Easter egg fun

This past weekend Mia went on her first Easter egg hunt! She cruised around in her stroller and her brothers did the work of finding eggs and dropping them into her basket. It's great to have adoring brothers! She loved to try to open the eggs and see what sweet treat awaited her. Oh how she loves the Hershey kisses and Reeses peanut butter cups! After the hunt and overindulgence of candy Logan took Mia for a ride on the swings. Logan is a rough and tumble sports loving kid but Mia brings out his "sweet" side and it was fun to watch the two of them together. He gently swung on the swing with his sister ackwardly trying to hold her. Very sweet!

Kalahari pictures

Ranch lovin girl

This is what happens when Mia and ranch dressing combine! Actually any type of dipping sauce for that matter. Ketchup, ranch, and even applesauce. She is going through a stage of rubbing any type of dipping sauce through her hair. Take your eyes off of her for a minute and have one of these condiments on her plate and this is the result you are likely to get. Though I have to say this is some of her best work yet!

Cardiologist appointment

Mia had a checkup with her cardiologist today. As soon as we stepped in the doctor's office the meltdown started and continued until an old friend showed up in the form of Versed. As soon as this magical potion took effect she was a calm and even smiley little girl. I am lovin the Versed because without it we would have a very combative and scared little girl on our hands=no fun. She laid still for her tests playing with the "stickers" on her chest and watching Dora. Her tests all looked very good and her cardiologist is very pleased with her progress. We will go back in six months for another checkup. Her cardiologist is certain that Mia is not using the pacemaker but it will stay in place unless she would need another surgery which we are hoping she will not need for years.

I am so thankful that I am able to breathe another sigh of relief and thank God that Mia is healthy. It is still so very hard for me to enter that hospital and walk past the PICU doors. As we were walking to the office there was a family in the main waiting room and I could tell by the looks of worry and anxiety on their faces that their child must be a patient in the PICU. I said a quick prayer for them as I walked by remembering the mix and height of emotions that a parent experiences when their child is in a critical state. I have yet to take Mia down the PICU hall to visit the nurses and doctors that took such wonderful care of her. I would love for them to see her looking so healthy! The difference in her in six months time is amazing! We have not made that visit mostly because I know at this point it would be too terrifying for her but also because I do not think I am ready. I do not think I could go past the room that she spent three weeks in without becoming emotional. I am not ready to relive those images and those days. Not yet anyway.

Today was a good day. A very good day. The feelings of anxiety and yes even fear that I walked in the hospital with were replaced with feelings of joy and a grateful heart for my healthy little girl.

Cake fun and more CNY!

My first soccer ball

Playing Lucky Ducks

My first taste of my birthday cake!

I never "smashed" my cake instead I used my spoon and dug in! mmm good!

CNY celebration

Tonight we went to a local Chinese buffet for dinner with our local adoption group. I was really looking forward to this evening not only because we finally had Mia home but because we were able to reconnect with other families who have also adopted children from China. During the pain of the wait we had taken a break from the adoption group and it was nice to see everyone again and share Mia with them. She is the youngest in the group and when it was time for the group picture she was not having it. She cried and was all drama! It actually reminded me of our red couch picture in China when she was the only baby screaming her head off. The boys enjoyed trying the different dishes and Mia loved her noodles as always. A fun evening was had by all.

Playing with my new kitchen set before CNY

Little drama queen

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet girl!

Digging out

The snow is here once again and this time I have enlisted the help of my boys to shovel the driveway! I figure its about time they learn the art of shoveling and with the way the snow is falling they are sure to get lots of practice! Awww the joy of boys! I get to instruct from the side door while they do the work! Life is good even if we are buried in snow!

Girly fun

Mia has just started to show an interest in dolls much to my delight! What fun it is to play with dolls instead of trucks for a change! It is one that I welcome and am very much enjoying! This morning she pulled out one of her baby dolls and started to feed her a bottle and put her over her shoulder to "burp" her. Then it was time to beautify them "Mia style" for the day. She pulled out the brush and "combed" their hair. The poor baby dolls lost their pony tails and some of their hair in the process. She would pick each one up by the hair and then when she was done "styling" them she would toss her to the side and pick up the next baby. She even squeezed in some time "beautify" herself. I guess her mama's hair styling just wasn't doing it for her today! We might have a future beautician on our hands!

Mia's 2nd birthday is this Saturday. I can't believe my baby girl is turning two already! So what does a previous mom of all boys decide to buy her little girl for her birthday? A kitchen set of course! Mia loves to drag out any unused pots and pans while I am cooking. She will sit and stir her spoon in her pot and "cook" right alongside me. I planned on going all out on her kitchen set and executed that plan quite nicely much to my husband's dismay! He thinks this particular kitchen set is way above and beyond what any 2yr old needs. So practical he can be! In fairness I have to cut him some slack because he is new to this having a little girl thing and all of the additional "accessories" she requires. He nearly choked when I told him Mia already has 4 bathing suits for the summer because, well, I have discovered I have a slight addiction for cute little girl's bathing suits! Poor guy! He will really be loving me when he sits down to put it together! In addition to her kitchen set she will also get some pots and pans so she can "cook" us a meal. Now all we need is some play food and we will be all set. Why didn't someone tell me having a girl would be this much fun?

Reflecting on six months home

January 2010

What a month this has been so far! You have learned to crawl and your language has exploded! You are losing your "baby" look and are starting to look more like a little girl. You have changed so much and you are growing so quickly!

December 2009

You visited the cardiologist for what seems like the hundreth time and she was very pleased with your progress! You also have gained 5lbs since surgery! Yeah! Christmas was extra special this year!

November 2009

You began physical and occupational therapy and we celebrated our first Thanksgiving with you home! We had fun decorating the tree and seeing the look on your face when you saw all of the lights for the very first time.

October 2009

A month of recovering and readjusting to family life. You still amaze us with how easily you are transitioning into our family and how happy you are despite everything you have been through.

September 2009

The month of your life saving surgery filled with so many unexpected ups and downs. I will never forget this month and still have difficulty remembering and looking at pictures of "our" journey through this month. It was life changing to say the least.

August 2009

You are adjusting beautifully to your new home and new family.
What a JOY you are!

July 2009

We travel to China to bring you home! What an amazing journey it was!