Waiting For Ava

Halloween 2011

2011-11-03T22:39:00.007-04:00

This year Halloween was so much fun. Ava was into it way more this year compared to last year. Terri took her out going door to door. The first couple of doors she wasn't quite sure what to do. After the second or third door she was knocking and saying the magic words that every kid loves. Trick or treat. She is growing up so fast. We were looking at pictures from the first Halloween together to now and she has grown up sooooo much. She is amazing.

Birthday Party and Fathers Day.

2011-06-19T22:55:00.004-04:00

We went to Ami's birthday party this weekend. Ami is from the same SWI as Ava and Ami just turned three. We had such a wonderful time. We are so lucky to be able to keep in touch with the girls from Ava's orphanage. There are four of them and we all live within 2.5 hours of each other. I think it is so important to keep these connections with the girls. They spent the first year of their lives together. Keeping a chinese connection is important. We do not live a culturally diverse community so it is important to us to have relationships with people that Ava will be able to relate to, who will know better what Ava experiences than the girls who she was adopted with.

We spent Father's day at my Mom and Dad's. We had a beautiful day in the sunshine. Ava played with her cousins in the sprinkler and kiddie pool. Mike, my Dad and brother were spoiled with a steak dinner prepared by the girls who love them. We are truly blessed.

We've Learned How To Ride A Tricycle

2011-05-15T20:37:00.005-04:00

With the help of Ava's best friend Emmy Ava has learned how to pedal her tricycle. Try as we might we could not teach the concept of pedaling to Ava. It took Emmy's wise old(2.5yr old) common sense. "Ava you just pedal one foot at a time!" and VOILA! Ava is a bike rider! LOL

Family photos

2011-05-02T10:38:00.006-04:00

Its been such a long time between posts. Life gets so busy. Nothing major happening just everyday life. Ava is growing up so fast and we are so blessed. She is such an easy going, go with the flow kind of girl.

We got my side of the family photos done on Easter weekend. My neighbor is a fantastic photographer and got some really great shots. Unfortunately my dad had the flu and immediately returned to bed after these shots. He was a great sport though.

Gramma, Papa and grand kids. Johnny(4), Alicia(9) and Ava(2).
Aunt Laurie and Aunt Sherri(my twin sister) with their nieces and nephew. Brother Tom and his family. Bonnie, Alicia and Johnny. Ava and Alicia. Great friends!

2011-02-13T22:39:00.002-05:00

Ava has been watching a new DVD of some Disney Playhouse channel shows. Lately, she always requests to have her Minnie Mouse high heels on. Then she would do these moves that we thought where the heck did she learn that. Well, today we caught it on video. There is a show called Handy Manny and in it Manny is learn how to Salsa. Well someone else has learned it too! Definitely dance classes in the fall are on the menu! Ava is a natural! LOL

This week was my 40th birthday as well as my twin sisters and Ava's "half" birthday as we called it. She turned two and a half on my birthday. Daddy and Ava made me a cake and tried to get Ava to sing Happy Birthday. Turns out she was too itchy. What a character!

Ava had some fun playing in her toy box. She looked especially cute that day so a video was inevitable!

Our Little Girl Is Growing Up

2011-01-02T09:13:00.002-05:00

We changed Ava's crib over yesterday to a day bed. As I was taking off the side she came up to me and asked me if Daddy was fixing Ava's princess bed? I of course said yes. As soon as I got the side off of it her little face lit right up. She sat on the side of her bed swinging her legs. We told her that it was her big girl princess bed. She curled up under the blankets and I took a couple pictures. We eventually turned off the lights and came down stairs. Ava walked up and asked me to turn on the hallway lights upstairs and her bedroom lights. She kept running from her bedroom down stairs to us. She was so excited. When we put her to bed last night she stayed there for about twenty minutes. Then we heard her get up and open her door. She came down stairs and said Ava not sleepy. We let her stay up for a few minutes. Terri took her back upstairs and rocked her and they said there prayers together. She put Ava back in her big girl princess bed and Ava stayed there until close to 8:30 this morning. She is growing up so fast.

Life Long Friends

2010-12-30T09:38:00.002-05:00

We got together yesterday with two other families that were from our adoption group. It was awesome to see the three little girls playing together. We hope that we can get together on a regular basis. I think that it is important that the girls stay in contact with each other. We were missing one other little princess at the party. Unfortunately she and her parents couldn't make it. Hopefully they can next time. We all live within a two hour drive of each other which is really nice. Thanks to Brian and Cathy for being great hosts. Terri and I can only hope that the girls can stay life long friends and that the parents can also be life long friends.

It's been a while...

2010-12-16T22:57:00.003-05:00

It gets harder and harder to find the time to post to the blog. Ava is changing so fast, getting so tall and talking a mile a minute. Christmas is fast approaching and the snow is never ending. We have gotten about 4 feet of snow in the last couple of weeks and it is still coming. Ugh!!!
And now without further ado a couple videos and pics! I know that's what you really come for!

Ava and Emily...Best Friends

2010-11-09T17:05:00.010-05:00

Ava is very lucky to have a great friend like Emily. Emily lives two doors down from us and is a couple months older than Ava. We get together for playdates and take swimming lessons together each week. They have alot of fun together and it is amazing to see how they grow and change and how different their little personalities are.

Ava and Emily love to sing and dance(as you will hear Emmy say in this video). Unfortunately Ava can handle her spins a little more than Em can. So cute!

Ava was Minnie Mouse for halloween. Adorable! Her Minnie Mouse shoes have been worn daily since Halloween. See how much we have changed...

Halloween 2010

Halloween 2009

This is Love

2010-10-30T11:03:00.002-04:00

We took Georgia yesterday to get fixed. So she was gone all day. Ava kept asking me where Georgia was. I kept telling her that Georgia was at the doctor's. That she was going to be sore when she came home. I told her that Georgia's tummy was going to be really sore and that she needed to be very gentle with Georgia when she came home. Terri took some pics last night and I took some this morning. Ava is such a sensitive little girl. She loves her Georgia so much.

Public Library Party

2010-10-30T10:49:00.003-04:00

Terri took Ava to the Public Library yesterday for a kids Halloween party. She took some pics so I thought that we should post them. It is amazing how much having a child changes your life. I say this because it is so nice to see Ava and Terri going out and doing things like this together. I love the two of them so much. Terri is an amazing mom. I feel like I don't give her enough credit for what she does with and for Ava.

Ava's Gymnastics Classes

2010-10-14T19:16:00.003-04:00

We now have Ava involved in Gymnastics. She has been going now for a few weeks. Today was her fourth class. She has really opened up. The first couple of classes she wouldn't leave your side or let your hand go. Now she will freely roam the mats and wander off all by herself. It is absolutely wonderful to watch. She surprises us every day.

Gymnastics Pics

2010-10-14T18:39:00.002-04:00

Gymnastics Class

2010-10-14T18:19:00.002-04:00

Fall Fun

2010-10-13T14:52:00.003-04:00

"Where's picture, Momma"

2010-10-10T09:50:00.004-04:00

Ava and Georgia are growing so fast. Georgia is just 8 months and getting so big. We forget sometimes that she is still a pup. Ava is changing and learning so much everyday. It's hard to believe she is the same little girl we brought home last year. She is talking non stop now and is such a parrot. Lately, she will cuddle up with Georgia and say "where's picture, Momma?"
This means get the camera Mom! Of course I oblige!

Ava has started gymnastics this fall. It's a great way for her to learn how to move and balance and she has so much fun. We are also continuing swimming lessons after a break this summer. She is doing well but she is a very strong-willed girl and if she doesn't want to do something she will let you know. Unfortunately, her mother has the same characteristics and we have butted heads often.

Ava still loves her books and is a singer and a dancer.A couple nights ago she had Mike and I up doing the hokey pokey. Glad there were no cameras. No one needs to see that!

We are having so much fun watching her grow into such an amazing little person. I wish we could keep her a baby forever but also are really excited to see the person she is going to be.

Ava turns two!

2010-08-10T22:39:00.003-04:00

Ava turned two today. What a wonderful day spent with Ava's friends and cousins and dinner with Ava's Aunties' Sherri and Laurie. Ava received some wonderfully fun gifts. Uncle Tom and Aunt Bonnie and cousins Alicia and Johnny bought Ava a merry go-round for the backyard. We will get alot of use of it in the years to come.

Aunt Sherri and Aunt Laurie got Ava a vintage pedal car. They found it at the Goodwill and got a phenomenal deal on it. Laurie had the seat reupholstered and it is in great shape. What fun gifts for our amazing girl!

We are having a Barb-q on Saturday to celebrate Ava's birthday with family and friends.

1 year reunion with some special friends

2010-08-10T15:43:00.005-04:00

First pic is Aug 5th, 2009. Ava is 2nd, Kailee is 3rd and Ami is 6th.

