Sunday, November 30, 2008

Catching Up




This week I have so much catching up to do. I so enjoy writing, blogging and photography...I could spend countless hours chatting with my friends and taking photos of the baby. There is a 100 page digital photo book I'm trying to finish, which captures some of the highlights of Kira's first year home. It's so hard to do, because every day with her IS a highlight and selecting only certain photos limits what ever creative side I have. However, I really want to finish it as it will be a special book from me to her.

My latest adventure is I am searching for a new DSLR and have been paying close attention to my favorite Mamarazzis out there. I am quite impressed! I can't make up my mind and keep going back and forth between the new Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 40D series. Open to suggestions. I want to be able to get creative as I did years back with my old Canon AE-1. Then I'll have to add a photo shop element to my computer too! Oh so much shopping to do!

Yesterday we all went to Sesame Place in Philadelphia. It was a trip to see Kira's face light up when that big, furry, red (dirty) Elmo came sauntering by! I still don't understand the fascination with him. But Kira loves Elmo, one of the few 2 syllable words she can actually pronounce clearly. But that annoying voice, gets to me after an hour or so. But if it helps Kira to speak, guess I can put up with that annoying voice!

Went on a spinning Tea Cup Ride, who's idea was that!
Adorable Olivia and Kira hanging out

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I COULDN'T RESIST POSTING THIS BECAUSE MY GIRL FRIEND IS JUST TOO SILLY.

ENJOY.


May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!






Sunday, November 23, 2008

Love You Forever


Some days I have to say out loud just how much I love this child of mine! It's a feeling so strong it's hard to imagine, yet put into words. After so many years of just dreaming about motherhood I feel so grateful that I was chosen to be this child's mother.
Kira brings so much joy and happiness into my life each and every single day. Okay, so we all have our moments, especially when she bites me or I have to tell her to stop drinking from the dog's bowl. She's learning and testing her surroundings, and me. But no matter what, I look down on her innocent, unblemished face and see these beautiful eyes staring at me, as if to say, I love you too Mommy! Then she wraps her arms around my neck and gives me this big hug. Oh how sweet that feels. Once a dream, now reality.

Child of mine, you truly were born in my heart and I will love you forever and ever!



TRYING TO TEACH KIRA A NEW POSE, BUT SHE HAS HER WAY OF POSING. HOW CUTE!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Where did this week go

Today


January 2008

I just realized that it's Friday!!! I have been thinking all day that it's Thursday, so now I recall why certain people on the other end of the phone or emails must have thought this gal is a day late! My heedless state of forgetfulness has me wondering what else was did I miss this week! Nothing new on the political front, locally it's the same, so without the television, work schedule or calender, I literally lost track of time. So now I wonder how did I do that?

After meeting some new friends recently, I have seen how long some of these families are waiting for their referrals. Some over 2 years and I remember how I would just count the days, then the months and think how unbearable the wait was going to be. I had no idea it would approach 3 years. Time seemed to stand still during the months we were waiting. I can only say that I respect all of the families that are still waiting or have just begun their journey's, for their ability and tenacity to endure the wait. That truly was the most difficult part of adopting.

Now that we have our sweet daughter, time just flies by. I think this new role, keeps me busy and my days are not focused on a work schedule but rather the working schedule of my little toddler. She now defines my day and in some ways has lightened my spirit.
I no longer worry about the minutiae in the world, but instead concentrate on her. Okay so I admit, there are things that I do for myself, like talk to my friends, go to the library, get a Starbucks latte and so forth. The daily Starbucks run has turned into a weekly or maybe bi-weekly treat. Since I started this website and have gone back to view our trip, it has become so obvious how much Kira has grown. Yes, it's a great thing, but I also realized how much I now missed from her first year. That part makes me sad; to not know if she was held when she cried, or fed when she was hungry. I guess I will always have questions just like Kira will when she is older. Now as her Mother I want to be prepared to answer her future questions, but then again, she may not ask any at all.
I guess I just figured out, when you're enjoying what you are doing or where you are, time is not a factor. Sort of like being on vacation, only you don't leave the boat for excursions!
So my sweet baby, this was one great week with you, and I look forward to so many more weeks and years.

IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, AT LEAST TODAY

Well just when you think the weather is nice and temperate, the next day it's freezing and snowing. Today Kira caught a glimpse of snowflakes this morning. It is not the first time she saw snow as it snowed like crazy when we left Bejing. I don't think she remembers that, but I will.
There are many firsts that we are experiencing together, just can't wait to go out and play in the snow with her, so come on Winter!

FINALLY CAUGHT YOU SMILING
OOH NEW BOOTS!
I KNOW YOU THINK YOU ARE SO BIG, BUT YOU'RE STILL MY LITTLE BABY.
Yes, she's all bundled and layered because if I don't she streaks across the living room in a matter of seconds. So this strategy gives me time to get my coat on, grab the keys and Kira necessaties.
KIRA'S BEST FRIEND, LITTLE SOPHIA


GOT TO LOVE HER EXPRESSIONS

Sunday, November 16, 2008

SHE'S OUR LITTLE CALENDER GIRL ALRIGHT


I took a photo of the calender so it really doesn't do the picture justice.

A FEW MONTHS AGO, I GOT AN EMAIL FROM HOLT INTERNATIONAL REQUESTING IF I WOULD PERMIT A PHOTO I SUBMITTED TO BE IN THEIR 2009 CALENDER. FIRST I HAD TO LET OUT A SIGH, THEN INAPPROPRIATELY LAUGH, THINKING HOW INARTISTIC I AM, AND THEN I LOOKED AT THE BEAUTIFUL FACE OF MY DAUGHTER. I REALIZED WHAT AN AMAZING KEEPSAKE THIS WILL BECOME FOR KIRA ONCE SHE IS OLDER.

