2012, A Special Year Indeed!

Be warned, this is a long overdue post with many pictures. It is truly incredible to take a step back and look at the past year...how far we've come, how much we've grown, and just how much Keira has changed in the last twelve months. It is mind boggling. I could literally spend hours (I kind of have) looking through photos of the two weeks we spent in China and the twelve months that followed leading up to today. I have had to pinch myself on numerous occasions. I tried to narrow down the pictures further, in order to post just two or three per month to give you a glimpse of our lives over the past year but oh, it is difficult. I have hundreds of photos and they all tell a tale. 

What an incredible journey into motherhood this has been! On January 8th we celebrated our first Gotcha/Family Day...on January 18th, Keira celebrated her second birthday. I am blessed beyond measure that this precious little girl is my daughter. For those still checking in on the blog every now and then, enjoy!

January

United at last - January 8, 2012. Keira might not have been impressed right away, but her mommy was over over the moon!

January 20th, after many hours and two flights, we arrived at the airport to friends and family.

Keira turned a year old on January 18th, two days before we left China. We celebrated at home with family on January 29th when we weren't quite so jet lagged. 

Keira is a thinker...she looks, watches, and takes everything in. Gradually the scowl and semi-frown that would frequent her brow turned into a grin, a smile, and full out laughter. When the giggling begins, it's contagious! She came through the front door in the wee hours of the morning on January 21 and literally appeared to breathe a sigh of relief. She belonged, pets and all. It was as though she had always been here. Keira was finally home. 

February

Celebrating Mommy's birthday with immediate family the beginning of February

Happy Valentine's Day!

March

On our way out to attend our very first birthday day party!

Feeding chickadees with Mommy while out on a nature walk with friends.

April

She figured out all too quickly what a telephone was all about...look out teenage years!

This child LOVES to be outside.

May

On Mother's Day, Keira gave me the gift of the traditional crawl. Until then, she had been commando crawling everywhere. Suddenly, in one day, she figured out how to go from lying down to sitting on her own, and crawling on her knees. From there, it was go, go, go!

June

In June, Keira made many discoveries. She figured out how to pull herself up into the standing position using stand alone objects rather than relying solely on Mommy's legs. She explored the strawberry patch with Mommy and Oma, and discovered her love of both the sandbox and the splash pad. It turns out, after all of the fuss and meltdowns we would have at bath time each and every time, this girl loves the water! She can't get enough of it. 

July

Happy Canada Day!

Love, love, love the swing!!!

First bike ride!

Keira would practise walking every chance she got.

We took Mom and Tot swimming lessons for two weeks in July. Keira was a "Duck". 

August

On August 15th, Keira took her first solo steps. She hasn't looked back since! She was also quite excited when her baby cousin arrived. We took advantage of the nice summer weather and went on a mini road trip to Niagara Falls and visited friends in Burlington. We ended up coming home with a new kitten, Rain,  adopted from the Burlington Humane Society. She is a cutie and settled nicely into our household, following Keira around wherever she goes!

First trip to a zoo. The kid (as in baby goat) decided to join Keira while she snacked on some blueberries. His choice of fine dining was the zoo map!

Saying hello to one of our friend's cats...she has five plus was fostering a mom and her kittens. Busy household!

True tourists visiting the Falls

Hello baby! Meeting her cousin for the first time. 

September

September was a quiet month. It was the month I was supposed to go back to work however, the months since coming home had passed by far too quickly. I was so not ready to go back to work and leave my little one in childcare (I'm still not!), so I extended my leave until mid March, the longest I could go without losing right of return to my position. We returned to our routine of weekly playgroup and Kindermusik, and we took advantage of the beautiful weather by getting outside as much as possible. 

Mommy and I took Oma and my cousin on the annual AdoptWalk. It would be nice to make this an annual tradition.

First pony ride!

October

The month of Thanksgiving and Halloween! We certainly had a lot to be thankful this year! Keira also became a citizen on the 24th of the month, although we didn't find out until mid November. Yes, we certainly did have a lot to be thankful for!

Waiting patiently for dessert to arrive after Thanksgiving dinner.

Just cuteness!

The hat lasted all of two minutes! ;-)

November

One year ago on the first of this month, I saw Keira's precious face for the first time. One year ago on the first of this month, I had a face to the name I had chosen so long ago. One year ago on the first of this month, I became a mom....a mom to a beautiful baby girl I could only see in a picture. I had to wait another two months to hold her however, after waiting almost seven years, two months was nothing! It literally flew by. Upon seeing her face, the years of waiting melted away and my focus switched to preparing for the BIG trip...truly the trip of a lifetime. A journey that would bring me to her. A journey that would bring her home. In November Keira's citizenship arrived in the mail. The official date was in October, but the documents arrived in mid November. How appropriate given November was our referral anniversary month. 

Is that really me?

Visiting Oma in hospital after she broke her foot and had to have surgery.

November 15 - the day my citizenship arrived in the mail!

Helping Mommy clean up in prep for winter.

