Birthday Girl & Adoption Day...

Today was Maya's 3rd birthday AND the 2nd anniversary of the day we signed her adoption papers in China.  We chose to keep this day to ourselves, celebrating it quietly, as a family... the way it began. 

The day started with Maya waking up to her special basket waiting for her on the dining room table, stuffed full of toys, craft supplies and even a few snacks.  She wore her Minnie Mouse tiara from Gramma & Grampa while she carefully took each item out of the basket and asked 'What's this?!'  There were presents on the table as well but time didn't allow us to open them.  We'll be doing a little bit each day so we can stretch out the pleasure.  Pictures, height & weight, more pictures, oogling over presents and getting ready for work & daycare filled our morning. 

Daycare had a birthday party for Maya and she got to be the centre of attention (for as long as 10 3-year-olds can hold their attention).  The evening was spent playing, going out for olive & mushroom pizza (Maya's choice) and finishing it off with some Gelato (Daddy's choice).  Boy, did Maya like the Gelato!!!  Who needs cake?!

Maya's birthday celebration will be spread out over the next 2 weeks as we're taking her to Whistler this weekend, she's getting her birthday present from us next week and we're having her birthday swimming & pizza party next weekend.  Besides, it'll take her that long to eat all of her special treats...

Family Day...

2 years ago, May 18, we met little Maya and became a family.  What a terrifying time that was for all 3 of us!  She was this tiny, gangly baby in a onesy that said 'Free Cuddles with every kiss' that was in shock over the changes that had been thrust upon her, without her consent.  We were excited and terrified about what changes we were about to encounter and how we would handle them together.  The roller-coaster of emotions that we went through to get to that day were indescribable.  Since then, we've created so many memories and are now a happy, cohesive, loving family.  We fit.  We are a team.  We are happy.  And, we are three...

Like father...

like daughter?

Photographers



Computer Geeks

Hey!

I finally figured out how this works!  I'll have to go back and update my blog design now.  Here's a pic of my little easter bunny...

Busy times...

Well, many things have happened since my last post almost 2 months ago. We've had some local trips with friends and family, and a big trip to Hawaii for just the 3 of us. I completed my second sprint distance triathlon in March and my third tri, an Olympic distance race, in Hawaii in April. We've had many date nights, some spa days, lots of dinners out and in with friends and spent time outside, enjoying the warmer weather. St Patricks Day & Easter have both passed by with simple celebrations for Maya's benefit. Plus, the on-going things like swim training, bike training, run training, dental appts, hair appts, chiro appts, sinus specialist appts, hearing appts, tenant issues, gardening, cleaning, blah, blah, blah... oh, yeah, work too. Any wonder why I haven't posted? At least I've added some pics here for you to see what we've been up to...

Boogie Down

Yesterday I competed in my 2nd Sprint Distance Triathlon. It was a cold but sunny day and I was relieved to not have to bike & run in the rain again. Maya and John came out to watch & support me. In the time that I was out doing my bike or run, they entertained themselves with snacks, walks and dancing. There was some loud, poppy music playing around the transition area and John was quick enough to catch Maya 'gettin down'. I got to see the video afterward and we killed ourselves laughing at our little disco queen. 'Get down, get down, get down, get down and boogie...'

Referral Anniversary...

This past Friday, March 4, was the 2nd anniversary of the date that we first saw a photo of JIANG, Xin Mei. Wow, has life changed! We've been so lucky to have this little person join our lives. Maya keeps us hopping.

Whenever I pull out the referral photos or videos of us when we met her in China she always says 'Baby Maya is so little. She's so cute! She's my friend...' I had to take a photo of her with her referral photo to show just how much she's changed.