Livin' La Vida Lia

Letter from Lia

2011-10-29T11:11:00.003-04:00

Dear Mommy,

Thank you for all of the years you have been trying to get me a baby sister and now the time has come. We are so lucky that I can have a little sister. We are so glad that we have been getting updates of what she looks like. We are happy that our family can become four. But one of our family members is in China and we will be leaving to get her on November 11, 2011.

For Mom.

Love,

Lia (Lia wrote this while I was at a shower thrown by some of my dearest friends. It was waiting for me when I got home.)

We will indeed be heading to China on November 11th to become four! You can follow our trip here:

...and so we wait

My First Sunday Snapshot!!

2011-09-04T08:41:00.006-04:00

They say it takes 30 days to cement a new habit. We'll see. :-)

Once upon a time I used to blog. I started this blog when we had been home about a year with Lia. And I loved it. I met many great friends...some of whom are now real life friends. I created a scrapbook of memories for my family. Win-win-win.

...and then I took an (ahem) small hiatus. For a few years. :-)

...and I missed blogging.

...but not enough to start up again apparently.

Until now. :-)

We are getting ready to make our second trip of a lifetime to China to bring home our daughter, Jillian Snow...waiting in Guangzhou. I've fired up her blog this week. And since I am an equal opportunity mom, I thought I would do a little blogging over here too!

My girl loves her some dress-up. On any given day, she changes her clothes no less than three times. Princess, rock-star, doctor...but always dreamer. Her mind changes with the wind...and her outfit...on a dime. And I love every minute of it.

I'm not sure exactly what was going on with this ensemble. It started out as a ballerina. But it appeared to go south (or maybe north???) when she went to the closet to pull on some shoes and come with me to gather the mail.

I turned around and saw this:

Our mailbox is at the end of our driveway. In plain view of several neighbors. And...well...the bus stop is right across the street. And the high school bus was just stopping for drop off when we were at the mailbox.

I just know those cheeky teenagers were taking fashion notes.

And Lia??

Casual and cool as a cucumber.

Even in those winter boots.

May she always stop to smell the roses...or, ahem, pick the impatiens.

...and march to the beat of her own drummer...

...in whatever boots float her boat.

It's really happening!

2011-09-02T12:33:00.003-04:00

Check out our "baby blog"! We will be blogging our trip to China there! (slated for early November...just over 4 years after the journey began!)

www.andsowewait.blogspot.com (link on right sidebar!)

We'd love to have you along for the ride!!!

Jillian Snow...we're almost there!

Life is good...really, really good...

2011-05-15T19:22:00.003-04:00

It has been a spring full of wonderful surprises and overwhelming blessings. The child we have prayed for, cried over, longed for...for four years...is now a reality. Jillian Snow is waiting for us in Guangdong, PRC. We will be counting the minutes until we hold this precious child in our arms. She will complete our family in a most special way. We are truly over the moon...and so very, very thankful.

Fall Fairie

2010-10-31T20:00:00.002-04:00

No matter how you slice it...Halloween is pretty sweet when you're almost 6! Add a crown and some wings...and it is enough to make any gal giddy (and very silly!) :-)

Postcards from Paradise

2010-06-28T08:50:00.003-04:00

...okay...really just the Jersey shore...but a week with my little fam with no obligations and the opportunity to shoot some photos of my gal is about as close to paradise as I need to be. :-)

The final ascent...

2009-11-28T19:13:00.003-05:00

It's true. We have had one very long year of waiting for the big "5" to roll around. We have had endless discussions about the fabulosity of all things birthday and I do not feel one bit bad to say I am going to be almost as glad as Lia to see that oft talked about grand, best day of all arrive on Tuesday. We warmed up tonight with a little Nana and Papa love before they hit the road for home on Monday, but Jim and I were reminded several times that it was not her real birthday...so we will keep our game faces on until we crash into bed exhausted on Tuesday. I hope we get some good sleep that night, because I fear "6 anticipation" may be lurking just around the corner...

:-)

ps...fabulosity came up as mispelled...did I coin that word??? I have been so so jealous ever since Beyonce got "bootylicious" into the dictionary...

ARRRRGGGGGG.....We be wishing you a Happy Halloween!!!!

2009-10-24T15:39:00.002-04:00

Thought you all might enjoy viewing this swashbuckling Autumnal ensemble Lia sported to a midget football game this morning. Can you read the independent, conventions be d***ed attitude coming through loud and clear??? You're getting that, right??

For the record...the rain boots are a size and 1/2 too small...and that IS a red Philles (because who isn't a Phanatic these days???) shirt under that pulled out of the hamper Halloween sweatshirt.

Lia...1
Mom...0...and in need of a nap.

...and, well, for the further record...when we got to the game, it was pouring...and we realized the only umbrella we had...was the one Lia brought. It took her three and 1/2 years...but she has finally outsmarted us. We're happy we lasted this long.

The Making of a Princess...or Lia finds "Her People"

2009-09-28T09:46:00.002-04:00

When she found out we had a trip to Disney planned, my sister was most emphatic that Lia experience a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeover at Cinderella's castle. I hemmed and hawed around just enough for her to make all the arrangements and present the whole fantastic adventure to Lia for an early 5th birthday present (I LOVE it when a plan comes together!! :-)).

For some time now, we have suspected that Lia is, indeed, part royal. She, who adores a beautiful dress up gown, nail polish and (I know she's only 4!) make-up....and who rules our small kingdom with her dimples and loving ways could be no less than royalty!

And, you know, it was confirmed at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

The entire experience WAS magical from the moment we entered the hallowed grounds of Cinderella's castle until the last bit of blue fairy dust was scrubbed from her hair (three shampoos later)!

Lia endured all the attention and gussying up in her usual stoic manner...but as I watched her take it all in and make such important decisions as hair style (Cinderella of course!) and nail polish color (blue), I could tell how much she loved it and it brings me to tears even as I type this.

This trip was a bit extra emotional for me for a variety of reasons...and watching Lia undergo such a magical experience was, truly, a highlight for me. Thank you Aunt Carolyn for insisting that we do this. None of us will soon forget our wonderful time at the castle.

Conferring with her (makeover) Fairy Godmother (it wasn't the REAL Fairy Godmother she told me):

She looks so serious in this picture...Jim and I were trying to joke and talk to her and it made her mad! She just wanted to enjoy the pampering in peace apparently!

Gettng her nails painted WHILE she gets her hair done. Jim kept pointing out to me how they were doing the hair so that I could replicate the look for dance recitals. It's always harder than it looks!

A lttle make-up...

...and fairy dust...

...and of course, who should we meet leaving the castle but THE Fairy Godmother! Perfection!

Memories for a Lifetime

2009-09-23T16:18:00.004-04:00

We traveled to Disney with two other families that we met through our adoption. I have to say that the three four year olds got along famously despite the complete lack of schedule, sleep, or normalcy. It was so much fun to watch them try to process all the excitement. Two of my favorite memories revolve around our meeting of Lady Tremaine and her daughters...you know...the EVIL Stepmother and Stepsisters to Cinderella. I expected Lia to love all things Princess...but soon discovered these three lovelies really rock her boat. When I pointed out that they are mean...she told me they are FUNNY. When we met them at dinner with Cinderella, the three girls ganged up to convince Anastasia that the mice and NOT Cinderella had stolen her sash and that the ripping of Cinderella's gown was unnecessary. (you've all seen the movie right??). We met the same three actresses two days later at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the girls were first in line at the meet and greet for the Family Tremaine. This time they sang, "Sing Sweet Nightingale" for them...also from the movie. Lia was just thrilled beyond words...and I was overcome with pride. You know...because Lia sang for the EVIL STEPMOTHER and all. Always a surprise with my girl...but she never fails to make me laugh. (and for the record, I am working hard to drive home the importance of kindness and putting others first... :-))

Another highlight was a little group photoshoot we attempted after our dinner with Cinderella. Disney has professional photographers stationed around the park. Once you get a card, you can stop and have photos taken that they just scan onto your card. As a group, we were able to all have our own cards, and then combine them at the end of the trip. We all loved doing this and are now enjoying going through the over 1000 pictures we have between us to put together our albums. We spotted a photographer at the Floridian and thought since the girls were dressed up like princesses, we would try to get them all together. They gave the poor guy a real run for his money. I enjoyed documenting him trying to wrangle them all. I will share the photos he got once I get the cd, but needless to say, they are hilarious. This one was early in the session...they were still relatively tame and ladylike...so cute!!

I still have tons of photos to go through and edit. Lia is sick...and Daddy is in Houston. Despite the magic of our trip, we landed squarely back in REAL LIFE pretty quickly. I hope to catch up this weekend and organize our trip by day...now doesn't THAT sound interesting???

Disney Teaser...for the Grandparents :-)

2009-09-20T20:15:00.004-04:00

Update: I was in such a hurry to get this post up, I forgot to mention that the over the top cute outfits were made by her and her...I have not sewn a stitch since 8th Grade Home Ec...and heaven help us if I ever try...

The outfits were quite a hit, but wait until you see the matching tote bags they made for the moms...fabulousity!!!

We arrived home late last night from 8 fabulous days at Disney. We had tons of fun...and not so much rest and relaxation. It truly was the trip of a lifetime and I have tons of photos to go through and edit. We flew off the grid for the week as I was unable to get an Internet connection...so despite the bone crushing exhaustion I am feeling (it's true I may have picked up a bit of a dramatic flair from those fabulous princesses), I wanted to post a few highlight photos for the grandparents, who have been waiting none too patiently...much more to come!!

Sunshine in a Plaid Hat

2009-09-04T19:05:00.003-04:00

She was not happy when I bought this hat. She even glared at me...and I swear I heard someone whisper something about such a pretty girl to have such a scary stink-eye.

Yeah...she really gave it to me, but I bought it anyway. And not surprisingly she has refused to don it all summer. My visions of a "Michael Jackson Tribute" photo shoot fell by the wayside. C'est la vie, you know??

So you can imagine my hand clapping glee when she came downstairs wearing "the hat" the other afternoon and asked me to take some pictures. Maybe she knew her Mama needed a pick me up...or maybe she just realized how incredibly cool that hat really is...but I didn't wait to find out. I just grabbed the camera and started shooting!

Summer in Fast Forward

2009-08-17T08:20:00.004-04:00

Gosh it's been fun. Summer, that is. I look forward all year to the three blissful months I have off to spend with Lia...and just be. We have made the most of the dog days...and there has been nothing lazy about them. We have been on vacation for four weeks this summer...more than we have spent at home. In the 7 weeks we have been off, Lia has attended three week long camps, one week of intensive swimming lessons (which she loved!), and completed an introductory gymnastics course (which she also loved!). We came home yesterday from another week with grandparents and beloved cousins where she swam, attended campfires complete with s'mores and mountain pies, had makeovers galore (another fave!)...and just generally lived the good life.

During an early summer visit we went with Lia's older cousin while she got her ears pierced. As I suspected, Lia was VERY interested in that! I really hadn't planned to get her ears pierced until she was six (a completely arbitrary number that just sounded about right to me)...but after giving it careful consideration...and near constant discussion time for two weeks, Lia convinced me she was ready to take the plunge. The day of the big event we were at the mall before the doors opened. She was beside herself with excitement...until she was up in the chair. We had two false starts...and then she decided she could do it if her dad was there. We waited at the mall FOR THREE HOURS until Jim could come over for lunch and moral support. We had them do both ears at the same time...and I am not even sure Lia cried any real tears. She was thrilled once she saw the earrings...and has told me at least once a day how happy she is that she has earrings. She also has been very good about reminding me to clean them three times a day. I wasn't sure I was ready for earrings...but they do look awfully cute...and she is so happy with them.

So now we are home for the rest of the summer...registering for fall activities, getting organized for the school year...and of course getting ready for our next big adventure...our trip to Disney World in September. Plans have been underway for several months, and we can hardly believe it is almost time. It promises to be the second best trip I have ever taken (behind China, of course! :-)). More to come on that later!

That about sums up our summer...pretty simple everyday stuff to most...but exactly the stuff my dreams are made of.

I heart my girl...

2009-07-28T15:14:00.002-04:00

So sorry for abandoning my beloved blog...we all are well and very busy squeezing every last drop of summer fun we can into our days...we will be back...

Beach Reflections 2009 (and a little more!)

2009-06-30T15:44:00.004-04:00

Our week at the shore ended all too quickly...but the golden memories shall live on forever. We packed a lot into the week...lots of beach time (where Lia mastered her boogie board for the first time...and consequently asked for a snowboard for winter!), good seafood, a quick trip to the R*ainforest C*afe in Atlantic City and a day trip to a local children's amusement park. Lia was thrilled when her friend Hannah came for their very first sleepover. The girls were great...if not slightly overly excited! They closed down the beach (when high tide nearly swept away my beach bag!), munched on pizza for dinner, enjoyed an evening movie and went right to sleep. Almost. :-) We have blocked out the 10 pm call to Hannah's mom and the retrieval that almost occurred. I finally won Hannah over with a promise that she could help me crack the eggs for breakfast. She told me she was a "good cracker"...and frankly...she may be a better cracker than I am! We all survived (and kudos to Hannah's mom, who fielded such a teary call...and still trusted us enough to keep her girl through the night!)...and I think it was the highlight of Lia's trip!

We returned to a busy week here. Lia is taking Science and Art Fusion Camp this week and also started gymnastics for the first time. She has been asking me for awhile to take gymnastics so we enrolled her in a summer class to see how she likes it. She was awake and dressed in her leotard at 6:30 this morning. She was just one hoppy, happy little girl...and I think it's safe to say that we will be adding gymnastics to the fall schedule for Lia...and some anti-anxiety classes for me most likely. :-) Gosh they look so little climbing on that large, dangerous looking equipment!

We will be heading out at the end of the week for another week away with our parents. After ringing in the 4th, Lia is so excited to be attending Nature Camp with her cousins. It promises be a fun-filled, busy week...just the sort of dreamy days we fantasize about all winter long.

These are some random photos from the beach. If you click on any of them, it will take you to my flickr stream (my new obsession!), where you can see more photos.

Happy summer to you all!!! I hope you are having a good one!!

Summertime...and the livin's easy...

2009-06-20T22:08:00.002-04:00

I know, I know...two posts in one day...and all after months of sporadic updates...but we're at the beach and I finally have time to breathe. It was too cold for Lia to swim...but she couldn't wait to get her tootsies in the sand...so off we went...

It's hard to complain about 40 when the day ends as perfectly as this one. It's going to be a good year indeed! :-)

Happy Father's Day...in Blue and White!! :-)

2009-06-20T09:05:00.004-04:00

Happy(early) Father's Day to Papa and Grandpa...both proud Penn State alumni!! Our Father's Day gift this year includes a little walk down the old Blue and White memory lane...so turn up your speakers and re-live some of your glory days!!

We love you both and hope you have a fabulous Father's Day!

(My Dad...playing a hot game of Candyland with Lia...we won't mention the allegations of card fixing Dad...)

Grandpa is a serial camera avoider...but I can't believe I don't have ONE picture of him! Shine yourself up, Grandpa, because I will be fixing that little problem when I bring my camera and come home next month!! :-)

...and now I bid you all good-bye for now as we pack the car and head for a week of beach bliss!! Let the summer fun begin!! :-)

Reflections of a middle aged mom...

2009-06-19T08:02:00.005-04:00

40 sucks. (Sorry mom...I know you REALLY prefer me to say sucks eggs as somehow that seems more polite to you...but, well, tomorrow I turn 40...so feel free to let go...no one blames you anymore for my questionable language... :-)).

It is the kind of birthday that causes one to take stock of one's life. Examine where you've been, where you haven't been, what you've accomplished...and well...the sucky part...what hasn't been checked off the life list.

Admittedly, the tail has wagged the dog a bit in my life. I still wake up occasionally and ask myself questions like, "How did I end up with such a wonderful husband?", "Is this beautiful child REALLY my daughter"...and "I traveled where to bring her home??"

In those two people, my life is very complete. It is the dream that I held for many years. But I realize that I am guilty of running on auto-pilot a good deal of the time. While I don't, for one second, take my family for granted...I am not always great at slowing down and enjoying the small moments...the laugh over macaroni and cheese with Lia or cuddling with Jim and enjoying some trashy reality tv. Those are the moments that make memories for a lifetime. And I am determined, in my new found wisdom of 40, to enjoy them.

So...yeah...I am not thrilled about turning 40. But in taking stock of this life, my life...it is a good one. I am blessed beyond reason with riches that go way beyond the financial or the material realm. I have had more adventure than I could have ever hoped for (and really...I am not an adventure seeking kind of gal). I have a wonderful family and friends that enrich my life more than I could ever explain. My heart is full with anticipation for our second daughter that will join us from China (sometime before my next milestone birthday I hope!)...and the opportunities I have to take some chances and step out of the box so to speak. I feel so lucky to have found a hobby, photography, that brings me so much joy and satisfaction. My life is full and I am happy. In many ways it is not the life I envisioned for myself...but indeed, it is a life full of gifts I could never have been capable of imagining...and I am grateful. I am thankful. I am humbled. I. am. happy. :-)

So feel free, my dear blogger friends, to join me in a celebration of life's little moments...for one day those will be the big moments we reflect on. Join me as I dance like no one's watching. Sing loudly with the car radio. Laugh freely at myself...and only kindly at others (except maybe my mom...she is fun to laugh AT, all in good fun of course! See first paragraph above! :-)). Live mindlfully and creatively. In ALL things be grateful. Love more. Play more. Help more. Just be.

After all...you only turn 39 again once...and I am determined to live every second to the fullest!

Braids and "Fancy Hair"...just a few of the joys of being a girl!!

2009-05-30T13:21:00.004-04:00

It's been a glorious week of "fancy hair" for Miss Lia. She was thrilled to sport braids "like Katie Min!"...and then go "all up" for her dance dress rehearsal later in the week. :-)

and ps...to the grandparents...Lia asked for an accordian this week. Patrick brought one in for sound week at school (Lia chose to take a Christmas cd by the 12 Girls Band :-))and she informed us she did not need lessons...apparently she "knows how to play it." If you could hook her up, that would be sweet...there's no telling how much polka dancing we could enjoy...

i Heart Faces ~ Week 18 ~ Laughter

2009-05-11T14:05:00.002-04:00

Another week...another photo contest theme at i heart Faces! If you didn't catch it in the title of my post...it's all about the laughter this week. I seriously cannot wait to peruse the entries and get my smile on...it's sure to be contagious!

This is a photo of my sweet Lia REALLY enjoying getting wet in a fountain at a local garden. While she loves running down the paths, ohhhing and ahhhing over the beautiful blooms...it is definitely the water that catches her fancy!

The quality and creativeness of the entries in this contest each week just blows me away...and makes me want to learn so much more about the art of photography. You will not be disappointed if you take a few minutes and check them out via the link below!

That's the stuff...

2009-05-08T16:16:00.005-04:00

Today was the annual Mother's Day Breakfast at Lia's school. It is nothing particularly fancy...but the teacher's and staff put a lot of work into this event...and it is, of course, a highlight for me. :-)

The moms arrive to the breakfast before the children are brought from their classrooms. We have time for a little chit chat and tea...and to inspect the gifts that are waiting for us. Lia had a terrible time keeping it all secret. She has been sizing me up all week...peppering me with questions like, "Do you love to take baths?", "Will you fit in my bathtub?", "Do you love sweet smells?"...and then finally..."I made you something for the bath for Mother's Day!!!". I assured her I would be so surprised when I saw the gift...and the little jar of homemade bath salts IS just darling!

But my favorite gift was the card...made with love by such sweet, hardworking little hands. It is beautiful!!

She has been working hard on her writing and she did such a great job copying the message for inside!!

All great stuff...but the best part was the little Q & A that her teachers took the time to type out and paste in the card. Here, verbatim, is what my girl had to say...about a lot of things!

1. What is something that mommy always says to you?

How was your day?

2. What makes mommy happy?

When I listen to her.

3. How does mommy make you laugh?

A splatter waterfall on my belly! (??? question marks all mine...she must mean raspberries on her belly!)

4. What was mommy like when she was a child?

She loved Mr. Rogers, but now he is gone (not on our local PBS line-up!)

5. How old is your mom?

14

6. How tall is your mom?

Taller than my head!

7. What is mommy's favorite thing to do?

Play with me.

8. What does mommy do when you are not together?

Teach boys who don't listen.

