Already New Year's Eve?

AnnaClaire wishes everyone a very happy new year!

2006 was a big year in our family! And the biggest and happiest event of the whole year, came at the very end of 2006. The day AnnaClaire was given to us, the day we became a family of 6! May the year 2007 be filled with fun, good health, and lots and lots of BABIES!

My friend is coming over for New Years Eve and we're going to have a little party. Mom and Dad say they're staying up till AnnaClaire goes to bed.. (8!) we shall see. Will is going to his friends house and Drew to his friends house. It should be a fun New Years Eve!

Happy last day of 2006!

Cute pictures (yesterday)

"Hey.. that's not me! Who could it be wearing my jammies?" AnnaClaire "meets" her twin, Maura!

She might as well be a model!

" I swear, on my daddy's leg, that I will be the best baby ever!"
Who needs a crib when they've got their Daddy?
"SISSY GOT ME ANOTHER HAIRBRUSH!" (but she thinks it's the same one)
"Oh boy, a new toy! This one is neat..."
Happy girl with her brush
"What could this be?" (our neighbor gave that to us a few months ago)
"DADDY, brush my hair!!!!!!"

Thank you, Whisonants!

My friend, Caroline, and her family gave us this for Christmas! It is a tooth case! You put the tooth in the case and under your pillow. The string makes it easy for "the tooth fairy" to pull it out and put the treat inside the case! It is even monogramed! (On the star) Thank you Whisonants! We LOVE it!

Oh, how we love Gymboree!

These are the 2 outfits I was talking about (fom Gymboree). I'm not picturing the S.Children outifts because they are hanging in one of those clear plastic bags. Besides, you'll get to see them on her next year :)

rice

With the help of the rice maker from the Crenshaws, the jasmine rice from the Crenshaws, scrambled egg, and some veggies, Mom made some delicious rice for AnnaClaire. True Chiense rice!!! Boy, was it gooooood! As you can see, AnnaClaire loved her rice!

What can I say? We are shoppers!

(Can't find the camera cord to get pics from today, but here is one of AnnaClaire in China. I really like this picture.)

Today was our last day of "Christmas training" as they call our swim practices over Christmas break. That also meant it was the hardest. I was ready to see AnnaClaire by the time it was over :). AnnaClaire greeted me when I got home with a big smile (which made my day). Mom made some excellent rice (for AC) in the rice cooker from the Crenshaws. It was the jasmine rice with veggies and egg in it! Wow! It looked exactly like the "China rice!" AnnaClaire LOVED it. She had some pear (she loves that too) with it and Mom attempted to feed her off chopsticks. AnnaClaire even fed herself some pear with the chopsticks (well Mom stabbed the pear and AnnaClaire put it in her mouth). We all ate and then Mom put AnnaClaire down for a nap. Dad stayed home with her while Mom and I headed out to Babies R Us, Toys R Us, and the mall. We decided AnnaClaire didn't have enough toys and we needed to get her more. (Trust me, we don't spoil her, but she really doesn't have very many toys. We were hoping to find a little slide with climb thing but didn't, but we got a few more small toys.) We found quite a few things at Toys R Us and even got AnnaClaire a rocking horse with the Christmas money from Grandma. We haven't introduced that to her yet. Meanwhile, AnnaClaire was waking at 4 and Dad set up her swing. She liked her swing a lot. Back to us, we went to Babies R Us and got quite a few things including a new hairbrush! (Did I ever tell you we re-lost the original one after we found it when we got home?) We finished up shopping and then headed over to MORE shopping at our big outlet mall across the street. We did a little damage there... Strasbourg Children (our favorite store there) was having a huge sale and we got AnnaClaire a really soft night gown and smocked dress for next year. We also got her Easter dress which wasn't on sale, but it is sooooooooo beautiful and we learned our lesson waiting for the Christmas dress we had wanted to get from there to go on sale. So we got it and it is absolutely beautiful. it is hot pink with gorgeous smocking. It should fit her from spring all the way until it is to cold to wear it. I got a peacoat and scarf at American Eagle and then we headed to Gymboree. We almost passed it up since it was the outlet and we normally don't find so much at the outlet. Well boy, are we glad we didn't pass it up! Right as we walked in, a darling lime green turtle dress caught my eye. We of course got it, couldn't possibly leave it behind. It is for spring since she has way enough clothes for now. We also found a really cute frog romper that we couldn't leave. That one is for spring but it should fit her now as well. The outlet really has such good prices and had really cute spring lines! We walked around a little more before leaving. Dad ordered Chinese and Mom and I picked it up on the way there. Yes, we didn't have enough Chinese food in China and are already getting some. But, let me tell you, China Chinese is WAYYYYYYY different than America Chinese. When we got home, AnnaClaire was such a happy girl. She greeted us at the gate. I made her egg and Mom fed her that and yogurt. Gosh does this girl love eggs or what!? Mom bathed her while we enjoyed our Chinese with the Texas game. AnnaClaire came up with Mom and we played with her new little ring stacking toy. She loved it. I presented her with her new hairbrush and she was delighted and knew was it was right away. Her face just lit up and she starting trying to brush her hair! AWW! We had fun playing with her and she starting rubbing eyes around 7:30 so Mom did bottle and bed. She is now sound asleep and we probably won't hear a peep outta her until 8! She is SUCH a good sleeper going to bed around 8pm, waking at 8am (no wake ups at night!) and napping for 2.5 hours in the afternoon! She is a GOOD sleeper, let me tell you. She's a good eater too. Oh and a good pooper! Ahh, she is so sweet and we just love her bunches! Thank you, Lord!!!!!!!!!!

My beautiful sister :)

Sisters forever :) "Aren't I pretty in my dress from Sissy?"

Looking out the window... "Sissy, bring me out there!"
"Aren't I cheesy?"
Suprisingly happy as Dad trims her nails! (I was playing "jiang" in the background! no wonder!)

AnnaClaire is such a good girl. We love her so much! She is just the sweetest thing and looks so good in yellow, may I add!!!!!!! She was soooooooo sweet when I got home from swimming, all dressed in her dress from me. AC and I played for awhile. We decided to go to Five Guys~AnnaClaire's first! We fed her before we left so she wouldn't be reaching for french fries. She was great on the way there and we got her a little grilled cheese at Five Guys so she'd stay occupied in the highchair (by the way, she looked darling in her pink floopy seat!) We had a delicious lunch. It was our first meal out as a family of 6!!!!!! It was good. We got home and Mom put her down for a nap. She slept for 2.5 hours!!!! Soon after she woke up, we went on a stroller ride to deliver some thank you notes. It was a great ride and AnnaClaire hammed it up in the stroller! She is soooooo cute. She ate a big meal, had a bath (she still adores her baths and whenever there is running water coming from the sink, she tries to jump into it!) and is now sleeping soundly. She is such a good, sweet girl and we love her so much.

That's basically all there is to report... nothing much interesting went on today. Just a lazy day with our sweet one!

Another video

(if this doesn't work, please click here to view.)

This one is on Christmas day. AnnaClaire is dancing along to the snowman jingle thing from Hallmark (she loves that). Then she starts eating cherrios and doing all her tricks. But of course when I try to get her to do one, she refuses and giggles at herself! Enjoy!

Finally! Videos!

(if this doesn't work, please click here to view.)

This one is of her pushing her wagon! Isn't she cute?????? (I don't think anyone knew I was videoing so we started talking at the end)

Videos

I have two videos to post but they're not showing up!! I'm trying, and the videos will be here SOON! stay tuned!

The cuteness continues....

