About Me

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I love to laugh and love with my family, read, exercise, cook and sew, all the while giving thanks to God for his immeasureable love and faithfulness to me.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

What a long way we've come

6 months ago, this is how I ate pasta (mainly hands with some help with the fork).



Today....this is how I eat pasta!

Twirl and twirl and twirl and twirl those noodles.
It is all in the wrist action and keeping a steady hand.
Ta-Da...into my mouth! Delicious!!

Pretty impressive, don't ya think?!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Melting a mother's heart

Last night I got together with a couple of women I used to work with at a local restaurant. Before I left, J and the C.N. were eating dinner. This caused the C.N. some confusion because the 2 of them were eating, and I was not. We kept reassuring her that Mama was going to eat with some friends--she then would sign back "eat" and "friends" and we would confirm her statements. I left and J finished dinner, cleaned up, played dolls with the Noodle, gave her a bath, etc., etc., etc. Periodically she would say "Mama?" and J would remind her that I was eating with friends, which she would sign "eat" and "friends". Things went pretty smoothly until time for bed when she got upset. After some kisses, cuddles and reassurance she went to sleep. Fast forward to the middle of the night, around 1:15. The Noodle usually wakes up 1-2 times per night, especially when she loses her covers and wants to be back under the blankets. I went in and covered her back up. Usually she doesn't really respond, but last night she reached her hands up for a cuddle. Then she signed "mama" "eat" "friends". I chuckled and said "Mama DID go eat with friends but now she's home and she loves you". She gave a contented sigh, rolled over and promptly fell back asleep. Talk about melting this mama's heart!!! What a love.


Having fun in the Rainforest a few days ago

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Visit with Great Grandma and Great Aunt I.

Sisters and best friends.
Sharing some corn on the cob with Great Aunt I.
What's a girl to do? Jewels, jewels and more jewels!
Chipmunk cheeks due to donut holes.
Today we hooked up with Grandma and Great Grandma to visit J's Great Aunt I. Great Aunt I. is 98 and Great Grandma is 96. Wow...talk about strong genes. The Chinese Noodle was a bit hesitant at first, but quickly warmed up (especially once the pretend cooking toys and costume jewelry came out). She also had her first donut hole--yum. We hadn't seen Great Grandma since Christmas, so it was nice to visit with her again. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

St. Patrick's Day Part II and Hospital Appointments

With the temperature up in the middle '60s, what more perfect place to be than outside on a bike?!
Stir everything together.
Kneading the dough will make my hands nice and strong.
Cooking is so much fun!
The soda breads before going into the oven
St. Patrick's day didn't turn out quite the way we thought since our playdate ended up falling through, but we still had a fun, festive time. The weather was so beautiful that we went out on the trike and then came in and made some Irish soda bread. Yummy! The Chinese Noodle really like squeezing and kneading the dough. Since it was so crazy downtown, J came home early and we went for a nice, long walk. We topped it off with the corned beef, potatoes and cabbage. One of the better St. Patrick's Day.

We also had our hospital appointment today. It took all of the morning into the early afternoon meeting with the doctors and specialists, but was very thorough. Thankfully the C.N. was cooperative and relaxed during all of the appointments. I had my fears because generally when we go to the doctor, it isn't a pretty sight. Crying, screaming, gnashing of teeth, etc. (by both daughter and often mother!). Prior to going today, J and I had been praying that the Lord would be in control of the date of the surgery. While we want it ASAP, we realize we have to trust in His perfect timing, whenever that may be. When we were told it would be scheduled for June 3 we were both let-down, but also believe it is in the Lord's hands. We'll keep on with speech therapy and fill as many fun things into Spring, all the while continuing to trust and have faith in the Lord's plan for this little person who we love beyond words.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Happy Birthday Papa!

Today we went out and had lunch with Papa to celebrate his birthday. The whole drive out, the Chinese Noodle kept saying "Papa, Papa". She certainly enjoyed being introduced to everyone, looking around and especially liked sharing Papa's birthday goodie. I was hoping she'd fall asleep in the car on the ride home, which she did, but as I was laying her down in her crib, her eyes opened up. She was quiet for a few minutes but is now fully awake and babbling away. Each time I go in to re-cover her up, she looks up at me and says "more?" as in "you want me to do more sleeping?!" to which I firmly respond yes. We'll see if she succumbs to slumber...heaven know she's tired.

"Honor your father and mother as the Lord Your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you"
Deuteronomy 5:16

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Rookie attempt with the rookie sticks

Tonight for dinner, J made beef with peppers. We decided to use the chopsticks for a change of pace. We deliberately didn't get out the rookie sticks because we were afraid that it would take the Chinese Noodle FOREVER to eat. Well, once she saw us using our chopsticks, she didn't want to be left out of the fun. The following pictures were her first attempt at using chopsticks...she did GREAT!!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Busy week, 6 month post-placement and other things

Roar!!! At least the lions were outside on this brisk day.
There are so many fun things to do at the library!
I love to climb into the little house and peak out.
I'm getting to be soo tall.
Wow!! Look at all of the fish--you don't see fish like this at the regular grocery store
Standing outside the Chinese Market with our purchases
My brother with the C.N. at Christmas
It is turning into a very busy week for us and it is only Wednesday afternoon! We had a visit to the Rainforest (inside) as well as the zoo (outside), library time, a trip to the Chinese market, first speech therapy appointment and a visit from our social worker for our 6 month post-placement visit. Can you believe that at the end of March, we will have been home with the Chinese Noodle for 6 months?! I can't. The time has flown by!! On the other hand, I can't imagine life without her--she is such a joy.

Things with the speech therapist went well and the C.N. LOVED "Dee-Dee". There weren't any red flags that stuck out to her, just that the C.N. is demonstrating all of the typical types of speech patterns that beginning language learners show. She of course is curious as to how things will shake out, especially once the palate is repaired, so we'll keep working on things, just like we have been.

The temperature is slowly inching up, and I think that by the end of the week it will be in the mid-50s. That's perfect, because we have the playgroup coming to our house on Friday and I'm hoping we'll be able to go to a local park and be outside! Tomorrow is the planetarium, so come the weekend, we'll be ready for a breather!

Last, by certainly not least, I have to wish my little bro a happy birthday (it was yesterday 3/3). He's getting up there in years, but has one more until the big 3-0 ha ha! Love ya :)