009-11-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

First, thanks for all of your thoughts, emails and offers to sit!!! I still haven't really decided what to do about the event but I still have a few weeks to decide. Shawn is busy getting everything ready for his trip. I so wish that Annie and I could go too but we both agree that it is probably too much for her to return to China so soon. Change is VERY difficult for this little one and she worries about being "given away" again as was evident last night after playing with her new bed. It surprises us every time it happens but really it shouldn't. Our little one has been through so much.

So, this weekend we found a toddler bed on used Victoria - my FAVORITE site. We picked it up, set it up and then showed it to our little climber. I took the mattress and bedding out of her crib and put it all together. She did NOT like this and basically told me to put it all back!! It is not that she doesn't like the bed, just the idea that perhaps another child will be going into her crib? This has happened to her in the past. So we put a camping mat on it and her duvet that she doesn't use. I also found a pillow. These photos are of her playing on her new bed. She won't be sleeping in it for a while yet but she is trying to climb out of her crib so it is time. Oh and for the worriers, we do have a side to go on the bed. There is also a soft cushy mat beside her bed in case she falls out. This is not the permanent spot for the bed - it will be where her crib is right now, right beside our bed.

I love this photo of Annie clapping and singing to her "splat" stuffy - thanks Daddy for the name. So very cute!! This child loves music!! I also love the fact that she likes to bring her books to bed with her. I AM a good influence in at least one way!!!!

Conundrum...

2009-11-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

I am not sure what to do. Shawn will be going out of town (to China actually!!) for work soon and I have an event that I would like to attend while he is away. Let me preface this by saying that we have been Annie's only caregivers from day one. We haven't had a babysitter or anyone else taking care of her. Other than when she is sleeping (and even then), she has had either her Mommy or her Daddy in her line of sight. We are very invested in attachment parenting Annie and we have just celebrated eight months of being a family!!
Anyway, I am not sure what to do. The event is in the evening and I could put her to bed and then go out but I if she wakes up and we aren't here to comfort her - I just don't know. Shawn and I have been really good at alternating if we want to go out for an evening with friends or we have people here. We have had some movie and dinner "dates" in the evening after Annie is asleep so we don't feel as though we are missing out on couple time either. This is just an event that I would really like to attend and he will "happen" to be out of town. There are a few people that I would feel very comfortable leaving Annie with - even if she isn't!!Any thoughts?

It's cold...

2009-11-05T18:14:00.001-08:00

for us here on the coast anyway!!! Actually it is not too bad, we haven't had to turn the heat on yet - others may have but we haven't. I always try to go until at least December before we have to pay a crazy hydro bill!!! Anyone who has ever stayed with us can attest to the fact that I have extra slippers, sweaters, comfy blankets and pillows to sink into so it isn't that bad. Well, it isn't that bad for everyone but Auntie V. She brings her touque and scarf to wear around the house. She sits by the fire and wears her slippers with lots of socks. Too funny. Anyway, we were fishing out all of Annie's winter goodies tonight as she tried them on - going to look into the mirror of course. So these photos are for you Auntie V - Shawn wanted to let you know that Annie is also so cold in our house that she has to wear her touque and scarf as well!!!!!!

Actually, when Jaspar was here for his birthday weekend last winter he said that our house was colder than his!!! That really made me laugh because Colleen would love to heat the whole house with a wood stove if she could!!! Really, the hydro bills with the electric heat are at least 2/3rds more. We keep it at 14 Celcius and it is still that much more!!!

Oh and this is Annie BC southwester that she wears out in the rain. You can tell that she was not impressd to be wearing it for photos tonight. Oh and like many little people, she loves to wear Daddy's BIG shoes!!! Annie wanted to go out and it was time for her bath so that might be some of the sadness in her face. She brings us our shoes and says "out" when she wants to get outside. There is no guesswork there!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

2009-10-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

There is a little bunny running around our house today!!! She didn't get candy but her Daddy took her to that big toy store yesterday and bought the bunny an iggle piggle. She LOVES him. The bunny has played with this doll quite a bit in stores but Daddy actually bought it for her. That Daddy!!!!!!

We aren't going out this year because of my knee surgery but we decided to have some fun at home. Here we are carving our pumpkin and getting the seeds ready for roasting. They were delicious
This next photo is of our hospital id bracelets. You will notice that

Annie's is much cuter than mine. They gave me one and Annie put her arm up to get one too. They thought she was so cute that they made her a special one we just took off today!! Funny girl. Speaking of funny, Annie was up to her Halloween hijinks this morning and decided to get into her baby doll cradle. Unfortunately, it broke and Shawn clicked the camera at the same time!! It was very funny but it scared Annie!!
Tomorrow morning I have a new job - putting it back together!!!
This last photo is of our cooked pumpkin tureen soup that we had for dinner. We also had pumpkin cheesecake and it was Yummy!!!! I put the pumpkin on the dining room table and Annie loved picking out pieces of pumpkin and eating them. The soup that we cooked inside was a coconut, swiss cheese and bread concoction- delicious with the roasted pumpkin.

Don't you just love the little shirt - thanks Auntie Katie.

Reporting in....

2009-10-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

People always ask me if Annie is a "good eater". She is and here are some photos to prove it. The first is Annie finishing her blueberries and looking for more. Mom, I love the plant stand that you gave us a few years ago. This summer it held beautiful impatients and now I have my fall mums in it. I will plant primroses and pansies for the winter. It is so nice to look out the window and enjoy the flowers while we are eating.

Annie has also learned how to climb up on a chair so in the second photo she is having a pancake snack, sitting in a "big" chair. We are also putting

the little one to work and here she is at our garden plot, digging for potatoes with her Dad. This was actaully the first time we let her roam the garden freely and she was wonderful. Annie is an expert at picking raspberries and from that, she was able to help us pick the last of the tomatoes and peppers. She then dug for potatoes and help me fill up the compost. I wish I had taken a photo of her "swimming" in the dirt, it was really cute. Her Dad had a few heart attacks because of the "eating dirt" thing- he used to work in a soil lab and just knows too much- but it is organic soil and our fertilizer is seaweed from the ocean so it can't be that bad!!!!

These next photos are of Annie in her Chinese dress. She LOVED it and I wanted to get some photos of her in it before she grows out of it.

We were also trying to get some photos for a few gifts for a few special fellows in her life. These are the two best ones. Even though Shawn hated the hairband, Annie loved it and she has played with it every day since, putting it on and looking at herself in the mirror. Funny girl.

I also wanted to note a few developmental changes here too. We were having a play date with Asia who is a few years older than Annie and loves to hug. It was getting a bit too much for Annie so she started telling Asia "back back". I am so happy that she knows her limits and feels comfortable enough to tell people when they are in her space and she is uncomfortable. Thanks Debbie, for a fun morning. You are right, other people's toys are so much fun and so is Asia.