9. What is your mom really good at?

Taking pictures. (maybe someday!! :-))

10. What is mommy's favorite food?

Vegetable soup

11. What makes you proud of your mom?

Her good pictures

12. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Princess mommy

13. What do you and mommy do together?

Snuggle

14. How are you and mommy the same?

We have the same skin (not by a mile...I should be so lucky!)

15. How are you and mommy different?

Mommy has freckles and I don't.

16. How do you know that mommy loves you?

She loves me and cares about me and always loves me. She is the best mommy forever.

17. Where is mommy's favorite place to go?

Philadelphia to take pictures. (I am assuming this interview was completed around the time I took my recent Pixel Fairy Workshop...really the only time I've been to Philadelphia to take pictures...but she's right...I DID love it!!)

So there you have it...out of the mouths of babes...and more special than just about anything else I can think of. I am off to spend a glorious weekend with my favorite silly girl...to all of you...Happy Mother's Day!!

i Heart Faces ~ Week 17 ~ Hats!

2009-05-04T15:46:00.004-04:00

After a few weeks of "face hiatus" (:-)), I am back in the game! This week the theme at i Heart Faces is "Hats". I say it every time, but THIS week just might be my favorite one yet!! Lia is ALL about the head wear...baseball caps, flowered finery, crowns...she loves them all. I found this hat at an antique shop last summer for her to wear in the annual "Hat Parade" at her school...but as you can see, she couldn't wait to put it on and model!!

Hop on over to i Heart Faces and check out the fabulous entries in this week's contest!

Sowing seeds...

2009-05-03T11:08:00.002-04:00

Every flower of every tomorrow is in the seeds of today ~Chinese Proverb

An open letter...

2009-04-11T11:36:00.002-04:00

Dear "Anonymous": (commentor #17 from previous post)

As always, I am so thrilled that anyone takes the time to read our blog. So glad you took the time to check in!

Though your comment was short and to the point...I could sense the underlying frustration that the posts at Livin' La Vida Lia have slowed down tremendously. I, too, am a bit sad that I have not been keeping up with the many fabulous(!) happenings in our little world. I hope someday...maybe this summer...to catch up with it all and continue to record our day to day life as a keepsake for Lia.

Rest assured that we are well and having lots of fun! We have attended birthday parties galore, planned a trip to Disney for the fall, completed continuing education hours (me, not Lia!), done a great deal of organizing and furniture buying in preparation for company, played outside as much as possible, attended dance class (Lia, not me!)...and in our spare time...slept! We are happy and enjoying life!

So...only for you, anonymous commentor # 17 (because honestly, I am on the lamb right now from Jim...who thinks I am cleaning out a buffet drawer that holds 5 years worth of stuff)...I thought I would share the few photos Lia allowed me to take this week!!

And so...dear Anonymous...I hope all is well with you too...Lia misses you and her cousins terribly!! :-) She would like to know when you are opening the pool...and if you have that great snack cupboard filled with those organic dried fruit roll up things that she so adores(!?!)...

Peace out sista!! :-)

i Heart Faces ~ Week 13 ~ "My Friend and I"

2009-04-06T10:17:00.004-04:00

This is my submission for this week's theme of "My Firend and I" at i Heart Faces. While technically cousins, there are no two better friends than Lia and her cousin Willow. During a little photo shoot, in hopes of capturing a nice picture for Grandma, I happened to catch them in act of sharing a secret. I honestly think they were planning an escape from the camera lens...but no matter...the picture was pure serendipity for me...and one I will treasure forever!

Head on over to check out the fabulous "Friends" entries this week!!

Glorious Color!!

2009-04-05T10:54:00.002-04:00

Spring seems to have "sprung" in our part of the country! Each day brings new colors. Mother Nature is waking up ever so nicely. Every morning before breakfast, Lia runs to the windows to see what flowers have bloomed...and she enjoys pointing them all out to Jim and me!

We are in the midst of a very hectic schedule and I have taken a bit of a break from the camera and all things Internet to enjoy some outdoor time with my girl...but I did manage to snap a bit of the loveliness that surrounds us at the moment!

We are looking forward to a short week this week for school...and then a nice long weekend to re-charge! We wish you all a blessed Easter week!!

Miss Ladybug came to visit...

2009-03-31T17:44:00.001-04:00

...and as always, we welcomed her with open arms (and, you know, focused camera lenses...). :-)

Formal Gardens...Silly Girl!!

2009-03-28T14:12:00.002-04:00

One word Wednesday!!!

2009-03-25T20:09:00.001-04:00

September!! :-)

my brown eyed girl

2009-03-21T17:01:00.000-04:00

Same girl...different hat...the blooper post!

2009-03-17T20:35:00.003-04:00

Jim is out of town. He left in the dark of night sometime between Sunday and Monday...and we won't see him again until tomorrow night. Lia seems to take it a bit harder these days when her dad is gone...it really seems to upset her routine. She has told me several times, close to tears that she misses him...and it breaks my heart a little each time she says it!

She has been a tremendous help to me in getting up and ready for school. Usually, since I have to be to work by 7:30, Jim gets Lia breakfast and drops her off. Well, I am proud to say we have both been on time to school Monday and Tuesday. One more day...I keep telling myself...one more day.

I have tried to keep her busy to pass the time and today we baked "sLickerdoodles"(Lia mispronounces snickerdoodle so cutely!)! It is probably a good thing we don't have sLickerdoodles around all of the time. Lia adores that cinnamon-y goodness...and if we had more than two dozen left, I feel I would have to schedule some sort of sLickerdoodle intervention. The pull was strong, peeps...I cut her off at three. Not pretty. It hurt this Mama's heart to see my baby taking orders from a cookie...

I was so happy to see that warm sunshine this afternoon...and thought I would take a few photos of my little sLickerdoodle slurper...but you know, she wasn't really feeling it. It seems like the more I learn about photography...the worse I get at it. I am hyper critical of my photos lately...they just aren't "right"...and I am really struggling at the moment with that...

So take a moment...and enjoy my blooper reel from this afternoon's ill fated attempt at a decent photograph!!!

I got a few that I like...

But by far...I got mostly "blooper shots". For instance...this one...I should probably be afraid,right? I have seen the future...and I am worried for those teenage years...

More concerned with the thread hanging from her hat...(I really should have clipped that...I actually didn't realize what she was doing until I looked at the photos!

Finally...she went from a silly girl with a cheesy smile...

...to a girl just wanting to know when the sLickerdoodles...and the photo shoot... would be done! (this is my personal fave...she DOES NOT get that expression from me. Really.)

Another from Friday...

2009-03-15T09:39:00.005-04:00

Update: I've had a few people ask me about the specific preset I used for this picture. I downloaded it for free from this site. I think there were a few offered, but the one I used for this photo is the preset for a "High Key Effect". I tweaked the color levels slightly after applying the preset.

I edited this picture in Lightroom using a preset...and then just tweaked it a little bit. Normally, I like a fairly clean look with my photos, so I am still not sure I am in love with this...but I think it works okay. While I really liked this image straight out of the camera, Lia's face was a bit blurry...so the softening through the rest of the photo kind of camouflages that...at least a little...

Fabulous Friday.

2009-03-13T18:08:00.004-04:00

One silly, cooperative gal and some serendipitous sunshine was too great an opportunity to pass up and I got some really cute shots after school this afternoon.

I am struggling a lot with black & white conversion. While I really LOVE B & W (in fact much of my wedding was shot in B & W!)...I cannot seem to get the "mood" I am looking for in my own photographs. I am a Lightroom novice...and picking up a few things here and there that are helping. This is one of the many attempts I have made in the past few weeks...

Not perfect by a long shot...but moving in the right direction!

We have a jam packed, fun filled weekend planned...so we will see you all on the flip side! Happy Weekend!!

The pettiskirt bug has bitten...

2009-03-08T11:39:00.003-04:00

I have been drooling over pettiskirts for some time. Every time I saw a blog with pettiskirt goodness...or a photo on Flickr...I thought that I would have to get one...or two for Lia. She is a girly girl to the core and is most happy dancing through life in some sort of Princess finery. And just as I suspected, Lia was thrilled when that box arrived at our front door this week.

So despite the somewhat wet and dreary conditions here in the Northeast...we just had to give our first petti a photographic test drive this morning...

Do you like my hat?? (we know YOU do Aunt Carolyn!!)

2009-03-05T13:42:00.001-05:00

I only looked away for a few minutes to mix a meatloaf for dinner...

2009-03-02T13:25:00.004-05:00

...and she had been stamping on paper so nicely...

As you can see...the repentance was written all over her face...oh wait...that's just ink!! :-)

Guess who's back in the game...

2009-02-27T15:36:00.002-05:00

...and enjoying a bit of warm weather before the rain and snow come back???

Have a great weekend!!!

Two Word Wednesday...

2009-02-25T17:37:00.000-05:00

Sick again :-(

Annemarie

2009-02-22T15:50:00.005-05:00

We took an unexpected trip "home" over the weekend. There, we had the chance to connect with all of Lia's cousins...both sides...which is rare during any one visit. I had the opportunity to take pictures to my heart's content...and with six nieces, I had plenty 'o pretty subjects!!! I even got some photos of my mom taking a turn down the sled run on an inner tube...so you can be sure I will be posting those in the next few days! :-)

My niece, Annemarie, turned 9 two weeks ago...and was a great sport in putting off some mean sled runs for a few minutes to indulge me in a little photo shoot.

I know what you all are thinking...she could be a model, right?? But after reading this sign that she very seriously posted on her bedroom door...I am tempted to think she will become the next Ann Coulter someday...

(note...I try very hard not to mix politics into my blog...and I don't want to offend anyone...to each his own...it's what makes this country so great. This was just too amusing to me not to share it! She's only 9!!)

Come on over...

2009-02-17T15:28:00.000-05:00

...milk and cookies on the house!! :-)

How do I love thee...

