Happy Birthday Meilin Rose

Dear Meilin Rose,

Tomorrow is your second birthday but your first one home. Even though I was not there with you on your first, you were with me in spirit, growing in my heart. As I stare at the first photo I ever received of you, I knew then that you were mine, the baby I had been waiting for, the one God had planned for me right along. I have seen those sorrowful eyes brighten and sparkle and witnessed your frown turn into a smile that melts my heart. Your once guarded soul has opened up and you give and receive love so readily. You have a forever family now. We will be here for you always. You will never celebrate a birthday alone again. I love you my sweet baby girl.

Love,

Mama

Special Christmas

It was Meilin and Gavin's first Christmas! The big kids were so excited on Christmas Eve. Grandma and Papa always buy them matching jammies. It is the only present they can open on Christmas Eve. Kailei didn't fall alseep until 10:30 and was up at 6:00. Meilin took two, two hour naps today at my parent's house. At first she didn't know what to think of all the gifts but by tonight, she was an old pro! Now I need to figure out where I am going to put all these new toys and more presents to come since Meilin's birthday is Dec. 30! Lucky, lucky girls! We are so fortunate to be blessed with a wonderful family that all live nearby! It makes the holidays so special.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Letter From Santa

Kailei and Meilin received letters from Santa today. They were personalized with important information. Kailei read the letter giggling the entire time. Thanks Williams family!!

Santa's Village

The girls and I spent the late afternoon at Santa's Village. The wait outside was about 45 minutes. Not too bad considering that some wait up to 3 hours to get in! Once inside the girls met with Santa. Meilin still wants nothing to do with the jolly fellow. Kailei on the other hand could have sat for hours discussing her list. Next we proceeded to visit with Mrs. Claus. She was baking cookies and handing out candy canes. Meilin liked her. My favorite part is the toy workshop. The elves are busy at work on making toys. A fire roars in the fireplace and there are toys everywhere! Outside is Santa's sleigh and his reindeer. Meilin wanted to pet each and every one. She is my animal lover. The joy of the holidays warm my heart especially when shared with loved ones.

First Pony Tails

Meilin and Kailei are the same age in these pictures. They were also modeling their first pony tails. They look alike and the are both oh so cute!! Love these girls!

First Snow

First snow of the season! Both girls thought it would be fun to walk in the snow before church in their patent leather shoes! Meilin kept saying,"COLD!" Kailei was a bit disappointed because there wasn't enough to go sledding on. Another first for my youngest baby!

Dancing Queen

Kailei has been dancing since she was 2 1/2 years old. She loves every minute of it! She has been on her Petite Dance Company for the past two years. Kailei competes in jazz and tap. This year she received a solo. This is her costume and she is dancing to the song, Sweet Old Fashion Girl! Perfect song for my girl! She is also required to take gymnastics at the studio. She is so flexible. For awhile she has been working on her back handsprings. Tonight she nailed it!! I think she did 5 in a row down the mat. Kailei was determined to get it and she never gave up. That's my girl!!

Oh Christmas Tree

We headed to the tree farm on Saturday to search for the perfect tree! It was chilly and windy but we ended up finding a beautiful tree! My dad cut it down and tied it to the car and we were off. Of course Kailei wanted to decorate it the minute we got home. The lights went on and then Meilin saw the round ornaments. She kept calling them balls. We put most of them out of her reach. She has been pretty good about leaving the ornaments on the tree and not playing with them. I attempted a photo shoot in their Chinse silks. Boy, it sure is hard to get a good smile from the two of them. I LOVE Christmas, always had. So excited to be celebrating this year with my two girls.

Friends

My friend Kelly and I were in China together picking up our daughters. The girls are only 4 months apart. Here they are modeling their adorable panda jammies and catching up on their reading. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful friends for life!

Cousins

The girls are so lucky to have their cousins in their lives. They enjoy their company and they love them so much!! These pictures were taken the day after Thanksgiving. We all go back to mom and dad's house for leftovers and a holiday movie. Meilin sleeps soundly at my parent's house which is helpful when we stay late. I am able to wake her up and drive her home and she goes right back to sleep.

Rub a Dub Dub

Once Meilin is taken out of her crib for the morning and she drinks her milk, she shivers and shivers. Instead of filling up the tub I decided to see if she fits in the kitchen sink. Sure enough, she does!! She LOVES sitting in there and playing. She warms up quickly and is happy, happy, happy! What a nice way to start off the day!

Jack-O-Lantern

Meilin has been sick since Tuesday night. She had a high fever and a secondary ear infection. I was also sick with a bad cough. Well tonight the fever broke and we were able to light the jack-o-lantern and take some pictures. My silly, silly girls!

Halloween Fun

Meilin met her friend Laney at the Canton Shops for trick or treating. They were both ladybugs and were adorable! Tonight Kailei and Meilin scooped the pumpkins for Jack-O-Lanterns.Meilin kept saying, "Eeeew!" but she did enjoy sticking her hands in and throwing the goop! Kailei liked using a spoon so her hands wouldn't get messy!

Meilin and Gavin's Christening

Rain fell from the sky and the temperature was cold but nothing could dampen this special day. Meilin Rose and Gavin Paul were baptized today. Gavin slept most of the ceremony but not my little monkey. At 22 months of age she did not want to sit. The funniest part of the whole day was when the deacon poured the holey water onto Meilin's head. She sat up and gave him a look that said," What did you do that for?" She kept wiping her head and face and then she grabbed the towel and proceeded to continue wiping herself dry. Too funny! Following the ceremony, a beautiful luncheon was served at my parent's house. God bless Meilin Rose and Gavin Paul. They are a blessing from God.

Pumpkin Picking

We enjoyed the crisp New England day picking pumpkins and buying mums. The rule has always been that the kids can get any pumpkin they want as long as they can carry it. Kailei did indeed carry her own. Meilin on the other hand carried a cell phone but no pumpkin. Both girls enjoyed the hayride!

Campfire

Fun with the family around the campfire. The three older kids toasted their marshmallows and ate their smores. Meilin didn't like the sticky marshmallows and only ate the graham crackers.