2nd pic is Aug 7th, 2010. Ava, Kailee and Ami.

Saturday we had the opportunity to visit with Linda, Octavio and KaiLee and Cathy, Brian and Ami. What a great day. We travelled with them last year to get our daughters and it was so nice to see the girls together again. They are all from Guiping SWI and spent a good part of their first year together. It is amazing to see how much the girls have changed over the last year. They are no longer babies. Little girls with fun, strong personalities. We hope to get together alot more. It is important to us that the girls remain friends for a long time. Ami is aroung 7 weeks older than Ava and Kailee is about 5 weeks younger. It is nice to see that all of the girls are thriving and meeting their milestones and surpassing some. What a wonderful day! Thanks Linda and Octavio. You are the ultimate hosts!

One year ago we met the most beautiful girl...

2010-07-27T20:49:00.008-04:00

We used to believe we had the worst luck and the world was against us. Now we know that there is noone luckier. We have been given the opportunity to spend our lives with the most amazing little girl. We are lucky enough to wake up everyday to her smiling face and see her grow and change with each blink of an eye. She has grown from this quiet little baby to a funny, lively little girl. Each day we are amazed by her actions and words. She is a dancer and a singer, and a joker and a monkey. She has added so much too our lives and to those around us. She has taught us all that it's not just biology that makes you a family but it's the love you share.

We are amazed by all of the support we have had from our family, friends and people we have never met, that have a connection to us by a family member or friend or even a follower of our blog. Thank you to you all. It has been amazing to share this year with you.

Message For Mommy

2010-07-26T13:56:00.002-04:00

Ava and I thought that it would be a good idea to make mommy a message on our driveway. We wanted her to be able to see it as she pulled into the driveway when she came home from work. As I was colouring in the heart Ava walked up and out of the blue said Heart. I don't know where she has heard it before but she certainly knew what it was. It was so cute. She has quite a memory. Ava heard Terri pull into the driveway and came running to me screaming mommy, mommy. She was so excited to show her mommy what she had done for her. It's hard to believe that this is the same little girl that was handed to us one year ago tomorrow. SHE IS AMAZING.

One Year Ago Flying to Beijing

2010-07-23T13:20:00.004-04:00

Hard to believe that one year ago today we were starting our trip that would change our lives for ever. After a harrowing start of a emergency landing and a long 7 hour wait for a replacement flight we were on our way to meet the girl who would change our lives forever.
Just a few pics from the last month and we will do another post on the anniversary of our Gotcha day.

Bugs love Ava's sweet blood and it seems she has not been without some good bites all season. My poor girl. Ava loves sitting on the toilet and refuses any help. She has great balance and is well on her way to being diaper free. Reading material lately is a must! LOL

Don't let the gloomy puss fool ya. Ava is such a happy girl. We were on our way to church in this one. She loves to lug her dollie around. She will be a great Momma some day.

And a couple vidoes for your enjoyment. We had a blast at my Mom and Dad's this weekend. Georgia and Ava are such great friends and apparently all a girl needs is a puppy and the water hose for entertainment.

Dance fever 22 mos.

2010-06-23T17:47:00.001-04:00

Ava has some new moves since the last dance video.

Two Best Friends

2010-06-07T12:51:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe that a child that is just under two and a puppy that is only just over four months old will lay down together like this for at least an hour at a time. Ava loves Georgia so much.

Georgia and icecreams cones. No explanation required.

2010-06-04T01:51:00.001-04:00

Ava and Her Cousin Alexis

2010-05-16T13:47:00.003-04:00

We went over to my sisters yesterday to visit my niece and her little girl. The baby's name is Alexis. She is six months old. She is so cute. Laughs like crazy. Ava loves her. She was holding Alexis's hand and kissing her and hugging her. I had to post some pics.

Two - Must Reads

2010-05-13T19:35:00.004-04:00

Terri and I purchased two books recently. The books are written by the same author. The author is a woman by the name of Xinran. The titles of the books are - Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother and The Good Women Of China. I have read the first one and am about half way through the second. They are amazing reads. Sometimes disturbing yet very informative. Some relatives of Terri's threw Ava a Welcome to the family party about six months ago. I of course had to say a little something at the party. After I was done thanking everyone for coming I said to everyone there that Terri and I wish that Ava's birth mother could only see Ava and the loving forever family that she now has. I also said that I hope that people realize the decision that Ava's birth mother had to make and that I truly believe that there isn't a day that goes by that Ava's birth mother doesn't think of her and wonders where she is. After reading these two books I can honestly say that I truly believe that this is true. We have decided that when the time is right we will give these books to Ava to read. I would recommend these books to anyone who has or is going to adopt from China. I believe the adoption agencies should put these two books on their recommended reading list prior to adopting.

Some extra cuteness.

2010-05-13T13:56:00.003-04:00

The new babysitter! LOL Ava climbed in and Georgia followed.

Ava and Georgia

2010-05-09T20:57:00.003-04:00

Growing up, vacations and a new friend...

2010-05-09T12:27:00.004-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers and mothers-in-waiting.
Ava is doing great. She is an amazing sponge. Soaking everything in. New words and phrases happen everyday(Somebody really has to watch her language now...lol). I am sure everyone feels that their child is the most brilliant and I have joined that club. She is so funny and full of so much personality and attitude. I am going to be in so much trouble. I think she and I are going to have a few wars in our future, we both are stubborn and want things our way. She seems to win most battles so far. We will see if I learn to back down on the right ones and stand firm on the important ones. Wish me luck!

We recently returned from a vacation to Florida. We drove down. Two 13 hour days on the road and Ava was incredible. No complaints were heard and she never balked at getting back into the car after our few stops on the way. We had alot of fun swimming and playing with her cousins Sha-Sha(Alicia) and hat(Johnny). She calls Johnny hat because in a picture we have of Alicia and Johnny he is wearing a hat...lol. We went to SeaWorld for a day which was fun but we are saving Disney for when she is a little bit older.

The day after we got home we picked up our newest addition to the family. She is a 10 week old St. Bernard named Georgia. She is so cute. Ava and she are becoming fast friends. Ava loves to try and walk her like she did Yeti and whenever the puppy is napping Ava steals a little cuddle. When Georgia is up and playing Ava is still a bit timid. Yeti never hopped around nipping at her butt! A little fear is a good thing when Georgia still has those razor sharp puppy teeth.

I returned to work Wednesday of this past week. We decided that I would return on a part-time basis. We really did not want to have to worry about daycare and my employers are very willing to work around Mike's shift work. I have enjoyed being back a work. It is nice to have some adult conversation but I really miss Ava while I am there. Ava has definitely noticed the changes in the recent days. We have gone from a week of being together 24 hours a day to me going back to work and our attention split between house training the dog and potty training Ava. Yes, that is crazy! Ava has been in Pull Ups for about a month now and for the most part she usually poops on the toilet. The challenge is the pee. I think there is no real discomfort to a Pull Up of pee. I think it may be time to get some panties and let her feel the discomfort. This will probably be put on hold though until we get the pup somewhat trained. I am crazy but not that crazy! lol

RIP My Friend Nov 2001-March 2010

2010-03-23T23:03:00.004-04:00

Yeti, you will be greatly missed. We couldn't have asked for a better friend. Your patience and gentle nature were immeasurable. Ava has lost her best friend. We will talk of you often so she will never forget how great you were. Rest in Peace we will be forever grateful for you and we will always remember you. Great bigs hugs to you! Thank you!

Spring Walks

2010-03-16T18:49:00.003-04:00

Now that we have been getting some warmer weather we have been taking Yeti and Ava for walks in the evenings. Ava insists on walking Yeti by herself. It is so cute. We decided we would record it. She loves Yeti so much. When she walks down the street holding his leash she starts to go on these little rants. She just rambles on. She is growing up too fast

Life Book

2010-02-25T16:49:00.006-05:00

I have been working on a life book for Ava now for the better part of two months. It finally came in the mail today. I was so excited to come home from work and get to open it up for the first time. It turned out so nice. I have been worried about it. Worried that it wouldn't explain enough or flow very well. I have finally come to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter. What matters is that I made the effort. She will like it no matter what. I made it to try and explain to her about her beginning in life. Where she is from. The journey that her mommy and I took to get her. The pictures in it are all from our trip to China. Mac does such a good job. I made it on our I-Mac computer.I love this computer. The book is hard covered and is 11x8 in size. I took pictures of the cover and the back and a page from inside the book. I will post them with this. I will read her book to her tonight before bedtime.

My Birthday Card

2010-02-24T23:26:00.003-05:00

It was my birthday today. So when I came home from work today Terri and Ava took me out for dinner. After dinner Terri showed me a video that her and Ava made today. It is of them making me a birthday card using finger paints. It is so cute. I almost melted when I watched it for the first time. I also have a video of them making me my birthday cake. Ava loves to eat the cake batter. She got it all over her face.

