Peggy - This one's for you!

4 Years Ago Today

Today we celebrate the 4th anniversary of the day that Emma was placed in our arms. A day that we will never forget. We had waited so long to be parents that we couldn't believe the day had come. Looking back now, I don't know how I kept it all together. Kevin may disagree.

We flew from Newark NJ to Beijing on 2/2/06. The flight wasn't too booked so we were able to spread out a little bit. We arrived in China the next day. It was long but I packed plenty of things to keep us busy and a sleeping pill or two.

There were 11 families total in our adoption group. Some were there for their 2nd adoption but most for their first. We had an awesome group and can't believe how well we ALL got along. Our guide kept telling us that there would be one or two that would always be late but not us, we were on schedule for everything. Little did we know that many other local families from different adoption agencies were also there adopting their babies. Do the names Lia, Katie Min-Min, Hannah or Mia sound familiar?

We weren't receiving the babies until 2/6 so our agency, kept us very busy. We were very lucky to be able to see the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, Ming Tombs and the Hutongs. We also saw an awesome Acrobatic Show. It was unbelievable what these acrobats did with their bodies. I can't even imagine stretching and bending like they did.

2/6/06 Started early for us. We are huge Steeler fans and this was not only Gotcha Day but the Superbowl XL and the Steelers were playing. We woke early that day. Kevin woke up about 530am got ready, went down to the buffet for breakfast, brought some up for me and he started watching the game while I got ready. We left about half time 930am to go to the conference room to begin the "process".

When we went to the conference room, we were told that the "bus" that was transporting the babies were running about an hour behind. We had to wait for about two more hours before 11 beautiful babies along with their nannies and orphanage directors entered the room through the back door.

They were all dressed in bright yellow and red outfits. It took me a bit of time to figure out which baby was Emma. I couldn't take my eyes off her she was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.

We were the second family out of eleven to receive our baby. They had given Emma to me and I held her for about 10 minutes. When we went back to the table where our things were, I asked Kevin if he wanted to hold her and he said of course I do. Well, I handed Emma to Kevin and it was the last time during the whole trip to China that I was able to hold her. We were one of those scenarios that the baby attaches to the father. I was very upset for the entire trip but knew that it was a major transition for Emma and that it would take time.

Kevin did the best job taking care of her. Emma was so attached to him that it took about 72 hours before he could even let her lay down or sit up on her own. He spent the first three nights with Emma sleeping on his chest. We thought we were prepared for anything but we weren't for this. Kevin had to do everything, feeding, changing, bathing etc... When we were able to purchase a stroller, Emma wouldn't even let me push it. We would try to be sneaky, Kevin would start pushing her and then I would take over. Kevin would walk behind me. When Emma would turn around and she saw me pushing, she would have a fit. She would scream and cry but when Kevin took over, she was as calm as could be.

Our adoption representative suggested that I have more eye contact with her so, I would get down to her level and be about 1 foot from her face and she would take her tiny fingers and grab hold of my cheeks and twist her hands. OUCH!!! She did not like me one bit.

So, here we are, half way across the world adopting this child that I had waited for, for so long and she didn't want anything to do with me. You'll see that I had to have a picture with her at the White Swan. Poor thing, just look at her face. She was like day and night, as soon as Kevin took her, she was fine.

Here are a few pictures from the first couple of days with Emma. Once we returned home, it took probably another two weeks before Emma had completely bonded with me. And is now a Mama's girl. We are two peas in a pod. Emma is the best thing that ever happened to Kevin and I and well worth the wait.

Waiting for the babies and our first glimpses of Emma

Emma is finally placed in our arms

Emma and Daddy.
Then, we thought she was happy to have a family.
Now, we see how sad and confused she was.
Emma finally sleeps. You can see that Kevin couldn's even change her.

Not his fault Emma wouldnt sit still for him.

Only one arm in the jammies and she wasn't buttoned up.
The famous Red Couch photos. Can you find Emma??
Happy with Daddy!! A screamer with Mommy.
I had to hold her hand down or she would have torn up my face.

Emma is definately the best thing that has ever happened to us. There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't make us proud. She is in preschool now and can't wait to go to kindergarten next year. She goes to Gymnastics once a week and can't wait for the Spring to join soccer. We will have to wait to celebrate because of the snowstorm we are having. Kevin will be out most of the weekend but Emma and I are ready to do some crafts and watch movies. She'll be happy when she wakes tomorrow morning to see the snow and call it a "pajama day".

