Santa!

Ok so we heard that Santa would be at the Walgreens right by our house today and I thought we would test the waters and see how Makenna felt about him this year. We have been talking him up quite a bit in our house and she has been interested. Whenever anyone mentions what Santa is bringing her she says "dollhouse" about 5 times.

So we wander in to the store and they told us Santa was in the back. When we round the corner and spot Santa chatting with two employees I was not prepared for Makenna's reaction. She was so EXCITED!! She runs toward him shouting (over and over) DOLLHOUSE!.....DOLLHOUSE!

It was hysterical. She sat on his lap grinning from ear to ear (and repeating dollhouse here and there for good measure) and loved every minute.

Anyway, I think Santa understood what needs to be under the tree this year by the time we left:)

Trick or Treat

Trick or Treating in our new neighborhood was different this year. Not many people were into it but that didn't decrease Makenna's enthusiasm one bit! She loved knocking and saying "Triiii...treeee" the best she could.

Fall Fun

This place was really cool! The Great Pumpkin Farm. I wish I could get a picture with all three kids looking and smiling, but oh well. We are going to check out another pumpkin farm next weekend and get some pumpkins for our house.

The Shiner

Well it was only a matter of time with this little wild one, right? Makenna fell out of our bed yesterday and got a big black eye. She still sleeps about half the night in her bed and the other half in ours. She tosses and turns so much and in general is NO FUN to sleep with! I usually block the other side of the bed with pillows (if it is a work night for Drew) but somehow she fell out of the bottom of the bed by the footboard and hit her eye.

It looks really painful but she just rolls with it. At least something matches her shins now:)

Oh and the capsule in the picture is her fish oil that I poke a hole in and she sucks all the juice out! EEEWWWW I know, but she loves it.

Just for fun

No special reason or theme here. Just a few pictures of us having fun in our new city. The first two pictures are from a Peach Festival near here. And the third is silly Makenna walking in the park from Three Sisters Island near the Falls. We have been enjoying the nice weather as much as possible because I know the winter will be LOOOOONG, from what I hear!

Fashion- Makenna style

Usually Makenna could care less what I pick out for her to wear. One day last week I was busy and told her to go pick something to wear.

This is what she liked. Hey, who knows maybe she will be into fashion design someday:)

The big move

We moved on August 13th and things have been pretty busy since then. We are trying to settle into our new normal. Easier said than done for the kiddos. Especially Makenna. She has had a rough time adjusting. Every little thing just sets her off. Super whiny, super clingy, and very demanding of my time and attention. I know this change is very tough. Big changes in her life do not go over well. I know why and so I try to be understanding and patient. I am sure I don't succeed sometimes but I am making an effort.

On a brighter note we are exploring our new area and that is exciting. I am sad to leave my hometown and all that is familiar but finding new favorite things together as a family is fun.

Some current new favorites for us: beautiful blue skies and no humidity, Dicamillo's Bakery (yum), living close to water, Wegmans grocery store, Niagara Falls, and the Buffalo Zoo. I will keep everyone posted on getting settled. Here are a few pictures from the month.

Cousins and Grandparents

We had these pictures made with all the cousins on my side and my parents. Makenna is the youngest grandchild on this side but she did great! I just love these photos and these kids! I am going to miss them so much when we move. I hope for lots of visits with my parents, sisters, and all of these beautiful kiddos that are growing up way too fast.

Popsicles

Because I can't just tie Makenna up in order to get everything done for the move, we use lots of popsicles and other diversions. I know...I know. I should not bribe her with treats to get a few quiet minutes to make phone calls and such but hey...you do what you gotta do.

And how can you resist when she looks so cute eating it?

My summer sweetie!

Just stole a couple photos from my sister-in-law because I am still without the camera cord. And truthfully have been too busy to just take the card to Target or something. Thought these were cute of Makenna. My big kids avoid the camera now a little bit so I have to catch them when I can. Makenna is so silly and happy most of the time, I just love it!

This was taken from her speech-preschool's website! Makenna goes once a week for 2 hours (in addition to her weekly speech therapy) and she really loves it.

Playing in the sprinkler at Granny's house.



She really does know how to smile when she wants to!

Been a while!