Cute Pics

2010-02-24T22:19:00.002-05:00

After we video taped Ava trying to feed herself we realized that we taped it in night vision. So there is no colour. So I took some still pics. These pics really help capture the sauce all over her face and her expressions. She has brought so much joy to us. Terri and Ava are my whole life. I can't imagine living life without them.

Little Miss Independent

2010-02-23T19:58:00.004-05:00

Ava is becoming very independent these days. Every time we sit down to eat she runs off to the kitchen and taps the drawer with the cutlery in it and says "soop, soop" which to her means spoon. She won't let us feed her anything anymore. From time to time we ask her if she wants mommy or daddy's help and she'll nod her head and say yeah. It is so cute.
She is talking so much more now. We now have to kiss all of her boo boo's. That's hilarious too. She also trys to dress herself. Her favourite is to take her socks off and put them back on again. She is growing up so fast.
We were able to film her tonight trying to feed herself some pomegranate apple sauce. She loves the stuff.

Ava Is Now Officially A Canadian Citizen

2010-02-09T14:35:00.002-05:00

We received Ava's Canadian Citizenship yesterday in the mail. It was nice coming home from work and seeing that paper and her card on the island. I almost cried. It is hard to explain. I was so concerned about getting it for her. Now she is a Canadian. We will never let her forget about where she was born or her heritage. I think that she is a lucky little girl to have two great backgrounds.

Ava Meets Her Great Grandmother

2010-02-09T14:25:00.002-05:00

We took Ava to meet her great Grandmother Nanny for the first time on Saturday. She played strange at first but after a few moments she was fine. When we left she gave her Nanny a kiss and a hug. She ate Nanny out of house and home. She ate her banana and some chocolates. Nanny was very important part of my life growing up and it was great to see Ava in her arms. I'm sure her great Grandfather Bumpy was watching from heaven. He would have loved meeting her.

6 months together...seems like we have never been apart

2010-01-27T23:47:00.002-05:00

It is hard to believe that we have been a family for 6 months. Ava has fit into our lives so smoothly we wonder how we got so lucky. We had heard that the CCAA had a almost magical talent for matching child with family and we are true believers.
We absolutely had some tough times in the beginning and we still have our battle of wills every once in a while(Ava very often wins).
In the past 6 months Ava has blossomed. It feels like I just blink my eyes and she has learned something new. She is growing up so fast. I have learned alot in this journey too. Being a Mom is alot harder and more exhausting than I could ever imagine but the rewards are so worth it.
When Ava climbs up to give kisses or wanders over and gives my leg a hug while I am making dinner my heart melts. Ava is such an affectionate little girl. She loves to cuddle and dance.
We have had some playdate with our neighbor Tina and her daughter Emily. Emily is just one month older than Ava so we are so happy they will have each other to grow together and hopefully be great friends. We have also started swimming lessons. We are working on kicking our legs and blowing bubbles. Ava doesn't mind going under water and will jump from the side of the pool as long as she has mommy's hands. It is a lot of fun and it has been great to see Ava interact with other kids.

First Swimming Lesson

First Pigtails

Some Family photos

2009-12-29T10:55:00.004-05:00

These photos were taken by our neighbor. When we received our referral she offered to do our first family photos for free. We are so thankful to her for this. She did an incredible job and absolutely love these pictures of our forever family! Thanks Paulette!

Almost Ready For Christmas

2009-12-19T22:22:00.003-05:00

We're almost ready for Ava's first Christmas. We did some final shopping today. We did good. We certainly didn't go over board. We both agreed that Ava doesn't even realize what is going on this year. There is no sense in going out and doing a lot of shopping for her this year. I will admit it though that it was hard. We've waited all these years to have her here with us. She is scared silly of Santa. She was afraid of the Christmas tree for a few days. Now she will go up to it and touch the ornaments. One of Terri's co-workers gave Ava a Christmas ornament with her name on it. It was a very thoughtful thing to do. Ava loves it. We put it on the tree and every time she sees it she gets this big smile on her face. Christmas day is going to be so exciting and emotional. Lots of pictures will be taken.

Panda Club Christmas party

2009-12-14T11:16:00.003-05:00

Last night we attended our first Panda Club event. The Panda Club is a group of families in the Barrie area that have all adopted from China. There is a wide range of age from Ava and KaiLee that were the youngest to girls near teens. They were very welcoming and we were amazed that people were able to tell that Ava was from the southern part of China by her eye shape and facial features. There seemed to be quite a few girls from the same province(Guangxi) as Ava and KaiLee.

We sang some Xmas carols and waited for Santa to arrive. All of the girls were so excited for Santa to arrive with the exception of Ava and KaiLee. When it was KaiLee and Ava's turn there was no sitting on Santa's lap. Ava tightened every muscle around Daddy when she came near that pillow fattened man in the red suit.

We had some wonderful Chinese food. So good! Mike and Octavio took full advantage of the buffet. They certainly got their $10 worth. What a great deal!

Ava and KaiLee took a few minutes to come out of their shells. Once they did they had a great time. Ava gave KaiLee lots of hugs and kisses...wanted or not. This picture is just before the last hug. KaiLee has been walking for just a month so is a little unsteady. Ava is a little aggressive with her love and as she hugged KaiLee they went down. Ava on top of KaiLee. This loving gesture ended in tears...Ava at first and then KaiLee as she took the brunt of the fall. Too cute!

All in all we had a wonderful time! We will definitely get together with the Panda Club again and we will see Linda Octavio and KaiLee soon once all the Christmas madness is over!

She Loves To Dance

2009-12-10T03:07:00.004-05:00

Terri video taped Ava dancing tonight. I called from work tonight and Terri told me that she caught Ava dancing and was able to video some of it. I uploaded it to the laptop when I got home. She is so cute. In the video after the first song ends she turns and watches the I-Mac for the next song to start. If you watch her hands she's even trying to snap her fingers. She has quite a little personality on her now. We received an interesting e-mail yesterday from the Guiping Girls Yahoo group that we belong to. Someone sent us an e-mail telling us that they sponsored Ava while she was in China in her foster home. They offered to give us what little information that they might have about Ava while she was in China and in her foster home. We are awaiting the e-mail back from her. We are very excited about the idea of possibly getting more information about Ava. Maybe we will be able to find out her foster mothers name. Any information would be nice to have because right now we have none. All we know is that she was in a foster home for the majority of her first year.

Breakfast With Santa

2009-12-05T09:21:00.006-05:00

Ava has seen snow for her first time yesterday. She ran her hand down the side of the car and got some snow on it and did not like it at all. Terri and her went over to a friend of Terri's last night and apparently every time Terri got her out of the car and into the cold she cried. She will have to get use to it living in Canada and all. It will be fun this winter with her. We are headed out the door this morning to go have breakfast with Santa. It should be interesting. After Terri put Ava down last night she put up and decorated the tree and put out some Christmas decorations. When I came down stairs with Ava this morning she was frightened of the tree. When I took her over next to it she held on with a death grip. She rambles on now quite a bit. Not a lot of English but some and lots of baby babble. She loves talking on the phone. She made me feel very special yesterday. I came home from an appointment that I had in the middle of the afternoon and I pulled into the lane way and got out of the car and set my car alarm. I guess Ava heard it. By the time I got to the door I could hear her screaming Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. She came running up stairs to see me. I would never thought that such a little bundle of joy could melt me down to a puddle of emotions. I love her so much. She doesn't like Santa very much. I walked up to Santa with Ava in my arms and got within three feet of him and Ava had a death grip on my shoulder. She started crying immediately. Big crocodile tears. So no picture with Santa this year. Maybe next year. No big deal.

Monkey...in case you don't know

2009-11-01T00:05:00.003-04:00

Well our first Halloween is over and we had alot of fun. Ava was dressed as a little monkey very fitting to her personality. We found it funny that people couldn't figure out what she was dressed as. The best guesses we had were a CARROT???? or a pumpkin. Weird, I never saw a carrot or a pumpkin with ears and a tail. Both of these fabulous guesses came from Mike's sister. Take a bow Linda!! lol

Ava got lots of candy and one neighbor was smart and bought little things of playdough. Very smart. So Ava will enjoy the playdough and a little taste of chocolate and Mommy and Daddy will help her eat the rest. We are only doing it for her own good. Yes, we will sacrifice our figures for our daughter. It's called good parenting people!

We had lots of fun carving our pumpkins again this year. Mike carved "Jack Nicholson in The Shining", I carved "Michael Jackson the early, good looking years" and then Mike did a little pumkin for Ava of a character called "Gobby". We had great comments from the trick or treaters. It truly is my favorite thing to do at Halloween. Next Halloween will be more fun for Ava. She will understand the concept and be able to Trick or Treat with her cousins. The first was great though! Hope everyone had a fun and safe one!