Another developmental change is in the way she deals with new things that other people give or show her. Colleen was here over last weekend into the week and at first, Annie would grab my hand to take anything that Colleen offered. She did this the other night when we were out for dinner and she was playing with another little girl in the restaurant. She had me do the task first, holding my hand and directing me. Interesting.

I would also like to thank Lisa for having us over and for a lovely lunch. It was wonderful for Annie to play with Musette again and she did not have any allergy attacks after rolling around in her kitty bed. Yippee!!!!

In other news, I resigned from my job this past week. I will now be a stay at home Mom and I am really happy about this decision - no regrets. My Mom said the other day that I seem so much happier and I told her it is because I finally have the life I want. Some days are tough and it will be interesting living on one income but it is worth every minute!!!!!

Happy Moon Fest, Thanksgiving etc etc...

2009-10-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

When you have a little person who is growing up and becoming very busy, it is difficult to get time on the computer, read your library books and generally do anything that does not include paying your complete attention to your child. I have been thinking of blogging for days now but just haven't had the chance!!!

We had a lovely moon fest and went to the top of the mountain to make our moon wishes, ate moon cakes and celebrated Jack's first birthday. That week we also attended a great dinner with other families who are waiting for their children from China and Vietnam. It was a very nice evening and Annie did very well, sitting in the restaurant for over three hours. Thank goodness we have a child who enjoys food!!!

Here she is in her pretty yellow dress at Jack's birthday party.

Thanksgiving was wonderful and I have to say, it was super to have the time at home to prepare. In years past, Colleen has always prepared the meal but this year, with Shawn and Bob's schedules, we stayed home. Staying home also meant having guests and we had a full table for our evening. I was able to bake apple and pumpkin pies, get all of the vegis done, cook a 25kg turkey with homemade bread stuffing and prepare the homemade cranberries too. I LOVE being at home. I only wish that we had photos of Annie as she sat at the end of the pretty table and looked at all the food around her. She was THRILLED to say the least. Veronica may have some photos but she is so hard to get these days!!! We both now have head colds and the weather has changed to windy and rain but the weekend was lovely. Thank you to Angela and Gary for having us over on Saturday night too. It was a blast.

Here are a few photos of our darling girl to share with family and friends. There are some neat photos of Annie and Shawn playing guitar that I will post on facebook too...

Annie is wearing her Grandpa Ivan's hat. She loves to look at herself in her mirror when she put on "ats".

This is how hard it is to get a photo of Miss. She has her Fu dolly in her carrier but when it came time to take the photo, she came running towards me!!!!! Love the corelle dolls - thank you Auntie Colleen!!!!

Photos...

2009-10-01T12:13:00.001-07:00

Here is the litle kitchen helper!!!!! Love the pants - only little ones can get away with wearing these I guess. Annie and Joma that is.

A few things...

2009-09-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

-Annie has a little pink stool that we use in the bathroom to brush teeth, sit on la toilet and wash hands. This stool has a hole in the middle to make for easy carrying and although it is almost as big as she is, Annie carries it around the house. Today I was doing dishes and she brought it in to help. I was folding laundry on the bed and she brought it in to try and climb onto the bed (we have a very high bed!!). Annie carries it from room to room (without being asked at all) and is figuring out ways to use it. It is neat to watch how her brain is working.
-Annie has now climbed to the top rung of her loft bed ladder by herself. This ladder is not a "children's" ladder per say and at the top, it is 6.5 feet off the ground. This child is not scared of heights but she can't figure yet, how to get down. Not a good scene for Mommy who likes her to figure her own way out of situations and I think Shawn's hair has become more grey over this one!!!! We may be taking the ladder off the bed and only putting in on when guests are coming!!
- I feel that I can share this now. On returning from China and the trauma that we dealt with there as well as the loss of my Mother-in-law (she died while we were flying back to Canada), I suffered from post-adoption depression. There is a staggering figure that 60% of AP's suffer from this but there is very little out there about it. Luckily, our agency was wonderful and set us up with some counselling and I felt comfortable talking to my Dr. about meds. Many people don't have these resources. A BC adoptive parent Elizabeth Elias has just written a memoir of her experiences with PA depression and I wanted to put it out there for others to see. The title is "Don't Call Me Mother" and it is available here . As a side note, I tried once to write about this on the "big Chinese adoption" yahoo list and the moderator wouldn't post my messages. I was in conversation with two other AP's at the time and their posts were blocked as well. Very interesting that this is a topic not many want to touch when sooooooo many suffer...
I am just glad that I was able to recognize and deal with it quickly as well as having a wonderful attachment therapist who took us on pro-bono because of all the trauma we had been through.

Weekend away...

2009-09-21T17:45:00.001-07:00

Evening stroll. On the ferry.

Sunset. "Hanging" on the balcony.

We had a lovely weekend in Vancouver with Veronica. She lives in English Bay and it is a beautiful part of the city. Lots of walking, surf watching and GREAT restaurants which we took advantage of. Annie loved the balcony and every evening we were sitting out on the balcony when Shawn was putting her to bed. She didn't want to go and kept trying to come out and "hang" with the girls. So sweet. The next day Annie came out on the balcony, showed us all where to sit and then sat in the beach chair which fit her perfectly.

We went to visit Chinatown and to the Granville Island Market. Of course, we stopped off at Ike.a and then V took Shawn to the airport. A great weekend all around. Thanks V for the fun and hospitality!!!

A hug...

2009-09-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

Today, Annie and I were dancing as we do most days. I fell into the couch with exhaustion with my little girl facing me. I looked her right in the eye and said "I love you". She reached around my shoulder and neck and gave me a HUGE hug. Wow, we really really have come a long way!!!! There is nothing like the feeling of little arms hugging you close, NOTHING!!!!!
Now I just have to get her to say "peas" after "up" like she does for Daddy!!!!!!

Too bad...

2009-09-12T19:48:00.001-07:00

it won't fit for Halloween but how cute is she!!!! Oh and for those in the know, Annie is doing the actions for the Tiny Turtle song in this photo...

Pink Leopards like to crawl and read books!!!! Can you see the ears on the top of the costume...

The bottom is my favorite photo, my cutie little leopard!!! Guess Annie will have to be a bunny this year because even though she and Mommy LOVE the princess dresses, Daddy says NO!!!!

Six months...

