Ortho Appt And A Lost Panda

Keely had her first Orthopedic appt. this past Thursday (Dec.8) and his conclusion was that he was sending us to the IWK in Halifax to the pediatric Ortho specialists.  So basically we are now waiting for another appt. and still have no idea what is going on with her knee.  Thankfully it doesn't seem to bother her or slow her down any so it isn't an urgent matter.

On another note, we LOST panda.  The very first stuffed animal I bought when we started our adoption process, he went to China with us and I really wanted Keely to become attached to him.  Finally after a month or two she finally loved panda and wanted him in her bed every night and carried him around all day.  We're not sure how it happened but we figure he fell out of the truck at some point during our stops at stores and we didn't even notice until we were back at the hotel and getting ready for bed. :(  This was really upsetting to me and I went back to each place that night to see if he could be in the parking lot, but no luck.  The next morning I went or called each business to see if anyone happened to find him and bring him to their lost and found, but no luck.  :(

This was Keely's last pic with panda on the ferry before he was lost!

 Keely still is asking for him, but mama has another one ordered off of Amazon that will be here on Tuesday. :)  He won't have the same special meaning the first panda had, but hopefully she won't know the difference.  All I keep thinking though is about those dang Toy Story movies and how the toys have feelings and miss their owners!  Ok Kim you are how old??? lol   Anyway, hoping maybe some lonely little girl found him that needed a soft cuddly panda to love. 

This was our second week back at church and Keely has done really well.  We have been able to keep her enertained enough to sit with us throughout the whole service.  Today was the children's Christmas concert and she went up with the toddlers to play in the rhythm band.  She stood on the stage and stared and that was that.  :)  Of course I forgot my camera so I am hoping someone got a pic of her at her first Christmas concert.

My aunt had a very bad heart attack this past Thursday and hasn't been doing very well, but today we had our Christmas Miracle and when they removed her breathing tube she was breathing on her own and woke up.  Praise God, still praying that she has a speedy and full recovery.  Things like this are horrible anytime of the year, but to happen two weeks before Christmas makes it especially hard.  Thankfully God hears our prayers and answers.

Merry Christmas by Third Day

I remember last year, a song by Third Day called Merry Christmas.  Last year we were the family at the beginning of the song and now we are the family at the last of the song.  The song pretty much makes me cry as much as it did when I heard it last year, but now it is emotional for a different reason.

Knowing she is finally here and never has to spend another Christmas alone makes any moms heart happy and cry tears of joy.  I sometimes have to stop in amazement of how great God is to make sure that she would be here with us this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9UtRkMtOvE

Where We Are After 4 Months Home!

It actually seems like we have been home a lot longer than 4months, basically because we can't seem to remember the feeling of Keely not being here.

Ways I know she has attached to us(or is making really good progress in her attaching, so some of you don't freak out about how many years this takes).
She prefers me or my husband; (who endured her complete and utter rejection in the beginning); over others whether at home or out in a public setting.

She gets very excited with squeals when we are driving into the grandparents driveways, but is always ready to come home with mommy and daddy when we leave.

She doesn't seem to require a lot of attention from others who visit or out in public and sometimes can act almost snobby. lol

Has become selective in whom she gives her affections to. ( At first she would kiss just about anyone, but now thankfully knows the difference between acquaintances or family.)

She has become VERY busy like a typical 2yr old, well equipped with an independent spirit and the Nos to go with it.  A 13hr flight at this point probably wouldn't go as well as it did 4mo. ago.

She loves her daddy and sometimes prefers him over mama. FINALLY, I know I probably shouldn't be happy over this; but if you could have experienced the beginning; I am soooo thankful for this!

She LOVES the movies Finding Nemo and Tangled.

She loves her Panda, baby Kyah and her blankie.  Oh and now a little seal.  She has quite the armful when she is off to bed.

She sometimes will sit and let us read to her.  Her favorites right now are Gilbert The Great and Goodnight Moon.

Every time she walks in her room and we turn on her new birdcage light she says, "buful ligh".  She also says this now with all of the Christmas lights.

Speaking of, here are some pics of her decorating her little tree in her room.

