tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89397445807659645632024-03-13T22:41:18.130-04:00Snickerdoodle DaysLife is sweet with our baby girl!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-79092649555710973462011-12-07T19:38:00.001-05:002011-12-07T19:38:57.053-05:00Photo Card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CbuXDNm1ZsnGw&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0CbuXDNm1Zst/0CbuXDNm1ZstcW/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1323304719000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Merry Montage Christmas</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">Shutterfly Christmas cards</a>.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-14236625519439388912011-02-23T02:29:00.005-05:002011-02-23T02:40:58.295-05:00Countdown<b><br />
</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UrXb5e2nYyY/TWS201AUFaI/AAAAAAAAA0U/ZH5TudziM0w/s1600/yi+yu+ting_Feb2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UrXb5e2nYyY/TWS201AUFaI/AAAAAAAAA0U/ZH5TudziM0w/s200/yi+yu+ting_Feb2011.jpg" width="145" /></a></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><ul><li><b>5 more sleeps to TingTing </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(AK's way of counting down)</span></li>
<li><b>4 packed suitcases</b> (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">but I think we're going to have to suck it up and pay for 5 checked bags in China. It's HARD to pack for both snow and 75 degree temps, plus all the gear needed for a 3 year old and a 10 year old!)</span></li>
<li><b>3 excited people</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> ( me, Mark, AK)</span></li>
<li><b>2 exhausted parents </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Who needs sleep?? )</span></li>
<li><b>1 more day until we leave for </b><b>CHINA and our Olivia Ruth YuTing!!</b></li>
</ul><div>Olivia Day should be Monday, 2/28!! </div><div><br />
</div><div>If you want to follow our journey, please check out my new blog @ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fromchinatonorthcarolina.blogspot.com/">http://fromchinatonorthcarolina.blogspot.com </a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-71549921748758994532010-11-17T22:46:00.001-05:002010-11-17T22:52:16.557-05:00It's Here!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TOSggALsajI/AAAAAAAAAzk/TgKpqc9d6xg/s1600/TingTing+06-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TOSggALsajI/AAAAAAAAAzk/TgKpqc9d6xg/s200/TingTing+06-1.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br />
Our Letter of Approval arrived today!! It is so exciting to have the official adoption approval in hand. It is already on it's way back to China... no wasting time on moving forward!<br />
<br />
We are anticipating traveling to China in later February or early March. Now we wait for immigration approvals from US*CIS and the Invitation to Travel from the CC*AA. I'm glad we have lots of holidays to distract us from more waiting since March seems awfully far away! <br />
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Anna Kathryn is ready to go get her sister <u>now</u>. We went out to dinner to celebrate (Cracker Barrel. Sure hope Olivia develops a taste for biscuits and chicken and dumplings!) and we told her at dinner. She got SO excited- her eyes got real big, and her mouth made an "o" and she just said, "Ohhhhhh, Ting Ting, my sister!"<br />
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The best part is... we can finally start communicating with our girl!!! And we believe the orphanage will tell her and begin to prepare her now, too. Please be praying for her as she begins to learn about us, and faces so many changes to come. <br />
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Off to scope out Care Package options now... woo hoo!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-1582813158624786222010-10-11T22:21:00.000-04:002010-10-11T22:21:52.670-04:00Introducing Olivia Ruth YuTing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TLO9IFpUfMI/AAAAAAAAAzI/Tk1cCgnjZco/s1600/Yi+Yu+Ting+Updated+Photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TLO9IFpUfMI/AAAAAAAAAzI/Tk1cCgnjZco/s400/Yi+Yu+Ting+Updated+Photo+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are THRILLED to announce (officially) that we are adopting again!</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are planning to adopt a nine-year-old girl from Hunan Province, China, to be called Olivia Ruth YuTing. Yes, she's another Spicy Girl!! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Olivia is active and restless (exactly what AK's referral said about her-- and boy was that true!), enjoys playing games and singing, and is a good student. We cannot wait until we have our Referral Approval so we can finally begin communicating with her. We are so excited to add another daughter to our family, and Anna Kathryn is really looking forward to having another big sister-- and traveling to China to meet her. </span><br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It took about a year of adjustment for all three of us, but Mark and I began to seriously discuss adopting again last fall. However, we had no idea how we could afford to adopt again, and we originally felt led to</span></span><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> request to adopt a child younger than Anna Kathryn. </span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last January, I decided on a whim (so I thought) to look at our agency's waiting child list. When I saw Olivia's picture I felt my heart just leap; I began to cry and told Mark that I felt very drawn to this photo of a young girl with sparkling eyes and a shy smile. I wanted to know more about her. We prayed and agreed to take things a step at a time, as we felt the Lord leading us. The Lord kept opening the doors to proceed, including providing the first 1/3 of our adoption expenses so we could start gathering our documents and get our home study done. Gathering our paperwork has taken longer than we anticipated (honestly, doesn't it always??), but even in <i>our</i> impatience we are confident that the <i>Lord's</i> timing is perfect. </span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;">We sent our dossier to China on September 10 and were logged in on September 17, and now are waiting for all the remaining approvals. We are hoping that we will travel by the end of the year (miracles <u>can</u> happen!). </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;">We are praying specifically that no matter when we do travel, we will be home before Olivia's 10th birthday in mid-February. As well as being an older child, Olivia has a manageable but significant medical need, and she has been waiting a very long time for a family. We feel a sense of urgency as we prepare to adopt her and bring her into the family.</span></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TLO8yIVWR_I/AAAAAAAAAzE/NjpgyCtP6Iw/s1600/Yi+Yu+Ting+website+photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TLO8yIVWR_I/AAAAAAAAAzE/NjpgyCtP6Iw/s320/Yi+Yu+Ting+website+photo+2.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please join us in praying for Olivia as we prepare to bring her home, as she faces a huge number of changes and adjustments. We are also praying for a kindred spirit between her and Anna Kathryn; that Mark and I would be wise and compassionate as we deal with the parenting challenges before us and we walk through this new territory together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We will keep you posted as we get closer to bringing Olivia home!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-2644848975784926442010-09-16T22:30:00.005-04:002010-09-16T23:10:19.860-04:00Two Years Ago...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLZo-8B3rI/AAAAAAAAAy0/h9kL4rhu-bU/s1600/first+nap.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLZo-8B3rI/AAAAAAAAAy0/h9kL4rhu-bU/s200/first+nap.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517711791595052722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLUuggawhI/AAAAAAAAAys/fOXCH-8wP8k/s1600/first+family+photo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLUuggawhI/AAAAAAAAAys/fOXCH-8wP8k/s200/first+family+photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517706388947255826" border="0" /></a><br />... we rejoiced over Anna Kathryn. In our arms. At last.<br /><br />And today-- two short years later--<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLUuDWePuI/AAAAAAAAAyk/gcwdNn8b2Mo/s1600/AKsmileThomas.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLUuDWePuI/AAAAAAAAAyk/gcwdNn8b2Mo/s200/AKsmileThomas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517706381120913122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLaUG4EHkI/AAAAAAAAAy8/XwrGdgwZf7k/s1600/AKpout7.4.10.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLaUG4EHkI/AAAAAAAAAy8/XwrGdgwZf7k/s200/AKpout7.4.10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517712532460281410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLUtk4zD5I/AAAAAAAAAyc/Rpdk3UTiHfk/s1600/AKsmile:swim2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/TJLUtk4zD5I/AAAAAAAAAyc/Rpdk3UTiHfk/s200/AKsmile:swim2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517706372943384466" border="0" /></a><br />Today, she is even more firmly embedded in our hearts. Our home is noisy with laughter, games, reading, singing (and because she is a hard-headed toddler, a good bit of wailing), filled with toys, and always time for snuggling. Life continues to be SO GOOD with our Snickerdoodle. <br /><br />The LORD your God is with you,<br /> he is mighty to save.<br /> He will take great delight in you,<br /> he will quiet you with his love,<br /> he will rejoice over you with singing.<br /><br />If you feel like a trip down memory lane, read about our first family day<a href="http://snickerdoodleandthecrab.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-forever-family-day.html"> here.</a> <br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-32604599546200679822010-04-18T17:46:00.005-04:002010-04-18T18:13:37.635-04:00Been a Long Time Gone...<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI3MTYyNjkyMzMyNCZwdD*xMjcxNjI2OTU*NTI3JnA9MjA2NDIxJmQ9YjEwNzU3NDMmbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MiZvPTY2MDNh/Mjg4ZDAyMTQ5ZjNiNjcxZDliOTgyYjdiMzJjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div>I know it's been a ridiculously long time since I posted, and this isn't even a current photo in the screen below! (It is one of my faves, though.) I am testing out this super-fun tool, VoiceThread, for a project at school that I am collaborating on with another teacher, and realized that I could post VoiceThreads here really easily . I made this in about 2 minutes, no joke, and uploaded it to Blogger in no time. This is the busy mom's way to blog: upload a photo, speak, and voila: a post! Hmmm, I may start blogging again after all! </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, M and AK and I are having a wonderful spring. We are heading into the home stretch of another school year, I am finishing my third-to-last class for my Master's degree, and AK is potty training sloooooooowly. Busy days, for sure! </div><div><br /></div><div>And, we have a few other things we are working on... but that's another post for another day! </div><div><br /></div><object width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://voicethread.com/book.swf?b=1075743"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://voicethread.com/book.swf?b=1075743" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="480" height="360"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-69839750148409391522009-11-12T20:28:00.004-05:002009-11-12T21:04:49.591-05:00Three Little Words<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Svy5YKaF4SI/AAAAAAAAAw0/uD5Sppi9EBs/s1600-h/AK+%26+Mommy+laugh.