We're still here

It's been a busy weekend of traveling...

and visiting...

and celebrating...

and eating cake...

lots and lots of cake.

One Year Closer!!

Happy 39th Birthday Deana!!

Love ya,

T

Birthday Party

Birthday Girl !

We are getting ready for her first birthday party tonight!

Baby magnet

Is there a magnetic force that magical appears around you when you carry your baby out in public that draws everyone to you?

I've experienced it in the doctor's office when a little 10 year old boy was sitting beside Ladybug and started flirting with her! She loved it and showed him that gummy little smile over and over.

In the grocery store while shopping, other babies and their moms smile and talk to Ladybug and just ooo and ahhh over her.

Walking in the mall yesterday, it's happening again and again. People just stop and want to talk to her and she loves it.

I am so not used to it. I'm usually out and about doing my own thing, never paying any mind to other people. But with her, I'm having to learn to talk with strangers and smile back. Very much out of my comfort zone, but again I love the fact that she draws people in.

My mother, on the other hand, loves this magnetic force! She loves showing her off to strangers and especially all of her friends!



Ladybug met Jan and Sister, two of Mom's close friends who have prayed for her when she was just a glimmer of hope.

Now she's been ours for a whole month as of today!

Her little feet

So cute! I love those toes!

That's my girl

She's standing! It's a leaning stand, but I'll take it!

We practiced a little while we're packing up for our road trip. We're going to Nanny and G-Dad's for a few days (trying to beat the snow) and a birthday party on Thursday for Ladybug! She's going to be one! Then it's a big road trip to Mississippi for a baby shower and meet & greet.

So many exciting things in store for this week! Can't wait!

Huggles,
Deana

A day of firsts

Many of you don't know this, but I haven't attended church regularly in quite some time. I'm ashamed to admit that. It's very difficult with my job where I work 50 hours consistently every week and quite often even more than that. I don't mean for that to sound like an excuse, but it's hard to work that much and only get one day off each week. It's even harder to make yourself even get up early on that one day to go anywhere.

I promised my mother that if I ever had a child that I would raise her in church just like she did for me and I'm keeping that promise that I made. T and I want to find a church right around where we live instead of the church where I am a member currently as it's too far away. We visited a nice little Baptist church right up the road today for the first time. It was quite enjoyable and we are planning to visit at least one more before we make a decision. Both of us are committed and understand the importance of raising her in church. I promise, Mom.

After church, we went out for lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Ladybug was starving after looking at all the people and kicking those little legs during the hymns. She is eating so much now! After she ate all of her food, I had to feed her my refried beans to keep her from squealing. (She squeals happily when she's ready for another bite.) Beans are definitely a first for her and she liked them!

It's nap time for Ladybug and chore time for me. Huggles.

Enjoy your Sunday,
Deana

Photo Booth Love

I spy a photo booth!

I shared my love of photo booths with Ladybug. She started out great and then decided it would be more fun to swing the curtain back and forth!

<3

We've had a great week together

We've played endlessly with musical toys while prancing and dancing. Although her dancing is more like a cute little rocking front to back motion.

We've practiced getting out of the house and buckled into the car together with all of our supplies in tow. It's even more challenging trying to keep her smiling during all of that.

We've dressed up in pretty clothes and taken an exorbitant number of pictures.

We've squealed and babbled to each other with extra emphasis on saying ma ma.

We've cooked dinner for daddy every night this week and have eaten at the table together every time. She won't allow us to eat without her.

We visited the lab to drop off a whopping 8 vials of stool and had her blood drawn. She was so good during that vampire bite.

I've attempted to not let her see me leave the room she's in so she doesn't become upset about being alone.

We walk around the toys that are scattered from one end of the living room to the other. Let's not forget the cheerios underneath the high chair too.

p.s. I'm so not used to a messy, cluttered house. I just don't see how I have the time to fix it! We are having too much fun!

Love,
Deana

Monthly Frames

I have always loved these monthly frames found at Exposures and originally thought I would have them in Ladybug's room. It's such a cute idea and I was browsing trying to find a lower cost alternative.




When I found this!





Becky posted this idea on her blog and I adore it! It's got a lot more class than the whimsical frames. Love it, love it, love it!

