Hosanna is a great eater and I'm very thankful. I can usually give her some of our food without having to do baby food all the time which is nice. Wayne got this high chair when Will was a baby. It came with a five point harness that we took out. We didn't understand why a baby would need to have such drastic measures taken to keep a child in the chair. And now I know. As soon as she's done she'll start climbing out and it was becoming very dangerous. The bad part was that although I had saved the harness and hardware, we couldn't figure out how to install it. We got the buckle in at first but not the harness thinking that maybe this was enough but she's like Houdini and would get her legs out. Finally today we figured it out and now she's not going anywhere. Score one for the parents.

I'd say the honeymoon is over but these two still adore each other. Will helps out wherever he can. And she lights up when he comes in the room. She still smacks him in the head but we feel this is her way of showing affection to him - haha!

She continues to experiment more with sounds and everyday seems to be recognizing more words and things I say to her. She's up to 10 or so steps by herself but hasn't started running around yet. She loves to play with electrical outlets which drives me nuts.

Things are good - man that wait was long for her. Sometimes I wondered if it were really going to happen but here she is. I love my kids!!!!! I get four cheeks to smother with kisses (Will's grateful for a bit of a brake!)

Birthday Pictures

The boys and their "party hats"

Zanna opened some presents before we left for church (Ash Wednesday service)

Zanna in pretty dress

Chinese New Year Birthday Bash

Another busy week has flown by, I can hardly believe it! Last week we took Zanna out into the snow for the first time. We put her in a sled and went down to a nearby park with a little hill. She didn't seem to quite understand it all but she wasn't upset either. After the first trip down the hill she knew what to expect a bit more and laughed a bit. It was a short outing however - she got cold and tired and we went home. It was fun!
Will has started violin lessons and already can play his first song - very exciting! Zanna and I go with and listen in so I can help with practising. He also just discovered the Titantic - haha! He picked out a Discovery Channel movie at the library on the Titantic having no clue what it was about but the picture on the front was cool. Well imagine his surprise when he realized it sunk (even though it happened how many years ago).
Sunday afternoon Zanna and I had a "date" with our friend Ruth and her girls for tea (oolong, of course being first day of Chinese New Year.) I was looking forward to catching up and having a relaxing afternoon when to my surprise it turned out to be a baby shower! What a fantastic afternoon we had (I still had my tea)! Our homeschool friends were there to celebrate Hosanna with us and I was truly touched by their love and support. Ruth had ventured to Chinatown and had decorations up in her house and a beautiful table set with a red theme - cake and all! Zanna got some great stuff to - lovely clothes for her to grow into and even her own rice bowl and mini chopstick set - haha! I'm overwhelmed by the circle of friends I've been blessed with and thank God for them!!!
Yesterday we celebrated a New Year/birthday party in the evening. I tried my hand at making some Chinese food - although with Zanna on my hip, I ended up not making it on my own but at least had the ingredients out! Skip and Karen were over and we had a great time. Pastor G had a wrestling match with Will while we sipped tea and tried to ignore the testosterone seeping through from the other room - too funny. Will had a BLAST! Zanna got her rice and broccoli so she was a happy camper and then she got to open up more presents! Wow! She officially turns one on Wednesday which it turns out is Ash Wednesday. Wayne preaches in the evening after a pancake supper at church so that's why we did the party yesterday. But we'll do a little something tomorrow to and take some pictures I'll be sure to post. I feel so grateful to be able to share her first birthday with her. It's different though - with Will I had fond memories of that day he came into our lives and we celebrated that memory on his birthday. With her it's much more bittersweet - I don't know the events of that day and only imagine what could have happened. She was placed where she would be found - a very public area and was brought safely to the orphanage. I think of her birth mom and wonder what she's going through now. I want her to know that her baby is loved and cared for. I think of her foster mom who cared for her all those months and must be thinking of her especially on her special day. I'm so incredibly thankful to God for all the ways he provided for her and brought her to us. I'm thankful for her Happy 1st Birthday!

