Happy Chinese New Year

I'm a little behind in posting this ..... Chinese New Year was actually January 26th. A few weeks ago we flew to Philadelphia for a big CNY party hosted by LaVida, our adoption agency. We had so much fun and the best part was that we got to see most of the families we traveled to China with. We even stayed with one family for the long weekend who we've become great friends with. Here are some of my fav pics from our time there. We look forward to making this trip each year to celebrate the CNY and reunite with our dear travel friends.

I'm bummed this one is out of focus but it really captures the moment. These 3 little girls (Megan, Joanna and Danielle) were in our travel group to China to get their new baby sisters. They were so sweet to Chandler and even helped confirm her nickname of Channie! Chan just adores them and so do I.

I love these kids!

Chan sure loves them too! (Danielle and Joanna with Chan is this pic)

I met my friend Candice in Phillie in April '08 for a travel prep meeting. Even though we didn't travel together, we've stayed in touch and it was so nice to finally meet Little Georgia.

Party Girl!

Chandler is the only one on the dance floor in this one. No fear! I guess she was making a request for one of her favorite songs.

Dance Dance Dance

Four of the seven families from our
travel group. Friends for life!

We stayed with Marie, Brian and Jade. Jade shares a birthday with Chandler and came to the orphanage a day after Jade. While not identical, more and more we wonder if they're twins or at least cousins. We're hoping to have them tested sometime this year. Regardless, we are great friends with Jade and her parents now.

Sharing some bath toys

Auntie Marie with our squirmy girls ~ What we put these kids through for a cute picture! :)

Doing some work in the kitchen. I couldn't resist the matching outfits.

Our unforgettable ride to the airport. The girls played the game of who could fake cough louder. They cracked themselves and their moms up!

Early January Trip to the Adirondacks

Now this is REAL snow! I had some work to do in Burlington, Vermont earlier this month so had the opportunity to go visit Nana and Grampi. As you can see, while Chandler looks like a beautiful snow bunny, she's no fan of the cold. If I could read her mind in the photo above I bet she was saying, "Do people really live in this stuff?"

Our friend Beverly stopped by Nana's with her sweet pup to visit with us.

Chan and Grampi chatting over drinks!

Poor Nana has a big boo boo with her broken arm so Chandler spent the day taking care of her while I did some work.

Grampi is the coolest with a real scanner.

Being gentle with Nana's boo boo.

Here's the Grampi and Nana Paparrazi snapping photos of Chandler while she made a few calls from the airport.

Chandler's a world traveler so of course she leads the way for her grandparents at the airport.

A Snow Day in South Carolina!

Happy Snow Day Y'all!!

Today marks our first (and likely only) snow fall of the year. Well, if you want to call it that. I didn't even bother watching the news this morning or calling the daycare weatherline when I woke up and saw the DUSTING of snow on the ground. As we're driving to school and work this morning I noticed how few people were on the road so decided I better call the weatherlines and sure enough, daycare is completely closed and work is on a two hour delay! Too funny! I guess that dusting of snow really scares these true southerners. :) So we turned around and found a perfect Kodak moment. Here's my girl checking out the snow. She's not a big fan of the cold weather but she was definitely curious to see what all the hype was about.

Chandler's First Christmas (in the U.S.A.)

Christmas 2008 was so much fun and more special than I ever could have imagined. The years of waiting for my little pumpkin were so worth the wait. We had so much fun going to Christmas parties and visiting friends all month. And the week before Christmas, Nana flew in and spent several days just playing from morning 'til night with this little munchkin. On Christmas Eve we drove to Raleigh to Auntie Von's and family for a special first Christmas celebration. Thankfully we made it there just as Santa was nearing the U.S. (per the Norad online tracker). While not easy, especially for Cousin Natalie, we all made it to bed before he arrived. On Christmas Day we enjoyed watching the kids open gifts. Chandler was a little overwhelmed at first but then warmed up to the idea of ripping paper and emptying boxes. She would be content with a pile of tissue paper. :) Auntie Von and Uncle Chris prepared yummy meals for us too. I had to work Friday so we headed back to Charlotte late Christmas Evening. A great time indeed!

One day we came home to find this fabulous pink 4-wheeler on the porch courtesy of Auntie Kelly Jo and family from Cleveland, Ohio. We finally put it together today. Can you tell Chan loves it? Watch out Grampie, next she'll be jet skiing with you and Ethan!

Chandler imagining herself riding this vehicle through the neighborhood! Very Cool!!!

