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A White Christmas!

What an incredible surprise for Christmas!  A White Christmas!  I don't ever remember a white Christmas but mom said we had one when I was little. Anyway, it was just beautiful.

Maggie and I spent Christmas this year in Decatur at my mother's house. It was a great time. I considered this Christmas to be our first with Maggie as last year we had just returned home from China and were seriously jet lagged. Maggie had a blast and loved her gifts from Santa.

I started a tradition with ... << MORE >>

The best Santa gift

On Christmas Eve, Santa left a big surprise for Maggie at our house. Once we came home from GeKe's house, we found the big surprise!  A trampoline!  It is 24" off of the ground and 8' in diameter. Big enough for great fun but low enough to feel safe. She LOVED it!  When she jumps she barely dents the trampoline!  LOL





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Thompson Family Christmas

One of my favorite times of the Christmas season is when the Thompson family gets together. We usually meet at my cousin's home in Tennessee. This year was really special as we had 3 new babies to help us celebrate. Maggie was finally able to meet the rest of the Thompson family.

We had planned on going to Nashville the Friday before the reunion to meet our new friend, Molly. My blog friend, Amy, was able to adopt Molly this past year and we were going to spend the night with them. Molly ... << MORE >>

Catching Up

Well, I am so overdue for some posts!  So sorry!  Sit back and browse as I complete out the 2010 year. Thanks for following along. God Bless!

Tricia and Maggie ... << MORE >>

A Day to Remember....Our First Anniversary of Family Day

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break

An Ancient Chinese Belief

 

Today signifies a very important day for our Family. For as of one year ago today, all the way across the world in China, God allowed Ji AoSheng ...

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A Post with NO Pictures - and you will thank me for that...

Please come visit tomorrow too as we have a big day happening!

Well last week was the big "THROW UP OF 2010"!  It was horrible!  Apparently, Maggie's daycare has had the sweep of the stomach virus. Most of the kiddos have had it and some of the moms with two moms going to the ER! 

Last Wednesday, Maggie was in bed and I heard her screaming?  I ran in there and she had thrown up all over herself and my bed. She was so scared, I am assuming she ... << MORE >>

May have one out of 147 pictures for the Christmas Card

Yesterday Maggie and I went to Aldridge Gardens to try and  take a Christmas Card picture. Who knew we would have so much fun in the process. Here are some of the pictures.













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Our First Christmas Tree


Since we came home from China last year on December 19, I am considering this Christmas to be our first together. Neither she nor I remember much of last Christmas - jet lag...

I got a small tree this year and put it up the other night while she watched a video. Once the lights were up, I went in and told her I had a surprise for her. I had turned off the lights in the living room so the tree would be bright. She said "OHHHHHH"and wanted down to ... << MORE >>

Trains, Trains and More Trains

Maggie and I went to the Calera Railroad Museum again on Saturday. We took two very special friends of ours with us - our across the street neighbors, Peg and DadDoo (as Maggie calls them). DadDoo loves trains and we thought they would enjoy spending some time with us. We all had a great time!  Maggie loves trains and I believe Santa has been informed already...






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Girls Night Out

I am talking about dinner with my BIG girl. Maggie and I had dinner out last Friday night. She decided to sit across from me at dinner and eat her meal by herself. Such a big girl. We had such good conversation too (although I am not quite sure of everything that she said! LOL)

  "Cant you see I am coloring here?  Pictures later please...."  I love this look of hers - tales of a teenager to come....



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Thanksgiving Breakfast at Daycare

This year, Maggie's daycare, had a Thanksgiving breakfast for the parents. We had a great time eating with the kids. I loved my special extra time with my girl that morning.

Below are some of pictures from that morning. It was Pajama Day too for the kiddos - if only the grownups could wear pajamas to work...

  Maggie with her cousin's dog puppet - thanks Wes and Lisa - she loves this dog!!!!


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October 15, 2009 I Saw My Daughter's Beautiful Face


October 15, 2009 is a day I will never forget!  For that was the day that I received a phone call with my referral. A sweet 18 month old little girl from Huazhou City, Guangdong Province, China. Her name was Willow on our agency's site bur her Chinese name was Ji AoSheng.




Below is the video I received from the ... << MORE >>

Trampoline Fun

We visited my brother and his family a week or so ago. We let Maggie get on the trampoline and she just loved it. Below you can see pictures of her doing a forward roll. She loves to do this at home too even on the hardwood floor - OUCH!  Every gymnast must finish off the roll with a proper pose!  When I saw "Arms Up!", she does it!  LOL  We will be starting gymnastics in February when she turns 3. Fun times ahead...



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Pumpkin Patch & Railroad Museum

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Maggie's First Auburn Game and my Birthday

Last weekend was Maggie's first Auburn game. We played Arkansas State and the game was at 6:00. She absolutely loved it - all the sights, sounds, weather and cheers!  I also had my birthday last Sunday. It was a great day with family. Pete even treated us to lunch at the Conference Center in Auburn.

Art, Lisa and Wes came to the game as well. It was awesome cooler weather and an extra day off too - Labor Day. Here are some pictures of Maggie in her (too big) Auburn cheerleader outfit at the ... << MORE >>

The Blog is Going Private

In a few weeks, I will be taking the blog private. I've been getting some unwanted messages posted and I think it is time to take it private. What does that mean?  It means that you will need to send me your email address if you want to access the blog. I really don't mind anyone reading about Maggie but I just don't like the "crazies" out there commenting.

I will re-evaulate it again after awhile. Anyway, please email me at tricia@tmifamily.com if you would like to be on the list to access ... << MORE >>

First Day of Two Year Old Class

This week is Maggie's first day of her Two Year old class at daycare. She has the sweetest teachers - Jennifer and Angela or "Jeniper" and Agla". LOL

They were to wear pull-ups to class - no more diapers! 




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Last day of Toddler class!

Today is the last day of Maggie's toddler class. She moves up to the Two's on Monday!  It is a bittersweet day for me as I think back on all that she has accomplished this year. She started her daycare in February knowing NO English and barely knowing how to play. Today, she is a self confident active two year old ready to tackle the world.

Her speech and motor development skills have just bloosomed and I attribute that to her sweet teachers in her class.  Mrs. Monica and Mrs. Kristine have been awesome ... << MORE >>

Maggie's family

I've been working with Maggie all summer on who her family is. She knows me as her mom but has been learning my brother and his family too. We don't get to see them as much as we would like so I have a picture of all of us from the beach that she looks at. She has about 6 pictures from our beach trip of all of us in which she will name over and over again. I thought I would capture it on film. As it goes with most toddlers, Maggie liked to look thru the ... << MORE >>

Last Weekend - It was a busy one

Last weekend was a busy weekend and this week has been busy too.  We had our Lifeline (Adoption Agency) Reunion on Saturday and we had a great time.

Mom came down on Friday and attended Maggie's end of the year party at her daycare.  They had a really good time.  We then had dinner at J.Alexanders and ran some errands at the Galleria.  While there I decided to let  Maggie ride the Carousel.  Like, who doesn't like the carousel with the lights, music and fun animals?  Well, that would be Maggie!  SHE HATED IT and would not sit on a horse.  Poor thing, I just laughed.  My camera was not own a good setting and mom only got one picture of us.  Oh well, we will have to work on her liking that later!

Saturday, my adoption agency, Lifeline, had the annual China Family Reunion.  It is a time when the 2 guides from China, Lily and Rebecca, come from China and all the families that have adopted or will be adopting from China get together.  We had a great time!  I was able to show Maggie off a little as every other year I have been I have been waiting on her.  I was also able to "meet" some of the families that I have followed on their blogs.  It was a lot of fun but Maggie skipped her nap that day equaling a hard evening!

Tuesday, I had the new year orientation for Maggie at her daycare.  I was able to meet her new teachers and I really like them.  We have 4 or so new children in her room and I look forward to getting to know them and their families too.  The craziest thing is that they will start potty training the kids on the first day of daycare on the 23rd.  Good luck with that teachers?!!!  LOL  Anyway, no more diapers, we are to bring pullups and lots of changes of clothes - HA HA HA

Maggie's vocabulary has just taken off so well over the past two weeks.  She now will tell me what she wants to play with in the car instead of saying UHHHHHH UHHHHHH UHHHHHH.  Praise Jesus!!!!  She is singing full songs now - Twinkle, Twinkle Little star, Ring Around the Rosie and You Are My Sunshine and Jesus Loves Me.  She is putting together more two word sentences too.  She asked for "Bofishfishes" for Goldfish - it is so cute!  She says Come-On, Oh Boy with a Southern Accent, and There ya go a LOT.  I say those all the time!!!!

My girl is growing up so fast!!!  She still gives the biggest hugs and great kisses around.  She will hug the people that I hug which is precious and tell's everyone Bye and blows kisses as we leave stores and restaurants.  It actually makes a lot of people's days.  There is not a shy bone in her body.  She is very sweet in daycare - that I hear from the other families, but she did spill all of her milk on Jackson one day - oooooppps, sorry Jackson!

I had my follow up doctor appt on my wrist on Wednesday.  It is healing nicely but I am to wear my brace for another month.  I haven't been wearing it because my wrist was doing so well.  I start physical therapy on it next week.

Below are some pictures of last weekend.  Thanks to Fran (Christopher's mom) for taking the pictures of the daycare party.  Thanks for reading!!!!

  Zoe and her mom

  Maggie, Christopher (back to us), Ford (behind Maggie) and Bailey (on the play structure)

  Maggie and her teacher, Monica

  Maggie giving GeKe some skin

  Sweet artwork in the classroom

  GeKe and Maggie

  Ford and Maggie

  Christopher and Maggie (Maggie is not into all the hugs her classmates give her!  Look at that face!

  Bailey trying to love on Maggie - her expression is hysterical to me.  It looks more like a head lock...

  Charlotte and her mommy

  Christopher and his mommy (Fran took these pictures)

  Christopher and Kristine (the other teacher)

  Before the carousel ride - a little apprehension I think!

  No go on the horse

  Fun area!

 Mom, Rebecca (our guide in China), Me and Maggie (not cooperating)  crazy picture but it had Rebecca in it.  We loved her and she got us to Maggie and thru China!

Re-Adoption

Today was a special day for me and Maggie. I was able to readopt her today. What is readoption you ask?  When you adopt from a foreign country you are given all the paperwork needed for adoption. However, the paperwork is in Chinese and can prove to be very hard to replace if needed.

When Maggie begins school, signs up for sports, gets married, etc. she will need her birth certificate. Well, it is in Chinese. So I once again paid money to our US government to readopt Maggie in Alabama so she ... << MORE >>

Surgery Update and Weekend with GeKe

My wrist surgery was last Thursday. It went okay and they didn't have to do major surgery, just orthoscopic (sp?). So I have 2 little incisions on my wrist and a brace, no cast - YEA!!!  It was very sore and swollen but is doing better now. Thanks for all the prayers!

After surgery, mom drove me to get Maggie at daycare and then to Decatur to recuperated. I slept on and off for 2 days and Maggie and GeKe had a good time.

GeKe aka Gran has had ... << MORE >>

Surgery for ME

So sorry but this is a post about me, dear ole' mom.  Maggie is doing well - cracking me up and talking up a storm.  I will post about her antics soon.

As the story goes, back in December while in China adopting Maggie, I fell off of the van while holding Maggie.  It was rainy and I slid on the marble at the hotel and went down.  It was the second day I had Maggie and I protected her in the fall - good mommy!  LOL  Well as I protected her, my left wrist turned to break the fall and I fractured my wrist and tore some ligaments.

It hurt initially but soon the pain went away - you know I was a new mom and all and had more important things to figure out - like how to care for a 22 month old.  Fast forward to May and man my wrist was hurting.  I thought maybe it was carpel tunnel but I really don't use my left hand too much for that.  So I went to see a doctor who sent me to have an MRI.  Can you say ouch?  Two needles inserted into my wrist and then an MRI on my wrist and shoulder that hurt like the devil.

I was then sent to a wrist surgeon and he needed an Arthrogram - more needles!  The results were in yesterday, and  I have to have surgery this Thursday (that is tomorrow).

So off to the hospital I go tomorrow at lunch for an afternoon surgery.  Going to hang out with Mom this weekend so she can take care of both babies - me and Maggie!  Thanks mom!

I would love prayers please for a speedy recovery.  A single mom living my herself having to get ready and get her toddler ready should provide for some humorous tales!  Stay tuned.

I have a BIG GIRL!!!!!

Last Wednesday Maggie pooped in the potty. It was a total fluke and it scared her to death. LOL  But at least she experienced the feel of going in the potty. Friday night she asked to go potty. I took her to the potty and nothing happened but she wanted to go. I have such a BIG GIRL...

So today we went to Target to purchase her a potty!  She got to pick it out and picked out the green frog. Once home we tried it and she would have nothing to do with ... << MORE >>

Splash Pad Fun!!!!

Today Maggie and I met some of my co-workers at the Splash Pad in Gardendale. It is at the Gardendale Park and is free. They have a lot of water sprays that squirt chlorinated water that is filtered then recycled. Why don't we have one of these on my side of town?

It was a lot of fun. Here are the pictures:

(Sheryl and her daughter Harper and Shawnte and her son Sean)



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The Newest American Citizen

Happy Birthday America!  Our newest American citizen celebrated with you and our family celebrated being together for 7 months!  It has been the best 7 months of my life and I could not imagine my life any other way.  I am so blessed and my "love tank" is overflowing every day.

Our family went to Gulf Shores for our annual family vacation.  It was a great time, as always, being with everyone and was extra special this year with Miss Maggie!  She was able to bond with her Uncle Art "Ott", Aunt Lisa "Aunt Pisa", Jordan "Jadun", Ty "Ty" and Wes "Wus".  We even renamed her Gran to GeGe!  LOL  She had a great time being spoiled, being thrown up in the air, kissed, snuggled, and I loved some time to sleep in each morning - thanks Mom!

Remember when I prayed for a strong willed little girl?  I wanted one because I knew if she was strong willed she would get attention in the orphanage.  It is the little quiet children that often get overlooked most of the day.  Well, God heard my prayer and granted it!  I LOVE IT!!!!  But boy can this girl throw a fit.  She does not like to come in from the pool or the ocean.  LOL  She wanted to be outside "outsi" all the time.  She would throw her whole body into a fit and scream.  It was pretty funny and I loved that she was being a typical 2 year old.  When you adopt a child you long for the typical behaviors that mean they are just being a toddler and not having attachment issues.  Well, Maggie is a typical two year old!  She is such a delight and so much fun and NEVER stops.

Maggie didn't much care for the sand but loved the waves.  I let her put her feet in the ocean and she loved it.  I was a little nervous about the disbursement chemicals that may be in the water so no swimming.  We did see some tar balls but not many as the workers were out there at night cleaning it up as fast as they could.  The pool has a zero entry which was awesome for Maggie.  She could just wade in and play.  She made a little friend named Cooper and they played ball together.  He even fed her some of his goldfish!  Now that is a sacrifice for a little one!

Maggie will be 2 1/2 years old this week.  She has changed so much in the last 7 months.  From that little girl in China that could not even grasp a cup or even walk steadily to this happy, healthy, and strong toddler.  Her vocabulary is taking off and she is not afraid of trying anything.  I just love this kid - She is such a blessing.  I thank God, daily, for bringing us together in His PERFECT timing. 

Here are the pictures!


  Happy Independence Day America!  Maggie celebrating her first 4th of July as a US citizen.  Her dress was given to her by my cousin, Leigh.  Thanks Leigh she looked so cute.



  First time on the sand.  Didn't like it too much!



  Please don't make me go in...

  Mommy and Maggie take a tumble in the sand LOL

  the compromise to leaving the beach - swimming in our clothes - sorta!

  Playing with Ty in the pool.

  Aunt T and Wes (Art's youngest)

  Art and Ty (his middle son)

  Art and Jordan (his oldest)





  The Thompson Family

  Art and Lisa

  Art and Maggie

  Art and his family - Lisa, Jordan, Ty and Wes

  The 3 nephews - Ty, Wes and Jordan





  Art, Mom and me



  Mom



Maggie and her Aunt "Pisa" - Lisa



  Gran (GeGe) and Maggie at LuLu's

Gulf Oil Cleanup:
  Tar Balls




  Workers cleaning up tar balls

  Every 45 minutes they took a 15 minute break!

Summertime!

We are very busy and having a great summer.  Maggie was sick for 4 days with a fever virus.  She was just pitiful but is back to her spunky self.  She is just growing up so much and is just my fun!  Here are some pictures from our summer days!


Our buddy Finn had a birthday party.  Finn is a classmate of Maggie's.  The kids had a great time!
Maggie, Bailey and Zoe (with her back to us)
Birthday Boy, Finn!
  Charlotte joins in the fun now (orange dress). 

Memorial day in Auburn with DeEtte, Hannah and Sadie!

My little gymnast!



  Growing up so fast, Hannah (6 years old)

  Our sweet buddy, Sadie (4 years old)

  Blowing bubbles!

  Maggie and her Gran

   Helping Pete count his loose change.

  I love  my backyard pool, Mommy!

  When a girl is thirsty, she is thirsty...



Inside Water Play
(What you do to satisfy your daughter's need to play in water and it is too hot for you to go outside)





May Pictures

Maggie is nearing her 27th month birthday.  She still is 20 to 21 lbs, depending on which way the wind is blowing!  She is very healthy and is eating more every day.  She is learning so much now and has a lot of words in her vocabulary.  She is still only using 1 word but I believe will be putting 2 words together soon.  Some of her favorites:

  • Uh-oh
  • otter - water
  • bush - brush
  • Bye-Bye (even says it like a flight attendant)
  • Tank u - Thank you - says it anytime I give her something - good manners already!
  • Gooot - stands for Good as in "Maggie, how are you? Gooot
  • peas - for Please
  • Up for please pick me up
  • Down for I want to get down
  • bat - bath
  • Boo - Moo
  • Hay -  Hay - this one is in one of her books
  • Baaaaa - for sound sheep make
  • boom boom - sound trucks make - should be vroom vroom
  • Amen
  • Ah-uus - Jesus
  • na-na - night night
  • bottle - pronounced perfectly - LOL
  • ite - bite
  • Momma
  • Maggie
  • Wheeeeee - when I take a curve too fast in the car  LOL

    UH UH UH for everything else!  LOL
One of the funniest things Maggie is doing now is pretending and mocking.  She mocks me on EVERYTHING!  Scary, I know.  We are in the car and she all of a sudden throws her hand to her ear and says Hello?  She then proceeds to have a conversation with someone on the phone - including knee slapping laughter and then will say Bye.  It is hysterical.  She loves to sing still and knows the tunes (not the words yet) to most of our Bible Songs for Kids CD's.  She cracks me up as she sings to the top of her lungs and it is so off key - now that is MY daughter!!!  LOL

Maggie doesn't walk - she RUNS everywhere.  She has scrapes on her knees from falling all the time.  I just can't catch her quick enough.   She also does the weirdest thing at home.  I have hardwood floors and she walks around the house then all of a sudden will jump up and plop right down on her rear on the hard wood.  It is like doing a seat drop on a trampoline.  I don't know why and it is so funny to watch.  It hurts me but I guess she has diaper padding!

She also loves to jump.  Any time the flooring changes - like from tile to hardwood or grass to concrete, she will jump.  She even skips some too - don't know how she learned that one.

Daycare has also taught her some not so good things.  She says NO to everything, whether it is Yes or No.  But it is all in her tone.   Sometimes she will say, No, then OK - that means YES.  Being an instructor and conscious of my words, I know that I say OK a lot.  She has picked it up too.  Yesterday I was on the phone with my mom and mom said to tell Maggie she loves her.  I said, Maggie, Gran loves you.  Tell her you love her?  She said NO just matter of factly.  It was pretty funny on my end - mom didn't think so.  LOL

I used to work at my church's nursery to sharpen my "toddler" skills.  I worked there throughout the past 4 years.  The sweet ladies there threw us a shower this past Sunday and gave us some awesome gifts.  Thank you all!!!!!  It was so much fun and Maggie was the star, as she should be!  One of the ladies gave Maggie a little baby doll that cries when you remove her bottle.  Well Maggie just loved this doll but she loved taking the bottle out of the baby's mouth more so it would cry.  That just cracked me up.  I guess compassion is a skill we will need to work on.

Enjoy the pictures - the good ones were taken by my cousin, Leigh.:


  I love my shakers







  Wheeeee




  First time in the sprinkler

  This is so much fun!!!!









  Dinner with Hannah and Sadie - my friend, DeEtte's kids

My First Mother's Day

Mother's Day weekend was the most perfect weekend!  It was everything I had ever dreamed about and more.

In the past, this day was always hard.  I have wanted to be a mom for so many years and it was so hard to see my friends get married and become moms.  Just being real here!  It is not that I wasn't happy for them, I was just sad for me!  Mother's day just screamed - you are not married and you are not a mom.  Two things I wanted so badly.

We God worked on the being content part of not being married but the motherless part was still very raw.  There are so many of my friends that still are not mothers and I choose to celebrate them too as they are "mother like" to so many children.  They should be honored too!  Then camel this year for me!

Maggie and I met my mom in Auburn at our condo there.  It was mother's day for me and my mom too!  We played outside, swam in the pool, blew bubbles,  and visited with friends all weekend.  It was incredible.  Maggie was so much fun and just is the happiest little girl.  She just rolls with the punches of life with a smile and laugh.

Below are some pictures from that weekend.  Take care,

Tricia

  Maggie loved to jump off the side of the pool





  Maggie with Gran - Grandmother's Day too!



  I love this picture of Maggie and her Gran

Night Terrors

We are doing great but have had a couple of rough nights.  Last week and weekend Maggie had her first illness with me!  She had a deep barking cough and was favoring her ear.  So off to the doctor we went on Friday.  She had a slight ear infection so they put her on some antibiotics.  On Friday night, she starting running a fever of 101.9.  She was burning up so I gave her some Motrin before putting her to bed.  Her fever was gone around 3:00 a.m. when I got up to check on her.

Saturday was spent in the house all day trying to get well.  She had a fever again around noon so the Motrin came out again.  She would not nap and did not sleep well that night.  She was up at 1:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  Yes that is all night folks!!!  I resorted to putting in a Winnie the Pooh video and putting her in bed with me so I could rest a little.

While watching the news Saturday night, I learned that all the meds I had been giving Maggie that week were on recall!  Sweet...

Needless to say Sunday was a totally waste of not going to church and not doing much of anything but resting.  Luckily her fever never returned.  Sunday night, Maggie had a night terror.  They are usually brought on by lack of sleep, or overstimulation or just happen.  Luckily I had read a lot about them while I was waiting on Maggie!  I was not scared but was very intrigued.  It was wild to watch.  She was thrashing around in her crib like a wild woman.  All I did was to keep her safe and try to keep her from hurting herself.  I tried to soothe her too but she was asleep, albeit with her eyes open, and wouldn't hear me.  After about 7 minutes she settled back down and went to sleep.

Monday, daycare as usual and she is fine.  Monday night - woke up at 10:45 pm to screaming and wanting me to hold her.  I did and put her back in the crib once she feel asleep.  She immediately woke up and wanted me to hold her.  I ended up bringing her to my bed so we all could get some rest.  Tuesday night, had a night terror at 11:00 p.m.  When she woke up she wanted to get in bed with me.

Wednesday, wait and see...

What is it about her waking up around 2 1/2 hours of sleep?  She has been doing this for awhile now but just lately it has been worse.  I really don't want to co-sleep as it is hard for me to rest but if she needs it, I am doing it.  Anyone else with the same issues?

The night terrors are horrible to watch but at least I can usually find a reason to why she had one.  Night mares are worse in my opinion because they wake up frightened because they are aware of what is going on.  A night terror is never remembered as they are fully asleep.

Sorry no pics today!  I'm exhausted!  LOL

First Time Swimming

While we were in Auburn, Maggie was able to go swimming for the first time.  She was so excited and thought it was a big bath tub.  She had watched her cousins, Ty and Wes, swim the night before and was really anxious to get in.  Luckily, my brother was willing, or coerced to getting in, so I didn't have to.

I think we are going to be swimming a lot this summer!  I love how brave Maggie is and she is not afraid of anything!  That is my girl...

 Isn't her suit cute?

  First time to get in the water.  Kicking in the water is fun
















Auburn A-Day

Last weekend we went to Auburn for A-Day.  Boy was it a hot day!  Maggie wore her cheerleading outfit and looked so cute.  She happily sang and danced to the fight song and loved the "2 Bits" cheer.  She did really well - well until the game - as it was nap time and very hot.  I took her back to the condo in the first quarter. I think I am going to have to get used to missing some football this fall!

That morning we walked thru the new basketball arena and enjoyed the campus.  My brother and his two youngest came as well as Gran and it was a fun time.  Ty and Wes are so sweet to Maggie and she just loves them.

Here are some pictures!  War Eagle!  Gotta love her stroller - Orange and Blue and we bought it in China!!!!



  I love my stroller and my cheerleading outfit!

 I am loving Auburn

 Boy it is hot!

  Tiger Paws and Maggie

 Tiger Paws and Maggie

  Ty and Maggie

  New basketball arena - lots of natural light 



  Art and Wes

  Gran

Wacky Tacky Day at Daycare

I don't need any help in this area!  It was easy to dress Maggie in Wacky Tacky today. It was really fun to see all the kids' outfits this morning. I guess we can't go out to eat tonight, huh?  I didn't bring another outfit. Enjoy...


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Inside/Out day

Today was Inside/Out day at Maggie's Daycare. They are doing something different every day this week. It was funny to see the kids coming into daycare with their pants on inside/out. Here is her outfit for the day.


  This is our daily routine for going to the car - Got to have that "bot-tol" every morning!  LOL  ... << MORE >>

Article in Decatur Daily

Patrice Stewart wrote a sweet article about Maggie. It appeared in
today's The Decatur Daily. Thank you Patrice.




 

Bringing Maggie home
After 4-year waiting period, Decatur native one of last single moms to adopt from China
By Patrice Stewart
Staff Writer
Courtesy photo by Jennifer Culp from 810studio.com
Tricia Thompson with her adopted daughter, Maggie, and mother Ann Thompson during a photo session in Decatur. After a four-year wait, Tricia was one of the last single moms able to adopt from China.

BUY THIS PHOTO  (More info)

After four years of planning, paperwork and prayers, Tricia Thompson was finally able to adopt a toddler from China.

Maggie is special for many reasons, including the fact that she is one of the last children China is allowing to be adopted by a single mom.

Tricia, who grew up in Decatur and now lives in Pelham, sent her packet of information to China in July 2006, expecting to be matched to an infant in about a year. Ten months later, China changed its rules and stopped allowing singles adopt, but those already on the list could continue the process. 

“That’s when it got scary,” Tricia said, referring to the 2007 rule changes toward stricter policies.

Tricia, longing to fill an empty space in her life, was 42 in 2006, when she started the process to adopt a girl from China through Lifeline Children’s Services. That year she officially applied and also began researching day-care centers, paid an application fee and shopped for baby items.

She decided to name the baby for her mother, Margaret Ann Thompson of Decatur (who goes by Ann), and call her Maggie.

And then she waited, and waited some more, through repeated requests for letters and birth certificates and other verification (read about the process at Tricia’s blog at www.tmifamily.com).

In 2009, Tricia decided to go with her mother on a two-week October cruise to see Greece and nearby countries.

As soon as Tricia got back to work, her social worker called with the news that China had a girl for her, and she should prepare to leave for China in a few weeks.

Best-laid plans

For four years, she and her cousin, Laurie Loyd, who was to be the baby’s godmother, had planned to go to China together and bring the baby back. However, when the exact dates in December were confirmed, it included the week when Laurie and her entire family had booked a cruise.

Tricia’s mother quickly made plans to go with her for the two-week stay in the White Swan Hotel in Guangdong City, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China. Maggie would be brought to the Civic Affairs office there by one of the “nannies” at her orphanage, the Huazhou City Social Welfare Institute in Guangdong Province, about 4 hours away.

“Thank goodness Laurie couldn’t go, because I wouldn’t take anything in the world for getting to see Tricia hold Maggie for the first time,” Ann said. “She’s a precious little girl and has bonded so well with Tricia, who is the best little mother.”

While Maggie was quiet and shy for the first couple of days they had her in China, “she woke up after that and is so bubbly all the time,” said her grandmother. “But if you hurt her feelings, she can get that lip out in a hurry.”

Tricia, who received photos of Maggie in October, recalls first seeing her in the arms of an orphanage worker in an elevator in the Civil Affairs office in Guangdong City on Dec. 7.

Later, when all the families had arrived, the children were officially presented.

“When the director handed her to me, I started crying, and Maggie just stared at me. It was the sweetest thing, and I couldn’t believe she was my daughter,” Tricia said. “She wouldn’t cuddle up to me at first, but she let me hold her, and she would hold onto my hair, which was like a pacifier for her.”

She learned about Maggie’s nap and bottle schedule, and then they went to the Chinese version of Wal-Mart to load up on diapers and formula.

Tricia said she could not have managed without her mother’s help in China, where they were allowed to keep the baby with them in the hotel.

“Mom was the one who made the bottles and did everything I needed, but she was careful not to be involved in the caretaking part right at first. She did the work, while I held Maggie and played with her,” said Tricia.

She had to teach Maggie how to have fun and play during a bath and how to use the toys she brought. Tricia carried her close to her body in a baby carrier to foster attachment and Maggie liked that, but she liked the stroller even better.

“We knew she could walk, but she wouldn’t, until we got her some leather squeaky shoes in China,” Tricia said. “Then she would stomp her feet to make her shoes squeak, and start laughing, and that was the main thing that brought her out of her shell.”

Throughout the two weeks they were in China, Tricia said, it was exciting to see her develop. Maggie kissed her the first time during the second week.

“Her orphanage was poor, but they loved on her, and she knew how to love. I think that really helped with her attachment and trust,” she said.

At the orphanage, 29 babies were in her room with four nannies, Tricia said, “so she was probably in her crib 20 hours a day.”

They arrived home in Birmingham on Dec. 19, and after some family visits, Tricia decided they needed a low-key Christmas with time to bond at home.

Tricia has a wide support group via an Internet adoption group, including some friends with children from China in Birmingham and Decatur. She also is active in Shelby County Families with Children from China, where Maggie was first introduced at the Chinese New Year celebration. Her Chinese first name was kept as part of her name, so she is officially Margaret Ann Sheng Thompson.

Last month, Maggie was formally introduced to her grandmother’s friends at a “Sip and See Maggie” party at June Odom’s home in Decatur. Co-hostesses Kathryn Wilkes, Joyce Nabors, Susan Horton and Linda Brooks helped serve raspberry cream cheese sandwiches, strawberry mini cupcakes, cherry Russian tea and other goodies.

Cookbook for Maggie

Many of those attending loaned recipes for the cookbook Tricia published in 2006 to help pay for the adoption process. “Recipes from the Heart: My Journey to Maggie” was featured in The Decatur Daily then. A few copies are still available by e-mailing tricia@tmi
family.com

In the cookbook, Tricia’s “Letter to Maggie” told how she had “an emptiness in my heart” for a child to love. “I will not be complete until you are my daughter,” she wrote.

Today, she knows the four years of waiting and uncertainties were nothing compared to the joy Maggie has brought.

“She’s so much fun,” said Tricia. “She’s already changed so much, from the baby she was in China to a typical 2-year-old, singing, laughing, running, jumping, dancing and squealing.”

Because Ann was one of the first two people Maggie got used to in China, she earned Maggie’s trust from the start. Ann has already driven to Birmingham twice to bring Maggie to Decatur for an overnight stay.

All the firsts have been so sweet for daughter, mother and grandmother: first birthday celebration (Maggie turned 2 on Feb. 17), first Easter, first time to walk barefoot in the grass and swing and go down a slide.

Tricia, 46, continues to be amazed at the doors that were left open for her to adopt this child.

“God knows what he’s doing, and the timing was his plan,” she said.

She returned to her Birmingham job as a training analyst for Burr & Forman legal firm Feb. 4, and each morning she takes Maggie to Harris Early Learning Center downtown.

“My favorite thing ever is when I go to get her in the afternoon and she runs to me and jumps into my arms and squeals,” Tricia said.

“It’s like she’s been my daughter forever.”

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter Everyone!  We had a great weekend at Gran's.  Here are some fun pictures from the weekend.













Update on Life

So sorry it has taken so long to update.  We have been grieving and very busy.

Izzy:
First of all, after almost two weeks of fighting for her life, Izzy was put to sleep today.  It has been an emotional roller coaster for us and I am just heart broken.  But she is no longer sick and in my mind is in heaven doing her "Bichon Buzz" and torturing Lacey (my brother's family dog) that died a few months ago.  They were good friends.  Thank you all for your comments of support and care over the past two weeks - we are doing okay.  Just the other day, Maggie came into the house and said "I-girl".  I told her that "I-girl" was sick and not here.  Then she proceeded to run laps around the sofa.  That is what we called the Bichon Buzz and Izzy did it several times a day.  It was one of the main things we loved her for.  Now my child does that!  Go figure!!!!



  Isabella Thompson (Izzy, Izzy-girl, I-girl)  Aug. 21, 2003 - March 29, 2010

Well, now for the update on  little Miss Priss, aka Maggie!  She is such a delight and I just love that she is happy almost 24/7.  It is so much fun to see life through her eyes on a daily basis.

Eyes:
Speaking of eyes.  When we returned to the States in December, Maggie had several appointments with the International Adoption Clinic.  One of their recommendations was that she see a hearing specialist and an eye specialist.  The hearing test showed a little fluid in her ears, which later turned into an ear infection, but her hearing was good.  Actually that was a fun test.

We then went to see an eye specialist.  Within 5 minutes of sitting down with her and using some stickers to help her focus, Dr. Metz noticed that she wasn't using her right eye.  He then dilated her eyes which I am sure everyone in the state of Alabama heard!  Wow, my girl has some lungs!

The final outcome is that Maggie's right eye has +4.00 sight - I believe that is extreme nearsightedness.  Her left eye is fine but if we didn't catch this early, she would develop a lazy eye and might lose sight out of that eye.  So she is in glasses.  They are so cute and small and she does NOT take them off ever.  Bless her heart, I guess she can finally see.  The doctor wanted us to patch her good eye to make her weak eye stronger.  Ever tried to do that with a 2 year old?  I have patched my eye, the bear is patched but no go for Maggie.  I called the doctor today to see if he had any ideas.  I have tried fun patches and have tried a patch that goes over her glasses.  That patch is the smallest they make but it is still way too big for her glasses.  Hopefully, just using her glasses will be enough.  We'll see - waiting on the doctor to return my call.

  Pre-glasses

  Trying on her glasses.

  I can See!!!!!

  Mommy (excuse my looks) has glasses too!

Development/Attachment:
As most of you know we have had beautiful springs days along with major winter days lately.  When it is nice, we have been escaping to the outside for some well needed Vitamin D.  Maggie is learning to play with so many toys and is just turning into the active little 2 year old she should be.  I am so happy with her attachment and progress.  You all would be so amazed at how much she has developed since I got her December 7, 2009. 

I have been a little concerned with Maggie's speech development.  She and I are learning sign language and that has been incredible.  My mom got us The Signing Times DVD set and it is awesome.  Maggie learned 7 signs in one night.  She has been able to use a couple of them in the way they are to be used.  For example, when she is hungry, this past week she has signed "eat" to me and says it too.  She is also saying "all done" and kinda uses her hands like when someone is safe at home in baseball.  But then she continues to eat so no telling.  LOL  She also is putting Eat and More together both with signing and speaking.

I decided to have her tested by the State to see if she would qualify for Early Intervention.  She did and they found her to be about 25% delayed in Motor and Speech.  They will be coming to her daycare at least once a month for therapy.  This was one test I was glad that she didn't excel.  I wanted her to have as much help as possible to make sure she catches up quickly.

I have noticed that Maggie is really smart.  I have had many people tell me that "Asian" people are smart and I should get her to be a doctor.  That may well be true, but I don't want to put that kind of pressure on her and I hope people don't say that to her when she is older.  As long as she does her best and tries, that is all I ask for.  She can be who she wants to be and I don't care - as long as a college education is completed!

Speaking of crazy things people say:  I was at the grocery store this weekend and a Vietnam vet was bringing out my groceries for me.  He was excited to see Maggie and know that I adopted her.  I was enjoying chatting with him until he said "China only wants money from the Americans.  I'm sure when you "BOUGHT" her, you could have gotten her cheaper than you did."  I said "WHAT???"  He quickly said, "I mean, when you adopted her."  Talk about Momma Bear coming out.  I just looked at him and was just dumbfounded that he would say something like that.  I thought I would not say something nice in return, so I got in my car and just sat shocked.  You know, I knew things like this would happen but when it does, you are just in shock.  God bless his little heart.



  Posing by my car.

  Pushing it back - can't quite do that 3 point turn yet.

  Look mom - no hands!!!!   YIKES!

  Hey Mom!

  Getting in and out of the car by herself.

  Look Mom got me chalk today!  How much fun is this!

  Time for a sippy cup break.  Excuse the mess - I was cleaning out my garage!

  Oh my goodness, this is so much fun!

  Check out my shakers Gran gave me.  Yeah!!!!

  Practicing for Auburn Football games.  War Eagle!

  Learning to pick up money.  Putting it in her Auburn bank Pete gave her.  Learning to save early!!!



First Birthday Party:
This past Sunday, Maggie attended her first birthday party.  Two of her classmates from daycare turned two and they had a big blowout with a Easter Egg hunt and the Easter Bunny.  There were lots of people there and Maggie had a blast.  She was a little timid at first then we began playing on the great swing set that Walker has in his yard.   She loved the swing and loved the slide.  She didn't really care for the Easter Bunny though and being the mean mom that I am I thru her into the Easter Bunny's arms for a picture.  Oh boy, can't wait until Christmas!!!!  LOL  I believe she was not emotionally scarred but who knows!  I am so mean...

I'm sorry the update is so long.  I promise to be better about updating as life happens.  Enjoy the pictures.  Love,

Tricia and Maggie and in memory of Izzy!

  Mom and me going to my first birthday party!  Happy Birthday Ford and Walker!!

  Don't you just love her watermelon outfit?  I got this year one of five while waiting on her.  It is really too small but I wanted her to wear it at least once.

  Look my first swing with mommy!

  This is cool!

  I loved the slide!

  Weeeeeee

  Easter Egg Hunting.  Maggie mainly just took her eggs out of the basket as I put them in.  We have another week to work on that!

  Cute baskets that the Easter Bunny handed out.

  Maggie's friend in crime at school - Finn

  ME NO LIKE THIS GUY!  LOL (I'm so mean)

  Ok they slide again - whew, better!

  Finn going for it with Maggie ready behind him.

  Bye Bye - we had a good time and mommy didn't even get a picture of the birthday boys!  There were so many people there!

Update

We did NOT have to put Izzy down yet. When I got there Friday
afternoon she was doing better. The vet wanted to give her a few more
days. The emotional rollercoaster continues. I was able to tell her
goodbye though.

Sent from my iPhone

Tricia

My Sweet Izzy-girl, I-gurl, or Isabella

Update:  Izzy ended up having Cushing's Syndrome and she couldn't make it through treatment.  Her kidneys failed.  We put her to sleep today, March 29, 2010.

Isabella Thompson "Izzy"
  April 21, 2003 - March 29, 2010



Today is a very sad day for me.  My Bichon Frise dog named Izzy is being put to sleep.  Izzy is just 6 years old and has not lived a long life - she is just too young to go!  She has been lethargic for a few weeks now and last weekend was really weak.  We took her to our vet and after running tests on her for a week, he has determined that she more than likely has liver cancer.  She is not in any pain right now just very weak.

I made the decision, along with our vet, to put her to sleep today.  I want to be there loving on her and rubbing her ears which she was so fond of.  I want to tell her bye and tell her what a good dog she was.  It is just breaking my heart.

But I know that God has a reason for everything and at least we found it before she was in any pain.  Below are some photos of Izzy - she was so much fun, loved on you, wanted to be rocked, and chase the neighborhood lawnmower sounds around the fence.  She was so gentle with Maggie and I loved her very much.

Rest in peace my sweet puppy.

Mom


Izzy's Brothers and Sisters - she is the 3rd from the left






Day one with Izzy - she weighed 2 lbs


Look how small she was!  So cute!



Izzy loved her Greenies

2 Year Old Pictures

I have a lot to blog about this week so come back often. Today, I wanted to give you an opportunity to see Maggie's 2 year old pictures that we had taken this weekend. We went to Jennifer Culp at 810 Studio in Decatur and just loved her. She was so good with Maggie and took some amazing shots.

The blue dress she has on is my dress when I was a little girl; the white dress is from a friend's daughter in Orlando (thanks Sharon and Mary Alice); and the white dress with ... << MORE >>

My First Haircut

In preparation for Maggie's professional pictures and Tea, she got her hair cut. It is really cute. I am going to let it grown out but it needed shaping up badly. She was pretty good until the end. Way to go sweet girl - another FIRST with MOMMY.








  The finished product. Thank you Barbara (Aunt B to Maggie) ... << MORE >>

Sip and See

A few weeks ago, the weekend Izzy got sick, some very special people threw an awesome party for Maggie.  It was called a Sip and See - come sip tea and see Maggie!

It was so much fun and Mrs. Jim Odom (June) had her home decorated so beautifully.  There were five sweet ladies that gave the party, the other four are Mrs. John Wilks (Katherine), Mrs. Walter Brooks (Linda), Mrs. Susan Horton, and Mrs. Joyce Nabors.  They have been such special people to our family for many years.

There were a lot of people who attended the party and Maggie was so good.  She lasted the entire party without a breakdown.  I think that is pretty good for a 2 year old meeting a lot of new people for the first time.  She looked cute in her new dress that Gran got her and she wore her hair bow the whole time - that is my girl!!!!  She knows when she has to look pretty.  LOL

Several of my friends brought their adopted Asian children too.  Maggie hasn't been around a lot of Asian children and she just loves to look at them - funny.  Thank you Madison, Georgia, Addie Lu, Lauren and Anna for playing with Maggie.  It meant a lot that you would take time out from your busy Sunday to come meet Maggie.  Next time, we will all go play!

Enjoy the pictures!

  Mommy and Maggie

  Sweet Anna and Lauren Akin (photo courtesy of Allison Akin)

  Georgia, Madison and Addie Lu (sorry Maggie didn't smile)





  Mrs. Katherine

  Mrs. Susan, my mom (Ann) and Mrs. Linda

  Mrs. Joyce - I didn't get a picture of Mrs. June (so sorry!!!  She was working so hard)

  Mrs. Nelson (in the blue)  meeting Maggie.

  Beautiful table.

Thank you all - it was so wonderful.

Love you,

Tricia and Maggie

Order the Invitations....

Well, I guess it is time to order the invitations. To what you might ask?  To Maggie's wedding!!!!

Maggie, it seems, has a boyfriend at daycare!  Her teacher told me that a little boy named George, who is in another room, LOVES Maggie. Apparently, he chases her every time he sees her. What does Maggie do?  Runs, of course!  Smart girl....LOL

I have yet to meet said George but may have to ask the nephews to visit daycare and check him out!  I find this very funny...
... << MORE >>

90 Day Warranty


My 90 Day Warranty is up - I think I made it!  Don't jobs have a 90 day probational period?  Don't some products come with a 90 day warranty?  How about motherhood?  Does Maggie get to "send me home" if she wants after 90 days?

Well, Maggie and I have been a family for 90 days.  And she is still here!  She did not leave, she has not packed her bags and she has not booked a flight - well that I know of at least.  She may, in fact, still want to be with me!!!!!  LOL

I cannot believe that we have been a family for 3 months.  The time has on one hand flown but yet I feel like we have been together forever.  I don't miss my life before her and would never want to return to it.  She has filled that missing piece in my life and I hope I have in hers.  We are a pair - mother and daughter forever.  Magster, I love you and delight in what you teach me every minute of every day.  I love living life through your sweet two year old eyes.

I thank God for you every day.  How He brought us together at just the perfect time.  How He laid the pathway for me to get to you.  How He opened doors that would normally have been closed so I could be your mom.  I love how you are learning about Him and learning to sing His praises.  One day, hopefully soon, you will know who Jesus is and that He died for your sins.  One day, hopefully soon, you will learn about the peace that loving and following Him means.  Jesus LOVES you more than you will ever know and I am so very thankful that you now live in a country where you can get to know Him freely.  I am extremely privileged to be your mom and I love you with every fiber of my being and everything I am capable of.

So what is Maggie doing now?

  • Weighs 20 lbs - lost 1/2 lbs
  • Had her first ear infection
  • Says HI - to everyone and I mean everyone - at the store, daycare, restaurant, me, etc...
  • Says Bye-Bye to the same people as we leave
  • Loves to say good girl or "goot url" - I must say that a lot
  • Blows kisses without  having to prompt her - so sweet
  • Calls herself - "Baggie" instead of Maggie and calls me Momma (taps my chest as she says it like I do hers)
  • Does not like icing or anything sweet - can this girl really be mine????
  • Loves food (but not sweets or fruit) and no snacks
  • Loves to dance
  • Has started to sing in the car with the 101 Bible Songs - really cute!  Yesterday we were coming home from work and Crown Him was playing - at the end of the song they shout Crown Him very loud to end it - when it got to that part all of a sudden I heard Maggie shout something like Crown Him - she knows these songs and it is hilarious - she claps after every song too
  • Dances to the Auburn fight song (keychain plays song) and knows how to do War Eagle, Hey at the end - fist pumps and all
  • LOVES the outside
  • Rolls the ball to you
  • Kicks the ball - sometimes
  • Runs to her daycare room every morning - then remembers that I am leaving her so she cries  LOL
  • Can sorta count to four - there are four scoops of formula in her bottle - I say one then she says the sweetest two, three and four
  • Feeds herself - well some food gets in her mouth but needless to say, Izzy is getting fatter!
  • Knows  how to blow (or I call it spit) on her food to cool it down
  • Knows the word HOT
  • Plays this game with me by cowering up to me and putting her finger in front of her mouth and going "shhhhh"  I do it back and we just laugh and giggle - so precious
  • Kisses me every night before bed and every morning when I get  her out of bed - my love tank is full with this child!
  • Learning how to WHINE - Yuck I wish she hadn't learned this one!
  • We are working on the word Please so maybe she wont whine too much (I know BTDT parents - they still will!  LOL)
  • Got her first haircut - a little short but cute

  Overall day at daycare - Mom don't look (my mother  HATES overalls and jeans on Maggie LOL) - I think she looks precious!

  Don't tell Maggie but she has a hair bow in her hair!

 At the hair salon about to get my first hair cut


  I love this picture - good shot of her double crown!

 Being very still!

OK I dont really like this anymore

All done!  The sweet hair stylist, Stephanie, was awesome - she even thought to give me the first lock of hair to save.  How sweet!  Here Maggie is with my neighbor, Barbara, who babysat while mom got her hair done too.  Thanks Barb!

The Big Party for a 2 year old

Today was just so much fun!  Maggie had a great day.  Mom and Pete came down this morning and we opened up gifts and then played outside.  This was the first day we could play outside and the weather be nice.  She had a great time chasing Izzy and me and throwing the ball.

After a nap and some lunch given by Pete, my brother and his family got here.  We all went back outside and played kick ball.  Took a lot of pictures then it was time for cake and ice cream.  Below are the pictures!

Maggie had nothing to do with her cake or ice cream - this kid is just not mine - I LOVE Ice Cream!!!  LOL  No playing in the cake or anything.  She would get some icing on her finger and then give it to me to get it off.  Oh well maybe next year!  However, we all LOVED the cake and ice cream!



  The shirt and hat that Patti Stutts gave Maggie!



  Playing in the back yard!



  Aunt Lisa brought me Mardi Gras beads!!!!



 Kicking the ball with Mommy and Ty

  Pete brought her an Auburn piggy bank and helped her put money in it.  Thanks Pete!

  Lunchtime with Pete






Happy 2nd Birthday Maggie!

... << MORE >>

Chinese New Year

Sunday, February 14, 2010 was Chinese New Year. This was Maggie's and my first one to celebrate together. Every year our Shelby County FCC (Families with Children from China) get together and eat at a Chinese Restaurant and visit. This year, I finally got to take Maggie!!!  It was a lot of fun to get to dress her up in her Chinese outfit and visit with some good friends.

Below are some of the pictures from that night!



... << MORE >>

Maggie at Home

Here are some pictures of Maggie playing at home. Enjoy!





  See my new teeth?  I have 4 new 1 year old molars - 12 teeth in all.


  Gotta love that she brought me one shoe to put on over her pj's. She ran around like this for about an hour before she brought me the other one. This girls likes to ... << MORE >>

Valentine's at Daycare

One day last week was wear "red/pink" day at daycare. I dressed Maggie in a red and white polka dot onesie and red pants and of course red squeaky shoes!  Here is a picture of her in the car on the way to daycare.  She was wearing her hat on her head but figured out how to unroll the front.  She didn't quite grasp the idea that she could roll it back up!  LOL

This daycare thing is great for her sleep (and mine!)  She went to bed at 8:00 and didn't wake up until I got her at 6:30.  2 nights in a row!!!!  WHOOOOOOHOOOOOO.





I left my camera at the daycare so they could take come pictures of her and her classmates at the Valentine's Day party on Thursday.  I think they turned out cute.  I am also putting a few pictures of her "artwork".  She is a budding artist, don't you think?  LOL





  Maggie and her friend Piper

  Being cooperative?  I don't think so....

  Some of her buddies

  The other table of kiddos

  Do you have to keep taking pictures?  My back is hurting...

  Art work after learning about hearts

  Her birth date is on the wall

  Art work after learning about squares

  Fingerpainting

  This is her envelope at daycare where I get all her reports



  I love the bye bye buggie - sitting next to Zoe!

  Trying to put her coat on

Back to work...

Well, I have started back to work after having several weeks off.  I must be honest that in a way it is good to be back!  I know that Maggie is very happy at daycare so that makes it easier.  I seem to be a creature that likes schedules and it is good to have one for ME!  Is that bad?

Don't get me wrong, I have loved every second with Maggie.  Her laugh is contagious, energy high and if I could see her brain, I know it would be going ninety-to-nothing.  But I am tired!!!  LOL 

Now the next stage is our morning routine.  Wow is it early!  I decided to change my hours to 8:00 - 4:30 so I could have more time with Maggie and hopefully get ahead of some of the rush hour traffic in downtown Birmingham.  So that means I am getting up at 5:30.  Yes that is A.M. folks and until I had a daughter, I only knew that there was a 5:30 P.M.  Needless to say, I am not a morning person.  But to get ready for work then get Maggie up and ready and fed, it takes that long.  But oh the reward - I get to see a smiling little face every morning that is glad to see me and get some major morning snuggling in before work.  She wakes up happy and is easy to dress and loves her eggs for breakfast.  She has learned to take her morning bottle in the car on the way to work so that has helped a lot.  Once she learns to eat the breakfast foods at daycare, that will help a lot too.

Now if I could just get Izzy back on this routine.  Last night, Maggie was so exhausted from daycare (more on that in a minute) that she was fast asleep by 8:15 and I didn't hear anything from her until I woke her this morning.  But Izzy decided she needed a drink of water at midnight, then the neighbors needed to be informed on what was on her mind at 1:30 (otherwise known as barking and she got spanked for that one) then at 3:30 needed to go check on Maggie in her room (cute but not needed).  ARG but it will take a little while for this spoiled fur kid to get into the routine.  I really just think that she was lonely yesterday and was ready to play last night.  Need to get back to those doggy walks.

Let's talk daycare!  Maggie is having the time of her life.  On Mondays the Children's Theatre comes and sings, dances and plays instruments with the kids.  Last Monday was Maggie's first trial day and she just loved it.  I was able to watch her and was told that yesterday she had fun doing this again.  I love her daycare.  They are so attentive to her and want to see her succeed.  The little ones in her room are also just precious.  She will develop some good friends from this group.  She attended 3 days last week for a while each day.  Yesterday was her first full day.  She was exhausted but glad to see me!  Be still my heart!

Pictures were taken last Thursday and I will be anxious to see what they look like.  These will be the first professional photos taken of Maggie.  I will get her two year old pictures made within the next few weeks - she turns 2 on Wednesday - Feb. 17.  Can you believe it?

We had our follow-up visit last week to the International Adoption Clinic and they were really pleased with her progress.  They think she is about 6 months delayed which is right on track with a child who was in an orphanage.  She also has gained 1.5 lbs since we have been home - 19.5 lbs. total.  I am so very proud of Maggie and how far she has come.  I did not think that a child could learn so quickly and catch up developmentally as fast as she has.  That is my girl...

Now what have we been doing lately?  We went back to Decatur to see some more of mom's friends.  There are so many people who had purchased the cookbook I made for funding the adoption that I want them to see who they supported and prayed for.  After that, we headed to Auburn for the weekend.  While there, we got together with some of my friends and mom's friends so they could meet Maggie.  She was in rare form and just as sweet as can be.

I pulled another rookie mom mistake - Let's just hope that the Good Lord will let her live to be at least 5 with all the mistakes I am making.  I decided to try a cheaper formula - the Target brand, I heard, was just like Enfamil ProSobee.  Well NOT!!!!!  She had a horrible case of diarrhea and it took me 2 days to figure out the problem.  Then that problem developed into a drastic case of diaper rash.  Poor thing was just raw and screamed every time she had to potty!  I promptly discarded that formula and went back to the good stuff.  Poor thing.

Maggie attended her first Auburn basketball game.  She absolutely loved everything about it.  We watched the Auburn girls play Georgia and she danced, watched and was attentive the whole time.  I got her a shaker and she was all over that the whole game.  The whole section was playing with her.  She also warmed my heart by learning to say "WAR EAGLE, HEY!  Actually it is WOOOOOOOOOOOO (drawn out)- EGG-EL, A.  It is so precious!

Some things she does now are:
  • pushes any musical toy to make it work
  • brings all toys to me to play
  • dances freely and often
  • blows kisses
  • has added 4 more teeth to her mouth - 1 year molars
  • says "bye bye" and waves her hand toward herself - cute
  • knows what "sit down" means
  • runs full force into my arms when I come get her at daycare - that is what I have been waiting for my whole life!!!!
  • bangs on the piano as she walks by
  • pets Izzy - well most of the time pets her - or as she calls her "i-url"
  • Says War Eagle Hey
  • Says "tak-ew" to everyone (thank you)
  • plays in her food most every meal
  • finally is leaving Izzy's food alone
  • gets me wetter than she gets during her bath and squeels with delight
  • loves our family members - immediate family and cousins
  • gives a high five when you put your hand out
  • wants to wear her squeaky shoes at all times even if just in the house
  • still brings me shoes to put on even when I am wearing shoes
  • loves to comb her hair
  • not liking brushing her teeth but we are working on that one
  • still does not like fruit or anything cold
  • tolerates mom's cooking!
Here are the pictures!

 

  She has Auburn squeaky shoes and cute socks!  (Thanks Pete!)
  Asleep in her car seat!

  Give me a kiss!



  Maggie's first day of daycare!
Maggie at daycare with the Children's Theatre (she is in the pink jumper to the left of the teacher)  Look how small she is compared to her classmates!