New Word? Hope Not!!!

I just gave Maelie a bath. When I brought her into her room to get her dressed, I realized I hadn't brought up any diapers. I said outloud something like, "Crap, I forgot to bring up the diapers, Maelie." I SWEAR, Maelie looked at me and said, "Bullshit." I know she really didn't...but whatever her little mouth was trying to say, that's what it came out as! I looked at her and said, "What did you say?" She just looked back at me. It really was too funny. This child has comedic timing down to a T. :)

More Summer Fun Photos

Some more random goodies from our busy summer. See! I told you I'd catch up!!! Just a few more to go......

Summer Water Fun

We had a few really hot days in the middle of August. We spent one day out at Mike's Mom's house, using her pool. We can't tell if she really liked the pool or not...she loved the water, but I think she wanted it to be warmer, like her bath!

The next day, we had a BBQ at my mom's, and again it was HOT, so we brought Maelie outside and sprayed her with the hose. She loved it. Check out that saggy wet diaper, though!!!

The Infamous County Fair

I have been slacking on the blog, yes, I know. I am trying to catch up, and I needed to post about our TWO DAYS at the County Fair in early August. The first day, Miss Maelie decided she wanted to be clingy, and didn't want to sit in her stroller or walk around. She wanted Mommy to hold her. So, we didn't stay too long that day. We didn't even get to eat anything yummy!!! We decided to go back the next day, and had a better time. Even though it rained and got wet and chilly. We even paid $9!!!!!! to ride the carosel. Can you believe that?!?!?!

The first day, though, we were hanging around the Children's Barn, and outside is a nice, fenced in area that kids can ride these metal John Deere tractors around. Maelie had fun there, and befriended a little fellow with a red balloon. Now, in the photos, it totally looks like she started a fight with the kid for his balloon, but, I assure you, she didn't. But, isn't it hilarious?!?!?!? :)

Picture Day!

We went to our local big box store for One Year Anniversary photos. I knew it was going to be a challenge, as Maelie has been clingy to all get-out with me, and, she didn't disappoint. Luckily, our appointment was for 10:00 a.m. and the next appointment wasn't until 12:00. So, we could take our time. We tried Daddy walking her around the store and Mommy disappearing...which worked a bit. We tried Mommy helping...she wanted me to hold her. We would have had perfect photos if she would have just SAT. SIGH! But, we were able to get a few nice photos, and I thought I'd post a preview here. There are some other nice ones that I'll share when the hard copies come in...otherwise, family will be upset with me if everyone else gets to see the photos before they do!!! :)

We think she looks like a little princess with the fairytale background.

A Few Photos from Today

Had to share a few cute photos from today...

~Heavy is the crown of the Empress~



~Our Little Evita~



~My Little Butterbean~



~Maelstrom Maelie hit the living room today, and said, "Ta Da!"~

Maelie Day

We spent the afternoon today at my mom's with my sister. They were my travel companions to Vietnam, and my sister took the day off from work. It was special to be able to spend the day with them. I had had the photos from Vietnam printed off...all 400+ of them, so we sorted them out...yes, we each got a set of over 400 photos! We also had a take-out lunch of Vietnamese food from our local Saigon Cafe. Yum.

Then in the evening, we had the rest of the family come over and had lasagne for dinner. It was wonderful to spend the day with family, to reminisce and just enjoy this little girl who has brought the whole family so much love and happiness. It was a gorgeous fall day, and we were able to take some photos outside. I love this one...sometimes Momma can take some nice photos!! :)

Have I mentioned lately how much I love love love love love this little girl?!?

First Year Together

One year ago today, this tiny baby was placed into my arms in Bac Ninh, Vietnam. It has been a year filled with many, many firsts, for Maelie, and her family. We have felt indescribable joy at the opportunity to share our lives with Maelie, to watch her grow, learn new things, and experience what life has to offer. We revel with her at the little things in life she discovers, and feel the same joy she must feel when she masters a new skill. We cannot imagine life without her.

This year has flown by. I can still remember stepping on the airplane to travel to Vietnam; my emotions running from excitement, nervousness, exhilaration, to being just plain scared. Again, these same emotions hit me when I looked down into that tiny face the day the Vietnamese officials declared her 'mine.' I wondered, "Can I take care of this child? Will I do right by her?" Well, we've muddled through, and I can't say we've been the best parents, but, we try hard, and I think we're doing well.

It's been a year filled with sadness, with the passing of a very dear family member - Grandpa Sully - but it has also been filled with so much happiness, hope, love, laughter, fun, and festivities. We learn so much from this tiny girl...she has taught us many lessons, especially in patience and flexibility!! We cannot imagine our life without her, and to even consider the possibility is an absolute heartbreaking nightmare. It is as if Maelie always was with us, she is a part of us now, and forever.