Also one of a lazy Saturday morning snuggling with Dada, Panda, blankie and her new love spotted seal. (Kyah has recently been neglected)


So overall, I think we are doing quite well despite all this little girl has been through in 4 short months.  We are very thankful that she is here and that we can celebrate Christmas this year with our little girl.

Miss K's Birdcage Light!

I have been searching for the perfect light for Keely's room for awhile now and of course the ones I have seen that I liked were close to or over $300.  I wouldn't even pay that for a light for my room!

So while looking for cheaper lights, I came across an image of a do-it-yourself birdcage light.  I thought it was absolutely adorable and it would go with the Chinese theme in her room.  All throughout the parks in China people take their bird cages and set them in the trees so they can hear their birds sing while they're there.

So I went on ebay and found a metal birdcage that I liked, bid on it and won it.

Before!

Went to HH and got the wire, socket and spray paint and thanks to my wonderful husband who hooked it up, voila!  All for under $70.

Keely helping!

After!

I am in LOVE with this light!  It is so cute in her room!

OutNumbered

Those of you who know me, are aware that I am not overly sports oriented and definitely do not like watching sports on T.V.  I love watching my boys play and that is about the extent of my love!

Last Valentines Day, I thought I would give my husband the ultimate gift and become a hockey playing wife!  I grew up on figure skates, so trying to skate on hockey skates was a totally different experience for me.  Also, my fear of falling on a freezing cold, rock hard surface and injuring myself didn't help my situation.  But I did it and mostly enjoyed it when we would get some families together and play hockey with all of the kids. 

This year; now that we have our girl; I thought I maybe would have an excuse because she is too little and I needed to tend to her............OH Was I Wrong!

Who LOVES the ice and continually wants her Dad to take her skating with him?  You guessed it, Miss Keely!  We had Isaiah's belated Bday party yesterday and Chris thought he would put 2X too big skates on her and take her out.  Well, he couldn't get them on fast enough for her.  She couldn't even stand up in them and her helmet made her top heavy, but she didn't care and just wanted to be on the ice.  Lord Help Me Now!

What's Up?

I haven't been very good at updating my blog lately, but I will try to fill in the gaps.

Keely has officially been going for naps and bedtime without us laying down in the room with her for over a month and a half now!  YaY!

We had a pediatrician appt. and she requested blood work to see what vaccines she needs.  Well let me tell you that was NOT fun.  It took two trips to the hospital and a lot of pokes, tears and stressing from mama and they finally got 6 or 7 viles out of her little hand.  Glad that is over for now.  The Dr. had quite a few other things checked and we are supposed to get more done, but I think I might wait awhile. Still waiting for a call from the Ortho dr. about her legs.

Miss K has a definite Attitude and you would think she has been here all along and gets as annoyed with her brothers as any little girl would. lol   Her "Nos" are shining through more and more and her independence  is growing.  She has been wanting me to feed her more lately though and pretty much thinks the world revolves around her! Lord Help Us all!  Time-Ins as they want to call them now are happening at least once a day because of the new found attitude. :o)

This past week we had a Mars Bar commercial shot on our island and our family was picked to be in it along with 20 some others.  For two days we spent many many hours at our local arena shooting the commercial.  I had to leave Keely home so between my mom, my mother-in-law and my sister she had two full days without mama and actually didn't mind.  She kissed me goodbye and was excited and wanted to come with me when it was time to go home.  I am thinking this is good attachment, but my boys always cried when I would leave them anywhere, so then again I question if this is good or bad??
For the first two months she would cry if she thought I was leaving her, but now she is O.K.

I have started teaching her sounds of the letters and she already knows what sounds T, S, A, H, P, and R make.  My boys have struggled so much with school that I thought I would give her a head start.  I am hoping to get her some Mandarin cds or videos too so hopefully when she is older and wants to learn Mandarin, that it may come easier to her.

Chris has had her out on the ice at the rink in her boots and she loves it!  Looks like she will have those hockey skates on before we know it and I will be out- numbered even more.

Christmas is coming soon and I can't believe that she is here.  So much can happen in a year and this year has been definitely one to remember!

Zay-11yrs Today!

