Has it been 6 months already?

I can't believe it but today marks 6 months since we landed in the U.S. as a family. This time together has flow by and yet at times, it seems like just yesterday that I was waiting for my referral. I am excited to get into the holidays with Malia around to share it with but I also feel for those that are still waiting to be united with their child. I remember vividly how hard it was waiting during the holiday season. All I can say is hang in there and you will not believe your life once you are finally together.

As for Malia, she has just thrived here. Her English is constantly improving and we can have decent conversations about school, etc. She is loving dance and swimming. As for daycare, she is having a great time once there but we are working on some fears she has during drop off (needless to say we have been reading the "Momma come home" book a lot).

We have continued to live up life which means that we are usually running around. We celebrated the Moon Festival, play dates, Paint a Plate, MN Art Museum kids day, etc. She just today also played in the leaves and from her reaction, I don't think she has ever done this before. I am loving seeing everything new through her eyes and have therefore appreciated the season change more this year than ever before. I can't believe that I can love Malia more than I do already but each week or even day is another great surprise moment for us. Here is an assortment of pictures so you can see what we have been up to.

Baby Shower and Visit from Aunt Susie, Uncle Ryan (MoMo) and Cousin Jude:







Practicing my somersaults:





Paint your Plate Outing:





Swimming Lessons:







Playing with Cousin Garrett:







Art Institute with Cousins Garrett and Aislinn:

Swimming and Dance!

So Malia started swimming lessons and dance classes this week and did wonderful at both. OK I might be biased but I really do think that she did well. She loves water and swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's house so the swimming lessons were no worry at all. We are taking this class with two friends (Genevieve and Tess). As for dance class, she looked SO CUTE in her outfit. We got there early to pick up her dance shoes and we watched the class ahead of hers. She kept asking her "her turn". Once it was time, she took her dance bag and headed right into the class. She followed along pretty well (especially since we have been home only 5 months today). She did better at ballet and tap than the tumbling but we can try and practice some at home. She is the farthest in the line in the pictures. I can't believe it is almost mid September and I also can't believe that Malia has been home 5 months already. Time is flying but we are trying to enjoy all of these moments.

More summer updates

Well, for those that have been watching for an update, I guess I don't have to say that things have been busy. Life with a 2 year old involves constant movement and discussions and I have been loving it. Needless to say my life of playing the Wii, cross stitching and watching all of the reality TV's shows has been adjusted. I am so fortunate since Malia is such fun to be around but she also has a really good bedtime routine so I get me time every night.

Updates:

- Libby's 2nd birthday party at the Children's Museum in St. Paul

Libby was part of my travel group. Her parents and I were in the first classes at the adoption agency together, lost track of each other in the middle of the process, and somehow ended up getting referrals and traveling at the same time as each other. The party was a lot of fun and it was nice to see the girls having so much fun.






- Sesame Street Live dress rehearsal (compliments of Greta) which was fantastic fun

This was Malia's first show and she did pretty well. She was a little concerns that the characters were so large but quickly got more comfortable and even gave one a high five. Our seats were awesome and it was special to see this type of show so close up. A special thanks to Greta and her brother for passing on the information. It was cool since Elmo is Malia's all time favorite character (except Kai Lan is quickly moving up this scale).








- First time to the Great MN Get Together (otherwise known as the state fair)

Today we went to the state fair so Malia could experience something that is such a part of MN life in the fall and she fit right in. I barely had her out of the car and she was asking for food. She tried mini donuts, pronto pup, cheese curds, Sweet Martha Cookies, shaved ice, and taffy. She also did a couple rides in the Kiddy Midway and saw some of the new baby animals. She touched a baby lamb, said "ni hao" to a baby calf, but wanted nothing to do with the horses unless it was at a distance. Thanks for Annette, Genevieve, Kirsten, Kami, and her mom for making her first state fair memorable. As you can see from the photos, she played hard and crashed hard in the car.







That is it for now. In two weeks we start dance on Thursday nights and swimming lessons on Saturday mornings so I will have more at that time. Also, I get to go see Little House with Melissa Gilbert in a couple weeks and I am pretty excited. As much as I don't want summer to end, I am excited for Wild hockey season to start and I get to go to the opener on 10/11 (thanks Dave). We had fun at the season ticket holder picnic last week and I enjoyed a night out while my parents watched Malia and even got her to bed without any issues. I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer and have a great weekend!!! I know Malia and I will enjoy having 4 days together.

4 months home and going strong

Yesterday marked 4 months that we have been home. Things in August have been busy still. Malia moved to the pre-school room at daycare this week (with transition over the past week). She has done really well with this change and I know that the influence of the older kids will be great for her. She is so aware of the people we are really close to and ask about them if we don't get to see them for awhile. Malia finally attached to a comfort item. It is her stuffed dragon from the Puff the Magic Dragon book signing that we went to in July. Dragon has gone everywhere with her since she got it (bed, dinner, bath, school, and even the potty chair (or next to it). On Friday she lost it before the Olympics Opening Ceremony party we were going to. We had to stop at the book store to pick up another one and luckily they had some. Her original was autographed and we did find it so that one is stored away for now and she has the new one to play with. It took her 4 months but she at least has that item that brings her comfort. He has been a help with the daycare transition since he watches her from her cubby. BIG NEWS ---- I got my first unsolicited "love you mommy" from Malia as we were walking out of the bookstore with the new dragon. I just melted and still do at the thought of her looking at my and saying "love you mommy". That is worth everything.

This past weekend we went to the China Reunion for my adoption agency. We got to see some people that I connected with over the wait but it was so busy we really didn't get to talk to anyone in depth. Malia also learned how to really ride her bike and tricycle on her own on Saturday evening. Good job Malia!

In addition last week I found out that I have tendinitis in my pointer finger and have to wear a brace for three weeks while I hope that it heals. What a month again! Here are some pictures but I have more to load from my camera but my computer is acting up..... again!!!