Knowing me, Knowing you... Adoption & our Happy Family.

Our Christmas started with the 5pm Mass at St. Patrick's.  We did not arrive early enough and had to stand along the wall.  There were a lot of families in our same predicament.  Mia noticed 3 girls sitting on the floor next to us, they were about 8 years old.  Two looked like sisters and one looked Chinese.  Here is the conversation I had the pleasure to overhear.

Mia: Standing in front of and looking at the Asian girl, "You are Chinese.  Are you from China?"
Cute Chinese girl: "Yes, I'm Chinese from China."
Mia:  "mumble, mumble, mumble" as Mia does when she not quite sure what to say.
Chinese girl: "Oh, I'm from China, but I do not speak Chinese."

SOOO Cute!  Mia must have sounded like she was speaking Chinese with her mumblings and the girl was so sweet to her.

I though young children did not see color or ethnicity.  I guess I was wrong.

We made an impromptu visit to our local "Holiday Light's" celebration tonight.  We found ourselves finished with dinner at 6pm and the thought of 3 hours cooped up sounded less than ideal so off we went.  I looked horrible with my frizzy hair in a clip so, of course, I saw like 5 people I knew!  Anyway, Mia was ready for the night and to make sure she could see she used her pretend "noculars" (binoculars of course).  The lights were set to music and quite pretty.  Mia had much more fun with a bubble machine in the vending area!

Mr Frog: Hello there, whats you're name?
Cutie Patootie: I am Mia.
F: Do you like like my green body?
CP: Yes, I like your jina (as in va-j j)
F: Oh, Um (throat clears) thank you
CP: I have a jina too.
F: Yes you do.  I'm off to my lily pad.
CP: Bye Froggie.

You never know what you're going to get!  LOL

We had a nice Thanksgiving this year.  It was just the four of us (Mum came too) and was very relaxing.  We started with the traditional hand prints on the Thanksgiving tablecloth.  I am doing this every year with Mia and she loves that permanent paint!  I should have stripped her naked, but we survived with just a little paint on our legs along with the tablecloth.  The girls also made cookies.  It was mostly Mom and I at the end but Mia now gets the idea.  Poor kid didn't even know what sprinkles were!  At dinner we said a prayer and went around the table to give Thanks.  Mia couldn't wait to tell us that she was thankful for "animals, macaroni and cheese and Muck."  (Muck is her cousin Michael.)  This was so cute and she really understood the concept.  She truly LOVES all three of those things.  We also cruised up to Orlando for a day at Animal Kingdom, a night in a hotel and lunch with our Orlando family, Matt, Catherine, Matthew and Michael.  Today is Mia's photo shoot with Santa so hopefully that goes as well. 

I'm so sad about the loss of my cat Gator.  He was so old and these last couple years were so tough I really thought I would find some comfort in him not suffering anymore.  Not yet, I miss him.  Gator was the sweetest cat.  He never hurt anyone and was gentle and loving every day.  He was a bit of a scaredy cat at times but I think that's what made him so sweet too.  I thought he would never survive without me on our 19 day trip to China but he did fine.  He was so good with Mia and accepted her from day 1.  He let her carry him and pet him.  She would lay next to him while he ate and even sampled his chicken at times, in her own bowl of course.  I know in time it will get easier, but for now I am just so sad.

     Cross that rainbow bridge Gator.  I know you are not hurting anymore and you can run, play, chase snakes and cuddle with Blanche.  We will never forget you.  Thank you for being my cat.

10/01/90 - 11/19/09

Big girl bed!  Mia is so proud.  She sleeps in a big girl bed now!  We moved her on Friday night, 3 nights and 3 naps ago.  She is doing awesome.  LOVES her bed and her bedroom.  She is sleeping even better than before - I did not think that was possible, but we have had to wake her from her naps!  I think 2+ hours is long enough for a girl to snooze!  She sneaks out to get a toy or two when she first goes down but is not very quiet about it so I go in and gently tell her it is not toy time.  She takes it in stride and lays down to sleep.  Mike and I were really worried she would miss her crib toy (a fish tank that made a bubbling noise she turned on constantly when awake) but she has not mentioned it.  Amazing to think I thought we would be using that crib for at least 4-6 more months and in less than a week its GONE!  I'm happy about it, its exciting!  Yea Mia!

Mia fell out of her crib yesterday at nap time.  I had just put her down and was in the kitchen when I heard the first cry/scream.  I knew something was wrong.  I found her, flat on her back, on the far side of the crib.  My heart skipped a beat.  Should I move her?  How hurt is she?  She was crying quietly so I think she was totally in shock and not moving so I was scared.  I asked her to scoot herself to me to see if she could move.  She could, so I picked her up and checked her over.  I couldn't see any injuries, she said she hit her head, but I saw no marks.  After a few minutes I decided she was OK.  We talked about the dangers of stretching over the railing and she took a nice 2 hour nap.  Last night we bought a new bed for her so its bye-bye crib tonight!  I'm nervous about this new phase and when she figures out her freedom I'm in big trouble!

