September Update

The kitchen is coming along and just about finished!! We are just waiting for the backsplash to be finished. It has been so nice to have our place almost back to normal. Jordyn seems to be enjoying kindergarten and is starting to adjust. It took a few weeks but she is starting to get into the swing of things. Zoe is still not so thrilled with her situation but it is getting better. At the end of the day Zoe is all over Jordyn- sitting on top of her, rolling on her bed, kissing her, etc... Meanwhile a bunch of us are planning a night in NYC and I cannot wait!!! Spa- dinner- dancing- not that I don't love every minute with my family but a few hours away is going to be a nice mini vacation!!

One Year Ago....

a beautiful baby girl was placed in our arms in the civil affairs office in downtown Nanchang. Zoe was so scared and screaming very loudly. Today she is a bundle of energy who loves to give all of us hugs and kisses. It is amazing to see such a huge transformation as the year has progressed.

Kitchen so far...

Here is some of the transition.

Moving right along

A lot has been going on. I do not recommend anybody redo a kitchen with two small children right before school starts and the parent who is a teacher is going back to work as well. This does not make for a very calm transition for anyone. There are many things that have happened in the past few weeks while we have been living amongst boxes, cabinets and workmen. Zoe got her first haircut- pics to follow - and believe it or not Jordyn has started kindergarten. I find it amazing we have a daughter in elementary school when I am only just 18 years old. I feel like she has grown up so much in a week. She takes the bus both ways and is so independent. Zoe has not been happy with her current situation at daycare and continues to make that clear every morning I drop her off. I guess she found it more fun hanging out with the old lady at the beach all day. Now that things are finally starting to calm down I hope to post more. Don't be fooled we still aren't done- hopefully everything will be completed by this weekend. I also wanted to add Jordyn started Chinese school this past weekend ( I did as well) . She loved it and finds it amazing that I also have a class with a teacher. Those of you who know me - know I took Spanish for over 6 years and can only really speak it if I am drinking. This should be very interesting.

Construction continued

Things here are getting a little better. A lot of the work has been done- cabinets are starting to go in- that's a good sign, right? Things are going in- not coming out. Hopefully by the end of next week- we'll have fridge.

our life has been turned upside down

There are boxes throughout our living room, dishes in our closet and china in our entertainment center. We are hoping our kitchen is going to get started very soon. When the men delivered the cabinets today they thought there were two that were not going to fit into the apartment. One fit no problem, the other was a bit of a problem. The men insisted it was not going to fit through the doorway, they were right. I had to have the door removed but if that didn't happen, I swear I was going to Vaseline or K-Y the door. I was not having these men leave without having this last cabinet in the house. Anyway it looks like we have Home Depot in our house right now. Zoe is not very happy about it. I think I'm going to stay at my parents when the work starts.
On another topic I don't know if anyone is up on High School Musical but tonight was the big #2. Jordyn was very excited and could not wait to watch it. This must be the equivalent of how I feel about the Bourne movies.

Shock and Awe

I could not have done this without the help of two wonderful ladies at my beach club- Susie and Nikki. I can't believe I actually finished it. Zoe loves it!! She keeps walking around holding it. Jordyn didn't want one, she really only likes cotton.

Meanwhile, next week our cabinets are supposed to be delivered. We are gutting our kitchen and I have a stomach ache just thinking about it. I already had an issue with the cabinet people because of incompetence- so I hope they really do not mess up this order. Oh well- we like to keep it interesting around here.

I love Summer

This is really my favorite time of year- it couldn't have anything to do with not working right now- could it? I love being able to hang out with my friends and family. I love being on the beach with Zoe every day and bringing her to the pool. I think it is so great that she wants to try to swim, especially after she sees the bigger kids jumping in and doing it. Zoe actually has another ear infection right now ( her second one) which may be why she was so unhappy this weekend. So I have been trying to keep her head out of the water. I have found a wonderful way for her to take her meds though- in Mango juice from Trader Joe's. I put the Amoxicillan in that and there are no complaints.
Here are some more recent pics- enjoy!

The Telephone Call One Year Ago

Last year on this day I sat at the beach with Darrin and Amy and we waited for our phones to ring. Dave was at work, where he waited to hear from me. The referral phone calls are always so exciting. We were told we had a beautiful baby girl waiting for us in Shangrao in the Jiangxi province. Her name was Cha Wan and she was born in October. We are so happy we have truly been blessed with such sweet,funny,healthy,adorable daughters. Zoe runs after Jordyn and wants to be just like her big sister. She speaks in almost complete sentences, loves to color and has such a sweet way about her.

This past weekend we went up to Cape Cod to visit with Dave's cousins. They just opened a wonderful little sandwich shop in a town called Hull. It is on the beach and called Hull's Kitchen. The food is great and you can play some games on the porch while you eat. If anyone is in that area- please check it out. The owners are some very cool people.

