MY NEW TWIRLY DRESS

I must admit I am now spoiled by two women who have been making Kira's holiday dresses.

This dress is from

Daleea at Lady Peep Boutique. She has a real flare for designs and fabrics. She also has a beautiful daughter who models her clothes, and probably is the best dressed girl in their neighborhood. I have to admit I'm a bit of a fabriholic myself, but I'm trying to figure out how to fit in a new sewing machine and lessons these days. Please check her website out, because she also donates her time and effort to help orphaned children get the medical help they so desperately need.

Thank you Daleea for the beautiful dress!

OOH LA LA

All I can say is...WOW!  I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINALLY OWN A NIKON!  Or maybe I shouldn't say anything till I figure out how to use it. Yes I will need to learn a lot and there are classes that Nikon offers.  I'm so excited about this new camera and just can't wait to start taking photos.  I practiced with it in the store and it's sleek, fast and fits perfectly in my hand!  Also let it be known that I WOULD TURN DOWN JEWELRY (not saying what kind LOL), fancy shoes, a cashmere scarf and, well maybe, a hot stone massage for this new baby of mine! I'm sitting back waiting for that battery to charge!
In the meantime my new camera is sitting far above the living room, and I look over at it and smile, thinking of all the wonderful memories I will create by taking photos of my gorgeous baby Kira. Oh, wait a minute, she dislikes my littel Canon point and shoot, who knows what she'll do with this great big lens in her way. Then again the power of zoom and new stabilized lenses...ah can't wait to start clicking away.

YEY, WE MADE IT TO SEE YOLI AND JOSE' ( I had to change the title after seeing these photos)

MY SWEET SWEET FRIEND!
BUNDLED AND COZY
HEY JUST BECAUSE I'M LITTLE, DON'T FORGET ME HERE!
PRETTY LIGHTS AROUND THE PLAZA (PHOTOS COURTESY OF YOLI)

IT SEEMED AS THOUGH WE COULDN'T GET TO NY FAST ENOUGH TO SEE OUR AWAITING FRIENDS! THE BABY HAD HER NAP, ATE, AND THEN THEN OUR HEATER WENT. OKAY, CALM DOWN, I SAID TO MYSELF WHILE I WAS STOMPING AROUND THINKING SHOULD WE GO OR STAY TILL THE HEATER GUY CAME AND FIXED IT. I CALLED THE GAS COMPANY AND EXPLAINED (our sweet friends from Florida are in NY) WE HAD A BABY IN THE HOUSE AND THE HEATER DIDN'T WORK.  THE GAS COMPANY SAID, "WE'LL BE THERE BETWEEN 9AM AND 4PM!  THEN I REPEATED, DOES HAVING A BABY MAKE US PRIORITY?  THEY SAID, THEY'LL MAKE A NOTE OF IT!  OOOH, I FOUND MYSELF BITING MY TONGUE ONCE AGAIN.  ISN'T THIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY FRIENDS?  

FORTUNATELY, I MUST HAVE GOTTEN ACROSS TO SOMEONE EMPATHETIC AND THEY CAME AND FOUND AND FIXED THE PROBLEM.  YEY HOO, IS ALL I COULD SAY. 

THEN OFF TO NY WE WENT!

It was a year since we first met Jose and Yoli in China.  Now there we stood in the "Met" as we hugged, smooched and were reunited once again.  Oh we had so much to chat about.  I loved the expressions on Yolis' face when she saw Kira again...she lovingly picked her up and gave her the sweetest hug and kiss.  I enjoyed the three of them interacting and when we went to eat and settled down, it was as if Kira somehow remembered them.  She smiled from across the table and then went to sit in Yoli's lap...again craving more love from this wonderful woman and Mommy to two beautiful adopted children.  We took pics, Jose took more pics and then we went to Rockefeller Center (My IDEA).  

Okay, so you know when you're all excited about something, you forget certain things...like how far you are walking!  So I had these shoes on, clogs meant for high speed walkers like myself, however, they weren't really broken in and so my foot started to ache a bit.  I didn't pay attention and just kept walking.  The night was so beautiful...the crisp, cold air, the smell of roasted chestnuts from the street vendors and colorful Christmas lights all around us lit up the night.  We walked along Madison Avenue having fun window shopping and talking.  

53 blocks, 3 Elmos,  one Winnie the Pooh, a Bunny and 3 dozen Santas later, we arrived at Rockefeller Plaza!

