Babies Coming Home

Today, a large group of at least 16 people received their approvals to travel to Vietnam to bring their precious babies home. Included in this group is my dear friend Angela, who has so patiently waited and endured so incredibly much during this process. She is a member of our little group of 4 who lost our referrals from Thai Nguyen, and she has had obstacle after obstacle thrown at her since that devastating news.

My heart is filled with joy in hearing her news today, and I am relieved, too...for everyone who has been burdened with the wait. I know how you felt, and it is a pain that is, I think, only understood to those of us who have been there. It's horrible. It is a stress I will never forget. A similar kind of remembering, it must be, to someone who has given birth and sees the stretch marks...the pain is gone, but you won't forget it. And it makes the reward of gazing into your child's face all the sweeter.

Godspeed to everyone!!! It is a wonderful country filled with so much...the people, the dichotomies, the warmth (and humidity!...although that's not what I meant...) :) Enjoy every moment.

Maelie would like me to add for you all to hurry and bring her cousins HOME!!!!!!! :)

****UPDATE****

People have asked how many families have been approved, and there are 16 families altogether; there will be two groups of 8 travelling. Yippee!!!!!!

My Birthday

Mike bought a cake for me and even wrote my name on it and decorated it with candles. He also made me my favorite dinner of spaghetti and meatballs. It was all so yummy. I thought the cake was sweet of him to do...not to mention that cake and ice cream is my favorite food group....



Mike took a half day off of work and it was wonderful. He took care of Maelie and I took a marathon bubble bath, gave myself a facial with my new Aveda stuff (I wouldn't let myself open it until my birthday), and I attempted to take some photos of Maelie. Unfortunately, I was blocking her favorite TV show, and she kept trying to peer around me. Odd for her, since she rarely pays that much attention to the show after the opening song! Too funny.





I wanted a photo today with my special princess, but it didn't turn out too great. I still had wet hair from my bubbly bath, and Maelie was getting ornery with the camera. But, here's our attempt:



As for birthday gifts, I had ordered a bunch of Aveda stuff that I considered my gift, and Mike bought me a Wii Fit, which I am excited about trying. He bought it this past weekend, though, so it really wasn't a surprise. I didn't have any birthday gift surprises, except for one, and it was the most special EVER. I was feeding Maelie at dinnertime, and she has this cute, little thing lately that she does. She'll reach over, grab my sleeve, and pull me to her. It's a little love thing. Lately, she's even pulled me to her and touched my eyes, or pull my hair or something. Well, tonite, she pulled me to her, and kissed me square on the mouth. I got tears. I got, for my birthday, a spontaneous, meatball-tasting, sloppy kiss. It was the BEST gift EVER. E V E R. :)

March Birthdays

We celebrated my mom's birthday on the 21st, and mine was today. With Maelie's birthday being on the 9th, a dear friend of mine in England on the 10th, my late grandmother's birthday also on the 10th (Maelie's namesake), and others, it's a month packed with birthdays!!

Here are a couple of cute photos from my mom's birthday:



Uncle Alan reading 'the' book



Happy Birthday, Grandma!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I woke up a little bit blue about my birthday today. No real reason, blame it on feeling a little crummy, the grey weather, getting older, whatever the reason. And then, I went upstairs to get Miss Maelie this morning, and I thought, I have NOTHING to be blue about!!!! I am finally celebrating my birthday with the most wonderful and perfect little girl, something I have been waiting a long time to do.

So, YAY!!! It's my birthday!!!!!!!

I'm Glad

Maelie and I watch the Baby Signing Time dvds. Yeah, some of the songs are cheesy, but she likes them, and they keep her attention. That's what's important. There's a few songs, though, that are a little touching. On the second dvd, the very last song brings tears to my eyes every single time we watch it. The lyrics are just so fitting...

"I'm glad that my baby is you."

Some Random Photos

Here are a few random photos during Maelie's birthday week. Check out all those teeth getting ready to poke through in her water sprite photo!!!

Just Fine!

Hello! I'm home and feeling just fine. Oddly enough, my sinuses today are my biggest complaint, go figure! And, I'm missing my Maelie, but Daddy just went to pick her up from Auntie Kimmie's. Thank you everyone, for your care, concern, thoughts and prayers! You all are just the best. And thank you, once again, to Auntie Kimmie!!!

OH! And...Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! And, I didn't even get to wear a green gown today at the hospital. Bah!!!!

Slumber Party at Auntie Kimmie's

Tonite, Miss Maelie is staying overnight at Auntie Kimmie's house. Tomorrow, I have to have a minor surgical procedure to remove some uterine polyps. Fun times. Auntie Kimmie was nice enough to take the day off tomorrow so Maelie could stay with her. Thank you, Auntie Kimmie.