"SISSY, PUT DOWN THE CAMERA AND BRING ME UP THE STAIRS! Or else, I'll climb them by myself! Hmph!"

"This is what happens when no one is watching me." (She got in to the diaper bags some how...)

There's really not much to report here. Lazy day at our house. AnnaClaire was soooooooooo adorarble as always! She came with to pick me up from swimming and was so happy to see me (eek!) She and I had mac and cheese for lunch! KRAFT mac and cheese! I FINALLY got Mom to buy it (because it was organic... and the cheese wasn't dyed...) AnnaClaire LOVED it! And I did too! Ahh, yum, Kraft mac and cheese is good! We played awhile and she so wanted to come up the stairs! She is so cute! And then she some how found the bags for her dirty diapers and unrolled the whole roll! It was so cute when I looked out my door and she was sitting with the whole roll of them! I think we have a ribbon gymnast or whatever they are called! Hmm. She went down for a nap and Caroline and I went to the mall. We had a really good time. Before we left, we stopped by Gymboree and under a basket labeled "$9.99 and under!", we found this yellow dress that Mom and I had seen and wanted for who knows how long. We hadn't gotten it so that we could wait for it to go on sale... Well, here it was! 1 left and it was her size (12-18 months). And it was $9.99. Needless to say, I got it for her! I HAD TOO! It was calling my name. Of course, this involoved returning the headband I had gotten from Nordstrom. They had a strange return policy and couldn't give me cash back in less I had an ID. I FINALLY got cash back after answering "no" to having a liscense, permit, student ID, any ID! The guy couldn't believe that I didn't have an ID! Since when does any 13 year old need an ID? Hmm! Needless to say, the headband is returned allowing the dress to be in our hands! =). It is SO cute. AnnaClarie is going to wear it tomorrow! We stayed at the mall for dinner and Dad, Mom, AC, and Drew picked us up after their dinner at Salsas! From what I heard, AnnaClaire was great in the highchair and ate beans and veggies. She had her dinner before they left though. OH MY GOSH, she is so cute! She just gets cuter every day. I'm in LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Happy 14 months!

How big is AnnaClaire?
So big!

We FINALLY get to spend a "birthday" with AnnaClaire! Today she is 14 months old! I remember 5 months ago, July 27. She was turning 9 months old and we had just gotten her referral. It was the first "birthday" we spent knowing her. Now she is a big 14 month old and it is the first "birthday" we get to spend WITH her! It is so good to know that she is ours forever, and no one can take her away from us! That we will get to spend every birthday to follow with her. Whether it's a month birthday, a week birthday, or a year birthday... we will always be there for her! Happy 14 months, sweet AnnaClaire!!!

And to Maura... happy 14 months to you too! Can't wait for AnnaClaire and you to meet!!!!!!

Home a week!

Up close and beautiful

She loves her cup... she just can't quite use it!

"Mama, is this for me?????" she says
Happy girl bundled for her stroller ride!
Mom and AC~pretty in pink!
Happy girl kickin' back in the stroller!

Lovin' her blocks!

We've been home a week! I long to be in China again with the Dagenbachs, the Martins, the Taylors, the Howards, and Singletons, the McDavids, the Cox', the Fletchers, th Foshers, and the Snells (our awesome travel group). I really miss it. I miss having play dates with the girls, shopping 24/7, always having someone to talk to. I miss not being able to understand anyone except fellow Americans. I miss trapsing through the hotel halls. I miss the fabulous hotel buffets (by far the China hotel). I miss having our schedule decided by Rosa and Fontana. I miss our guides, I miss the Chinese people, I miss the Chiense food, I miss China. For anyone going to China, ENJOY IT WHILE YOU ARE THERE. It goes by so quick!!!

AnnaClaire has come a long way in a week! She is still the adorable, cute, sweet, smiley, huggagle, kissable, loveable little one she has always been, but she is so used to her home! She is not afraid to walk around, not afraid of Maggie, not afraid of anything!!!

On this day that marked the week of being home from China, we visited the grocery store for the first time! AnnaClaire, I think, was overhwhelmed by all the food! We also went to Panera to get bread bowls for dinner. Oh and I had said yesterday that it would probably be an early morning... well, our girl didn't wake up until 8! She slept about 12 hours! We put her in her carseat to bring me to swimming. She also came to pick me up and we went home for lunch. AnnaClaire had more fruits and veggies. She is such a good eater! We played awhile before her short nap. After that, we ran out. While at Harris Teeter, we got her a small sippy cup with handles. We tried a sippy cup on Monday but she had no idea how to use it. It was a tall sippy cup with no handles. We are in no rush to sippy cup train her, as we like babying her all we can, but we did get the sippy cup. I tried giving her juice in it when we got back and she had no idea what to do with it. I ended up giving it to her like a bottle. She just can't figure out how to suck it and tilt it. It will come in time and for now, we enjoy giving her bottles! Although she can't drink out of her cup, she LOVES it! She walked around holding it for a longggggg time. It was so cute! More snuggles, hugs, and some boucing in her jumper occured before heading out for a stroller ride. We bundled her all up as it has gotten cold here in the Tarheel State! She looked like a little snowball! SOOOO adorable! She liked her ride and when we got home, she ate. We then played blocks, and with her door before Mom bathed her, gave her a bottle, and put her to bed. Each and every day, we find ourselves falling more and more in love with our gift from God. I cannot imagine having any other child! We didn't realize it until we had her, but God really did give us the perfect baby for our family! For that, we are forever greatful.

Enjoy the pictures and have a good night!

Our lady like little girl.. (ha-ha)

I know this is not a very appealing picture... but it is just to funny not to share... When AnnaClaire is eating food and you give her another piece, she stuffs the "old" piece into her mouth so she can eat the "new" one. It is really funny especially when the piece is to bit to go in her mouth! Here she is stuffing her bagel in her mouth so she can eat the fresh piece. Gosh, I love this girl!

Promised pictures (yesterday)

Can we say GORGEOUS?

She loves any kind of paper (this is a package from AWAA with a Christmas card and calender!)

Sitting under the chair playing with Mom's keys!

She also loves the stools (for some strange reason!) she pushes them all around the kitchen!

Mama's little helpers (Maggie and AnnaClaire)

*captions above pictures from now on (including this post)*

First mall trip!

I am so tired (yes, it is not even 9 and I have already fallen asleep). But just can't let my readers down, so here's a quick post. Pitctures will follow tomorrow! AnnaClaire slept late this morning and was not yet awake when I left for swimming at 8:45. Swimming was good, AnnaClaire was with Mom to pick me up and everyone enjoyed meeting her! She was pretty shy but was smiling at the end. Good news: she clutched to me when one of my friends tried holding her! She ate a healthy lunch of corn pudding, carrots, watermelon, and greenbeans and fell asleep after lunch until 2:30. Soon after she woke up, we headed to the mall! She was good (as always) in her carseat but got a little restless after the 20 min. drive there. We put her in the Ergo and she did great! She was very alert at the mall and loved looking around. We got our first comments on her and were happy to tell people that we had come home from China with her on Wednesday. Everyone thought she was a doll, which of course, she is! She did great the entire time we were there and especially loved holding to notecard boxes we got at the Crane store! I am sad to report, it is going out of business! However, this meant great sales and lots of notecards! The mall trip ended with some Starbucks for me and some apple juice and crackers for AnnaClaire. She wanted my frappichino but we got the point across that frappichino was a big girl drink and was for sissy and juice and crackers was for baby! She got whiney as we left, I think she got tired of the Ergo. We called Dad to order pizza for dinner. Oh yum, I love pizza! We picked it up and while we waited, AnnaClaire decided to show off her squeakers to all the people eating there! They were all laughing and thought she was the cutest thing (which, she is!) You should have seen Maggie greet AnnaClaire when we got home! And AnnaClaire's reaction was just priceless. AC pet Maggie and squealed. Maggie gave AC a kiss, and AnnaClaire was SOOOOOOO happy. They are so adorable together now. Kisses and petting are a normal thing now! AC had egg, bagel, and sweet potato for her dinner. We enjoyed dinner and watching her antics and played with her before giving her a bath and bedtime. She went to bed early as she was so tired. It could be an early morning!