Today my youngest boy turns 11!  I can barely believe that I now have a 13yr old, 11yr old and a 2yr old.   The 2yr old is definitely bringing back memories of the days when the boys were that little, but it seems like forever ago.   Keeping up with my birthday posts for each child I dedicate this one to you my sweet Zay!

Isaiah you never cease to amaze me with your abilities, interests and what a handy young man you are.  From your chicken business, fishing, building camps, hunting, four wheeling and being an awesome big brother to your sister whom you have only known for a short 3 months.  You treat her like she has always been here and I can tell how much you truly love her.  Melts your mamas heart everyday!

We love you so much and are so very proud of you each and everyday.(Even when we nag)  We hope the next year is filled with love, laughter, and fun because you deserve it.
Now we can't have a Birthday post without some pics:

HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY ISAIAH HARDING!!

3 Months Together!

Yesterday marked the 3 month mark that we were handed a scared and shy 2yr old. Today marks the day our paperwork was finalized and we were officially a family of 5!

This was the pic from that day:

She is a completely different girl than she was then. The amount that she has learned in 3 short months is really quite amazing. I took a couple of videos this morning to give everyone a glimpse of our smart little cookie!

Baking with Keely!

We made some banana bread today and Keely loved every minute of it. She took it all very seriously!

Banana peeling is serious work!

Stir, stir, stir.....

Greasing the pan takes serious thought too!

It's ready for the oven!

Looks good mama!

Mmmm!

FAMILY OF FIVE

One of my niece's friends is taking photography and she offered to take our family photos as a gift and of course I said yes. This is a few of the photos:

This Is What Happens.........

When you have an older brother!

Two Months Since We Held Our Daughter

It is so hard to believe, it actually seems a lot longer that she has been with us. Also, seems like forever that we were in China. To think we would have been in the group that is there now, if everything hadn't worked out! So glad it did even though I miss China, our group and wish sometimes you could time travel yourself back there just to embrace it all a bit more.

Right after we got Keely:

Two months with her family:

Keely's Vocabulary!

I thought I would write down so I wouldn't forget what words Keely has picked up in the last month and half at home.

1. Doddy (Dog) and even says wuff wuff when asked what does the doggy say?

2. Tiddy ( Kitty) sometime says mow mow

3. Night Night - Followed by puckering of cute little lips and a hug to her brothers, mama and dada! She always makes sure she has kissed everyone and has to have the hug in there as well. Too Cute!

4. Caa (Car)

5. Oah ( For her big bro Noah)

6. Aiah ( For her big bro Isaiah)

7. Baby

8. Moon ( She loves the book Goodnight Moon and says Night Night after I have read each page and also whispers shhhh with her finger to her mouth)

9. More (still on occasion will use baby sign language for this as well)

10. Wayay (water)

11. Tub ( usually says DaDa Tub, because he usually baths her)

12. Du ( For Duke, Grampy's big German Shepherd whom she loves)

13. Ja ( For Jade, Grampy's horse)

14. Got it

15. Boat

16. No No

17. Noe (points to nose)

18. aa (points to eyes)

19. Biryie (Bird)

20. Rya (Ryan - My friends little boy)

21. Dodie (Josie - My friends little girl)

22. Ma (mouth)

23. Bye Bye

24. Ha (for either Hi or Hot)

I am pretty sure I am probably forgetting a few so I will add to the list when I hear her say another one. Overall she tries to repeat a lot of what we say and seems to understand everything we say to her. She is very smart. She also tries to count, but as we are counting she just seems to want to say Du for each #. LOL

We had her 1st Dr.'s appt. on Sept. 13th and her weight was around 27lbs, can't quite remember what her height was. The Dr. didn't really check her over much, he did look at her knee and ankle and said she would have to see an ortho Dr. after we had an X -Ray done to see what is really going on in there. He also wasn't sure of some of the vaccines that she had had so he is sending us to a Pediatrician. We still haven't got her Medicare card so the appt. cost me $40. :/ She is supposed to go back in 2 weeks after we have gotten the X-Ray, but I may wait until we have her Medicare card.

