Do You Want To Talk To This...

Lily absolutely LOVES to be read to and to "read". I mean really, really, LOVES it. On an average day I bet we read at least 20 books....probably more...and I'm not talking about board books! This girl is a serious book junkie...just like her mommy.

Thank God for Mary Beth, our thrift store book connection, Lily has developed quite an extensive little library. Between our own private stash and some weekly supplements from the local library we are able to satisfy Lily's book addiction.

When Lily wants you to read something from her collection she will bring a book over to you and say, "Do you want to talk to this while I turn the pages?" I can't tell you how much Tony and I love that! She really couldn't be any cuter! Speaking of cute when Lily turns a page first she licks her index finger. How cute is that??

I also love when Lily "reads" to us. It's amazing (and a little freaky) how many books Lily has memorized. I love when she recites books to us but what I like even better is when she "reads" the book based on the pictures. I think the authors and illustrators would be jealous of the story lines Lily can come up with! I think we are raising a future author or maybe a librarian!

When Lily sees me reading one of my own books she will say, "Mommy, you're not talking to the words." I guess I better start reading outloud...even to myself!

Right now, Lily's favorites are any books about Thomas The Tank Engine or Fancy Nancy. Unfortunately, Dr. Seuss is also still at the top of the list. So much for my Dr. Seuss strike!

Nai Nai, do you want to talk to this...and turn the pages, too???

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Today is the start of the Chinese Spring Festival...or as we call it here in the West...Chinese New Year. In case you are wondering, it's The Year of the Ox.

We are still learning about the customs and traditions of this holiday and having a lot of fun doing it! During the summer Lily and I met an American-born Chinese family at a playground near our house. We hit it off immediately and it turns out they live just two streets away! Erica (the mom) invited Lily and I over on Friday to make dumplings for the new year. We had a blast. It's been great to learn about Chinese customs from people and not books.

Speaking of customs, as is tradition we spent the first day of the new year with the most "senior" members of our family...Dad Dad and Nai Nai. Dad and Suzy came over and joined us for dinner tonight.

The 5 of us had a great time. Okay, maybe I should say 4 of us had a great time. Lily didn't nap today and was quite fussy by the time Mommy finally got dinner on the table!

I know I've mentioned countless times that I'm not much of a cook and that applies doubly to Chinese cooking. Trying to put dinner on the table tonight I definitely needed a bigger stove top and a few extra pairs of hands. It just seems like everything has to be ready simultaneously and nothing can be made ahead. I'm sure with practice I'll get better...but for now I really can make entertaining look difficult! On a more positive note, the dumplings we made on Friday we're really delicious!

We will be celebrating the Chinese New Year with our entire family on the 7th. I'm really looking forward to that...and no, I'm not cooking!

If you want to check out how much Lily has grown since The Year of the Rat. Click here.

Mommy Needs A Snowsuit!

Thought I'd take a minute to post some cute pictures of Lily playing in the little bit of snow we got the other day.

After yesterday's 50 degree weather there isn't much snow left, but Lily sure did enjoy it while it was here. As for me, I learned a very valuable lesson...a 2 1/2 year old in a snowsuit wants to stay outside a whole lot longer than a freezing 43 year old. Before the next snowfall I better invest in some cold weather gear!

Sister Cousins

Today we had a really fun "Aunt T, Beanie, and Lily Day". The 3 of us headed to a store in our area that offers a free craft time on Saturdays. Today's craft was Chinese Lanterns. I thought it would be fun for the girls to make their own lanterns for Chinese New Year.

The girls enjoyed making their lanterns and then went to explore around the store. There is a supermarket, two kitchen areas, a dress up and puppet show area, and much, much more.

Lily and Bean had so much fun playing together I thought I was going to have to drag them out of there! Seriously, we didn't eat lunch until almost 2:00!!

As I have said countless times on this blog...and to anyone who will listen... Christina is an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. big cousin!! She is patient, kind, protective, silly, and loving with Lily. I get so much joy out of watching the two of them together.

While we were out today several people asked if Christina and Lily were sisters. When I answered that they were cousins Christina asked, "Can't we just say we're sisters? Please." How sweet is she??

We already have our next Aunt T, Beanie, and Lily day on the calendar. I can't wait!

I'm Excited About Getting A New Present!