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Svy5YKaF4SI/AAAAAAAAAw0/uD5Sppi9EBs/s200/AK+%26+Mommy+laugh.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403397477699543330" /></a><br />Guess what they were? <div><br /></div><div>For the first time, Anna Kathryn said the words to me in response, rather than being prompted.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd just laid her down in her crib after tooth brushing, two stories, bedtime prayers, and some milk. The past few nights we've had a popcorn and dance party after dinner. We pop some popcorn and watch all the songs on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The J*ungle Book</span>. (I'm going to try to catch some video of AK dancing this weekend because it is maybe the cutest thing EVER.) <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, as I laid her down she said, "Pop? Jungle Book?" </div><div><br /></div><div>I said, "We'll do it again tomorrow night. I love you." </div><div><br /></div><div>And Anna Kathryn said, "I love you." </div><div><br /></div><div>My mommy's heart absolutely overflowed. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Wow</span>. Such sweet words to hear. She said it!! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Edited to add</span>: I just read <a href="http://jacobandcarrie.blogspot.com/2009/11/taking-her-place.html">this post</a>. How blessed I am to be able to hear my daughter tell me she loves me! May I never take it for granted. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-24938905968140662622009-11-03T22:53:00.005-05:002009-11-03T23:18:29.576-05:00Happy Birthday, Anna Kathryn!Dear Anna Kathryn,<div><br /></div><div>You are 2 years old today! We celebrated <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">you</span> today: with hugs and kisses, a cake, gifts, and more. Even though you were sick, and we had to change our plans to have a quiet day at home, you had a great day announcing that you are now two years old!<div><br /></div><div>Somehow, that seems terribly old. Mommy thinks time is slipping by too fast. </div><div><br /></div><div>Two years ago, it was all different for all of us. Daddy and I spent the day with family, at your cousin Natalie's memorial service. It was such a sad day... we cried a thousand tears. Halfway around the world, just as we said goodbye to our sweet Natalie, you were born. Your Aunt Hillary and I believe she was watching over you as you were born, and as your China mommy said goodbye to you, and as you waited to be found. We all lost part of our family that day, and yet, there was so much for us all to gain in the future. God had a very specific plan for us to become a family. Today I spent time talking with you a bit, about your China mommy and daddy, and how I think they are thinking of you today. How could they not? I thought of them all day long. I wish they could know what a wonder you are. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>There were a few<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> rather</span> sassy moments today that may not bode well for the days to come, but I'm blaming that on the fever and yucky congestion. You definitely like to share your opinion and assert your independence whenever possible nowadays. You are helpful and sweet, and proudly ask for things by saying "please," "thank you," and even responding "yes, ma'am." You love reading books, and constantly demand, "Read, Mommy!" I happily oblige. Your babies are your favorite plaything these days, and you take very good care of them (other than letting them hang out naked a lot of the time!). Bobo, your lovey, is always with you in any situation. He is basically a member of the family these days. You already know your colors, that "A" is for Anna, and how to jump very high. </div><div><br /></div><div>You are the utter delight of your daddy and me, every day. What joy to celebrate you in a special way today!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love, Mommy <div><div><br /></div><div>Pictures to come...</div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-51733094915875817442009-11-02T22:53:00.010-05:002009-11-03T08:22:29.648-05:00Happy Fall, Y'all!<div>Well, October came and went in a blur of silly toddler moments, rainy & cool weather, and weekends that were just packed! Most of the really fun stuff -- or at least the stuff worthy of a photo opp- happened at the end of the month. </div><div><br /></div><div>We visited the pumpkin patch on my birthday and had a fun time romping amidst the pumpkins and hay!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sQUOzxoI/AAAAAAAAAvc/wm0SnFAiPus/s1600-h/PP+09-1+.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sQUOzxoI/AAAAAAAAAvc/wm0SnFAiPus/s200/PP+09-1+.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399723874549220994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The girls with their choicest pumpkins.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sQHytCAI/AAAAAAAAAvU/yZcsRxvegzk/s1600-h/PP+09-2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sQHytCAI/AAAAAAAAAvU/yZcsRxvegzk/s200/PP+09-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399723871210113026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I can jump now!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sP2ItzsI/AAAAAAAAAvM/bNEc8GgdMYw/s1600-h/PP+09-3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sP2ItzsI/AAAAAAAAAvM/bNEc8GgdMYw/s200/PP+09-3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399723866470600386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A hay maze, just the right size for the girls. Maggie zipped right through and AK kept up with her!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sPqRB57I/AAAAAAAAAvE/g47v1MjLZcM/s1600-h/PP+09-4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sPqRB57I/AAAAAAAAAvE/g47v1MjLZcM/s200/PP+09-4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399723863284246450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> This year, AK wasn't quite as eager to be licked to death by the apparently starving goats and sheep in the petting zoo/barn.<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The super sillies struck Anna Kathryn during our photo session:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sPVpcWPI/AAAAAAAAAu8/LbBJZ5jaJtE/s1600-h/PP+09-5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-sPVpcWPI/AAAAAAAAAu8/LbBJZ5jaJtE/s200/PP+09-5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399723857749498098" /></a></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-tRV6G9mI/AAAAAAAAAvs/hb9N05dgAt8/s1600-h/PP+09-7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-tRV6G9mI/AAAAAAAAAvs/hb9N05dgAt8/s200/PP+09-7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399724991690765922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-tRFPNzLI/AAAAAAAAAvk/645nKixGtho/s1600-h/PP+09-6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-tRFPNzLI/AAAAAAAAAvk/645nKixGtho/s200/PP+09-6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399724987215891634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maggie might be immune to the sillies... or maybe she is just used to AK's wild ways!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Halloween was fun! Anna Kathryn really enjoyed it this year-- last year she was too little to really join in the fun. We had supper with <a href="http://www.maggiemalady.blogspot.com/">Allison & co</a>., then wrestled the girls into their costumes for trick-or-treating. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wcIuLG0I/AAAAAAAAAwU/oRMXg4LtUxY/s1600-h/Halloween+09-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wcIuLG0I/AAAAAAAAAwU/oRMXg4LtUxY/s200/Halloween+09-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399728475664489282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The lion says, "Roar!!" </div><div style="text-align: center;">AK's lion is a fancy lion-- note the necklace. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wb2GviZI/AAAAAAAAAwM/dqEp4SQB78E/s1600-h/Halloween+09-2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wb2GviZI/AAAAAAAAAwM/dqEp4SQB78E/s200/Halloween+09-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399728470667266450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Costumed girls, ready to trick-or-treat!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(BTW, have to brag: I hit the costume jackpot at a local consignment store and paid just $7 for her lion costume! A frugal costume is just as fun as a pricey one!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wbnMEMaI/AAAAAAAAAwE/D1lJzB3B-SU/s1600-h/Halloween+09-4+.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wbnMEMaI/AAAAAAAAAwE/D1lJzB3B-SU/s200/Halloween+09-4+.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399728466663059874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It didn't take AK long to get the hang of this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wbYrcZPI/AAAAAAAAAv8/GqNasHJ-wdI/s1600-h/Halloween+09-5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wbYrcZPI/AAAAAAAAAv8/GqNasHJ-wdI/s200/Halloween+09-5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399728462768137458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I've got to figure out a way to upload some audio of AK saying, "trick-or-treat" and "thank you." Her voice is so high pitched and it is just the cutest. thing. ever. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She barely noticed that she was pouring sweat since it was about 78 degrees and 100% humidity on Halloween night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wbPB8_4I/AAAAAAAAAv0/4_sl5KSyIxs/s1600-h/Halloween+09-6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Su-wbPB8_4I/AAAAAAAAAv0/4_sl5KSyIxs/s200/Halloween+09-6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399728460178194306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet reward. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think I enjoyed the trick-or-treating as much-- or more-- than AK did. I absolutely loved seeing her get so excited about seeing the other kids in their costumes, asking so sweetly at each door, and riding with Maggie in the wagon. There are a lot of aspects of Halloween that Mark and I do not care for and work to avoid, but trick-or-treating was just plain fun. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope you had a great Halloween! </div></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-90778275466054636482009-09-30T22:11:00.006-04:002009-09-30T22:22:28.691-04:00A Conversation<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:11px;"><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">On the way to day care this AM:</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Me: "It's mocha day, Anna Kathryn! We're going to meet </span><a href="http://www.maggiemalady.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Maggie and Allison</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> after I pick you up from school." </span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(Mocha Day, FYI, is our once-a-week outing to enjoy some girl talk and shopping at out local Star*bucks & Tar*get. We started weekly mochas when Allison was home with Maggie on maternity leave, as a way to help her avoid cabin fever, and this is Year 4 of the tradition.)</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">AK: "All-ah? (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Asking if Allison would be at mochas.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">) Hoo-ray!"</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Me: "That's right."</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">AK: "Hooray! Mah-mah?" (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Maggie</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">)</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Me: "That's right."</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">AK: "Hoo-ray! Mommy?</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Me: "That's right."</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">AK: Sucks Bobo.<sucks> No hooray whatsoever. </sucks></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hee. </span></span></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-50098443074485132292009-09-27T22:15:00.011-04:002009-09-27T23:33:29.043-04:00Arrival<div style="text-align: left;">Last year at about this time we were sitting on the tarmac on Washington, D.C. on the last leg of our trip home from China, praying we would be home soon (we later found out our flight delay was due to the demo seat belt-- you know, the one they use during the safety info? Was missing and had to be replaced.) <br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Anna Kathryn had just become an American citizen upon crossing through customs, but I'm afraid the moment was kinda lost on all of us. I was desperate for a real American Starbucks mocha, Mark was desperate to get us all on the last plane since time was tight, and AK was desperate for a chance to wiggle and not be confined to a plane seat or lap. <div><br /></div><div>After 30+ hours of travel, at the end of a two-week "trip of a lifetime" and having survived the transatlantic flight with a very mixed-up 11 month old baby-- we were so ready to be HOME.</div><div><br /></div><div>We arrived at our home airport to a Welcome Home party like no other!<br /><div><br /></div><div>I'd joyfully welcomed <a href="http://www.maggiemalady.blogspot.com/">Maggie</a> home 2 years earlier, and of course had read plenty of blogs with accounts of other families' homecomings--- but ours was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">wonderful</span>. Family and friends galore. Especially considering our flight was late and it was midnight before we landed... that's when you KNOW that you are greatly loved, when folks will spend their whole Saturday night hanging out at the airport for you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a bunch of homecoming photos I didn't post on my travel blog because I was too jet lagged to bother last year. Thanks for tripping down memory lane with me and the Snickerdoodle. </div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAo2yB94EI/AAAAAAAAAt4/4aoPSE9i_wE/s1600-h/Arrival+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAo2yB94EI/AAAAAAAAAt4/4aoPSE9i_wE/s200/Arrival+1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386350075943182402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAo2nagG3I/AAAAAAAAAtw/A7SMh5JRe3c/s1600-h/Arrival+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAo2nagG3I/AAAAAAAAAtw/A7SMh5JRe3c/s200/Arrival+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386350073093299058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAq99MUZPI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/eOKTSP51jRM/s1600-h/Arrival+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAq99MUZPI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/eOKTSP51jRM/s200/Arrival+4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386352398221731058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAqM_qhGEI/AAAAAAAAAuI/EfSrJi97wUM/s1600-h/Arrival+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAqM_qhGEI/AAAAAAAAAuI/EfSrJi97wUM/s200/Arrival+5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386351557071673410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAqMt6Nw-I/AAAAAAAAAuA/Us9JMWncNJA/s1600-h/Arrival+6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAqMt6Nw-I/AAAAAAAAAuA/Us9JMWncNJA/s200/Arrival+6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386351552305677282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAmXDupCTI/AAAAAAAAAtI/1edLxNP2atw/s1600-h/Arrival+7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAmXDupCTI/AAAAAAAAAtI/1edLxNP2atw/s200/Arrival+7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386347331914893618" /></a><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAsXDgT8BI/AAAAAAAAAuY/GsuERL3QtWs/s1600-h/Arrival+16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAsXDgT8BI/AAAAAAAAAuY/GsuERL3QtWs/s200/Arrival+16.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386353928924557330" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAmWuKro1I/AAAAAAAAAtA/4MuzItygcew/s1600-h/Arrival+8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAmWuKro1I/AAAAAAAAAtA/4MuzItygcew/s200/Arrival+8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386347326126924626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAmWOppo-I/AAAAAAAAAs4/z78xJqY_jgk/s1600-h/Arrival+9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAmWOppo-I/AAAAAAAAAs4/z78xJqY_jgk/s200/Arrival+9.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386347317666882530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAmVnK5HII/AAAAAAAAAsw/Dld1c-bH6kE/s1600-h/Arrival+10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAmVnK5HII/AAAAAAAAAsw/Dld1c-bH6kE/s200/Arrival+10.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386347307068890242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkbxCIPCI/AAAAAAAAAso/o5DjXm1zUfo/s1600-h/Arrival+11JPG.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkbxCIPCI/AAAAAAAAAso/o5DjXm1zUfo/s200/Arrival+11JPG.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386345213772446754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkbioHAmI/AAAAAAAAAsg/SSVC6ZjmiOA/s1600-h/Arrival+12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkbioHAmI/AAAAAAAAAsg/SSVC6ZjmiOA/s200/Arrival+12.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386345209905218146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkayC1cGI/AAAAAAAAAsY/IXiTYnS5ot4/s1600-h/Arrival+13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkayC1cGI/AAAAAAAAAsY/IXiTYnS5ot4/s200/Arrival+13.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386345196863975522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkasH0IUI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/tEzjA8nY1-Q/s1600-h/Arrival+14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkasH0IUI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/tEzjA8nY1-Q/s200/Arrival+14.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386345195274248514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkaPx9v1I/AAAAAAAAAsI/5VltyL8CPWg/s1600-h/Arrival+15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SsAkaPx9v1I/AAAAAAAAAsI/5VltyL8CPWg/s200/Arrival+15.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386345187666411346" /></a><br /><div><div><div>And then it was time to go home... to begin the next part, together.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-78419134924938835012009-09-22T00:13:00.004-04:002009-09-22T21:52:14.071-04:00I wish I could quit you, grad schoolI just spent waaaaay too many hours of my weekend and have stayed up much too late tonight finishing a totally mediocre paper for the MLS degree I hope to get before I am 87 years old. <div><br /></div><div>Ugh. I loathe homework. That's one reason I became a school library media coordinator, which is why I am slogging through graduate school. Which is called irony, I believe. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, BIG congratulations to my husband who just received his diploma for his Master's degree the other day! (He refused to go to graduation so they finally just mailed it to him. No matter, it's the real deal and he earned every bit of it.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">so</span> jealous! And proud!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-85791577326943770662009-09-20T22:16:00.011-04:002009-09-22T21:39:48.798-04:00Toddler Parenting FAIL (and the rest of Forever Family Day anniversary)So this weekend it finally hit me that Anna Kathryn is into EVERYTHING and cannot be left alone for even one minute or else disaster will befall us.<br /><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Srbo3pFKCvI/AAAAAAAAAqw/iBCwRx236H0/s1600-h/Into+everything.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Srbo3pFKCvI/AAAAAAAAAqw/iBCwRx236H0/s200/Into+everything.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383746447185939186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Little Miss Curiosity, lunging for the came</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">ra</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Just last week I could leave her playing in the living room (or dumping out a drawer in the bathroom, more likely) while I dashed into the laundry room to move a load of towels, or into the kitchen to check on dinner, or something like that. We've child proofed the house so we're good, right? And it's an open floor plan of only 1600 sq. feet so it's not like she's far away from me at any moment. Generally she follows me around the house as I do things anyway, but lately she's been adding a dash of independence to her big girl skillz. </div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently I am also a slow learner in the supervision category of motherhood.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, I was doing a load of her clothes, which means everything needs to be blasted with at least 3 different stain removers. My laundry room is A.) teensy and B.) has horrible lighting, so I usually do this on the dining room table where the lighting is good. I had a brand-new, BIG jug of color safe bleach out on the table, and stepped away for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">maybe</span> a minute when Mark called out to me from the bedroom. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did I mention one of AK's hobbies these days is climbing up into the dining room chairs, and sometimes the table too? Oh, and she's suddenly back to putting everything in her mouth again? </div><div><br /></div><div>So it should come as no surprise that I walked out of my bedroom to see AK coated in purple C*lorox 2, along with my table and some of the carpet below. (Yes, we have a carpeted dining area, and yes, I detest it.) Sigh. At least the spots are now gone from that part of the carpet. </div><div><br /></div><div>And at least she didn't ingest any of it. I spent the rest of the day with one eye glued to her doings and chasing her around the house.</div><div><br /></div><div>So today, I'm loading the dishwasher and AK is of course attached to my leg. I opened the (locked, childproofed) cabinet to get the detergent, poured it into the little cup, and immediately capped the bottle and shoved it back into the cabinet because I don't want her to get into it. Forgot to close the little cup... and I turned back towards her (this is just seconds, people) to see her take her fingers out of her mouth and make a horrible face. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, no. </div><div><br /></div><div>After I ran around frantically trying to decide if I should try to make her drink something, find the ipecac syrup (which we do not even have), or just head to the ER, I remembered what 911 is for. They referred me to p*oison control, where the rather jovial worker assured me that she probably had ingested an extremely small amount, told me to give her lots of fluids, and that this happens more often than you'd think. We spent the next 30 minutes eating popsicles and drinking water, and I said a lot of prayers of thanksgiving that she seemed to be fine. An hour later she was running around on the playground, and she ate a ton of dinner tonight. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'd heard from other moms that if the house if ever quiet that usually is a sign that something is up with the kids. Lesson learned! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few snaps from the weekend and our Forever Family Day celebration last week:</div></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuGiHCxnI/AAAAAAAAAsA/YTo_kjSxFzs/s1600-h/Tutu+and+Elmo1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuGiHCxnI/AAAAAAAAAsA/YTo_kjSxFzs/s200/Tutu+and+Elmo1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752200570979954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chillin' with Elmo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:10px;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuGBNTSiI/AAAAAAAAAr4/_bN58gvbgaQ/s1600-h/Tutu+and+Elmo+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuGBNTSiI/AAAAAAAAAr4/_bN58gvbgaQ/s200/Tutu+and+Elmo+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752191738858018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On the move</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuFvoMLvI/AAAAAAAAArw/_xK5Jjx_TBc/s1600-h/Pushing+doll+stroller9.19.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuFvoMLvI/AAAAAAAAArw/_xK5Jjx_TBc/s200/Pushing+doll+stroller9.19.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752187019800306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Little Mama</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuFIARjyI/AAAAAAAAAro/PBww5fC7Q8Y/s1600-h/First+Gotcha+Anniv+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuFIARjyI/AAAAAAAAAro/PBww5fC7Q8Y/s200/First+Gotcha+Anniv+1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752176383397666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Opening her Family Day gifts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuE77uPcI/AAAAAAAAArg/uWGrYTW8_-o/s1600-h/First+Gotcha+Anniv+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbuE77uPcI/AAAAAAAAArg/uWGrYTW8_-o/s200/First+Gotcha+Anniv+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752173143080386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsOU1om4I/AAAAAAAAArY/kSf12YZ5s38/s1600-h/First+Gotcha+Anniv+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsOU1om4I/AAAAAAAAArY/kSf12YZ5s38/s200/First+Gotcha+Anniv+3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383750135423998850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsN7U_ttI/AAAAAAAAArQ/-EH6OucHmU4/s1600-h/First+Gotcha+Anniv+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsN7U_ttI/AAAAAAAAArQ/-EH6OucHmU4/s200/First+Gotcha+Anniv+4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383750128576214738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We looked back at the photo album that we got of some "outtakes" from her referral pictures and the pictures we were sent in her update last Aug. She got a big kick out of seeing herself as a baby. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsNaa2CvI/AAAAAAAAArI/EXn0KW1JxxE/s1600-h/First+Gotcha+Anniv+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsNaa2CvI/AAAAAAAAArI/EXn0KW1JxxE/s200/First+Gotcha+Anniv+5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383750119742376690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsMyKmpSI/AAAAAAAAArA/KtFVt3lz3_w/s1600-h/First+Gotcha+Anniv+6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsMyKmpSI/AAAAAAAAArA/KtFVt3lz3_w/s200/First+Gotcha+Anniv+6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383750108936840482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsMbsMu9I/AAAAAAAAAq4/BOQvAYpzzVA/s1600-h/First+Gotcha+Anniv+7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrbsMbsMu9I/AAAAAAAAAq4/BOQvAYpzzVA/s200/First+Gotcha+Anniv+7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383750102903733202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This was the outfit she was wearing when she was brought to us in Nanchang. It was a bit big on her last year. She has grown-- and grown up- so much in the past year! Love that smile!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-34254570887432912842009-09-16T21:17:00.017-04:002009-09-22T21:38:21.415-04:00Happy Forever Family Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrJSR01_f6I/AAAAAAAAAqo/M_l7WudkYiM/s1600-h/family+photo+first+day.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrJSR01_f6I/AAAAAAAAAqo/M_l7WudkYiM/s200/family+photo+first+day.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382454970857521058" /></a><br />It's our first anniversary of our Gotcha Day today! That was such a whirlwind day...<br /><div><br /></div><div>... from waking up in our hotel in Nanchang and nervously waiting in the room all morning for fear of missing that knock on the door that meant that the babies were here.<br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGXAR1Ed3I/AAAAAAAAApw/Pr1nWCCE2oI/s1600-h/Mark+waiting+for+knock.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGXAR1Ed3I/AAAAAAAAApw/Pr1nWCCE2oI/s200/Mark+waiting+for+knock.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382249060726241138" /></a><br /><div>The first moment I saw Anna Kathryn and our guide Sally said to me, which baby is yours? Um, the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">pressure</span>! They had two Bo babies, and I knew which one was AK immediately, but was still afraid of picking the wrong baby! Then, the sweetest moment: the handover...<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGXAK8Rz0I/AAAAAAAAApo/e68nclPDZ8Y/s1600-h/Handover2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGXAK8Rz0I/AAAAAAAAApo/e68nclPDZ8Y/s200/Handover2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382249058877427522" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGW_hlqmPI/AAAAAAAAApg/hQOrxpBOyWQ/s1600-h/New+Mommy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGW_hlqmPI/AAAAAAAAApg/hQOrxpBOyWQ/s200/New+Mommy.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382249047776729330" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mark delighting in his newest, long-awaited daughter.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU6LoyXzI/AAAAAAAAApY/ep69hB2BMhY/s1600-h/Daddy+and+Ak.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU6LoyXzI/AAAAAAAAApY/ep69hB2BMhY/s200/Daddy+and+Ak.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382246756961640242" /></a><br /></div><div>The first chance to really look at her, hold her, begin to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">know her </span>instead of just the idea of her.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU5MozmuI/AAAAAAAAApI/fzSj7OMNOoY/s1600-h/Smile+at+AK.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU5MozmuI/AAAAAAAAApI/fzSj7OMNOoY/s200/Smile+at+AK.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382246740050287330" /></a> Mark and I got some more time to play with Anna Kathryn while we waited at the various government offices to complete the adoption and do her paperwork for her passport.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU49hm6oI/AAAAAAAAApA/RaXUUoVCWVs/s1600-h/Daddy+smile+at+AK.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU49hm6oI/AAAAAAAAApA/RaXUUoVCWVs/s200/Daddy+smile+at+AK.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382246735993563778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU5vqCraI/AAAAAAAAApQ/9zNRRh65Lu8/s1600-h/Mommy+%26+AK+first+day.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU5vqCraI/AAAAAAAAApQ/9zNRRh65Lu8/s200/Mommy+%26+AK+first+day.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382246749450710434" /></a></div><div>After a bottle for AK, lunch and a nap, we were whisked off for all the official paperwork. Anna Kathryn seemed a bit curious about us, but not overly upset at suddenly being placed in the arms of total strangers. She had traveled for nearly 4 hours and it had been a big day for her already: her first trip out of the orphanage, new parents and an afternoon of errands, basically. She was most interested in the toys we showed her and her surroundings. She loves to investigate and examine everything and that day was no exception!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGd_j1v3vI/AAAAAAAAAqI/_riZqbn8K-I/s1600-h/Examining+a+toy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGd_j1v3vI/AAAAAAAAAqI/_riZqbn8K-I/s200/Examining+a+toy.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382256744962449138" /></a><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGbto-VMtI/AAAAAAAAAp4/8ZE7wLIZzlM/s1600-h/sticking+out+her+tongue.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGbto-VMtI/AAAAAAAAAp4/8ZE7wLIZzlM/s200/sticking+out+her+tongue.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382254238079726290" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGbuY1xzsI/AAAAAAAAAqA/N_pax5nasQk/s1600-h/curious+first+day.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGbuY1xzsI/AAAAAAAAAqA/N_pax5nasQk/s200/curious+first+day.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382254250928754370" /></a>Now I can look back and see that the look in her eyes was very detached. She did not melt down or shut down as many babies do when introduced to their new families, but understandably was trying to make sense of this huge transition and change from the familiar to the completely unknown. She came to us with only the clothes she was wearing. I can't even imagine what was going through her head, although from the first she seemed to recognize that we belonged to her and she to us. </div><div><br /></div><div>On that day, we saw the plans we had made, and the plans the Lord had for us, come together in the most beautiful way. Just as we come before God and are adopted by him to be his child, though we have nothing to give him but our love and trust-- it was the same for us with Anna Kathryn. She was just herself. And she was now our child. While I loved her from the first day she was a hope in my heart, that was nothing compared to that moment she was placed in my arms. And it's just grown each day of the last year. </div><div><br /></div><div>No surprise here-- Mark coaxed the first smile from our stoic little baby!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGnJ1EjUeI/AAAAAAAAAqg/jEcIwkfQF00/s1600-h/first+smile.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGnJ1EjUeI/AAAAAAAAAqg/jEcIwkfQF00/s200/first+smile.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382266816991285730" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike most families, our "harmonious period" was just a few hours instead of the usual 24 hours. This is supposed to give the adoptive family a brief time in which to get to know your child a bit and note if there are any unexpected issues. However, due to the holiday (we traveled during the Mid-Autumn Festival) we got AK a day later than planned, so the whole process was compressed into a few hours. She arrived in our hotel room just after 11 am and we were done around 4 PM with all the paperwork. </div><div><br /></div><div> I was so excited and emotions ran so high I remember few details of the afternoon, but we truly had no concerns and answered "yes" confidently when asked by the notary if we found our child to be "satisfactory". The two things I remember distinctly is the feel of her gums as she chewed on my finger as we careened through the crazy Nanchang traffic in the van, and the elation and relief when Sally told us that the adoption was final and we were officially a family!</div><div><br /></div><div>We didn't attempt a bath the first night but we did change her out of the sleeper she had worn all day and put her into clean jammies. Before that we played a bit on the bed. She seemed to love the freedom of no clothes-- and all the attention! She was relaxed and reasonably content, and fell asleep in my arms soon after we took this picture. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU4TpLvBI/AAAAAAAAAo4/uuk9SAxWKLw/s1600-h/Bedtime+play+first+day.