HOW PRETTY!  It had to be the biggest Christmas tree I ever saw and felt like we stepped into a movie set.  Just lovely, especially since it was a first time for Kira and I to be there.  Yes, I admit, never been there before while living so close!  But it didn't matter, I was enjoying another first with good friends and my little daughter.  We took more photos, and then had to part and make a train back to NJ.  Oh, how I wanted to stay and spend more time with Yoli and Jose.  They warm my heart!  We reluctantly had to leave and gave big hugs until we can meet up again.  

So the long, cold walk to the train station was on.  I started to get an awful cramp in my foot and had to stop.  I knew it was my shoe, but hey, I couldn't take it off, so Dani tried to get a cab. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE  to hail a cab on Madison Ave at night, so we kept walking.  Meanwhile Kira was bawling and screaming, wanting to get out of the stroller.  Where is Yoli?  She'd be able to calm her down!  It was getting colder by the minute and all I could think of was not letting my baby get cold.  Dani took off his inner coat and we wrapped it around her, (she had layers of clothes on), I put my scarf around her face and we sheltered her from the wind.  She kept on crying and I thought, where the heck is a cab when you need one! 

So we walked another mile or more to the train and Kira finally fell asleep.  She wasn't cold thankfully and just slept till we got home.  

In the meantime, I had this aweful pain in my foot that was just getting worse.  I paid no attention to it really since my eyes were on Kira the whole train ride home.  It wasn't until this morning that I awoke with one great big, toe that was so swollen and painful, I thought it must be broken to hurt like that.  Mega strength Motrin failed to help, ice a bit, but the throbbing of it all, was the worst...it feels as if every nerve in your body ends up in that one toe!  I can't bare weight on it and thought, how could a walk have caused this?  Well, I still don't know and my doctor said it's trauma to the nerve and tendons and prescribed a walking boot (which I can't get today because that walking boot store is closed).  

Well, I still can't get over how much fun the day was for us all.  Despite my aching toe, my heart is full with the love of good friends and my family.  Hey blogging would be boring if not for a little adventure, right!

OKAY, I ADMIT IT, THESE ARE WHY MY FOOT HURTS...ACHING TO BUY THEM!
MORE CITY BEAUTY
YES, ELMO'S WERE OUT PATROLING THE STREETS OF NY


AND HERE WE ARE, YOLI AND JOSE AT THE TOP THERE, DANI AND I ON THE BOTTOM, YOU CAN TELL WHERE I AM, CAN'T MISS THAT BIG MOUTH!





Well now that I uploaded some of the highlights, I find myself missing Yoli and Jose terribly! The baby just loves you both and so do I. So until we meet up again, it will be a Holiday to remember for sure! Thanks for coming up and hope you had a wonderful time!

MR. MAN AND LIL PEA

DUDE, WILL YOU BE MY BOYFRIEND?  YOU'RE REALLY CUTE!
OH, LOOK HOW LITTLE THEY ARE!  KIRA AND CAEL LAUGHING AT DANI
YOLI WHERE ARE YOU?  BEHIND THAT CAMERA I THINK!

This time last year we were a few weeks away from adopting Kira.  As I look back I remember the excitement I felt and the anticipation grew with each passing day.  What I never expected during our journey was to meet some of the most amazing people in my life, of which 2 we are meeting up with in NY tomorrow!  Oh, how excited I am!!! We met Yoli and Jose while in Guangzhou after the adoptions of their adorable son and our daughter.  We pretty much hung out together the entire time, venturing out to real Chinese cuisine and just enjoying the time there.  So I'm so elated that we will meet up again!

GUESS YOU CAN'T TELL HOW EXCITED I AM TO SEE YOU BOTH TOMORROW! LET'S HAVE SOME FUN, AGAIN!

I've Been Tagged

I'VE BEEN TAGGED BY KRISTIN a new and helpful bloggy friend, TO RELAY 8 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MYSELF. SO DON'T FALL OFF YOUR CHAIRS WHEN YOU READ THIS!

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS

• HGTV HOUSE HUNTERS
  
• CSI
  
• 24
  
• ARMY WIVES
  
• UCIS
  
• THE CLOSER
  
• THE COLBERT REPORT
  
• FOX NEWS
  

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO

• THANKSGIVING WITH FAMILY
  
• A NEW CAR
  
• A CLEAN HOUSE
  
• WATCHING KIRA EXPLORE AND LAUGH
  
• READING A BOOK
  
• MEETING YOLI AND JOSE AGAIN
  
• GOING TO VAIL
  
• MEETING NATALIE
  

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST

• A NIKON D90
  
• A CLEAN HOUSE
  
• NO LAUNDRY FOR 24 HOURS
  
• TO PUBLISH MY FASCINATING MEMOIRS
  
• LEARN TO SEW
  
• AN EXTREMELY EXTREME MAKEOVER
  
• LYING ON A BEACH (NOT THE SAND TRAP IN MY BACK YARD) FOR ABOUT 9 DAYS
  
• SENDING MY HUSBAND TO THE SHOW "I AM SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER" 
  

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT I DID TODAY, LET ALONE YESTERDAY, BUT I'LL GIVE IT A TRY.