December

Well, we all know what December brings! And no, I'm not just referring to snow. Our first visit with Santa, our first outing to a children's version of the Nutcracker (Max and Ruby - even though Keira has no idea who they are!) and, of course, our first Christmas together! And yes, we did indeed end up getting our first snowfall and since then it hasn't let up! 

Day One of the Advent Calendar...it became an obsession! Someone still had bed head!

Showing off a special parcel that arrived in the mail. This doll was picked out by friends who traveled to Germany. They also sent Keira slippers from Holland. Keira LOVES getting mail!

December 6th - still snow free! 

Dressed up and ready to go to our first big show - a children's Max and Ruby version of The Nutcracker . Keira was still a tad young, but it was extremely well done and her four year old cousin loved it!

I prepped her big time for Santa so when the time came to introduce her to an actual human, she didn't do too badly. She was still uncertain as to whether or not it was a good thing to be sitting there, but curiosity got the better of her and Mommy was able to get a couple of decent photos. ;-)

Christmas Day - always the character!

Caught in thought on New Year's Eve during the day.

Playing with family friend, Susan.

January

On January 6th of last year, my mother and I boarded a plane. On the 7th, we landed in Beijing. On the morning of 8th we flew on to Nanchang, Jiangxi, and on that same afternoon I was handed the most precious gift in the world. How is it that a year has already passed us by? 

Gone is the quiet introvert who couldn't sit on her own or roll over. Gone is the child who constantly sucked her fingers as a means of security and comfort. Gone is the child who wore an almost perma-frown and spent most of her time studying my every move. Gone is the child who only ate formula and rice cereal. Gone is the child who had no teeth! Gone is the child who was a little peanut. I now have a healthy, strong willed, vivacious, funny, push the limits toddler on my hands, who does absolutely everything with great gusto. Yes, she is still a thinker, but you can bet the thinking that is taking place behind those eyes is for a purpose! Keira is always trying to figure something out. She is absolutely full of life. I look forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for us. 

There will be some big changes this year as I head back to work in a couple of months (sigh)....I am  hoping my little firecracker knows just how much she is loved, and will have the confidence and sense of security needed to be able to handle this new transition with relative ease. As for me, I hate to admit it when I haven't even walked through the doors yet, but I know I'll be counting down the weeks until the summer holidays! Fifteen weeks. I think I can handle it knowing there's a summer off with my daughter at the end of it. Awful I know, but it's the truth! I love being a mom. More importantly, I love being Keira's mom. 

New Year's Day - We celebrated with Oma and Opa!

                                   

                                      Peek-a-boo!

Gotcha/Family Day, One Year Anniversary - January 8, 2013

                                   

                                           One year later - what a difference!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

I am sure we have had more snow to date, than we had during the entire winter last year. And, when I actually wrote this, we haven't hit January yet! It just keeps coming down! It certainly looks beautiful but it is tough on little legs bundled up in a snowsuit. Thank goodness for a decent sled and a mom willing to pull it! ;-) A certain little someone loves to be outside but does NOT like the hassle of winter attire. Putting on the snowsuit can be quite the chore even though Keira appears to like it. I get quite the show! Once outside things usually brighten up even though she doesn't like the lack of mobility. Keira, like her mom, prefers the summer months when one can slip on a pair of sandals and go! ;-)

Do I REALLY need all of these extra clothes?

In case you haven't figured it out, Mom...
I don't like putting on my snowsuit!

Trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue!

You REALLY expect me to help with the shovelling, Mom?!?

 

It was a milder day so one mitt came off...problem is (see below), she didn't like getting any snow on her fingers! 

Snow on my fingers?!? Oh dear! Help, Mom!!!

Ok - I'm done! Time to go inside!

Rosy cheeks from outdoor play - love it!

Merry Christmas!

My daughter's first Christmas...magical, breathtaking, emotional. More than once I found myself giving my head a shake, the emotion would billow inside me, and my eyes would well with tears. What a special day, and what a difference to be able to celebrate Christmas with a child, my child. It totally changes one's perspective. I love it.

My parents joined us for breakfast in the morning so they could witness Keira's first stocking experience as well as see her reaction to a couple of the intentionally "not wrapped" gifts under the tree. Later in the day, after her nap, we joined my brother's family at my parents' house for supper and family gifts. What fun we had with a four year old, an almost two year old (Keira), and a four month old. Would you believe we have yet to open gifts under our own tree? I found it was simply too much to do all at once so have been spreading the gifts out and letting Keira enjoy her new toys and books etc. in stages. She must have been a good little girl this year...she has been a wee bit spoiled. ;-)

Merry Christmas to you and yours! We hope everyone had a joyous holiday season and wish you all the best for 2013.

Yup - her stocking is bigger than she is! We have Oma to thank for that!

By far her favourite toy...a ride on cow I ordered from the UK and had shipped here by a friend. This girl loves her cows!

A table a chairs just her size.

She very methodically opened each and every gift in her stocking and handed Oma the wrapping.

She was absolutely mesmerized by this musical snow globe given to her from my sister-in-laws sister-in-law. Say that quickly ten times! My girl loves anything musical.

