Four years ago today...

We were in China and we met our daughter for the first time. In the adoption world, some call it "Metcha Day" while others refer to it as "Gotcha Day". We were just happy to be completing our family. Four years seems so long ago because it seems as though you have been with us from the start. We were fortunate enough to be with you when you turned 9 months old while we were in China. We were fortunate to meet you when you were so young. We are fortunate to have you as our daughter. I'm posting a few pictures from China. They are some of my favorites.


Taken at the famous White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, Sept. 05.

She always has been a natural ham for the camera. It didn't take her long to know what the camera is. She actually posed like this on her own while we were in China.

Meeting Daddy for the first time. A funny story about this picture, she must not have ever seen anyone with a big nose before because she reached up and grabbed Russ' nose. Anyone who knows Russ will understand that he doesn't allow ANYONE to touch his nose (he's gotten hit too many times in football and defensive tactics class) Of course, he obliged for his curious gal!

Meeting Mommy for the first time! She never cried. She was very curious and just took in the entire scene around her. She had just journeyed on a bus for 5 hours with her nannies and other girls from her group. They traveled from her hometown of Tonggu, in Jiangxi province to the capital city of Nanchang, where we stayed in a hotel. It was hot at the government office building where we met the girls since there wasn't any A/C. Most of the buildings in China do not have A/C. Yet, she was dressed in long sleeved pajamas and had a onesie on underneath. Still, that was pretty light dress compared to how most of the babies are dressed. It was a chaotic scene with names being called, babies and parents crying and camera flashes constantly going off. Some were videotaping as the nannies handed each new parent a beautiful baby girl. Despite the chaos, there was happiness. After all the paperwork hurdles, the financial hurdles, making arrangements and worrying about Cole and then the long flight, we were finally here to get our daughter!

First Day was a hit!

Allison had a great time at pre-school today. She chose a dress (shocker) & I was afraid she might be too dressed up, but there were several other little girls in her class dressed similarly. Allison could hardly wait to get dressed and go to school. She asked if I had her backpack all ready at least 5 times. She wanted to take her lunch too, but they only eat lunch together on Fridays. Since she doesn't know her days of the week yet, she constantly asks if she gets to take her lunch tomorrow or not.

When I dropped her off, there were SO.MANY.KIDS there ! I learned there are 29 in her class (whew!) but there are 3 teachers. I so don't envy those teachers. That's a lot of 4 and 5-year -olds in one room at the same time. Allison had no trouble at all meeting the teachers and running off to find the dolls and dress-up box. My only fear is that she wouldn't take time to use the bathroom because of the new surroundings and too many new, fun things to do. I mean, who has time to potty when there's so much stuff to check out?

I picked her up and she was all smiles and very excited. They sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "E I E I O" as she called it, and ate cookies, colored a picture of Tigger and brought home a little sheet that said she knew all her colors. Already?? I don't even have a keepsake box ready for all this crap yet. I so need to get on the ball for her.

No tears. No clinging to my leg in fear that I would leave her. No tantrums. You know, I don't recall her EVER doing that? Family--do any of you? She is such a social bug who fears NO ONE that I can't think of one time I have taken her someplace where she has clung to daddy or I. She is happy to see and talk to everyone.

It's a whole new world to experience with this little one. I just can't wait to see what she has in store for us!

Starting pre-school tomorrow

It's already Sept. 8--where the hell did the last few weeks go? Oh, I know. They passed me by as I was laying in the recliner or in bed recovering from the hysterectomy. I'm ready to feel better. Not sure how soon that will happen though. I've not had any medications for my RA/fibro since July and it's really taking a toll. I think a snail moves quicker than I do most days.

But, that's not what this post is about!! Allison is starting pre-school tomorrow!!!!!! I've been trying to prepare her, letting her know when she is starting, getting her backpack and lunch box and telling her she's going to have to LISTEN to the teacher and not do what she wants to do in class. I think she will love it. She loves to be the center of attention though and I'm afraid she will have to learn the hard way that she's not the ONLY one in the class. She will go 3 days a week for a few hours and on Fridays, she gets to stay an extra hour to eat lunch with her class. I don't know what is more exciting, eating with a bunch of other 4 year olds or her new butterfly lunch box? I'll update as soon as possible with pics & info about her first day. Poor daddy has to be in Indpls for ANOTHER conference. I swear, how in the hell did I manipulate my schedule when I was working??

Cole seems to have adjusted fairly well to 5th grade. He's gotten a 100% A+ on EVERY.SINGLE.SPELLING.TEST so far!! Woo--Hoo!! That is a huge feat for him and we are making a big deal out of it. We still must figure out how many A's he needs to get in order to earn the Nintendo DS we have promised him. I am marking his progress on a chart. I just don't know how many we should make him achieve before issuing the reward. I don't want him to lose interest and give up before he's able to achieve it. But, I also don't want him thinking that he only needs a couple more and then he'll give up the rest of the year. I KNOW he is working hard. We are working hard right along with him to make sure he stays on track. Let me tell you, keeping his focus & concentration is the most challenging thing in my life. Standing firm is the second most difficult. But, all in all, I am pleased with how well he's doing. We've been talking to his teachers and they are pleased as well. Big Smiles!!