Now the big news of the day........ The bow stayed in for 5 hours!!!! (from after her nap until dinner time!) That's the longest ever. At dinner she took it out but we put it back in and it stayed there for 5 minutes. Back in it went and Mom had to take it out when she put her to sleep!! Oh and other news, Dad went back to work today, and AnnaClaire was fine with it! In fact, she bonded some more to Mom today!

What a Christmas!

Because of late Church last night, AnnaClaire slept in until 8:00! I was up so I got her out of the crib and we played with toys until Mom and Dad woke up at 8:30. Dad made coffee and we gave AnnaClaire a bottle and then woke the boys up. We took our traditional picture on the steps and then went downstairs. In AnnaClaire’s stocking, there was a rubber ducky and a reindeer stuffed animal. At first she wasn’t a huge fan of the reindeer, but later discovered the nose and now really likes it! She also likes her duck. She opened the first present and it was a toy cell phone from Drew! She really liked that and would hold it up to her ear and start baby talking. It was so cute!!! She got a push toy wagon and blocks from Mom and Dad, a bunny hooded towel ad washcloth from me, a ladybug purse and book from her Auntie Linda, Uncle Peter, and cousins, an outfit from her Auntie Deanne, Uncle Bill and cousins, a book and ornament from Grandma, a book from Mrs. Stephens, a bunny doll from Mrs. Towery, quite a few ornaments, and I think that is it! I could be forgetting something though… She was very interested in the boxes everything came in and was soooooooo cute with her cell phone in her purse! Drew called her his “little 21st century woman.” She helped unwrap her gifts but got a little sidetracked with the paper! All in all it was a great Christmas for everyone! Besides Will’s stocking ending up half in the fireplace and the top burning off, it was a great Christmas! Brunch was delicious and AnnaClaire enjoyed her bagel and egg! The rest of the day was very low key. AnnaClaire helped Dad and I assemble her push wagon and she went down for a nap. When she woke up, I brought her to he now assembled wagon and her face lit up! She LOVES it. She had a blast pushing it all around. I had put all her Christmas toys in it and she liked picking something out of the wagon to play with! Too cute! Mom was napping, so I fed AnnaClaire congee and tangerine. She ate pretty well. I then got her all changed and she played with Dad a little. Then I took her for a stroller ride. It was pretty rainy but had cleared up quite a bit. I didn’t mind because I got to wear my new rain boots, but still got to stroll her since it wasn’t raining! She liked her ride again. We came back and played some more. She took another nap and then Mom woke her up for dinner. Ahh yum, Christmas dinner! It was so good. AnnaClaire loved it too! So Christmas with AnnaClaire was a big hit and I think she’s going to want Christmas every year! She loves all her things and has fun playing with them! The night ended with a bath in the tub. I bathed her and she splashed around with her duck and cups until I got her out a wrapped her in her new towel. She played with her wagon for a long time and Mom just put her to bed!

Merry Christmas!!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

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Merry Christmas, everyone! Remember, JESUS is the reason for the season! We've had a great Christmas with AnnaClaire! She got an outfit from her auntie and uncle, a purse and book from her other auntie and uncle, a toy cell phone from Drew, a hooded towel from me, blocks and a push toy wagon from Mom and Dad, a doll from Mrs. Towery, lots of ornaments from neighbors and one from gma, another book from grandma, a book from Mrs. Stephens, and I think that is it! She loved playing with the boxes all the stuff came in and also loved helping Daddy assemble her push wagon! (she was napping when we finsihed so hasn't played with it yet... I think she'll like it!) Oh and she got a stuffed reindeer and a rubber ducky from Santa. We've had a great monring with her. Enjoy the pictures. I'll add more and more text later today!

p.s. sorry the pictures are out of order, they don't show up in order and it's not letting me move them into the correct order!

and now they're best of friends...

Pictures from yesterday

Christmas Eve! :)

Today was another wonderful day with our sweet pea. She has blossemed more and more each day and we are enjoying her being a part of our family so very much. We were all early risers this morning, besides Mom, so we had a "party". We played with AnnaClaire and later Drew and Will got donuts for breakfast. AnnaClaire had her first big fall... (besides the stairs). She has never cried when she falls until today. She landed right on the remote. Poor girl. She is fine and after a few tears was smiling and playing with her little door (picture tomorrow) thing. She is the sweetest thing ever!!!!!! I fed her a yummy breakfast of yobaby yogurt and a banana. She loved it and was garfing it down! We all played some more and then Mom and Dad decided they needed to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Drew and Will were now asleep, so I got to "babysit" AnnaClaire for the first time!!! :) She was sleeping for the first hour but woke up and I fed her sweet potato and congee. She loved it! After lunch, she did NOT want me to put her down. She would cry when I did. So I held her and we had fun. I then decided to take her on a stroller ride. She LOVED that! She really does love her stroller and I must say, she looks pretty darn cute in it! We came back and played with Maggie. AnnaClaire now did not want me to pick her up! Soon Mom and Dad were home! AC did some snuggling and we put her in her johnny jumper. Well today she LOVED it!!! Mom and I think that AnnaClaire is finally getting used to the house and so now she is being herself (like in China.) In China, she LOVED being snuggled but she also loved being put down with toys. The first few days home, she didn't want to be put down with toys, but now she does. At first she did not want her johnny jumper (minus 2 seconds of smiles) but today she absolutely loved it! Elizabeth and Sadie came over a little later with Millie because they were going to teach AC how to like dogs since Millie is small. But, AnnaClaire is already used to doggies, so we didn't need that! Thanks for your help though :). They stayed a bit and we played with AnnaClaire. Maggie got out twice and we had to go get her. Ugh! Luckily with the 3 of us, we caught her easily. Liz and Sadie, thanks for helping! We hung at somemore and watched the Panthers FINALLY win! Drew and Will napped the entire day, AnnaClaire napped twice, I napped a little, and Dad dozed. Mom is the only person on EST! Not fair! We got ready for dinner and had the delicious spaghetti Mrs. Pugh left in our fridge. We had yummy salad and bread too. AnnaClaire ate noodles and chewed on bread. We took some pictures for out Christmas card and then left for Church. AnnaClair was great at first. The pen kept her occupied along with the music (she's a musical little thing, preferably latino! People from our TG called her the little latino girl because she was dancing away at the Thai place) But she really does like any music, so she loved the harp and piano Christmas music! She got antsy in the middle of the service and Dad took her in the lobby. He came back just in time for communion but AnnaClaire was still restless so Mom took her out in the lobby. She came back just in time for the candlelit part. It was so beautiful. That is my favorite part of the Christmas services. And then we sang Silent Night while they dimmed the lights with just the candles aglow... simply beautiful! AnnaClaire wanted to hold a candle.. no way, missy! We let her hold the candle (un lit) until she starting eating it... The service ended and lots of people came up to meet and talk to AnnaClaire. She is a hit, that is for sure. We talked with the Pughs for awhile and came back to the house where we watched AnnaClaire get her 2nd wind and squeak around the kitchen. She was soooooo cute with the waterbottle and Maggie! I got a good picture of her in her Christmas outfit, but the camera is downstairs and I can't go down there because "Santa" has already come! Well, I'm so excited about Christmas tomorrow. It will be SO much fun with our little baby!!!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Making progress (dog)