I'll post again when I'm able to...I have some more photos I want to share. :)

Birthday Party, Part Deux

Today was Maelie's second, and last party, for her birthday. My side of the family all gathered together at my mom's house. My niece Samantha made a beautiful cake, and drove 4 hours to bring it and celebrate with us. We call her, and my niece Tara, 'Aunties', since they just seem too old to be considered merely cousins. Samantha graduated from Le Cordon Bleu as a Pastry Chef, and made an awesomely cute, and seriously delicious, castle cake. Thank you again, Sammers!! Her significant other Matt came, too, and it was great to see them both. My brother and his wife, my sister and her husband, and my niece Tara all came. We were only missing 'Uncle' William, who was in D.C. on Spring Break. It means so much to have family willing to drive from near and far to celebrate our Maelie princess.

We had a very nice day, even though, ONCE AGAIN, we started out shaky. I swear, I don't know what it is with this child and holidays! It makes no difference if we're rushing, taking our time, stressed, or totally relaxed, she makes a HUGE fuss before any holiday!! She has not let us down in this department yet. Go figure.

Maelie got a ton of wonderful gifts from everyone at both parties. Grandma Bonnie gave her, in addition to her other gifts in the photos, a Radio Flyer wagon. She got, from Grandma and Grandpa Z, a very cute block sorter type toy that plays music and has all kinds of bells and whistles. She received some books, some pajamas, a very cute Train Engineer Teddy Bear that Uncle Alan picked out, a driving steering wheel toy that Uncle Bill picked out (the Uncles did very well!!!), a tiara from Auntie Sam, a stroller walker from Auntie Kim and Uncle Dave, a little stuffed Piglet from Auntie Therese, money, a gift card, toys, and a summer outfit. Mommy and Daddy gave her a Climb and Slide, a personalized fairy book, a fairy jewelry box, more books, a silver bracelet from Vietnam, a little doll and a fairy book from Vietnam, too. Her Auntie Ang sent her a package full of cute things, too...a little princess teddy bear, an adorable plush make-up kit, a wonderful photo frame, and more. I was so incredibly touched.

This child is so loved and so spoiled!!!!! But really, can you blame us????? :) Thank you again to EVERYONE, who helped to make Maelie's first birthday so very special. I cannot thank you all enough. Trust me, it will not be soon forgotten.

Birthday Party at Grammie and Grandpa's

Today was Maelie's first party of the weekend, at Grammie and Grandpa Z's house. Tomorrow, we have the second party, at my mom's house. But, today, of course, since it's a holiday, we got off to a rocky start. I don't know what it is with this child and holidays, but, she never fails!! You'll see in the photos. All in all, she did well, considering that there were about 20 people there, including Great Aunties and Uncles whom she'd either seen only once, or hadn't yet seen.

I was so touched that family drove to come celebrate Maelie's First Birthday, especially Auntie Cat and Uncle Bill, with the cousins, Great Auntie Maryann and Great Uncle Chet, who all had to drive quite a ways to come. Of course, I was touched EVERYONE came, and Maelie will have many great photos and video of the day to see how much she's loved...even if she started the day off as a little crabby monster!!!

Thank you again, so much, Grammie and Grandpa, for letting us have the party there, and for all the work you guys did...thank you, Everyone.

Making Mommy Laugh

Today, I have noticed Maelie doing something. She'll have done something silly, and of course, Mommy laughs, so she does it again, just to make Mommy laugh! Like today, we were eating chicken (which she ate a TON of), and she'd sign for more. I'd give her another bite, and a couple times, she totally grabbed my hand and brought it to her mouth like she was going to take off my hand!!! It was so funny, that of course, I laughed. She did it again, I giggled...I told Mike to watch. She did it again, and this time, had this twinkle in her eye and an impish grin, because she knew I'd laugh. It was so darned cute!!!!!!!! She did the same thing today when we were playing...she did something goofy, and did it again just to make Mommy laugh.

Oh, I love that little girl!!!

AND...yes, she's getting teeth. There are two white spots on the bottom, and her molar areas are swollen. She's a little crabby monster, unless she has her tylenol. Then, she's her little peachy self. :)

Possible First Tooth?

So, upon further review of tonite's photos, I noticed a few of her wide open mouth crying photos, and it appears as if Maelie might be getting a MOLAR! We have figured she's been teething, but I haven't felt anything. But, there sure seems to be a swollen, white bump in a few of her photos. I'll have to feel further back along her gums when she gets up. Sure would explain a lot, though!

But, a molar as a first tooth????

Birthday Photos

Well, it's been a rocky evening. Miss Maelie is NOT in a good mood. She is taking after her daddy in her attitude about holidays. I think the photos will speak for themselves......

Birthday Ad

We ran this in our local newspaper today. :)

First Birthday

Happy Birthday, Maelie!!! You're ONE today!!

