Meeting Dr. C...

Today was Mei Mei's first visit with our pediatric dentist, Dr. C. Rightfully so in my opinion, Mei Mei is not fond of strangers looking inside her mouth in any shape, form or fashion. That alone made it a "prepare for the worst--hope for the best" kind of morning. When it was all said and done, she showed Dr. C her "chompers" with pride and bravery. She had a full set of xray's and an exam with only a few tears. We were SO proud of her! The verdict is still out as to the extent of dental and orthodontic work she will need in the future. We really will not know more until her mouth has time to grow and her permanent teeth begin to emerge. For now Dr. C said everything looks great and we are so thankful! To end our eventful morning, Little Miss taught her everything she needed to know about Dr. C's prize cart. What did she choose from 200 little trinket toy possibilities? A purple monkey and a faux 50 carat sparkly ring. Her sister has taught her well.

Back "2" School...

Wild Man went back "TWO" school today as an official SECOND grader. Wait! A second grader? Are we old enough to have a 2nd grader? Apparently we are. {Sigh} I vow not to be nostalgic. I will not blahblahblah about how he SHOULD NOT be in 2nd grade. I will not admit to being a little teary while walking behind him down the second grade hall. Nope. I will not. I will also not admit I was relieved to hear the bickering and sighs of boredom fade into the distance with each passing minute. Goodbye dog days of summer. Hello routine and structure for all. He has been SO READY to go back to school and see his friends. He really missed them. This year he is in a class of 17 but with only one classmate from Kindergarten. He was a little unsure about that lineup. Before school we talked a lot about how to have a friend you have to be a friend. He was a little nervous but by the end of the day he was telling me all about his new 2nd grade pals. He's going to be just fine. Like it or not, he's growing up (whether I put a brick on his head or not). I can't wait to see what 2nd grade has in store for our Wild Man.

First Day of Kindergarten
Wild Man and Mrs. Polka Dots
August 2008

First Day of 1st Grade
Wild Man and Mrs. Patience
August 2009
First Day of 2nd Grade
(Registration Day)
Wild Man and Mommy
August 2010
Unfortunately, Wild Man's new teacher is recovering from surgery and wasn't at school this week. We are hoping and praying she will return soon so he can get in a good routine from the beginning. In the meantime, we'll take it one second grade day at a time.

Mei Mei's Ladybug Picnic...

Come on--sing it with me...
1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9, 10-11-12...
12 ladybugs at the ladybug picnic

Actually, there were 28 ladybugs at the ladybug picnic and it was simply adorable if I do say so myself. I've been planning this party in my head for way too long. Since this was our first birthday celebration together I wanted to be sure it was super special. Obviously she is just two and will not remember it later but hopefully the photos will speak for themselves.
It was a beautiful spring day so at the last minute we decided to have the party outside. Too bad the wind showed up and changed the plan mid party. It's never a good thing when plates are blowing over and tablecloths are flying in the air. Bad idea. Oh well. Back inside for a few gifts.

It didn't take her long to remember what to do with that pretty paper...

Of course, she had a few "helpers" who couldn't resist...
"Ni Hao Kailan. It's me--Mei Mei. I love you." So sweet...Gifts? Check. Now time for cake. This girly LOVES to eat and she has quite the sweet tooth.
I called her "the cupcake stalker" all afternoon. Mmmmm...
Lighting the candles? Her face said it all. Ummmm...hello? Why is there a flaming cupcake inches from my face and no one seems to have a problem with it? The Happy Birthday song? That was the funniest part. When we started to sing "Happy Birthday" she told Gi-Gi, who was singing in her ear, to "shhhhh". I guess she's been watching a little too much American Idol. We tried to coax her into blowing out the candles but she was having no part of it. I think she was still trying to figure out why we thought this was a good idea. Wild Man and Little Miss came to her rescue and when they blew them out she clapped under the table. I'm pretty sure she thought a flaming cupcake was a bad choice on our part. Maybe next year. Once the candles were long gone she got down to business.

