Two Years Ago Today-- First Day In Beijing!

Two years ago today (well in about 20 minutes since it is 11:40 at night on 5/17 and I am referring to 5/18 two years ago) we had our first full day in Beijing. It was a full day but I remember being exceptionally distracted and everything felt dull because we did not have Mia yet. All I wanted was time to pass quickly so that we could get to Hunan and get our little baby. While in Beijing we did do all the touristy type things like the Great Wall, Tienanmen Square and all the other things. It was amazing to be in a place that had so much history -- but again, I was distracted!

This is our guide and me at the Jade Factory in Beijing. This is me holding up the bracelet I purchased for myself and the peaceful button we bought for Mia. The bracelet was something I wanted from years ago when we first decided to adopt. I was shocked at how expensive the bracelet was but it is great quality and I still wear it today. The peaceful button is a necklace that many Chinese parents give to their daughters-- we wanted to do the same.

Eating dinner at an amazing restaurant in Beijing. There is a funny story behind this. We had dinner up on the top level of the restaurant. There was an elevator to go to the ground level to leave. Kev and I ate dinner and were leaving in the elevator and we saw some nice Canadians who had just adopted and I struck up a conversation with them. They were super nice and when I mentioned that we had been skipped last month she totally immediately knew who I was-- she was like-- are you Christy? It was totally strange but totally cool!! Anyway, she mentioned one lady in her group and I thought I may have known her from our October DTC (group of people that we went through the whole process with for years) and she asked if I wanted to come down to the basement to say hi to everyone. Sure enough, I did and sure enough, I knew many of the families in their group from our DTC group. It was amazingly wonderful to get to see all of them and to see them with their babies. We did not have Mia yet so it was totally cool to be able to see their little babies faces-- it made Mia more real to us.

This is a picture of the whole Canadian group with us. It was a totally cool experience!!

Two Years Ago Today...

Two years ago today we dropped the boys and the dogs off at my parents, said our goodbyes, headed to LAX and then boarded a plane to pick up our baby girl. This day 2 years ago was the beginning of a journey that changed our lives-- that brought us across a sea to finally meet the our baby girl that God had planned for us since before time began. I remember being so nervous but so excited. Lots of nerves- do I have everything- what if she cries constantly- will she shut down? Lots of nerves but totally overshadowed by the excitement of meeting our baby girl for the first time.

Saying our goodbyes to the boys. It was so hard leaving them but they got to watch us on our blog and every night we skyped and got to picture chat. It was fun for them to see us while in China and great for us to get to see them.

The final goodbye picture

At LAX waiving by to my sister Cass who was nice enough to drive us into LA (only actually 45 min drive with no traffic).

Remember Kevin had broke his hip in February so he was still on crutches while in China. He actually climbed the great wall on crutches.

The Most Adorable Dress EVER!!!

Yes I think it is!!! It is the most adorable dress that could ever be made. And who do you think gave this amazing dress to my beautiful little girl??? That would be my blogger pal Kim at Journey to Isablella. When we met up with Kim and her family last week at Disneyland, Kim lavished Mia with wonderful gifts including this adorable dress her friend Cora made for Mia. I just cant tell you how much I love this dress. Not only are the colors amazingly vibrant and beautiful but it is also very well constructed. It is just a perfect summer dress. Also check out the clippy in her hair as well as the adorable sandals. Both are compliments Kim as well. Kim, you are just awesome and Mia and I both soooooo appreciate your generosity!!

I took the pictures on Sunday when we were on our way to church. Mia was not totally in the picture taking mood but I got a few.

The back is soooo cute as well. It is a knot dress so you can criss cross it or do it normal. I decided to criss cross this day.

And check out the sandals. They are totally beaded. They could not be more my taste--love them!!!!


The "I don't want to take pictures" pouty face.

Spinning with her piece of cheese in her hand.

faster and faster

This dress has soooo much material and spins so beautifully. All Mia wanted to do all day was to spin. It was so cute!!

Thanks again Kim for your generosity! We love everything!! Blanket pictures coming soon!