2009-09-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

March 2009 September 2009

ago yesterday we became a family. It has been a long and short six months with so many trials and tribulations. Annie has grown so much and come such a long way. It is amazing to think that six months ago, she couldn't sit up by herself and now she is chasing us down the hall. The photos of then and now are so very different. I won't say that the transition to becoming a parent wasn't a challenging one and that Annie's transition to accepting us as her parents is complete but we are getting there. I feel as though I can breathe a little better now. Shawn took to being a Daddy like a duck to water and enjoys every minute. He and Annie have a beautiful relationship - they adore one another.

We are sitting and watching the DVD which was made for us of our trip to China, for the first time. I am happy to say that we aren't in it much (we were exhausted and sick) but the videographer did a wonderful job of capturing all of the sites we visited. A walk down memory lane. When we were there, it was hard to focus on anything other than Annie so seeing all of the adventures we went on as well as the people we travelled with is super. Even though at the time, it felt like the videographer was in our space, I am so pleased to have this DVD of our trip. Thanks to Yulin our FOI facilitator for everything she did for us, including having this DVD made. Here's to many more years of family life together!!!!! And no, we aren't going to adopt again, Annie is our one and only!! We are so thrilled to have her.

Firsts...

2009-09-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

*Annie ate her first piece of corn on the cob yesterday. I have cut the kernels off a fresh piece before but she REALLY wanted to eat like Mommy so I gave her a small piece. She LOVED it.
*Annie spills her water from her cup quite a bit and I showed her the cloth to clean it up yesterday. When I asked her to bring it to me, she did. So tonight, I had her soup cooling on the counter and Shawn knocked it over onto the floor - chicken, noodles, vegis, tofu and broth everywhere. Annie went and found the cloth to help clean it up!!!
*Yesterday I asked Annie if she wanted to go "out" or stay "home". She said "ome" and we stayed home for the day.
*We use a blue cup to rinse Annie's hair when we are washing it. Tonight she put on a pout, took it out of Shawn's hand and threw it into the water!!! This child needs her hair at least rinsed every night as she has food in it constantly!!!
*Annie has two "baby dolls" one is hard plastic and one is a cabb.age patch of mine. These "babies" go everywhere and must eat with us. The funny thing is that Annie only remembers half way through her meal. We then go get baby, pretend to feed baby (Annie makes the slurping sound) and then the spoonful goes into Annie's mouth. It is very cute!!
* Shawn really snores loudly and Annie has noticed from day one that he makes alot of noise when he sleeps. So now when I ask if it is time to sleep, she makes a snoring sound!!!!!
*Annie will climb anything. She is not however, fearless. She works at it and does get scared but she gets herself out of whatever she gets into with our encouragement. She has a butterbox beside the couch so she can get on and off of the couch on her own.
* Annie is eating with a fork and she is eating out of a bowl or plate on her chair tray. At the end of the meal the bowl or plate is turned upside down and she hands me the empty plate with her fork/spoon on top. Annie then proceeds to finish eating her food from her tray!!! We are getting there!! She also loves to dip and her favorite sauce these days is honey mustard. It is adorable to watch.
* Annie's favorite word these days is "Uh-oh". It is so much better than "no". She uses it perfectly too.

There are so many other little things that happen every day. I am trying to capture them all so that I can write her story for her...

Today...

2009-09-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

We went to visit the bunnies that are all over the UVIC campus. They loved Annie!!!

Annie LOVES food, LOVES to watch us cook and ALWAYS wants to help. I thought maybe she could wait for a play kitchen until Christmas but it was just too far away. So I went on Used Victoria (my fav site these days) and found this kitchen with tons of goodies, the high chair (which is also a baby swing for dolly), a dolly, a princess doll bed with a canopy (it is in storage for later giving) AND a beautiful old doll stroller. All this for next to nothing. It was fabulous and Annie is having a blast with her kitchen. She has used her red ladle forever and mixed soup in any kind of "pot" she can find and then she feeds it to all the "babies", her stuffies and us. Yep, she is into her new kitchen. I love it because it is an 80's kitchen and it waxes nostalgic for me. Now I have to get some Ikea stools and.

I have to dig out the pots and pans my great secret pal sent us...

Oh and I have always wondered why all dolls MUST be naked!!! It really bugs Daddy who keeps dressing them all... too funny!!!!!

Annie LOVES her quilt...

2009-09-04T17:11:00.001-07:00

We had a little "photo-shoot" and these were the best photos. She is such a ham!!!!! The photos aren't the best because Shawn had to camera set for taking photos outside-we were supposed to go see bunnies this afternoon but that is another story.

Shawn says that everyone thinks this about their own child but I think that she is the most beautiful little 18month old in the world!!!!! Annie is smart AND beautiful - we are so very privileged to have this little person in our lives.

I might be winning the battle...

2009-09-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

Shawn and I lost our 20 year old kitty 1 1/2 years ago and I miss her so very much. This is the longest I have been without a cat in my life since I was a child and I have found it to be very hard. I want to get two kittens and everyone who knows us, knows that Shawn is against this idea - mainly because he says he ALREADY has two kitties to care for, haha.
So I gave Annie a little grey stuffed kitty and this morning she started meowing for the first time. It was the cutest thing!!!!!! She is looking at her book right now that has kitties in it and she is meowing for her Daddy.
So, because his little Empress is showing signs of wanting a kitty he said this morning, "if I end up taking care of the cats, I am sending them back". Yippee, I think I may be winning the battle because whatever the Empress wants (no she isn't a princess!!) from Daddy, she gets. Stay tuned!!!!

Annie's quilt...

2009-08-27T20:01:00.001-07:00

Isn't it gorgeous!!! I pieced and sewed it together and then Teresa, a wonderful quilter, put the backing on and quilted it for us. She also wanted to give Annie a piece of fabric because she loved the whole idea so she added the binding as her contribution. It is quilted with hearts and stars - just lovely. The backing is the fabric that we sent to people and the beginning of Annie's book has that fabric and our wish for her, our darling girl. A huge thank you to Shirley and Teresa for giving me quilter Teresa's name. She did a beautiful job, we couldn't be happier. Annie loves it too and she cuddled up in it when I was trying to spread it on the floor. Now I just have to finish her wishes scrapbook... oh and then her lifebook, oh and then the special trunk I am making her for all of her precious gifts from China oh and... I better stop there. At least her/our photo albums are all complete now. And my Mom told me I needed projects. Yikes!!!!!

Thank you...

2009-08-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

to my cousin Emma. I LOVE all of the clothes that you send me but I especially like these boots and vest!!!! I have been wearing the boots around all day. Did I tell you that I LOVE shoes!! Mom and Dad bought me my first reebok runners today and they are fun to wear too. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your gifts to me AND your great taste!!!

Love Annie-Isabel

PS: My Mommy also thinks that you rock!!!

A wonderful vacation...

