Happy New Year

We're slowly downloading the hundreds of pictures from the holidays and I will post photos ASAP. Our trip was really fun and really exhausting. Beatrice loved flying, loves her cousins and all her family, and loved Christmas. Anthony and I were most proud of how able she is to share and cooperate with other kids, skills we can talk about but don't get to foster on a daily basis since she's an only child. Bossy Betty has lost her edge, in a really good way, and I'm amazed at how well she can put her own agenda on hold and enjoy some else's. Clearly the time she has spent with Jillian and now Ethan is paying off. She is enjoying and savoring every present. Santa came through with several Barney movies. The many books she received are her stated favorite and she is still spending loads of time every day with her new washing machine/ironing board. My brother Paul also got her an e-reader electronic kiddie-kindle type thing that she's quite taken with as well and today I had to cover the screen of it to get a kiss goodbye. And so it begins with an electronic childhood.....We returned to a good amount of snow and B. immediately wanted to build a snowman. She had a blast playing in the yard for a couple afternoons but, thanks to a warm weekend, the "no-man" went from beheaded to thin to "uh-oh...no-man all gone!" We're anxiously awaiting another good storm so he can come back again. Until then, 2011 is underway, school/work is back in session, and it's back to the normalcy, schedules, stresses, and the moments of wonder that each day in our home brings.

before we head out to the airport for FLA

I just saw Martha's photos from last night and they were awesome. I had to post these because people always tell us how "happy" Beatrice looks and is. Here is proof that yesterday she was even happy getting her temperature taken, and the expression in the other ones just screams pure joy and excitement, and love. Merry Christmas everyone! Or, as B. is saying lately "Merry Christian!"

A Big Kickoff to the Holidays: Rachel Visits

Beatrice woke up at 4 a.m. this morning, so excited for the day. Fortunately, she went back to sleep, but the whole morning was geared toward Rachel's arrival( along with her mom and cousin.) The girls did not disappoint: playing together, imitating each other, giggling, screaming, singing, making cookies, eating ice cream and sharing lots of hugs and kisses. Honestly, for me, the Christmas season has now begun. Having Rachel here, very likely the closest to a "family member" of B's that we'll ever get, seeing them together knowing they shared nearly a year of life that is a mystery to the rest of us, was the best gift I could get, or give her. Thank you so much Martha (and incredibly patient and sweet Jake!) for making the trip down and spending the afternoon/evening on Farrows Street. We hope this is a yearly event...at least!

How To Fill A Day:

Start with some jumping rope,

Ride the train to Florida, with your dog on your leash,

Feed your baby her milk,

Take a turn driving a schoolbus,

Look out the window and scream wildly about the light covering of "no" everywhere,

Do a little yoga,

Blow out the candle on your birthday cake,

Head to the market (but quickly return because "market not open, it closed, closed, closed!")

Walk in the shoes of a red riding hood princess,

Go on the seesaw,

Grab your boat and go fishin',

Cover yourself in unburied treasure

End the day with some ice cream,

Reflect on it all, and smile.......

16 Days 'Til Rachel!

And this girl can hardly wait! Rachel's "sister" from Bac Ninh is coming out east from California again and is joining us for part of a day before we leave for Florida. We are so happy they are coming.

M: Who is coming to visit before we leave for Florida?

B: Rachel!

M: What are you going to do with Rachel at our house?

B: Play, play, play, write

M: What are you going to eat?

B: Joe-joes, cereal, rice, edamame, pho, ice cream.. no I want cookies please Mama!

M: When you watch Rachel on the computer (blog), what are your favorite things you see her do?

B: Rachel cooking pumpkin pie, Rachel say prayers, jumping movie, read Go Dog Go....

M: Are you going to be so happy when you see Rachel?

B: Yeah, happy . I'm crying happy. Yeah. No, I not crying no more. All done.