2009-10-19T12:24:00.003-04:00

We have been neglecting our blog and getting many complaints. Who knew so many people would be interested in our little family. It is Mike's fault for making such heartfelt posts while we were away. And I guess having the cutest little girl helps that as well.

Ava sitting in her desk.

Ava giving Yeti a big hug!

Ava dancing with Nana.

Reading books with Papa is fun!

Here she is playing on her playground that the girls at Zellers bought for us. She climbs the stairs and slides down all by hersef as you can see. She is very brave and loves to be swung around and hung upside down. So much fun!

Together over 2 months

2009-10-02T15:37:00.003-04:00

It is hard to believe Ava has been with us for 2 months already! I can't imagine loving anyone as much as I do her. She is an unbelievably happy girl. Her smile lights up my world.
Some family members threw a party to introduce Ava to our exteneded family and friends. Ava was great. She loved the attention and had a smile for everyone she met. She is very confident. Playing with all of the cousins and taking in all of the new faces. We had a wonderful afternoon and it is great to know we have such love and support around us. Mike of course made a speech that made everyone cry. Curse him!!!
Yesterday we went to the doctor and Ava got her first shot since she's been home. Had a little cry when the needle went in but once it was done she was great. She has had no ill affects except for a slight fever when she went to bed last night.

More Wedding Pictures

2009-09-13T11:33:00.002-04:00

Courtney's Wedding Day

2009-09-13T11:01:00.004-04:00

We went to our nieces wedding yesterday. It was a beautiful day. It was an outside wedding and the weather couldn't have been any nicer. We were able to take lots of photos. The grooms grandmother hosted the wedding and the dinner. She did a fantastic job. Johns grandmother told us that the cake topper that Courtney and John used had a special meaning. Johns great grandparents used the same cake topper on their sixty fifth wedding anniversary cake.

Ava Visits Kailee

2009-09-07T17:42:00.003-04:00

Terri, Ava and I all went over to a couples house Saturday night for supper. We met these people in China. They were a part of our group. Their little girl came from the same Social Welfare Institute as Ava. They live only about one hour from us. Hopefully Ava and Kailee can grow up being close friends. Terri and I get along great with Kailee's parents. They are such good people. It is amazing to see how much different our children are now compared to when we got them roughly six weeks ago. It was cool to sit and watch Ava and Kailee playing together here in Canada and to stop and think that they might very well have played together in China. Terri and I plan on keeping in regular contact.

Friends for life

2009-08-30T19:31:00.003-04:00

Everyone is always asking how Ava and Yeti are getting along.
Well this picture is evidence of their fast building bond. Ava loves Yeti and Yeti is so patient and gentle with her. She looks for him every morning when she wakes up and he has learned that the best place to stand is next to the highchair during feeding time!
Too cute! We are so happy to see such a great friendship form.
Ava and Marbles(the cat) are doing fine too. Ava loves to pet and pull Marbles hair but Marbles is not as patient as Yeti and I can see we are going to have to watch Ava with the cat much more than we would with Yeti.

Ava is much more confident walking around and loves to pace back and forth practising her balance and keeping us in view at the same time. She does very well playing by herself. She tries to dress herself but sometimes attempts to put her pants on top. Must be due to Mike wearing her pants on his head like a hat. She is such a funny, happy girl and we fall more and more in love with her each day.

Sleepless Nights

2009-08-30T13:43:00.002-04:00

We have been going for about two weeks with little to no sleep. You could probably set a clock to when Ava will wake up through out the night. We are into a routine where we bath her then give her some Pablum then a bottle before she goes to bed. By the time that she is three quarters of the way done her bottle she is usually starting to fall asleep. She will fall asleep in our arms and then we put her down for the night. Exactly one hour later she will be awake and crying. We go in and pick her up and sooth her. Sit in a chair and comfort her. She will go back to sleep. When we go to lay her back down she wakes up instantly. Sometimes you are able to place down on the crib mattress and other times you can't. When we are able to she wakes up as soon as you reach her bedroom door. We have both been so tired and exhausted this past week. Then we found a god send. We went to Baby's R Us yesterday. We bought this thing for her bedroom that has a night light and plays lullabies and you can also load your own music onto it. It is made by Graco and is called Sweet Slumber Sound Machine. The name is very accurate. We put Ava to bed last night and it took awhile to get her settled down in her crib. We eventually pushed the chair over to be beside her crib. We didn't pick her up at all and just let her touch our hand. She eventually fell asleep. She slept for about eight hours uninterrupted. Then today we put her down for her nap. Again it took a little while but once she was down she slept just a little over two hours. I Love This New Find. It has been the best sixty dollars that we have ever spent. Today is a good day.

First Week Back To Work

2009-08-22T07:47:00.003-04:00

Well this past week was my first week back to work. I hated leaving Terri and Ava each and every day. I eventually started getting kisses from Ava as I left each day. I still have to ask for them which is okay. I certainly do realize how much work it is to take care of Ava every day all day. Terri is doing great. I appreciate the work she does. I know that it has been hard for her because there has been days where Ava has been very clingy. She still freaks out when you leave the room that she is occupying. All you have to do is stand up and no matter where she is in the room she drops what she is doing and rushes right to your side. She grabs on and won't let go until you sit down. I got up with Ava this morning to let Mommy get some sleep. After only being up with Ava by myself for a few hours now I don't know how Terri ever got anything done in the house. Every night that I came home the house was clean, the dishes done and laundry done. I never have to worry about Ava at all. I can only say that it is unbelievable how much love I have for my two girls. They are both amazing. They are my whole life. I would re marry Terri a million gazillion times over and I certainly would wait all over again to get Ava. I don't have any regrets. Adopting Ava was the second best decision I have ever made. The first was asking Terri to marry me.

Late Night Pooh And Play

2009-08-21T13:20:00.003-04:00

One night Ava was sound asleep in the crib in our hotel room in Beijing. She woke up and started playing and jumping and talking. We started filming her because it was so cute. We eventually realized that she was having a pooh. This is probably why she woke up. While she was up I guess she felt the need to get out a few things. She is such a cutie. I think Mommy and Daddy weren't helping the situation in this video. Ava ended up staying up for awhile after her bum was changed. To be honest we really didn't mind. We enjoyed the play time just as much as she did if not more.

Relaxing Music

2009-08-21T03:05:00.003-04:00

One evening while we were in China. We returned back to our hotel in Beijing after getting dinner we noticed a trio of young ladies playing music in the front lobby. The music was so relaxing to listen to. So after going up to our room I went back down and filmed them playing. We really enjoyed it and we hope that anyone who wants to listen to it on our blog will also enjoy it.

Momhood...exhausting!

2009-08-18T16:31:00.003-04:00

Well, Mike's first day back to work was yesterday.
I have to say that it was a tough day. We have done well the past few weeks having each other around when one of us need a break. We love Ava so much and would do anything for her but it really is exhausting taking care of her on my own.
I felt like I was in a three legged race with a dwarf. Ava had a death grip around my leg for most of the day and would not lay down alone for her nap. I wonder if she was reacting to Mike not being around.
It was very difficult getting anything done. I cleaned up the dishes with her hanging around my leg. I got the laundry done thankfully but will soon be doing more as the dirty diapers are piling up fast. It will be difficult for a while to keep the house as clean as I would like but I am going to try to get as much done during her naps as I can.
I always knew motherhood was hard and now I am a true believer. I wouldn't change a thing as I know I am going to love watching this little princess grow and change everyday. She is such a fabulous little girl. We are truly blessed!

Amazing Support and Friends

2009-08-15T22:14:00.003-04:00

The whole time that we were in China and since we have come home we have received so much support and well wishes from so many people. Terri's co-workers have been amazing to us and Ava. Yesterday some of Terri's co-workers delivered a Step 2 Playground set for Ava. Some of the people got together and purchased it for Ava for her first birthday. We couldn't believe it. It is absolutely amazing how many people followed our journey in China and now at home. We just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their support and well wishes. It was and is greatly appreciated. Ava loves her new playground and wants to say thanks to everyone who contributed.

The Great Wall Video's and Pics

2009-08-14T14:44:00.004-04:00

The visit to The Great Wall of China was one of the highlights of our trip. It is certainly big and beautiful. As I climbed the wall people would stop and ask me where I was from? As soon as I would say Canada they would get excited and ask if I would mind if they got their picture taken with me. Of course I replied with " I would be happy to " People were so pleasant to me. I still don't know if it was the hat or that I was from Canada. It was absolutely amazing to be climbing and run across all nationalities of people and of all ages. The climb is very physically grilling. So to see people obviously in their eighties or nineties was awesome. The views and sounds from the Great Wall were certainly unforgettable.

Daddy Holds His Little Girl For The First Time

2009-08-14T09:21:00.004-04:00

This is a short video of Ava and I. I was a little scared to be honest. I wasn't sure if she would let me hold her. In the video I keep whispering her Chinese name into her ear hoping that it might comfort her. It was hard to hold back the tears. I certainly didn't want to scare her anymore than what she already was.

Gotcha Day Video

2009-08-13T19:30:00.003-04:00

I spent about an hour and a half today uploading this video to our blog. Hopefully everyone can see it fine. The day that this video was taken will be a day that neither one of us will ever forget. That room that we were in was so hot. Little to no air conditioning. A thunder and lightening storm started about a minute before our girls were brought in. It was raining as we were leaving the Civil Affairs office. Everyone was so happy and engrossed in their little girls. I can only speak for myself but all I was thinking was get us back to our rooms as fast as possible. After seeing all those little girls in one place it is hard to believe that what we went through that day happens on a daily basis in China. It is just amazing.

Moments After We Became A Forever Family

2009-08-13T10:30:00.004-04:00

This morning I got up and started going through our video files from our trip. We couldn't post videos from China only pictures. So now I will try and post the ones that I am able to upload. These three are of Ava and mommy on the bus just minutes after we received her. They are very cute. I still can't believe how quiet she was and you can see on her face in the videos that she was just trying to take everything in. There is one point in one of the videos where Terri puts her chin on Ava's head and looks out the window. This is one of my favourite moments while filming them. I could just see the love on her face and in her actions. At that moment I couldn't believe that we were finally together as a forever family.

and she walks....

2009-08-12T14:42:00.009-04:00

Well today has been a great day. Ava slept from 9pm until 5:30am without waking for the first time. That was great. Now we have to stop waking p listening for her and we can all get some well needed rest. As well Ava has been taking a few steps here and there and been getting braver and braver as time goes by. Well this afternoon after her nap she got some courage and she walked! Really walked! Not just a few steps between Mike and I but walked the length of our kitchen and down the hallway to the front door. We are so happy that we were able to see this milestone but now I think we are going to be in for some trouble. She loves the outlets and power cords. I guess it is time for a trip to the store to get some safety items for this inquisitive child! Of course we are still madly in love and in complete awe of this incredible girl.

EVEN MORE PICTURES

2009-08-11T08:39:00.006-04:00

The Look ------------------------Ava Trying On Her Cousin Alicia's Headband

The Birthday Feast --------------------Ava Eating Her Birthday Cupcake

Ava Playing With Her New Push-Ride Musical Car

MORE PICTURES

2009-08-10T09:21:00.006-04:00

Ava & Aunt Bonnie------------------------Ava Hugging Her Cousin Alicia

Cousin Johny-----------------------------------Mommy & Ava Eating Watermelon

Mommy & Ava Opening Gifts

BIRTHDAY PICTURES

2009-08-10T08:59:00.005-04:00

Daddy, Nanna & Ava ------------------------------ Nana, Papa & Ava

Ava & Cousin Ashley -------------------------- Ava & Cousin Shelby

Ava & Uncle Tom

Ava's First Birthday Party

2009-08-10T08:42:00.002-04:00

We celebrated Ava's first birthday yesterday. She turned one today. She is adapting so well. It is scary. She doesn't really make strange to her family members. She is playing really well with her younger cousins. It is absolutely amazing. We were expecting something different. She is a little angel. We are still trying to figure out a good eating and napping schedule for Ava. For the first few nights she was waking up every hour on the hour. Last night she slept for a five hour stretch. She keeps waking up at around four thirty every morning. We are thinking that it is because she is hungry. We are going to start feeding her cereal and a bottle before bedtime. The cloth diapers that we purchased for Ava are working well for us. She doesn't mind them. We keep checking the computer each morning for any e-mails from anyone that was in our travel group. For any updates on how their children are doing.

First Morning At Home

2009-08-07T07:34:00.006-04:00

Ava slept with us last night. She slept from 12:30 until just after 6 this morning. She is a little trooper. The plane ride yesterday was really hard on her. When she sleeps she tosses and turns. So we would lay her down across our laps and she would sleep for about a half an hour then she would try and turn and wake right up. We had to pace quite a bit with her on the plane. She would fall asleep in our arms walking then we sat down she would wake up shortly after. She wasn't to fawn of the car seat at first. She cried for about twenty minutes or so on the way home but she eventually fell asleep in it. Not bad for being the first time ever in a car or a car seat. When we arrived home last night she was scared. She would look at our dog Yeti and start to cry. We fed her a bottle last night and she went right to sleep. I kept waking up through the night just to make sure that she was still there. I know crazy but I couldn't help it. When she did wake up she awoke with a big smile and sat up and started clapping her hands. Yeti came to the side of the bed and Ava just sat and watched him. No tears. No crying. She really is amazing.

There Home!

2009-08-06T22:01:00.003-04:00

Just some pics for those of you waiting to hear how every thing went at the airport tonight. It was a long wait but the happy family is finally home. It was amazing to be there to welcome Terri and Mike home with Ava. Words can't describe how beautiful she is and how happy Terri and Mike look.

2009-08-05T10:18:00.006-04:00

It's hard to believe that it's been four years in waiting and now we have our little angel and it's our last night in Beijing. Ava just had her bath and her bottle and is fast asleep. We are both very nervous about the flight tomorrow. We hope Ava does okay. She did really good on the three hour flight from Guangxi but tomorrow is a bit different. Thirteen hours plus the day change. Hopefully she doesn't get her days and nights mixed up.

We walked down to the silk market today to get some last minute shopping done. We went out with a couple of families for dinner tonight then we had them back to our room for a couple of drinks and let the kids play.

We have grown quite fond of these two families. Hopefully we can stay in touch when we get home. One family only lives about a forty-five minute drive away. The other family lives on the east coast.

Our packing is all done. Hopefully nothing breaks. We received Ava's Canadian Visa today and her Immigration papers. They were nice to see and have. One thing that we did find out is that once Ava leaves China tomorrow she will no longer have a Chinese Citizenship. Apparently China does not allow anyone to have dual Citizenship. Ava can't wait to meet all her new relatives.

Love you all and we three will see you soon.

Walking to the silk market

The silk market

Beijing newsstand

Beijing sculpture

Sculpture outside a business

2009-08-04T13:24:00.003-04:00

We have been watching Ava crawl around the room and play. She can be so funny. She has found the mirror. She keeps trying to kiss herself in it. She stands in front of the mirror and babbles on.

Today Terri and I both could swear that we heard her say Hello. It was so cute. She is a little ham for sure. She loved her picture being taken for the group pic. She came alive in front of everyone. In fact everywhere we go she seems to get fans. Fans that want to hold her and touch her. She just laughs and giggles.

The joy that she has brought us in such a short period of time is just unbelievable. I use to sit and wonder why. Why us? Why did we have to wait for so long? Why couldn't we have children? I caught myself many a time asking God why? Now I know why. I am convinced that Ava is a gift from God. A gift that we will forever cherish. I strongly believe that Terri and my and Ava's paths in life were meant to cross each other and come together.

Happiness can be found even in the hallways with Ava

Smiles and laughter

Father and daughter

Look who's found the mirror

Ava's Fan club is growing

Someone looks serious

The mothers and children from Group 257

The children of Group 257

The fathers and children of Group 257

Peking Duck Dinner

2009-08-04T13:14:00.006-04:00

We just got back from our Peking Duck dinner. It was delicious. The duck tasted very gamy. We weren't fans of that but the rest was very good. The Kung Pao Chicken was very tasty but also very spicy. Terri actually ate a little bit of the seafood rice before she found out what it actually was. The Ducks head was on the platter. It was odd to see it there but also funny.

Tiananmen Square

2009-08-04T09:12:00.008-04:00

We got back about an hour ago from the tour today. What an experience. The shear size of the place is just amazing. The buildings are so beautiful. I have never seen so many people in one place. The line-up for the Tiananmen Square was huge. It looked like it went on for miles. Ava was a little trooper. She slept some of the way but was awake for the majority of it. Not one peep out her. We are waiting for the other shoe to drop. She seems to good to be true.

I was able to get some good video and good pics. If the pictures seem to be out of focus they are not. There was a heavy haze in the air. It was hard to get a clear picture of anything.

When we exited the Forbidden City we had many people walking up asking for money. Lots of children with younger children hanging onto them asking for money. Deformed children. Deformed adults. It was hard. I handed out all the money that I had in my pockets and they were still walking up asking for more. The children looked like they were starving tom death. I asked our guide Mary if they were homeless people and she said yes. Terri had to keep telling me to come on an to just keep walking.

Members of Group 257

Mother and Daughter

A hazy day in Tiananmen Square

Temple under construction

2009-08-03T09:57:00.007-04:00

Well we have good news from this end. Ava passed the medical with flying colours. She is in the ninety percentile for her height and in low percentile for her weight. The doctor said that it is to be expected coming from an orphanage. She needs to gain more muscle but also something that is to expected because she is malnourished because she was in an orphanage. She did very well during the exam. No screaming.

We went out tonight to watch the acrobatics show in Beijing . All that I can say is WOW. I was able to record the whole show. Ava again was very good. She was even clapping by herself during the show. What a little ham.

When we were coming back from the Great Wall yesterday we were able to drive by the Olympic venues.

We went to the Silk market this afternoon. What an experience that was. We bought a few outfits for Ava. We are all going to Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City tomorrow. We will get lots of photo's there too.

This will be a trip that neither one of us will ever forget.To our family members and friends - T minus three days and we will be flying home with Ava. She can hardly wait to meet you all.

The Beijing Olympic Rings

The Beijing National Stadium - Birds Nest

The Beijing National Aquatics Center - Water Cube

The Great Wall is unbelievable

2009-08-02T08:59:00.005-04:00

Today was amazing. The Great Wall is unbelievable. It is exactly what it's name stands for. A Great Wall. I climbed almost to the top. I am not feeling well right now. I have a head and sinus cold so I stopped just short of the top. I know no excuses. I just did it so that Ava knows in the future that her daddy at least tried.

I took lots of pictures. It was actually kinda funny because I had at least ten different people stop and ask me if it was okay if they could get a picture taken with me. I will include a couple with this post. Don't laugh at the hat, it worked. There were people of all ages climbing that wall today. I will never forget the views and the sounds.

I was the last one to make it back to the bus. Everyone was waiting for me. I felt really bad. We were able to take some really good video of Ava playing today. We got her talking away at a mile a minute. Lots of smiles come from her now. Guess what mom? Ava sticks her tongue out when she is concentrating just like I use to do. She couldn't be more a part of me if she was my birth daughter. We love her so much.

Tomorrow we take Ava for her medical. Apparently it only takes about twenty minutes. I have heard people refer to it as a joke. Oh well just one more hoop to have to jump through.

We also visited the jade factory today. We bought Ava a pendent that has is a small jade circle with mandarin letters in the middle that mean Long Life. I bought Terri a jade bangle bracelet and Terri bought me a jade crucifix. They are all really nice.

Wonderful little family

2009-08-02T08:13:00.004-04:00

We are truly in love with this amazing little girl. She shows more and more of her personality everyday. She is so funny and fearless.

She is wearing size 9 mos right now. She can fit a 6 mos. but won't for long the way she eats.

Mike is really a wonderful man and father. He treats me like gold and Ava has her daddy wrapped around her little finger already.

I feel so lucky to have this wonderful little family and such a great family waiting for us. We couldn't ask for anything more.

We will definitely keep the blog going. I love that she will have a journal of her life and maybe when she gets old enough she can continue it from her point of view. It has been allot of fun and a really good outlet she we are feeling frustrated or celebratory. We have had so much support from family and friends and strangers that have found us over the internet. What an amazing age we live in.

Ava and Daddy bonding over the bottle

Some of the other little girls who were adopted

2009-08-01T21:38:00.011-04:00

As each family came down to check out of the Majestic hotel in Nanning I tried to get each girls picture. They are all so beautiful. Our Ava and Ami, Kylee, are all from the Guiping Social Welfare Institute Gracie, Campbell and Ava C are all from the Nanning Social Welfare Institute I made sure I asked each family if I could post this first. There is one little girl missing. Her parents did not want her picture or name on the internet.

Kylee 10 months

Gracie

Campbell

Ava C

Ami - 13 months

Ava's first plane ride

2009-08-01T08:13:00.004-04:00

Today we left Nanning and flew to Beijing. Ava was really great on the plane. It was a 3 hour flight. She slept for a good 2 hours. There was no crying at take off or landing with the change in pressure. She's an amazing girl I tell ya.

We are glad to be back in Beijing. The hotel is much nicer and it means that we are that much closer to home. We miss everybody and can hardly wait to get home to introduce Ava to her wonderful family.

Tomorrow we head to the Great Wall of China and to the Jade factory. I am not sure if I will be able to control Michael's spending. He left me in the hotel yesterday and came back with a beautiful mother/daughter pendant made of Mother of Pearl. Then he left me at the Nanning airport and brought back two Minority Dolls for Ava and a traditional love ball. OMG (Oh My God) he is out of control! LOL (Laugh out Loud)

Enough talk because I know all you want to see is pictures so here you go. I put a special one in for you Grandma!

We love you all and thank you so much for your support and well wishes!

Upside down girl

Pretty Dress!

Saying Good Bye to the girls from the Majestic

Ava's first Mohawk

Here's one for Grandma

Fish Face

Cuddles

Brushing her hair

2009-07-31T09:35:00.004-04:00

We got back from dinner about a half an hour ago. We went to a restaurant that's in the hotel. We have been there for at least four dinners. It is a buffet. Very good food. Terri has stuck to spaghetti and pork. I have been a little adventurous. Snails, Lamb, Foie gras. Just to name a few. The food is very good here.

I am sitting here watching Terri and Ava on the bed. Ava usually has a nap for about a half an hour or so in the evenings. When we got the paper work for Ava when we got here said that she sucks on a blanket when she goes to sleep. Of course we didn't get that blanket. So it has been a chore to put her down for a nap.

Tonight Terri took off her shirt and Ava is now laying in front of Terri with the shirt wrapped around herself. Terri is rubbing her hands and arms. Ava is holding up her hand so that Terri can rub it. It is so cute to watch.

Ava says thanks to Auntie Sherri for the shawls. It is the only thing other than Terri's shirt that she will let us cover her with. She will not let us cover her with a blanket at all. Nothing soft.

When Ava sleeps at night she moves her legs and feet around until she finds her momma. It's funny as well. She can be dead asleep but as soon as she looses touch with Terri her legs start to search for her. Believe me it's cute and all but we wanted to make sure we tried her in the crib last night. That went well. She only woke up once throughout the night and all Terri had to do was rub her back and side a little bit and she went right back to sleep.

Another milestone

2009-07-31T07:24:00.004-04:00

Ava slept the whole night in the crib last night. This is a milestone. We have had a really good day today. She is laughing and playing. Lots of talking. When I turn and look at her and our eyes meet she now smiles and laughs.

When we aren't paying attention to her she starts to talk and when we turn and look she smiles. We are convinced that she is doing it to get our attention. She is amazing. She opens up more and more each day. I would have never believed it if I wasn't here to see it for myself.

We leave for the Guangxi airport tomorrow at 9:30a.m. Our flight is at noon. We will be arriving back in Beijing around 3:00 p.m. It will be nice to get back to Beijing. The weather is still hot but at least it's not as humid as it is here.

I think that it will be a bit sad tomorrow when the plane lifts off. For me anyway. I will feel sad for Ava and for her foster mom and even for Ava's birth mother. Come noon tomorrow she will be leaving all them and her birth province behind.

All I can do for them is promise to always love her and take good care of her. I promise them that I will try my hardest to provide her with as many opportunities as I can. If I had a wish that could be granted right now it would be that they could know how much joy and love they have given us. That they would have comfort knowing that she is safe and loved.

Ava eats Watermelon

Ava looking at her Dad

Someone looks sleepy

She loves her phone

More pictures of Ava playing...

2009-07-30T11:52:00.004-04:00

Ava is starting to come out of her shell

2009-07-30T07:49:00.003-04:00

After coming back from the village visit today Terri sat Ava on the bed to play. Ava played by herself without either one of us having to be with her. It was a milestone. It was wonderful to sit back and watch. Then we took her out to the foyer by the elevators to play just to get out of the room for a while.

One of the girls from one of the other families came out of the elevator and informed us that there is a play room on the second floor. She asked if we wanted to go down there and play because that was where her parents and little sister was.

We jumped at the chance. Well let me tell you. Ava's face lit up as soon as we walked in. She was playing with three other kids there. Laughing, Crawling, Standing. It was awesome. I'm so proud of her. We got to see her true personality for the very first time. She is a little monkey.

Is there a smile hiding in there...

Playing with her cups

Playing on the slide

Visiting a local village today

2009-07-30T07:42:00.003-04:00

After visiting a local village today I can honestly say that we are all spoiled rotten. Our guide told us that our children could have come from a village much like this one. The local people were so nice and so happy. The children loved the candies that we were handing out. We handed out the rest of the Beijing Olympic pins that we brought. They loved them. One man who I had given a pin to came back to the bus as we were leaving at gave the pin back to one of the babies on the bus. The village market was certainly something to see. We watched people do laundry. We watched people sell things at the local market. Lots of children running around.