2009-08-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

We took four days and went to visit our very dear friends on Saltspring Island. It was such a great time. Annie had lots of "firsts" like riding on the ferry, swimming in the lake and "shucking" corn. She also "helped" us do some crabbing. Thanks Colleen, Bob, Arthur, Jaspar, Max and Fred for such a great time. We love you all so very much.

Annie's new room...

2009-08-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

We didn't create a nursery for Annie because we knew that we would have her bed/crib and clothes in our room for the next few years. Her future room is our guest room and I was trying to figure out how to achieve more space so that it could be a play room as well. I started looking at loft beds but I wanted a double - singles are easy to find but doubles, well those are more challenging to find. Anyway, I went on used Victoria and found one!!!! I am really happy with it. The bed is originally from Ikea and the people selling it had also purchased the bookshelf, desk and chair that goes along with it. Now we have all of these for Annie as she gets older. Anyway, we can still use the room as a guest room because she is far too little to sleep up there yet but it is now her playroom too!!! Here are some photos...

The loft bed is really neat and has hanging shears for privacy which will be perfect for when Annie is older and wants that canopy look. Veronica

was the first guest who slept on it and she said that it was just fine!!!! We put the double mattress that we already had on it so it should be just as comfortable as our guest bed always was. I am just so excited to have another space for Annie to play in. As well, I purchased a pine blanket/toy box at a white elephant sale last year, full of toys for $20.00. The toys have been amazing BUT we had the chest cleaned up and it is a BEAUTIFUL pine box in our living room now. I am so thrilled to be able to put all of her toys out of sight at the end of the day and enjoy our living room again!!! Even though I LOVE looking at real estate, the reality is that we will be staying put. The changes that I have been able to make have given us more space AND allowed our rooms to be multipurpose!!!! Now on to other projects...

Communication...

2009-08-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Annie is very good at communicating her needs. Tonight at dinner, she said that she wanted something and we pointed to everything on her plate. Annie said no to everything but we found that she wanted her Dad's water. Shawn gave her the water and after she took a big long drink, she turned and hugged me. She then told her Dad she wanted to hug him. The hugs went on for about a minute with lots of kisses too. It was the sweetest thing. We had a very busy weekend with lots of people around and we think that maybe, she was happy to be having dinner at her table tonight with her Mom and Dad.

It makes a mother cry when...

2009-07-30T16:43:00.001-07:00

your little girl rubs and scratches your back!!!! Yesterday, Annie woke up from her nap and I had the tv on because I was watching my pvr'd Eastenders - I am addicted!!!!! Anyway, it went back to HBO and there was a program on where a lady was sad and her husband was rubbing her back. I said "Daddy gives Mommy and Annie back scratches just like that". Annie was on the couch with me, she stood up behind me and I felt this little hand start to rub my back and then she started to scratch it. I was speechless and in tears. It was such a wonderful moment I had to record it here. Annie gives hugs and kisses but this form of affection is new and I hope that she keeps it up.
In other news, Annie will complete her "Starfish" class tomorrow and next Tuesday she will become a "Duck" at swimming lessons!!!! She is a real little fish.
Oh and this afternoon she was saying "Gampa" because she talked to her Grandpa this morning. Just thought you would like to hear that Dad because she says Nana so well. Still waiting for her to say Joma but that is a little harder.

Brilliant Child!!!

2009-07-24T20:48:00.001-07:00

Annie loves animals. She is very gentle when petting them, holds out her hands for the little dogs to sniff and LOVES to watch the four chickens in our neighbour's yard. The city just created a bylaw that allows chickens in the city!!!! Anyway, when Erin was visiting she gave Annie a chicken. The other day we turned around and Annie had her chicken sitting on the little tupperware with the hay and eggs in it. Brilliant child!!! Just had to snap a photo of it. Oh and she loves her chicken!! Yesterday while "watching" her favorite show "Comfy Couch" she watched Loonette put Molly on the couch and she then she put her chicken on the couch and said "up"!!

I also had to post this photo of our little cutie, ready for swimming lessons. Thank you Joma for my cute suit and cover up!! Annie is reaching for her "Quachi" that she loves - you can tell by the smile!!!

I also wanted to thank Kathy for having us over with Shirley today. We had a lovely afternoon tea in Kathy's beautiful backyard which is on a cliff by the ocean. She laid a beautiful table with gluten free goodies and her special china. I forgot the camera or I would have posted a photo. Annie wore her new dress that Joma sent and she looked perfect!!! It was a wonderful afternoon full of fun and laughter but we missed Stella.

Ah, I love summer...

2009-07-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

and so does Annie!!! We had a busy weekend visiting friends. Thank you Lisa and David for a wonderful time on Saturday!!! The lunch was delicious and the company was super!! Our turn next time. Here is Annie climbing up the stairs. She had to have help from Daddy and David to get down though!!!

We went to breakfast and then to the park with Glenn and Baxter on Sunday morning and then to Angela and Gary's for the afternoon. They live around the corner and Shawn and Brad were embarrased by me lugging Annie's ( well I actually love it more I think) pool down the road!! Too funny.

Annie also had her first swimming lesson this morning. It was a blast but it was during her nap time so she was a little cranky at the end - who am I kidding, it was for half the class!!! Oh well, we go every day this week and next so I am HOPING that this will REALLY kickstart the one loooonnng afternoon nap I have been dreaming about!!!

Anyway, here are some photos of our little climber!!!

Thank you to Susan and Bill for the gift certificate - we bought the easle with it!!! Oh and please try and disregard the spit in the swing picture - Annie's joy was just so real in this photo that I had to post it.

Walking...

2009-07-14T08:33:00.000-07:00

Annie has started to walk everywhere these days. I noticed yesterday that she has stopped crawling. She crawled on Sunday, mainly the bear crawl but then yesterday she didn't crawl at all. We really wanted her to walk but she worked soooo hard to learn to crawl that I feel a little sad that she is through this stage. I am going to watch today to see if there is any crawling at all. Our little baby is growing up and it is happening so fast.

Shawn is working nights to cover another supervisor's vacation so we have the car for a few weeks!! This is great timing because my funny knee is causing me some pain. Anyway, yesterday we went to the mall and to the bank. Annie held my hand and walked everywhere. It was really cute!!! She slept 12 hours last night when she usually sleeps between 11 to 11 1/2 so I think it tired her out!! It also may have been the stress of a 2 1/2 year old in the play area that stole her toy and hit her in the face!! Poor babe but she weathered it well. She is at such a kind age where she shares toys and plays.