A Sneak Peak...

...Emma's 4 year anniversary of the day we adopted her is fast approaching. Here is a sneak peak at some pictures that were taken.

Bad Blogger and Quick Update

I was told today that I have been a bad blogger!!! YIKES!!! Sorry!!!

Like everyone else, we have been busy, busy, busy!! Since I last posted, Emma has started Pre-K, we have taken our first trip to Disney with 3 other adoptive families, Emma has started Gymnastics, I've visited Massachusetts and hosted Thanksgiving Dinner for 16 friends and family.

Coming up on the agenda is the big FIVE for Emma. My little princess has picked not the theme of Tinkerbell, Barbies or Princesses but Spongebob. Gotta love Spongy as he is referred to in our home. We also are looking forward to Christmas and all the fun celebrations that go along with it.

To end, here is Emma's School picture for this year. Since it was taken, we have cut her hair to her shoulder. She wanted it above her ears but I didn't want it that short.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

The One Forgotten

We planted a garden this year for the first time in a long time. We have three different types of tomato plants, peppers, string beans and what we thought were cucumbers.

The cucumber plant turned out to be a zuchini plant which is fine because we love zuchini. We probably got about 20 and then it got infected with some type of disease. From what Kevin says, it's a common disease for zuchini plants. Anyways, a couple weeks later Kevin was taking the zuchini plant from the garden and came across this:

Have you ever seen a zuchini that big?? It probably weighed 8 pounds!!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday and Flashback Friday??

Flashback Friday and Guess...

...where we are going Saturday?

First Catch of the Season

We went to The Lake yesterday and enjoyed some fun times with friends and family. Thanks Uncle Chris and Aunt Nae!! Emma also went on her first boat ride and loved it. I didn't take any pictures because I was too busy holding Emma while we sped along the lake. Emma kept telling Uncle Chris she wanted to go faster. She loved it when he went in circles and hit our own wave and the water splashed her. She also did some fishing off the dock with the homemade fishing pole Daddy made her with bamboo. She caught two Sunnies. She has no fear holding them either, even though they are very slippery and a little prickly.

My Silly Girl

Last weekend Emma played in the pool while I sat and relaxed and caught up on her blog a bit. She then came out of the pool and wanted me to take her picture. This is what she came up with for different faces. She is such a silly girl.

Blueberry Picking 2009

You may remember this post a while back Blueberry Picking 2008 . I think it may have been my first post. Well, here are some pictures from this year's Blueberry excursion. We went out pretty early on Sunday, June 28. It was they're first weekend open for the season. Emma loves to pick blueberries. We are only out for about an hour and in that hour, we picked 16 pounds. It would have been 17 if you counted what Kevin and Emma ate as they picked. They both LOVE blueberries and coming straight off the tree with the warmth of the sun, they are delicious. We freeze them to use throughout the year for our blueberry pancakes.

Well there is more to this story. We were all having a craving for fresh blueberries that we went for the second trip this past weekend and picked an additional 15 pounds. 31 pounds total. That's a whole lotta pancakes. I'll have to get the cookbook out to try out some other recipes. Here are some pictures from our second trip. This was a little more exciting for Emma because we were able to take the tractor out to the field. Emma's favorite parts are the tractor, the old fashion pump for the water and eating the blueberries. We also figured out this weekend that Emma will be a fourth generation blueberry picker. This all started when Kevin was a little boy when his grandparents used to take him out. Hopefully we can continue this tradition.

July 4th Weekend

I was one of the lucky ones that was able to be off of work on Friday, July 3rd to have a 3 day weekend. Boy did we pack alot in that weekend. The weekend started Thursday night with our monthly Mother's Night Out aka MNO. If you've read my blog in the past, you know that we have a GREAT group of families that all have something in common, we're adoptive parents. The Moms try to get together every month for dinner. Whoever can make it makes it and it's always a good time. This month we went to On The Border. We had great food, good drinks and adult conversation. Here are a couple of pictures. Gina, Jen, Kathy, me and I don't know what happened but the picture with Deb in it got deleted. I'm sorry Deb.

On Friday, Emma & I went to Sesame right when they opened at 10:00 and stayed until 5:00. This is the 4th year that we've had tickets and the first time that we were there for 7 hours. I couldn't believe it. Emma also said that as soon as we got there, she was going on the Vapor Trail. Super Grover's roller coaster. She has told me this every time we have gone but never did. So, as soon as we waited to get through the gate, we went right to the Vapor Trail waited in line and then she said she changed her mind. No big deal, when she's ready, she'll let me know. I myself didn't care because I'm not crazy about coasters or rides that have a big plunge.

