Random

Crashed.
Latest family portrait. Looks just like us. Haha. Yes, this is the doll you receive at the White Sw@n hotel. =) We didn't get to choose between the WS and Victory. Worked out fine for us, really.



Ellie Bean Updates
Ellie is walking up a storm. She got to wear some of her cute 12 month summer outfits last weekend as the temp soared to 75-80. Back down this week sadly. Let's see, Miss E. knows toes, nose, ears, elephant, panda, where's mama? (looks for me when I'm coming home) and soooo many other words/phrases. Such a smartie! She will sign frog (such an important word!), dog and milk and occasionally more and drink. Probably some other sign approximations that I don't recognize. She is trying for butterfly... the animals signs will get her places, right? She babbles mostly still but says ba for bath and ba (totally different vowel sound!) for bye. And mama. =) She blows kisses, waves bye, gives sloppy open mouth kisses and "big hugs." Oooh, but she's LOVIN' that pacifier still (thanks Uncle Shue Shue) and uses the sippy cup except for her morning bottle. The girl can EAT! She MUCH prefers to feed herself (i.e., messy!!!) She is so giggly, mischevious, loves to dance and is so very curious. Giggles when you say her full and very long name! Her headbanging is pretty much non-existant now. All this and not quite with me yet three months! Wow. She is just sooo beautiful, healthy (ok, a snotty nose here and there!) and intelligent. She's come such a long way already and we're so lucky to have Giggy babysitting which means she's getting so much love and attention and learning during the day. Did I tell you how much I hate going to work these days?!
Hang in there waiting parents. =)
Gotta get to bed. Morning comes waaaay to early these days.

Swimming Lessons!

Ellie and I are taking parent/child swim classes! It was a great day to start as the weather was up to 75 degrees! Beautiful! Ellie loves to be dunked (already!) but isn't too sure about the floating on her back. She had a great time in the "big bath" (her favorite word is "ba") and sje was the cutest swimmer there! (Ok, a bit biased!) The one thing I'm trying to get used to whenever we go out is the attention. For example, there were so many helpful ladies in the locker room. "You can take her to your husband after you dress her. Um, no I'm single. Oh, well you can take her to the child care room. Um, thank you very much for the suggestion but she needs to stay with me as I just adopted her and don't feel comfortable with that-one day soon though. Well, I can hold her for you, I'm a teacher...thanks but..." Oh my goodness! I actually got out of there pretty quickly since I had forgotten my own change of clothes. So wet, drippy, windblocker track pants adorned mommy carried a dry and snuggly Ellie out into the sunshine faster than most had gotten dry! It is interesting at how much attention we get ever we go. I'm hoping it's just 'cause Ellie's such a cutie and not that I look so inept at taking care of her! =)

What? No onesie, socks and fleece today?

Oooh, I can groove in this outfit!

Hmmm, do I look cute or what?!

Silly Gracie! You hate baths!

Babies-Referrals and In China

Congratulations to the parents receiving referrals this month! The only sad part of this is that there were only two days worth again.

Exciting news: Sara and Hubby are on their way to Mia Lin and Connie is enjoying the wonders of Nanchang with her cutie Claire who will wear a hat! Also stop by an send some prayers over toLexi Jayne in Guangzhouas now she has a fever. Poor baby, mama and baba can't catch a break as they transition to their forever famiy.

Ellie has gotten over her sinus infection only to catch another cold. Ahh, the two days of no snotty nose were delightful! She is really walking now and walking fast. Getting into EVERYTHING! Still technically challenged with video. Sorry.
Ok, my free moment is over. I'll try and get more down later.