I also have to note here that last night Annie and I put up a piece of art in the bedroom. Annie pointed at it, nodded and said "yeshhh" after it was on the wall, which I think means she likes it. So this morning when Shawn came home, she pointed at it and showed him that we had put it up with the hammer!!! This child really does appreciate art. She loves to look at the paintings in our home. We were at the mall yesterday so that I could use a few gift certificates to purchase an easle for her. It is red, her favorite colour and soon we will have our little artist at work!! Annie loves music and art - she fits in well with our family.

Beach....

2009-07-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy week!! We enjoyed Annie's first Canada Day as a family - walking down to the Ocean and having a special BBQ dinner together. She had her little "Happy Canada Day" t-shirt on that Daddy picked out for her and we had a wonderful time. It was a gorgeous day.
On the 2nd we had a lovely visit with our friends Dorothy and Norm. Then on the 3rd, Erin flew in from Toronto and we had a great time visiting, going for tea and Annie visited Butchart Gardens for the first time. This child definitely knows how to smell the roses!!!! Erin is sending photos which I will post and she is posting some on facebook too. If you are my "friend" you can check them out there.

Whew, a bit of a whirlwind. So yesterday we decided to relax a little and go the the beach. Here are some photos of our day out. It was hard to walk in the sand but Annie even went in the very cold ocean!!!

One hot chickita....

2009-06-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

Heading out on the town for lunch at our favorite Japanese place, Futaba, to celebrate Annie's first Canada Day as a Canadian. A day early we know but they will be closed tomorrow!!! My girl loves tofu with zuchini, ginger and garlic. Oh and temago!!! She fits right in!!!!

LOVE our "new to us" Chariot Cheeta. It is a bike trailer and stroller - Annie loves it too which is great!

My baby cradle

2009-06-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

My Mom found my old baby doll cradle and sent it out to me. Annie and I put it back together and she was so helpful - especially with the screwdriver. You are never to young to learn how to put stuff together!!! So here she is playing with her fishy in the cradle...
and here she is trying to climb into the cradle!!!!!! Yes, we are there already!!!

So happy...

2009-06-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Through networking in Annie's SWI yahoo group, I found a person who uncovered the information about Annie's first year of life. There are some gaps but we now have photos and know where and how she lived. I am just thrilled to have this information as now I can start her lifebook... ahhhhh... so happy that we can give her this gift. It was fairly expensive to do but to me and to her one day, this information will be priceless...

the "updated" new haircut

2009-06-27T16:52:00.000-07:00

This was the first cut...

The more "punk" look - right side

Left side...

Left side again...

The front view...

I had to cut it because miss banana head puts food in her hair, hates to have it washed AND won't let any clips or elastics in it. Gone are the days of the pretty pigtails for now :( I thought that a "punk" haircut might be fun - ah what you can get away with while they are small!!!

A few photos of a day in the life...

2009-06-19T13:07:00.001-07:00

"Helping" Mommy with the laundry... one of my favorite things to do each morning.

Modeling my rainbow baby legs and matching hair clip. I took off my shirt!!!

Visiting with the goats at the park...

Hanging out on my couch ...

Loving my new couch!!!

Reading books at my table.

Yes, one more pasta shot, just toooo cute!!!!

Rocking in my rocking chair. I won't let Mommy or Daddy hold me and rock but I LOVE to rock on my own...

Interrupted while "reading" my favorite book... I LOVE bears which is good because Daddy has been known to be called Mr. Bear...

Yes, eating again but my favorite fruit Watermelon!!! I love all melons and most fruit. Yesterday we had strawberries and raspberries from our garden and I think that they are "mmmnnnn".

Spaghetti photos...

2009-06-19T08:48:00.001-07:00

Each month we have at least one pasta dinner. At the end, we HAVE to take a photo because it is such a fun meal. Notice how comfortable little miss is with the camera these days!!!

A few days ago...

Last month... notice the full body bib - Shawn calls it the "bionic bib"

First spaghetti dinner in April... yea, that bib lasted for about a month...

Annie loves her pasta but she loves smearing it everywhere even more!!!! We are usually off to "splish splash" after so it really doesn't matter to us where she smears it!!! I would rather have a child that isn't afraid of food and textures than one that is. I should take a photo after she eats zuchini - she loves to squish them and then eat!!!

Feeling Better...

2009-06-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Annie is feeling better, so much so that I was able to cut her hair while she was in the tub. It is a really cute haircut and very fashionable these days. I cut it high at the back but left the front bits and her bangs alone. When I have a chance I will take a photo and post it. She actually let me do it but Shawn held her for me to finish it up. Shawn and I cut each other's hair - I know we are strange- and I wondered how we were going to have Annie's hair cut but I guess I can do it now.
Annie is sitting on her Dor.a couch (which she loves, thank you for the idea Auntie Kate!!)and playing with my socks!!! Too funny!!! She is a cutie and I am glad that she is starting to come into her own. Yesterday she was digging in my plant. I swear, I had my back turned for 30 seconds while I was putting her picture in a frame and she had two handfuls out of it by the time I turned around. I guess I am going to have to put the heavy tape across them like I did for the cats. Shawn calls her his little kitty so I guess it comes naturally!!!
Oh and she will put everything and anything in her mouth. Shawn's black socks leave little black bits all over and I can just imagine how many of those Annie has ingested!!! I am trying the ignoring thing but I think that she just likes to do it so that doesn't help. Argh!!! I can't keep the floors clean enough because "hoo.ver" finds the smallest speck!!!!
Gotta run, baby whining!!!!

Sick baby...

2009-06-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

Well, we have a sick baby on our hands. Poor little pumpkin. She was crying in her sleep again early this morning so we put her in bed with us and she cried/slept until about 10am. We found that Annie was running a fever but the tyl.enol brought it down. All we can say is thank goodness she gives us the cue that she has to go #2 because even in the potty it was messy!!! Poor babe, she is sleeping again. This is the first time she has been "sick" with us. We went through the teething thing but that was different. Shawn is off today which is very helpful and we have both been giving Annie lots of cuddles when she will let us. She had a terrible time getting to sleep last night and we figure that she was uncomfortable then but Annie slept until 5:30 this morning. Oh well, it just makes me sad when she cries that heartfelt cry during her sleep. All we can do is cuddle her, give her lots of liquids (I enticed her to drink water by giving it to her from my glass), keep her fever under control and have a quiet day or two. Poor babe. Now lets hope that we don't get it!!!!!

Attachment...