• WENT TO MOMMY AND ME CLASS
  
• BOUGHT SOME CARDS
  
• EMAILED AND BLOG'D TO FRIENDS
  
• CALLED MY SISTER, BUT SPOKE TO MY NIECE
  
• WENT TO A FABRIC STORE
  
• TOOK SOME FUN PHOTOS
  
•  THE REST IS A BLUR
  

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

• MIKADO
  
• MY KITCHEN
  
• THE ROBIN'S NEST
  
• My Sister's house(I THINK THESE QUALIFY, THEY COOK, THE EATS ARE DELICIOUS, JUST DON'T LEAVE ANY TIPS)
  
• My Parent's house
  
• My brother's house
  
• My neighbor's house
  
• HMMM
  

8 FRIENDS TO TAG

MELANIE

MAIA

LISA

EILEEN

MAGGIE

JENNIFER

VIVIAN

NATALIE

THE RULES ARE SIMPLE, JUST TAG 8 OF YOUR FAVORITE BLOGGERS AND ADVISE THEM OF THE TAG on their blog.
THERE IS NO PARTICULAR ORDER IN WHICH THE LIST HAS TO BE DONE.
ANSWER THE 8 INTERESTING FACTS
HAVE FUN!

LIKE KRISTIN I'VE CHOSEN TO PICK PEOPLE THAT I'VE JUST COME TO KNOW AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BETTER. I KNOW IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON SO TRY TO DO WHAT YOU CAN. IF YOU CAN'T FINISH THE POST, BAH HUMBUG LOL

Why I need a camera

OH YOU MAKE MOMMA PROUD!

I found this wonderful on line boutique to buy Kira a dress for the Holidays. The owner of Georgia's Boutique asked me if she could use the photo of her with the dress on in her website which of course I agreed to.

I admit I did not take this photo. I took Kira to get her photos done (by amateurs) professionally at a local retail store.  I think she thought she was taking a hearing test because the photographer, who looked annoyed to begin with, just stood there and didn't say anything at first and then asked the baby to sit on a chair.  I told her that maybe a toy would be nice so she grabbed a stuffed animal and stood there as if Kira was going to laugh at her.  I wanted to laugh at her, but bit my tongue.  I then called in some other petulant individuals to help make my little girl laugh and they looked at me as if I was requesting them to change her diaper!

So the only prop that remotely interested Kira were Christmas balls, hence the cool photo.  

A couple hundred dollars later we both left the store tired and frustrated, wondering why I paid for unsatisfactory services.  I rarely complain about such things, especially since that store was highly recommended.  However, that experience proved to me that I could do a better job with the right equipment.

The highlight are the photos and having them published as advertisement.  I thank Hayley and sincerely recommend her website to anyone looking for unique and adorable clothing for your little princesses!

THE BABE IN THE HOOD

I just loved this hat and scarf outfit from baby gap. But apparently Kira didn't. Yeah, looks like she's enjoying it, but she had some ideas of her own.
I THINK I'D LOOK BETTER WEARING PANTS ON MY HEAD!
GOING CAR SHOPPING WITH MAA AND AD (SHORT FOR DAD)
MAA I'M NOT TAKING OFF THIS HOOD, IT'S WARM TOO!

SEE MY NOSE IS NICE AND WARM IN MY ELMO HOODIE.
OKAY NOW I'M DRESSED UP, MY STOCKINGS ARE ITCHY AND MY NOSE IS COLD, SO I THINK I'M GOING TO HIDE THIS PHONE.
GUESS WHAT AD? MAA CAN'T FIND HER PHONE!

MOTO OF THE DAY, DON'T MESS WITH THE BABE IN THE HOOD

CAMERA UPDATE

I was so excited to finally get to a camera store and  (buy) hold that Nikon I've been wanting for so long! Awh it felt so good in my hand, even better than the D90 was... got to clear my throat here...the amazing D300. Now I'm left in a quandary! However, I am glad Kira was having a meltdown in the store, because it gave me an excuse to leave and do more research before I shelled out all that money. 

So I went home got on the internet and then realized each camera is unique.  It helped to go over the details and this camera has everything I want a camera to do. The lens I want plus the camera was a bit more than the D90, but I won't out grow this one. Seems like things were easy way back in the 35mm day of ISO 100 film and manual SLRs, but I have to say, there were limitations and these cameras have so much capabilities once you get over the initial learning curve.