I LOVE the first picture. That was taken after the second, but I had to post that one first so it showed up at the top of the website :). Anyway... As you can see, AnnaClaire has made huge progress with Maggie. This morning, Maggie was dying to be in the room with Drew, Will, Dad, AC, and me, so we brought AnnaClaire over to the babygate and AnnaClaire tried touching Maggie. We let Maggie in and AnnaClaire was fine with that! She just wanted to be held and whimpered a little when Maggie came too close. We were happy with that and thought it was enough progress with Maggie for the day. But obviously, AnnaClaire thought otherwise! Once Mom woke up, AnnaClaire reached for her (more progress!) I offered to feed AC breakfast. Well. Maggie was downstairs! AnnaClaire was laughing at her and was teasing her with bananas at breakfast! It was SOOOOOO cute! And then she wanted out of the highchair. I held her for awhile. By that time, Mom was downstairs. AnnaClaire tried getting down, so I put her down. Maggie came right over and was very sweet with her and AnnaClaire just cooed and smiled!!! She followed Maggie EVERYWHERE and Maggie followed her when Maggie wasn't being followed. She even tried petting her but quickly took her hand away. AnnaClaire's pace would quicken when Maggie was in front of her and we found ourselves in the family room. Maggie found one of AnnaClaire's balls and was playing with it. AnnaClaire who was playing with a toilet paper roll, just thought this was the funniest thing (even though it is her ball!) She was cracking up, smiling, cooing, and got closer and closer to Maggie. Finally, she was next to her, at her bed! I was afraid she would try to take the ball from Maggie so we watched closely. AnnaClaire even pet Maggie some more! Maggie dropped the ball and AnnaClaire crawled over to get it. Maggie did not even try to touch it! Mom gave her a treat for that so she would know that is right. AnnaClaire and Maggie are now great friends and AnnaClaire is only fearful of Maggie when she jumps. Praise the Lord!!!!!! I was really worried we would have to give Maggie away. Even though Mom promised me we wouldn't, I was scared we would. I am SO happy that AnnaClaire has learned to like Maggie (and so quickly too!) I have more to update, but I'll save that for later. I think I hear the napping princess crying and I am "babysitting" so I must go check on her. Besides this post is about AnnaClaire and Maggie...

First stroller ride and new tricks!

I loved my first stroller ride!

Laughing at Elizabeth

My kissy/tooty face/noise!

HEHE, Elizabeth is FUNNY!

Doing "blahlablahla" with Elizabeth!



Today was another fun day with AnnaClaire! It is still hard for me to believe that she is ours! Sometimes I feel like we are just babysitting her, but no! SHE IS OURS! It might take awhile for that to set in. I am just so amazed at how perfect she is for us! We are all falling so in love with her. It is amazing that you can love someone you've known for 12 days so much! But really, I have known her since that 25th day of July... Anyway, last night was not such a good night for Dad, AnnaClaire, or I. I was up every hour of the night and AnnaClaire was up pretty early but went back to bed after a while. Dad was up really early! I woke up for the day about 20 until 9 when I heard AnnaClaire squealing. I went in and she was with Dada. I sat and played with her and then realized the time and got ready for swimming (at 9:30...yes! later than normal!). My first swim pratice since before we left for China! It was so awesome seeing all my friends again! As for the swimming part, it is a tough time to come back because we are starting "Christmas training" AKA the hardest practices of the year. Luckily, my coach understands it all and is letting me "ease into it". Swim practice was good. Dad picked me up and I was disappointed that AnnaClaire wasn't with. I knew that meant she was napping because Mom had promised that AnnaClaire would come to get me if she was awake. Some day soon all my swim friends will get to meet her! We went home and Sadie called to see if I wanted to go to the mall with them. I of course said "YEAH!". AnnaClaire was still asleep at the time. Also, Mrs. Staton was over bringing nuts and a Christmas dish! The Mccans brought over an adorable little sleeper for AnnaClaire! It is a winter fleece one and is 24 months, meaning AnnaClaire can wear it next Christmas!!! The Riches brought over an ornament and some delicious chocolates... thank you Riches! And Sydnee and Meredith brought me a Christmas present :) Thanks to the Statons, the Mcanns, the Riches, and Syd and Mere!! Sadie and her mom came about 12:30 and they brought a box of breakfast items! YUM! (Can I mention again how great all our neighbors have been!?) We got to the mall and did some last minute Christmas shopping. I just have 2 gifts to get~Drew and Will. But I know exactly what I am getting them. We left about 2:30 because Elizabeth and her other friend (who was with us) had swim practice at 3. On the way home, we passed Mom pushing AnnaClaire in the stroller! Of course we got out. It was her first stroller ride! She LOVED it! We walked home with Mom and AC and played with AnnaClaire awhile. Mom put her down for a nap (she has been sooooooo tired) and then went to Target. Dad and Drew were home so Sadie and I went to her house and wrapped Christmas presents. We also played a lot of ping pong because they just got a ping pong table! It was really fun. I ate dinner (delicious speghitti) at their house and then we had more ping pong matches. We played doubles Sadie and Mr. Pugh vs. Elizabeth and me. Mr. Pugh is really good so Liz and I never won, but it was still realllllllly fun! At about 8:30 I decided it was probably time to go home. Liz still hadn't met AnnaClaire so she and Sadie came with and Mr. Pugh dropped us off out our house (because it was so dark to scooter...) AnnaClaire loves Elizabeth. She has a great way with babies and kids and just makes them laugh and laugh. AnnaClaire had just gotten out of her bath when we got there. Liz had her laughing and laughing in seconds! She has really been timid around people she hasn't met but she does love Elizabeth! Elizabeth taught her 2 new tricks........ Kissy face with toot noises (too funny!) and finger "blahlalblahla" noise. AnnaClaire is so cute doing it even though it is not the cutest trick. LOL! She thinks she is so funny when she does them too! My goodness, she learns things QUICK! Liz and Sadie left and Mom put AnnaClaire to bed. She woke up for a little and cried but Mom got her back to sleep. She hardly ever cries in her crib!

Oh and Dad picked Maggie up from the kennels today, and from what I have heard (I wasn't home to see for myself), AnnaClaire is terrified of Maggie. We really have to work on this one. Mom did say that when AnnaClaire was eating her dinner, she was fine with Maggie. Maybe it just surprised her seeing her the first time, I don't know. Please pray this would get better.

I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas eve!!! I hope everyone has an awesome Christmas! I'm ready for the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!

Thank you Schmeisers!!!!!!!!!

Tonight we recieved a package from my good online friend, Keara. Keara and her parents came home in September with Maura, AnnaClaire's China twin (they were both born on Oct. 27, 2005 and Keara and I are 2 days apart!) Anyway, in the package was 3 prettily wrapped presents. 2 adressed to me and 1 to our whole family. The two for me were beautiful earrings and a gorgeous journal from China! I had been looking at these 2 things while in China and REALLY wanted to get them. I just didn't see any that jumped out at me. So I was so happy to get these. They are so beautiful and I love both gifts. The third gift was a really pretty traditional Chinese ornament! It is pink and has the Chinese character for "love" on it. It is beautiful and hanging proudly on our tree! With the gifts were 2 cards, a welcome home card and a Christmas card/letter to AnnaClaire. Thank you so much Schmeiser family for your thoughtfulness. I LOVE all the things you sent us! Merry Christmas!