Today, Lily overheard me talking about the Inauguration of President Obama and chimed in, "I'm excited about getting a new present!" President, present...so close. If she was disappointed about not receiving a shiny package with a bow she certainly didn't let on.

I agree with our new President on some important issues and differ greatly with him on other equally important issues. I'll stop there. I don't want to get into a long political discussion here. That's not the point of this blog.

I will say, that like Lily, I am excited about getting a new Present. I'm hoping and praying that President Obama will be a gift to our nation, our world, our future...and most importantly for me...to Lily's future.

Let It Snow...Let It Snow...Let It Snow

Today, we got some unexpected snow. We didn't get more than an inch, but it snowed most of the day...those huge, fluffy, beautiful flakes. Lily loved every second of it.

This afternoon we went outside and played in the snow for a little while. Maybe not the best decision given Lily's recent health...but Lily was so anxious to get out and play in it...and so was I!

Can I Have Some Privacy?

These are the words Lily said to her father as he walked by the bathroom while she was sitting on the big girl potty. This from the girl who will walk by and open the bathroom door when I'm in there...even if she doesn't come in...just because I've been foolish enough to close it!

Yes, you read that correctly. Lily was sitting on the big girl potty. She has been using the potty regularly since Saturday morning when she announced to me that she no longer wears diapers. Go figure!

Lily has definitely been ready to be potty trained for months (and months) and has actually gone on the potty from time to time...just not consistently. Lily would always tell me when she went in her diaper and more times than not she stays dry overnight. There was just one small problem...she just hasn't been "ready" to use the big girl potty. Her words. Not mine. I guess that all changed while she slept Friday night!

On Saturday, Lily and I baked banana muffins. After dinner Saturday night Lily suggested we eat some of the muffins and have a "Big Girl Panty Party". How cute is she??

Here are a few shots from that party.

Hot Stuff

The last two days have been unbearably cold around here...for everyone but Lily. She's been hot stuff...as in 103 degree temperature kind of hot! Poor thing...she's sick again!

Yesterday, schools opened 2 hours late (because of snow that never fell). If schools open late then preschool is cancelled. Because Mommy didn't bother to listen to the radio I had no idea schools were opening late. When we arrived at preschool the parking lot was empty. That really had me guessing. Then I remembered seeing some older looking kids waiting at school bus stops. They are normally in school well before preschool starts. That's when I called Patti and she told me about the 2 hour delay. I think I better start listening to the radio on school mornings!

Lily was *really* disappointed and pretty grouchy! We missed the last two weeks before Christmas because Lily was sick and yesterday was supposed to be the first day back after the holiday break. Lily was really looking forward to seeing her teacher, Miss Doreen.

Since Lily and I were already out and about in the frigid temps I thought we would run a few quick errands. On the way back home Lily fell asleep in the car. It wasn't even 11:30 yet. That...and her uncharacteristic grouchiness...should have been a clue that something wasn't right!

In the afternoon I noticed Lily's cheeks were really rosy and her eyes looked kind of glassy. I took her temperature and it was 102.9! Yikes! I asked Lily if she was feeling okay and she said, "Not really. My throat hurts a little bit."

I took Lily to the doctor first thing this morning. Apparently, Lily's throat is very "inflamed". The doctor thought she might have strep but the culture came back negative. Thank God!

Last winter Lily barely had so much as a sniffle. The poor thing certainly is making up for it this winter! I think I better go now and disinfect our house!! Before I do, here's another cute picture of Lily and her new guitar belt:

A Girl And Her Guitar

Lily absolutely loves the guitar Tony and I gave her for Christmas. She plays it all the time.

Lily also loves the guitar our friends Judy, Jim, and Jerrod gave her for Christmas. There is one little problem with the guitar. Our little sweetie is a lefty. When she "plays" the guitar the buttons, etc. are upside down. Lily doesn't like that one bit!

I should also mention that Lily is now sporting a guitar belt. The other day Lily and I were walking through Target and she spotted a purple guitar belt. It was love at first sight! Lily has never asked for anything in a store before. She doesn't quite get the "ask and you just might receive" concept yet. Thank God!

Anyway, Lily asked if she could wear the belt. I thought...sure...why not? When I put the belt on Lily she was practically levitating. She looked so sweet I couldn't help but buy it!

A New 'Do

It was way past time for Lily to get her hair trimmed. It's been months and her hair was getting a little bit shaggy.