Mia,
    Just two short years ago we saw your face for the very first time.  I will never forget how excited we were, waiting all morning.  Daddy came home early from work as he could not concentrate.  We waited by the phone and checked for updates on the computer, every minute it seemed.  Finally the phone rang and we got the news that China has given us our wish, you.  We heard all about you, your age, size and abilities.  We learned where you were born and where you were living.  We heard that you were being cared for and that you loved your special Ayi at the SWI.  We were happy you had comfort and love in your life while we waited just a few more weeks to come to get you.  We had to wait a couple hours to see your picture but I was in love with you already.  You were deep in my heart.  Grandma (Mum) was here when we opened the e-mail that contained your picture.  We all cried tears of joy when we saw you.  You were so little and cute and looked great!  I could not believe that you were mine.  Daddy picked out your name, Mia, because it means “mine”.  You are ours forever and ever and I would not change a single thing about you.  The last two years with you have been so awesome.  You are kind and sensitive.  You love to cuddle and give hugs.  You play with your babies and say “I am a Mommy” as you pat their back or rock them singing and saying “awwww - you’re ok, you’re ok”.  You are still a great sleeper and sleep most nights through the night.  About once a week, you wake and call or cry for me and I jump at the chance to hold you and cuddle you a bit in the night.  You can be cranky without a good sleep or if you miss a nap.  You have sat in the time-out chair for hitting or throwing toys, but you even seem to be growing out of that.  You are learning to control your temper and it shows me you are growing up.  You are a great eater and LOVE your juice “oo-chee” you call it.  We have enjoyed watching you grow and learn and cannot wait to see what the future holds, though I worry it will go too fast!
       I love you to the moon and back.   Your Mommy.

Mia celebrated Halloween for 2 days!  A party at school on Friday, another party Friday night then actual trick or treat on Sat.  We were having a great time!  Mia loved every minute.  Was not afraid of the ghouls and ghosts and even decided to scare some of them!  Our baby is growing up.

Mia went to church this past Sunday, she has been very interested in praying before dinner and now saying a prayer at bedtime.  This is all her idea.  She decided one night that we should pray before we eat.  She was exposed to this ritual at my Mom's and we are not opposed to it, just not very consistent... till now.  Mia needs to pray.  She gets a little confused on the sign of the cross and the other day it was "The Father, Holy Spirit, now I know my ABC's". :) 
At church she was very well behaved.  She was quiet and knew she had to whisper while the priest, "king" was talking.  She tried to get out of the pew (for a little hall dancing I'm sure) and was NOT HAPPY to be taken into the crying room.  A short lecture from Mommy about staying in the pew was all it took to get out of there.  For communion, Mia walked proudly in front of me to receive her blessing.  She watched as Mike and I received communion and, as we crossed in front of the alter, exclaimed "hey, where's my sticker, I didn't get a sticker".  I think mass was a success and Mia is ready.

I'm taking advantage of my Tuesdays off with Mia.  We got ready early and headed to the pumpkin patch before story hour this morning.  It was fun - we had the place to ourselves.  Mia liked all the pumpkins, but not the scarecrows.  She is starting to show fear of things and was not interested in those scarecrows.  We are going to take advantage of our cooler weather this coming weekend and hit another patch with Daddy & Grandma.

I'm so proud of myself.  No need to really go into details about what I've done.... but if you're really interested.... in the last month I have changed my life for the better three times! 
   First, I started another semester of school and - ahem - I'm doing great!  Who ever knew I could get A's & B's in college!  Certainly not me!  I actually have told my Mom for years that I have a learning disability.  I wasn't just saying it get out of school.  I really thought I did.  I had such a hard time in high school and it only got worse in college that I really thought I must have SOMETHING wrong with my brain.  Well, now I know the truth.  Don't tell my Mom she was right, but all those times she said I just "wasn't applying myself" which pissed me off even more, was correct.  I was not applying myself or even really trying to do my work, study, etc.  I had NO INTEREST in going to class and as heartbreaking as that was to my parents they really should have not forced me.  It cost them a lot of money and our relationship a lot of heartache.  I don't know what you say to a kid who is not ready or does not want to go to college after high school and I hope I don't face it myself in 15 years with Mia, but I do know if they try a semester or two and want to quit I would let them.  Its far easier to start over with a few credits than to try to repair a GPA marred with f's, d's and WX's.
Second, I started a new healthy eating plan!  That's hard for me to put out there, but I did.  I'm doing it for myself so I will be healthy.  I'm an old Mom and I want to be around for Mia for a long, long time!  No one can care for her like I do.  I'm proud of that.  Which leads me to number 3!
As you can see from previous posts, I finally moved Mia to a new school!  I have been stressing about this move for months and I finally did it.  I feel so comfortable with my decision and I'm glad I didn't wait one more day.  I will miss a lot about her old school, but it was not the right fit for Mia.  I can't wait to see her blossom at her new "big girl" school!!!!

