New Baby & so very touching

Our dear friend Shelly just had her baby yesterday. A 7 lb little girl. I believe they are going to call her Leanna. I'm afraid I forget her Chinese name, though! I still haven't gotten a chance to see them yet, but since Mike works in the same town that they live in, he got to visit them in the hospital yesterday, and even drove them home today. He snapped this photo for me.



Tonite, when Mike came home, he was telling me that seeing the baby bothered him. I thought he was just being typical 'Macho Mike,' but no. Seeing the little baby reminded him that this was how small Maelie was when she was left outside of the orphanage. He was upset at thinking that anything could have happened to our little sweetheart...an animal could have come along, she was alone in the cold, etc. I was incredibly touched that my typical 'man' had such emotions thinking of the first days our little princess was on this earth.

I am constantly amazed at how people are so affected by Maelie. I shouldn't be sharing this, but I really want to make sure Maelie knows this later in life, too. Her grandfather, Mike's dad, is very unwell. They have a framed photo of Maelie in their living room, and the other day, the sun was streaming in the windows and shining on her photo. Mike's mom rounded the corner and saw him sitting in his chair, looking at that photo with the sun shining on it, with tears streaming down his face.

I get choked up writing both these stories, and I just hope Maelie understands...truly understands...how much she is so loved. And loved deeply. And now, she has a new 'cousin' named Leanna!

Maelie Update

I thought, since Maelie is quickly approaching her First Birthday, I'd give a little Maelie update. And I WILL post photos later today! First, I have to locate the camera! I think my husband swiped it...

But, for a few Maelie Stats:

Still NO teeth. NONE. Everytime I think she's teething, or think I see a glimpse of white in there, there's nothing there. I'm not going to *really* worry for another couple of months, but Daddy's starting to think we need to get our baby some dentures!!

She LOVES real food. She's been eating table food for awhile now. I just chop everything fine, but she likes texture. Her favorites are eggs, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Oh, and MEAT. Chicken. She still HATES fruit. It makes no difference what kind it is. The kid throws a fit. I have found she likes Gerber dried fruits, and orange juice. That is all. She likes veggies, though, like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, and green beans. Again, they have to be REAL...I buy frozen and make sure they're cooked mushy. She also likes to drink water out of a cup with Daddy. I don't know why, it's a 'Daddy' thing.

She crawls like the wind. She'll stand holding onto something FOREVER. She'll stand without holding anything for a few seconds. She's hesitant to take steps on her own, but will cruise along furniture, and also will walk pushing the rolling ottoman ahead of her, or her activity table that slides along the wood floor. I keep thinking she'll walk at any time now.

She has a favorite book that she will sit and read OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER. I honestly don't know why it's her favorite. It's called 'A Child's Good Morning Book' by Margaret Wise Brown and Karen Katz. She honestly squeals with delight and seriously bounces when that book somes out. We have to distract her to hide it from her after reading it to her for the 28th time in a row!!!

I have found two activities that will allow her to SLOW DOWN for a few minutes so I can cuddle with her. One is that darn book, and she loves to watch the Baby Signing Time DVD. She'll finally slow down enough during these two activities so I can hold her!!! Otherwise, she is MOVING. CONSTANTLY. From toy to toy to thing to thing. She's a mover. I'm actually enjoying her NOT walking just yet. She's going to be a runner and a climber!!!

She loves bathtime. We've gone from using the infant seat to having her just sit in the tub. She does wonderfully, and loves to play and splash.

Her other favorite toys include anything that plays music, and things with variety. She loves her activity tables, her Leapfrog toys, and bouncing in her bouncer while we play Rock Band for her. :)

I'll be posting more of her stats as we count down to the big day. Oh, have I mentioned how much I love her??? And how she has Daddy wrapped around her cute little finger??? She is such a babe.

Blog Apology

I have to apologize for my lack of blogging lately. I haven't been feeling the greatest this week, but I hope to get back to regular updates soon.