2009-02-16T11:55:00.003-05:00

Hugs and kisses, Jim style,...Valentines Day 2009:

I tried really hard to love the yellow paint I chose for our family room. I tried to "live with it". I tried to envision it with pictures hanging on it. I scrutinized it at different times of the day (and found I REALLY liked it at about 3 pm...but only at 3 pm). In the end, I had to admit I made a mistake...and convince Jim that it might physically hurt me to have to look at it everyday for the rest of time. Once he was thoroughly convinced of that...I tortured him even further by purchasing SEVERAL "test" colors and slathering them on every open wall space I could find. In the end, I chose the very paint I had in our condo...a taupe-y color called shortbread from the Martha Stewart line at Sherwin Williams. (I don't think she has the line there anymore but you can still request the color)

Once upon a time, Jim and I both enjoyed home renovation projects and we decided that we could knock out the room in one day...and save ourselves from having to pay our contractor to paint the room. Again. It turned into a marathon of a day....starting at 8:00 and ending around midnight. Our dreams of a one coat finish were dashed...of course it took two coats. Despite Jim's initial grumbling, we had a fun day. It's not often we have such long periods of uninterrupted time together...and I really enjoyed digging in and completing a project. The room looks great...well worth the time and aggravation. With our vanity delivery this week, our contractor can get in and finish up the trim, mantle and powder room...and I will have my room back. I can't wait to see it all together.

And if all that hard work and toleration were not enough, Jim got me Photoshop and Lightroom for Valentines Day! I am one happy (and lucky!) girl!

Before:

After...SO. MUCH. BETTER.:

2009-02-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

"Many are the stars I see, but in my eye no star like thee"

Dim Sum for Everyone...and a Lion Dance too!!

2009-02-08T16:27:00.008-05:00

We officially rang in Chinese New Year this afternoon with our dearest adoption friends. We enjoyed Dim Sum and then ventured out into the gloriously warm February afternoon to watch the very loud, very colorful Lion Dance. It was an afternoon well spent...with memories to last a lifetime.

Katie Min...is that not the cutest style ever??

Beautiful Mia:

Almost the whole gang...gosh it's hard to get everyone in the same place at the same time...not to mention this was taken in the driveway of a Fire Department...and we had to move quickly out of the way at one point because Philadelphia's finest were called to duty! Very dramatic...and exciting!

One of my favorite shots of the day...a miniature Lion...maneuvered expertly by this little guy!:

And, of course, my sweet girl ready to head out the door in her beautiful Chinese dress...she was thrilled to be dressed up!

"The Greatest Love"...or..."Today we are Three"

2009-02-07T11:02:00.003-05:00

On this day, we celebrate the 3rd anniversary as a family. Try as I might, I believe I will forever be doomed to bumble any written description of that day in China that Lia was placed in my arms...the day my life truly began. Bumbling or not, I did try to describe it last year...and if you have any interest, or if you are new to our blog, you can read that account here.

While we were in China we communicated with friends and family via a website. I have gotten many compliments about the content of our website...the details of our days spent in China mingled with liberal doses of humor and history...and I believe it is time to publicly come clean about a few minor details of our China story (although I HAVE done so many times privately!).

We were so fortunate to be accompanied to China by Jim's brother, Joe. As Jim and I muddled through our first few days of parenthood, our website was lovingly attended to by Joe. At first, he tried to gently remind us that we had many people waiting at home to hear ANY details of our trip (read...get going and start getting some posts up!). So consumed were we and overwhelmed...that Joe finally, blissfully, took matters into his own hands and assumed the helm of the website. It was not until we returned home, that I had the opportunity to go back and read it all...and much to my amusement, I discovered that Joe had chosen to write in first person. In his own sweet way, I guess he was trying to protect the fact that we (I) were really struggling with the responsibility of caring for a grieving toddler in an unfamiliar country half a world away from home and were just plain too tired to write about the events undfolding. But while, I may have been tickled by Joe's "voice choice", I was thrilled to discover how thoroughly and accurately he portrayed our time in China. For that I will forever be grateful. Because of her Uncle Joe, Lia has a record of our early days together...and I know that one day that will be priceless to her.

So....for old time's sake...the play by play reported on our website on our behalf...by Uncle Joe...

We are Parents

2-7-06

We have Lia!!!!!

She is a blessing!!

Another restless night was spent back at the Plaza Hotel in Beijing. We were up early, for our return to the Beijing airport to catch our plane to Xi'an, in the Shaanxi province. The flight on China Eastern Airline was short and uneventful, and we touched down to a sunny day in the city of Xi'an.

An hour long bus ride took us through farmland, suburbs, and into the bustling city of over 6 million that had Lia waiting for us somewhere. After settling into the Jianguo Hotel, we boarded the bus and headed to the Shaanxi Provincial Office headquarters in the center of the city.

We were immediately ushered into a room full of babies! It was crazy beyond words, as each of the ten families scanned the beautiful children before us, trying to guess which was ours. With months having passed since the last photos we had seen, it was not an easy task. As the director of all the orphanages was introduced with our guide, Ike, as translator, we were hard pressed to concentrate on the speech.

Was it the little girl in yellow down on the end? Was it the one crying in the center of the bunch? After a few guesses that didn't feel true, we began to pay attention to the sweet little girl near us who was quietly destroying a roll of toilet paper to pass the time. Suddenly, Jim remembered reading in the referral how Hui Wen, our baby, was known to enjoy tearing paper to comfort herself! It had to be her! We held our breaths as each family was called forward to receive their child from the orphanage nanny and sign some documents. One by one...six...seven families had been called...finally, next to last, we were called and we received little Hui Wen Lia Nanette as our own! An entire book of writing can't begin to capture the emotion of that moment. It was hard for all involved. Naturally the babies cry when leaving their nannies and foster parents, and naturally there are tears of joy from the new parents. But everything worked out slowly but surely, and I'm sure every parent was as happy and proud as they have ever been in their life. Kate held little Lia tightly and the bonds were quickly made. After some official photos, it was back to the bus and back to the hotel to begin our new life together. An emotionally and physically draining day was ending...

So...Joe...I couldn't have said it better myself. Words straight and to the point...to describe the moment my life truly began. We were so fortunate to have you with us. Thank you.

(A cool self portrait of Uncle Joe!)

Our first glimpse of Lia:

Our first moments together:

And finally, back at the hotel...I can't believe Lia was ever that small!:

All of the clothes Lia was wearing when we met:

And of course, this post wouldn't be complete without some words dedicated to our sweet girl...

To my darling darling Lia...the light of my life...my heart,

You came into my life in the most dramatic of ways. Our wait for you was filled with exhilarating highs and crushing lows. My arms ached with the very thought of you, so anxious I was to have you with me. Nothing, however could have prepared me for the rush of emotions the day you were placed in my arms...a squirming, scared, overheated, beautiful, brave angel. I held you so gingerly, hardly daring to believe that you were for real. I touched your face and looked into your eyes...and my life was complete.

While this day will always be filled with memories of our first moments together, I want you to know that it is the thousands of moments since then that I savor most. Inconceivably my heart grows a little more each day as I tuck these memories away for safekeeping...and I fall in love with you just a little more with each one.

You make each day special ~ an adventure, a comedy, a fairy tale. You have taught me so much in the three short years we have been together. Listed, in no particular order are some of the important things you have shown me:

~Wake up each morning with a song. "I've Been Working on the Railroad" is always a great choice!

~Take time to do things right...and never give up. Even if it takes you 5 minutes and 27 tries to say, zip your coat...the pride in that moment of success can't be beat.
~There is always time for one more kiss and cuddle...and even if it makes you late for work, your day will inevitably go better because of it.
~Bathtubs really ARE like swimming pools if you wear your bathing suit in them.
~Life IS more fun in a princess dress.
~It's okay to eat dessert first sometimes.

~Your life will be ever so much richer, if you try new things. Learning a new skill like the names of the continents or photography can make you REALLY happy.

~Splashing in puddles in rain boots or bare feet causes giggles.

~Raising a child...raising you...is the best thing I will ever do.

I hope as you continue to grow up and gain more awareness of how you came to be our child, you will know without a shadow of a doubt how very much you were wanted, wished for, prayed for.

I hope when you hear well meaning strangers tell you how lucky you are to have been adopted, you will understand the conspiratorial smile your dad and I will inevitably exchange, as we always do when we receive such remarks. It is we, your parents who are the lucky ones. We have been blessed beyond reason and gifted beyond any wild expectations with the honor of calling you "daughter". You are our sun, our moon, our stars, our everything. And I hope someday you might read this and understand that your Mama's penchant for emotional platitudes comes from the greatest love of all. Thank you for allowing us to be your parents.

A few images from our time in China:

Exhausted after taking her oath of citizenship:

A "Teaser"...

2009-02-06T17:07:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow is an important day for our family...come back for a very special post that I've been working on for the past week. Until then...a little hint...

Can you spot our happy, smiling, little ray of sunshine?? :-)

(Lia is in the front...bottom left...in the red dress. Obviously, she was NOT a fan of the red couch!! :-)) What a difference three years makes!!

It's a New Day!!

2009-02-04T15:10:00.004-05:00

I have my smiley, funny Lia back today!!! Her fever broke last night, thank goodness. She has gone all day without motrin or tylenol. I am so glad to have her little sense of humor back...and the twinkle in her eye. I must be happy because I was making up silly songs all morning, finally prompting Lia to request "a piece of quiet". Later at lunch, she mentioned she wanted to be just like me. So touched was I...until her next statement...which was..."Can you teach me how to be goofy??" It would be a short lesson, I can guarantee you...she's well on the road...

And now, gloriously...onto some good stuff! I have been having a little fun editing pictures in preparation of having some prints made . This shot is one that I took last summer. I believe it is my favorite image of Lia. To me, it just kind of reflects her essence. She is often contemplative and introspective and I think this image captures that.

Thank you all again for your support during Lia's illness. It meant more than I could possibly put into words...

And now...on to the pictures...any opinions?? Jim likes the first one...I am kind of partial to the second version...and the third was just experimentation... :-)

We're not out of the woods yet...but I'm hopeful that we've found the path...

2009-02-03T14:46:00.006-05:00

Again, I just want to thank each and every one of you who took time to comment here, send e-mails...and call. First...it is always great to be reminded that children do run fevers and they CAN run high...and it's okay. But most importantly it is just really reassuring to know that you all are praying for us. Lia continues to run a fever although it is now only going up to 102.5 between doses of motrin. She is eating better and I am able to get her to drink (Gatorade...a new treat!). She has pretty much eaten double her body weight in Popsicles as well over the the past two days. If she is not substantially better by tomorrow morning I plan to head back to the doctor and ask for another once over and review of symptoms. I have been reminded just how blessed we are that she is a healthy girl most of the time. And I know she is and will continue to heal and get well. We are so fortunate. I totally get that...so please don't think I am a whiner when I say that I am drained beyond belief. I have not felt this out of it and tired since our early days home from China. Besides the lack of sleep...I think it is the constant worry and strain that really wears me down.