Today was Mia's first day at her new "big girl" Montessori school. We will have lots of memories from her first school but felt it was time to introduce Mia to the Montessori way. I have always been a big fan of the Montessori philosophy and was waiting till Mia was closer to three to start her in a Montessori environment. She did so great her first day and really made me proud. She is such a ham and really had the teachers cracking up with her Spanish vocabulary, lining up for potty (though she's in a pull-up) and sitting at the big girl table where her feet don't touch the floor. She was so brave and said to goodbye to me without a tear. Hopefully its the start of a new attitude about school! Keep your fingers crossed!
The pictures above are "practice Montessori" at home.  ;)

We had another successful Moon Festival at the Norton museum this year. Mia, Mum and myself attended while Daddy made us dinner at home (and watched football, of course). Mia loved cutting paper to make her very own dragon puppet who we later named "Danny Dragon". Danny and Mia had quite a few conversations that Sunday at the museum. We also got to watch a very famous Chinese musician, Wu Man, play the pipa for a few minutes. It was so interesting and Mia loves live music so she concentrated and was still for about 5 minutes. It was long enough to enjoy Wu Man's music. We look forward to our next American holiday, Halloween, where so far Mia is going to be a princess with wings!

Mia has been testing her limits lately. Ever since our trip to NH she is just pushing all the rules. There has been a lot of hitting and she is even trying to bite again. I know it is stress related from the trip. She got away with things on the plane and at the Ganley house that we would have given her "alone time" for at home.
That said, I can already see her calming down and my sweet Mia emerging again. After one of her outbursts she was sent to her room for some alone time and things were just too quiet. She is usually crying and calling to us, not this time. Why? She was busy making art... on her skin.

I'm very passionate about Montessori. I think it is great for certain kids. Kids like Mia who learn quickly and love to learn. I would have had trouble in a Montessori classroom. We are looking for the right place to start Mia's Montessori education so while we research we have started tying to adopt some of the Montessori philosophy at home. Being kind to each other, positive words and encouragement and real life "work". Mia loves to work/play with water so that where we started. I think she did great and this little exercise kept her busy for about 3 minutes!

I picked up Mia early from school today. She is having a tough time separating from me in the mornings and it just breaks my heart. I know I can't let her "win" and not go to school so I'm trying to pick her up early when I can. She can barely stay awake during the 4 minute ride home then she forces those little eyes to stay open for one episode of Dora. I finally get her in her room for a couple books and she falling asleep on my lap. Yes, I can take a hint. Time for bed little sweetie. Sweet dreams.

On the potty training front, things are going well. Mia has asked to go to the potty once at school and I have left her diaper off at home and we have run to the bathroom a couple times. We are talking about big girl panties and she is not saying "no". (She did refuse those panties about a month ago - so thats progress!)

After a visit to the pediatrician it is clear she has tonsillitis and the Rx for febrile seizures.  We will be very aggressive with any fever from now on.  This was horrible, but I was so scared it was something worse.... I’m thankful we can manage this and she will grow out of it.

On the way to school today Mia said this. “miss Daddy”, I could not believe it!  I asked her to repeat it like 5 times!  Mike has been sick with a cold for the past 3 nights and has gone straight to bed after work.  Mia and I kept up the usual routine but she obviously missed her Daddy.  She said it again on the way home at noon time so we called him at work and she held that phone and told him the same thing.  He was touched, I could tell. ( I would have cried!)  He came home with a plant for her and helped her re-pot it.  Awwwww.

I know for a fact I’m going to get in trouble for this post someday but I am soooo excited!  After a busy evening at the mall where Mia would have NOTHING to do with the Easter Bunny, she came home and pooped on the potty!  (Her teeth look a bit brown from the M&M’s we rewarded her with!)  What a big girl she is!  She also peed for a second time at school today so we might be on to something.  I’m not pushing yet and have yet to buy panties but maybe the Easter Bunny might drop some in her basket!?

This past weekend was filled with thrills of all kinds! Mia LOVES to go to Orlando to visit her cousins, Aunt & Uncle. This trip was fun filled! We started out at the Friday night fish-fry then spent all day Saturday at 2 parks! It was nice to visit the parks as a group because, I must admit, that many extra eyes and arms to help with Mia is a big plus!