Can I just tell you how much she loved it?! She was absolutely the 'Belle Of The Ball'! Everyone in the salon (employees and customers alike) completely made over her...and she ate it all up!!

Are You Having Fun With Grandmom?

Okay. I either need the name of an excellent plastic surgeon or at the very least a really witty comeback. Today, for the third time in the last 18 months, someone has referred to me as Lily's grandmother!

Lily and I were standing in line at the pharmacy and the woman behind us started talking to Lily. At first, she seemed really sweet. Then things went south in a hurry! I started hearing questions like, "Are you having fun with Grandmom today?", "Does Grandmom want you to keep your coat on?" You get the idea.

After several "grandmom" comments I said, "Oh, I'm not her grandmother. I'm her mother." To which the woman replied, "Wow! Aren't you brave." What????? Obviously this woman didn't read my PMS post from yesterday! She's lucky she got away with her life ;-).

Trust me, I know I'm old enough to be a grandmother...but, come on people! The Guiness World Book of Records is hardly beating down my door looking to interview "The Oldest First Time Mother In History!"

Please people. Stop calling Mommy my grandmom...it makes her really fussy!

It's Been A While...

...since I posted some cute Tubby Time pictures! How sweet are these??

I love the tubby paints Aunt Sheila gave me for Christmas!

I love tubby time!

Daddy is ALWAYS smooching me!

Thanks For Taking Me To Ethan's Party, Mommy

I'm not too proud to admit that I wouldn't win any "Mommy of the Year" awards for my efforts today. It was just one of "those" days. You know the kind of days I mean. Right? You're trying to smile on the outside, but inside you're SCREAMING! Oh, please tell me you have those kinds of days, too!

We started the morning with breakfast with my dad like we do every Sunday. Today, Patti, Sadie, and some friends of ours joined us, too. Two of the folks that joined us are Deaf. So, that means I'm doing double or triple duty. I'm trying to catch up with old friends, I'm trying to interpret the conversation at the table so no one feels left out and...oh yeah, I'm trying to make sure Lily eats her breakfast and trying to eat some of my own, too!

Let's just say Lily wasn't pleased with my efforts at multi-tasking. Add to that the fact that Daddy didn't want her to play with the new, really LOUD guitar Jim, Judy, and Jerrod had just given her and to put it mildly Lily had a full scale meltdown. At one point she even tried to hold my hands with hers so I couldn't sign! Typing it now it seems a little bit funny. Trust me, this morning it didn't seem funny at all! Remember, smiling on the outside but SCREAMING on the inside. Oh...and Patti...if you're reading this...don't think I didn't see you trying not to laugh! I told you your "angelic niece" could throw a fit when she wanted to! Bet you believe me now!!

This is in no way an attempt to justify my behavior...or for that matter...this rambling, ranting post. I just have to tell you that being a 40+, perimenopausal woman with PMS, and the mother of a 2 1/2 year old can present some unique...um...what's the word I'm looking for...challenges! Yeah, that's it! I know, I know...too much information. Just thought in the spirit of full disclosure I should share!

Because I wasn't already cranky enough, this afternoon Lily and I went to one of her little friend's birthday parties. I am not a big fan of large birthday parties for little kids. I know, this from the woman whose daughter's first birthday was nicknamed Lilypalooza! I just think when you get a large group of little people (over 20) together in one of those over stimulating indoor play areas it's a recipe for disaster. Oh, and did I mention I have PMS???

During the party just about every one of the 20+ little tikes had a meltdown at one point or another. The good news is Lily wasn't one of them. I imagine she was still plumb tuckered out from her performance this morning!

Actually, Lily had a blast at the party! She wasn't at all interested in playing with the other kids, but she absolutely LOVED the rock wall. I think our little girlfriend is part spider. Seriously! Lily climbed the rock wall 3 times. She actually climbed for about the first 6 or 8 feet...and then got hoisted up the rest of the way and loved every second of it! You should have seen the huge smile on her face the whole time. Check out these pictures:



This evening as we were eating dinner (and I was counting the minutes until I could have a glass of red wine) completely unprompted Lily reached over and gave me a big hug and said, "Thanks for taking me to Ethan's party, Mommy."

PMS. What PMS?

So, This Morning At Breakfast...