Can you believe it?

So after I FINALLY move to the new blogger, I get invited to join it! So I'm back on this blog. I'm going to erase the other one because I would way rather just have 1. Sorry for the confusion! I added yesterdays post to this blog and added the comments as well.

First Outing... and it's to Walmart!

Today was a good and long day. Most of us are still on China time with the exception of Mom. Dad was up at 2:30 (he feels better!) and I was up at 4:15. Drew was still awake... (he has very strange sleeping hours!) Drew, Dad, and I watched some tapes from our trip and AnnaClaire woke up about 10 till 5. Drew got her out of the crib and we figured she was up for the day... She was playing and not going back to bed. I took over and let Drew go to sleep. Dad, AnnaClaire, and I played downstairs for awhile. We fed AnnaClaire rice cereal with applesauce and before then a bottle. She ate it all! We tried AnnaClaire in her Johnny Jumper and she loved it at first. For about 3 minutes... Then she starting crying to come out. Dad played with AC and I tried to go to sleep again with no luck. We played with AnnaClaire somemore until Mom woke up at 8. Then she took over while Dad and I tried going to sleep. Dad fell asleep and I didn't. I finally got out of bed and played some more with AC and Mom. Will woke up about 8:30. We played awhile. Elizabeth and her mom came over around noon and broght us congee, and 2 wrapped presents!!! A rice maker and special asian rice!!!!!! They also gave us the recipe to make the congee. She later ate it and was smacking her lips and ate the entire bowl. The congee was a big hit! Anyway, the Crenshaws stayed for awhile and we talked a lot. I fell asleep after they left and slept until 3. Just after I woke up, our sweet girl fell down the stairs, poor thing!!! It was one of those things where one person thought the other was watching her and that one though another was watching her. Luckily she fell down the front staircase which it a double, so she only went down half. Also, our other staircase is very steep. All we heard was THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! We knew what had happened and saw a pitiful little girl laying on her back on the landing. Poor little one! Awwwwwwww. She is perfectly fine and was all smiles and giggles 5 minutes later. AnnaClaire was up and we just chilled until 4 when we decided to go on a little outing! We got in the car and put AnnaClaire in her car seat. She did GREAT! She cried a little but when the car started moving, she was a-okay! She even fell asleep on the way! We went to Walmart Superstore and put AnnaClaire in her floppy seat in the shopping cart. She cried at first but again, when we started moving, she was fine. We got all we needed and dropped off the cameras from the orphanage for devloping. We stayed a little longer and ran into one of Drew's old teachers. We talked awhile and she was happy to meet AnnaClaire! By then, the pictures were ready. There were some great pictures! (they were the cameras we sent to the orphanage in a care package). I'll have to post the pics another time, because I'm ready for bed! We left and went home to unload the frozens. We then went on our way again to Qdoba. AnnaClaire did great in the car seat again! Qdoba was YUMMMY! AnnaClaire loved the rice and veggies there. She was chowing on them! It was her first time to Qdoba! Drew took her out to the fountain (she LOVES water) and looked at the water a lot. Then we left and came home. AnnaClaire was soooooooo tired but we tried to keep her up until 9 so she wouldn't be up at 5 again. Mom finally put her down at 8:45 and she is sound asleep. Now I'm ready for bed!

I was so proud of AnnaClaire with the car seat thing. I honestly thought she would scream and scream, but she proved us all wrong!

Emily's Mei Mei ~ Chapter 2

new blog. I am so sick of waiting for pictures and it taking hours and hours to update my templates. I never got asked to join new blogger, so I made a new blog. I really didn't want to do this, but new blogger is just so much nicer and easier. I'll be over there for now. I did today's post there, so go on there and bookmark it now!

so for chapter 2: home with AnnaClaire, go to www.emilysmeimei2.blogspot.com!

oh and it is a work in progress... I still have a few things to do on the template...

We are home from China!!!

AnnaClaire and I strolling through the park (above)
On her way to being an American! Isn't she darling? (above)
Sweet girl in her Chinese clothing with one of her fav. toys~traditional Chinese drum!
Look at that smile!

One of the first smiles we got out of her. (gotcha day-12/11) Don't you thing she is just too cute for words!

Well, I've had quite the blogger break! I have had withdrawls. AnnaClaire is keeping us so busy, I barely had time to update the website, much less both! Anyway, who wants to read it all twice? If you get a chance, I did a home update on the website today. And for those who are wondering, I am planning on doing my everyday update on this blog. I am sure I will find time while AnnaClaire naps or sleeps. However, I will also continue my long updates with pictures on the website. They won't be daily and will be more about AnnaClaire and not what we have done. I am planning on doing those weekly or just whenever I feel like people need a long update on our sweetie.

Our trip to China was fabulous. I hope everyone followed along and enjoyed our wild ride! We had a blast and I was a little disappointed to leave. AnnaClaire is a darling. She is perfect in every way and we all are so in love. We have had her for 10 short days, but it feels like she has been with us forever! We love her so much. As most of you know, our sweet one is a daddy's girl! THIS HAS CHANGED! Now that we are home, she goes to anyone in our family. She is timid around others, which is a great sign! She has really loved Mom and I today and she also loves her ge ge, Drew! She met him for the first time last night and I think Drew is in love. AnnaClaire was so good with him! He was the only one besides Mom, Dad, Will, and I that she would go to last night. We had a ton of families greet us which was a huge surprise, considering we got in just before midnight! So that's just a bit on how it's all been. For more, make sure to go to the home updates page on our website. I have a long one with quite a few pictures awaiting!

As for today... (because I didn't talk much about today in the update, I did it when I woke up at 1:15). AnnaClaire went to bed around 2:30. She did great in her crib and fell right to sleep. She woke up crying at 3:45ish but fell right back asleep. At 9:30am, she woke up crying and Will got her out of the crib. She fell asleep by him until Dad woke up at 9:45 and put her in the crib. She slept until 1. I woke up at 1:15 and played with Dad and AnnaClaire. Drew woke up at 1:40 and I'm not sure if Will even went to bed! We fed AnnaClaire egg and played with toys (she loves her toys!) She fell back asleep just before 2 and slept until 4:30. During this time, Drew and Will did some Christmas shopping, Dad did his computers, Mom slept, and then the Crenshaws came over and brought us something. They brought us a whole baby bath set that is the organic version. It is so awesome (mom is in to all the organic stuff). AnnaClaire was still asleep at the time, but I knew how badly they all wanted to see her. I brought Elizabeth into her room and we stared at her until she woke up... I know, we are bad. But she needed to wake up. We didn't touch her or anything, she woke up on her own! We brought her downstairs and she met them. She was very timid with them but showed a little smile! Mom woke up about 5 min. after they left and was getting ready to feed AC when she realized we had no rice cereal! Drew and I went and got that and Mom and I fed her. Dad didn't feel so great and went to bed. Grandma called and I smelled a poopy diaper. Mom was on the phone Dad was in bed, so it was me who had to do it. I'm getting faster at changing the poopy ones!!! I put AC in a new sleeper because the one she was in had gotten dirty. We opened all the presents we had gotten and we had lots of great baby presents~thank you all!!!!!!!!!! AnnaClaire slept a little more (actually more than a little.) I ended up going to the Pughs house and gave Liz and Sadie their presents-which they loved. Liz' birthday was yesterday, so we had some cake-YUM and played ping pong. I got home (10ish) and AnnaClaire was asleep but she soon woke up. We played some more and she seemed tired, so Mom did bottle and bed. She never fell asleep and was whimpering a few minutes later. Out of the crib she came and she played with toys with Mom and I and then explored the house! She loves the house!!! We've been playing since. She is so cute!!! I can't even begin to tell you about all the cute things she has done today because the post would be way to long, but let me tell you, when she says "BA!" and blows a kiss, it melts our hearts. Oh and did I tell you she LOVES the piano???? I played it for her and she swayed back and forth and then "played piano". She LOVES any kind of music. Her favorite toy is the xylophone! (sp?) We love her so much and boy, is it nice to be home. I do miss China though...

