My first birthday party!

I attended my first birthday party yesterday. Raeden, my next door neighbor, turned one! It was great, because I got to see what I have to look forward to in a few months.

Here's the birthday girl, Rae - cool shirt, huh? Maybe Mama and Daddy will get me one for my birthday - just not in pink!


Here I am at the party, looking handsome in the great outfit that Aunts Shar and Kim bought me when I first arrived home!


Here I am with another neighbor, Laella. She is only 6 days younger than I am, so we will be turning 1 in the same week. How cool is that!


Laella and I, deep in conversation about what it must be like to be 1 year old!




Rae has a great kitchen for kids in her basement. Here I am, checking out a coffee cup and saucer.



Raeden can walk really well! I am soooo jealous. I kept trying to catch her, but she can walk way faster than I can crawl! However, I did finally corner her in the kitchen!


While I was in the kitchen, I decided to check out what was underneath (since I was on the floor anyway)!


Mommy and I made an abrupt departure from the party after 2 hours of fun. Mommy said I was melting down because I needed a nap....ok, so I was a little tired!

Here I am, ending the day with a little play time with Daddy....


Hop on Pop!

Kai Firsts

Kai has had several "firsts" over the last six weeks.

Kai celebrated his first Chinese New Year with fellow adoptees from Taiwan (and, in the case of the picture below, the celebration also included a friend from Guatemala!) For those of you that don't know, this is the Year of the Ox!

Kai with Mila

Kai had his first "hair tussle" from a girl (the very cute Sarah!) ...


Kai received his first kiss on Chinese New Year from Sarah!


And, Kai ended the New Year by taking advantage of his first opportunity to pull a girl's hair!


In addition to his first Chinese New Year celebration, Kai has since had his first opportunity to help mama clean the floor with his "slobber rag" ... immediately thereafter, he stuffed the rag in his mouth...


Kai discovered he likes spicy food. He had his first spicy black bean burger over the weekend and loved it. We made him another one the following day and he was beating on his highchair just from the smell of it.

Kai has also taken a liking to zesty barbeque soy crisps....


Last, but not least, Kai said "dada" for the first time this weekend (in spite of all the coaching to say "mama") AND he waved for the first time.

Our little boy is growing up.....

Finally, some new pictures!

Sorry it's been a while, here are some recent photos of me...

Surrounded by my toys:

Looking rather serious here...I will not fall, I will not fall!

A little more relaxed...(I didn't fall!)

I've learned to enjoy spaghetti!

I am really crawling a lot these days... keeping Mommy and Daddy very busy...

Taking a much-needed nap...

Mommy loves me!

I just turned ten months old already!

I wore my "Terrible Toddler Bib" for the Super Bowl for luck. I think it worked!

Could I be any cuter?

Ready to eat!

Do you mind?? Granny and I are having a private moment here...

Hi, Grandpa (doesn't he look absolutely smitten)!

Exploring again...

Look who's crawling!!

Mommy and Daddy said they can "officially" say that I am crawling now...as though pulling myself around on my elbows wasn't enough!

Here are two videos of my amazing feat...now that I can get around, I usually head straight for the dog toys (much more exciting than my own!)

I also have 6 teeth now - which I have found can be used to my advantage. I bit mommy on the hand the other day when she was putting my diaper on (I no longer like to have my diaper changed and will try to stop the act at all costs!). I also bit mommy on the shoulder when I was snuggled up, ready to go to sleep. Not sure why...it just "happened".

I like to bite my toys in the bathtub, too!


Here I am telling Mommy it's time to stop taking pictures and get me out of the bathtub...oh yeah, did mention I can pull myself up now??


Just a few quick other pictures...me and daddy, hanging out:


Hanging out with Smokey (look, he's just about ready to give me a kiss - I am not always crazy about that!!).

That's it for now...stay warm!!

Christmas Pictures (Finally!)

Christmas Morning with my pal Smokey:


Christmas Day with Granny:


Christmas Day with Grandpa:



Playing on the floor with Gammy:


My new toy from Aunt Patty:


This present tastes good!


Kai with Daddy:


Who needs presents when you have wrapping paper?


This is fun!

My dog Spot from Aunt Heather, Uncle Scott, and cousins Cindy and Kevin:


My new truck from Aunt Holly, Uncle Brian, and cousins Shaun and Jacinta:

Yeah!!!!


I think I made out pretty well this Christmas!


I finally got to meet my cousins! Kevin, Shaun, Cindy, and Jacinta:


Aunt Sharon:


Aunt Kim:


Aunt Billie:


Aunt Holly:


My new bib:


Uncle Brian:

Aunt Heather:


Uncle Scott: