Monday, October 17, 2011
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!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
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:
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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:
Right after we got Keely:
Two months with her family:
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
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
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
Thursday, September 15, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Beach Time Reflection
Sunday, September 11, 2011
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??
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??
Sunday, September 4, 2011
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
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
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Friday, August 26, 2011
Keely & Friends
Here are some pics of some of the new friends that Keely has made in her short three weeks home:
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| Sage & Keely |
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| Oskar & Keely |
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| Kallie & Keely |
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| Ryan & Keely |
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| Keely with the boys & Zoey at the beach! Poor kid has no attention! lol |
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Things We've Learned So Far!
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| She Adores Her Brothers! |
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| She Hasn't Quite Got the Concept of Gentle with the Cats yet! |
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| She Loves To Hold Someone's Hand while in Her Stroller. |
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| She is Loving Daddy More Each Day! |
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| She Likes The Beach Sitting Down! |
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| She Likes Hangin With The Boys |
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| She Likes To Sit on the 4-Wheeler in Her Tutu Dress! |
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| She is a Very Good Sleeper! |
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| She Lets You Know When She is NOT Impressed! |
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| This Says It All! |
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| She Is One HAPPY Girl! |
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
~Home Sweet Home~
The last few days she has been warming up to daddy more and more. I had him bath her on Monday night; since she loves the bath now; and when I came home from the store, she was all in her pj's in dad's arms waiting at the door happy as can be. The next day she reached up to him to pick her up. So relieved it was starting to take a toll on him and me.
She seems to be pretty relaxed when we are home so we have been laying pretty low. She loves her brothers and is learning how to be gentle with the cats. Overall, I think things have gone smoothly. Don't get me wrong, this has been one of the hardest things we have ever done and may ever will be. We all have some adjusting to do, but looking back on how things have fallen into place I know this little girl was hand picked for our family. Here are some pics from our first few days home.
Recap!
I feel a little overwhelmed that I couldn't update my blog while in Beijing, so just so I don't forget everything that happened I am going to recap our last week in China. Just bear with me, this may be a bit long.
Friday, July 29: Our flight was delayed because of a storm in Beijing, but our guide was able to switch us to an earlier flight, so we weren't actually too far behind schedule.
Keely for some reason in the airport started chasing a random Chinese lady and wrapped her arms around her legs. Then proceeded to scream as daddy went to get her. This was the first and only time that she did this. It was scary and sad to not know what she was thinking. She did sooo good on the flight. It was around 2hrs and she didn't mind at all.
Finally arrived at the Presidential Plaza Hotel in Beijing around 7:30pm. Met our new friends from NS in the lobby with their new sweet daughter Kyah, talked for a minute then headed to our room for room service and an early night.
Saturday, July 30: Went to breakfast then had to go to Yulin's room to do more paperwork, visa pictures, etc. Then we had a group photo in the hotel lobby before heading to the Beijing Zoo.
The guide said there was a extra stroller if anyone needed one, so I decided to see if miss Keely would go in one. At this point my arms were pretty much wore out. Thankfully she sat in it and actually thought it was kind of fun. She had to have a hold of my hand as we walked though, which was fine with me.
We seen the pandas, but there were so many people you basically just wanted to keep walking to get to a less congested area. The rest of the zoo was pretty much like other zoos, maybe a bit busier.
Sunday, July 31: Today we went to the Jade Factory and the Great Wall, I had to pretty much continually remind myself that I was actually there. It was amazing, HOT, and steep. We actually took the less steep way, but it was still a lot of steps, uphill with a 2yr old. We only went a up a bit, Chris and some others went a bit further. It was just too hard to carry her up, but at least I can say I walked on the Great Wall of China. Keely had her first taste of ice cream today, it doesn't seem like she likes cold things yet.
Monday, August 1: Chris and one of the other couples husband, spent 8hrs today at US Immigration trying to get Visa's for our girls to basically walk through the airport in the States. Cass and I went this morning to a market across the street and I bought a stroller. Soo excited that she will go in it. Chris missed going to the Summer Palace with us. The Summer Palace was beautiful, but it was sooo crowded and hot that it makes it so hard to really savor and appreciate the beauty of it all.
Tuesday, August 2: Today we went to the Silk Factory to see how hard all of those little silk worms work. It is really amazing to see how much goes into making silk products. I realized that making a rag quilt is a lot less work than making one made of silk. lol
We then went to the Pearl Market to do some shopping. There are corridors, stands and rooms everywhere with workers trying to get you to buy something from their section. If there was something I wanted, I left the wheeling and dealing up to Chris. He was pretty tough on bargaining, but he got most everything for the price he wanted. A very interested spot, I just wish we had of had more time there and I could have got the kids school shopping done for a fraction of the cost here.
We went to an acrobatic show tonight at a theater. Keely did really well sitting through the whole thing and we were able to keep her awake until we got back to the hotel. She has been going to Cassidy a bit more the last few days and she is fine with dad picking her up as long as he is playing with her and throwing her up in the air.
Wednesday, August 3: Today we went to Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Yet again very beautiful buildings, amazing history, but very crowded and extremely hot. Keely had her first taste of Popsicle today, she was a bit confused what to do with it. Eventually it was melting so much we had to throw it out.
Tonight they had a farewell China/ Bday party for all of the families and children. We ate and there was a little magic show. They also had a cake for everyone and all of the children were given beautiful scrolls with their Chinese names on them. Keely I think was a bit over stimulated at the party. She was a bit crazy and it scared me a bit, I will admit. Wondered how we were going to travel on a 13hr plain ride with a hyper 2yr old, but we were in survival mode so we would do what we needed to.