Have not posted in a while because it is super busy around here. We are planning a big move to another state and things are chaotic. Meanwhile we have some family in from out of town and the kids are all enjoying the company. We had a picture made of all the cousins on my husband's side and it was cute. You may have noticed an edited version that is now a fixture on the side of my blog. Makenna did such a good job! There were three 2 year olds in the photo and we all expected a disaster. Thankfully it went off without a hitch! I will share the complete cousins photo with you because sadly I can't find my camera cord in all the moving hustle and I don't have any others off my camera yet.

I love my brother!

The trademark Makenna scrunchy- face smile

You just have to laugh! Sometimes I catch a real smile, but more often than not if she sees the camera this is what we get.

Then and Now

One year ago
(May 4, 2009)
Nanchang, JiangxiAnd one year later
(Home)

One year ago...

I met Makenna.
I was nervous and sad that Drew wouldn't be able to share this moment with me (and happy that my Dad was there to help me hold it together). I was worried how Makenna would feel being taken away from everything she had ever known. Especially her foster mom that she was reported to be very close to. The moment she was carried into the room is one I wil never forget. She was beautiful, and bigger than I imagined. And she had the saddest look on her face. It was quiet at first and papers had to be in order and the director had to be present before the caregiver could hand her to me. I looked at her and wanted to hold her and I was afraid to at the same time. I was hot, anxious, and close to tears. I did not want to cry and scare her. Then the woman who carried her in handed her to me. Makenna had a crumpled family photo of us in her hands and a doll that we had sent in a care package. She was scared and she cried like her heart was broken. I tried hard not to. We looked at each other. This daughter of mine that had been in my heart for years but was so unfamiliar in my arms. I didn't know her yet but loved her. She didn't know me...and it would take a while. As I walked her around the halls of the civil affairs office trying to make her happy I caught a glimpse of the woman who brought Makenna into the room earlier. She was sobbing quietly into her hands. She looked up and saw me and hurried away. I know now that she was not Makenna's foster mother but I still wonder if there was a connection there.
I wish I could say the transition was smooth but it wasn't. Not for me and certainly not for Makenna. She was sad and desperately clung to me in China and for a long time home as well. Adjusting to Daddy joining the family after being home for four months was tough too. But she let him into her heart little by little and now she is crazy about him. For a long time I couldn't leave her side because she cried like I was never coming back. I knew why she felt that way but it was tough. Sleep was a rollercoaster for many months but she does pretty well now. I can tell she is much more sure of herself now and of me. We have come a long way in these past 12 months. I do not see that terrible, sad face anymore. I get to hear her wonderful giggles and belly laughs instead. Makenna is fiercely independent,silly,curious, caring,fun, and wild! Her father, brother, sister and I all love her so much. She is home and solidly a part of our family. She carries in her little heart and mind secrets and scars of her past, but she is brave and joyous beyond belief also. We are lucky to have her in our life and our family.
Happy one year home sweet girl, we look forward to every new day!

Hide and Seek

Well I wasn't home when this happened but apparently Makenna thought it would be fun to hide from Daddy after bath time! I am glad they thought to snap a picture for me:) Drew said she was being really quiet but occasionally giggling and that is what gave up her hiding spot.

Makenna LOVES having her hair fixed!

Not really. Some days trying to get her hair pulled up out of her eyes is very challenging. Olivia took these one day last week to document the struggle. I love it!

Catch up

We have been so busy lately. All three of the kids have had their birthday parties and now spring is here!!! Makenna loves being outside and we are looking forward to lots of playing in the sunshine. Makenna continues to grow and change every day. She is starting to look so much older. Early Intervention continues to help her become more confident and to communicate with us. Speech is still a struggle but she learns signs easily and she attempts more words all the time. The biggest success lately is her transition to her speech playgroup. The first 5 times she went she cried most of the time! It only lasts for 2 hours one day a week and I was ready to throw in the towel and say we were done, when she started to do better! The last two Mondays she has gone into the classroom with out tears and the teachers(who are developmental specialists) report that she is happy and playful the whole time. She has a great sense of humor and keeps us laughing all the time. One of her favorite games right now is for her Daddy to hold her and say "my baby!" while I chase them and say "no, my baby!". She thinks this is hysterical. She loves to dance and climb and jump. She starts a gymnastics class this week and I think she will love it!
She is such a happy girl and she is so much more settled than even few months ago. Just recently I realized I have relaxed with her and I can enjoy her so much more. For a long time I just tried to "get through" each day and figure out what she wanted. Now we can have fun and when all five of us are together it feels right. She fits and completes our family.

Makenna.....being Makenna

You just gotta love this crazy girl!