Children Playing

Door to a Home

Children playing cards

Bird Boiling Pots

Open air market

Rice Fields

Local Village People

Hanging Laundry

Day trip to an old village

2009-07-29T18:36:00.002-04:00

We found out yesterday that we are all going on a tour today of an old old village about an hours bus ride from here. We are leaving here at 9:00 a.m.

Terri and I went out to the local grocery store near by and bought a couple bags of candy to hand out to the children in the village. We are lucky because there is another couple in our group that we have become friends with and they are here for their second child. They told us a few days ago that if we were lucky enough to go to a village it would be an experience that we would never forget. Apparently the people in the villages are very happy that you are adopting one of their children. The children in the village run up and touch you and your baby. I am for sure taking my video camera and my camera. I have already asked our guide and she said that it's okay.

I will hopefully get some good pictures for our blog!

The smiles and laughter are coming

2009-07-29T09:07:00.008-04:00

For the first time since we got Ava she woke up this morning without crying. It was nice. It is the small things know and to us it means allot.

We were able to get way more smiles out of her today. She even laughed. We went out to the main foyer on our floor by the elevators this evening and Ava was looking outside the window and as plain as day said "GOODBYE".

I was carrying her down for supper tonight and I kept saying Ba Ba, (Ba Ba to her which means father in Mandarin) and she kept saying back Mama, Mama. Which in Mandarin means mother.

It was so cute. She certainly equates Terri as her Mama. They are forming a good bond. It is very beautiful to watch. These pictures of her climbing on Terri are cute. She tries to get into the strangest positions to fall asleep.

Ava trying to have a nap

Trying to get Ava to smile for the camera

Pictures from the Hotel

2009-07-29T07:04:00.006-04:00

When you walk through the reception are of our hotel you have to go through a hallway to get to the elevators. The walls are glass and there are glass doors. There are these luscious green areas that you can go out into. If you can stand the humidity that is. These pictures are of these green areas. They don't do it justice.

One thing that I have noticed since being here is that there seems to be no wild life anywhere. No bugs. No little creatures running around in these green ares. I wonder if it is because of the humidity. Not sure. I have been told other things but I tend to not want to believe them.

Green area around the Majestic

more pics of the beautiful lobby of the Majestic

A Day for Bonding

2009-07-29T06:42:00.007-04:00

We decided to forgo the park and stay home with Ava. She is still very clingy and wants to be held or touched all the time. We are happy to oblige but are slowly trying to make her more comfortable just playing or even napping not in our arms. Right now she is napping on the bed. We may go out and get a stroller for her today to see if she will take to that. We don't mind carrying her but with this heat and humidity we all get a little uncomfortable drenched in sweat. I know we will all be fine and everything will work out at the right time. We love her so much as I know all of you guys do too.

We have received everyone's comments and love reading them daily so keep them coming.

We tried to get Ava to poop in the toilet today. It is hard to do because she is so scared of the bathroom. Normally she would just do her business where she stood. Never in a toilet so all is new to her. Mike held her and rubbed her back and out popped a poop. Mike has joined me in the mommy and daddy club with a pee and poop christening. LOL Mike is really a great dad and Ava knows it too. She seems to want me more but love Mikes cuddles so much. I wish we could see the happy smiling girl we have only seen a few glimpses of. It will happen sooner than we think and we will get lots of pictures.

Sleepy girl

Ava and Daddy

She sleeps

We went to Walmart yesterday

2009-07-28T20:59:00.007-04:00

We went to Walmart yesterday (Tuesday) to shop for clothes and toys for the Guiping Orphanage. There were four families that had children come from this orphanage. Us included. So we got our guide to ask the orphanage director yesterday what they needed at the orphanage. Clothes and toys was the answer. The other three families bought clothes so we decided to buy toys. The trip the Walmart was certainly an experience.

We felt like movie stars. Lots of pictures being taken of us. We even had a couple of guys walk up to us and point to the bag of toys and say " For Orphanage " I replied with a yes and a nod yes. We got the thumbs up.

Terri and Ava looking a little tired after a long day.

Walmart and McDonalds!!!

Toys for the orphanage.

My heart feels like it is going to burst out of my chest with love

2009-07-28T12:33:00.003-04:00

As we sit here playing with our new daughter I smile and I cry.

After going through the “Gotcha Day” yesterday and seeing all those babies crying and clinging to their nannies. I can't lie. Yesterday while watching other babies come in before Ava and seeing their reactions and how upset they were. I started to wonder if we were doing the right thing.

At the time, I began to wonder what kind of person I was to be willing to put a baby girl through so much pain and agony (A little girl that I have loved for the past four years.)

Last night, the only way to calm her down was to stand her on the window sill and let her look outside. She began to cry. She was saying “Momma Momma Momma” over and over again. I couldn't help but cry. There we were trying to calm down this beautiful little girl whom we have taken from her only familiar people - her nanny and her foster mom. What gives us the right?

Some information came out today that has helped ease my mind and my heart. After we got back from the Civil Affairs office yesterday we began to notice that Ava has bruises and scrapes on and around her ankles. We wondered what this was from. We got on the tour bus today and were talking to a woman in our group who is here adopting her second daughter from China. She is a nurse. We told her and showed her the bruises and scrapes and she informed us that it was probably from being shackled to a potty for long periods of time. She said not to worry because the bruises and scrapes would eventually go away. This is how potty training is done here.

After hearing that, I was okay with putting Ava through what we had the previous day. I know that neither I nor Terri would ever hurt Ava. I know that Ava will have a wonderful life with us. Don't get me wrong. I know that we will have our ups and downs as a family but nothing would ever make us hurt her.

As I am typing this post, Ava is sitting by herself playing with a toy - for the very first time. Until now we have had to hold her all the time. Up until now she would not even hold a toy in her hand. Things are getting better.

I love Terri so very much. Sitting here watching the two of them together playing my heart feels like it is going to burst out of my chest with love.

Thank you Terri, thank you for sticking by me as my wife and thank you for being the mom I have always known you would be.

Ava is feeling a little sad today

2009-07-28T07:26:00.006-04:00

Well today is a different day. Ava is feeling sad and is crying quite a bit. We are not worried as it is normal, but feel so bad for what she is going through. In her paperwork, we found that she did not wear diapers in the foster home. This is a challenge because the diapers we change are almost dry and she doesn't hesitate to pee down our legs when her diaper is off. She has not had a poop so I am sure that is not helping her mood. As well she is teething and may have an ear infection. The past two days have been overwhelming for us all. I think we will forgo the touring tomorrow and have a quiet day to ourselves.

Ava is legally ours (in China)

2009-07-28T07:11:00.004-04:00

Today we had to go Back to the Civil Affairs office to pay our orphanage donation and answer a few questions and once they were satisfied with all our answers we became official Families in China's eyes. Then we had to go over to the Notorization offices to get the adoption Notarized legally in China. They basically asked us the same sort of questions. Once they were happy with the answers things became legal in China's eyes.

Here are some more photo's of us bonding with our new daughter.

Terri and Mike's Itinerary

2009-07-27T19:18:00.005-04:00

Hello Everyone,

For those of you who don't know, Terri and Mike do not have access to their Blog while they are in China. For now I (Sherri, Terri's sister) am updating their Blog for them. I'm not sure whether or not they will be able to read everyone's wonderful comments until they return. If you have their email address you can email them directly.

In the mean time, I thought I'd post Terri and Mike's itinerary for the remainder of their trip.

Tuesday, July 28th
Go to the Civil Affairs for registration, notarization and to apply for the Ava’s passport.
Wednesday, July 29th
Visit the Qing xia Shan Park and Flower and Bird Market.
Thursday, July 30th
Rest and relaxation
Friday, July 31st
Pick up Ava's passport in the afternoon.
Saturday, August 1st
Fly from Nanning to Beijing. Get photos for Ava's Visa.
Sunday, August 2nd
Tour to the Great Wall of China
Monday, August 3rd
Medical examination for Ava at the International SOS clinic.
Canadian Embassy appointment in the afternoon.
Tuesday, August 4th
Visit Tian’an Men Square and the Forbidden City.
Peking Duck dinner in the evening
Wednesday, August 5th
Pick up our Visas.
Thursday, August 6th
Coming home!

Ava's first day with us

2009-07-27T18:27:00.004-04:00

Ava was pretty good yesterday. When we got her there were no tears at all. She went to both of us easily. When we went home on the bus she fell asleep. We had to wake her for her VISA photo and a family pic for our file. She still did not cry. We went down to have dinner and she sat on my lap the whole time. She ate a big bowl of congee (basically watery rice) and was quite good for most of the dinner. Every once in a while she would have a couple of whines and seemed to play a bit strange with Mike.

