3 Years Old

Meilin is 3 years old! She spent the day with her sister and cousins at Chucky Cheese! They all had a blast!

Some facts about Miss Meilin.

-button and zip and her clothes

-has a wonderful imagination

-is potty trained

-loves animals

-enjoys reading books, playing with playdough and cutting with scissors

-has the silliest facial expressions

-loves to play outside

-ADORES her family

-working on being patient

-will only drink her milk warmed up

-can be sweet as can be one minute and very opiniated the next

-watches Calliou every morning while drinking her warm milk and eating mini muffins

-loves a good party

-takes dancing on Saturdays and can really shake her boody

-brings laughter to all she meets

We love you so much Miss Meilin! Happy third birthday! Two more birthday parties to follow.

Christmas

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday!! The music, the festivities, the Christmas outfits, the laughter, family, friends...We had another wonderful Christmas. Christmas Eve began at 4:00 mass. It is so special to come together as a church community to pray. Then we were off to my brother's house for soup, bread, Christmas cookies and off course new pajamas from Papa and Grandma, a family tradition that all the kids look forward to. They couldn't wait to get their pajamas on.The girls were up bright and early, 6:15 a.m. The fire was roaring and presents were sprawled underneath the tree! These two little ladies received many presents. Meilin was so slow opening her gifts. She kept saying, "One second!" In fact she opened her last gift at 11:30 a.m. Kailei tore through hers quickly and it was driving her crazy that Meilin wasn't opening hers. We departed for Grandma and Papa's house around 12. We all took naps and awoke to Trevor and his family arriving. The afternoon was filled with opening more presents and eating a delicious dinner. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful family. I love them all with all my heart. The best gift of the season is being together with family. In a few days we will celebrate Meilin's third birthday. Ohhh, my baby is going to be 3 already!

Christmas Fun!

Today we met up with wonderful friends at the mall! The girls rode the Christmas Train, sat with Santa, went on the merry go round and played at the indoor playground! Such a special time with special friends. A great way to celebrate the Christmas season. I remember Kailei at this age. I have a picture of her on the same merry go round. The time goes so quickly. Kailei had school so she missed out on this day of fun but we have more fun times coming that Kailei will be included in. The holidays are so magical when you have children.

Baby Hands

I could stare at her little hands forever!

Naughty or Nice?

Hmmm, was she being naughty or nice? I'll let you decide!

Pictures by the Tree

Boy, it's not easy to get a picture with two girls smiling and a dog that stays in the picture. I think I had some success though. They are all so cute!!

17 months

17 months, 17 months home with her family. Meilin has now been home just as long as she was in an orphanage in China. This is such a milestone. May this precious child only remember the time with her family and not the long, lonely days as an orphan.

Halloween Night

It was a COLD NIGHT! But both girls had a wonderful time trick or treating!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from my little pumpkin!

Fall Fun

One Week Later

It has been one week since Meilin has had her surgery. I was home with her for the week. She was very irritable and was experiencing nap terrors again. But I can now say that Meilin is back to her happy, silly self. Her head looks wonderful! I'm so glad that I was able to do this for her now and I am thrilled that the surgery is done and over with! I am praying this is the last surgery this precious child will have to endure!!

Kailei June

My beautiful Kailei June, my first love. She is growing up so quickly. There are times I want to stop the clock so she won't grow any older. I am so proud of her and all of her accomplishments. The past year she has learned how to be a big sister and to share me and she has done it with grace. Meilin adores her and vice versa.
Dancing is a big part of her life. She is on the petite
company, mini gym team and she has a jazz solo and a tap trio. This summer we will be traveling to Myrtle Beach for Nationals.
Kailei is in third grade this year. She continues to excel at school. This year she is being challenged and having to learn how to budget her time when it comes to homework and long term projects.
It seems like yesterday that a gorgeous 8 month old baby was placed in my arms in Changzhou China. That was the happiest day of my life and I have been blessed to call her my daughter for the past 8 years.