Lia was feeling well enough this morning to spend some time gazing upon the "beautiful jewel box" that she got for Christmas from her Aunt Carolyn. It matches so well with her bedroom...and Lia loves to wind up the ballerina and also use the key to lock and unlock the box ad naseum (not to her, however! :-)).

Lia looks as beautiful as ever to me...but you can see her little eyes are lacking their usual sparkle...

Here's hoping tomorrow brings brighter...and healthier news!!

We have a little sickie on our hands...

2009-02-01T21:02:00.008-05:00

Update #2, 2/2/09: We just got back from the doctor's office. Our regular pediatrician was booked solid so we had to see a different one. Lia spiked a high fever (103.4) about an hour and 1/2 before we left and I didn't want to hold off the next dose of motrin...so by the time we got there, her fever was down to 99.4. The doctor ruled out croup, strep throat and ear infections...and pretty much said she has a common cold and just keep treating her fever and giving her liquids and plenty of rest. No problem there...she is in bed beside me now sleeping. Honestly, I felt a little brushed off by the doctor. Lia has had plenty of colds...and even fevers...but this just seems different...worse by far. I also don't take Lia to the doctor often. In fact, when we had her 4 year old check up in December, the nurse noted that we hadn't been in since her three year check up. So long story long...I am still worried...but will keep tabs on the fever and keep doing what we have been to keep her comfortable. Thank you so much to all of you who sent e-mails, commented, called...and prayed. I am sure Lia will be fine, but we sure appreciate the blanket of support we felt around us this morning. Thank you so much.

Update 2/2/09: We had a very rough night. Lia's temperature stayed around 101 even with Motrin. We were so unsure as to whether we should bundle her up and take her to the hospital or wait until the doctor is in this morning. In the end, we let her sleep and I just obsessively checked her temperature every 20 minutes. She has never been this sick...never even taken one round of antibiotics. I am tired and scared and upset. Please pray for us all.

Lia is sick today. She woke up with a croupy type cough (which she has never had before) and a fairly high fever. Motrin has kept the fever down...but I have to say...when she starts that coughing and it seems like she can't breathe...scary for all of us. During one coughing fit, she threw up which was extremely upsetting to her...poor little thing. She is sleeping soundly in our bed as I type and I plan to keep her with us all night (a rare treat...normally she only sleeps in our bed if we all nap together or if Jim is out of town). I just feel she needs to be close.

We have been so lucky as Lia has not had so much as the sniffles this winter...but oh my word...I will be so relieved when she is back to her cheery, healthy self. Please say a little prayer for our girl tonight if you are so inclined.

...and she dances

2009-01-29T18:36:00.004-05:00

I truly felt like the Mamarazzi this afternoon trying to capture Lia in action. I was literally shooting through a crack in the door, and AROUND a corner to get these shots...but oh so worth it. Priceless to me!!!

My personal favorite...an interpretive dance of some sort!! :-)

With thanks from the academy (well...okay...mostly just me!)

2009-01-27T16:00:00.012-05:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of Livin' La Vida Lia. I have been thinking for a few weeks how I might mark the occasion. So odd....to have so much to say...and so few words feeling "right" about it all. So in the end, I just decided that I would use this post to thank so many of you who have made a difference in my life in the past year.

I started reading adoption blogs after we returned home with Lia. To begin with, I stuck with the members of my Yahoo DTC group. Colleen's blog was one of the first I read. I also fell in love with Terrye's blog and Margie's blog and Amie's blog. They felt oddly like my extended family...and after sharing so much with them all during our wait...they really WERE like family. During the past year, I have been overjoyed to watch two of these families bring home another China miracle. To these bloggers...thank you for being my extended "virtual" family...even if you didn't know you were.

You can imagine my delight when I discovered the genius of the "link lists". I soon found a world of inspiration just waiting for me. I began to follow a few "big" blogs that continue to be some of my favorites. On the occasion that these authors take time to leave comments on my blog...I am so touched...and always always starstruck. In Kim, Shana and Kristi, I admire the ability to tell a story, take a pretty picture and have a sense of humor . To these bloggers...thank you for sharing your story with me and for reminding me to celebrate the small moments that make up our lives. You are all an inspiration.

Along the way, I have made new "virtual" friends that I know I can count on in thick and thin. My husband used to shake his head and roll his eyes when I spoke of my blogger "friends"...but now he truly "gets it"...that you all are true friends in every sense of the word. Missy, Jan, Jodee, Deb, Lucy and Bridget and Heather...thank you for letting me share in your lives, and for sharing in ours. My day wouldn't be complete without checking in on you all.

Love in real life: I am so insanely blessed to belong to an active local adoption group. These women are truly my sisters. I love each one more than I could say (there are actually more and they know who they are...they are just not bloggers). Jen, Deb, Laura, Lisa, Kellyann...and my new friend Ivy...what can I say??? You rock in every sense of the word. My life would be so different without you all...I can't even imagine. Thank you for your generosity, caring, friendship and love. I am fortunate to call you all "friend".

During my year in blogdom, I have been so inspired. The next category are those blogs which have helped me get in touch with my creativity...whether it was parenting, decorating, photography or just the art of writing, I regularly turn to Lori, Paige, Debbie and Tonggu Momma and Danielle for a dose of inspiration. Thank you to these bloggers for helping me look for the beauty, create the beauty...and laugh at the (lack of) beauty that is all around me.

This last paragraph has been floating around my head for a few weeks...and I'm still a bit apprehensive about sharing it...but I wanted to, needed to share a little bit about the reason I began blogging one year ago. We had just moved into our new home. I was extremely overwhelmed with unpacking and settling in. It was during one cold Sunday morning in early January that Lia had an "accident" for which I did and still do feel responsible for. I have said it time and again...but angels truly were at our doorstep that morning. Lia was...and is perfectly fine and had no residual effects. She is vibrant and healthy...and I don't take that for granted for one moment. I have spent a good deal of time the last year learning to forgive myself, trying to watch over Lia without smothering her with attention and over caution (with varying degrees of success) and assimilating the events of that morning into my psyche. And trying to move on. It's not been easy. But in those early days....I reached out to two women who were really strangers to me. They both responded in such heartfelt ways and helped me more than they could ever know. I will be eternally grateful to both of them. Truly grateful.

Erin...you inspire me. You are so beautiful and full of grace. You live your life in a way I aspire to. Your intelligence and sense of humor, your artistic and aesthetic sense are true gifts. Thank you for sharing them with me. Your words and understanding made a difference in my life. Thank you for your friendship...and for not thinking I was a crazy stalker. You are a blessing in my life...and I wish you nothing less than sunny days...for you certainly deserve that.

And finally...sweet Lisa...what can I say? Your friendship...your perseverance in sticking with me...your guidance...your brilliance...your understanding...are not deserved. You "took me in." It means more than I could ever explain. I feel a kindred spirit with you. Thank you. Just thank you. Please know how much you mean to me.

Of course there are so many more blogs that I read...so many more...and I don't want to slight anyone by not mentioning them. I just wanted this post to relflect my gratitude in being part of this community. Thank you all for sharing in our lives.

Scenes from a Laundromat...Earning my Street Cred...

2009-01-25T15:27:00.007-05:00

Today marks the third week we have had to trek to a laundromat due to our little construction project. It has been...well...interesting. The first week we went, it was very crowded causing my anxiety to rise and culminating in me breaking one change machine, dropping all the quarters on the floor once I did get them...and my husband to hiss under his breath when he was helping me pick them up, "Please try to act like you belong!!". :-)

We have it down to a science now and I have enjoyed trying to beat the record each week by completing the laundry with the least number of quarters I can. (Seriously...that may be slightly pathetic and indicative of my need for some real entertainment.....but I'm keeping it real, peeps...keeping it real...)

I feel extremely positive that I will not have the opportunity to go for another personal best as after a slight delivery delay, the floors are here...and being installed as I type (and they totally rock...pictures soon! :-)).

Today I decided to take my camera to help pass the time and aside from a few quizzical looks, I enjoyed looking at the laundromat in a whole new light.

I'm ready for my close-up...

2009-01-23T06:30:00.000-05:00

Add one pink boa to one very silly gal trying to postpone bedtime...and you get...FEATHER FABULOUS!!!

Dainty Feet...Oh how I love 'em!!

2009-01-22T16:31:00.000-05:00

My Love

2009-01-21T06:56:00.000-05:00

{Old and New}...A Mamarazzi Thing

2009-01-20T11:02:00.002-05:00

I belong to a great blog called {We Picture This}...a Mamarazzi Blog. Each month we vote on a theme and then post our interpretations of that theme. I happily admit that I am in way over my photographic head...but I am learning so much from these talented photographers and I just LOVE having a new "project" every time the new theme comes out. This month the theme is {Old and New}. I think it is my favorite one yet! I was so excited when it was the winner. Since Lia and I have had a long weekend, I had some time to take some shots and try a few things out. To see the image I chose to post...go here. (Gram...I hope you like it! :-))

This is another image I really liked. The {Old} part is the necklace around Lia's neck. It belonged to my Grandmother who passed away last April. The {New} part is, of course, Lia.

There are so many possibilities for this theme...I can't wait to see the other interpretations!

Finally...SNOW!! :-)

2009-01-19T17:11:00.000-05:00

My Happy Dancing Princess

2009-01-16T16:05:00.001-05:00

Hot Chocolate...definitely good for what ails you!!

2009-01-12T16:41:00.004-05:00

Update: We got the test results back today(1/13/09)...sooner than I expected...and both the blood and urine were all clear! Hooray!

During Lia's 4 year old check up in December, I discussed the possibility of melamine exposure with her pediatrician. While we don't suspect any problems, I agreed with the doctor that it was most prudent to run the lab work just to make sure. I have really been dragging my feet on this one, but I finally took her to the lab today. Lia was such a trooper, charming the pants off of everyone from the receptionist to the phlebotomist along the way. We were able to complete the blood draw with a minimum of tears...and when I told Lia she could choose any treat she wanted, she requested hot chocolate. I secretly believe that her favorite part is stirring the whipped cream in rather than the actual drinking...but if she's happy than so am I! I was extremely glad to check this "obligation" off my to do list...and will breathe one last sigh of relief when we get the all clear from the doctor...hopefully in a few days.

Mild Mannered Gas Meter Salesman by Day...Superhero by...well...Day!

