Saturday, August 29, 2009

mama to ma-meee

So I think taking Lilah to the park, et cetera and her listening to (most of) the children shouting for their Mommies has influenced her a little. In the past week, I have been upgraded from Mama to Ma-meee. Yep, that's just how she says it, she hangs onto the e at the end for longer than necessary most times. It's funny, because the first time she said it, she gave me the cute look and grin that says 'I'm being funny here'. It sounds just as lovely as Mama and she sure is our funny girl! It's only a matter of time until she is otherwise influenced, and Baba becomes Da-deee. I don't think he likes that idea, at all! Here's a little movie of her saying Ma-meee and a few other things, I'd just love to bottle up her sweet little voice.

On another note, I took the following pictures yesterday. The second picture below is for those of you who only get to see the happy smiley pictures, and think our girl is all sunshine and roses. Ha-ha! That's some attitude from a tired girl, she wanted me to get her Piggy, but instead I was taking her picture. She has mastered 'the pout'! Oh and really, it is quite rare that she shows attitude, long may it continue. Of course, I'm also her (very biased) Ma-meee and I just think she's perfect!

cardy by joanne, attitude by lilah

cardy by joanne, attitude by lilah

cardy by joanne, attitude by lilah

a special thanks to Joanne for the beautiful hand-knit cardigan Lilah is wearing

[ more pictures here ]

Friday, August 28, 2009

over nine months

We've been home together, as a family, for over nine months now.
Nine whole months.
Three quarters of a year.
Did someone hit the fast forward button?

A picture of our sweet daughter for each month, December '08 - August '09.
We are so very much in love with you, Lilah Grace.

9 mths together: dec 08 - aug 09

Thursday, August 27, 2009

the shopping trolley

Oh yes, she's definitely my daughter, a girl after my own heart! You know, she can even do a speed wobble with the shopping trolley, now that's an art, even I can't do that! I measured Lilah a few days ago and was surprised that she has grown an inch since her second birthday, which was in late May. That's an inch in three months. I guess we'll have to go clothes shopping soon. New season, new size, new style! Yeehaw!

shopping trolley

[ a few more pictures here ]

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

experimental farm and gardens

Lilah and I were at the experimental farm and gardens today. Such a beautiful day to enjoy it all, along with a picnic. We are squeezing every last drop out of summer and living it to the full this past few weeks. Because soon, all too soon, summer will be so over! You will notice that I take a lot more pictures of flowers now, that's because they can't run away from me. Oh the joys of a two year old! More pictures from today here.

farm & flowers

farm & flowers

farm & flowers

farm & flowers

farm & flowers

farm & flowers

farm & flowers

farm & flowers

Sunday, August 23, 2009

dairy queen sundae

dairy queen sundae

When you want every last drop of melted ice-cream, you use a straw!

[ more pictures here ]

Saturday, August 22, 2009

dora (the explorer's) backpack

It took me three full days to figure out why she was infatuated with the backpack, I know, I'm a little slow! It's her new word of the week and it comes straight from the mouth of...Dora! Anything Dora says (or does) is worthy, really really worthy, when you're two years old. And just in case you're wondering what worthy means, here it is: "Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; of high position; to exalt into a hero." Hmm, competition for Piggy?

school play

school play

Friday, August 21, 2009

canada science and technology museum

Today being the thundery feels-like-32°C-with-the-humidity day that it was, we decided to join our wee playgroup at the Science & Technology Museum. It ended up that we didn't see any of the other playgroup members. The museum was jam-packed, there were summer camps galore, maybe in the vicinity of a hundred children. Yeah, that's a lot! However it all added to the adrenaline and excitement for Lilah! She now seems to thrive with other children and social settings, so it was all good. I'm not a fan of museums, we actually brought Lilah to this one back in February or March when we were just home a few months and I remember being bored out of my mind! But now that Lilah is so social and wants to participate in everything, (even though she doesn't understand much of it yet), it was a lot of fun! Here are a few things we enjoyed...

The Crazy Kitchen - Lilah loves that dizzy feeling, I lost count on the number of times we walked/stumbled through it. You'll find a more accurate definition here on why we felt dizzy in the crazy kitchen!

Effects of Liquid Nitrogen - Very cool demonstration, about 20 minutes long and Lilah (at 2 years old) was captivated!

The Optical Light Area - Several dark tunnels and stairs with wild flashing optical lights, I mean for a child, does life get any better? I had a hard time keeping track of my girl!