In Raleigh on Christmas Day....Cousin Natalie showing Chandler the proper way to wear a headband. I just love Chan's expression as she watches her so intently.

Another keyboard lesson after breakfast.

Nana helping Chandler as she pretends to drink out of her very own personalized mug.

The girls admiring Natalie's new American Girl doll, Julie.

Cousin Natalie sharing a bangle bracelet with Chandler.

Shucks, just a little too big. Chandler was really hoping Natalie's new sparkly shoes would fit.

Natalie and Ethan all hugs in the Christmas Spirit.

Chandler is especially fond of Cousin Ethan too. Don't worry, Ethan....Shouldn't be long and she can play X-Box too.

Nana and her girls.

Chandler modeling her new coat and headband from my childhood friend Michelle and family.

It's hard to believe our first Christmas has come and gone but certainly a memory I will always treasure. It was a wonderful month with friends and family. We wish you all a very Happy New Year in 2009!!!

Christmas parties, dress up time and a sleigh ride

This Christmas stuff sure is fun!

Taking a sleigh ride last Sunday with good our friends Jeanne and Riley

Patiently waiting on line for the sleigh ride.


Chandler and her BFF Riley while we waited for the next wagon. It was such a beautiful night. The horse drawn wagon took us through a lovely Charlotte neighborhood lined with lighted luminaries. Even Santa was on our wagon. We all sang Christmas carols throughout the ride. Can't wait to do it again next year.

Our dear friends Anne and Jillian at the Hands On Children's Center in Asheville, NC. We had so much fun there. Chandler had a blast playing with Jillian and our new friend Celia and she loved the dress up area. Hope to get back there again soon.

My little princess taking a well deserved thumb break!

Keeping up with the big girls sure is fun but certainly not an easy job for just anyone. Chandler didn't back down to the challenge.

Princess Chandler with fellow Princess Jillian and "Beast Celia" (from Beauty and the Beast).

Doc Chandler in the house!

Whew, who knew having hair would be so hard to keep up with?

Life is good!

Chandler makes another trip to Chuck E. Cheese for our friend Hayden's 3rd birthday party. She was a little under the weather this day but didn't let it stop her from a very fun time.

Chandler and BFF Riley at the Charlotte Chapter of Families With Children From China's Christmas Party. Chandler enjoyed showing off her new walking skills to Riley.

The most wonderful Christmas present imaginable... my Sweet Chandler.

Chandler's First Thanksgiving & More...

Now that is one cute kid!!

Hello All,

Can you believe it is December already? Well, no sooner did I submit the last post about Chandler feeling all better did she come down with ANOTHER cold and ear infection. This one was a doozie as it really made her miserable. This was really my first experience seeing her cry at length and it was heart breaking. Even after she had started the antibiotic her fever was raging so I we made our first and hopefully last visit to the E.R. It was so sweet of Auntie Kelly to meet us there for moral support. What a dear friend she is. The doctor said she likely had a viral infection on top of the bacterial one so we just had to wait it out. Thankfully a few days later her high fever broke and she was feeling better again. I couldn't be happier to see her back to her silly self again. She was better just in time for Thanksgiving so we made our first road trip together to Raleigh to see Auntie Von and crew. Yvonne and Chris prepared a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner. Considering this was Chandler's first REAL homecooked meal, she ate like it was her last meal. It's actually amazing the amount of food this little person consumes. Well anyhow we had a wonderful time there and really appreciate all the hugs and kisses Chandler received. We're excited to go back for Christmas.

Chandler at Thanksgiving helping Grampi brush his hair. Those two sure did have fun together.

Chandler and Auntie Von all smiles!

Playing video games with Cousin Ethan sure was exhausting!

Chandler showing Ethan some pictures from our time in China.

My girls bonding with some books. I thought it was so funny that out of all of the books Natalie had for her to choose from, Chandler chose the one paperback to "read"!

Natalie teaching Chandler how to play the keyboards. You can imagine how lovely Chandler's song was.

Don't you just hate it when you get mac & cheese on your eyebrow? Chandler, by the way, is an amazing eater. She's not a bit fussy and will pretty much keep eating until you stop feeding her. It's unbelievable almost considering she's still only 19 pounds. I'd love that kind of metabolism!

Chandler and Nana last month playing a cool game at Chuck E. Cheese. It wasn't easy but with Chandler's help, I believe they won.

Chandler and Nana's very own portrait from Chuck E. Cheese. Just precious!