We took her up stairs after dinner and she started to cry and cry. Not really hard but crying and stopping off and on. We then realized she was quite wet so we changed her. She was OK for a few minutes and then she was crying again calling for her Mama (foster mom). In her update it said she did not wear diapers at her foster home and she was pulling at her diaper trying to get it off so we stripped her and let her go nude for a bit. She was sitting on my lap and I was rubbing her back. She peed and said Boo (don't know what that means but I am going to ask our guide). I guess I am officially a Mom now eh?

We gave her a bit of a sponge bath because she has a layer of dirt on her but she wasn't to crazy about that yet. We will try the real thing today. We put a diaper on her and I just sat with her on my lap and rubbed her back and arms. She cuddled right in staring at Mike and fell asleep. I put her down in her crib and she woke up of course. Mike picked her up and she cuddled in as he rubbed her back. She went down about 8:30pm and it is now almost 4am and not a peep.

She is sleeping in our bed for now. Hopefully the crib will be more appealing tonight but at her foster-home she slept with the adults.

Yesterday we signed a form saying we would take care of her and not abuse her over the next day and a half because she was not ours yet.

Today we go to the civil affairs office to make it official. We have two appointments today. One with the director of the orphanage to hand over the donation and ask questions the other is to go to a notary to make things legal. After that we will go to the Walmart Superstore. We will take pictures of that.

More to come...

Introducing Ava Jin Mei Yuan Hamilton!

2009-07-27T06:25:00.012-04:00

Thanks to everyone for there support and love. It is very appreciated. Lots of love from this end.

After 1231 days, the day is finally here!

Here comes our daughter!

Words can't describe our emotions

She is finally here!

Daddy Mike

Mommy Terri

Can you believe it!?

Ava, our sleeping angel

The plastic cell phone seems to be working...

Exhausted after a long day

No baby yet - but some updated pictures and info

2009-07-27T06:09:00.004-04:00

We just got back from signing all of the required paper work. We got an updated picture that was taken on July 22nd. Please excuse the pictures that are on the pledge letter. They are not good. We look like criminals. In the update we received it states that she is spoken to in the Mandarin language and in the local dialect. When she is spoken to she is referred to as Mei Yuan. She is not talking yet but makes sounds. She likes to held up high like she is flying in an airplane. She likes to be tickled and she likes to crawl around and stand up with you holding her hands. She is apparently not allergic to any medications. She is an extrovert, active and warm hearted. Her foster mother is the closest person to her. T-minus three and a half hours and she will be in our arms. We were informed that we have to wear masks while we are at the Civil Affair's office.

Look how much she's changed. She's beautiful!

Group signing

More documentation

Our pledge to Ava

More Pictures to enjoy! (Counting down the minutes)

2009-07-26T21:28:00.005-04:00

Welcome to Guangxi

One of the 2 Chinese lion statues protecting the entrance to the hotel.
There is always a pair of them, one male and one female
They represent Taoist principles Yin and Yang. Their job is to keep evil at bay.

The male Chinese lion statue

Side view of the Chinese lion statue outside the Majestic Hotel

Terri, Linda and Octavia in front of the Majestic

Lobby stairs of the Majestic Hotel

Sweeper - Majestic Hotel

The Majestic lobby

The Majestic lobby (2)

More Pictures...

2009-07-26T18:22:00.011-04:00

Our Tickets to Guangxi

Waiting at the airport

Beijing Airport

Air China Plane Wing

Guangxi from the air (1)

Guangxi from the air (2)

Guangxi from the air (3)

Guangxi from the air (4)

Our Guangxi guide - Cindy.

Today is the day we have waited for!

2009-07-26T17:40:00.003-04:00

Well this is it. It is 5am and today is the day we have waited for. 4 years has come down to 10 hours.

We will meet Ava for the first time around 3:30 pm (3:30 am your time). We should be back to the hotel by 5:30 and have some pictures posted soon after that.

The families we are travelling with are very nice. We have been hanging out with a couple from Innisfil area (near Barrie). They are quite nice and have had this experience before. Sam and Matt, our group mates from PEI are in a different province and getting their boys today as well. They are the only family from our group in that province. We are fortunate to have all of the other families with us in Nanning for support. We wish we could be there foe Sam and Matt but will meet back up with them in Beijing on Saturday for the remainder of the trip.

The Majestic Hotel is nicknamed the Baby Hotel. It is the Hotel where most families who are adopting from Guangxi stay. The 9th floor of the hotel is called the Baby floor or the Crying floor. We have not heard any crying yet but I am sure we will tonight. LOL There are other families that arrived before us. They are dutch I believe and I think some US families as well. I haven't been able to catch a glimpse of any of the babies yet but I am sure we will meet in the hallways tonight. The beds are very hard. Mike is having a hard time with this. I, on the other hand can sleep anywhere. I am surprised though that I was able to sleep last night. I guess the heat of the day helps with that. We went to bed at 9:30pm and didn't wake until 4:30am. Early but pretty good.

Last night we tried to find the Walmart. It is apparently close but the people we tried to get directions from spoke very little English and I think they were getting frustrated trying to explain how to get there. It is extremely humid here. The temperature is 28 Celsius. Not bad but as soon as you walk out the door you feel like you have sweat through your clothes. I wish I had brought more clothing because it is unlikely an outfit can be worn more than one day before washing. We will try to get some laundry done today.

Crossing the streets in China is taking your life in your hands. The one who has the right of way is the one who is brave enough to venture out. Even when you are walking across the street cars and bikes do not hesitate to cut right in front of you. You have to be very aware and very quick.

Guangxi is known for its seafood. This is not a good thing for me. We went to the buffet restaurant in the hotel last night. The buffet consisted mainly of seafood and very little else. There wasn't even any just plain white rice which would usually be my savior. There was some pork and some spaghetti with soy sauce so I was able to eat that. Yes I know I shouldn't be so picky. Don't worry about me I will survive. The breakfast in China have been quite nice. Breakfast is provided by the hotels and though we haven't had breakfast here yet(we will at 7am) in Beijing they had some great fruit and breads and pastries. The banana bread is especially nice.

OK that is enough for now. We will have some good stuff to post later today. Try after 6am your time.

Love you all!

Arrival in Nanning

2009-07-26T17:26:00.010-04:00

We made it. We are finally in Nanning. The closest we have ever been to Ava. She is only a three hour bus ride away. The babies will be at the Civil Affairs at noon tomorrow. We will be leaving here at 3:00 p.m and will have Ava in our arms shortly after 3:30 - 3:45 p.m. It is so surreal. We walked into our room here in Nanning for the first time about thirty minutes ago and of course what do we see in our room? A crib. It is amazing. We are lucky enough to have a couple in our group who has adopted from China before. They are very helpful. Terri is now unpacking Ava's clothes and getting ready. I will put up some pics that I took from the bus. The scenery is amazing.

Our Room in Nanning with a crib for Ava.

Dog on an electric bike

Nanning Street Cleaner

Strong Man

Our Trip to the Temple of Heaven

2009-07-25T05:29:00.015-04:00

We got a memo from our guide Mary (image left) today informing us of when we will be getting Ava on Monday. We will be leaving for the Civil Affairs office (on Monday) at 2:30 p.m and we will be back to our hotel by 5:00 p.m. That means that Ava will be in our arms between 2:30 and 5:00 p.m. (China time). We are so excited! Words can hardly describe how we are feeling right now. So when our family members wake up Monday morning they will hopefully see pics of us as a family. I can hardly believe the time has come.

In the mean time here are some pics of our visit to the Temple of Heaven today. The buildings are beautiful.

We are Safe!

2009-07-24T13:05:00.006-04:00

Hi Everyone,

After much delay we have finally made it to Beijing. If you didn't see the news we had a little plane trouble. We had to go back to Toronto after being in the air for 1hr. We made a hard and fast landing. Fire trucks were called and we sat on the tarmac for a good hour or two while they hosed down the wheels and brakes. Things got so hot that 5 of the 12 tires deflated and we had to take a bus back to the terminal and wait for a flight @ 9:30 pm.

It's been a long trip but we are here and safe. No issues with anybody being quarantined.

- The plane had five blown tires after the landing back in T.O.

- fire rescue came to hose down the wheels and brakes

Stay tuned more to follow...

Leaving on a jet plane!

2009-07-23T08:10:00.002-04:00

Well to day is the day. I had a crappy sleep last night. Could not shut my mind off. I had indigestion from the pizza we had for dinner and I thought OMG I am thinking I am gonna throw up. Figures I'd get the flu the day I am suppose to leave. Thankfully it was only indigestion and through the magic of rolaid chews it disappeared. Well the good thing about not sleeping well last night is I will hopefully sleep well on the plane.

Monday is the big day. Hopefully when everyone at home wakes up in the morning they will be able to see a video or pics of us getting Ava. We are going to try and use the computer in China but we keep hearing that it is a hit and miss there.