2009-06-08T14:53:00.000-07:00

We are working really hard with our attachment to Annie. For anyone who has adopted a child and gone through the attachment process, you know how intense and challenging it can be. Our therapist told me that all parenting is attachment and we just hit the ground running with a boatload of issues to deal with. Every day it gets a little better. There are little successes and I just wanted to post here one that I had recently.
I was sitting on the couch and Annie was bopping around. I said "Mommy needs a hug," and Annie came over, pulled herself up and held out her arms to hug me. I cried after that. It hadn't donned on me that she would come and "give" me the hug. I said the words and was preparing to come over and hug her. Wow, a success and so gratifying for both of us. It is the little successes like this that make the whole process worthwhile. It is really a challenge to be the only ones responding to all of your child's needs 24 hours a day and I get to do it all by myself four days a week as Shawn works very long hours. It helps when your child is sweet, cute and starting to respond in a loving way!!!

The wait is ALMOST over for...

2009-06-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

Red Sand and Enviroman !!!!! If you are into looking at some cutie-patooties, head on over and have a peek at their referrals for.... YES, TWIN BOYS!!!!! Yippee, hooray and congratulations!!!!!
Sam was my secret pal from our Feburary DTC group and although she lives on the other coast, we have kept in touch through these long months of waiting. We couldn't be happier for the new family!!! Oh and Sam, all of those girl clothes that I sent, I hope that they fit Buddah Baby although she might be a bit big for them now!!!!!

In tears...

2009-06-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

me that is!!! Annie brought me a lovely book this morning to read. She picked it out of her bookcase and the weird thing is, her books aren't all over the floor like they usually are. The book is "I Love you Like Crazycakes" and for those who don't know, it is a book written by a Mom who brought her daughter home from China. This is the first time I have read the book to Annie and I couldn't help but cry. Some of the story is very different than ours, but some is very much the same. After I read it, she started saying "Baba?Baba?" because there isn't a Daddy in the story I guess. Brilliant Child!!!
Anyway, I was in tears and asked for a big hug which Annie gave me and I pulled her into my lap and we had a huge cuddle with lots of kisses. I think that I have the sweetest most brilliant child in the world!!!

It makes you think...

2009-06-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

Annie and I had a very busy day that started with a swing at the park, a visit to our garden to water, a visit to a playgroup, a quick sleep while we walked home, part of the afternoon in her little pool for the first time and a long nap.
So, what makes me think is the fact that Annie has been inconsolable this afternoon. She cried her heart out when I put her in the pool - I picked her up quickly and cuddled her until she calmed down. I then got into the pool and she came in with me. She was fine after that and the weird thing is that she LOVES water. Her "splish splash" is her favorite part of the day!!! Then during her nap, she cried in her sleep for about 3 minutes. When she had been asleep for 2 1/4 hours (her normal nap time), she started crying again. I went in to see her and she was crying inconsolably but still sleeping. When Annie didn't wake up, I rubbed her back and her legs to try and comfort her a little, telling her that I was there. This didn't work at all so I picked her up and she cried and cried in my arms for about 10 minutes. After this I gave Annie her favorite snack and she wanted to be in my arms while she ate it. For dinner, I again, gave Annie her favorite foods which included cheese, lemon rice, cucumbers, tons of honeydew and blackberry yogurt!!! She just seemed to "need" special things and time from me today.
So Daddy is now putting her to bed but even during their special time she wanted me tonight to hug, kiss and cuddle her. She isn't going to sleep very well tonight either!! I can hear her in the monitor. Poor Shawn!!

So what makes me think is today is June 3rd, the 20th anniversary of the deaths at Tiananmen square. It just makes me think...

Coming into her own...

2009-06-02T08:09:00.001-07:00

Annie has been very co-operative with us. She seemed to listen and respond to the "no" routine. Well, that is all starting to change as she becomes more attached to us and comfortable in her life here.
So the first thing is food in the hair. Yep, gobs of it. For quite some time, she allowed me to put her hair up and put clips in it. Not so much now - if she can reach them, she rips them right out. I put a ponytail in the back of her hair and now I am using my hair elastics because the fuzzy ones she just takes out. The problem is with her bangs -potato, banana, pasta sauce, yogurt etc etc all end up in her hair. I want to grow her bangs out because they are bothering her but she won't let me clip them back so... fun!!! I figure that the hair thing she can win. If she doesn't want her hair up, she doesn't have to have it up but we have to clean it after every meal and every night now and she REALLY doesn't like it that!! A natural consequence. The other day she had egg salad all through it and Shawn said not to worry, all the girls he knew growing up used to put egg and mayo in their hair!! Too funny but he is right.
We are pretty thrilled that she is feeling comfortable enough with us to assert herself. I am pretty much ignoring the food in the hair because saying "no" just engages her - like yesterday's "yes"!! We have decided to save the "no" for serious things like electrical cords, outlets and generally dangerous behaviour.
My time on the computer is up, Annie is here and I have to run!!

Annie is walking!!!

2009-06-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Well, not quite but she did take three steps today at 4:50pm. She walked from Shawn to me and I was so excited that she started to get excited and couldn't do it again. We will try another day. Maybe it was the joyful tears running down my face but she just wanted to hug, kiss and jump up and down after her first attempt. She is such a little snuggle bunny.
I knew that Annie was ready to try because she has been climbing. Annie has also been practicing standing and she has become very steady on her feet. I remember reading how excited everyone gets excited about these things when you are young but when you are twenty five and walking, no-one seems to care!! Too funny.
Anyway, our darling girl is learning, growing and surprising us every day. Oh and a funny aside. I had the vacuum out today and as I was plugging in the cord she picked it up. We did the "no" routine and she looked at me and said "yesh"!!! I started laughing, it was just soooo funny. Well, I won't do that again because the next time I went through the no routine, Annie said "yesh" and looked for the laugh!!!! What a kid!!! Have to love her to bits and pieces.
Oh and Lisa, thanks for letting us come over and visit with Musette. Shawn is softening on the kitty idea!!!!

She's just soooooo cute!!!

2009-05-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

-Annie has a Do.ra couch that flips out. Yesterday, she flipped it over and started climbing up the back of it. I just watched because I know that she has a "sensor" that doesn't allow her to get into too much danger. She kind of freaked herself out and climbed down. It was just soooo cute!!
-Annie is holding a corn cracker in each hand right now and she is practicing standing from a squat. She almost made it to a full stand but the crackers delayed her as she tried to put one in her mouth. She laughed and smiled though as she came back down in a very controlled way. It was just sooooo cute!!
- Annie has mastered how to sit on her couch and is getting on it right now to see her books and panda. She is so proud of being able to "sit" like we do. Is is just sooo cute!!
- Annie is wearing her "K.I.S.S." onsie right now and has her hair in a fountain like you know who!! It is just sooo cute!!!!
Oh there she goes again trying to stand up!!!!
- Annie has learned to say yes but it is "YeSHSSSS". She just came and asked for another cracker using her sign language and when asked if that was what she wanted she said "YesSHSSSSS". It is just soooo cute!!!!
I could go on and on and on and on but suffice it to say, this little one communicates very well, has learned in two and a half months to raise and lower her own body weight with control and how to steal her Mommy and Daddy's hearts.... She is just sooooooooooooooooooo cute!!!