I only took 37 photos of her eating a cupcake before I got "the look". Seriously Mom. Seriously. It's just a cupcake. This was taken shortly before bedtime as we were winding down from Mei Mei's big day. You know it is a great party when everyone still looks happy at the end. TIRED but happy. The smile on Mei Mei's face says it all.
Last year on this day we "met" Mei Mei for the first time. One year later we celebrated her second birthday together. I am continually amazed by the blessings we have been given over the past year. Happy 2nd Birthday sweet Mei Mei! You'll always be our little ladybug.

Happy 7th Birthday Wild Man...

Today you are turning (5+2) or (15-8) or (25-18). Everything is a math problem these days but today the answers are all the same. 7. SEVEN. YEARS. OLD. How in the world did that HAPPEN? In honor of your 7th Birthday, here are seven things that make me gigantically (his word) proud to be your Mommy.

1. I love your smile. From annoyed grin to Cheshire cat smile, they all make me melt like chocolate on a hot summer day. What a handsome boy you are becoming...beautiful both inside and out. Someday I hope you find "a stinky girl" who loves that sweet smile as much as I do. In about 20 years from now. Deal?

2. I love the way you say, "Ohhhhh Moooooooom". It ranges from snarky to sincere but it makes me want to laugh every time I hear it. Sometimes I'm laughing on the inside... but I'm still laughing.
3. I love your silliness. Yes, sometimes it drives me bananas but when you break out that jokelopedia and start reading joke after silly joke (without any inflection in your voice and then a good hardy knee slap at the end) I always get a good chuckle.

4. I love the way your mind works. I am constantly in awe of the gifts God has blessed you. I am certain He has HUGE plans for your life and it is my privilege to sit in the front row cheering you on every step of the way. It is quite possible I will still be reminding you to put on socks before shoes or brush your teeth or put the tag in the back or...well, you get the picture...but I'll still be your biggest fan.
5. I love to hear you pray. You have no problem praying aloud in such a sincere and adult-like way. You always pray for a laundry list of family, friends, teachers, your little friend Uzias in Nicaragua and your friend Susannah. Always. I get a little teary the moment your words start to flow. Before MeiMei came home you prayed every day right along with the rest of us that she would be "safe and healthy until we can bring her home." He answered your prayer and ours as well.

6. I love when you become the little negotiator. Whether it's more Wii time or just one more cookie, you always have a request for more. Always. I know the strong will you have in that little mind of yours is going to lead you straight to the Supreme Court because you can argue with the best of them. I have NO IDEA where you get that from. It must be your Daddy. :-)
7. I love your heart. I love that you have no problem sharing hugs and kisses and pats with your Mom. I know those days will come to an abrupt end so I'm snatching as many as possible right now. I love that you love your sisters (even though they are "stinky girls" and mess up your stuff). I love that you think your Daddy is the best thing since peanut butter. Shhhh...don't tell him but I think he is too.

Now that I'm the Mom of a SEVEN YEAR OLD, I understand why people would say to me as a child, "I'm going to put a brick on your head". That's exactly what I want to do to you. You are growing up. You like Batman, Transformers and Wii games instead of "baby stuff". You'll negotiate your dinner for a little dessert in return. You can tie your own shoes (insert angelic chorus here) and read like a third grader. You have the memory of an elephant. You can fully illustrate the final scenes from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark after seeing it only once. You still hug your Kindergarten teacher every day on your way to first grade--because you miss her--and then you hug your First Grade teacher as well. You are nothing short of amazing to me in every sense of the word. I am incredibly thankful for each day of the past seven years. There is no other title I would rather carry than Mommy and you are the one who started it all.
Happy 7th Birthday Wild Man! You are strong and sweet and smart and brave and Mommy loves you...today, tomorrow and always.

Meeting Dr. Melinda...

This afternoon Mei Mei met Dr. Melinda at her first routine Pediatrician visit. She gave the entire hour two HUGE thumbs DOWN (and I even talked her way out of any "pokes" today). Overall, I think Dr. M was impressed with her growth, development and surgical repair. The nurse asked me the typical 18 month questions but some of them were impossible to answer. Allergies? Food preferences? How long does she typically sleep per day? The one I found quite funny was, "During the time you have known her, has she spoken 15 intelligible words?" Hmmmm...well, I think so but since I don't speak Cantonese I can't say yes with absolute certainty. :-) We were blown away by her measurements.