Then there are the Canon DSLRs and I must admit they are tempting too. But the last time I bought a camera I wanted Nikon and instead bought another brand name, which was good, but also limited. So this time I'm going for that Nikon!

我爱你

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH KIRA!

MOMMA

i have received so many sweet comments on this post and request for where I purchased this darling top. So visit Jennifer's Shop and click on embroidered tees. She's great and will work with you personally as well as get the items to you quickly. I am a tee shirt addict now! Have fun!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MAA

OH, IT'S 11AM AND I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE MY ONE CUP OF JAVA TODAY! HOW CAN I POSSIBLY BE SO BUSY!

SO I'm going to break it down.

• 0300 woke up with baby, consoled baby, went back to sleep!
  
• 0500 woke up by bladder, tripped over wooden block, stubbed toe, took advil wobbled to bed
  
• 0600 woke up my a sweet voice calling out for "mom MOM, Maaaaaah" immediately gave hugs and  kisses started the day!
  
• 0700  make JAVA, administer bottle, read (if little pea will listen), sing, entertain to the best of my abilities then turn on Elmo
  
• 0800  deliver homemade breakfast, keep dog at bay (which doesn't work), then pick spillage wipe down sticky floors, clean kitchen with little helper wrapped around my legs. 
  
• 1000 get ready for morning stroll with Maa  (weather permitting)
  
• 1100  oh no, didn't have my coffee, run back to house, make 10 cups and proceed to drink 8 big cups before 3pm.  
  
• 1130 nap time (for baby only) till 130pm Maa gets time to do 2 loads of laundry, let dog out, straighten up, put toys away, wipe down windows.
  
• 1230 download photos, attempt to contact blog friends, get ready for early intervention appt.
  
• 130 wake up babe, change into cute outfit, EI ladies here time for evaluation!
  
• 330  evaluation over, Kira doesnt' need speech therapy at this time.  

FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH CLP CHILDREN, I WAS INFORMED THAT USING A BOTTLE DOESN'T PERMIT THE CHILD TO STRENGTHEN THE APPROPRIATE MUSCLES NECESSARY TO FORM WORDS AND CERTAIN SOUNDS.  SO IT WAS SUGGESTED TO WEAN TO A CUP USING A STRAW (NOT A SIPPY CUP).

ALSO EMPHASIZE DIFFERENT SOUNDS, LABEL ITEMS, EXAGGERATE SOUNDS IN WORDS AND REPEAT THEM BACK.

AGE APPROPRIATE SOUNDS INCLUDE WORDS STARTING WITH P, B, M, N, D, T, AND W (WHICH USUALLY DEVELOP EARLIER).  

OKAY SO NOW IT'S 530PM BABY IS FED, TIME FOR PLAY WITH ELMO OF COURSE AND THEN AD (SHORT FOR DAD) COMES HOME AND IT'S KIRA TIME WITH "AD".  YIPPEE MAA IS NOW ALL WIRED UP FROM HER 8 CUPS OF COFFEE AND FEELS LIKE RUNNING A MARATHON (IN MY MIND), BUT NOW MY EYES ARE HEAVY, I WANT TO NAP BUT STAY AWAKE TILL KIRA GOES TO SLEEP AROUND 730.  

So, yes it was a busy day, and busy week...lot's of appointments, visits and the usual things to do.  Guess I'm adjusting to my new job as MAA (it's much funnier to hear her say it then write it).

Oh I stand to correct myself, the coffee was already made, just didn't get around to making  a cup for myself.  My one true vice that I know of LOL.

             

Wordless Wednesday

YES, KIRA DOES HAVE OTHER CLOTHES WITHOUT STRIPES! I JUST REALIZED THE PREVIOUS POST.

MY FASHIONISTA

I AM COMPLETELY ENTERTAINED BY EVERYTHING KIRA DOES. THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN LAST WEEK WHEN I NOTICED KIRA ONCE AGAIN SHEDDING WARM FLANNEL FOR THIS OUTFIT SHE COORDINATED FOR HERSELF. HOW COULD I KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE? SHE USED A STRIPE TOP (THAT WAS GOING TO GOODWILL), HER STRIPED RAGGY, STRIPED HAT AND I PUT THOSE CUTE FURRY BOOTS ON HER AND SHE THOUGHT I ROCKED LETTING HER DO HER THING!

OH BABY OF MINE, YOU ARE SO STINKIN CUTE
THOSE ARE THE CLOTHES I DON'T LIKE
THESE ARE THE CLOTHES I LIKE
BRRR, IT'S COLD IN HERE, MAYBE MOMMY HAS A POINT!