I made a slide show of photos from throughout the year. I wanted one from each month, but as you can see, I had problems limiting myself, especially in the last couple months. We love to share our joy with Maelie, even if Momma doesn't always update the blog on a regular basis!!!!

Here's to a great year, Miss Maelie. We love you so much, more than mere words can describe.

Little Shopper

Daddy loves to take Maelie shopping. She'll actually walk around the store for him, unlike when Mommy takes her...she wants to be carried by me. Sigh. She's attached to me, that's for sure. So, we've definately bonded, but...

ANYWAY, she's been taking to actually picking out things for herself. I had to share the cutest story. We don't have photos of this actual event, but, the other day, Mike took Maelie to the mall. She walked the mall (it's a small and safe mall, by the way), and decided to pop into Claire's, all on her own. She actually chose some barrettes for herself! Went right to the rack, picked them off the hanger and handed them to Daddy. And, even though they were $7 barrettes (!) Daddy had to buy them for her. Then, when they went to pay for them, the clerk said that she could get another set for half-price. So, the young clerk takes her to the back wall and shows her more barrettes. She actually looked over each card of barrettes, front and back, until she found the ones she liked. So, Daddy spent $10 on barrettes for his little girl. I found this so incredibly sweet. :)

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today I was childless, waiting for the next day when I would meet Maelie for the first time.

One year ago today, I didn't worry about stepping on wooden blocks on the floor.

One year ago today, I didn't worry about naptimes, reading books outloud, or hugging a stuffed Grover over and over and over.

One year ago today, I could take a nap whenever I wanted.

One year ago today, I could go to a movie on the spur of the moment.

One year ago today, I didn't change diapers.

One year ago today, I didn't think about excema, diaper rash or teething.

One year ago today, I didn't know what the Sprout Channel was.

One year ago today, I could go out to a nice restaurant for dinner, without wondering if they were a 'kid-friendly' establishment.

One year ago today, I didn't have the words memorized to a bazillion children's books.

One year ago today, I sat down to read hardcover books, not board books.

One year ago today, I didn't worry about skinned knees, a scraped nose, or bug bites that swell up.

One year ago today, I could go to the salon whenever I wanted.

One year ago today, I got regular manicures, instead of worrying about cutting tiny little finger nails too short.

One year ago today, I could take bubble baths whenever I wanted, without a tub full of rubber duckies, Johnson and Johnson, and lavender-scented baby wash.

One year ago today, I never got sticky kisses.

One year ago today, I never knew the joy of a baby's laughter and joy at something as simple as playing peek-a-boo.

One year ago today, I never knew the triumph of getting my child to put food in her own mouth, of saying a word, of learning a new skill.

One year ago today, I didn't have a child who wanted to crawl into my lap with a book, and want me to read it over and over because she loves to hear my voice.

One year ago today, I didn't get to visit the zoo, the park, or the beach on sunny days.

One year ago today, I didn't hear the squeal of excitement when a favorite muppet came on television.

One year ago today, I didn't have a short, little dance partner who loves the way Mommy dances, even if it is goofy.

One year ago today, I didn't have a rapt audience for my singing.

One year ago today, I didn't have the sweet smell of a lavender child who is still warm from a bath.

One year ago today, I didn't realize that I would learn as much from my child as I was teaching her.

One year ago today, I didn't realize my life would feel complete and meaningful.

One year ago today, I didn't know how much love my heart could actually hold, how I would treasure every single moment with my child, how someone so small could change my life so completely, and how I would love and appreciate the changes.

One year ago today, I knew that this child was meant to be a part of our family, that we would love and cherish her, that she would become the most precious and treasured focus of our lives.

I was right.

18 Months

Miss Maelie turned 18 months old today! Our little baby is growing up so fast. Let's make a list:

Her favorite food is STILL chicken.

She still does not like fruit, unless it is Gerber dried fruits and Gerber dried yogurt snacks. She will munch on these all day long.

Other foods she will eat include pasta, hamburger, some bread, veggies (I haven't really found one she won't eat yet), some orange juice, french fries, chicken nuggets, some ice cream if she's in the mood, a few Cheerios here and there, yogurt and fresh fruit if her Auntie Kimmie gives it to her, cheese, pizza, and chicken. Did I mention chicken???

Heaven help us if we give her apple juice or apple sauce. It's like Superman's kryptonite!