2009-01-11T14:47:00.003-05:00

We had the slightest bit of winter weather this weekend. A little nothing really...melted by noon even. But as our day was just getting started yesterday morning, I looked out the window and saw a little problem across the street. A teen aged girl tried to take a turn too quickly...and ended up, as Lia would say, in a pickle.

After determining that the girls were not hurt, Jim didn't miss a beat in getting his boots on and rushing to their assistance. It took a little digging and quite a bit of pushing...but he got the car free. He was just finishing up changing the tire when the driver's Dad showed up.

Lia and I took it all in from the warmth of the living room...my new lens worked great in getting some close up shots of the action! Lia was actually really concerned for Jim which was so sweet...and when he came back in, she couldn't wait to surprise him with the hot chocolate we had ready!

Snow Ball 2009...or...Where does time go??

2009-01-10T09:52:00.002-05:00

My niece, my first niece, the girl I love more than life turned 14 a few weeks ago. I remember every detail of the day she was born. My sister and brother in law lived in Minneapolis at the time and we spent a very long day half a country away waiting for the phone to ring. We were thrilled when we learned that Renee had been born and all was well.

And then...seemingly in the blink of an eye...she turned 14.

Last night Renee attended her first formal dance. With, ahem...a boy. The 8th grade Snow Ball has been the topic of discussion for quite some time and every detail from the dress to the...ahem...date, to the shoes (oh my...the shoes!) was discussed in great detail.

I have to say...when I saw the pictures last night, my heart skipped a beat or two. I work with 8th graders everyday, but it startled me somehow to see my Renee so grown up...and beautiful. She took my breath away. I am beyond proud of her. She excels academically. She dances like an angel. She is kind and patient with her younger cousins. And although I haven't witnessed it firsthand, I hear she can ski like a champ. As I start to seem glimpses of the adult she will become, I can hardly wait to see what direction she will choose in life (although officially, Renee, I am in no hurry for you to grow up!).

...and Renee...one last thing...from your somewhat vertically challenged aunt...I know the shoe issue (or perhaps, more specifically, your mom's opinion of the shoes!) was a big hurdle for you...but I say if you can pull off heels like that for an entire dance...more power to you! :-)

Such a "Big Girl" in so Many Ways...

2009-01-08T19:21:00.002-05:00

...and yet at times so little. She snuggled in on our bed after her bath tonight and when I came back from cleaning up the tub...this was the sight that greeted me. She's obviously put in a hard week at the salt mines...and that Thursday afternoon Ballet class just did her in!! :-)

I really feel like the Mamarazzi now!

2009-01-07T17:19:00.005-05:00

I have been having a lot of fun practicing with my new camera lens that Jim gave me for Christmas. Officially it is a 75-300 mm lens...but what really matters to me is that I can take close-ups of Lia without being right in her face. Of course the weather in our neck of the woods has not been very cooperative...so my practice has mostly been inside...not the best for this lens. Undeterred, I have flipped the switch back into automatic and have become a shooting fool. These are a few pictures I took over the past few days. Lia was in the living room. And I was in the dining room. Yeah...you read that right...a whole room away. Almost unobtrusive. Ahhh....the possibilities are endless. I can't wait for some sunny weather and wide open spaces!

Our Family Room...a Work in Progress!

2009-01-04T15:09:00.003-05:00

In our rush to pack and leave for our Christmas vacation, I forgot to take "before" pictures of the family room...can you believe that??? So I took pictures of what we returned to last night. I am totally obsessing over the paint color. I used a warm shortbread color in our condo that I loved...but since I am going fairly dark with our hardwood floors, I thought a lighter color would be better on the walls here. I chose a color from a Williamsburg decorating guide and it was custom blended. I hoped it would be cream with just a hint of yellow...but it sure looks VERY yellow all over the walls, doesn't it?? I am trying not to make a hasty decision and I am hoping when the rest of the trim is painted and put up and the floors and window treatments added that it will look a little less...vivid. If anyone has a nice warm cream color that you love...please feel free to share.

The fireplace wall...wired for the huge flat screen tv. I am pretty sure that is all Jim dreams about these days! I found a beautiful mantle antique shopping with my sister that I think will look great!

Between the kitchen and family room...there were some very dated spindles that have been removed...not a moment too soon!

A view from the family room into the entry.

A view of the windows. There had been a window seat kind of thing there that made arranging furniture very difficult. It's gone...and I am just sorry I was not the one to take a sledge hammer to it!! :-) Also these window had wooden shutters on them that just made the room very dark. I am still deciding how to dress the windows...and in fact am considering replacing them with a different style all together.

Finally, the back door and the laundry room. The hardwood will extend to cover this whole area.

As we expected we came home to a big mess...but it's so much fun to see the changes being made. We had a successful meeting with our Social Worker this moring to update our homestudy and expanded our approval to include Special Needs and older children...so we will see where that leads us. So far, 2009 is turning out to be an exciting year!

Cousin-ly Love...Lia and Willow

2009-01-01T13:04:00.002-05:00

Christmas Memories in Snapshots

2008-12-30T17:10:00.004-05:00

Update: I have re-opened our "baby blog"! Check it out!! :-) Happy New Year!

www.andsowewait.blogspot.com

First glimpse of Santa goodness:

Our new...much loved family member...Baby Alive...now named (by Lia!), Julianna Hannah...

...and now, as we turn our attention towards the new year with new opportunities...we will tuck these precious memories of this most magical season away for a lifetime. Our best wishes to you all for a wonderful New year!!

Seriously...can it get any better??

2008-12-29T17:39:00.004-05:00

This is the tag that was on the gift I received from my goddaughter (and niece), Annemarie, age 8. She chose the gift and wrapped it herself. Really...that wrap job and the handwritten tag were enough...she's really good...but she picked out a digital picture frame (that holds up to 60 photos...way cool...no??) and a beautiful scrapbook for me. She definitely zeroed right in on what I'm all about these days.

Good times, peeps...good times. It really doesn't get any better. I sure am one lucky ant. :-)

Believe

2008-12-26T08:16:00.000-05:00

A Big Very Merry to You All!!

2008-12-23T12:43:00.006-05:00

After agonizing over "the card" for several weeks...I decided to go with pictures from the professional. I used some of the images that Debbie took in Williamsburg in the fall. I love how the cards came out...she captured Lia perfectly!

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale

And now as we prepare to experience the magic of this very special time of year, I wish you all peace, happiness, health and prosperity. Thank you for taking the time to share in our lives. It is hard to believe that I started this blog almost a year ago. It has changed my life in ways I never would have imagined. I have enjoyed getting to know so many new friends and I consider you all a blessing. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

We're down to the bones...preparations in warp speed!!

2008-12-22T10:21:00.006-05:00

The gifts are bought...and mostly wrapped. Obligatory baking has taken place...by Jim no less...who commandeered the kitchen all day yesterday and was a cookie chef extraordinaire!! Our laundry is done and waiting to be packed for our visit west...and we clapped our hands in glee that we were done...for about 1 hour yesterday afternoon...until the contractor showed up with some great ideas for our family room.

As we celebrate a year in our home, we are so excited to be starting a small renovation project. As these things often do, it has grown in scope just a bit from our original intentions...but still a modest project from most standards. Our contractor convinced us of the value of doing a lot of the demolition when we are away for the holiday week...and while that sounds great...it means I have a room to clear out before we leave on the 26th. And there was the small issue of the computer having to be disconnected...we will have to figure out plan B for that...I can't go three weeks offline!!! :-) The Laundromat may become my new best friend as we will also be without a washer and dryer. I am hoping this temporary inconvenience will be worth the end result. You can be sure I will be taking lots of pictures along the way!!

We had our first weather event yesterday...a small ice storm...that melted by noon. We enjoyed being housebound for a few hours playing Christmas music! We won't talk about the very ungraceful fall I took while snapping these photos!

Lia was super snugly before bed...and allowed me to take a few shots. They are a little blurry, I know...still practicing getting clear shots inside...

I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday!!

Of Castles, Caillou...and L-L-L-Ladies

2008-12-19T17:59:00.009-05:00

So I am pretty sure my face was as green as the Grinch with envy when I read of the trip my friend Lisa was rewarded with for a job well done (and Lisa... I really am happy for you and plan to live vicariously...so I hope you live it up big!). It hit me this morning that it might be time for Jim and I to plan a little get-away of our own. Our conversation revolved around the following earth shattering questions:

1) Do Max and Ruby have a last name?

2) Where are their little rabbit parents?

3) How much does the "actor" make for voicing the part of Max? At most he repeats no more than two words throughout each episode!

And my personal favorite:

4) Did Caillou's mother used to be Olive Oyl? It could just be the shirt...or maybe it's just me...

Yeah...it's definitely time for a little "adult" time...sans Sprout or Noggin. I am going to work on that! :-)

Heading in a different direction...Lia had a little phonics breakthrough this week...and I am SO proud! Her teacher introduces a new "sound" each week. We have been advised since Lia's early days at her school to introduce sounds rather than the actual letter name (although for the record they do practice letter recognition and Lia does know all her letters by sight!). The children are invited to bring in an object to share during class meeting that begins with the "sound of the week". While I occasionally bring up the sound each week, I have been waiting for Lia to take the initiative in choosing an object...waiting for that proverbial light bulb...a "sound connection" so to speak. Last night she randomly blurted out that l-l-l-lady started with the "LLLL" sound. It took me a minute to figure out what she was talking about, but a quick check on the calendar confirmed that it was indeed "L" week. I was so excited as she dug around in her dollhouse basket and came up with her "lady" to share with her class!!! I did get carried away a bit and suggested that maybe she could put herself in the basket...being L-L-L-Lia and all...but she looked at me like I had two heads. I try hard for the laughs...but she is tough I tell you!

Lia's "L-L-L-Lady":

Finally...when I picked Lia up this afternoon, she immediately started telling me about a castle she drew for her dad before he took her to school this morning. When we arrived at home, I couldn't believe what she had drawn. She is a better artist than I am! I only wish it wasn't on scrap paper and drawn with a marker that was obviously on it's last legs. It is beautiful. Lia told me the colored portion at the base of the castle is water. Of course it is.

She never fails to impress me. May she always be grounded in the day to day lessons...but never stop dreaming of those castles!!

Happy weekend to all...and to all a good-night... :-)

Just sharing some love...with Real Memories!