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGU4TpLvBI/AAAAAAAAAo4/uuk9SAxWKLw/s200/Bedtime+play+first+day.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382246724751047698" /></a><br />What a day! Scary, exhilarating, hectic, joyful. If you want to read more about it, my post from our travel journal is <a href="http://journeytoannakathryn.blogspot.com/2008/09/day-5-forever-family-day.html">here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today we had a fairly regular day. I had a ridiculously crazy day at work, Mark had to work late, and AK and I met Allison for our weekly mochas and shopping at Target. I spent several moment throughout the day remembering last Sept. 16 and wiping away a tear here and there. Every day I am so thankful and grateful for the gift and blessing of being Anna Kathryn's mommy. </div><div><br /></div><div>We plan to celebrate as a family tomorrow. Tomorrow morning is our one-year post-placement visit and we took the day off, so we have a family outing and then dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant planned for the afternoon. We bought gifts for future Gotcha Days in China, but AK is too young for them just yet, so this year she is getting the DVD "Big Bird in China" and the book "Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats.</div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And here is our Snickerdoodle, one year later:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGiZFeC0zI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/fH5ob87jr3k/s1600-h/WP+AK+at+zoo.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SrGiZFeC0zI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/fH5ob87jr3k/s200/WP+AK+at+zoo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382261581533074226" /></a>Happy forever family day to all of our travel buddies today! What an amazing year of blessings we have had!!</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-49797205691364682012009-09-12T22:18:00.006-04:002009-09-12T23:07:24.541-04:00One Year Ago, Yesterday<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">China, here we come!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SqxZVsHx4gI/AAAAAAAAAoo/_FkiDoLqwiI/s1600-h/IMG_1083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SqxZVsHx4gI/AAAAAAAAAoo/_FkiDoLqwiI/s200/IMG_1083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380773883956814338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SqxZUoiA6mI/AAAAAAAAAog/s6OYro0vsnI/s1600-h/IMG_0373.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SqxZUoiA6mI/AAAAAAAAAog/s6OYro0vsnI/s200/IMG_0373.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380773865813240418" /></a><br />This time last year Mark and I were embarking on the greatest adventure of our married life... our journey to China to adopt Anna Kathryn. We left our home on September 11 and arrived in Beijing on September 12, weary from travel, somewhat nervous about what lay ahead, but so excited to at last set foot in our daughter's homeland. We were mindful of the sad anniversary of the attacks on America but not particularly anxious about flying on that date. After 2 1/2 years of the tedious adoption process, and several additional years of trying to build our family, we didn't care when we left for China as long as it was sooner rather later! We were <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">SO</span> ready to meet our girl! </div><div><br /></div><div>This year I find myself thinking daily of "what-we-were-doing-this-time-last-year" and I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'd LOVE to make the trip again. During all the years of waiting not only did I anticipate the joy of finally being a mom, and holding Anna Kathryn at last, but I really couldn't wait for The Trip itself. I love to travel and getting to explore another country is so much fun. Although the trip certainly had its stresses-- becoming a new mom in a foreign country is not for wimps!-- it was an amazing way to learn about China firsthand. </div><div><br /></div><div> I feel so lucky to have had the chance to experience some of AK's birthplace and heritage, and to gain a greater appreciation of her homeland, during those few short weeks. We are already praying that we will have the opportunity to return with AK someday so she can experience China for herself. </div><div><br /></div><div>I still sometimes have to give AK an extra squeeze, just to reassure myself that she's here with us at last. The days of tears and barrenness are past. The uncertainty of The Wait is now a dim memory. The past year has truly flown by-- can't think of a better (if hackneyed) way to put it. Being AK's mom is the joy of my life and raising her is a blessing and privilege I do not take for granted. </div><br /><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SqxZWcICbuI/AAAAAAAAAow/peBkoTfSNxs/s1600-h/IMG_0403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SqxZWcICbuI/AAAAAAAAAow/peBkoTfSNxs/s200/IMG_0403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380773896842800866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">September 13, 2008</div><div style="text-align: center;">Touring Beijing and the Great Wall was amazing (there is no other word to use, seriously) , but the best part of the trip was still ahead...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isaiah 43:5</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL';"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-18511" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">5</sup> Do not be afraid, for I am with you; <br /> I will bring your children from the east <br /> and gather you from the west.</span><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-44542777484881121682009-07-13T22:22:00.006-04:002009-07-14T00:15:20.865-04:00Just One Year...ago today we got The Call. It was a hot and sticky July Sunday afternoon and Mark and I were napping after church. <div><br /></div><div>The house phone rang. We ignored it. </div><div><br /></div><div>My cell phone rang. I pretended I couldn't hear it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mark's cell phone rang. I began to wonder if there was some kind of emergency. I dragged myself out of my comfy nest and went to see who wanted to talk to us so much. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a family coordinator with our agency: "Mark and Kimberly, we think we have a baby for you..." I almost didn't make it through the call I was crying so hard. It almost didn't seem real, that we were finally getting the Call we had hoped and prayed for for so long. </div><div><br /></div><div>Within minutes we opened up an e-mailed file and saw the face of our daughter for the very first time. We knew immediately. </div><div><br /></div><div>She was tiny. </div><div><br /></div><div>She was beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div>She would be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">ours</span>.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Slvt6kQvxZI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/q_GtsoJLDNI/s1600-h/Bo_Di_photo_2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Slvt6kQvxZI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/q_GtsoJLDNI/s200/Bo_Di_photo_2.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358137772109448594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Slvt6SNuslI/AAAAAAAAAoI/H5YwU__i2Vw/s1600-h/Bo_Di_photo_1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Slvt6SNuslI/AAAAAAAAAoI/H5YwU__i2Vw/s200/Bo_Di_photo_1.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358137767264957010" /></a><br /></div><div>On the one year anniversary of the referral of our daughter-- and every day--we are so thankful for the blessing of her. It's hard to remember the time before we saw her face, knew her Chinese name, held her in our arms. I remember the pain of the wait, but now it's like this dull ache; I can recall it but the pain is no longer acute. We have days of great joy and times of challenge, but always, always love life with our Snickerdoodle. <br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Well I just heard the news today </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It seems my life is going to change <br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I closed my eyes, begin to pray <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then tears of joy stream down my face <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With arms wide open <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Under the sunlight <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Welcome to this place <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'll show you everything <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With arms wide open <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With arms wide open </span><br /></div></span></span></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">With Arms Wide Open</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> by Creed</span></span><br /></div></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Slvt7D-zJfI/AAAAAAAAAoY/lKisKkX8Hz8/s1600-h/IMG_2806.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Slvt7D-zJfI/AAAAAAAAAoY/lKisKkX8Hz8/s200/IMG_2806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358137780624106994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> Anna Kathryn BoDi </div><div style="text-align: center;">July 11, 2009</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you want to read the whole story, click </span><a href="http://snickerdoodleandthecrab.blogspot.com/2008/07/best-phone-call-ever.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here!</span></a><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-26169639447161930412009-05-28T21:21:00.005-04:002009-05-28T22:19:17.475-04:00Spring Break Rewind: Beach Baby<div>And now for a much brighter subject-- Anna Kathryn's first trip to the beach. When we were in Florida last month visiting my parents, we spent the day in St. Augustine doing some of our favorite things... eating delicious Spanish and Cuban food at the <a href="http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/st_augustine.asp">Columbia Restaurant</a>, and browsing the shops on St. George St. in the historic district. Once AK had her fill of shops and the stroller, we headed out to the beach to introduce her to sand and surf. Anna Kathryn had a great time playing in the sand and discovering the waves and water. She quickly became a fan of beach life!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh8_rsZ6OcI/AAAAAAAAAnk/81j3ftpbX84/s1600-h/BeachBaby5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh8_rsZ6OcI/AAAAAAAAAnk/81j3ftpbX84/s200/BeachBaby5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341057702971455938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The ground feels kinda funny... but I like it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh87B5QaI6I/AAAAAAAAAnc/Aat-6aKhGe8/s1600-h/BeachBaby4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh87B5QaI6I/AAAAAAAAAnc/Aat-6aKhGe8/s200/BeachBaby4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341052586820248482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Checking out the water</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh8_r5pi6QI/AAAAAAAAAns/Fwo84FyhoNw/s1600-h/BeachBaby6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh8_r5pi6QI/AAAAAAAAAns/Fwo84FyhoNw/s200/BeachBaby6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341057706526697730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">C'mon in -- the water's fine!