Pictures and a new haircut for Anna!

O.K, so I am not a professional photographer, but I thought that I could take the girls to the Botanical Gardens and take pictures for Avery's fourth birthday there (a little late, yes I know). I have all of the girls dresses, bows, socks, shoes, a water spray bottle (for Sister Bear's curls), a brush, hairspray, Avery's panda bear dress, one moody teenager and my camera. When we arrive, I get Avery into her birthday dress and Anna and Alenia into their panda bear dresses. As we walk in, I start telling myself, I could take pictures professionally for children. I love to go to a beautiful outdoor area and I know to take into account the colors, blooms, shade and sun. I am brilliant!! I have a new career!! This is what I can do pt to keep myself employed and still able to convince Steve, that yes we can adopt more children! Then reality sits in. Avery is giving me her "cheese" smile and is looking away from the camera to look at all of the beautiful flowers. I am calmly trying to get her look at my eyes and then I try to get her to say something funny to crack a grin. Then her eyes are shut as she focuses on smiling. I take her to a few different spots and now I am just hopeful that I have one good picture. Now it is time to change Avery into her panda bear dress. We go to a secluded place and proceed to change. Now Alenia sees what we are doing and tries to undress. I quickly put out that fire and get Avery changed. Now here comes the fun part, getting three little ones to all look at the camera and smile at the same time. I laugh at myself for my earlier thoughts. Of course Anna is giving her plastic "cheese" smile, sister is saying "cheese" while looking away and Avery is almost done with the situation. Allison, aka moody teenager, tries to get everyone to look in the same direction and well, here is the best I was able to get. Soon after this, Alenia is mad and demands to either cry and walk (perfect for such a nice and peaceful area) or that I carry her. She is a very solid 39 lbs. I tell myself that maybe I got one good one and if not, then I guess I will have to go and get the pictures taken professionally. Well, you be the judge!

Maybe nursing isn't so bad after all. ;-)

Becky who is still waiting for her LOA

Happy Family Day Anna!!!

It so hard to believe that Anna has been with us for two years. It seems like just yesterday when we met her and it also feels like she has always been with us. Looking back over the last two years, Anna has grown and changed so much. She was initially not a fan of daddy in China, but now begs to be tickled by him and/or wrestling with him. She loves her sisters, but is especially close to Avery. It is so unbelievable the bond that these two have. They are best buds 95% of the time, which is remarkable. Anna is still a mama's girl and loves when she gets to help mom with dinner or to go to the grocery store with just mom and Anna. She still cries at the drop of a hat, which is frustrating, but she does now try to stop before going into full meltdown mode. An example is she was served chocolate ice cream and she wanted vanilla and viola, tears. I told her that she could tell me this without crying, but as they say Rome wasn't built in a day! She is a true sweet heart and charms the pants off of everyone she meets, and I have had many people ask me about China adoptions after meeting her. She is very petite weighing in at 29 lbs and 38 inches, about an inch shorter than Sister Bear who is 2 years younger. Above are some photos that show her evolution since she has joined our family! Enjoy!

Becky

Papa John

Well, last Wednesday I received the call we knew was coming, but still was sad to get. Papa John had passed away. He was at peace, ready, and had his family with him. Papa John was my first father in-law and we have maintained a special relationship through my first marriage ending. I was talking one day on how I wanted to go back to school and bridge from LVN to RN, but my current job wouldn't allow for anytime off to take the classes. The next time I went over to Papa and Granny's house, while I was still married to his son, he said that they wanted to pay for me to go to nursing school! I couldn't believe that, then he added that this had nothing to do with my relationship with his son, he wanted to give me my education as a way of letting me know how much they appreciate me as Allison's mom and to ensure that Allison would always be taken care of financially. So, back to school I went and I always showed him my grades so he could see his money at work. He was so nice, proud and supportive, even as my first marriage ended to his son. He was a hell of a guy who was funny, stubborn, a jokester, loving and the "boss". He would tell me that he was the nicest guy as long as you agreed with him! :) There were many funny stories told about him at his funeral, some shockingly that we had never heard. He was Papa John to my children with Steve and he was asked about Audie the last time we talked. I love you Papa and we will all miss you deeply.