She has no use for anything sweet. No candy, cookies, cake, etc., for her. I'm surprised when I can get her to actually taste anything like this. And, any food she has, must look like adult food. She does NOT like anything with a soft, baby food texture. No way, no how.

Her favorite pasttimes include walking with Daddy and reading with Mommy. She has been known to walk 17 blocks with Daddy at one shot. They often go to Target, or the Mall, for walks while Mommy gets to sleep in on weekend mornings. If Mommy tries to take her for walks, Maelie wants to be carried. Go figure! But, with Mommy, we can sit and read book after book after book. With Daddy, she sits quietly by herself reading. Again, go figure!

She still loves her baths. This summer we tried a few times to take her swimming in the lake and in a pool. She loved the water, but I think was very frustrated that the water wasn't as warm as her bath. I never could tell if she was really enjoying it, or just squealing to squeal!

We haven't done official weights and measures, but I guesstimate her weight at about 23-25 pounds, and her height at 30 about inches. She wears 12-18 month clothing well. We are always going to have issues with pants, though, since 18 month is still a little big and will fall off unless it's elastic waist. It's the no-butt, skinny waist syndrome.

She has four teeth...two on top and two on bottom, and more moving around in there. They just won't pop through, darn it!!!!!

She loves to rough house with Daddy, play with her firetrucks, any toy that is musical, and has no use for dolls. She loves her musical Rockstar toy that is a mirror on a base with buttons that make music. She has actually used her imagination with this toy, bringing over a book or catalog, reading in it, then hitting a button on her toy. She looks like she's working for NASA or something.

We watch the Sprout channel everyday. I have no problems with leaving the TV on, because Maelie will watch the beginning of the show, the interactions between shows, and some commercials. The only true 'show' she will sit all the way through is the Pajanimals, which is more like a little music video. She LOVES the La La Lullaby Pajanimals, and Mommy sings it to her every night.

She still uses a bottle, and I'm not in a rush to change that. When she's 2, we'll push the issue. For now, I won't. She does not like sippy cups of any kind (we've tried them all), but will drink out of a regular cup with assistance. One odd quirk of hers is that she will NOT feed herself. No way, no how. She'd starve first. We can't figure this out. She has a wonderful pincher grasp, but refuses to pick up food and put it in her mouth. She will look at the food in front of her and stare, like she's figuring out a super hard puzzle, and she won't do it. She doesn't think she's supposed to get food on her hands, I think. It's an odd one. We keep working on it. But, even her fruit snacks, Cheerios, etc., we have to feed to her.

Maelie is a very muscular toddler. We get comments all the time about her confident walking, and her ripped muscles. HA! She likes to be active.

She is beginning to babble more and more everyday. She says a few words very clearly...Daddy, Momma, HEY!...and a few words not so clearly...."Rey Rah" for Allegra (her favorite doggy), "Umbella" (only when she wants to), "Babba" (bottle), "Wawa" (Water), and some more I'm forgetting now. She likes to practice her sounds, and will watch my mouth intently when I'm singing the alphabet song, or any other song, for that matter. I think she's shy to talk around other people until she knows how to say it right. Just my theory.

She knows a ton of baby signs...milk, ball, tired, bath, book, water, momma, daddy, bus, car, wash hands, rain, boat, please, thank you, sorry, more, potty, eat, bear, blanket, bird, frog, horse, dog, kitty, drink, juice (even though she doesn't like it!), hat, jacket, shoes...and more than I'm forgetting, I'm sure. I lost count at over 20 one night.

She can show you where her mouth, eyes, hair, head, nose are, and will hold up one finger for the number one. She waves hello and goodbye, and has invented her own signs. Blowing a kiss means "I love you." Holding up one finger means "Tree, leaf or flower." Waving her arm out to the side means, "Go Go Go!" She makes a typing sign for "Computer." She waves her hand rapidly to show "Running."

She is a studious little girl, funny, active, sweet, kind, has a memory like an elephant, and can be stubborn as a mule. Mike and I can see both of our personalities in her, which is that strange and magical adoption thing that is just so special. Her smile will light up a room, her laugh can reduce her mommy to tears, and her daddy dotes on her as if she were a true empress. She turns heads wherever we go, people compliment us all the time on our beautiful child. Somedays, it's like walking out with a celebrity. But, she makes her Mommy and Daddy proud, so very proud, to be her parents. She is loved by so many people, especially her family, beyond measure. I wish I had the words to describe just how special she is. But, for now, I'll just wish my Maelie a very happy 18 months. Oh how we love you, Sweetie!!!

(And yes, I WILL post updated photos and some videos either tonight or tomorrow. If I don't, Mike has threatened to lock me in a room with the computer and my camera until it's done!!!!) :)