Maelie has changed and grown so much since we got her at six months. Let's just take a look at Maelie today:

- She was physically strong when we met in Vietnam, and has only gotten stronger. She could sit up and was almost crawling by the time we left Vietnam. Now, she stands with ease, crawls like the wind, pulls herself up, climbs, and is inches away from walking.

- She loves to STAND in her highchair and hates to be confined.

- She goes to bed easily by herself, and doesn't like to be rocked to sleep.

- She doesn't like baby food, but eats the toddler meals, or people food cut up small.

- She detests fruit, but likes watered orange juice. We have yet to find a fresh fruit she will enjoy. But, she LOVES her meat! Especially chicken. And, she likes potatoes and vegetables.

- She seems to like the color yellow, and loves toys with suns on them, anything musical, and toys that light up.

- She's an active little girl. She doesn't like to stay at one activity for very long, and enjoys crawling from toy to toy, thing to thing. She likes toys that have variety, like her activity tables.

- She likes to watch the Sprout Channel, and loves Chica from the Good Morning Show, and Nina and Star from the Goodnight Show. She likes Play with Me Sesame, Fireman Sam, Pingu, and Dive Olly Dive, but really just prefers their opening song. Then, she loses interest and plays until the next show starts.

- She loves to watch her Baby Signing Time DVD. She does know a few signs, like 'Dog,' 'Bird,' 'Milk,' 'More,' 'Cat', and she knows that 'Daddy' has something to do with raising your arm. :)

- She waves hello and goodbye, but not always on request. She likes to do things when she WANTS to do them.

- She loves to take baths and enjoys the water.

- Her favorite book is "A Child's Good Morning Book," by Margaret Wise Brown, and will read it over and over and over again. When we're through reading it, she will knock on the cover and bounce up and down until we open it up again. We often have to distract her with something else, and then hide the book!!!! I have tried to read another book instead, an idea that doesn't sit with her. She has actually pushed the other book away and then knocked on HER book!

- She likes to drink water out of a cup, with Daddy's assistance. It's 'their' thing.

- She does not scare easily, and does not mind loud noises, sirens, etc., and seems to share her daddy's interest and excitement for fire trucks and ambulances.

- She likes to ride in cars, and is one of the only two places she will sleep. The other is a crib. It canNOT be a pack n' play.

- She now has been taking one long nap in the afternoon, instead of two smaller ones. She sleeps better at night when she goes to bed early, between 6:00 p.m. and
8:00 p.m., and gets up for the morning around 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

- She now wears a size 12 month clothes, but 12 month pants are still large in the waist, unless they are leggings.

- She has the greatest giggle in the world, and loves to play 'peek a boo' and will giggle wildly when Daddy tickles her under her chin. She loves to see her daddy come home in the evenings and MUST have a hug as soon as he walks in the door. Then, she bounces in his arms, and is just the greatest thing to see.

- While we don't have the latest doctor measurements, we estimate her weight at about 20 lbs and her length at about 30 inches. We will have the latest measurements soon, at her next doctor visit.

Maelie has done quite a bit of growing, and so have we. Our lives have grown so much richer. Yes, we have gone from going out to dinner to having meals at home, having to plan ahead more, watching the Sprout channel instead of adult shows, but I wouldn't change one thing. Our house is cluttered with baby clothes and toys, bottles and sippy cups, bottle liners and formula cans. Days and events are organized around naptimes, and now we're always on the look-out for family activities.

It has been an amazing 6 months, and I cannot believe my beautiful baby is a year old today. I can honestly say that I have never known love like this before Maelie. My wish for Maelie today is that one day she understands how much she is loved and cherished, and that she will always have happiness and fun in her life. I hope our upcoming year is a good one, and I am sure it will be filled with many, many more firsts. I can hardly wait to see what she does next!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!!!!


The first day we met



January 2009

Unbelievable

My baby is going to be ONE on Monday!!! I can't believe it. We are going to have two family parties for her next weekend, one at Grandma P's house, and one at Grammie and Grandpa Z's house. It'll be a busy weekend, but fun, I hope. And, with two parties, we got to buy two birthday outfits!!!! Yay! :)

This weekend, we are planning to clean the house and put together Maelie's birthday gifts. I can't tell you what they are yet...someone might spill the beans to Maelie! I WILL post photos later, though!

And, I am also in disbelief and am absolutely giddy...GIDDY!!...that the contractors are DONE! No people creeping around the house this morning!!! We are having an AWESOME Friday! Tonite, I'll be posting before and after photos of our work, and, perhaps a little blog venting of the contractors. Stay tuned for that, but until then, enjoy all the new photos!

The countdown to the big Birthday begins!!!

Photo Roundup!

I've been promising new photos and an updated blog....here it is!!! A ton of photos from Tet on up to last night. Enjoy!!!! :)

Two Words to Say

I just have two words to say...

DAMN FACEBOOK!!!!!