Her four year old cousin picked out this hat for her. Keira loved it and kept putting it on and taking it off all evening.

Thank you, Oma and Opa for my cow beanbag chair. It's the perfect place to lounge...especially after a long day!

November 1, 2012

Yes, I'm stepping back in time again!

A year ago on November 1, 2011, I saw my daughter's face for the very first time after an almost seven year wait. A total of seven years because of waiting lists, paperwork and, ultimately, once I had a log in date, major slow downs in China.

November 1, 2011 will forever be embedded in my brain. The week leading up to it was a painful one. I was informed a whole week ahead of time that my referral had arrived at my agency but until it was checked and translated, no information would be shared. Oh, the agony! There were some emails and phone calls and a whole lot of frustration but that's the past. Tuesday November 1 did arrive and with it came the long awaited news that has forever changed my life.

On my way to work that day there was a SPECTACULAR sunrise, simply stunning. It was a big bright orange ball of flaming sun, the largest I had ever seen driving into work. The kind of sunrise that takes your breath away. I wish I had a picture. As I left the main highway I glanced to my left and saw a large, majestic deer running through the cornfield. Really? My heart literally began to pound. Two incredible things. Signs as far as I was concerned. Signs that my waiting was about to come to an end. They (whoever they are) say things come in threes. What do you suppose the third thing would be that day?

I knew deep down it was going to be an amazing day and I was finally going to see my daughter's face. I knew it was going to be awfully difficult to concentrate at work. I knew this was going to be the day and it was. Mid morning I received the call, the call that has changed my life. I had a nine and a half month old daughter waiting for me (although she didn't know it at the time!) in Jiangxi Province, China. If all went according to plan, I'd be traveling there in early January to bring her home. I had to wait another couple of hours for the photos to arrive in my inbox. When they did, the almost seven years of waiting literally melted away. I had a daughter. She was no longer just a dream and a name. She was a little being with an inquisitive expression behind her eyes and I was her mother.

Walking Revisited

As mentioned a couple of posts ago, Keira began walking in August and it has been go, go, go ever since! She has not looked back and will walk at every opportunity she can. She loves to push her stroller or the shopping cart, stopping to explore this and that along the way. She has the toddler run down pat and can climb and slide with the best of them at the playground. She is currently working on mastering the hop. It is absolutely hilarious to watch!

She has such energy and spunk this daughter of mine, and a ton of determination and strong will to go with it. I look at how far she has come in the past eleven months and am in awe of this little being. She makes my days brighter.

Fall Fun!

Yes, once again it's been awhile. I have a wee bit of an excuse...I'm having difficulties with blogger, it's google actually. Suddenly, I haven't been able to log into blogger. I get an odd admin message stating that my "IT administrator is managing my accounts and that blogger hasn't been activated". WHAT?!? Where on earth did this come from? There is no IT administrator, never has been. Anyway - I'm still having problems. For some reason I was able to get in today using a different computer....go figure. The other night I couldn't access blogger no matter what I tried.

Pics are limited as most are on another computer and I'm too lazy to put them on a memory stick right at this moment. I know however, that some of you check in or get notified by email so....here you go! Keira enjoying the Fall weather and leaves. These were taken back in October at age 21 months. My how she has changed!!! She, as you can tell from the photos, continues to be quite the character. She is not only walking, walking walking, she is running. She natters constantly and has a vocabulary of approximately 50 words with new words popping up daily. She is bright, full of energy, and has a ton of spunk! She is also very good at pushing the boundaries and constantly has me on my toes! She plays hard, eats well, sleeps soundly, and loves big. She is an absolute blessing. People say I light up when I see her. It's not hard to see why. I'm happy to say she lights up when she sees me too....how lucky am I to be this little girl's mommy?

Back Peddling - Learning to Walk

On August 15th, just three days before turning 19 months old, Keira took her first solo steps. From the traditional crawl which started on Mother's Day in May, to pulling herself up on furniture in June, to walking behind walkers and with hands in July, suddenly she was taking three or four steps on her own. Exactly a month later, on September 15th, she figured out how to get up from the floor to her feet rather than using an anchor of a chair, a table, or Mom's legs. She has been a'motoring ever since.

Just recently she has been borderline running....you know the run I mean. The typical toddler run with the giggle attached where they think they're running REALLY fast but really they aren't. Meanwhile, because they're giggling so much, everything else, balance, stability etc. goes out the window and inevitably Keira will end up in a heap on the floor, hopefully laughing and not crying! Right now as long as all is well, I offer a up a "kaboom" and make light of it so she gets back up and keeps going. She's very much like the Energizer Bunny!

For now enjoy some early "learning to walk" pics. I bought some second hand walking wings. They were terrific. They helped Keira with her balance and gave her the feeling of independence. Plus I wasn't tugging on her little arms and pulling them out of their sockets. ;-) She loved feeling as though she was walking on her own. I promise to post some more recent pics soon. These pictures were taken in August approximately a week prior to her starting to walk on her own. Since then it's been go, go, go! She hasn't looked back!