Happy birthday Liz, we miss you. We are having Chicken curry with roti and plantain for supper tonight. It will never be as good as yours but you never taught me your secrets!!!!!!!! Love, Shawn, Kristine and your namesake, Annie-Isabel.

Portrait session...

2009-05-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

We had Annie's portraits done today and I thought that I would share a few... Oh and thank you Emma for Annie's shoes, they go perfectly with this dress!!!

Swings...

2009-05-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Annie loves to swing. She is so happy in the little swing, singing with glee. She giggles and laughs as she flies through the air. I also loved to swing and I am so thrilled that she loves that feeling of moving through the air. There is really nothing like it. I used to recite Robert Louise Stevenson's poem "The Swing" as I spent hours trying to go higher and higher in my backyard swing. We don't have a backyard swing but I love to take her to the park and see the joy in her little face.
Annie also loves to go down the big red slide. She laughs all the way down. My little thrill seeker!!! Ah, fun time spent at the park. I have many memories of swinging and sliding as a child and I hope that Annie will have also grow up with wonderful memories.

the PVR...

2009-05-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

I LOVE it. We are able to record movies and shows to watch when the little sweetheart is sleeping!!!! This technology is new to us and I love the pause and stop buttons. When you have a little one and you like watching movies - this is perfect!!! The BEST part is that we can say goodbye to a million vhs tapes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We already have enough as Shawn loves to tape so many things. Ooops, baby is waking up...

For the Record...

2009-05-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

The last two mornings that have been "Daddy's mornings" to get up with Annie, she has slept until 7am. Yep, what is up with that!! We even put her to bed almost an hour earlier last night because she was exhasted from her playdate with Asia. The other side of this is that I am up at 6am to 7am, dozing and waiting for her to truly wake up. Sheesh. Let's hope that this is a new trend that continues when they are "Mommy's mornings" again!!!!! To actually sleep until 7am and have the baby go to bed by 7pm is a dream. Shawn and I might actually have some adult time together and I can stay up past 9pm again!!!!!!

Photos...

2009-05-13T21:27:00.001-07:00

Annie is so very helpful, here she is "helping" Daddy take down the shelves in preparation for the new built ins. He REALLY appreciated her help. Notice the pigtails, Daddy calls them her martian ears!!! Too cute.

Sitting on the table - oh Daddy, what you two get up to when I am not in the room!!!
For Joma and Auntie Tina!! Here she is in her cutie outfit from Auntie T on my playtable that Joma lovingly packed and sent. Thanks!!!

Getting lots of big hugs!!! Annie has started to hug and kiss us on her own, not just as a response to us.

Annie in her squeaky shoes, she LOVES them and brings them to me to put them on her. Thanks Maryellen!!

Annie's first spaghetti dinner - we had to take this classic photo. She had a blast eating the noodles and vegetables.

Hope that you all enjoyed the photos!! We have some great video too that I will try to put on facebook.

Age and Love...

2009-05-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

This was my daily wisdom today:

"Age doesn't protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age."-Jeanne Moreau, in John Robert Columbo, Popcorn in Paradise (1979)

Ah, love! There's nothing like it. Love keeps us young. Love is healing. Love is powerful medicine. But where does all this love come from? It's right there inside of us, all the time. We can live a life in love. We can choose love every moment, we can express love, we can give love. -Lissa Coffey

I am feeling a little old to have my first child. I am not quite forty yet but getting there. This morning I woke up with a sore back, head and a general feeling of "I am too old for this" as my 14 month old stood grinning at me in her crib, inches away after having woken me at 6 am. This morning she is playing well on her own and I was able to check my email before lunch and found this, my daily wisdom. I like it. The more love in your life, the younger you feel. Hope that you can use some of this wisdom. These are my great loves...

My first Mother's Day...

2009-05-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely day yesterday. Shawn had two cute cards and a wonderful gift of a Thai Massage waiting for me on my laptop as he had to go to work. Annie knows not to touch the laptop so it was pretty safe - we will see how long that lasts!!!
My girlfriend Veronica took Annie and I out for a lovely brunch which was very sweet. Annie then had a VERY long nap which gave me time to watch my British Soap that I had PVR'd (is that how you say it?) and drink my tea. We had a nice afternoon together and then Shawn brought home Chinese take out from one of my favorite restaurants. We spoke to our family to wish all the Mom's a happy day and my sister ran her half marathon in the time she wanted to do it!!! Congrats Katie!!!!! A great day all around.
On Saturday Veronica, Angela, baby Jack, Annie and I went to Beacon Hill park for Annie's first picnic. She LOVED it. Annie sat on the picnic blanket and had her lunch with glee, I mean REAL glee. She was thrilled with all of the food laid out in front of her. Baby Jack is 7 months old and he was crying part of the time. Annie kept looking at him and yelling "Ba" very loudly because he was ruining her time!! She was VERY serious about that!!! Too cute. It looks like picnics in the park are Annie's idea of a good time which is great because they are one of our favorite things to do!!!!!
Happy belated Mother's Day to all the Mom's and waiting Mommies!!!

Sleeping...

2009-05-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

What else do new parents talk about other than the crazy sleeping habits of their children!!! Thanks Maryellen for your suggestion of white noise. A few days ago I put our big air filter that makes lots of great white noise, in the bedroom and that has helped us out. It hasn't changed Annie's sleeping habits but it helps.
So this morning she was up at 5:20, I put her in bed with me, she slept until 5:45 and then wanted to party. At about 6:15 I put her back in her crib and then she went back to sleep!!!! She woke us up at 7am and THEN she even used the potty!!! I am going to try this one again as I feel so much better when she sleeps.
I was at my acupuncturist yesterday and she gave me ear seeds to wear to help my general well being. Maybe that is why I feel better today too, along with my treatment of course!!! She also suggested that I need to take more care of myself. Well, that is a challenge but Annie is now able to play on her own with me responding here and there to what she gives me or shows me.
Oh and the tv thing. I KNOW that children under two shouldn't be watching tv BUT I have to say, that 10 minutes that she will watch Sesame street in the morning, allows me to make my tea and again, be human. It is a survival technique.

Thank you!!

