What the??!!

Yep- it snowed again. We have 7 inches so far and its been snowing since 4 am. Grace wanted to go out and help Scott in the driveway so I grabbed every available winter item I had and threw it on her. She is mismatched, but warm. You'll notice she very closely resembles some of the kiddos in China when they are all bundled up. So cute!
Our dogs are having fun in the snow as well. Alex thinks he is a malamute and runs around like a big bunny rabbit!

Places Grace can fit.........

OK- so don't all CPS on us. Scott was at home with Grace and was sweeping the floor, turned around and saw this. Yes, she is in the washer. But its a front loader and it can't shut or turn on without knowing how to do it- from the outside. Scott warned me before I saw the picture and she looks so happy to have done this. So I wasn't really mad I just asked him to not let her do it EVER again and to not encourage this type of behavior. He promised to try not to.

The Holidays are coming

So its already mid December and the holidays are just around the corner. Hanukkah starts Sunday and Christmas is a few days later. Where or where does the time go? It seems like Grace was just out playing in her turtle pool. Now it 22 degrees, we have had snow and more is expected Wednesday- BRRR!

Our little one is growing so fast. Those 18 month pants seem to be getting shorter every time she gets dressed. I remember when they were too long- now they will be too short soon. I have been so lucky to get clothes from Grace's twin cousins Anna(Savanna) and Mimi (Madison) and have hit the mother load at Goodwill. Yes, goodwill. Don't shake your head at me- When denim pants are in perfect condition for $2.99 its really hard to pass them up. Especially seeing how fast she grows. I have 2 little girls that most of Grace's clothes go to after she has outgrown them. Recycling is the best thing!

Our office again had our annual Holiday party and it was a lot of fun. This year Grace took full advantage of being able to run around and do everything. She decorated cookies and played with a play baby stroller one of the girls had. They were so kind and gave it to her to bring home- seeing that she had so much fun and they had an extra one. She has played with it and pushed around her doll-Qian Li Hui since she brought it home. Its the first time she has taken an interest in dolls instead of stuffed animals. So cute to see. We hope you all of a safe and happy Holiday Season-

What do you do when it rains?

Well go outside and play in it of course!

Scott had Grace put on her ladybug rubber boots and new raincoat the other day and they went for a walk in the rain. Living in Seattle offers this opportunity quite often in the fall and winter seasons. She had a lot of fun stomping around. She got pretty wet- guess I need to tell her daddy the the pantlegs go inside the boots!

Happy Halloween

Here are some pictures from Halloween. Grace grasped the concept of trick or treating more this year than last year.

Its Finally Fall

Well- Fall has finally arrived and the season is changing. We put away the summer clothes and brought out the warmer gear. The 3 of us went for a walk the other night and we bundled Grace up in a coat,hat and mittens. She looked so cute and tolerated looking like an eskimo- which suprised me.
Grace is changing every day. Her vocabulary is exploding and boy is she a strong willed little girl- just like her mother. I have a feeling that she is going to be more of a handful as she gets older. Right now I don't see how thats possible!
We carved pumpkins last night and I haven't done that for so many years. I forgot how hard it was. I bought one of those carving kits and though it was going to be easy, but it wasn't. All in all I think I did a pretty good job. I broke the little saws in the kit, but its done!
I'll try to spost ictures later on.

What Cookie?

I was baking over 200 cookies for a dinner my company was serving at the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle- and my daughter did a little counter surfing/ 5 finger discount of a cookie. The picture says it- "what cookie are you taking about mommy?"

Here are my coworkers and myself at the event- we had a great time and served dinner to some great kids and their families.

Scott and Grace

One big thing that Scott wanted to to do was to dance with his daughter at the wedding- on her birthday. Thankfully I had the presence of mind to pull out the camera to document it.

Grace turns 2

Saturday marked officially my little girl turning 2. We had a wedding to go to and she was all dressed up for the big day. She wasn't crazy about sitting still for the ceremony so we walked around the church grounds the entire time. It was raining so I was thankful they had covered walkways. We said our ABC's and 123's a million times. She now is able to finish with W,X,Y,Z and 8,9,10 all by herself. It so funny to hear her talk and carry on. The transition to the big girl bed is going to come sooner than I had planned I think. She isn't trying to crawl out of her crib, but she is so mature in other ways that I think she can handle it. Now that isn't to say I can, but she can. She is now telling us when she needs to go potty and wants only to sit on the big toilet- forget the potty chair, that's for babies!

Musical Genius

Grace will be the next Beethoven I am certain- or the next Yo Yo Mah

She LOVES the musical Piano Crystal! Yes, I usually am not a fan of toys that make a lot of noise that don't educate- but this one has my approval. I know she will be composing in no time!

Now if Scott will only let her pay with it more.......

Grace's Birthday Party

Sunday the 14th we had Grace's Birthday Party. The weather was perfect and we were able to have it outside in the back yard. Grace had fun visiting with everyone that came and got so many great presents. Favorites so far include but are not limited to a Kungfoo Panda viewmaster and an ABC vtech toy and a doodle pro and Legos. Lots of puzzles (which she has already mastered) My sister sent an electric piano that makes all sorts of sounds and music. Grace LOVES the button that makes it meow songs! My mother sent her some adorable clothes from the Gap that she is sure going to look great in. She also got a subscription to wildlife babies magazine. So every time she gets one in the mail its a special treat! I just want to thank those of you who came to make her day so special.

Pink frosted cupcakes were for dessert- and I have to say they were pretty darn tasty.

I jus can't believe my baby is 2 years old already. Time is flying by too fast- she is so smart and remembers so many things. Its so hard to fool that gal!

Oh yes- and for those of you who haven't seen me lately- I chopped all of my hair off. It was time for a change

New Friends

We met up with Joe and Tara- people we met when we started our adoption process. They started at the same time as we did, but they finished sooner and got their referral many months before us. We had delays, but I do think it was for a reason and it all worked out great. Why? Well- we have Grace!

So it was out first time seeing their daughter Remi who is 7 months older than Grace and friends they met in China, Rich and Lisa and their daughter Camille.

The girls had a great time playing and we of course stood around and drank wine, beer and ate tapas. It worked great for us all!

Seaside Oregon and The Fair

We headed to Seaside Oregon for a few days to get away. It ended up being cold, foggy and rainy. While back at home it was in th high 90's and miserable. But its the chance you take! We made the best of it and had a good time.

We also went to the Evrgreen State Fair wth Ray and Sherry. Kayla and Jon are working at the fair so we visited with them. It was hot- but we had a great time. Grace loved seeing all of the animals. She stayed up well past her bedtime and passed out on the way home- a sure sign she had a good time.

Summer is almost over and am not ready for it too end- we didn't get to enjoy it as much as we should have. There is always next year!

3 Years

Today is the 3rd anniversary of my Father's death. It still hits me like a ton of bricks. I know it takes a long time to get over the death of someone you love as much as I loved and idolized my Dad. I would never have moved to Seattle if it weren't for him. Some of my family hate that I am here, but it was what I was meant to do. We moved several times when I was younger for my father's job. So it seemed natural that given the opportunity I would do the same. So I am 3000 miles away from where I grew up- but I know I belong here in the Northwest and have never regretted the move. Besides, I would never have met Scott and Grace would never have come into my life.
So, Dad- I love you and miss you everyday- Thanks for being a great Father and friend.

Grace Loves Ice Cream

I bought an ice cream maker to try my hand at a home made treat. It seems to be working well and Grace and Scott (more Scott) gobbles it up soon after its made. So that's a good thing- right? Grace likes her ice cream in a cone. Scott- well, he'll eat it any way he can get it.

Before we met.........

Thanks to one of my coworkers Chad Marsh- I am so happy to be able to post this video clip of Grace. This is when she was only a few weeks old and in foster care. This clip is from Brian Stuy's Qianjiang video. He's a guy from Utah who visits finding places in China and offers the finding adds etc. for sale to adoptive parents. Its the little bits of info we as parents crave to help our children put the pieces together of where they came from and to show them that they were cared for and loved before we became a forever family. Renee Sattazahn was the one who was certain that this was Grace in the video- I had not been able to watch the whole video and never came across this part. Thanks to you both