2008-12-18T10:39:00.005-05:00

I started my blog in an effort to collect some of our memories. Traditional scrapbooking??? Just. not. going. to happen. Along the way, I have discovered an almost all-consuming love of photography. I have more pictures than, frankly, I know what to do with. During this holiday season, I decided it was finally time to get some of them framed and hung on the walls. I came across a wonderful website that takes all the hard work out of doing just that....for a very reasonable price, I must say. The site allows you to upload pictures...and then...the fun part...choose a frame, matting and a whole host of other personalization options. I received my order today...and seriously...I almost cried. While I can't show the surprise I ordered for Jim, I will show you the small picture of Lia and Li Li that I had framed for Lia's room. It turned out better than I even imagined (no doubt aided by Debbie's photography expertise...she gets the credit for this picture! :-))...and I know Lia will be thrilled. The framed photos arrived safe and sound...packed so securely, I think they could have withstood any manner of delivery abuse.

I don't do much advertising on my blog...but if you are looking for a place to turn your virtual memories into Real Memories...check out this wonderful company!

http://www.realmemories.com/

Wordless Wednesday :-)

2008-12-17T06:33:00.000-05:00

Sweet Concentration...

2008-12-16T15:55:00.000-05:00

Angels we have heard on high??

2008-12-15T17:32:00.003-05:00

According to Lia, "The angel on our tree is very very tall!" :-)

You've got a friend in me...

2008-12-14T05:07:00.007-05:00

Last night was the highlight of our holiday season...really. We were hosted so grandly by Jen and Dan for our third annual Holiday Extravaganza. As always, we enjoyed a smorgasbord (hmmm...even with my Swedish roots I had to look that one up!) of delicious foods...and drink too (Jen, you must e-mail me that "punch" recipe...it sure lived up to it's name as it definitely packed a wallop!! :-))! But by far, the most gratifying part of the evening was seeing how the girls are developing real friendships and enjoying each other's company. It is so interesting to see individual interests coming out. It is obvious that Katie Min and Lia are two princess peas in a pod. They disappeared together and when Jim went to find them...he was met by two girls in various stages of undress as they were huridly throwing off their party clothes in favor of some princess finery. I am sure Lia felt right at home as "princess" bests any other style of dress with one hand tied behind it's back any old day of the week at our house!

Okay...my own version of Waldo...I came out from behind the camera to pose with my pretty girl before we left for the party.

Lia and Emma enjoyed making Christmas ornaments...they are so serious about it!!

More craft seriousness!

Lia and Katie (before the princess transformation)!

And after the big change...Lia and Katie...aka Ariel and Bride Ariel...even a mermaid has to eat!! Is it just me or do they look guilty of something??

One thing all the girls have in common is their love of dancing! We were treated to an impromptu dancing recital that brought tears to my eyes for its' sweetness!!

Of course no Chirstmas party is complete without a visit from jolly old Saint Nick. This may be my favorite image of the night...it is Lia when she caught a glimpse of Santa coming in through the front door. Priceless. The fact that he entered through the door has been worrying her all day! I have had to think fast to explain away this un-Santa like entrance!

Lia seriously told Santa that she wanted "nothing" for Christmas. Luckily for us she gave the Santa at the mall a proper list!!

Santa had a gift for each child...and even though Lia wanted nothing, she was very excited with her Tinkerbelle movie!!

The whole gang with Santa! This is such a great photo...Lia with some of her oldest friends and some of her newest!! Truly dreamy all around!

Sort of like "Where's Waldo?"...

2008-12-12T18:18:00.004-05:00

I've gotten so many comments about how patient Lia must be to pose for so many photos...and for the most part, she is. I usually photograph her doing something which is helpful in making her forget I am stalking her with the camera. But I have to admit...she is NOT at all patient with me as I try to master shooting in manual. Already, I have gotten much faster...but I am still painfully slow...and Lia is having none of it. I delete more pictures than I save these days, but I like to think I am learning little by little along the way. I captured this picture this afternoon...but by the 7th try...there were no smiles...

Our Christmas tree is up, with lights...but mostly decorated along the bottom third...where little hands can reach. Lia loves to hang two or three ornaments on each branch...and well...trying to go with a theme...or even compatible colors, is apparently not of interest to her. Someone at work told me I should re-arrange the ornaments after Lia goes to bed...but I decided that our Christmas tree is perfect the way it is...and so while I might add a few more ornaments to the top 2/3's, the bottom part will remain bedazzled in Lia fashion!!

The face I love...

2008-12-12T13:46:00.001-05:00

Lia Claus!!

2008-12-11T15:50:00.001-05:00

Rain, rain....go away...

2008-12-10T17:13:00.003-05:00

"It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house all that cold cold wet day"
~The Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss

The Moments that Matter..

2008-12-09T00:00:00.004-05:00

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Three years ago today we saw Lia's face for the first time when we received our referral. After 8 1/2 months of waiting, that moment when she first popped up on the computer screen was one I will never forget. I have tried to put that moment into words, but have failed miserably. How can you express in words the moment your life began? The moment you found your purpose in life? The moment you first knew a mother's love...

She took my breath away the moment I first saw her...and she continues to take my breath away everyday. We are blessed beyond reason or expectation...and so very very thankful.

Stonn Ostri and Comera Amenym to You!!

2008-12-07T10:19:00.005-05:00

Does anyone else have fun with the codes you have to type in to leave comments on some blogs?? I actually have a lot of trouble making them out at times and occasionally have to try two or three times to get them right! That could be why I take particular notice of them...but the fun part is that they contain consonants and vowels in the correct positions to form pseudo-words. The "words" amuse me during the times when I am not frustrated by them! Does anyone else gain entertainment this way? Please tell me it's not just me. I would hate it if it was just me.

We are in a bit of cold snap in our part of the country. We even have a layer of snow on the ground this morning. Mother Nature didn't stop Lia and Jim from "wacking a few balls" (yes...these were Lia's actual words) in the front yard yesterday. As funny as that phrase was...what really got me was what she said after she hit the golf ball. "Yay for Lia! I got a goal!" She is so my daughter. :-)

Of course I replied, "Way to go...two points!"

Peas and carrots, peeps...we go together like peas and carrots.

Camera practice and Mamarazzi outtakes...it's all about the eyes!

2008-12-02T16:39:00.004-05:00

I have been taking an online photography class for the past month or so. Photography like many endeavors is interesting in the fact that the more you learn, the more you learn that you need to learn. (Got that??? Go ahead, read it again...I'll wait...).

So while I am pushing up my sleeves and battening down the hatches for a lifetime of learning, I am THRILLED that I am shooting in manual mode MOST of the time now. I can make basic adjustments...and I can (sometimes) figure out how to manipulate my camera to take an okay shot. It takes me a long time. I still have to start at the beginning and THINK through everything I need to do...but it is getting better...and I will keep practicing. It has been very exciting for me to master even these basic parameters. It's been awhile since I've been a student (:-)) and I forgot how much fun it is to learn something new!!

This month the theme on the Mamarazi blog is {EYES}. I was determined that I would only submit a photo that I took in manual mode. It has been a bit difficult. I have tried on three different occasions to capture the right shot of Lia's beautiful eyes...and well, she has not been the most patient with my slow fumbling around with the settings that ensues. These were a few runner ups. To see the one I chose to submit, click here.

Today she is 4...

2008-12-01T16:11:00.005-05:00

We threw open our door and ushered in the big "4" this morning :-). We have been celebrating for almost a week but the festivities will culminate tonight with a quiet party a trois, with a cake I made myself (chocolate just as requested!).

Happy Birthday sweet girl...we love you more than you could ever know!! You make every day a miracle.

More Longwood Goodness

2008-11-30T18:53:00.005-05:00

Just a few more pictures from our visit last Friday. I could have spent three days there!!

Longwood Gardens ~ Winter

2008-11-28T20:28:00.002-05:00

After our visit to the summer splendor of Longwood Gardens back in August, we vowed to visit again during the Christmas season. Today's unseasonably warm weather and sunny skies (not to mention that my camera is back home and firing away better than ever!) made this a perfect day to do just that. We were not disappointed. It was truly a feast for the eyes...holiday magic around every corner! Like my friend Lisa, I am still fussing about Christmas card photos...and have gone through at least three different versions of this year's warm wishes...but I THINK I may have gotten our shot today! These are just a few of my favorite images from our visit. I actually had a hard time editing myself and keeping this post at a non-yawn length! :-) Enjoy!

So this is love...

2008-11-27T09:49:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a big day for us. Lia had an extended audience with the big jolly guy. Since most people were at home, preparing for Thanksgiving I assume, we had Santa to ourselves for quite some time. He was one of the kindest, sweetest Santas I have ever met...and Lia was equally smitten. She spoke to him in soft, reverent tones, alternating between telling him that she loved him and the occasional Christmas request. She promised him gingerbread men for Christmas Eve...so I better dust off my recipe and get baking!! It was just one of those unplanned moments that turn into lifelong memories...a nice little start to this most special of seasons.

We have so very much to be thankful for today. Wishing you all a most wonderful of Thanksgiving Days with lots of turkey, pumpkin pie...and dreams come true.

(This photo is scanned...thus the blurriness :-))

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-26T14:25:00.001-05:00

"Oh yeah...it was totally me...all me" Monday!

2008-11-24T17:16:00.004-05:00

So here it is...the debut of my version of "Not me Monday". :-).I promised to share pictures from the one time I tried to cut Lia's hair myself. Honestly, I was just trying to even up her bangs and get them out of her eyes. It was a horrible mistake. Apparent after the first snip. I am taking full responsibility...and in fact hope that these photos serve as a public service of sorts to other sleep deprived mothers who might, in a moment of cloudy thinking, feel that they want to just "even up" their child's crazy hair. My message is simple. Put. Down. The. Scissors. Walk away. Take deep breaths and your child to a professional. Yes, we lived to tell about the harrowing hair situation we found ourselves embroiled in back in the spring of 2006...but it did cause days..weeks even...of angst and tears...and a whole lot of embarrassment when I finally got up enough courage to take poor Lia to someone who could fix my large error in judgement.

Here she is...so proud of feeding herself...and darling despite how badly I botched her little "trim"!

Look at her...so innocent and happy...with no idea of the "situation" going on with her hair...

And finally, one of my favorite pictures from July 2006...the bangs had been fixed and were starting to grow in...the only time Lia has ever rocked bangs...gosh she looks cute with them!!

