Black and White Wednesday - "One year ago today......"

.....this

.....was the little face we saw for the first time!

On August 10th, 2009, our little Milana.....

....finally became ours!!

What a difference a year can make.



Each day she blossoms more....like a flower.



And we discovery another petal.



As everything she was meant to be....

... comes to life.

And blooms!!!

Before our very eyes!

For more photography inspiration and fun, click here to join Lisa at The Long Road to China.

(We just got back from a six day trip for a family re-union so I'll be catching up for the next little while.)

Black and White Wednesday - "What a difference a year can make"

One year ago today - we saw this face for the first time.

(Milana's referral picture)

And today........

Just look at her!

This is the face that can take my breath away

(and sometimes knock that very breath out of me)!

;)

She certainly has added a lot of spice and laughter to our little family!

The icing on the cake.


Click on the button to join Lisa and all for some great photography!

What a difference.....6 months has made !!

I can hardly believe where we were 6 months ago today.

We had waited so long for Dahlia's little sister, her mei mei. And when I look at this picture of her in Daddy's arms for the first time, my heart hurts. For her. That poor sweet child was so tramatized.

We all were a little bit. Despite my attempt at trying to look happy and normal - Milana had shut down. And poor Dahlia wasn't far behind.

(and yes....that really is me in a........not black piece of clothing. I know, it's shocking. But I digress.)


Poor, sweet thing.

And now, just look at her - 6 months later.

I blew this one up 'cause I want to remember even the spittle drooling down her mouth.

And her schnobbely nose.

I just love that face!

Milana has come so far and our family is so much richer and happier (and crazier) with her in it!

This is Milana (Banana) today!

Keep going, sweet one. You've only just begun.

How is it that God chose us to be your family? We don't know....but we thank Him for you.

We love you Milana!

Bring on the candy........

...gimme those little mouse ears.....hmm....how does this work?
....oh, I can't believe I really have a tail......

....what? I'm just doing my favorite thing - opening and closing doors (mother's addition - a million times).

OK....here I am.....I'm ready!

Where's the candy?

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

Hey.....wait for me !!

Things are as they should be !

We're settling in and getting back to our regular routine. Things are starting to feel normal again. And I am feeling grateful.

Three Word Sunday !

Dahlia got her cast taken off and a brace made which she'll wear for about 2 weeks. Makes getting her dressed SOOOO much easier.


Had to zoom in on these pics of "sweet face" even though they're blurry.
I may have to paint one of them .

So, we finally headed off to church today. First time since we got back - just trying not to overwhelm Milana and she did great. Dan and I have been on the music worship team for many years now and we missed a few weeks and I wasn't sure how I was going to handle getting back into it.

With Dahlia we just hit the road running. I'm on the stage with keyboards and vocals (Dan's in the pit on guitar) and Dahlia just sat beside me with a few toys and bopped along like she was born there, at my feet. The monitors get pretty loud so I put cotton in her ears for awhile.

(oh......when I say music, I don't mean pipe organ of days gone by - though that is lovely still - I mean pop/gospel/rock, so we can make quite a noise.....a joyful noise ;). We're usually 8 or 9 in the band.)

We are on 2 weeks out of 4 and Dahlia just fit right in like the church mascot. When she got older she went off to Sunday School (Promiseland) but I have wonderful memories of her as part of the band.

But I knew we'd be pushing it to expect the same from Milana. Well, I may be wrong. Danny decided to sit it out this week and planned to take the girls down to SS and the nursery and stay with Milana during the music part (about 45 minutes). We always get there about an hour early to rehearse and warm up and Dahlia always sat in the front row when she was older and watched till it was time for Sunday School. And I must have stared at that image of her sitting there and must have spent some time wondering who her sister would be. Of course the eternal question (either verbally or in the eyes) from well-meaning friends would inevitably make that question so much more vivid.

So today, during rehearsal, when I looked down at that same spot where Dahlia would sit quietly, watching us play I saw two children, sitting quietly, watching us play.

And I was overcome with gratefulness.

So much speculation, wondering, praying, dreaming, worrying and thinking....but still an empty seat. Questions like 'are we crazy, waiting this long for a sister - at our age, doing this again - will they discovery this insanity and cancel our file - will we ever get there - and will I survive it?' were like a distant foggy image.

Because, there she was!

And I broke down with thankfulness.

I'm also having a lot of trouble seeing the computer keyboard right now. And one might ask, then why are you writing this? I want to remember. I want to learn this lesson.

Just be still and let God do His thing.

D'uh!

October is a good month to be thankful !

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

Just trying to keep it real 'chez nous', so I give you the everyday fashion stylings of baby girl.....just gettin' down and havin' some fun.

Oh, and Daddy has found her first nickname - Milana Banana. And it's perfect as it's in keeping with my little name for her - Punky Monkey. Can you find the common thread here? Monkey is good clue.....'cause that's the noise she makes for wanting anything. I swear, if you close your eyes, she's a monkey. Lots of laughs.

And she is having some fun these days. For weeks I covered up most of the toys in the playroom and the shelf units too because when we first got home, she went into sensory overload but she is so eager to touch and experience everything, I can hardly hold her back.

"Oh yah.....got some of sissy's stuff too"

This is sponsored by

So there you have it. Messy house....but a happy kid.

It just feels right!

One Month since Gotcha Day

(click on picture to enlarge....if you want)

It's been one month since our Gotcha Day (August 10, 2009). And that strange thing happens. It seems like yesterday yet......like we've all been together forever!

Just before we left for a birthday party on Sunday, I set up the tripod in the living room, lined up Daddy and Dahlia, grabbed Milana, pressed the button and ran. I bought a new portrait lens just before we left for China but didn't have it handy so I'm using the wrong lens (may account for a bit of fuzziness) but here it is. Our family picture (which I'll likely replace the above Family of Three picture with 'cause Dahlia's cast will be on her arm for the next 6 weeks!?!) Lucky I got this one just hours before her arm was broken. And everyone's eyes are open. Puh, double lucky.

So, one month! Whew. I was hoping to wax eloquent (or rather wax anything) but I'm still catching my breath here. What with Milana (read cling-on) still finding her feet and touching EVERYTHING, home-schooling Dahlia for the next 2 weeks and dealing with everything a broken arm entails, including sharing Mommy with the aforementioned "cling-0n" and trying (I'm using that term very loosely) to finish up a commissioned double portrait for a dead-line in 2 weeks but am kicking myself for not finishing it before this whirlwind began.......

But I digress. It is, afterall, our anniversary. One month since this sweet little child became ours.

And that is a whole lot to celebrate!

What a difference....a day makes.....

24 little hours.

And every day - Milana is doing better and better.

Three weeks ago she was barely walking. And ok - her walk does resemble that of a drunken sailor.....but she's walking. And loving it !

As are we.

Squealing with delight!


Oh my.....has she been watching Dahlia's pose?

Oh, I give up....just get me that spoon already!

Umm, this is for TongguMama, this sippy cup has a slower pull than a bottle with a tiny opening. I can barely get anything through it but she can. Good sign, right?
:)

The sun is shining fully on this sweet little face now. And each day she is making huge strides.

She eats so much better - some solid food now. Anything solid would just roll out of her mouth like she didn't know what to do with it. Only ate baby food but that is changing.

And have I mentioned what a good sleeper she is?

Please don't throw tomatoes but she sleeps like a dream. I struck gold with Dahlia but it's pure platinum with Milana. Three weeks ago she could barely hold her head up. And just look at her!

But the best thing about this sweet kid..........
....she's happy!

And you know what that makes me.