Love,

Becky and the girls

Video of Audie!!!

Thanks to my good friend, Michelle I have some video of Audie. Michelle was at the Civil Affairs office adopting her handsome son and was kind enough to get some video for this anxious Mommy at home. I am happy to say that shortly after this video he has received his family book and we are on day 63 for LOA!! I cannot wait to meet this little shy guy and see what he thinks of having four big sisters. Sister Bear just told me that she is still my baby and Audie is my baby too! How sweet, especially for the PITA!

I just returned from a funeral and am exhausted. I will post more soon on my "one in a million" guy who just left this world.

Thanks Michelle, you are AWESOME!!!

Becky

Video of Audie in Hangzhou

Shopping for a Audie!!

On Saturday evening, our family went and had some real fun!!! We went to a big toy store and shopped for a boy! I know this may seem ordinary, but we have four girls who are very much girly girls and so this new section of toys was quite an experience for us. We got some blocks, a train conductor ensemble, Cars and Thomas books, a Pirate ship, baseball and bat, a leap frog game (can you imagine if Audie didn't have one and the girls did???), and a space themed toddler bedding set. Daddy picked out the bedding, then had to quickly stop looking at as it had Binary on it and then his OCDness would take over and he would have to solve it. ;-) The girls were so good and never once complained that they didn't get any toys. They were very excited to be shopping for Audie! They especially love the Pirate ship, rrrrr matey as Sister Bear would say. That is actually how we saw the ship, we heard Sister Bear around the corner quoting her favorite Pirate phrase. Daddy did see some really cool space themes toys, but resisted buying them because he doesn't want to force his ideas on Audie and because he wants to take Audie to the toy store and see what he likes. Sounds good to me.

The girls are so excited about Audie, they keep asking about him. I just recently had to start giving bath's in shifts as the girls are getting big and there just wasn't enough room for anyone anymore. Today, Avery said that she would gladly take a bath with him! Today is day 50!!! Yes, I am counting every single day!

Becky

Big Girl School

The girls were soooo excited to go to "Big Girl School", that they just could hardly stand it. Everyone woke up happy and happily agreed to a shower!!! Anna always does great getting ready. Avery, it depends on the day and definitely do not rush her. Alenia, is almost always grumpy upon wakening while still sucking on her binky. So, imagine my true happiness from the morning! Everyone got dressed, ate breakfast, made sure mommy fixed their hair and grabbed their back packs. Avery did say that she was really going to miss her purple blanket and sister at school! How sweet! First I took Allison to high school, which is getting easier for her. Thank goodness! Then the three little ones and I went and dropped of Sister Bear first, she was thrilled. She dropped her back pack and went straight to the kitchen to play. She did allow me and her sisters to give her a kiss. Lucky, aren't we??? Then it was Anna and Avery's turn. They were so cute, holding hands and posing for the camera. We went in, checked in and washed our hands and then they split off and went to different stations. Avery wanted to color, purple of course and Anna went to the craft area. They happily told me good bye and then I found myself in the parking lot with no kids in my car. I truly did not know what to do. This is such a rarity and if it does occur, it's usually because I'm going to the grocery store and the kids are home with daddy. So, I grabbed some breakfast went home and read while I ate, uninterrupted I might add! Then I cleaned house at a nice leisurely pace and then I met Steve and we had our first meeting for our new house. All in all, a busy day, but very good for mommy! When I picked up the girls, they were so happy to tell me all about their day and to give each other hugs and kisses. They are so sweet and best friends (mostly), it will be very interesting to see how Audie interacts with everyone. Well that's all for now!!

Becky on day 45 for Audie, but who's counting???