Lots of luggage!

we have a lot of luggage! A LOT of luggage.

IT'S DECEMBER 7!!!!! WE LEAVE IN JUST OVER 4 HOURS! WOOHOO!

This is my last post on M is for Mei Mei until we are HOME!!!!!! (I might post in China like once)

See you on our website, we are about to post on it, so check travel logs! yeaaa

love to all xoxo

Re-packed and ready to go!

I'm re-packed! YAY! Did you notice it's not the hot pink aloha print fabriced suitcase anymore?

It broke. My suitcase broke. It was around 8PM and I had just added a few last things when it ripped. Right above the zipper. Dad said it would just get worse and worse and all my clothes would fall out. By now I was in tears. I LOVED my luggage. LOVED it. I was so disappointed. Honestly, it was the only luggage I wanted. I worked ALL day packing that suitcase up and it was the suitcase I wanted to take. But I couldn't take a suitcase that would just rip more! Dad and I rushed to the mall before closing (closes at 9). We went to Sharon Luggage, and a Java Blue Vera Bradley suitcase caught my eye. There was nothing else I liked. THIS was the suitcase for me. It is much better quality than my other one (even though the other one was supposedly a good brand). The other one I liked was an green and brown polka dot $800 Hartman that was smaller than the Vera. Of course, I was not going to get that- way out of my price range! So I got a new Vera Bradley suitcase. And Java Blue just so happens to be my very favorite pattern! I love it. I re-packed it all up and now I am ready to go. Now as long as my new suitcase stays in one piece.... Oh and I like it even better than my old one, so don't worry about me!

See you in CHINA!

Packed and ready to go!!!!!

I finished packing! WOOHOO! There are a few last minute things (things in the wash right now, things I need tonight, etc) but other than that I AM PACKED! I feel like I don't have enough carry ons though... I guess it's enough. Mom got a travel yatzee yesterday so that'll be fun. I also have hand held suduko, ipod, laptop (and a few movies), 4 magazines, 2 books, a deck of cards, my camera, my gameboy (haven't played it in 3 years, but thought it was a good, small thing to bring), a change of clothes (HOPEFULLY I won't need it...) and I think that is it. I guess it's enough. I'm hoping to sleep for most of the plane ride. I highly doubt it'll happen... but I'm going to TRY.

Dad, Mom, and I went to Chickfila for lunch. We just had to fit in another trip there. Boy am I going to miss my fried chicken, french fries, and milkshakes. I know they have KFC in China.... but that is just gross. (I bet I'll be eating it though. I hate McDonalds and when we were in Germany, I begged my dad to take me there.) After Chickfila, which was soooooooo good, we ran to Old Navy. Dad wanted to get another pair of jeans. He tried one pair on and Mom and I were laughing at him so much that he didn't try any more on. (You would've laughed too. They were hilareous!!!) But a really cute polka dot hat caught my eye! And a pretty lime green scarf and gloves... (See picture above) it was 2 for $10, so I got my three things and Mom got a black scarf. Not bad. I LOVE my hat, scarf, and gloves. Go to Old Navy and you can have them too! They are in the Womens Fleece section!

I am SO excited!!! We LEAVE FOR CHINA TOMORROW!!! AND WE GET ANNACLAIRE IN 5 DAYS! WOOHOO! It's our last Wednesday without her!

Keara~ thanks so much for the packing list. It was VERY handy while packing today and yesterday!

TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!

TOMORROW, TOMORROW, I LOVE YA, TOMORROW, YOU'RE ONLY A DAY AWAY!!!!
(I changed the words a little :))
I can't think, how am I going to get anything done today? OH MY GOODNESS, we go to China TOMORROW!!!

Mom just took Maggie to the kennels. I opted out of going... don't like to see my pup sad :(. Aww, poor girl. Just 2 weeks and we'll be home as a FAMILY- Mom, Dad, Drew, Will, me, AnnaClaire, and Maggie!

1 day till CHINA!!!!!!!!!

My mom...

...is the new owner of...

THAT!

Yes, Mom has an ipod!!!!!! She's never been so technical! My mom an ipod? YES!!! I HATE keeping secrets. I've had to keep this one since Saturday. It was tough considering Mom was at the mall with us when we got it, was home all day while I put over 600 songs on it, but still, she was surprised. She LOVES it, by the way. Actually, right now, she has her headphones in listening to it. We got her different headphones and a case as well. She doens't like headphone buds (the white ones that come with). We got her red because Mom LOVES red. Red also stands for LOVE and since it was an anniversary present, it's good to have red. And of course red stands for LUCK in China. (I don't believe in luck, but I do believe we are LUCKY to have our sweet AC!)

Why did we get her an ipod? For 2 reasons. 1:an early anniversary present. 2:how could someone not have an ipod on a 14 hour plane ride? ;)

So my mother, a very untechnical lady, has an ipod nano. A red ipod nano.

Finally "hitting" me.

Another cute picture I found when we were going through pics. I'm wearing FOOTIES!!!

It's hitting me. We are going to China in 2 days. The day after tomorrow, we will be on a plane on our way to Beijing, China. Oh my goodness, I can't believe it! AnnaClaire, hold tight, we are coming! We get our sweet girl in 6 days!!! Today is our last Tuesday without her! :)

Our last Tuesday without A.C. was good. (so far) It was a usual Tuesday. I FINALLY started packing!!!!!!!!! I'm going to do some last minute wash in a minute and then I can finish packing.

Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for safe travels, safety, and good health for AnnaClaire and the rest of our family. Just a reminder, we will post on our website under travel logs. There won't be posts here (maybe 1 or 2).

Other than that, we are doing good. Just getting ready to go to China (WOOHOO!) Have I mentioned how excited I am? If not, just to inform you, I'm REALLY excited!!! I cannot believe it is time to go get AnnaClaire! WOOP WOOP!

On a different note... We need to keep Sophie Lu's family in our prayers. Little Oliver was supposed to be given to them Monday but was sick. They arranged for him to meet his family today and at the time he was supposed to come, they got a call that he had been brought to the hospital. For the full story, go to their blog... www.olivermichael.blogspot.com. Let's flood them with prayers! :)

2 days until China, I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait, I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!! Still nervous about the flights though... starting to get stomach aches (I always do before we fly).

Mom just got home with Will from school. They stopped at KK (a consignment store) and Mom got a jogging stroller! $35..not bad!

Last Monday without AnnaClaire!

in one week, we will be HERE (below)




getting...

HER!!!!!!!!!!














Yes, ONE WEEK UNTIL GOTCHA DAY/ANNACLAIRE DAY/METCHA DAY/FOREVER IN OUR ARMS DAY/THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE DAY! :)

No longer will AnnaClaire be an orphan. In one week, she will be OURS. She will be family member #6 of our FAMILY. She will have a MOMMY and a DADDY and 2 big BROTHERS and a SISTER. All in one week!!!

We get our AnnaClaire in the afternoon on December 11, 2006 in Changsha, Hunan.

It is December 4. We leave on December 7. We go to China in 3 days. Oh. My. Goodness.