2009-05-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

I wanted to thank everyone for their emails of encouragement!!! I am really happy to be able to blog about Annie. It is possible right now because of her morning nap. Otherwise, I don't know when I would do it - she is such a busy little girl and my bedtime has changed.
Yes, because Miss is up between 5:45 and 6:30 - the little devil keeps changing it up- I try to be in bed reading by about 9 pm. Haven't gone to bed this early in years but I need at least 8 hours of sleep to be human and if she wakes me in the night, this gives me a little cushion. Really, she is an good sleeper if not a little restless. As her crib is right beside the bed, I wear one earplug so that her thrashing around doesn't wake me - figured that one out a few nights ago, yeah- and I can still hear and respond to her if she needs me. I have the best husband as she woke up this morning at 4am crying her heart out, actually she wasn't really awake. I was able to soothe her back to sleep but then I didn't get back to sleep until 5:30 and she was up singing at 5:40. My darling husband Shawn got up with Annie this morning while I put another earplug in and slept until 8:30am!!!!!! Wow, I almost felt sick when I woke up because I haven't slept that late in months!!! Too funny. I know that we are VERY lucky to have a child that basically sleeps through the night and other than when she is teething, is easily soothed back to sleep. BUT when you are a deep sleeper and not used to being woken in the middle of the night, it takes some getting used to!!!!!! I should have set my alarm for 3 am, then 4am the week before we left for China, just so that I could get used to it!!!!!!!!

Walking...

2009-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

As many of us in the international adoption world expect, our daughter is a little behind in her gross motor skills. When we first met, she had to have a "command centre" on the bed. Her Daddy built pillows all around her and gave her all of her toys to play with. It was sweet. He refuses to go into the princess thing with her and calls her the Empress and asks her "how goes the Empire". She ordered us about from that space VERY effectively.
At that time Annie could walk holding onto our hands but she couldn't crawl or move herself around at all, even on the bed. Well since we have been home and "teaching her", she crawls everywhere and pulls herself up easily to couch serf. My girlfriend Ricci gave her a little "walker" and on Sunday, she actually started using it to walk with!!!! Today I put on her squeaky shoes for the first time and she howled with laughter as we walked from the bedroom to the living room. She is now playing with Daddy and her squeaky shoes. Too cute.
This morning, she was also standing by herself for a moment which she is soooo very proud of. She started doing this in her crib and then falling on her butt, laughing hysterically. The other night when I was making dinner, she was in "her" tupperware" drawer and she used it stand on her own a few times. It is sooo cute, the pride in her eyes and her smile when she accomplishes things. It certainly helps that I have an old scaphoid injury from Dec. and I was having trouble picking her up so we were doing lots of walking and crawling together. I have a brace now that helps but I could always pick her up for lots of cuddles and kisses!!
Oh and one of the wonderful things that we have is Arnica in little homeopathic balls. When Annie falls, which she invariably does, a few little arnica pellets help her to calm down and heal. As Colleen says, they may work, they may not but they are something to chew!!!!!

Being at home...

2009-05-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

While I was working, I dreamed of being home all day with my little girl. I thought of all of the things that we would do together. We would go to the library, we would go to play groups, swim at the pool, cook together, play together, sleep in until 8am and have a wonderful life.
It is a wonderful life in many ways but the 8am that she slept in to stopped as soon as Daddy went back to work. This morning, it was 6am. Annie's crib is right beside our bed so I was woken with "Mamamamamamamamama" and a whack in the head. Nice. I refuse to get out of bed until 7am so we go use the potty and then climb back into bed. For an active 14 month old, the bed is like a jungle gym and luckily all I have to do is lay around while she uses me as a trampoline BUT we don't get up until 7am!!!!!!!
As for going out and doing activities, well our little miss adventure must nap in the morning during the time that all of these activities are available. Yep, afternoon naps aren't really her thing but after getting Mommy up at between 5:45 and 6 am, she MUST nap for at least 2 hours starting at around 9:30 am. We tried to change it, we worked at it but the afternoon nap stayed at 45min and she was VERY grumpy and whiny, falling asleep anyway. Oh well, from what I understand from other Mommies, this too will change as she is in nap transition.
So, the dreams have clashed with reality, imagine that!!!
Right now, we are baby proofing the house with Annie's help!!! Colleen came and we tried to put the baby safety locks on the cupboards before we went to China but it didn't work. Colleen said that maybe our daughter wouldn't be into things. Well, SHE IS!!!! Annie is bright, inquisitive and a little explorer, all wonderful things unless she gets into Daddy's collections. Nothing motivates a man to move his guitar faster than a 14 month old pulling it over!!!!!!!
So being at home is lovely. I like the fact that I don't have to leave the house early every morning and I am learning to be a slave to my 14 month old master. It is taking time for her to whip me into shape as I do have my own ideas but she is wearing me down!!!!! Being at home is nothing like I imagined but it is a very nice place to be right now...

Ad sense...

2009-05-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

So, I have added the Adsense to this blog. I just want everyone to know that I have no control over the ads posted here but they are supposed to be about things like adoption, parenting etc. If I do receive any proceeds from this venture, I will be donating money to charities in China who do wonderful work for the children there. Annie comes from a Half the Sky Orphanage and you can really tell that she was loved and cared for. How can we not put money into the hands of people who do such wonderful work!!!! Our daughter has benefited and now we want other children to benefit from whatever we can give.

WELCOME!!!!!!

2009-05-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our new blog all about our little one from China. I wanted my first post to be the post that I posted the day she was born. Here is what I wrote:

I found this through a link and just wanted to share-

I Will Wait for You...
"I know how difficult it is for you while you wait for me, because I have been waiting, too. I have waited to be held, to be fed, to be loved. I have found comfort in those who have been caring for me, and in those I have come to call my friend.Do not feel saddened, for this is the only life that I have known. I have adapted. I know of no other way to spend my day. I am content, because I know not of what I might be missing.As you await the sound of my laughter, I carry on, learning every day. From friends, and caretakers. Because I am not alone, I wait my turn, learning patience and enjoying every moment that comes my way.Some friends are no longer here, so I make new friends. We keep each other company.The day will come when your waiting will finally be over, as will mine. When that day arrives, my friends will need to make a new friend, as I will no longer be there. I will discover a life that I never knew existed. I might seem frightened at first, but once again I will quickly adapt and realize that my waiting to be held, to be fed, to be loved is over. I will be cared for like never before. I will learn so many new things.I will have a forever family!
Until that day, I will be content to live the only life that I have known, and to spend time with my friends. Waiting ...I will be here for you when your waiting has finally ended. You will hear my laughter and I will feel your loving touch. And we will both be content with the new life that we will share, together ... "
Still waiting for our little butterfly. --------------------------

Yes, I believe in signs and I am so happy to say that I hear Annie's laughter every day and we have lots of snuggle times. It hasn't been an easy time but we are getting there and falling in love more each day...