Our Thanksgiving

I remember our Thanksgiving last year. I was longing for our daughter waiting for us in China. There were rumors of delays and tension was running high among the adoption forums. The uncertainty was starting to get to me. Fast forward one year later and the delays have been long forgotten. We are so thankful this year to finally have our little princess. Kylie has been home with us for 3 months now and to our delight, she has adjusted well despite all of the changes that has been thrown her way i.e. new parents, several hotel rooms, grueling flight schedule, new time zone, new home, new faces, day care, on and on.

It has not been all 'peaches and cream' though, our little princess started throwing tantrums if we didn't respond or feed her fast enough. She would throw herself on the floor and if she thought I didn't see it the first time, she would come up close and do it again. During her teething period (currently happening again), she even had...dare I say it...a sort of 'Jeckyl & Hyde' personality. One minute she would be happy and laughing and the next, she would be in total meltdown mode. Hard to believe with that sweet face above, right? However, all of that is minor compare to the total joy that fills our hearts now that we are together as a family. This holiday season will be extra special for Sean and I. We are enjoying decorating and planning kid friendly gatherings during the next few weeks.

Finally, I can't believe that I haven't posted this before. It is our homecoming video. My friend Jeanne captured this as we arrived at the airport. Thank you Jeanne! I will forever be grateful. Also, don't expect much from me at 1am after a 24hr travel schedule. I cringed when I watched myself especially the part where I'm chewing gum. I often criticize celebrities especially Britney Spears for chewing gum during interviews and now here I am. Oh well, it's not really about me anymore, is it:-)

www.zanegoodfamily.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album12&id=kylie_home_005

Sun hat

Another one of my favorite photos! Fun in the sun with my baby girl. My SIL took this picture when she came to visit last month. Kylie was wearing the sun gear that her aunti gave her. Thanks Auntie Kim!

Kylie & Natalie meet

Ahhh, the beginning of a new friendship (They met on Oct 18th). This is one out of many of my favorite pics. Kylie learned how to blow and give kisses recently so she was more than happy to offer her new friend a kiss. Natalie has been home from China a year now and she is having her second birthday in December. She is from the Jiangxi province. I remember when Natalie came home as if it were yesterday. Time sure does fly by so I have to keep reminding myself to enjoy every moment...the good, the mischievous and the tantrums:-)

Halloween

WOW! Where does the time go?!?!?! We had a great October month with our little girl. Kylie is so much fun and such a socialite. We feel so fortunate and thankful to have such a wonderful little girl. It feels like she has always been a part of our family.

Kylie started daycare this past week. At first, she didn't even notice that I was gone. However, she was very happy to see me that afternoon as she ran to me with a big smile on her face. On the first day, I happened to stop in as the kids where playing outside. I observed Kylie playing with a little boy and she was laughing with the cutest giggle at what surely must have been a bug the little boy was playing with. I did not panic at the thought that it surely must be a bug they were torturing, it just made my heart melt because she looked so adorable and happy. By the second day she was on to this 'little gig' about being dropped off and she cried when I left her which both made me happy and sad at the same time. I have been dropping her off for just a few hours a day so that she can get used to the new eating schedule, nap time and the teachers. I start work late next week and although I'm going to miss her terribly, I'm very happy to be going back as I have a wonderful job and great coworkers. Additionally, I feel that Kylie's new environment is going to be great for her and she will be learning so many new wonderful things. We also have friends and family that are attending the same school. It is a whole new world for us parents too. We got to enjoy a Halloween parade at the school which was just adorable and we were so glad that Kylie was a part of it. There are so many activities that we are looking forward to and we are anticipating the holidays like never before. We are enjoying seeing things through Kylie's eyes. Things that were uneventful to us before now have a whole new meaning.