Chatting about Disney...

Have you noticed that i just figured out how to post videos? Okay that's it for the night. I will post lots of updated photos in the next day or so!!!

Ali sings the ABCs...a time or two

Emily's lost tooth Video Clip

1st lost tooth

The tooth fairy will be making a stop to our house tonight!!! Emily lost her FIRST tooth this afternoon!!! She was very excited to be "the first one in our family to loose a tooth!!" Oh yes, baby you are the first one....lol

Five years as a family..........

Today marks 5 years that Emily and I are a family. I cannot believe that it was FIVE years ago today that I was handed my precious baby girl. She was so tiny and so sweet and was so very brave. She cried for a few minutes and then nestled her face into my neck and fell asleep. I was instantly connected to her from the moment I saw her picture for the first time 6 weeks earlier. But, that moment, in the Civil Affairs Office in Kunming, I experienced something far more intense. A feeling that only a parent knows when they are handed their child for the first time. I felt fiercely protective and intensely in love. Having my Mom beside me at that moment was so special. My Mom has a deep connection to both of my girls and I think a lot has to do with the fact that she was in the "delivery room" with me both times. The road to Emily was very bumpy and almost didn't happen because of HUGE problems with my adoption agency. I thank God every single day that Kathy and Wasatch Adoption Agency stepped in and promised to help us complete our adoptions. I was so very close to not having Emily in my life......that I cannot even think about.....

Emily, you are my life, you are my love, you are my daughter. Today, tomorrow and always. I love you so much my sweet girl!!!!

Today as we celebrate Easter and 5 years as a family. We say a prayer for Emily's birth family. May they feel the peace and comfort that we send them across the ocean. Emily is happy and safe and we cannot thank you enough for the gift that you have given us.

Next time, I not telling her.....

Still having trouble posting pictures. I will do it later, just need to dig the USB port out of the camera bag, which is probably buried in the back of my closet somewhere. Anyway, we were so excited to be visiting with our friends today! Let me just say, that Emily has gotten sick probably every time except for once or twice when we were going to this particular friends house. We LOVE her and her daughter and they are a very special part of Emily's adoption story. We travelled inside China together when we received our daughters and we travelled home to America together.

Guess what? At 4am, I hear that all too familiar "Maaaaa." I knew it!! Yup, she has the virus. I kind of thought that it was just an upset tummy from dinner last night, then I thought it was her regular bowel issues (something I am so tired of and ready to go beyond my ped to explore...again), but it is clear to me as she sleeps at my feet, half in the living room, half on the kitchen floor atop towels (just in case) that it IS the virus. Poor little thing has been asleep for about 3 hours only to wake to vomit and take care of some other business ;-) and then go back to sleep. My poor sweetie.....I hope she feels better soon.

Next time we have plans to visit Grace and Aiden (along with Lisa, Jordyn and Zoe), I am NOT telling Emily. Maybe she won't get sick? I think I will tell AFTER we go over the bridge....LOL


Check back for posts about our big night last night (with pictures) of Emily AND Alyssa's haircuts. Yes, Alyssa got her haircut. It was probably the 3rd time we tried and each time she became hysterical. Not last night. She did great!!!! It looks SO CUTE.

Emily's Family Day is on Easter Sunday. How special is that? I CANNOT believe that exactly 5 years ago, this angel was being placed in my arms for the first time. She was always in my heart and the reality of having her in my life has far surpassed anything that I could have imagined!!! I am so lucky!!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Alyssa

Alot has been going on here. Lots of good stuff. Alyssa celebrated her 3rd birthday, yesterday. Yes, she is a St. Patty's Day baby. My little Chinese-Italian Leprechaun. I really went back and forth about having a birthday party for her. In the end, I planned a rather small birthday party at My Gym. I know the owner and he is very aware of Alyssa's personality and I knew he would be respectful of my wishes for Alyssa to have a special, non-stressful day. I felt a little badly that I didn't invite some of my friend's children who a bit older, but I kept it limited to the younger crowd LOL so it would be lower key. Well, as low key as you can get with a bunch of little girls (and one handsome boy) running around a gym.

We arrived about 15 minutes early so that Alyssa could go check out the equipment before the other children arrived. All I have to say is that she DID UNBELIEVABLY. She participated in circle time, tried every activity and piece of equipment that they put out, and even sat on the little sled that they pull her around on for the "Birthday Parade." I was SO HAPPY that she had so much fun. She also celebrated at her school on her actual birthday (3/17) and enjoyed that too. Isn't it great that the EVERYONE gets so excited and parties on her birthday LOL. They even had a huge parade in NYC in her honor. LOL. She will love having her birthday on St. Patrick's day as she get older, I am sure. :-)

I have tons of pictures. Last week we also had our last Chinese New Year celebration with FCC (Families with Children from China). The girls had fun, although it was an "off" day for Alyssa.

I have TONS of pictures, but I am having trouble with my laptop reading the memory cards. I will download pics soon.

We have a lot to look forward to. Easter is next week and Emily's FIFTH Family day falls on Easter Sunday this year. We have a long weekend and we are all looking forward to an always fun get together with some friends on Friday in Connecticut. Then we have another WEEK off from work/school in April....and then a week later....we are off to DISNEY!!! I think I am more excited than the girls. This all means that school will be over before you know it. I am only working two days a week this summer, so I am REALLY looking forward to the end of the school year.

Check back for pictures soon.......