ISR Graduate!

With a pool in our backyard, Infant Swim Resource lessons for Meili were no longer optional. If you don't know what that is, and particularly if you have a child that is over 6 months of age that doesn't swim, please check it out! I won't lie. It's hard work for the child and difficult to watch at times for the parent, but SO worth it!!!

Ready, Set...

Swim!

Meili's instructor simulated several fall-ins (head first, feet first, backwards, etc.) and she did it!

She may be crying...but she's floating, and even more importantly-BREATHING!
In order to graduate, Meili had to demonstrate her swim-float-swim skills fully clothed, including shoes! In October, she will go back for a refresher course and will have to do this fully dressed, including a winter coat!
With Miss Kari-the very patient miracle worker!

The Graduate-She worked her little buns off for that trophy!!!

We are so proud of our baby-girl!

Romper Rhythms

I've been taking Meili to a music and movement class at the clubhouse in our neighborhood. She's a bit shy and doesn't sing along yet, but loves to do the hand motions. Hopefully, she'll come out of her shell soon!

Our Baby is Turning Two...

I've been in denial about the fact that Meili Grace is about to turn two for a while now. Kids grow up too fast anyway but when you have missed their first 13 months, it's even worse! She's still my baby and I'm going to reserve the right to refer to her as 'the baby' for a bit longer-maybe until she is 28.

Since the big day is one week from today, I decided I had better face reality and do some shopping. I've had my eye on this ride-on thing for a while now and I think she's the perfect size and age for it right now. It's been ordered but may or may not arrive on time for her actual birthday. I don't think she is going to care one way or another and we are just happy to have HER home this year so it will be a good day no matter what!

Going Back to Cali

Meili and I spent 5 days in California with my family and had a great time. Here's Meili on what I think was her 14th flight in the 10 months that she has been part of our family. It takes almost 7 hours to fly to CA from here but she did great!

It was nice to spend some time with my family. Some of them met Meili for the first time on this trip.

It didn't take long for Meili to warm up to Uncle James.

Hanging out at her grandparents' house.
Papa Jim Jim's infamous tickles.

With Aunt Nini

Uncle Jeff getting ready for his art expo.

Getting tossed around by Uncle Scrap

With cousin Brooke who is only 3 months younger than Meili.

5 out of 7 granddaughters (missing Audrey and Hailey)

Lots of PG-13 laughs!

Me and Jason

My little sister, Julie and her fiance, Daniel

Janine and Jared

Meili Grace with Papa Jim Jim and Grandma Judy

Tired already, but gearing up for the plane rides (#16 and 17) home

We both had a great time and miss my family already. Hopefully, it won't be too long before we can visit again!

My Family

The Seven Siblings

Sisters
Brothers

The Whole Crew

One Year Ago...

...we saw this precious little face for the very first time. It was one of the wildest days of my life. So many emotions and not enough time to process them.

One year later-still in awe of the blessing and miracle of Meili Grace...

One of the King's Men

...right before trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again in the Kindergarten play.

One Room Down...

...and plenty more to go. There are 4 full baths in the house, not sure what to call this one. It's closest to Meili's room, most likely to be used as a guest bathroom, but not the pool bathroom and not the master bathroom. Make any sense? I guess we should call it the Chinese bathroom (without the squatty.)

I saw this shower curtain online and had to have it. It has 200 Chinese words, with the character, pin yin and English translation. In this room, you can get a little education while you are doing your business, I guess. The prints (that you can't see) are by a Chinese artist that does watercolor on silk. We have had these for years and love them.

The bamboo plant was a birthday gift from a dear friend.

I hope she doesn't mind that it ended up in the bathroom...;)

I think the photo needs a smaller frame, but it's of my Meili Grace in China on her first birthday.

Next up, the nursery!!! 5 kids and I've never had one before so we're really having fun with it. The walls are painted, the twin bed and crib are up with matching bedding, the 100 Good Wishes quilt is up, vinyl lettering for the wall has arrived, and the hunt is on for curtains and a rug. Almost done!

Blog Repentance

One day not so long ago, I found myself leisurely perusing the jade counter in a Friendship Store in Beijing, China. I was pleasantly interrupted by a stranger who exclaimed, 'You don't know me but I'm from the Netherlands, and I LOVE YOUR BLOG!'

I may never reclaim the heights of my two seconds of international infamy, but please know that I have plans to dust off the cobwebs and get back to work on this blog. After all, we've got a whole lot of cuteness going on over here these days. :)

A Good Time for a Great Cause

We had a great time last night participating in the Bring Me Hope walk hosted by our new friends in the neighborhood who have three China cuties of their own.

Our hearts go out to those children still living in a Chinese orphanage that are still waiting for a family or who may never have the opportunity to have one. The walk raised funds to send several Chinese orphans to summer camp for a week of fun and tlc. Next year, we hope to contribute to the cause on a larger scale so consider yourselves warned...:)

Disney....again.

This was our 4th time at a Disney park since we moved here 6 months ago. We aren't complaining! It's so nice to live so close to so many things to do as a family. Meili takes it all in stride and seems to do well with it.

Xander piloting his rocket ship.
Meili fell with a toy in her hand the day before and ended up with a corneal abrasion. The dr recommended she wear sunglasses for a few days. We were surprised that she left them on.

Meili screamed to go on the Dumbo ride. She looks so tiny in there!

Me and my kiddos

One pooped out little girl.

Muffins With Mom

I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at school with my littlest boy today. He has the funniest little personality. Never a dull moment...

He also unveiled the Mother's Day creations

that he has been working on for me (caps=his words):

My mother has GREEN eyes and BLACK hair.

My mother likes to HUG ME.

I make my mother laugh when I SAY SOMETHING SILLY.

I love it when she cooks SOUP.

I don't like it when she cooks SALAD WITH TOMATOES.

She likes when I help her TAKE CARE OF THE BABY!

I love my Mother!

Like my new hairstyle? I call it 'humidity hair.'

This is Xander standing in front of the infamous class behavior chart. His entire world these days revolves around trying to stay in the 'green' for the whole school day (as opposed to the yellow, orange and red options.) If he spends his days mostly in green, maybe in yellow for a brief period, he gets a sticker on his chart that comes home. 5 stickers and it is off to Sonic for Happy Hour on Friday. We have had a few missing stickers this year, but none since the bribe was put in place!
I just love this boy! (To prove it, I'm off to make him some salad with extra tomatoes...:)