...Lily said to me, "My baby brudder was born in China. Just like me." Thank God this time my mouth was empty! To make sure I understood what Lily said I asked, "You have a baby brother?" Lily emphatically said, "Yes! His name is Madalynn."

Gotta love that name! The fact that one of the mom's in our playgroup just had a little girl named Madalynn I'm sure has more than a little to do with the name choice! Anyway, Lily went on to explain in elaborate detail all about her little "brudder".

Here are a few of the highlights:

Madalynn's first mommy "lost him" so now he needs "Lily's mommy to love him".

Lily is going to help carry Madalynn in a "papoosie" while we are in China. Just like Mommy did when she was a baby in China and couldn't walk.

Madalynn is going to call her Jie Jie (Big sister in Mandarin).

I'm beginning to wonder if these breakfast revelations are going to become a daily occurrence!

On my last post my cousin Eileen left a comment. Please, take a minute to go and read it. Eileen is an adoptive mom herself and her comments are always insightful. I love hearing/learning from other "been there...done that" adoptive parents.

In that post I wrote that I didn't think we talked about being an adoptive family very often. The more I think about it...that's not true. The fact that we are an adoptive family influences everything we say and do. One simple example is some of the books included on Lily's bookshelves..."A Mother For Choco", "I Don't Have Your Eyes", "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes", and "The Family Book" just to name a few. I imagine these titles are not included on the bookshelves of most biological children.

At 2 1/2, Lily has already begun to recognize physical differences between us. She often mentions that Mommy and Daddy's eyes are blue and her eyes are brown. Lily has questioned why Mommy and Daddy have freckles and she doesn't. She will also put her arm next to mine and say, "Why your skin look like that?"

When Lily mentions our physical differences I will often say things like, "I'm sure you got your beautiful brown eyes from your birth parents." I will sometimes also mention other members of our family (Aunt Baba, Beanie, etc.) that have brown eyes. I hope that will help Lily to feel a connection to both her birth family and her forever family.

I know this is just the beginning of many questions that Lily will have over the years. I'm hoping that since Lily has started to ask questions so early I will become more confident and comfortable answering them. Because I'm sure the questions will only become more challenging and emotional!

Now, about this baby "brudder". Do you think Lily knows something we don't know????

I have to show my baby brudder my American and Chinese flags.

P.S. - Thanks to those of you who took a minute to leave such sweet comments on my 400th Post...post!

My First Mommy

During breakfast this morning Lily said to me, "In China...my First Mommy...what her name?" To say I wasn't ready for that question would be an understatement! It felt like all the air got sucked out of the room. Honestly, my heart started racing as I quickly chewed and swallowed the bagel in my mouth before I could choke on it.

Recently, Lily has begun to ask a lot of questions about her life in China. Most of the questions have been of the: Did I know how to walk in China?...Did I have teeth in China?...variety. Then the other day I overheard Lily talking to her imaginary cat. This is what she said, "You were born in China and then came to Mare Ka so we could be a family."

I don't feel like we talk about the fact that we are an adoptive family very often...but obviously Lily is taking in everything she hears!

In answer to Lily's question I simply and honestly said, "We don't know your First Mommy's name." Lily seemed more than satisfied with that answer...but I'm still shaken by the question...or more truthfully my inability to answer it.

In the shower this morning I had tears running down my face thinking of all the questions that lay ahead that we won't be able to answer for our sweet Lily.

My 400th Post

I can't believe this but this is my 400th entry! When I started my blog way back when I never envisioned I would still be writing in it 2 years later.

From time to time I hear from someone who lets me know they check in on us through the blog. It always surprises me! If you are reading this please take a minute and leave a comment. I would love to know who is stopping by!

My camera "leapt" to its death on New Year's Eve. Really it's a boring story but the end result is that I am without a camera. I am going through some serious withdrawal! My new camera should arrive any day. Until then here are some random shots of our little sweetie from over the holidays.

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday

We had a very quiet start to 2009 and a quiet birthday for our own Baby New Year.

For New Year's Eve we had a nice dinner at home, toasted the New Year with some sparkling grape juice, and called it a night. I was actually asleep when 2009 made its first appearance...a far cry from New Year's Eves of old!


Tony had a great birthday. We spent a quiet family day together and celebrated with a yummy cheesecake that Lily not only helped me make...but she blew out all of Daddy's candles, too!