So there you go...a little coming clean for me...a little Monday amusement for you all!! Hope it's been a good one!!

If nothing else...I amuse myself...

2008-11-22T13:09:00.005-05:00

I am not the craftiest of people. While I do consider myself creative...words like stitch, pattern, glue gun...make my blood run cold...

And so you can imagine how thrilled I am with this centerpiece of party favors I crafted for Lia's brithday party tomorrow afternoon (with 14 of her closest school friends...good times...good times...and I am NOT even being sarcastic at all). It is constructed with styrofoam, felt and spray paint...and while a glue gun was not used...I did use crafter's glue .

While this happy little gobbler makes me smile everytime I pass by...I am pretty sure I heard Jim guffaw....oh, how well he knows me and my...ahem...abilities...

Right back at 'ya, girlie...right back at 'ya...

2008-11-21T17:09:00.001-05:00

Just because...

2008-11-20T20:21:00.007-05:00

Just because my camera is still broken. (I have slipped a few photos in that I took with a generously loaned camera...but I REALLY want my own back! I know, I know...a little cheese with that whine, please....)

Just because parenting has been a challenge with our determined gal this past week...and it's nice to reflect on her sweet side.

Just because it's good for me to remember that she entered our lives as an independent, spirited girl...and it makes perfect sense that it IS who she still is...and her Mama needs to embrace that and be proud!

Just because these photos show how HAPPY doing things for herself makes her.

Just because, even though I am dead tired, worn out...and my child, sleeping like an angel in her bed right now, nearly brought her Dad and I to our knees last night...so determined was she...she is the greatest blessing to us both and we love her more than words could possibly say.

In the first photo, I caught her in the act of removing her socks and shoes...something she did with amazing speed and agility for the first year we had her. She was a shoe Houdini and could kick those shoes off in a split second, no matter how hard I tried to foil her plot. We, of course, finally gave up and just began removing her shoes in the car or in restaurants. Now that I know her inside and out, I am certain Lia was thrilled that we finally got on board with her plan. We were slow learners, novices you know...but we catch on a lot quicker these days. She has trained us well.

In the second photo if you can't tell...she is attempting to put her sock back on. She would work and work...and never get frustrated...until she learned how to take them off...and put them back on. It was impressive. But what really gets me about this photo is how stinkin' proud and happy she is with herself. May I always (or at least most of the time) give her the space and support from the sidelines (you know, staying out of her way and all)that she needs to allow her to bloom. To do things in her own time. To dance to the beat of her own drummer. To be herself.

By the way...these pictures were taken when we had only been home a few weeks. Lia was almost 15 months old. How I miss that reverse mullet she sported those first months...she was all business in the back (shaved)...with a little fun in the front. She refused to keep a barrette in her hair and the bangs in her eyes drove me so crazy that I attempted to trim them myself one sleep deprived afternoon. I will share the devastating results of THAT rookie mistake another day. Needless to say, I haven't picked up scissors around hair since. Happy weekend to you all!

She's a Superstar!!!

2008-11-15T16:30:00.001-05:00

(If you look closely...you might notice I am in this shot too!! :-))

Wordless Wednesday (He made me do it!)

2008-11-12T10:37:00.001-05:00

Oh yeah...there's more...so many more....

2008-11-11T17:08:00.003-05:00

More lovlies taken by Debbie...

Cooking with Kate...

2008-11-09T15:32:00.004-05:00

Bwah ha hahahahahahahah!!! Can you hear me laughing about the title of this post??? Because I am...totally tongue in cheek since I don't do much in the cooking department these days...BUT I do have a great cookie recipe I thought I would share!!!

My first job after graduating from college was as a nanny to cousins. I still recall those days with Lee Grace and Jack with fondness...sweet children, lucky nanny...not a bad gig, I have to say. I got a bonus with their silver tongued, witty, excellent cook of a grandma. Very often she would show up with warm, freshly baked cookies...and while I haven't mastered her particularly high level of culinary genius...this recipe, one of the regulars on her list, is pretty hard to mess up! It is a great way to use over-ripe bananas...which is exactly what Lia and I did today. Grandma Eleanor...we did you proud!! :-)

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup shortening (I use butter flavored cri*sco)
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 3/4 cups rolled oats
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2-3 medium bananas)
1/2 cup chopped nuts, raisins...or our favorite, chocolate chips

Heat oven to 400. Place all ingredients in mixing bowl. Beat until well blended. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough about 1 1/2" apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar while still warm.

yield: 4 dozen cookies

Physics for the pre-school set!!

2008-11-08T20:23:00.006-05:00

Recently we visited the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia with some of our adoption friends. Since my camera is in the shop, we took our point and shoot along, hoping for the best. It didn't go well, picture wise...the batteries died after only a few shots...but since I liked these two I thought I would post them.

The first area we visited was a miniature water park...truly a child's dream come true. You can't see it in the picture, but Lia had a little toy boat. She and Jim were using air currents to float the boat to each other. After awhile, Lia really got the hang of it and did a great job of aiming her air in the right direction to make the boat move where she wanted it to go!! A little science wrapped in a lot of fun...nice!!!

This was a pretend pond. Lia could make sounds by jumping from lily pad to lily pad...but I think her favorite part was the stuffed duck, complete with plastic eggs, keeping watch from the side of the pond!

And the Winners Are...

2008-11-08T14:11:00.007-05:00

Okay...the first La Vida Lia Giveaway has come to a close!!! I wish I could give you ALL a subscription to Family Fun Magazine...but since I can't...I used Random.org to pick two numbers for me this morning. My two lucky numbers were 17 and 26...which means...Deb and Jen (seriously...random.org...completely random!)...you will soon be receiving a subscription to one of my favorite magazines!!! May you read it in good health...and have lots of fun!! Thank you all for playing along!!

Update: Jen has decided to decline her prize and would like to pay it forward. Because I love her dearly, I went back to trusty random.org and chose a third winning number (Really, Jen...you are not making my life difficult...no really, I promise....NOT. AT. ALL!!!)...and this time around random.org came up with number 15...which is Bridget!!! I am thrilled, AGAIN to share this magazine with the sweet mom of one of the cutest little girls around...darling Lucy!! It looks like the Minneapolis Moms are feeling the La Vida Lia love today!!!

Congratulations to Deb and Bridget...and Jen...please let the Pay it Forward go now...Please...

Fall Foliage...Finally!!

2008-11-07T16:42:00.001-05:00

Well...yeah...the look says it all...

2008-11-04T18:38:00.012-05:00

Update: It has come to my attention that this picture was taken by Jen, using Lisa's camera. Jen has admitted that she instigated Jim to "do something funny". You don't have to ask a goofy person twice...

Also...The first La Vida Lia Giveaway is still open!!! To enter just leave a comment on the post below! I would love to hear from you!

When Lia was about 16 months old, home for only two of those months, we enrolled in a Mommy and me music class. While I believed it would be beneficial for Lia of course...I honestly enrolled us because my friends were enrolled. In those early days as a mom, I am not ashamed to admit, I was overwhelmed. In over my head. Living upside down. It was the best thing ever...don't get me wrong...but it was all so new. It took me longer than I anticipated to find my sea legs. And so that one hour of music class a week was like a beacon of light. And while there was not a lot of adult conversation taking place...just being in the same room as other adults did me a world of good. It made me so happy, I occasionally broke my own golden rule (and my husband's fervent pleas) and sang out loud. I knew right from the start that any singing out loud I may do could be a source of embarrassment to Lia. I remember telling her on the way to music class one bright Friday morning that Mommy doesn't have the capacity to sing like others...that I had inherited my singing talent from my much loved, hard working, good natured but musically disinclined grandfather who often mentioned something about rats needing to be killed before launching into song. I seriously explained that while she might feel the need to hide her head in shame...or even run from the building, she should give Mommy a chance...throw caution to the wind, have some fun...and frankly buckle her seat belt...because well, it was just the start of what is no doubt going to be a long, bumpy life of parental embarrassment.

As you may or may not know, goofy begets goofy...and I married a man that can top my goofy any day with one hand tied behind his back (although just for the record he CAN carry a tune...).

Most days Lia fits right in. She can get down, funny face, bathroom humor, prat fall, funny rhyme, and knock knock joke circles around both of her parents. But as she gets older, I am... sadly... starting to see signs of...well...exasperation with our antics.

This picture was taken during our recent visit to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. My friend Lisa snapped this gem of my homies on the carousel. I think the look on Lia's face (and well...Jim's too) says it all.

Long, bumpy ride...and it's only just begun... :-)

"Off with her head!", camera woes and a giveaway...

2008-11-01T18:19:00.006-04:00

"Your way? All ways here are my ways!" ~ Queen of Hearts, Alice in Wonderland

No matter whose way it was, I think it is safe to say that Halloween 2008 was a huge success. We began our evening with a neighborhood dinner and then the dads escorted the trick or treaters while the moms stayed home to pass out the loot! Lia made it half way around the circle... to our house...and then called it quits to help me pass out the candy. She had a lot of fun...and is already devising her costume for next year!

Ahh...but with such happy times comes the news that my beloved camera is sick. Yes, tragic, I know! I was hoping it would be a quick fix, but it appears that it will take about two weeks before that hot little number is back in my loving hands. I adored it just a little more after my futile attempts to snap my little queenie in her holiday garb with my old point and shoot this afternoon....frustrating to say the least...

Which brings me around to the final point of interest in this multi-taskng post (and really the most fun!). Since I will not be snapping many new photos for a few weeks, I thought it would be a good time to start off the season of good cheer with the very first "La vida Lia Giveaway"! I have posted a few projects and ideas that I have gotten from Family Fun magazine. Each issue is full of fabulous ideas for kid friendly crafts and projects of all sorts. I can't say enough about how much I love this magazine...and so I have decided to give away two subscriptions to Family Fun! To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. If you do not have a blogger ID, please leave your e-mail as well so that I can contact you if you win! You will also need to provide me with your snail mail address so that I know where to have the magazine sent. I will keep the contest running through November 7th. The winners will be drawn and posted (always better than drawn and quartered!) on November 8th!

If you read my blog and have never posted, I would love for you to leave a comment and tell me a little about yourself...and if you regularly leave comments, don't shy away from the contest...I would be thrilled to share something I love with you!! Thanks for playing...and Good Luck!!