Weight: 21 pounds 14 ounces (~15th percentile)
Length: 31.5 inches (~40th percentile)
HC: 47 cm (~60th percentile)

Can you believe that? Those percentages are on the AMERICAN growth chart!! I was prepared to bring in a Chinese growth chart at our next visit. Many children adopted from China don't even plot on the American chart. Typically children from southern China are even smaller compared to the rest of the country which is why southern China has a separate growth chart. Haha... not Mei Mei. She's an All-American girl from the start. She eats better than some adults I know so I don't think it will be long before her weight evens out with the rest of her. We owe so much to True Children's Home. They took excellent care of Mei Mei during her first 17 months of life. We know they are the reason why she is so healthy.

On the 14th, we have a Plastic Surgery appointment with "the infamous Kevin K.". That's what I called him when I was a nurse in the PCCU. I think I worked there over a year before I actually met the man. He was always in and out of the unit so quickly and with such an entourage it took me that long to figure out which Dr. was Dr. K. Ha! We consulted with him after Mei Mei's referral and he seemed genuinely happy to help. We are anxious to hear his recommendations. Also, she will be having a few more tests the same week. We are praying all is well with our little Mei Mei.

Little Miss and her Swim Party...

Lucky Little Miss celebrated her 3rd birthday (again) with her Swim Day pals. All one needs are party hats, pink plates and cupcakes to call a weekly playdate a party. ;-) Little Miss was happy, and from the looks on their faces, so was everyone else. Thanks for the great idea Rach!

(pictured above: Little Miss, Wild Man, the Spence kids and the Wheeler kids (minus Hudson)-- these are our Wednesday Summer Swim Day pals)

a Pretty Pink Princess Party...

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Princesses, Princes, Knights & Jesters
Her Royal Highness,
Princess "Little Miss",
is turning three years old!

In celebration of this joyous occasion,
The King and Queen request
the honour of your presence at a royal soiree.
Come One, Come All,
in your finest royal PINK attire
for an afternoon of dainty delicacies
Princess "Little Miss" and her Royal Court
will be eagerly awaiting your arrival!

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{spoken in the Queen Mum's best British accent}

Fourteen members of the Royal Family accepted the invitation to a royal soiree honoring Princess "Little Miss". A "Pretty Pink Princess Party" was her hearts desire and that is, indeed, what she was bestowed. At her request, the castle was decorated in the pinkest of the pink. The Princess and the Queen Mum could not have been more pleased...
The royal menu of dainty delicacies was quite superb. Many of the Princesses pink favorites were served: strawberries filled with pink icing, pink butter cookies, watermelon, royal pink fruit dip, ham party spirals, strawberry ice cream and Pinkity Pink Punch. The fairest of all delicacies was the beautiful castle cake made by none other than Queen Rebekah (one of the Queen Mum's besties). It was a table fit for royalty.Both the Princess in real life and the mini-Princess gazing from the turret window had smiles upon their faces. Everyone in the land was filled with joy at the mere sight of her happiness. The Princess smiled shyly as her party guests sang a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday...
She had a tiny bit of trouble blowing out the trio of candles but with several huffs and puffs she was able to snuff them out. The Prince was quite proud of her great accomplishment...After devouring many dainty delicacies it was time to open gifts. The Princess received many wonderful packages of pink. It is quite obvious she is loved immensely by those in the Royal Family. The King suggested she was channelling her inner "Punky Brewster" in this photograph. Indeed...
After a lovely afternoon it was time to say goodbye to her royal guests. "What? They must leave? But why?" she asked.
All pretty pink princess parties must come to an end Princess "Little Miss". However, it was agreed unanimously by all members of the Royal Family that a lovely time was had by all.

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Little Miss,

We hope your day was special and everything you dreamed a Pretty Pink Princess Party would entail. You bring so much joy to those who know you. Your sweet smile, contagious laugh and fascination with anything that sparkles make our hearts swell with love for the little girl you are becoming. We love you all the way to the moon and back again.

Love,
King Chief, Queen Mum,
Prince Wild Man and the Royal Family