And Then There Were Four

I think this is our first official family picture since we've been back taken at the baptism.

The other picture was taken on the last night Wayne's family was here - we got Chinese takeout. This was the first time since we've been back that the poor thing has had rice. I thought I'd feed her first and then help myself. I fed her with chopsticks for old times sake and she was loving it. I quickly realized she was not letting up and started to become concerned that I would never eat. So I called Wayne in for reinforcement. She just kept going until she took the chopsticks from him and helped herself. By the end of it rice was everywhere. I took her up for a bath and it was in her diaper. Too funny!

The bottom picture is one where she is wearing a cute sweater outfit given to her from Grandma Halldorson.

Our first week as a family of four went well. On Wednesday we went to playgroup (one where Will and I have been a part of for three years) and they surprised us with a baby shower! We had a great time and this is reinforcing her misguided assumption that wherever she goes people give her gifts. It will only continue into next week when we celebrate her first birthday!

Things continue to get better with Zanna and Daddy. I can now leave the room (as long as she doesn't see me leave). It's hard to believe how far they've come in such a short time. Will continues to be so helpful and a good big brother. The hardest part for him is being quiet during nap time - a challenge for a kid who's been an only child for over 6 years!

She is now clearly responding to her English name, has started a bit of sign language and gave me kisses this morning - priceless!

Big Weekend

I do intend to continue to do updates, it's just been crazy since we've been home. Our first week home went really well. Zanna has flourished in our home environment exploring, trying to walk, babbling and making the sweetest "flirty faces" with my Dad and Wayne. Will is very helpful making her laugh, playing with her and singing Raffi to her. Every night has gotten better and now she has completely slept through the night twice - we are thrilled! I still go to bed early (I'm up to 9:30pm now) just in case I have to drag myself out earlier than expected. We've worked on getting a routine and that seems to make all the difference - even for the adults! I had school with Will this last week to and she quietly listened in playing on the floor or eating Cheerios in her high chair. As Will says, "we're so blessed".
This past Friday, family from Calgary flew in - Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle, Aunt and cousins. Saturday our church threw Zanna a lovely shower at one of our members house. The turnout was amazing and we have been overwhelmed by the love and support of our church family and friends. Zanna made quite a haul what with clothes and all things pink and purple. She even let a few people hold her. She was pretty reserved for most of it giving a few half smiles and politely waited till the end (after the gifts) to give a proper smile and wave to the crowd who responded with clapping. She knows how to work the crowd. Actually, I had taken her into the doctors on Friday and he gave her a few shots in the leg I wasn't expecting. She woke up the next morning in a horrible mood, sleepy but not wanting to sleep. She finally snapped out of it before bedtime.
Sunday was the big day - after being adopted into our family, she was officially adopted into God's family through the waters of Holy Baptism. What a great day - to say the least! The turnout at church was amazing not only among our own members, but friends from some of our neighboring churches and good friends from the "old neighborhood". Dear friend and godmother Karen "whipped up" a gorgeous dress for her to wear along with finding shoes, tights and necklace to wear. Church member Gabriele made a beautiful "Hosanna" banner for the occasion and the flowers and cake were fantastic. There was a fellowship afterward with lots of yummy food. Afterward, we headed home and ate some more throughout the day, cousins played and Zanna melted down! Oh, well. I guessed we pushed it a bit. We managed to calm down and she slept very well.
This morning my parents left, leaving us to fend for ourselves - haha. My mother has been planning and making the meals, doing laundry, cleaning, etc and my Dad has been running our errands, building a window seat - he even vacuumed! What wonderful Grandparents and parents they are. I suppose after 6 1/2 weeks here it was time to go home. They have quite a drive home and they've promised to call tomorrow when they get home.
Wayne's parents are still here today and leave tomorrow so it's nice for the kids to get some one on one with them. Zanna's up from her morning nap now - do you believe we actually have to go get more diapers and formula? What goes in must come out. And it's been a lot - she's gained a pound in less than two weeks! I'll post pictures soon - that's Wayne's area and he's promised to do it today so stay tuned!