For it being Friday of July 4th weekend, the crowds weren't so bad. She went on the Merry-go-round, the bouncy thingy, the pit where the blocks are and the climbing wall. We then had lunch and for those that have never been, I brought a soft cooler that was probably 15x15 with sandwiches, water, juice boxes grapes, blueberries and ice paks and the Sesame staff didn't have a problem with it. My problem is that Sesame never has enough staff working any of the cafe'. There food isn't half bad but you could honestly stand in line for an hour before getting waited on but anyways. We then went to the water part of the park and went in the wading pools and Ernies water works. Sesame has a new area based on Count Dracula but Emma didn't want to go in. At 4:30 we decided to leave. I had Emma in her stroller at this point, we went through the gate and on our way to the parking lot and Emma says, "I want to go on the Roller coaster". I could tell that she was serious so, we went back into the park (we have season passes so it wasn't a big deal). Got in line and went on. She LOVED it so much that we went on a second time. I was so proud of her. Of course, I have no pictures because it was just the two of us. But, what a great day.

On Saturday, we all went to Ventnor City, NJ and stayed at Hannah's Hotel. Gunner, Kim and Hannah are another adoptive couple that moved from PA to VA to NJ and we are so happy that they have moved closer to us. They invited us down for the night and we had a blast. We went to the beach and the girls played and played and played for about five hours. The water, the sand, the company and the weather was perfect. We couldn't have asked for a better day. We went back to the house and had Kim's famous secret recipe hamburgers and macaroni salad. It was delicious. We were gonna head down to Ocean City to the boardwalk and fireworks but we were all exhausted. We saw the fireworks from their balcony and it was great, no traffic and no crowds. Kim made a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast Sunday morning and then we headed back home to catch up on laundry and rest before we started the work week. Thank you Gunner, Kim and Hannah, we had a great time.

43 Years in the Making

June 18, 1966

June 18, 1966 my parents wed and 43 years later they are as happy as they were that day, I think. At least that's what I think. They have instilled in us the values of friendship, supporting one another, patience, goodness and most importantly love and affection. There is never a conversation that doesn't end in "I love you or I love you too".

Mom & Dad, Thank you for everything you have done for me. My hope is to have as much a successfull marriage as you two have had. Here's to 43 more years

Here are a couple pictures through the years:

Wordless Wednesday Courtesy of Lisa

Thank You Lisa

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback Friday

Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Class of 1985.

Is it possible that it was 24 years ago???

Muffins with Mommy

I was so excited when I got the invitation in Emma's folder from school to attend "Muffins with Mommy". Emma's teacher had muffins, coffee, orange juice, iced tea and cookies for all her students and their Mommies. We also received a home made card, a hat that was painted with flowers glued to it and a balloon. I have to admit, this was one of my proudest moments as a Mom. A moment that for a time I never thought I would experience until Emma was put in our arms but anyways...... here are some pictures from the day.

Proud Mommy and her girl

Emma & Mrs. Kuhl

Can You Tell Me How To Get; Get to....

A little bit of Flashback Friday and a surprise for Emma today.

Can you guess what opens? (sorry, no prizes for correct answers)

2006

2006

2007

2008

You guessed it!!! I can't wait to see the look on her face when we pull into the parking lot. I can't believe that this is the fourth year that we have bought season passes for Sesame. The years are flying by way too fast.

I just hope the rain holds up. We are supposed to get some thunder boomers later today.

13 Years....

....and still kicking!!! Can't wait to enjoy the next 13 years.

Just hope they don't go by as fast as the last 13 years did!!

Happy Easter

Before the weekend gets started and there is no time to blog, I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Easter weekend. Take plenty of pictures, eat lots of candy, color a ton of eggs but more than anything enjoy the time with your family!!! Happy Easter!!

Donuts with Daddy

Emma was so excited to come home a few weeks ago with an invitation for Daddy to have donuts with her and her classmates and their Daddys at school. When Kevin saw the invitation, I think he was just as excited. About two weeks leading up to the date, Emma would secretly sing to me the song that her teacher was teaching for their special day. It's the same tune as B I N G O but instead the children say D A D D Y!! Kevin took the camera with him and took some pictures of the special event. Here are some pictures of the day. Enjoy!!