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh87BotKEOI/AAAAAAAAAnU/3TIy4wQ6nM8/s1600-h/BeachBaby3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh87BotKEOI/AAAAAAAAAnU/3TIy4wQ6nM8/s200/BeachBaby3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341052582377427170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Time for a beach stroll</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh87BCeVdII/AAAAAAAAAnM/FXfycKCZLhk/s1600-h/BeachBaby2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh87BCeVdII/AAAAAAAAAnM/FXfycKCZLhk/s200/BeachBaby2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341052572114711682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Heading into the ocean again... and again...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh8_srFSgjI/AAAAAAAAAn8/8t6uasP5bjk/s1600-h/BeachBaby8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh8_srFSgjI/AAAAAAAAAn8/8t6uasP5bjk/s200/BeachBaby8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341057719796400690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">One, two, three, whee!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh8_sAGTu9I/AAAAAAAAAn0/pMCVVC8r52g/s1600-h/BeachBaby7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh8_sAGTu9I/AAAAAAAAAn0/pMCVVC8r52g/s200/BeachBaby7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341057708257950674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Checking out the sand-- Anna Kathryn also discovered how much fun it is to fling it</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh87AmzUeqI/AAAAAAAAAnE/LLxFyk2EZLA/s1600-h/BeachBaby1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sh87AmzUeqI/AAAAAAAAAnE/LLxFyk2EZLA/s200/BeachBaby1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341052564686535330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Daddy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We can't wait to go back!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-25941486155891440802009-05-26T15:22:00.012-04:002009-05-26T22:12:10.904-04:00Frustration/ ramblingsI have a bunch of much-more-fun blog posts swirling in my head, including our Memorial Day weekend, which was spent with my sister's family, my parents, and assorted family friends to celebrate my beautiful niece Alie's christening. Unfortunately, I am home today, sick with a gross sinus infection and feeling too frustrated to do anything but list my grievances on here. Feel free to skip this one if you are in the mood for something brighter.<div><br />I am getting back on the Master's Degree wagon during the summer session. (I took off the past two semesters to be able to fully focus on the L'il Snickerdoodle.) Unfortunately, when I was re-admitted, my university gave me a whole new identity: passwords, ID numbers, e-mail addresses, the whole bit. Unfortunately, they neglected to tell me or my department about this so I have spent the last 3 weeks trying to get my registration, payment for classes, and everything else sorted out-- long-distance (I'm doing my degree online). I think the wagon is driving over me right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>The latest wrinkle is that I still haven't been able to log in to my classes because they have to assign me a new password, and classes started a week ago. Last Friday I was told that I had to send them a picture of myself to get this passphrase. So I sent it and left for the weekend. Of course the university was closed yesterday, and I was feeling too rotten to care about this mess. So today I find that I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">had an e-mail from the helpdesk saying that I was supposed to e-mail a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">picture ID</span> -- I guess that's the obvious thing to do but since Tech Guy didn't specify this I just e-mailed a snapshot of myself. I could feel my head about to explode as I read the e-mail. I sent off another e-mail this time with my driver's license scanned in -- we shall see if this works. (Added: they sent me a new passphrase which DOESN'T WORK. AAAARRRGH!) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">At this point class has been in session for a week and I still haven't been able to log in, much less get started-- I can't even <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">think</span> about how behind I already am. I'd love to think that this was a sign from God that I should quit this degree program and just stay at home full-time with AK. A lot of my frustration comes from wanting to do <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">that</span>, but unfortunately, it's just not going to happen now. </span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, this is one of the busiest times of the year as we wind down the school year. For me it means inventory and lots of reports to compile, as well as special events and continuing to work with teachers and students on a somewhat limited basis. Having to miss 3 days of work in a row is not helping my tendency to worry about getting everything done by the last workday. Mark is super-busy too, and we both are pretty wiped out when we get home these days. I'm trying to manage the stress of this plus my graduate class situation, but I'm struggling a bit. I wish it was June 12 --our last workday-- now!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I had to make a big decision the other day. I feel so much better now that it's been made, but am not sure how it will all play out. A bit more stress. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">AK has hit a really cute stage (more on that later). She is also in a challenging stage-- since what she wants to do much of the time is challenge <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">us</span>. Her new favorite word is "no". And she loves to use it whenever she is not in the mood to do something or just wants to "feel the power." Of course, I find myself telling "no" myself an awful lot these days. She is into <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">everything-- </span>even the stuff I thought I had childproofed. I love her insatiable curiosity but the tidy, safety-conscious mama in me tends to cringe at some of her "discoveries", and habit of pulling things apart. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Shxkb-dQMeI/AAAAAAAAAm8/_dVAK24z-JQ/s1600-h/AK+tantrum.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Shxkb-dQMeI/AAAAAAAAAm8/_dVAK24z-JQ/s200/AK+tantrum.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340253689939505634" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Of all things, brushing her teeth is the biggest battle. She loves to do it herself, but when it's time for one of us to do the actual brushing, it's a fight. She clamps her lips together and shakes her head back and forth. She tried saying "no" but that gave me an entry point to try to get in her mouth. Usually the battle ends in wailing and much gnashing of teeth on both our parts! Her techniques for avoiding the toothbrush would be hilarious if it weren't soooooo frustrating. It's been so tough for me dealing with her that most nights Mark is now in charge of tooth brushing (go Mark!). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I read a quote recently that adults are basically toddlers with their self-centeredness, selfishness, and lack of understanding that it's not all about them-- just with better manners and some civility added. I thought that was a great description. (I've met plenty of adults who are harder to deal with than a toddler). Of course, this leaves out all the fun parts of toddlerhood: the cuddles, drooly kisses, the ability to turn everything into a game, that same curiosity as they discover the world around them, the new words and skills every week, hearing "Mama!" said with such excitement and joy, watching her romp with her daddy. Definitely puts things into perspective.</span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-10747522865428985782009-05-10T22:25:00.008-04:002009-05-11T19:31:51.236-04:00Happy Mother's Day<div style="text-align: left;">...and it was!! My first Mother's Day was just wonderful. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Definitely</span> a big improvement over the past few years, when I generally hid out at home with Mark. Mother's Day was just so difficult and such a painful reminder of what I longed more more than anything through all the years of fertility treatments and the long wait to adopt. I loved honoring our mothers and grandmothers, but with everyone living so far away the day just seemed empty, and a sad reminder of my lack of motherhood.<br /></div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>Three years ago today, we had just worked through the devastation of an unsuccessful year and a half on the fertility roller coaster. We knew it was time, at last, to turn towards adoption with our whole hearts. We spent parts of Mother's Day excitedly looking through packets and watching DVDs from various agencies which facilitate international adoption. By the end of the afternoon we had settled on a country and an agency. On that hopeful, optimistic, Mother's Day, in my wildest dreams, I never could have envisioned the sheer joy that this has brought to my life:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO55BSTpI/AAAAAAAAAmU/xa-pFBAKNNs/s1600-h/IMG_2598.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO55BSTpI/AAAAAAAAAmU/xa-pFBAKNNs/s200/IMG_2598.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334389408853544594" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: left;">But as with all things, that which does not come easily is much sweeter once it is ours. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This day was leisurely. We ended up not going to church, because AK was up in the night for a long time and Mark ended up staying up til all hours with her. I let them sleep in -- AK slept until 10:20! Mark fixed a big breakfast, and then we just hung out, played and did a few things around the house. Mark and Anna Kathryn had cards and gifts for me (a coupon book for all kinds of treats: everything from a massage to a week off from the dishes!)Our big outing was to the grocery store. After lunch, AK and Mark napped, and I spent a blissful few hours reading a novel and the Sunday paper. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mark and Anna Kathryn fixed a yummy dinner: and then we went for a walk and chatted with the neighbors after calling all of the moms and grandmothers to wish them a Happy Mother's Day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO6a6mprI/AAAAAAAAAmk/e3Nnzt8VGKY/s1600-h/IMG_2587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO6a6mprI/AAAAAAAAAmk/e3Nnzt8VGKY/s200/IMG_2587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334389417952323250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe no one will notice...</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO6gu9qNI/AAAAAAAAAms/2J9hRjAGfGM/s1600-h/IMG_2589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO6gu9qNI/AAAAAAAAAms/2J9hRjAGfGM/s200/IMG_2589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334389419514112210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...if I munch on this raw piece of sweet potato!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO6JV2sAI/AAAAAAAAAmc/Owk7KuiEA40/s1600-h/IMG_2585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO6JV2sAI/AAAAAAAAAmc/Owk7KuiEA40/s200/IMG_2585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334389413234782210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My two chefs</div></div></div></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This day was filled with ordinary things, but it was wonderful nevertheless. My husband and my daughter showered me with love all day. Truly, my best gift came when I went into Anna Kathryn's room to wake her, and she looked at me and said, "Mama!