Meilin Rose's Surgery

Today, Oct. 8, was a big day for Meilin. She had her scar fixed that she received in China when she was 5 months old. A boil grew on her head from sleeping on a wooden board and it became infected and grew to the size of a grapefruit. I didn't know it was that big until today. The day started with no milk, no water and no food for any of us. I felt if my daughter had to fast than so did I. Plus I was a nervous wreck. Meilin had to be at the hospital at 9:00. Dad and I arrived and Meilin only wanted to be in his calm arms. My heart was pounding and I'm sure she flet that. In the pre-op aread she didn't want to change out her jammies. They tried to give her a calming medicine but she ended up spitting it all up. I was hoping they were going to offer me a shot as well. The time arrived when I had to walk her to the OR. I tried to stay calm and reassuring. Meilin never cried not even when I set her on the table. It wasn't until they put the mask on her face that she started crying. I made sure I looked in her eyes, held her and talk soothingly to her until she fell asleep. When I left the OR. I lost it. Good thing the nurse was right behind me holding me or I think I might have passed out. I just cried and cried. The surgery took about 2 hours. When she was in recovery, I could hear her screaming but I couldn't go to her yet. Tear my heart out!!! She wasn't fully awake even though she appeared to be. She kept screaming, Mama, mama, mama. I held her but she still wasn't out of the anthesisia and kept screaming. She cried saying her boo, boo hurt. They gave her morphin and she finally fell asleep on me. We were able to leave around 2:00. She then threw up right before we got in the car. She slept peacefully all the way home. Once home she slept on me for the whole afternoon. I gave her motrin. She finally wanted her milk and she ate about 2 1/2 bagel thinks with peanut butter. Then she was happy Meilin. She played, we read books and then it was time for bed. SHe went down without a problem. Kailei was wonderful all day. She was worried about her and made her a card and a bracelet.Kailei wanted to inspect her large stitches and rubbed her back. Sweet girl.

The cutest thing just happened, 2:00 a.m. Meilin woke up and wanted some milk. I warmed it up and gave it to her. Then she needed to go potty. While she was sitting on the potty she told me her boo, boo was all better. I wanted to give her more Motrin before she fell back asleep so I told her it would keep her boo, boo feeling good. SHe looked up at me and in the sweetest voice said, " Thank you mommy, thank you for making my boo, boo all better." Bless her heart. She has endured so much in 2 1/2 years. She is a brave little girl and I am so proud to be her mommy and Kailei's too.

My Dancing Queens

Saturday was Meilin's first dance class. She was so excited to go in the morning. Meilin dances around the house copying all of Kailei's dance moves. However, when she went into class she didn't do a thing. She is the type of child who likes to observe first. Hopefully this week she will shake her groove thing! Kailei is at the studio 4 days a week this year and loving every minute of it!

Fall Fun

Fall is probably my favorite season. Warm temps during the day and cool evenings! We finished the summer season last week at the lake. Today we spent time outdoors. Kailei learned how to do a no handed cartwheel then we went apple picking and to the petting zoo! The picture of my two girls in the tree is my favorite one yet!

No Work Mommy

The day has come when I have to leave my children in the care of others while I work. I have tried to prepare Meilin for this day. We have spent so much quality time together as a family and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Tonight as I put Meilin to bed I held her tight and told her about mommy going to work tomorrow and that she would be going to Debbie's house. Her big, brown eyes looked up at me and cried, "No work mommy. Stay home with Meilin." If only I could little one.

Kailei on the other hand is thrilled that she will have 4 whole days to hang out with her Papa! Oh, the adventures they will have.

Love you my sweet girls.

One Lucky Mama

These two girls take my breathe away! How did I get so lucky as to call these two my own? I thank god every day!

Photo Shoot

Tried a photo shoot with 5 kids today. I think they came out pretty cute! Going back to the same place to take some more this week. I would really like to take a photo class. I really enjoy taking pictures especially of cute kids!