I guess we'll be back, maybe sooner than we think! My photos are dreadful, I cannot seem to figure out how to shoot in the dark, without having to use the flash, but if you care to take a peek, there are some here.

fibre optics
science and technology museum

crazy kitchen
science and technology museum

liquid nitrogen
science and technology museum

she scores!
science and technology museum

Monday, August 17, 2009

the dog days of summer

Today there was a little organized get-together at the Windsor Park and Pool. The Mommies brought their little ones and some good friends dropped by as well. It was a fabulous day, over 30°C and the pool water was freezing, not that we minded much, we needed the cool down and the kiddies loved it. Well, I should say, all but baby Zachy, he much prefers the temperature of his bath water! Between the pool and the park, the children ran around after each other, having fun and making little friends. Ahhh the dog days of summer, don't you just love them?! More pictures from our get together here.

dog days of summer

dog days of summer

dog days of summer

dog days of summer

dog days of summer

dog days of summer

dog days of summer

dog days of summer

dog days of summer

Sunday, August 16, 2009

my sunday best

If there was such a thing as wearing your Sunday best, this dress would be on the top of that list. This dress came the whole way from Florida, a gift from a very sweet couple, Kenton & Michele, who also happened to be at our Church today! Lilah sure looks cute in it. She spent a lot of time in the mirror this morning, rubbing her belly and saying 'pretty', more times than I can remember!

my sunday best

Friday, August 14, 2009

ccaa: meeting some of the staff

This evening we had the absolute honour of meeting a few of the staff who work at the China Center of Adoption Affairs. This is the place in Beijing, China where all our paperwork goes, families are 'matched' with their little ones and dreams are made reality!

The CCAA staff are here in Canada for a few days and the executive director of our adoption agency had a little get together and delicious supper for us all in her beautiful home. I think it is more than obvious (from these pictures) that Lilah had a very fun time. She especially loved the trampoline and the hot tub! I think the CCAA staff really appreciated seeing some 'real' families. I'd think seeing it on paper every day is quite different to actually seeing it in real life. They had their digital cameras on the ready, taking pictures and recording some precious fun moments.

To all the CCAA staff; it was so nice meeting you, thank you for the lovely trinket box and necklace you gave Lilah. We are indebted to you for all your hard work in making our dream come true. And also a special thanks to Sandra and her family for inviting us to join them on this special occassion, it was indeed a privilege.

ccaa - meeting some of the staff
From left to right:
Ms. Wu Shuqian, Staff Member of Finance Department.
Ms. Chu Xiaoying, Deputy Director General of CCAA.
Lilah, our daughter!
Ms. Cui Yan, Staff Member of Department 1.

ccaa - meeting some of the staff
Mr. Chen Yaming, Director of IT Department - Lilah really took to him!

ccaa - meeting some of the staff
Mr. Zhang Youwei, Deputy Director of Domestic Adoption Department.

ccaa - meeting some of the staff
Gifts given to Lilah from the CCAA staff, marking a special occassion.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

windsor outdoor pool

Today was hot and sunny, the perfect day for a trip to the local outdoor wading pool. Lilah and I loaded up the stroller and of we went. The water was freezing, unfortunately the pool is filled and emptied every day, but the cold water didn't hold Lilah back. She loved it!

Now that I think about it more, Lilah seems to have a very positive attitude/personality and makes the best of just about any situation. The only time we get to call her 'The Bear' is when she wakes up after her midday nap. Not every day, but some days it ain't pretty!

The first picture below is the moment I told her we were going to the pool, is that the happiest smile on earth or what?! And this picture was taken a few minutes later when I was taking her picture instead of taking her to the pool, ha-ha! Her little personality, it sure does make me smile. More pictures from our day here.

windsor pool

windsor pool

windsor pool

windsor pool

windsor pool

windsor pool

windsor pool

windsor pool

windsor pool

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

sunflowers and a wagon ride

Probably not the best day to wear white, but yes, Lilah and I spent this morning checking out the experimental farm. The big attraction today was a horse drawn wagon ride for Lilah, and sunflowers for me! Lilah is much more interactive now, she continually says "Wassa?". We had a lovely time and it was such a beautiful day. The word of the day is...wait for it...'barley'! More pictures from our morning at the farm here.

Oh, and Lilah's Na and Pa are going to be sad to hear this, but Lilah will not make a good farmer's wife! The whole way around the animal barn all she could do was point and say 'messy' and 'dirty' in utter disgust!

sunflowers and a wagon ride

sunflowers and a wagon ride

sunflowers and a wagon ride

sunflowers and a wagon ride

sunflowers and a wagon ride

sunflowers and a wagon ride

sunflowers and a wagon ride

sunflowers and a wagon ride