Swimming Ballerina

Someone mentioned Mia's lack of floaties and I do appreciate your concern. We are working towards getting Mia water safe and putting her in a floatie every time we are by the pool will not teacher her to be water safe. Right now she is very comfy in a floatie and we use one anytime I am not right there but when I can be there- right next to her, I rather her be without a floatie so if she does fall in, I can go in after her but there is a good lesson learned and we can use that moment as a teachable moment. So far this summer she did step off the spa step and thrash around in the deeper water for a few seconds. I jumped in and got her onto a step and she was just fine. I sat in the spa with her for a few and I put her in the deep water again and let her kick to the side-- teachable moment. That is why she did not have floaties on-- we are teaching her right now-- but thanks for your concern-- I really do appreciate it.

I purchased all those Kate Mack bathing suits a while ago and now that we are in the midst of the heat, Mia is finally getting a chance to wear them. This weekend was really hot so we spent a lot of time in the pool. We have solar for our pool so we literally are swimming in high 80 degree water-- it is sooooo nice.

My beautiful ballerina

She just loves the water and always has. My goal is to get her swimming this summer and with as much time as we spend in the pool, I think that will happen.

Heading up to the spa


Climbing in

Love this picture. She is almost in mid air-- too cute!

She climbs in and plays on the swim step and then runs to spa and plays there for a bit and then back again. It goes on for hours. She just loves the water.

Kevin was trimming the hedges while she was swimming and she put her hands over her ears because it was so loud. I thought this was a cute picture.

She is into spitting water-- kind of gross but fun for her.

Splashing max. She just loves swimming with the dogs.

Sadie actually swims all around the pool. Max stays on the step and plays but Sadie likes to swim. I think it is because she is so heavy that she likes to finally be light and buoyant.

Love her funny face!

And back into the spa!

Guess Who We Met???

After over 2 years of bloggy friendship, guess who we met up with at my favorite place on earth? My pal Kim from Journey to Isabella and her awesome kids!! I always knew if Kim and I were ever to meet in person that we would totally hit it off, and that we did. Kim is a giving wonderful woman and I feel privileged to call her my friend. Her family was warm and friendly and we got along great!!

Mia and Kim!

Kim had the most beautiful dress made by her friend Cora. It is absolutely beautiful and the colors are awesome. She also gave her some clippies and if anyone knows Kim, she can never give anything without matching clippies--haha!! She also bought Mia beautiful sparkly sandles that match the dress. Her mother also made Mia this amazingly beautiful and heavy blanket to match Mia's bedroom. It is gorgeous!!! Kim is an amazingly generous friend and we love everything.

While Kim and her family went on a couple big rides, Mia and I played in the Brother Bear play area.

My cutie!

We all then went on the moving Ferris wheel which was a lot of fun. Here is Nick, Kim and their friend Kevin.

Here is Kim's husband John, Kyleigh, me and Mia

Kyleigh and Mia hit it off and Mia wanted nothing to do with mom. She wanted Kim or Kyleigh-- it was really cute!!

We then went over to Disney from California Adventure. The Bison family taking the required Disney pic!

Kim, Mia and I

Another

And another

I love these pictures of Kim and Kyleigh holding Mia's hands. It is too cute and they were having so much fun!!

Mia loves to be swung like that

More more more!!!

Mia and Kyleigh on the monorail.

Kim and John on the monorail--too cute!

Mia and I ended our day with the Bisons and a trip on the monorail. I had to get back to a parent meeting at the private school my boys will be attending in the fall so sadly I had to cut our visit short, but it was a wonderful day and I cant wait to spend more time with Kim and her family. They were just awesome people!!!

Beauty and the Horse

Before we went out to run errands today Mia grabbed this old rocking horse and started rocking. Conveniently, mommy moved it over in front of a pretty bush and grabbed her camera. Mia was having a blast rocking that horse so hard and fast that I worried it was going to flip-- luckily it didn't!!

I love Mia in yellow!! She looks so good in yellow!

Fun!!!

This was one of those times I worried she would tip the horse. She was having way too much fun!!!

Climbing on!!

Pretty little thing!!



Here she was checking out the bees on the flowers-- they were everywhere. I like how Mia was out of focus in this picture and the flowers were sharp-- kind of cool!

Buzzing bees!!