Our First Mother's Day!

Hi all,

Well, we have celebrated our first Mother's Day as Mom and Daughter, and it was all that I hoped it would be. We visited Gram for lunch, and then spent the day at the farm....always a GREAT time. We were able to see Jason's Mom last night, and hope to see her tomorrow. She loved her scrapbook, and it is a work in progress, so it is definitely going to grow!

Of course, Jason's presence was SORELY missed - as it is every day, but honestly, I feel like every day is Mother's Day - I am so blessed to have this precious little girl as my own!!!!!!

Not sure if I told you that CAITLIN IS A CANADIAN!!!!! We received her citizenship last month! Last hurdle prior to the 12 month SW visit!!!!

Now that the weather is nicer, we are spending SO much time outside - Caitlin loves to play outside! She has a sandbox, slide, wagon, and other assorted toys in the back yard, so that keeps her quite busy! She loves to help her Mommy as well - raking, etc.

Hope all is well, and happy MD to all - I will post pics later.
XOXO

April 2007

Hi all,

I am really going to try to post here more often.....I hear every once in a while that someone has checked to see if there are any updates.....

April was a fairly good month...Caitlin is really starting to talk up a storm. She labels EVERYTHING, and wants to know the names of new things when she encounters them. I know that some of her words are only recognizable to me, and Grammie, but we still think that she is a genius!

Easter was fun - church, of course - the sermon was wonderful. I am really getting a lot out of it, and beginning to realize that there must be a reason that Jason was taken from us, and we will discover what that is some day. We also had an easter egg hunt at Auntie Jen's - pics attached!

We were at Grammie and Grampie's on Good Friday with Uncle Cam, Aunt Lucie, Neil and Melissa - good fun, as always!

We were able to spend a week at Grammie and Grampie's after Grammie's knee replacement (finally)! - she is doing great, by the way! Caitlin and I spent a lot of time outside - she would rather be outside, even in the rain!

What we initially called "snaggletooth" has turned into a molar, and 3 others have joined it, along with 2 eye teeth in the last 6 weeks - quite a few sleepless nights for Mommy!!!!

Time is passing too quickly - in no time, I will have to go back to work, and she will continue to grow up - before I know it, she will be in school!

I am still trying to scrapbook my darling daughter - time can be an issue, but it is important to me.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Marie and Caitlin XOXO

PICS

Daddy's Memorial

Saturday, August 19, we will be holding a celebration of life for Caitlin's daddy. So the last week has been pretty consumed by the preparations. Caitlin is doing really well.......she is just a joy! She is always smiling and happy, except when she needs food, sleep, or drink. She is really starting to warm up to her extended family, which makes Mommy happy! She will soon know how much everyone adores her.

Thanks to everyone who has helped out in the last few weeks - you know who you are!!!! It is quite an adjustment getting used to bringing a little one everywhere you go, but she is just such a wonderful little girl that any difficulty is quickly outweighed by her gorgeous smile!

Enjoy the pics.....thanks to Uncle Dunc for the swing!!!!!

Home at Last!

Thank you to all who have taken the time to follow our journey and post such supportive comments. I will cherish each and every one of them, and will be sure that Caitlin knows about them, and the people that loved her so much.

I wish that I could say that the last couple of weeks were easy, but things are slowly starting to settle down. Caitlin is such a joy - she is filled with her Daddy's fun loving spirit. We feel him smiling on us all the time.

Mommie and Caitlin

Last Night in China

Hip Hip Hooray!

We are so happy to be heading back to our loved ones......we have missed you all so much. This evening we had a Goodbye China party at a local restaurant. The girls were all presented with wall hangings that contained their Chinese names and a picture - they were gifts from FOI and are very lovely. We then spent the next hour or so packing - unbelieveably we fit all of the stuff into our suitcases (I can't lift them though!!!!)

We cannot wait to get home - it has been a long trip, and we are looking forward to some normalcy.

Last goodbye from China, and see you soon!

Beijing Day 5

Hi all,

Today the group went to Tiannamen Square and the Forbidden City - we opted out, as it is a 2 km walk, with no shade, and a lot of steps. We thought that it was best to make sure that we had enough rest for the long trip tomorrow - it is going to be difficult enough without being exhausted on top of it all! We had a leisurely breakfast, and then headed over to the market across the street. I have discovered a love of jasmine tea, so I bought some to bring home. It is loose tea, so I will have to buy something to steep it in, or strain it through. Dad has become the watch guy - he does not have enough arms to put all of the watches that he has bought on! He has purchased a couple that are really good knock offs - they are automatic "Rolexes", and look very authentic. Mom, can you believe that Dad can actually wear these watches? He has had one on for about 5 days, and it is still ticking!!!!!!

We might head to the pool this aft - we are just going to play it by ear. I may post later today, but if not, we will see you all at home!!!!

Lots of love from China,

Dad, Marie, and Caitlin

Beijing Day 4

What can you say about the saddest day in your life??? Had to go out today to keep my mind off the realities of life, so Dad and I went shopping with the group. Sorry that you were unable to get in touch with us - we just got back. The excursion lasted all day. We are staying in this evening, other than to go to the hotel restaurant for dinner.

This morning we went to the silk factory, and learned about the production of silk. There were many beautiful things there......you will see some when we get home. Only two days to go!!!!! Too many for sure.

For lunch we went to a "minority" restaurant - the majority of Chinese people are Mandarin, but there are 56 different ethnic groups in China. This restaurant was run by one of them. After lunch we went to the Pearl Market, where there were pearls for sale as well as other items. We bought a new bag for all of our purchases.

Can't wait to get home......so that you can all see the most beautiful, smart, charming and stubborn girl iin the world. My heart is so filled with love for her, and I know that you will all feel the same. I know that you all know how important this journey was to all of us, especially her Daddy, and I know that she will receive all the love that you have to share. She is so precious.

With love and tears from China,

Grampie, Mommie and baby girl.

Beijing Day 3

Hi all,

Wow, does it ever rain hard in Beijing!!!!! This morning we took the babies for medical exams at a clinic licensed to perform them for immigration. I am happy to report that Caitlin is normal developmentally (I think that she is gifted, of course!!!), although somewhat small for her age. She is in the 50th % for height, and the 10th % for weight. That won't last long considering the amount of food that she packs away in a day!!!!!! But the doctor was very pleased with her, and her bonding as well. Whew!!! That means that she is now cleared to come to Canada!!!!!

We then went shopping at an indoor market. The standard practice there is to barter.....they give you a price, and then you tell them what you want to pay for it. Of course it is in Yuan, so it is hard to remember exactly what you are paying, but things are really cheap in comparison to Canada. I got a cute pair of chinese slippers for Caitlin for 20 yuan (that is about $2 - and they are silk!!!) Dad was hilarious bartering......he picked up a few trinkets too.

This evening we went to a Chinese acrobat show - it was incredible! The children that are performing range from 6 - 18, but most appear to be about 10. Talk about flexible! Caitlin loved it, she was smiling and dancing through most of it.

For some reason, I can't post pics tonight, but will tomorrow. Love you and miss you all......

Grampie, Mommie, and Caitlin!