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What I have longed to hear for so long, to be for so long. I don't forget the days of painful waiting, and the tears of Mother's Days in the past. But I rejoice in the present and our gift from God: Anna Kathryn. My dream has come true. </div><div><br /></div></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO7JaZO3I/AAAAAAAAAm0/5Kc_mSQTvJE/s1600-h/IMG_2599.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SgeO7JaZO3I/AAAAAAAAAm0/5Kc_mSQTvJE/s200/IMG_2599.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334389430433692530" /></a><div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-55691557247850220212009-05-03T21:33:00.006-04:002009-05-03T22:42:24.975-04:00Eighteen Months Old!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5NfzpQpvI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ZB-TMJFY2a0/s1600-h/IMG_2457.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5NfzpQpvI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ZB-TMJFY2a0/s200/IMG_2457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331784217687795442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Anna Kathryn at eighteen months...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5KRqW9sFI/AAAAAAAAAmE/l1f9_p71fNA/s1600-h/IMG_2324.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5KRqW9sFI/AAAAAAAAAmE/l1f9_p71fNA/s200/IMG_2324.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331780676142084178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Still a great eater and now an expert at using her sippy cup</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5KRBszcFI/AAAAAAAAAl8/Pz4ya7Cfg_8/s1600-h/IMG_2377.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5KRBszcFI/AAAAAAAAAl8/Pz4ya7Cfg_8/s200/IMG_2377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331780665227833426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Always ready for playtime!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5HfuWqtaI/AAAAAAAAAls/UH1VkWzWz8I/s200/IMG_2289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331777619197867426" /><div style="text-align: center;">Wants most everything HER way and does not like hearing "No." </div><div style="text-align: center;">She does not hesitate to express her displeasure at having her plans thwarted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(She is, however, getting better at dealing with her frustration-- we have been working on this.)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5HfZPKJoI/AAAAAAAAAlk/jFoElgm6cdA/s1600-h/IMG_2474.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5HfZPKJoI/AAAAAAAAAlk/jFoElgm6cdA/s200/IMG_2474.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331777613529228930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoys being in charge of her stuff. Even if it's a lot bigger than she is. Besides, strollers are for babies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5He631WLI/AAAAAAAAAlU/UGRelFaCCJw/s200/IMG_2467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331777605378332850" /><div style="text-align: center;">ALWAYS on the go!</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5HfCLI7RI/AAAAAAAAAlc/-Gc6ZuIbSBY/s1600-h/IMG_2475.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Sf5HfCLI7RI/AAAAAAAAAlc/-Gc6ZuIbSBY/s200/IMG_2475.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331777607338355986" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Giggly, silly, funny, chatty, and the joy of our lives.</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-749100516779851622009-04-26T21:08:00.008-04:002009-04-26T22:09:03.200-04:00Spring Break part 3: Beauty Parlor<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUKTNyaBNI/AAAAAAAAAkg/NGKuN6HFQF4/s1600-h/IMG_1862.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUKTNyaBNI/AAAAAAAAAkg/NGKuN6HFQF4/s200/IMG_1862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329177059297723602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anna Kathryn, Nana, and Pop-pop</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">December 200</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">8</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Anna Kathryn also had lots of time with her grandparents (my parents) during our trip. Nana and Pop-pop are two of her very favorite people and she just reveled in all the attention and love they lavished on her. My dad does the thing where he pops his cheek to make Anna Kathryn giggle. We call that "pop-popping," since that's also what all the grandchildren (well, the one that talks-- my niece, Emily!) call him. Anna Kathryn very quickly picked up on this trick and will imitate him; if we talk to my dad on the phone that's what she does to indicate that she knows she's talking to him. In fact, all we have to do is say "Pop-pop" and she pops her cheek. She loves to read stories with her grandfather, snuggle on his lap. show him her treasures, and look at his very cool model train layout. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUKTXwWHAI/AAAAAAAAAko/m2TlCLv888Y/s1600-h/IMG_2449.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUKTXwWHAI/AAAAAAAAAko/m2TlCLv888Y/s200/IMG_2449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329177061973433346" /></a><br /></div><div>A special thing happened while we were with my folks over Easter: Anna Kathryn said "Nana" for the first time! My mom was SO excited. Anna Kathryn loves to play games, read stories and do puzzles on the floor with my mom. Her very favorite thing to do with my mom is to ride on Nana's lap on her scooter. (When she sees people on a scooter or in a wheelchair now, she always says "Nana!"). </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfURps_IyeI/AAAAAAAAAlI/fQaLfYqFeXo/s1600-h/IMG_2439.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfURps_IyeI/AAAAAAAAAlI/fQaLfYqFeXo/s200/IMG_2439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329185142211135970" /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfURps_IyeI/AAAAAAAAAlI/fQaLfYqFeXo/s1600-h/IMG_2439.JPG"></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfURps_IyeI/AAAAAAAAAlI/fQaLfYqFeXo/s1600-h/IMG_2439.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIi1zNlJI/AAAAAAAAAkY/2GNO7cMU0BQ/s1600-h/IMG_2420.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIi1zNlJI/AAAAAAAAAkY/2GNO7cMU0BQ/s200/IMG_2420.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329175128713303186" /></a><br /><div>So when Anna Kathryn decided it was time to play beauty partner, she had very willing victims, er, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">customers</span> in Nana and Pop-pop.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIiovCdZI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/21RIBbpEKRc/s1600-h/IMG_2411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIiovCdZI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/21RIBbpEKRc/s200/IMG_2411.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329175125206136210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIiQvs4MI/AAAAAAAAAkI/NNHuZzuF3tg/s1600-h/IMG_2412.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIiQvs4MI/AAAAAAAAAkI/NNHuZzuF3tg/s200/IMG_2412.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329175118766465218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIiJfcOKI/AAAAAAAAAkA/ZYE3FjhtuzQ/s1600-h/IMG_2413.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIiJfcOKI/AAAAAAAAAkA/ZYE3FjhtuzQ/s200/IMG_2413.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329175116819216546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIh6fsvQI/AAAAAAAAAj4/6WWISzdDajg/s1600-h/IMG_2414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfUIh6fsvQI/AAAAAAAAAj4/6WWISzdDajg/s200/IMG_2414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329175112793767170" /></a><div>Once Pop-pop was handsomely styled, it was time for Nana's makeover. It is apparently necessary to chew on one's favorite towel as one does hair! </div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfULyMvqY8I/AAAAAAAAAk4/01BrMU7yhc4/s1600-h/IMG_2417.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfULyMvqY8I/AAAAAAAAAk4/01BrMU7yhc4/s200/IMG_2417.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329178691105350594" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfULxw5Ej-I/AAAAAAAAAkw/lmFeEdF11sM/s1600-h/IMG_2418.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfULxw5Ej-I/AAAAAAAAAkw/lmFeEdF11sM/s200/IMG_2418.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329178683628621794" /></a><div><br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfULydAj2cI/AAAAAAAAAlA/-EmJSFQIlew/s1600-h/IMG_2415.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfULydAj2cI/AAAAAAAAAlA/-EmJSFQIlew/s200/IMG_2415.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329178695471192514" /></a></div><div>Off topic (at least as far as spring break goes): head over to <a href="http://maggiemalady.blogspot.com/2009/04/morning-in-backyard.html">Allison's blog</a> to see all the fun Anna Kathryn and Maggie had yesterday! It's beginning to feel a lot like summer!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-64224960781466928122009-04-23T22:17:00.007-04:002009-04-23T22:57:24.464-04:00Spring Break part 2: A Tea Party<div>We are so blessed to have been able to spend two days of our visit with my grandparents. Mamapa and Grandaddy are the foundation of our family and we are blessed by their leadership and love for all of us! We haven't seen them since Christmas, so it was especially nice to have time now to visit with them. They of course noticed right away how much Anna Kathryn has changed and grown up since Christmas-- she is now walking (often running), talking more, and definitely wants her own way in things! She had a terrific time playing with and entertaining them. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One of my favorite family stories is about the day my younger sister was born. I was 2 1/2 them and spent the day with Mamapa while my mom labored at the hospital with my dad alongside her. Family lore has it that I hosted an all day tea party, and Mamapa drank cup after cup of imaginary tea to entertain me. If it had been real tea she would have been floating away by the day's end!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anna Kathryn's favorite toy right now is her tea set (complete with a British-voiced singing tea pot), so she carried on the family tradition by having a tea party of her own with Mamapa and Grandaddy. They enthusiastically joined in the fun!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEjdeja-yI/AAAAAAAAAjw/YYNXWSTgSDE/s1600-h/IMG_2386.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEjdeja-yI/AAAAAAAAAjw/YYNXWSTgSDE/s200/IMG_2386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328078823480818466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Would you like a spot of tea?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEjdDJAR3I/AAAAAAAAAjo/3D08F9jgJD0/s1600-h/IMG_2388.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEjdDJAR3I/AAAAAAAAAjo/3D08F9jgJD0/s200/IMG_2388.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328078816122259314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I'll pour, Granddaddy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEifb3h9XI/AAAAAAAAAjg/_UIC0IKVBPA/s1600-h/IMG_2399.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEifb3h9XI/AAAAAAAAAjg/_UIC0IKVBPA/s200/IMG_2399.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328077757607966066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Try the cakes, too; I hear the chocolate is the tastiest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEifIQmjgI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ECsDgSCh754/s1600-h/IMG_2401.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEifIQmjgI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ECsDgSCh754/s200/IMG_2401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328077752344415746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mamapa, I think you need a refill.