Snow!

This weekend we had 18 hours of snow and 12-18" of the fluffy white stuff to play in. Laine enjoyed sledding, snow angels and pretty much everything about it, but her cold fingers and when it got on her face. Click on the picture above and it will bring you to the Facebook album for more pictures.

Breaking News: Dekker Family Farm

Breaking News . . .Special Alert
Dekker Family Farm forced to delay opening after crop ravished by small child. Owner quoted as saying, “man, I thought it was bad when the goat was loose in the strawberry field.” Local reports indicate that a small child camouflaged herself in field by cleverly covering herself in strawberry juice and was then able to continue eating strawberries at will. The child’s mother was not available for comment.

Fall fun

(click on the picture to see the rest)

Where did my baby go?

Several times in the last weeks, I've been reminded that I do not have a baby (unless of course you say that in front of Laine because she will say, "I'm a baby.") She is now full time in undies, has rejected the baby bed and mostly uses regular cups and utensils (well, when she can be convinced to use utensils.) Don't get me wrong, it is definitely a fun time, she loves art and music and mostly jumping whenever she has the chance, I just look around for my baby.

My Laine

Haircut: $15
Fruit Snack bribe: $0.40
Laine looking in the mirror and saying, "I'm so pretty.": Priceless

where or where have April and May gone?

I can't believe that I haven't posted anything in 2 months, ok, I can believe it, but I'm still a bit ashamed and saddened. So here are my excuses: 1) I have a very active 2 year old who doesn't go to bed until 9:00pm, because the girl still loves her 3 hour naps, so good for the yardwork and post-work time, bad for blogging. 2) I started a semi-new job in April, I say semi-new, because nothing from my previous responsibility went away, I just got a lot more and it took some getting used to. 3) I got a bit caught up in facebook and let the blog slip, but I'm back to rectify the situation.

Here are a few highlights from the last few months of life with Laine:

1) Laine continues love to sing and dance, unfortunately she still struggles with all the words, so song tends to go like this "two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed, two little monkeys jumping on the bed, no more monkeys jumping on the bed,” and on and on and on, you get the idea. When I try to helpfully sing the remaining lines of the song I’m told, “no mom, no sing,” everyone is a critic.

2) For Mother’s Day we spent a lovely day with friends and Laine decided that the perfect present would be to go pee in the potty (this is when I know my life has changed, this truly was a great present and a highlight.) She has continued to show interest and do pretty well with the potty training, including peeing on demand in a cup at the doctor’s office. Laine is quite concerned with the act of flushing and after flushing says ‘bye-bye potty, see you, love you.’

3) My dad came out for Easter, it was great to have him here, plus I got my plumbing leak fixed, just think how great my house would look if he lived a little closer!

4) Over the last few months we have been able to see many friends in the area and celebrate the events of their lives. Recently a grad school friend from Switzerland was in town with her family and there is something really beautiful about watching my daughter play with the children of dear friends.

5) Laine continues to be scared of everything, or as I have recently realized almost everything. The child panics at every noise and moving creature and runs terrified from the room if someone accidentally turns on Tickle me Elmo, but we have recently discovered that of all the things that Laine is afraid of Rocky the Ball Python is not one of them (pictures posted below especially for Grandpa.) I guess if I really want a pet, a snake isn’t so bad. (Although, that would really limit my home improvements as my dad would never step inside my house again.)

There are many more anecdotes and stories that I could share, but let’s face it I know that you are only here for the pictures. Laine continues to grow and just generally is a joy to be around. I look at her in amazement and thank God for the privilege of raising this sweet girl. This summer we will get together with several families from our adoption group and to meet my new nephew, we are looking forward to both.

Blessings!
Julie

Making muffins for Papa

It didn't take long to figure out that good treats come in colored eggs!

All dressed up in her dress from Great Gram

Enjoying some time with Papa

Such a cutie!

Finally, an animal that Laine is not afraid of


Laine had fork ready to dig in

The little weed!

Laine had her two year check up and she finally grew! I've been waiting and waiting and it finally happened. She is now 34 inches (ok, so for some of you, that is still not a lot, but at her 18mos. check up she had not hit 31"!) and is in the 60th percentile for height (vs. her standard 25th.) Her weight continues to be around the 10th percentile, it isn't that she doesn't eat, it is just that she doesn't stop running around. She continues to be the little chatter box and loves to sing and dance. She is very happy now that the weather is warming up and often stands at the sliding glass door saying 'outside, outside, ball, slide.' Here are a few pictures of my little superstar--

Laine's birthday recap

(click on the picture to see more pictures)

Laine is 2! I can hardly believe it. We spent the big day in Michigan with my family and a family from our China travel group. It was a great celebration and fun to watch the girls play together, they have both changed so much.

What a difference a year makes

All week I've gone between its been a year? and its only a year? Laine has become such a huge part of my life that I can't remember what life was like before Laine and yet it feels like yesterday that they placed that beautiful baby in my arms. She has gone from baby to little girl very quickly, it is hard to believe at this time last year she had just gotten her first teeth, still toppled over when sitting up, and was stationary. Now she is walking, talking and running into my arms. She is a typical almost two-year old singing, dancing and throwing trantrums (remember they listed her as obstinant at 6 months, so you can image what the 2's are bringing.) She is the love of my life and brings me so much joy.

To celebrate our family day, we went to the Please Touch Museum on saturday and had Pizza Hut for dinner tonight (we had Pizza Hut as our first meal in Nanchang.) We watched the video that Eddie made for us of our trip. This time when Grandma says "say hi to Grandma," Laine looked at the TV and said, "Hi Amah!" A little different than when the original video was taken.

It really has been a wonderful year and I look forward to many more. I've posted the video below in case you missed it before and if you click on the title of this post you can view some recent pictures.

Thank you Papa

Storytime with Laine

Happy New Year!

Laine and I have returned from our holiday travel extravaganza! We visited 3 states, spent 20+ hours in the car and met a bunch of new relatives. A few of the highlights included Laine meeting my maternal grandmother, aunt, uncles, cousins and second cousins. We also spent several days with Aunt Wendy, Uncle Jeff and Trey before they left for Nepal for the semester. It was very sad to see them go, but we are very excited for there opportunity for them (Laine was very caring when mommy was crying.) We also took time for Laine to play with the children of my lifelong friend, it was really a joy to watch our children play as we had as girls. The lowlights included the hospitalization of my grandmother, although I'm happy to report that she is on the path to recovery. We also missed seeing some of our China travel friends (I know, again!) it feels like we were gone a while, but it was a packed trip. As if to point this out to me, when we finally got home yesterday Laine took a 5 hour nap! We took today to recover and then back to real life tomorrow.

Opening presents with Great Grandma (we brought a little Christmas to her)

Laine was happy to 'help' everyone open presents

Laine and mom on Christmas Day

4 Generations

Laine with the children of my childhood friend

Laine showing off her new outfit with Great Aunt Jean

Laine with Great Gram