THOUGH KIRA DOESN'T LIKE HER PICTURES TAKEN, I THINK THIS PHOTO IS ONE THAT MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS SPECIAL, NOT JUST HER BOASTING MOTHER.

THANK YOU CHLOE AND ALICE, FOR A WONDERFUL JOB AND FOR SELECTING KIRA TO BE IN THIS CALENDER.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

The Faces of Children who wait no more...Celebrating Adoption Month



I wanted to do something very special to help celebrate Adoption Month. Afterall, over 2 yrs ago in November, we were just logged in to the CCAA and thought we would be waiting a very long time for our daughter. Once we decided to adopt a child with special needs our dream came true in a matter of a few months. Today we celebrate National Adoption month with our little Spicy girl from Hunan, who reminds us everyday just how rewarding the adoption process is.

There were many friends I made along this incredible journey that I am truly grateful for My dear friend Natalie, helped me deal with the long months ahead and always knew the right things to say. She even knew exactly what I needed to pack for the trip! Thank goodness or I would have missed our flight! She was there from the beginning and I followed along with her to adopt her second darling from China and in turn she was there for me as we went to adopt Kira.
We were also fortunate to meet many amazing families in our travel group. Jose and Yoli are an amazing couple with two special kids that are adorable. We were together in Guangzhou when they adopted their son Cael, a real cutie pie. And then there is my sweet friend Michelle, who got her referral around Christmas last year. What a surpirse! We've managed to comfort one another during the wait and together learn how to parent during the terrible two's.

So these are the most precious faces I have come to know and love as my own.

And certainly through the world of blogging I have met even more beautiful adoptive people and their children who agreed to let me share their children's photos on my site. I didn't post names, because at first this blog thing wouldn't cooperate. Then I realized why I wanted to portray them; for when you look into their eyes and when you see the huge smiles, you say to yourself, that's love, in it's purest form! The happiness of children who no longer wait for a forever family.




















Friday, November 14, 2008

Piggy Cute


SHE DOESN'T REALIZE THERE ARE BOWS IN HER HAIR, YET

HEY MOM LOOK EVERYTHING IS BLOWING DOWN THE STREET. YES IT WAS, AND EVEN KIRA HAD A HARD TIME STANDING IN THE WIND. IT WAS VERY WINDY OUT AND THE LEAVES WERE BLOWING ALONG WITH ANYTHING THAT WASN'T TIED DOWN. SHE FOUND IT AMAZING! THEY BLEW HER CUTE PIGGIES STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR.
MOM I GOT DIRT ON MY HAND. YES, THAT'S MY NEAT LITTLE GIRL, JUST LIKE HER MOMMA

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Great Wisdom for the Economy

Actually, children are simply priceless, but this is a cute pick me up after all the economic distress we've all been feeling lately. so enjoy


The Price of Children

This is just too good not to pass on to all. Something absolutely positive for a change. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice.

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month, or
* $171.08 a week.
* That's a mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be 'rich.' Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140?
* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs, and
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watching Saturday morning cartoons,
* going to Disney movies, and
* wishing on stars.
* You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay or Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the:
* first step,
* first word,
* first bra,
* first date, and
* first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, So . . one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

Love and enjoy your children and grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

My Little Tiger Cub

Yes she does sit on the kitchen table and in some ways it safer than those high pub stools we have. The table is bigger and she's content to sit and play, or in these photos try a little posing. If you notice in my last posts the baby seems to love wearing hats or anything on her little head. She'll put a tupperware dish on her head and dance around like it's the greatest new idea. I had this tiger fabric which she found and wouldn't let go of it. So with a hair clip and a bit of girly details, Kira is showing of the latest in fashion head wear.



Veteran's Day

Dear Daddy, friends and those brave men and women that our protecting my new country.

Thank you all for helping to make this world a much better and safer place. I know other children must miss one or both parents terribly who are now overseas...so our family will pray for everyones safe return! My Daddy is a veteran too and I am so proud of him. He doesn't work in the Airforce anymore but I am very proud of what he did and will always remember why he got those medals he hides from me and Mommy. "Dad, don't by so shy" BE PROUD, WE ARE!


MAY ALL OF OUR SOLDIERS COME HOME SOON TO THEIR WAITING AND LOVING FAMILIES!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

A sweet delightful day





SO KIRA AGREED TO LET ME TAKE SOME SMILEY PHOTOS OF HER. SHE'S REALLY CHANGED SINCE 11 MONTHS AGO, EVEN HER LAUGH IS MORE TODDLERISH (IF THAT'S SUCH A WORD). SEEING HER SMILE TRULY LIGHTS UP MY DAY. MY ENGAGING LITTLE GIRL, STAY SWEET AND HAPPY!


I'M GONNA SEE WHAT'S ON THE TELE
YES KIRA CAN ENABLE THIS REMOTE CONTROL, EVEN TURN ON THE DVD PLAYER. I HAVEN'T FIGURED THAT THING OUT YET!
GEE NOTHING INTERESTING IS ON AND I'M JUST PLAIN TIRED OF ALL THE POLITICS
SO I THINK I'LL SLIDE DOWN THE STAIRS AND FREAK MY PARENTAL UNITS OUT
 
© Hunan Spice
CoffeeShop Designs