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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Lions...Tigers...and Halloween fun!

What, it's November already? Where has the time gone? Maybe it is hiding with all our daylight hours...seriously, pitch black dark at 4:50 pm is just not right. Whatever, you know you have been waiting with bated breath to see some Halloween fun had by two little girls! So without further ado...

We attended our first party on the Friday before Halloween. The party was hosted by mom and baby/toddler group we attend on Friday mornings called "Making Connections" at a local church. There is a music class for the first 1/2 hour, followed by a snack and play time for the kiddos while the Moms have coffee and listen to a local guest speaker. The girls both love our Friday morning music class and often ask if it is Friday morning when we wake them up. Luckily the party was indoors, so the girls were able to dress in a lighter costume...

Halloween Party #1 - My little Butterflies/Fairies!
Decorating cookies...
 Eating Cookies...

We also carved pumpkins this year, or to be more accurate - Daddy carved the pumpkins while Mama took pictures (Yes, no pumpkin slimey guts for me!). The girls loved helping Daddy decide what shapes to make the eyes and nose.
And making funny faces at Mama...
The finished product...
Of course Halloween proper rolled around on the 31st. Since it fell on a Monday this year, the girls were at daycare during the day. Apparently they were too excited with all the build up to the big event that they didn't even nap at all! As you can imagine, we needed to have a quick supper as the girls were fading fast and tears were approaching. We bundled up the girls in their outdoor costumes...
Lions
Tigers
And they're off!
Needless to say, both girl's loved going up to our neighbors houses and ringing the door bells. I actually think they enjoyed ringing the bells more than receiving the candy. In fact, there may have been one or two squabbles over whose turn it was to press the button at each house. Oh well...at least they weren't fighting over the candy!

My favorite moment was when we visited with our elderly neighbors Bob & Sue. We see Bob and his little white dog Scooter around the neighborhood when they are out walking in the morning and afternoon, and Bob always lets the kids pet Scooter. When Sue answered the door and called Scooter to come see the girls, Sylvie, after petting the dog asked "Where's Scooter's Daddy?" Sue couldn't stop giggling with that question.

So all in all, Mary's first Halloween was a success. Both girl's have enjoyed their smarties for dessert the days following the 'big night'. Hope you all had a spooktacular time too!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

One year ago today...

On a clear, brisk day in Taiyuan, China our small family of three entered the Shanxi Province Foreign Adoption Registration Office...

We waited anxiously to meet our second daughter, our Mei Mei... Mary Dang Yun Dan for the very first time in person...
 Hey, I think her van is here!

Mary Dan Dan, you were so beautiful, so tiny, but oh so scared.
It wouldn't be until we got to know you much better over the days, weeks and months that we learned that you only sucked her fingers when you were feeling very anxious or scared.

We spent the next few days slowly trying to win your trust and help you feel comfortable around us. We made sure there was plenty of food, cuddles and toys.
It was a slow process...(note: hands in mouth still, same clothes)
 But after a few days your ever persistent Jie Jie was the first to get you to smile...
 And over the next days and weeks in China, we began to see more of these!
Our first months home together saw you blossom as you continued to grow stronger and began to let your personality shine!

You have undergone three major surgeries this year, and you have handled them with more grace and determination than the adults around you...

You've opened your heart to allow...
Mama,
Daddy,
and Jie Jie in...
Your laughter and joie de vie lights up the room every time you enter...

And ever so slowly, patiently, carefully...we have come a long way as a family of four over this past year together.

This hasn't been easy for you, to suddenly leave everything, every sound, every smell, and everyone you know and hold dear. There have been some bumps in the road and your heart is still healing, but you are so very strong. Thank you for choosing to trust. Thank you for choosing to love. Thank you for choosing to allow us to love you. We love you Mary Dan Dan!