Sledding fun

Turns out Lily does not mind this winter weather as long the wind is not blowing too hard. Thanks Great Aunt D. for finding this toasty warm snowsuit a couple of years ago, I look adorable in it...

Ho Ho Ho!

We took a few Christmas photos this evening. How adorable is Lily in her Santa suit? She looks like an little elf. I have always enjoyed the Christmas season but this year, of course, is extra special.

May your home be filled with love and happiness this Christmas. N

Different wheels

Above is Lily going for a ride on Poppie's walker. Cousin M. was over playing with little miss and decided to see if she would enjoy a little scoot around the house on their grandfather's walker and of course Lily did loved it.

Yesterday she received three immunizations, poor gal, she was definitely out of sorts last evening. Attempted to go to play group this morning but she was having not part of it, I decided to let her win this morning because she still may be feeling the side effects of the shots. She is a warm weather gal, I think it is going to take a while for her to embrace our winters. Someone gave us a cute little plastic sled a couple of years ago so I will dig that out this weekend and see is she might enjoy sledding in the back yard. Thanks Pooh.

Tomorrow will be her first Christmas party, hope Santa does not scare her too much!

Baptism Day/storm day

Thanks L & J for being the proxy "Godparents".

Dale looking dashing, daughter looking darling.

Today was Baptism Day, unfortunately it was also our first storm day. So we had several family members and friends not able to attend because of terrible road conditions, you were all missed.

We almost rescheduled for next month but thought we should proceed, we could run into this kind of weather for the next four or five months. Lily as usual was in good humour and did not mind horribly when the other families were invited to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of all the children being baptised today (four other cuties).

Afterwards family members attending popped over for some refreshments and snacks, a very good day overall despite the weather.

18 Month Check-up & China pics

This was the view from our hotel in Nanchang. We have told since we are home that the owner of the building died during it construction and no one has taken over and it is full of squatters. I did see a lady walking on the decking in a dress and thought it was pretty strange to see a dress blowing in the breeze on a construction site - lol.

This is the last minute panic to purchase formula and rice cereal just before we received the babies in Nanchang.

The soil of Lily's province is red - isn't that interesting - just like here at home.

Travelling to Nanchang from Beijing. Please note I am lugging all of CAM's luggage - ha. A photographer has to have her hands free to take these great shots.

The above is from the evening we arrived in Beijing. Exhaustion and excitement all wrapped into a not so pretty package - lol.
*****

Today was Lily's 18 month check-up with our family doctor. She is now 17 pounds and 8 ounces and 29 inches long, grow Lily grow!

She also received a regular seasonal flu shot, she was a brave little trooper again, of course there were some tears but they dried up quickly and she received two stickers from the kind nurse to compensate for her pain. Dr. H is great as long as she does not actually try to touch Lily, then Lily gets quite scared and clings to Dale.

Lily's crib is a Storkcraft and there was a major recall announced yesterday. I have been trying for a day and half to get a hold of someone to order the replacement kit and no luck, very frustrating. I have been calling the 1-866 number and trying to reach them on-line. How can I let her sleep in that crib now that we know about the recall, even if it does seem very sturdy? Lily flops about during her sleep so obviously we cannot let her use the crib till it is fixed, this is definitely not going to help the afternoon nap issues.

CAM sent us a couple of disks of pics from our trip to China, I thought I would post a few(tried to make them appear at the bottom of my post but I did not succeed). Thanks again C, they are amazing shots and you are too talented. N

Two fisted eating...

She loved the yellow and green beans we had at dinner. To date we have mostly used bottle veggies because she only has six teeth. This photo cracks me up. Maybe Auntie S is right, her new nickname might have to be "Pork Chop".

Remembrance Day

Hope everyone takes a moment or two to remember past and present sacrifices that have been made for us to enjoy living in such a peaceful country.

Above is Lily in a Jolly Jumper, yes a Jolly Jumper. There maybe some folks who do not approve of them, she uses it twice a week for ten minutes at a time and I can assure you she is fully supervised. She usually tries to pick up her socks or one of Chipper's toys with her feet and does any amazingly good job, the girl is flexible. She enjoys her Jolly Jumper and will ask to be put in it by standing inside the metal frame and doing a funny little jumping action, and always tries to help Dale fasten the harness.

Oh and I wanted to share this random act of kindness. Earlier this week Lily and I were out for a walk, she of course was in her stroller. We crossed a somewhat busy intersection, said Hello to two guys who were packing up surveying equipment. Lily was chatting/babbling away in her stroller and I was just taking in the sunshine. I hear this "Excuse Me, Excuse Me". I push over to the far right thinking it was someone on a bike and we were in the way. It was one of the guys from the corner, he was waving Lily's pink mitten. Isn't that something? He chased us a good half block to return her fallen mitten. I love living in a place where that would happen!

