Summer Time, Strawberries & The Lake

What a fun week we've had!!


First on Thursday we went to the local strawberry patch to pick fresh strawberries. Anne Marie loves strawberries, and there is just something different about fresh ones! Our friend Avery and Anne Marie have matching strawberry outfits, and we thought it would be cute to take their pictures out in the fields. At first she wasn't sure about it (see the picture of her crying) But after a while she was having a great time, eating strawberries, and as you can see by some of the pictures, getting them ALL OVER her outfit. (Thank heaven for Totally Toddler stain spray -- if you don't have it -- GO GET IT!!!!)










This holiday weekend (Friday & Saturday) we spent the night at our friends house who live near a nice lake. We cooked out, played games, and went to the lake. We weren't sure how Anne Marie would do @ the lake. As a lot of you know, she was afraid of baths for a long time, and had to slowly get into her little blow up pool the first 2 times we got it out. We were shocked and amazed at how much fun this child had. She wasn't afraid - not only not afraid, she made me afraid at how brave she was. She dunked her head, walked alone right out into the water, and let her dad toss her all around.






We can not wait until our beach trip this fall, I just hope she enjoys the beach as much as she did the lake. Mike and I enjoy the beach more than almost any other place on earth, so we're excited to see her enjoy water & the outdoors so much!!


I just love summer months and am so glad that we can finally enjoy all our little vacations with Anne Marie. I remember sitting at the beach last summer thinking how wonderful it would be to have her with us. I think I enjoyed the lake this weekend more than I ever have!


Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie

What a Smart Little Girl!

Now, I will say up front - I know I know -- every parent says that! But, we really have seen a smart little girl show off this week!!

First, she's learning to eat with her own fork. Some times she will NOT eat unless she can use her fork. Now, for those of you who worry, it's a plastic fork! She has a hard time getting the food on there, but when she does (or when mom or dad helps her) she gets so excited.

Second, we've been trying sign language for weeks now. We've worked the longest on "more", also tried "please" and most recent "thank-you". Well, please actually came first. Wow! Then all the sudden today -- MORE!!! She only uses her finger separately when she signs more. She hasn't caught on that you put your fingers together, but she does it every time now, so there is no doubt that's what she's saying. Now you might ask, what is she signing more for?? Here's where you can call me a bad mother: french fries!! We're still working on thank-you -- we've got it once, but I didn't happen to have the camera that time.

We just can't believe how smart this little child is, it seems she's growing up right before our eyes! It makes me very proud and excited, but also, sad that it's happening so quickly!

When we stop to think about it, Anne Marie has only been home with us for a little over 3 months now. It's amazing to us how far she has come since that first day we met her in that loud, hot, zoo-like room in Nanchang, China. This little girl who was so shy, so quiet, so withdrawn has blossomed into a happy, vibrant, talkative, opinionated (yes!!) SMART little girl!

Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie

Wanted! Tissue Bandit....2nd Offence!!

Well, she's at it again. Let me tell you, a one year old can get into a mess before you can say "stay right here & play with your toys while I go to the bathroom."

That's all I did -- go to the bathroom! I left her @ her toy box in the living room. We have mostly "baby-proofed" the living room, no tables, just soft ottomans, outlet plugs, locks on doors and so on... but.... I never thought about a box of tissue....

At this point I just laughed out loud, you can't help but do so! As long as it doesn't hurt her, or break something, I have to laugh. This will make great scrapbook page, or at least something to laugh at with her later in life!

Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie

Wonderful Weekend

Besides walking for a Pregnancy help center this Saturday, we spent some time with "Nana" (my mom). Anne Marie hasn't been up to her house in a few weeks, so we went to help my mom plan out our Mother's Day lunch she was going to have at her house.

It was such a beautiful day outside that we spent sometime outside taking pictures and swinging on the new swing she bought for the granddaughters. Anne Marie loves being outside!

Anne Marie swinging @ Nana's house. She LOVES it!!

Anne Marie by the flowers @ Nana's house - I think this one is "frame-worthy".

Anne Marie & "Nana"

My mom decided that it would be a good idea if we all got together at her house to have a Mother's Day Lunch so that all the mothers could spend their day together instead of traveling from house to house visiting each other.

Mother's Day - we could not get her and Mike and I to smile & look @ the camera all at the same time, so this was the best we could do. It's funny how hard it really is to get 2 adults and a 1yr old to smile and look at the camera all at the same time!!


My mom, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother, Mike, myself and Anne Marie all spend mother's day at my moms eating, talking, eating, sharing pictures, eating, taking pictures, and oh did I say eating? Everyone brought a dish (or 2) and there was some great food !! Grandma "H" was feeling under the weather, so we missed her! :o( We hope you feel better Grandma "H" !!!

I just love having these little gatherings. I love visiting with everyone, and I would never have thought a small little get together could mean so much, but it was the best mother's day ever!!

I hope you all had a wonderful mother's day!!

Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie

Walk for a Cause

Today, Aunt Ashley, cousin Naomi, Mike, myself & Anne Marie all walked with my mom to help raise money for the local Pregnancy Help Center for Women. My mom and a friend signed up to raise money by walking & this year we decided to not only help by donation, but by walking with her. I'd love to make it an annual tradition.

Our local center helps pregnant women with health needs & support during their pregnancy. I've always thought this is a wonderful idea, but never has it felt so close to my heart as this year. To think that maybe it might help one women decide to go through with their pregnancy and maybe even help create a "forever family" by adoption.

I was so glad we walked today and it was a nice little "work-out" -- which I am in desperate need of!!!! (haa)



Me, Anne Marie, Mom, Aunt Ashley, & Cousin Naomi - ready to walk -- Mike's taking our picture!


As it is the Saturday before mother's day, I was thinking how awesome it is that this is my very 1st mother's day -- with Anne Marie actually in my arms anyway. I can not put into words what I feel when I look at her. It's just amazing to watch this sweet child experience new things, say new words, explore her new world, share her sweet smile, and grab onto me with the understanding that I am here to care for her! My heart is so full, and I'm one of the luckiest mothers on earth that I am able to have this beautiful child in my life. I am so blessed that I am able to stay home with her and experience every single moment of every day.

Happy Mother's day to my Mom, Ginny (my mother-in-law), and all the NEW mothers out there, all waiting mothers - you're in our prayers, and all the other mothers that have been taking care of those little ones for years!! Enjoy a wonderful day tomorrow - it's well deserved.


Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie

Fun @ Home

Last week was just a basic week at home. She had a couple days where she has a fairly high fever due to shots she had the week before. It's funny, but the Doctor told us she might have a high fever reaction about a week after the shots -- and she did!! 102! for 2 days!!

But after that was over we had fun in the sun & playing around.. here are some fun pictures of our week!

Fun in the pool w/ cousin Naomi.

Tipping over her toy basket & climbing in it!

What a cutie in her rocking chair!!

Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie