Happy Family Day, Carli

It is hard to believe that it was only one year ago we were in China, still getting to know our new daughter. Carli has changed SO MUCH in just 12 months!!

- She went from three bottles a day and having a tongue tie to having a frenulum release, lots of occupational therapy, and a love of food...attributing to her 14-pound weight gain. :)

- She went from having so much fluid in her ears that for close to three years she heard what probably sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher, wah, wah, wah, to having tubes and scoring perfect on her hearing exams.

- She went from being lifeless, no muscle tone, just laying in a crib, to running, dancing, swimming, riding bikes, and even ice skating. She has gotten so strong, just ask the dentist. :)

- She went from being practically blind to...well, this week she'll be sporting her new purple princess glasses. Her world will seem much different once again. And of course she looks adorable in them!

- She went from screaming bloody murder every time she saw an animal to giving her kitties big hugs and kisses every day.

- She went from minimal to no physical contact to being the best snuggler, hugger and kisser! She's got three years to make up for.

I do think they did they best they could with the limited resources they had in China, but I truly believe they just kept these kids alive, period. Why did they not make Carli paper-ready for adoption earlier? She would more than likely not be having to work so hard at speech therapy, occupational therapy and just catching up. I have many questions, which I know will never be answered. I'm just thankful that we were chosen to be her parents. I can't imagine life without her!!

She's always so happy! She LOVES shoes and will change shoes at least 15, 20 times a day. The higher the heel, the more clickity-clackity the sound, the better. She has the best belly laugh. As her Papa says, she laughs from her toes all the way up! The girls still fight...like sisters! Most nights they walk around here holding hands and almost always eat their lunch holding hands. And as Mei pointed out in China, they are for sure the yin and the yang and equal each other out.

Carli is one brave little soul who has overcome so many obstacles in her life. We are blessed and thankful every day that she is a part of our family!!

China January 2008

April 2008 June 2008

August 2008 October 2008

What a difference a year makes!!
We love you forever and always, Carli!!

Love, Dad, Mom & AnLi

Ice Skating

I was a little nervous but decided we'd meet up with some friends and go ice skating. Since I haven't been ice skating since I was about 10, I was a little worried about who was going to be holding who up. :) But after some first-time jello legs, both of the girls did way better than I expected! They never mastered skating alone, but really got the hang of it after a few minutes. Of course, like everything else that's physically active, AnLi did not want to get off the ice.

Swimming Sunday

We're already wishing spring were here! Cabin fever has set in. We decided to go up to the gym and do a little swimming on Sunday. They always have a great time when there's water involved!

Making "blueberry cakes"

Teaching Carli to blow bubbles in the water

AnLi's favorite fountain

Carli's favorite fountainChasing - always a favorite on land or water

Carli, Jack, AnLi & Sydney

Winter Break

The girls are ready to go back to school and get back to routine. Both have been sick at some point during their break. They've got lots of Christmas toys to play with, but they ask to play in the bath every day. AnLi would stay in there all day if I'd let her!

It was Carli's turn to get out first. AnLi grabbed and hugged her saying, "No, she's my friend!"
I guess they're bored~

I was upstairs on the phone and AnLi had yelled for me a couple times. I said I'd be right down. When I came down the steps I found this:

Rubi will let AnLi do ANYTHING to her, I guess even give her a haircut. LOL! I tried keeping a very straight face, sent AnLi to timeout for using scissors, and told her I needed to take a picture to show Daddy when he got home, trying to hold in my laughter. She's been apologizing for using scissors without an adult since. Funny things is, considering the amount of fur I found (you can't see all of it in the picture), you can't even tell the cat got her hair cut. I guess she needed it. :)

Here's our supper conversation the other night:

AnLi: Is today Sunday?

Mom: No, today is Thursday.

AnLi: So I have school tomorrow?

Mom: No, we still have a four more days before school.

AnLi: (big pause) So we're going to China to get another baby?

Mom: NO!!!

Last year's Christmas break, we left shortly after for China to adopt Carli. I guess she associates her long winter break with a trip to China.

Christmas Merriment

Christmas and all that surrounds the holiday were exceptionally fun this year. Having a 4-year-old who is full of excitement, for a month, makes things magical for all. Carli wasn't quite sure about the whole thing, but soon got into the swing of things and loved every minute of it. We had a full three days and are blessed to have a wonderful family to share it all with.

CHRISTMAS EVE:

The day started out relatively normal - well, except for AnLi screaming from her bed as soon as she woke, "It's Christmas Eve! It's Christmas Eve!" She had waited for this day for soooo long.

Doing a puzzle on the computer

Making cookies for SantaWe went out to look at Christmas lights and get some pizza. We left Santa's cookies and milk "just in case". On the way home, AnLi was sure she saw Santa's sleigh in the sky. When we pulled into our subdivision she saw reindeer tracks in the snow. She couldn't wait to get inside. They both stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Santa had visited and brought them each the dolls they had asked for. They played with those dolls for a good half hour before they asked if they could open the rest of the gifts.

CHRISTMAS DAY:

We went to Nana and Papa's Christmas day, to celebrate with Greg, Beth, Steven, and Buster & Rocco. The girls especially love playing with Beth, and she's a willing participant.

The girls got Hannah Montana wigs. Carli wore that thing through all of Christmas and LOVED it! AnLi would have nothing to do with it. :)

Day after Christmas:

Friday we went to Kolene and Jeff's for my family Christmas. Things are always crazy with my six nieces and nephew, and all of the spouses/boyfriends, and then five littles running around. We had a great time.

Thanks to everyone for hosting the get-togethers this year, for the yummy food and the wonderful presents! We have the greatest families and love them all dearly.

Mommy's trying to sort through all of her gazillion Christmas pictures before she posts anything, but in the meantime we're having fun playing with all of our new toys and enjoying some down time. Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas as much as we did!!

Merry Christmas to All

Wishing everyone a safe and warm Christmas holiday!

Love Brian, Kayla, AnLi & Carli

Snow!!