Thursday, August 4: This morning we had our last breakfast at the Presidential Plaza, got packed up and ready to leave for the airport at around 12:30. All of the families except for one were leaving today, so we all went to the airport together then headed on our separate ways for home.
Our flight from Beijing to Newark, NJ actually seemed to be shorter than the flight we took to Beijing originally. Keely did amazingly well the whole journey home. She is a very good little traveler.
We finally arrived in Moncton around 9:30-10 Thursday night. Nana, Grandpa, Noah and Zay were at the airport waiting for us. Keely seemed to recognize her new brothers, since we had been showing her pics. That night at the hotel, she really took to her brothers. I was very thankful, because I was a bit nervous of how she would react to them.
Friday, August 5th: Finally after a long journey, we arrived home to meet a little welcoming committee as we drove off the ferry. It is hard to believe after all of the paperwork, waiting and prayers that we are actually home with our little girl.
Let the next half of our journey begin............
Friday, July 29: Our flight was delayed because of a storm in Beijing, but our guide was able to switch us to an earlier flight, so we weren't actually too far behind schedule.
Keely for some reason in the airport started chasing a random Chinese lady and wrapped her arms around her legs. Then proceeded to scream as daddy went to get her. This was the first and only time that she did this. It was scary and sad to not know what she was thinking. She did sooo good on the flight. It was around 2hrs and she didn't mind at all.
Finally arrived at the Presidential Plaza Hotel in Beijing around 7:30pm. Met our new friends from NS in the lobby with their new sweet daughter Kyah, talked for a minute then headed to our room for room service and an early night.
Saturday, July 30: Went to breakfast then had to go to Yulin's room to do more paperwork, visa pictures, etc. Then we had a group photo in the hotel lobby before heading to the Beijing Zoo.
The guide said there was a extra stroller if anyone needed one, so I decided to see if miss Keely would go in one. At this point my arms were pretty much wore out. Thankfully she sat in it and actually thought it was kind of fun. She had to have a hold of my hand as we walked though, which was fine with me.
We seen the pandas, but there were so many people you basically just wanted to keep walking to get to a less congested area. The rest of the zoo was pretty much like other zoos, maybe a bit busier.
Sunday, July 31: Today we went to the Jade Factory and the Great Wall, I had to pretty much continually remind myself that I was actually there. It was amazing, HOT, and steep. We actually took the less steep way, but it was still a lot of steps, uphill with a 2yr old. We only went a up a bit, Chris and some others went a bit further. It was just too hard to carry her up, but at least I can say I walked on the Great Wall of China. Keely had her first taste of ice cream today, it doesn't seem like she likes cold things yet.
Monday, August 1: Chris and one of the other couples husband, spent 8hrs today at US Immigration trying to get Visa's for our girls to basically walk through the airport in the States. Cass and I went this morning to a market across the street and I bought a stroller. Soo excited that she will go in it. Chris missed going to the Summer Palace with us. The Summer Palace was beautiful, but it was sooo crowded and hot that it makes it so hard to really savor and appreciate the beauty of it all.
Tuesday, August 2: Today we went to the Silk Factory to see how hard all of those little silk worms work. It is really amazing to see how much goes into making silk products. I realized that making a rag quilt is a lot less work than making one made of silk. lol
We then went to the Pearl Market to do some shopping. There are corridors, stands and rooms everywhere with workers trying to get you to buy something from their section. If there was something I wanted, I left the wheeling and dealing up to Chris. He was pretty tough on bargaining, but he got most everything for the price he wanted. A very interested spot, I just wish we had of had more time there and I could have got the kids school shopping done for a fraction of the cost here.
We went to an acrobatic show tonight at a theater. Keely did really well sitting through the whole thing and we were able to keep her awake until we got back to the hotel. She has been going to Cassidy a bit more the last few days and she is fine with dad picking her up as long as he is playing with her and throwing her up in the air.
Wednesday, August 3: Today we went to Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Yet again very beautiful buildings, amazing history, but very crowded and extremely hot. Keely had her first taste of Popsicle today, she was a bit confused what to do with it. Eventually it was melting so much we had to throw it out.
Tonight they had a farewell China/ Bday party for all of the families and children. We ate and there was a little magic show. They also had a cake for everyone and all of the children were given beautiful scrolls with their Chinese names on them. Keely I think was a bit over stimulated at the party. She was a bit crazy and it scared me a bit, I will admit. Wondered how we were going to travel on a 13hr plain ride with a hyper 2yr old, but we were in survival mode so we would do what we needed to.
Thursday, August 4: This morning we had our last breakfast at the Presidential Plaza, got packed up and ready to leave for the airport at around 12:30. All of the families except for one were leaving today, so we all went to the airport together then headed on our separate ways for home.
Our flight from Beijing to Newark, NJ actually seemed to be shorter than the flight we took to Beijing originally. Keely did amazingly well the whole journey home. She is a very good little traveler.
We finally arrived in Moncton around 9:30-10 Thursday night. Nana, Grandpa, Noah and Zay were at the airport waiting for us. Keely seemed to recognize her new brothers, since we had been showing her pics. That night at the hotel, she really took to her brothers. I was very thankful, because I was a bit nervous of how she would react to them.
Friday, August 5th: Finally after a long journey, we arrived home to meet a little welcoming committee as we drove off the ferry. It is hard to believe after all of the paperwork, waiting and prayers that we are actually home with our little girl.
Let the next half of our journey begin............
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