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEie2Y-dQI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/KJ9w4IeAZzg/s1600-h/IMG_2402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEie2Y-dQI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/KJ9w4IeAZzg/s200/IMG_2402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328077747547698434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This tea is delicious!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEiegmJ7yI/AAAAAAAAAjI/jBgWidPJwSA/s1600-h/IMG_2403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEiegmJ7yI/AAAAAAAAAjI/jBgWidPJwSA/s200/IMG_2403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328077741697396514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Why, I will take another cup, thank you! This stuff's better than apple juice!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEiePXLIxI/AAAAAAAAAjA/0cduzppoB48/s1600-h/IMG_2409.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/SfEiePXLIxI/AAAAAAAAAjA/0cduzppoB48/s200/IMG_2409.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328077737071158034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A happy hostess and beloved great-granddaughter.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-89849335592916533162009-04-20T20:47:00.005-04:002009-04-20T22:05:00.200-04:00Spring Break part 1: Easter Sunday<div><br />We enjoyed a short but relaxing spring break in Florida with my parents and grandparents last week. We enjoyed the first day of our holiday on Good Friday, and spent the day at home doing chores, hanging out, and playing with Anna Kathryn. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday, after The Longest Car Ride Ever, we arrived at my folks' house. We had a joyful reunion with my parents and grandparents, whom we hadn't see since Christmas. Mom let AK sip some of her Vitamin Water (sounds healthy, right?) and we watched AK run in circles for about an hour. Apparently there is much sugar and corn syrup along with the vitamins in Vitamin Water, plus she'd been cooped up for the past 11 hours. Whew. Think we'll be sticking to apple juice from now on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday morning arrived and with it Easter! We skipped sunrise service, opting for a little extra sleep. Not <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">much</span> extra, since Anna Kathryn was up, bright and early, at 5:45 a.m. We had a blessed and relaxing day celebrating the Resurrection as a family. I of course had AK's Easter ensemble planned to the last detail. She looked so cute! It was a different Easter service for me, since I spent it in the nursery with Anna Kathryn, who was more wiggly than usual in church. She was able to make it until Children's Church, so I got to enjoy the music, but missed the sermon. After church we feasted on ham and all the side dishes, watched movies, took a walk, played with all the "new" toys in Nana's toy closet, and enjoyed a family day together. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0g1oRXvlI/AAAAAAAAAi4/04HNOxyZn_g/s1600-h/IMG_2329.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0g1oRXvlI/AAAAAAAAAi4/04HNOxyZn_g/s200/IMG_2329.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326950039964597842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Easter!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0ecvfNXmI/AAAAAAAAAiw/DxbK-XQUQus/s1600-h/IMG_2335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0ecvfNXmI/AAAAAAAAAiw/DxbK-XQUQus/s200/IMG_2335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326947413381701218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Visiting with friends at Dad's church.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We attempted to take a "four generations" picture of my mom, Mamapa (my grandmother), me and Anna Kathryn... as usual, the results are more hilarious than frame-worthy. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0ecRc3g1I/AAAAAAAAAio/rU1E2qtw2zU/s1600-h/IMG_2338.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0ecRc3g1I/AAAAAAAAAio/rU1E2qtw2zU/s200/IMG_2338.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326947405318816594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Attempt #1. Anna Kathryn decides to examine the tree. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0ecHTiiAI/AAAAAAAAAig/zJLInZSeHeA/s1600-h/IMG_2339.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0ecHTiiAI/AAAAAAAAAig/zJLInZSeHeA/s200/IMG_2339.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326947402595338242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Attempt#2: Anna Kathryn is not really into the photo shoot. Escape is on her agenda. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0eb1yKywI/AAAAAAAAAiY/6PSkY2yT3qE/s1600-h/IMG_2342.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0eb1yKywI/AAAAAAAAAiY/6PSkY2yT3qE/s200/IMG_2342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326947397891967746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Attempt #3: Oh well, it was worth a try!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0ebrmmx9I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/fE0odYe4cpg/s1600-h/IMG_2343.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0ebrmmx9I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/fE0odYe4cpg/s200/IMG_2343.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326947395159115730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Oooh, for me?? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My mom, aka Nana, is the Queen of the Easter Basket. For a couple of reasons, we ended up not doing a real Easter basket for Anna Kathryn this year. My mom, though is a firm believer in the Easter Basket and always is prepared for surprises for little ones. She had some goodies and so did I. We combined our loot and Anna Kathryn had a great time digging in the basket to find all of her treats. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bHipC1jI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ioexcag9GE8/s1600-h/IMG_2345.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bHipC1jI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ioexcag9GE8/s200/IMG_2345.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326943750621156914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bHeV4R7I/AAAAAAAAAiA/uvoOH-G8xFE/s1600-h/IMG_2346.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bHeV4R7I/AAAAAAAAAiA/uvoOH-G8xFE/s200/IMG_2346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326943749467031474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bG065dgI/AAAAAAAAAh4/A8qdeOzMwkw/s1600-h/IMG_2362.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bG065dgI/AAAAAAAAAh4/A8qdeOzMwkw/s200/IMG_2362.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326943738348008962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bGtKXVyI/AAAAAAAAAhw/NjOcQ-7aekM/s1600-h/IMG_2371.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bGtKXVyI/AAAAAAAAAhw/NjOcQ-7aekM/s200/IMG_2371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326943736265398050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bGVFEePI/AAAAAAAAAho/YUj4YtIpmdM/s1600-h/IMG_2384.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Se0bGVFEePI/AAAAAAAAAho/YUj4YtIpmdM/s200/IMG_2384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326943729800739058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sharing her Cheerios with Pop-Pop. I just love this picture!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-27373329047509445992009-03-23T21:50:00.006-04:002009-03-23T22:08:25.144-04:00On the mend<div>Anna Kathryn is feeling much better! Thanks for all of your prayers and well-wishes. They definitely helped, because she was well on the way to recovery by Saturday afternoon. We decided that a quiet weekend at home was the best thing for her, so here are a few snapshots from the weekend. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, the fact that Anna Kathryn was roaming around the house gnawing on a cold pancake after a very short nap was not one of my finer parenting moments...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg_FeGqTqI/AAAAAAAAAhg/M58-Q4lRn1E/s1600-h/IMG_2235.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg_FeGqTqI/AAAAAAAAAhg/M58-Q4lRn1E/s200/IMG_2235.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316568723323768482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg94fVKK9I/AAAAAAAAAhY/naBPjTrJj3g/s1600-h/IMG_2236.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg94fVKK9I/AAAAAAAAAhY/naBPjTrJj3g/s200/IMG_2236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316567400803085266" /></a>I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">did</span> feed her a real lunch after this. Note that jammies were the preferred outfit for much of the weekend!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg938KBNLI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/OgfLi3UYJB8/s1600-h/IMG_2250.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg938KBNLI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/OgfLi3UYJB8/s200/IMG_2250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316567391361119410" /></a><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg93WE_ImI/AAAAAAAAAhI/jZT1bJpFE7o/s1600-h/IMG_2251.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg93WE_ImI/AAAAAAAAAhI/jZT1bJpFE7o/s200/IMG_2251.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316567381139464802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg92gvWY3I/AAAAAAAAAhA/tT3TMBb4rLI/s1600-h/IMG_2254.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg92gvWY3I/AAAAAAAAAhA/tT3TMBb4rLI/s200/IMG_2254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316567366821634930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg92DpXnAI/AAAAAAAAAg4/GBApx5mWBN0/s1600-h/IMG_2260.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QLvROo9cRV0/Scg92DpXnAI/AAAAAAAAAg4/GBApx5mWBN0/s200/IMG_2260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316567359011920898" /></a>Are we having fun yet??</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939744580765964563.post-57370477690602327692009-03-19T21:10:00.005-04:002009-03-19T21:28:59.818-04:00Famous last words A couple of nights ago, Mark and I were chatting before bed and I casually mentioned that winter was practically over and weren't we lucky that Anna Kathryn had been so healthy this winter.<div><br /></div><div>Clearly, the wrong thing to say. </div><div><br /></div><div>The flu germs hanging around our neck of the woods heard this comment and decided to show us who's boss. </div><div><br /></div><div>Poor Anna Kathryn is down with a bad case of the flu, a double ear infection, and really icky, gunky eyes. Poor baby spent most of today in my lap running a big old fever, sucking on her towel, and dozing in my arms. She even watched TV for a bit (I put in "Annie," a childhood favorite of mine. I figure this is a good time to watch it before AK catches on that it's a movie about orphans and asks questions I still need to figure out really good answers to.) This is unprecedented behavior for her, since usually she is too busy to do a lot of cuddling. Well, except at nap and bedtime. She normally does want to sit in my lap and read books, but today had zero interest in her books. It was all about Mama's lap!</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel so bad for her, because she obviously felt so bad. But the cuddling -- well, I'll take that any day!! Please pray that Mark and I do not succumb to the Plague! (I did get a flu shot but he didn't.) And, that Anna Kathryn is on the mend <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">soon</span>. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6