Hope everyone has a thoughtful Remembrance Day.

Another embarrassment of riches

One of Dale's co-worker's J. opened to her house to host a baby shower for Lily. She has an amazing home on the south shore with a million dollar view. As usual people are so generous and kind and share in our excitement of having Lily in our life. She had a great time with T.'s daughter and friend playing hot potato with some balloons. She received some amazing outfits, PJs, books, toys and a diaper genie. One of Dale's co-worker's K. was not able to make it Saturday morning so he dropped off a gift, a Team Canada jersey with her name on the back - very neat.

I was a little nervous about how she would get along, she has been a bit clingy lately (which is really a good thing, she is attaching to us more and more) but after a little while she was having so much fun playing with the balloons she was not so clingy.

Friday afternoon she has a little visit/playdate with the twins, A&T. Oh it was just adorable to see them together. When we were leaving and they each gave her a hug, my heart absolutely melted.

Last night she had a family birthday get-together, she loved playing with Cousin M.'s toys and the ice cream. She is one lucky little girl to have such amazing people in her life, of course we consider ourselves lucky to have her in our lives.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween.

My shirt says: "Daddy is under my spell", so true and I know it...

The snake costume we had for her got the big thumbs down, it actually scared her a bit so we went with Halloween themed clothing instead.

Some afternoon fun.

Man Shower

Lily helping Daddy open her gi at the Man Shower tonight.

Her white belt signed by Sensei Higashi.

Dale's Karate friends threw him a surprise "Man Shower" this evening. I tried to help trick him a bit at dinner time by saying some of my co-workers were coming by around 7 p.m. so when the back door opened at 7 I was able to say: "Oh, that must be the girls." When in fact it was the boys and girls and food, beer and wonderful gifts for Lily. It was wonderful they were able to truly surprise him tonight. Thank you so much. Lily received a karate gi, gift cards and a cute Christmas ornament. The gi is embroidered with her name and the belt was signed by Sensei Higashi, very special indeed, a piece of history, we hope Lily appreciates that when she is older.

Visiting Meme & Pepe and gifts!

Playing with Pepe.

Sitting quietly and playing with Meme. This is not the norm, she is full of energy, a rough and tumble gal most times.

This is so neat, it is a Halloween Photo/Scrap Book made by Auntie CAM. There is a page for photos for Lily in her Halloween costume from this year till she is about 14 years old. How cool?

Another Auntie CAM creation, a handmade photo album/scrap book for Lily. Photos from our trip to China, it is amazing.

From Aunt S & Uncle JP, a bunny towel for Lily, she will look even more adorable wearing this towel/robe.

A wicket cute outfit for Little Miss from Aunt S and Uncle J, they also sent a memory book that is specifically geared to an adopted child it is wonderful and I promise to fill it out not just let it sit on a shelf. Also note the beautiful rocking chair pad, Auntie Lou made those!

Lastly, Lily having lunch today at Meme & Pepe's wearing the bib from Auntie S.

The things a mother will do...

So, this is a photo of me at the Vet clinic this morning. On my shoulder is "Niko", resident bird of the clinic. Once a month Chipper has to go the the clinic for a minor procedure and any time the bird is out of his cage he lands on me for a visit. Normally, I freak out a bit and immediately shoo it away. Today was different. Lily came along. This is proof positive that I am trying to be a good role model and not pass on any of my anxieties, phobias or bad habits. So, I smiled pleasantly and told Lily the pretty birds name, she is enchanted with the bird, all the while I am thinking "Don't you dare poop on me bird, on my new Land's End jacket, you will be in big trouble."

Dale, bless his heart was so amused that he took this photo with his Blackberry then proceeds to say: "I wonder why he always lands on you when we are here, must be your hair, must remind him of a nest."

Hat weather

I cannot believe it is early October and it is hat and mitt weather already.

Fall colours in the backyard.

"Clearly this hat is too big."

The hat that Heather B. made, note the chubby cheeks have returned.

Have wheels will travel.

Lily and Dale today at the Shady Forest in the National Park.

Noella and Lily at Beach Grove trails.

We are somewhat settled. Lily is having a smoother transition than Mom and Dad. I cannot seem to find the time to clean the house and get organized. She has gained a pound since she has been in our care. She is teething, drooling lots she has a lower tooth coming in...We make a point of going for at least one walk a day if not two walks.

She is so funny, one moment all sweet and gentle the next moment not so delicate. The cat pretty much ignores her, the dog gives her a wide berth. We are still working on getting her to gently pet Chipper. He is enjoying the way she throws food on the floor occasionally. Take care, N

Home - safe and sound

Thank you for the warm welcome. Lily is doing fine. Dale and I and Chipper are going to take awhile to get into a routine. Hopefully we can all reset the internal clocks sometime soon. Dale was so sick on the flight from Toronto to home, I felt bad for him. He was able to eat a bit today.