Gotcha Day

One year ago today- Scott and I added to our clan and FINALLY became a real family. Instead of a 4 legger we added a 2 legger to the mix- Miss Grace Olivia Li Stafford. I remember getting into Chongching and all of us being told our babies were on the way to us and we should be meeting them at 5 pm. So we all rushed to our rooms and unpacked and hurried to wrap our gifts and maybe try to relax and get something to eat. We ordered room service but I couldn't get myself to eat I was too nervous.
Well, as usual our group didn't get any breaks- the babies were 2 hours late! Scott continued to go up and down the elevator and was checking the lobby as I sat in a chair right next to the phone. Ricky our guide finally called and told us our baby was in the lobby and to please come get her. (Like I wasn't half way out the door 2 seconds after I hung up.) I still remember the butterflies and the " Oh my gosh" feeling. Somehow we were the first people downstairs and as we walked out of the hallway by the elevators they were all lines up on 2 of the couches in front of us. I froze and just couldn't believe they were RIGHT THERE.
I started to panic because I couldn't see Grace on the sofa in front of us- I started to think what kind of a mother as I and couldn't even pick out my child! Scott pointed all the way to the left and there she was- hanging out on the couch just watching the world go by! Oh my gosh she was just the most precious and beautiful baby I had ever seen.
We had to wait for all of the families to come down before they started calling names. I wasn't even sure I'd know how to hold her but everything went so smoothly. None of the babies cried and it was just the most perfect moment.
So a year has gone by and we are looking forward to all of the rest of them to come. Grace is our sunshine and our precious gift. We could not have asked for a more perfect child!
Happy 1 year to all of our Chongching families!

Almost 2

Grace will be turning 2 in September and I can't help but marvel at how far we have all come in just this past year. We had been waiting for what seemed like forever (it really was forever) to get to our referral and then 8 short weeks later we were on a plane to China- first stop was Beijing. Then a few days later in the wee hours of the morning we were on another plane to Chongching to be united with our daughter.

In these past 12 months Grace has learned to walk, eat everything she tries, talk constantly, and the list goes on. One of the very first words she learned was "Al"- our dog. I kept thinking she was saying "OW" but then she crawled over to him and touched him and said Al- Mystery solved and already a dog lover just like her Mom. Ralph and Maggie's names followed soon after.

She knows all of the family and friends we point to in pictures. ABC's and 123's are a part of our routine on a daily basis. She's a little fashionista too- know what she wants to wear and what she does not want to wear. Talk about a hissy fit if she is being made to wear something that no respectable 22 month old would be caught dead in! She has more clothes than I do. GEEZ!

Oh yeah, and she is growing like a weed- how could I forget that. Last night was a little cool so I pulled out a pair of footie PJ's we got at Costco a few months ago. They were droopy on her when we bought them, but- well, last night they are on the verge of being to small. How the heck did that happen!? She's also in a size 4 shoe- just barely. Seems like it took forever to get out of size 3. The pink boots her aunt Casey bought her will be fitting soon- I have a feeling.

The last post placement visit was Wedenesday and it marks the last of the year long visits we were required to have. What a sigh of relief that we don't have to "report" to anyone anymore. Now we just need to do her readoption so we can get a passport. Then maybe a trip out of the country to celebrate that! Hmm... maybe Switzerland..... We'll have to wait and see.

Gotcha day is just a few dyas away- stay tuned!

Grace is a Happy Child

We were headed to a memorial service for our neighbor Walter Cumbo and Scott took this picture of Grace and me. Some of you met Walter and know what a wonderful person he was and how he adored Grace. Both he and his wife Georgia loved to see her and marvelled at how we had "won the lottery" when it came to gorgeous children. We will all miss Walter and I know Grace will miss him as well. Many people at the memorial knew of Grace because of Walter's bosting of her. He was the kind of man you'd want your children to have as a Grandpa. Just the sweetest.

Grace and food

Grace is having challenges with eating right now. Believe it or not she is being a very picky girl. Last night was the first night she ate really well in about - a week. She has been very selective about what she eats- even if she says she wants it- she changes her mind once she gets it- so frustrating. Thanks to Denise Sullivan and her suggestions of edemame and grilled veggies, Grace is eating some of those.

We tried chopsticks Friday with her and she thought it was fun.

Also in an unrelated subject- she likes to collect rocks. Just like

I did when I was younger- funny huh?

Summer is Here

Summer came a week early here in the NW. We had some very warm weather and it was unbearable.Grace took it all in stide- being from Chongqing she had the heat an humidity early in life. She's had a cold for the last week or so. She had it, got rid of it and got it again a week later. It was the first time she has everhad a temp and it made me nervous. But she is on the mend and is as fiesty as ever.

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July- stay safe and us lots of sunscreen!