The girls had a great time visiting although I have learned that Zoe does not travel as well as her big sister. She did not want to sleep there and it was very upsetting to hear her cry the way she did. The second night was much better than the first.

I can't believe Jordyn is going to be 5

My heart can just burst when I look over at Jordyn and see the beautiful girl she is becoming. She is funny, kind, goofy and just loves to laugh all the time. ( I'm not just saying that because I'm he Mom- although that helps, I'm sure) Jordyn will be 5 on Wednesday and we had a party the other day in honor of her birthday. I'll be honest whenever one of my children now has a special occasion, I start to get very sad about the children that are still in the orphanages. I start to think how it sucks that they are having a birthday and what if nobody sings to them or acknowledges it. I think about the long wait to adopt in China and in some other countries where that isn't even possible ( like Cambodia) and all the children that are just there and waiting for something good to happen.- Sorry to be so deep- I just can't help it sometimes.
Jordyn has discovered Junie B. Jones and webkins- she got some great gifts and loved every minute of her party.
Zoe- on another note loves learning how to swim, loves her big sister - JuJu and is a delight to be with- she has such a wonderful personality- Don't get me wrong, I am TIRED!! I often feel like a cook just taking orders as well as a mediator- but it is a lot of fun.
On another note- I have started to knit again -wait until you see the sweater I have made for Zoe- everyone will be amazed and talking about it. I may make news!!
The other night I took Zoe to the dentist ( where I was told both of our girls will need braces- nice- no super sweet sixteen here) Zoe screamed the whole time but came out to see Jordyn with a kiss and a hug and to show her, the new toothbrush she got- too cute!!

Love the summer!!!

Enjoy the pics!!! Schools out, how excited am I ???????? I love my job- this is one of the top 5 reasons!! I have the summer to be with my children. Also, heard good news today- one of the crappy teachers at Jordyn's school has been placed in pre-k so she won't have a chance of getting her in kindergarten next year. Good news!!!

FCC Weekend

I decided to take Jordyn on an FCC camp weekend. It was fantastic. The people who put it all together get a big kudos! It was awesome. There were plenty of activities for the children. They have camp all Saturday morning and they also have activities for the adults. Dr. Jane Aronson was there and spoke to us. I have heard her speak before, but I found her to be particularly interesting this time. I would guess it was because we spoke about issues we would deal with as the children get older and not really medical issues. They also had a panel from Also Known As ( older Korean adoptees) that was also very interesting.

Jordyn had a wonderful time and we shared a bunk with two really nice women and their daughters. The kids were able to take pony rides, do yoga, dance, Chinese brush painting, and other activities. My only wish was for electric in the bunk. I am really not a primadonna but a little light would have been a big help-also so Jordyn wouldn't have to sleep with me in my sleeping bag. I am definately going to go back next year and I think it is a wonderful thing for the kids to have a weekend like this. I also really just enjoyed being on a nice "nature" retreat with Jordyn. It's nice when there are no outside distractions- no tv, no phone, no computer.

June 10

It has been a very eventful week! Our first baby graduated!!!!( I know it's only preschool). I have to say I cried. I feel like I was able to keep her somewhat sheltered and now, I can't. Once they go into Kindergarten and they are in school with the "older" kids - they hear everything. I have to brag -last year when Jordyn was up on stage with the 3 year old class for their moving up ceremony all she did was scratch herself and barely sing- this year singing, dancing, shaking and having a great time and it truly was so wonderful to see her not have that same anxiety. All of the children did such a great job, they sang Frank Sinatra and songs from Hairspray. The finale was We Go Together from Grease. I really do understand now when people say enjoy every minute because it goes by so fast. Soon- she'll be rolling her eyes at me and telling me how she doesn't want to walk next to me when we're in public.

I did treat Jordyn to a manicure and pedicure the night before the big event. She was in heaven sitting next to me in one of those big chairs- her feet didn't even reach. I have to say that was one of the happiest moments I have ever witness her have. ( She won't be getting another pedicure until the next graduation).

We also took a trip down to Coney Island this weekend. Zoe loved the aquarium and it is really a blast to watch her with Jordyn looking at everything. The big difference between our two girls is Jordyn will never leave your side when we are out- Zoe would not only walk away if she could but would be happy to be in the show with the sea lions if possible. And I don't mean feeding them- I mean getting in the water with them.

On a different note - I'm a big fan of Kathy Griffen and am so happy her new season started. Love -My Life on the D-list. Also-any bets on The Sopranos this evening? I think they off Carmella and possibly Meadow- Tony goes into hiding so the show can always start again. Just my prediction, am curious what others think.