Valentine's Day turned out very nice. Maelie stayed overnight with her auntie and uncle and did very very well. They set up their old crib so Maelie slept well. Apparently, she just doesn't like sleeping in playpens!

I do have many photos to share, and will download them soon. We'll have a photo update montage soon, I promise.

Other than my feeling not so great, everyone else here is doing well. We still have construction going on, which is wearing thin on my patience, too! And, my baby is nearing her first birthday!!! I need to get back on my feet soon so I can plan her a great party.

Will be back soon, with photos!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day from Maelie and the rest of us! Tonite she's going to stay with her Auntie Kimmy. Let's all hope it goes well...she's really been doing the velcro attachment to Mike and me lately, and even cries when she sees family, so it might be a challenge. I have to admit to being nervous already.

Mike is taking me to dinner in a large city about an hour's drive from here. There is a historical mansion that gives tours, and on Valentine's Day they have a romantic dinner. We've gone before, and it's been very nice. I just hope this year I can enjoy it with Maelie at her Auntie's! All I can say to all the mothers out there who have called home every 15 minutes to check on the baby...I NOW UNDERSTAND.

We will have photos later of our Valentine's Day adventures! I hope everyone has a very romantic and lovely day.

Tet Hockey Game Photos

Okay, so the game wasn't OFFICIALLY for Tet, but the Friday of Tet, we took Maelie to her first hockey game. It was our city's high school team against the local rivals. She had a good time, and we even lasted until the third quarter. Of course, we got a lot of attention, just like we do wherever we go. It's as if we travel with a celebrity. :)

Behind us sat a family with two little boys. They were both smitten with Maelie and the one little boy wouldn't leave her alone. Finally, he came down and got right in her face and I wondered how this would go. WELL, she's a little flirt!!! She would look at him, look away, and giggle her head off, then look back at him. It was soooooo cute. So, she has a boyfriend. HA!!!

Here are some photos from the game. STILL can't find my photo card reader adapter....so, we're behind in photos. But, enjoy these until I can locate that damn thing!!! :)

Construction Fun & Baby Signs

First of all, I know I'm behind in updates. I have photos to post, but unfortunately, with the house renovations in full swing, I have misplaced the Sony card adapter to download the photos. I know it's here somewhere, and today we are going to try to organize a bit. Our house construction has been a trip, let me tell you. We have been sleeping in our living room, Mike on the floor and me on the couch. Luckily, Maelie's room isn't affected, so she has her own crib. HOWEVER, since they are working upstairs, where Maelie's room is, during the day, we have nap problems. My darling daughter will ONLY sleep in two places...her crib, or the car. No pack n play, no naps on the couch, nothing else. And when she gets tired, SHE GETS TIRED. So, all last week, when it was naptime, Mommy and Maelie would hit the open road so she could sleep. SIGH. It sounds easy, right? It's not. And we have another week, at least, of the fun. Add that with dogs who bark when the workers come in, leave, pound on things, and you have a fun-filled, rockin' day. I have to keep telling myself, 'it WILL be nice when it's done...it WILL be nice when it's done...it WILL be nice when it's done....' I do have some construction photos to post when I can download them. We do now have a ceiling, of sorts, back...but for most of the week, we could look up and see the roof. YAY.

Now, on to the Baby Signs. Since Maelie has been a little slow to talk, I finally decided to start showing her the Baby Signing Times DVDs and do a little work with signing. As of late last week, it is official...she knows the sign for DOG. I am soooooo proud!!!!!!! I can tell she's really thinking about the other signs we do, too...like 'milk,' 'cat,' etc. But, when I ask her to tell me how we say 'puppy,' sure enough, it's THERE!!!! I'm so proud of my little peanut. And I want to thank my friends Kelley and Michelle for their suggestions and advice. It IS coming!!! :)

Hoping for photos later today, but wanted to let you all know that we are still here and haven't been taken up by aliens, or something......