For some reason figuring out about Medicare, SIN and Family Allowance has been the most confusing part to me. Also, still waiting for the Citizenship card.

Overall, she is "adjusting" well and is a pretty easy going child (most of the time ;P) She is soooo happy and such a loving little girl. She loves to shower us with kisses and hugs and shows sympathy when others seem upset. She has been having some restless nights lately and I am not totally sure why. Some nights it seems she is uncomfortable, and some nights I think she just needs to feel us nearby; whatever the reason a 2yr old with two adults in a Queen size bed does NOT make for a good nights sleep. We get through it though and she always greets us in the early morning with a sweet little smile and even a few kisses if she really is trying to get on our good side. lol

Confidence

When we were in China, Keely slept between us in a King size bed.  Since we were coming home to a Queen size bed I was determined that she was going to sleep in her crib and that she has.  Over the last couple of weeks she had a few rough nights so we ended up putting her in our bed and she would settle right down.

When she has gone to bed or for a nap I have layed on the bed; while she was in the crib; until she had gone to sleep.  Poor little thing sticks her little hand out of the crib constantly to hold my hand until she falls asleep.  It makes me wonder who's little hand she held in the crib beside her and are they wondering where she went? 

So yesterday for her nap I decided to try and get some stuff done after I put her in the crib, she was not happy that I wasn't laying down holding her hand, but I kept going in reassuring her that mommy was not too far away.  After a little bit of a cry she went to sleep and then the mama's guilt and questioning whether I should have done that appeared.  So today I tried again and told her mama was just going to be right out here and low and behold there wasn't a peep and within 5 or 10 minutes she was asleep in the same position I had put her in.  YAY!  I am really hoping it isn't her feeling abandoned and neglected that I wasn't going to get her anyways, but that she is confident her mama will be there when she wakes.

Beach Time Reflection

Sometimes you just have to wonder what is going on in that little head.  Deep thoughts at the Beach!

Waiting for the waves to come, she actually loves going in the ocean.

Brrrr, there's the wave!

Kids.....Say What They Hear!

So on Friday I took miss Keely to visit Isaiah at school during his lunch break.  The kids were all out on the playground, so we headed out to find my boy.  We instantly were surrounded by kids wanting to meet Keely.  They all thought she was pretty cute. 

That was all fine and dandy, Miss K was a bit overwhelmed but was pretty happy to see the familiar face of her bro.  After the initial meeting and greeting, one of the kids gave up their swing so Keely could have a turn, so we pushed her slowly while about 8 kids sat in front of her on the ground.   Then all of a sudden one kid says, "How Much?  I want one!"  Me a bit shocked said "Well she's not for sale!"  Then another little boy says, "Yeah, they already bought her!" 

So that is where I left that conversation with 9yr olds, but it amazes me that people would tell their kids that we "bought" her!!!!  REALLY? 

I am going to be a bit patient about this because unless you have gone through IA, seen all of the different people that are involved from both countries, and the paperwork that obviously has to go through a lot of areas to get to where it is going, then I guess it would look like we just picked up went to China and payed for a baby.  Sometimes though common sense should just prevail, shouldn't it??

What A Year!

This past year has definitely been one for the books.  I home-schooled my boys for Gr. 4 and 7, got our referral for our daughter, started a job, quit my job a week later, spent two weeks of the summer in China where we met our daughter for the first time, arrived home with just enough time to relax a bit before starting school shopping. (Yes they are headed back to public school) and we are adjusting to life with a toddler and having 3 kids. 

So the day after tomorrow the boys are headed back to school and it will be just Keely and I.  I must say these boys are a great help and I am going to miss them when they go back. It is wonderful being able to get them to watch her while I shower, go to the bathroom alone or just play with her for a few minutes while I get something done.  They are such great big brothers!

A week or so ago we went to Magic Mountain water park for the day, the kids had a great time.  Keely loves the water!  She even goes in the ocean without so much as a shiver! Brrrr 

Keely & Friends

Here are some pics of some of the new friends that Keely has made in her short three weeks home:

Sage & Keely

Oskar & Keely

Kallie & Keely

Ryan & Keely

Keely with the boys & Zoey at the beach!  Poor kid has no attention! lol