Today we ran more errands (what a surprise)! We got a few more things (nothing worth taking pictures of). I think we are ready. Well, once we pack we are ready! I'm going to pack tomorrow and Wednesday. Then I shall be ready to go get my mei mei!!!!!!

ONE WEEK UNTIL WE MEET ANNACLAIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 days till CHINA!!

I am furious at Blogger. I had this nice, really long post, and then all of a sudden it popped up, "you haven't saved, are you sure you want to exit?" I pressed cancel and POOF my post was gone and I can't recover it. So here I go all over again. Ugh!

Have I mentioned how much I love Sundays? Well it's a lot. I love going to Church and being with our little 3 year olds. They are all so sweet and I just want to take them all home with me and have a day of playing with them. They are the cutest little things. I told them that I wouldn't be here for awhile because I was going to a place far away called China. I said my baby sister was in China and we were going to go get her. I don't think they quite got it, but atleast they'll know why I'm not here for the next 2 weeks. I showed them the picture of AnnaClaire adn they thought she was very cute. One little girl, Rachel, kept asking me to show her the picture and would just clutch it. She was very cute with my AnnaClaire picture. hehe

After Church we went to Five Guys (it's a tradition after Church). If you have a Five Guys near you and haven't tried it, you MUST. They specilize in hamburgers. Well I hate all types of beef so I don't like hamburgers. They do have a few unhamburger things. Grilled cheese, hotdogs, and what I always get, a veggie cheese. It is sauteed veggies cooked with cheese on a bun. Yummm. They also have the most amazing french fries. They are so good. Go there, you will never leave! ;)

When we got home I basically got kicked out of the bonus room because I was singing to loud. What can I say, I am a jolly girl excited about Christmas!

Then Dad finally decided to get a new computer. His has been crashing ever 2 seconds for awhile now. He found a good deal on one and got it.

Then we came home and helped Will find pictures of each family member. (extended as well). While looking at pictures, I came across a few realllllllly cute Christmas pictures that I just had to post. I am really hoping to find every Christmas on the stairs picture and compare them all. I could then see both how much we've all grown and how much camera quality has changed. Sorry about the quality of these. 1: the pictures aren't great quality 2: I did it the easy way and took pics of the pics....

After that I had TP. I haven't had so much fun there for a long time!!! We played a game where you make letters with every person (like 3 people would make an A). We then sung and had our little lesson. Then we walked to Brusters which is right by the Church. One of our leaders, Whitney, paid for all our ice cream. It was so good. We had a blast.

Now we are just chilling with some football. Speaking of football, DID YOU SEE THE TITANS BEAT THE COLTS???? YEAAAAAAAA! Now, I hate the Colts. They are overrated. But that's not the only reason I am excited the Titans won. As you know, we are huge Texas fans. My favorite college player of all time is Vince Young who is now on the Titans. So, I like the Titans. Anyway, they kicked a 60yard FG with seven seconds left on the clock, winning the game. YAY!!!

I can't believe we leave for China in 4 days! 4!!!!!!! If you know me, I'm sure you know I hate flying. Please pray for me to have peace and also for our flights to go smooth and be safe. I am really stressing over the flights. It doesn't help that there are a total of 7. Please pray :) We get AnnaClaire in 8 days!!! WOOHOOOOOO! Please pray for her with the normal prayers: bonding, health, for her to love us and sleep well, etc. Thanks.

Also, I thought I'd let you know, while in China, I will post on our website, so don't come here expecting to see posts, we are posting under travel logs on our website. I might post a few things on here but for the more and better posts while in China, go to the website!!!

Oh, also if you tried to go to the nursery blog and see the pictures, I realize the link to both that and the quilt blog didn't work. I have fixed that so they both work now and I updated both websites...check them out!!!

8 days until gotcha... yay

Happy Birthday, Drew!

Drew,

I hope you have an amazing 19th birthday! Wow, 19! I remember celebrating your 13th birthday with you and all your basketball friends at the pizza place. You've gotten so much older since then. But you are still my big brother! I love you and hope your night is great. Wish I was celebrating with you... See you in a couple weeks. Happy 19th birthday,

Zan/Emily

Drew is 19 today!!! The pictures are of the card I sent him w/ his starbucks giftcard. I think he had a good day, I talked to him earlier.

Another surprise by our front door!

Firsty, we FINALLY hungs AnnaClaire's pictures. So nursery pictures are now posted on the nursery blog. Here's a little sneak peak nursery picture but for the rest see the nursery blog. Today after swimming (which was early... 7-9 meaning I had to wake up at 6:20am) we went to the bank and got some crisp money for China. Then we hung the pictures. Mom, Dad, and I went on errands after that. We went to Costco and Dad got a bigger memory card for his camera (since he gave me his old one for mine awhile ago! :)) Costco had some really good samples--3 different types of chocolate, chocolate cheesecake, and cookies. Yum. We had lunch at Qdoba and used our gift card. We even have some money left to enjoy one more mexican meal before heading to China. (Mrs. Stephens, you don't know HOW much we love the Q.) Then we headed to the mall. Yes we went to the mall- again. Dad wanted to look at better headphones at the Apple store. He got some nice ones with the rest of his bday money. We went to Sharon Luggage and I got North Face backpack. I really, really like it. I had wanted one for awhile and got a pretty blue one today. I can see myself on the Great Wall with it. More than I can see me wearing my LL Bean school backpack from 4 years ago. I'm happy to have a good backpack because it will make things easy. I can put my camera and purchases in it, hold waterbottles and not have to carry a purse around. I think it will be handy. I like it a lot. Okay I forgot to mention (you are never going to believe this) DAD GOT "MAN UGGS"! Yes, my Dad of all people got man Uggs. They look man-ish though because they are leather with swede at the top. My dad is a slipper person. He is always wearing slippers. He says his Uggs are like wearing slippers around everywhere (right now he's wearing them as he picks up our Chinese food! yes, we don't think we will get enough Chinese food in China, so we are getting some today. ha!) I got a really pretty mirror for my room since I gave mine to the princess. It's so pretty and I LOVE it. We went to Brighton and they had a chocolate fondue fountain. YUMMM. I love those things. Will is obsessed with them. I want to get him one for Christmas but Mom says it's a waste. I guess. It was so good, I hadn't tried it before! We then left. Oh yea I got AnnaClaire her Christmas present from me at Costco. It is SOOOOOOO cute but you'll have to wait until Christmas to see. (Sorry I hate keeping people wondering, but I don't want to spoil all her Christmas presents, there would be know point of saying what she got on Christmas after she opens it all!) We got home and we saw a little purple bag with green bow, wrapped so cutely. Mom said, "What's that present on the porch?" I literally jumped out of the car while it was still moving. We opened it and all I have to say is BOY, God has blessed us with the most amazing friends EVER. Just look at what the Anderson family gave us! (Which, may I add, we have never even met them! They are adopting through AWAA and go to the school Will goes too. They live nearby, but Mom and her have only conversed through email.) THANK YOU SO MUCH, ANDERSON FAMILY. We love your taste. Okay so here's what they gave us:

DARLING QUILT SQUARE & WISH AND A ADORABLE PILLOW CASE!

Would you look at that quilt square? HOW cute is THAT? And what a sweet wish! Mom asked where they got the fabric. It's the fabric in their girls bathroom. It is for the shower curtain. So AnnaClaire will have a little piece of them on her quilt :)

Up close of the pillow case. Isn't it just so cute? LOVE that pink and green.

