Liya's First Christmas

Come check out Liya's First Christmas here.

Ice Cream Moustache

Recently Liya had her first ice cream cone. I mean, she has had one of those tiny ones at McDonalds in Guangzhou....but this was her first REAL cone:)
It was actually her daddy's cone, but she conned him out of it, lol!
Here are some "ice cream moustache" pics:

Almost 2 Months With Liya;)

I can't believe it has been nearly 2 months since we met our beautiful daughter! My, how time flies when you're having fun:)

Here are some updates on Miss Liya:

*she can say a few sentences now, and her favorite word is "wait". Hey, at least it's not "no!"!
*she loves to gab on the phone
*she wants to pick out her clothes each day, and she calls each outfit "pwetty" as she's putting it on....so cute:)
*she loves her big brothers, and knows just which one to go to for each of her needs, lol!
*if it were up to her, she'd take 3 baths a day;)
*she still hates to wait....for anything!
*she has a major shoe fetish
*we love her to pieces!!!!

And now, the only thing you really wanted to see....pics:
All dressed up for big brother's Pre-K graduation



With 2 of her brothers at Sea World


Digging for bones at the T-Rex Cafe in Downtown Disney



Waiting for food at T-Rex Cafe


"Wow! Look at those Dinos!"

When Liya Met Kitty...

This little kitten showed up at my sister-in-law's house recently. Liya was mesmerized by her! But no, we did not take her home with us. 2 dogs, 2 fish, and 6 guinea pigs are enough for us!

Outside Fun!

Liya recently discovered our trampoline, and she LOVES it! She likes for her brothers to jump around her while she sits in the middle. We call it "popcorning". Being outside helps the kids not feel so sick (most of us have strep throat right now).
It's almost summer, so they'll be more and more posts like this in the near future;)


Popcorning:


Jumping:




Mommy's Little Tattle Tail:

Happy 3rd Birthday, Liya:)

Liya's birthday started off with a trip to the doctor, where she was diagnosed with strep throat and chicken pox:( Poor baby!! She ran a fever on Tuesday and Wednesday, then on Thursday she started breaking out in blisters. She seems to have only a mild case, thank goodness!
We had to cancel her birthday party that would have been tomorrow. But tonight we invited over my parents for some cake and ice cream. Here are a few pics of Liya at her "mini-party":


In the next one she is looking at a picture of her foster family. So sweet!

Settling In:)

Finally getting around to posting since coming home with Miss Liya. The first several days are all a blur, thanks to jet lag. I had no idea jet lag could be so hard to get over!
Life with Liya is wonderful:) She amazes us more each day. We couldn't have chosen a more perfect child for our family. Liya is funny, dramatic, happy, curious and of course beautiful! Her brothers are already wrapped around her little finger. And Daddy is, too;)
She is slowly picking up english. She tries to sing her ABC's already...so cute! Today she actually said "One, two, three, go!", and I about fell over! I don't remember teaching her that one, lol!
She is potty trained, and only very occasionally has an accident. She has never had any nighttime accidents yet. She loves to take a bath with big brother Nathan. She hates to have to get out, lol!
Liya's 3rd birthday is next Friday. Since she is just recently home, we are only having family over for a small, short party. I will post pics for sure;)
In the meantime, enjoy some random pics of Liya, both in China and home!

We Are Home!!

We are home, and adjusting to the jet lag and time change. Jake and RJ are on Florida time (of course, they didn't travel), and the rest of us are on China time. Roger and I are taking shifts with the kids for now, and I am up with Nathan and Miss Liya. I will post more soon (including pics) and I promise I will update Liya's website soon, too! The second week in China just kicked my butt! I was so busy and stressed that I did not have time to post anything to the travel journal on the website.
I shall redeem myself soon. Right now, I'm about to put 2 little sleepy ones to bed:)

We Are Going To China!!

Last Friday, we received our Travel Approval from China!! Our Consulate Appointment is scheduled, and our flights are booked.
We will meet Liya Faith on Monday, April 19th! Yay!!!!!
I have decided to chronicle our travels in China on our Baby Jelly Beans website. Please join us there as we travel to our Princess Liya Faith:)
www.lovingliya.com
Password is faith.
See ya there!!

In The Home Stretch, And New Pics Of Our Girl:)

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since our Article 5 was picked up. We were told by our agency that the wait should be 2 or 3 weeks from Art 5 to TA. I am sooo hoping it is this week!! What's the hurry, you ask?




That would be my motivation for wanting to hop on a plane to China....like, yesterday!!
I just can't wait to hold her in my arms.....

Liya's Shower

My sister-in-law and mother-in-law threw us the nicest shower for Liya today:) We are so grateful for the thoughtfulness they put into every detail. They even brought a picture of the chinese symbol for "daughter" to the bakery, so the baker could put it on the cake. Priceless!
They also got Liya the most beautiful monogrammed diaper bag I've ever seen!
Stacey and Delora.....you guys ROCK!

I Spoke Too Soon!

Well, slap me silly and call me Susan...we got our I800 approval letter yesterday!! I guess the officer I spoke with on the phone last week took pity on me and approved our case:) That was nice of her!
Our agency rep is optimistic that we will travel at the end of March...awesome!!
We are coming for you, baby girl:)

Hurry Up And Wait....Immigration Style.

So, we are waiting for I800 approval right now. I found out today that our I800 has made it into the USCIS building, but our officer is out of the office until Monday:(
Our form won't even be marked as received until HE gets back, even though it is there NOW. Ugh......just ugh.
I know I shouldn't complain, since our process has been so smooth since the beginning. I need to just suck it up. Besides, it could be worse. He could've been out until next Friday.
Remembering the big picture now.....vent over;)
On a wonderfully positive note: found out today that my awesome sis-in-law Stacey is throwing us a shower!! Yippee....I'm so excited:)

My Name Is Amy, And I'm A Shopaholic....

Shopping for my daughter is FUN!
Some of my recent purchases: