We're Still Here!

Each month seems to go by with increasing speed. I look up and it's November? Really? Everyone is doing really well here in Jia land. Jia is growing, both physically and developmentally, at warp speed. She is thriving at school and we can just about understand every word she says these days! And boy, does she say alot of words these days! She is kind, loving, empathetic, demanding, exasperating and everything we could possibly ask for in a beautiful, sweet 3 1/2 year old! I'm including some pictures of various events over the past months. We've had birthdays (mine and the dads), pumpkin picking, Halloween and the busy life that accompanies a 2 working parent household! Jia's cousin Duncan is living with us now as he has moved to VA to start work, school and this phase of life! We're very happy to have extended family among us and Jia loves having her "Duncan" around to play with, taunt, fuss at and adore! I hope all is well with everyone. Happy Fall!

Some More Vacation Pictures

I'm adding some more pictures over the next couple of posts depicting our adventures. These are pictures from the beach. We visited beautiful gardens (same gardens MY parents dragged us to many, many years ago and now look what has happened - I'm hooked! What seemed like torture then has turned into a life long love of gardening - go mom and dad!) Hope you enjoy.

Beach and Boat Fun

We had a great family vacation at Myrtle Beach this summer! Unfortunately Jia was sick for most of our trip and we even had a dismal trip to the ER to check for strep and stomach virus. Yuck! But the good news is that all ended up well and we had so much wonderful family bonding time. That is the thing about vacation. It's just the family, like a warm and enveloping blanket for a whole week. Jia and her Daddy were best friends and the mom got some much needed (understatement) sun and pool time. Nothing like some vitamin D to boost the spirits.

This past weekend we tried a visit to the boat again. Our visit in the Spring didn't go so well since Jia was not quite ready but this most recent visit was a vast improvement. Jia is getting braver and more inquisitive by the day. She says such delightful things these days. While on the boat we were keeping her entertained by drawing pictures. I'd give the dad some ideas (a camel in the desert with a cactus) and he'd proceed to draw. Jia kept asking, "are you done yet Daddy?". When his art work took too long at one point, she said "focus Daddy,focus!". Ahhhh, my sweet Jia.

Where Oh Where Have We Been?

Having tons of late summer fun! We've had such a great time together as a family these past 6 weeks or so! I have lots to share and many, many pictures. But just getting back from a week at the beach and I'm a bit tired. Just wanted to let any readers we may have know that all is good and sorry for lack of posts! I'll get some up over the next week or so detailing our adventures!

Jia's Sunflower

For Mother's Day this year Jia surprised me with a great big "Happy Mudder's Day Mommy" squeal, a bear hug and a sloppy kiss. I'd never had a better day. Along with her dreamy greeting she presented me a gift she made at school. It included an organic pot with a Happy Mother's Day note from Jia that promised the delight of a sunflower. We arrived at home and T promptly planted the seed (snugly inside the organic pot)into a big container. It sat and sat and sat. T lovingly watered and fertilized. These pictures show the bounty of Jia's sweet Mother's Day gift oh so many months ago. Thank you sweet daughter. I love it now just and as I loved it then. The first picture is especially poignant for the mom. While all sunflowers may present in this fashion, I will attribute the heart to a higher power!

Bug Catching and Butterfly Watching

Our intrepid explorer asks daily to venture outside to hunt for bugs with her Daddy. We have her bug catchers within easy reach and you can bet she'll grab them and ask her dad for her daily adventure. She has brought a number of interesting little creatures into the house to show her mommy on more than several occasions and I must control my urge to run wildly in the opposite direction in order to admire her catch. They are then all released, of course, back into their natural environment. T has created a wonderland of plants that attracts birds, butterflies and if you look in just the right places, bugs.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer and managing to have fun despite the wicked and miserable heat.

9th

Jia, your mommy and daddy have now been in love for 9 years. We fell in love the moment our eyes met. Seriously. We met on July 3rd 2001. Our dear friends were having a 4th of July party. My friends, his friends - who happened to live across the street from each other. I drove from Washington DC and your daddy drove from Hampton, VA. I was visiting with Carlos and JR and they said that there was a really cute guy across the street visiting Beth and Mike. I said, yes, they are ALL cute. But then I walked across the street and there was your dad! He WAS (and is)cute. But there was also some crazy magic that happened that night. I'm including some pictures of our days together. Not quite "the first" meeting but a few from early in our lives.

We never dreamed that just 7 years later you would become our daughter. How truly lucky are we!

More Birthday Pictures

Better late than never! Right? We had a big birthday party for Jia at her grandma and papa's house on June 13th and we rocked the house! Well, not exactly, but we did have a wonderful day and Jia felt all the joy and love that comes with a day that was all about her. I think the highlight of the event was a big box of dress up clothes from her grandma. I had never played "dress-up" with Jia so I was amazed when she dove right in and delighted in her big hat, frilly skirt, and feathery mules! Best pictures of the day! She may be only 3 but she's clearly hardwired pure little girl!

We're all good here even if we are suffering through 100 plus degree days. Whew. Summer is most certainly not my favorite time of the year. We do have some things to look forward to this summer - Jia's Aunt Laura and her Illinois cousins Sara and Patrick will be visiting soon and we can't wait! Hopefully we can do some day trips to Busch Gardens or other fun destinations.

Hope everyone is having a super summer and staying cool!

Happy Birthday to Our Big Girll

Happy Birthday my sweet Jia! You are getting to be such a big girl! But you'll always be my baby! We love you so much and are so very blessed to be your mommy and daddy! I hope this day is delightful, joyful, silly, special and everything that is you!

I made Jia a lopsided tacky birthday cake which is a family tradition! She got lots of fun stuff and even had a party at her new school! Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Love you Jia!!!

So Many Changes

Time goes by so fast - cliche but true. The month has passed in warp speed and we've had many changes! Jia, in 7 days, is no longer a "baby" but a big girl with big girl pants and no more diapers. We spent a weekend together watching an amazing video and reading the accompanying book - pulled out the potties and have had only a hand full of accidents since. Amazing. She was obviously ready and so was the mom so we did it! (She did it.) Jia is a big girl in so many ways. She understands and communicates far beyond what I think is possible. I'm astounded by her everyday. Her dad is quite a gardener and we go outside and explore nature and see the birds and butterflies. We've added a bird feeder and she loves to watch the birds and fill the feeder with her dad each day. One day the dad said to me "Jia is no longer a baby" - I was like, "duh!" but he continued and what had happened amazed me. He said that while driving to school one morning they were stopped at a light and he looked over and saw her looking at a bird. He said "hi, sweetie, are you looking at the birdie?". In exasperated response Jia said "it's a Robin daddy". He looked again and darned if she wasn't exactly correct! She's amazing. I'm including some fairly recent pictures. As previously noted, she is difficult to get on film these days.

Jia will start a new summer school this summer and she is very excited! She will get all of the stimulation and joy a (soon to be) 3 year old wants and needs!

Love to all.