I'm definitely going to come up with something similar.

Huggles,
Deana

While the bug's napping...

I get to do a little scrapping...

This little photo is the very first picture of us as a family. It was actually taken by the Office of Civil Affairs for our paperwork and I was so excited when we received a few copies.

Secret snooze

My photo of the day when I found Cricket asleep in Ladybug's high chair.

Happy Valentine's Day

It's been a great weekend. We had a nice all-day girls day out yesterday, Mom, Nikki and I minus Ladybug. T and Granddad kept her at the house while we went and did some shopping and then got haircuts at Blanc. It's so funny how now when we go shopping, we hit every baby department. I looked at the baby clothes at Old Navy for the first time and saw such cute outfits!

Oh, I really was worried about going out for the day and leaving her home. At one point I texted T:

"Is she looking for me?"

"Sorry I don't think so. I was when the squash/pears arrived. :p "

Let it be known that T does whatever it takes to not have to change the poopy diapers! But he did take care of this one and gave her a bath too. Good job T.

When we did finally get home, she was delighted to see me again and I'm almost sure she did miss me...Nanny was holding her and she leaned over with her arms outstretched reaching for me! Yay! That totally made my day!






Coco spent the night last night after girls day and fixed breakfast for everyone this morning. We exchanged Valentines and helped the Grands load up to head back to New Boston. It's been so nice with them here this past week. Dad installed a baby gate at the top of the stairs for me and Mom helped me get caught up on laundry and cook. My kitchen has had more activity this past week than the past entire year! Ha!

I'm sad that my parents have left and T goes back to work tomorrow. I'll be by myself tomorrow with Ladybug and the rest of the week. She's been used to so many faces in the house, so it will be a change for her too.

I promised T that I'd cook dinner every night this week when he gets home from work. Gulp. What was I thinking?

I'll let you know how that actually pans out.

Huggles,
Deana

Random Thoughts

Ladybug played dress-up with Granddad today. It was certainly cold enough outside for this little outfit! *waves to Aunt Charlotte*

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She also had her first doctor appointment today. I really like the pediatrician we finally decided on. Plus, he's adopted two children from China too!

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Ladybug weighs 15.6 pounds, so tiny. She gets to eat, eat, eat! I also scored 5 cans of Enfamil from the doctor. Woot!

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Mom and I went up to the Nook tonight and made Valentine cards. She was pretty good with the paper trimmer and scissors! It was fun to mess up the desk, haven't had a chance to scrap since we've been back. Soon though! I have pictures ready!

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I have super fun plans for tomorrow with Aunt Coco and Mom!! Can't wait. We might even let the guys keep Ladybug, errr or I may not be able to leave the house without her!

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T made chili tonight and we cuddled up with blankets and watched the Olympics opening ceremony.

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Hope your weekend is great,
Deana

Snow Bug

My favorites...

Today, I waded through almost 700 photos that we had taken in China and narrowed it down to these being my favorites.

(Click the photo to enlarge)

Enjoy!

Ladybug Love

Ladybug slept through the night again, that is two nights in a row! Woohoo!

Although, T and I are still waking up in the wee hours of the morning. I keep thinking we're getting close to being back in our time zone but sometimes I wonder.

This afternoon we ran a few errands and then took Ladybug by to meet Aunt Doris. She had Ladybug laughing, giggling and squealing with delight! I have not seen Ladybug that excited before, it was so sweet.



Last Thursday, when we got home from the airport, we found this pretty pink ExerSaucer waiting for us in the living room. Ladybug loves it, I'm sure it's because of all the pink. We've been trying to teach her a few tricks...er I mean gestures. She's opening up more and more everyday and likes to imitate us. I finally caught her blowing air through those sweet lips! Next up, we're learning to clap and kiss!



I'm hoping to have her doctor appointment made this week. We're worried about her irritated/watery eyes and her weight. She's not eating as much as she did while in China. I'm still mixing her formula with the Chinese brand and she's drinking it fine. But she's not eating from the spoon like she preferred to do and it's the same baby foods that we had taken with us. If the scales are correct, she's lost some weight since we came home from China instead of gained. I'm certainly worried.

p.s. That little bottom tooth is moving on in!