Can I say it again? WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THE GREATEST FRIENDS! Okay, do you know just how many gifts we have gotten from people we don't even know? Never in my life did I imagine when we started this adoption process that not only would we get the cutest, most sweet (I hope) baby in the world, but also amazing friends. Thank you again Anderson family. You're SO kind!!!!!!! Once your sweetie is home, we'll have to get the girls together :)

5 days!!!!!!!! And 9 until GOTCHA! NO MORE DOUBLE DIGITS!!!!!!

PRAISE THE LORD.

I'm off to enjoy my Chinese food :)

pre-Christmas fun!

I was on one of AnnaClaire's fellow Chenzhou sisters' blog and they had this little tag game. I thought I'd join along :)

1. Egg nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate, for sure. Egg nog is gross.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa does neither. Santa puts stuff next to our stockings and in our stockings.

3. Colored or White lights?
I like white. But I also like those big retro color ones that we usually have on our tree.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No

5. When do you decorate for Christmas?
The weekend after Thanksgiving (sometimes meaning the Saturday after and sometimes meaning the Saturday of the next week.)

6. Favorite holiday dish, excluding dessert?
pancakes. the yummy Christmas ones, not the normal one (how there is a difference, I don't know)

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I still am a child but my favorite memory EVER is when Drew, Will, and I all slept in Drew's room on Christmas Eve. (We used to always all sleep in the same room on Christmas Eve.) All three of us woke up at 5:30am and song Christmas carols really loudly until Mom and Dad woke up! They made us wait until 7 but we somehow got to go down at 10 till. It was awesome and I will never forget that!

8. When did you learn the truth about Santa?
8 or 9 maybe?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas eve?
Nope. When Dad was a kid they opened a present on Christmas Eve and one time they kept opening them and opening them until there were none left. They had NO presents to open on Christmas. Therefore we don't get to open any. I'm okay with that..all the more for Christmas day!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
FILLED with ornaments from pretty glass ones to paper plates with handprints from when we were 3 and 4 years old!

11. Snow, love it or hate it?
I LOVE snow. I wish it snowed more here....

12. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Oh yea. Digital camera! (age 11) I also enjoyed getting my Bitty Baby and my AG dolls.

13. Most important thing about the holidays?
JESUS, of course!

14. Favorite Holiday Dessert?
Pumpking pie and the checkerboard cake we make for Jesus every year!

15. Favorite Holiday Tradition?
Waiting for Dad to "make sure all the presents are there" (make his coffee) and taking pictures on the stairs before dashing down for presents. I also love going to Church on Christmas Eve. The last service. (11pm, getting home at midnight, reading the Christmas story and being able to sleep!)

16. What is your tree topper?
A green and red plaid bow!

17. Do you like giving or receving better?
Giving. Although I love recieving too. I like to see people's face as they open their present from me. One time I gave Dad this pillow that said, "World's Greatest Dad" as he opened it, I screamed "IT'S A PILLOW!" He hadn't figured that out yet and everyone cracked up. His face was priceless when he saw it.

18. Favorite Christmas Song?
O Holy Night (the Josh Groban version), The Christmas Song, and Grandma got Runover by a Reindeer (JUST KIDDING!) I love any Christmas song.

19. Candy Cane, Yuck or Yum?
Love them. Except not to many each year. Just 1 or 2. I tend to save all my candy and it gets old.

You know you wanna do it ;)
leave a comment and tell me if you do so I can see yours!

THANK YOU STEPHENS FAMILY!!!

The other FedEx package was from our online friends, the Stephens family! They sent a little "Bon Voyage" gift. A Qdoba gift card, very nice card, and sweet little Christmas present for AnnaClaire! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Qdoba is our favorite, and I can't for AnnaClaire to open her Christmas present from you guys! You are so sweet!!! Thanks again!

These are the sweet little jammies/play clothes we got AnnaClaire with our Gymboree coupon. Are they cute or what?

We waited 102 days for this?

Yes. That slip of paper with the red stamp is what we waited 102 days for. I was expecting less, but still. 102 days for a little red stamp on a piece of paper. It was signed on November 14, 2006 and we received it on November 20, 2006.

Obviously we got our origanal TA today. We also got a "what we are doing here" card to show the Chinese people, AWAA shirts, and out itinerary. Anyway, I'll get back to that. We are getting so excited for China. Today I did school, Mom had her lunch, came home, we then went and picked Will up from school and went to SouthPark. I got some stuff for the trip and we went into Gymboree and got these adorable jammies. We are using them as a little play outfit though because they look so comfy, cute, and non pjish. We returned a few things and then left. When we got home, there were 2 FedEx packages in the garage (for some reason our door isn't going down!) 1 was the package from AWAA. The other was from Mrs. Stephens (see above). We thought the package was going to be some big exciting thing. To be honest with you, it was not. It was a worry! We popped the TA out. There is a picture of AC in the corner, and at first glance, it didn't look like AnnaClaire! Mom was so worried. Dad knew right away it was her, I did after 10 seconds, but Mom is still not totally convinced. We never got AnnaClaire's mug shot, so it is hard to tell. On the TA, her face is a little...flatter... I remembered that her mug shot was on her report, so Dad grabbed that (Mom had the phone in her hand ready to call AWAA.) After studying them both for awhile, all the features are in the same place. We held the pictures up to eachother and they match. Mom feels terrible for not recognizing AnnaClaire, but I don't blame her... what do you think? Comment and tell me! It looks different, but I think that is because such bad quality on the report one.

^one on TA

^one on report

sitting up picture

^tummy picture

After that we had yummy chili and then I had swim practice. That was good. Now we're just chilling in the bonus room counting down the days until CHINA! 6 days (well 5 and a half!)

Referral Announcement :)

After we got TA, Tabitha sent us our referral announcement!!! I had trouble posting it on here and thanks to Staci, it can now show up!!!! (Thanks so much, Staci, see you in a week!!!) The DOR says 8/10/06 because they did LOIs instead of DOR. I thought our LOI went out on 8/11, but this is the second time they've said 8/10... maybe my whole count was wrong! Oh well, we got TA, we are leaving in 6 days, we are getting AnnaClaire in 10 days, and that, my friend, is the main thing! 102 days, 103 days, same thing!

Isn't that annoucement just so cute? Especially with the cutest face there ever was peeking out! :)

6 & 10

Well, it's December. The month we will go to China, get our baby AnnaClaire, come home from China, have Drew come home (the afternoon of the day we get home!), celebrate Christmas (AnnaClaire's 1st!), and New Years, and yaddy yaddy yad. What a month! I always thought December was busy... but I NEVER imagined December to be like THIS! What an amazing December it will be. So, happy December.

I have a question regarding those baby wipes with soap in them. Where do you get them? Target? Walmart? Babies R Us?

We leave in 6 days. Pinch me, and I still don't know if I'll believe you. 6 DAYS. Not 6 weeks or months or 6 years. 6 DAYS. That is less than a week. I can tell people, "We leave on Thursday!" when they ask, because there are no more Thursdays before we leave! And the biggy. 10 DAYS until AnnaClaire is placed in our arms to stay forever. 10 DAYS. I can't believe it. Our time to get our baby has come. Praise the Lord!

Have a good day. We're going to the mall today, getting a few more things for the trip and using that 20% Gymboree coupon that came in the mail :) in a few minutes, Mom's leaving for a "Farewell" lunch. We're not moving, we are just getting a baby! But I guess she won't have the chance for lunch with friends once AnnaClaire is home... I have to stay behind :( guess I'll go make myself some food out of the frig. :(

Congrats everyone getting referrals, both SN and NSN (AWAA got some SN referrals with the NSN ones!)