Sophia is 2!!!!!!!

I can't believe we're parents of a 2 year old, a toddler!?!?! She's grown up so much these past few months since we've been home, let alone this past year, being that we had pictures of her that we received on a monthly basis. We had a little party for her with family and her little friends who also were adopted from China, 3 of them were adopted the same time Sophia was. She did very well, a little confused with the singing and people looking at her, but did well. Enjoy the photos of her party!

One year ago today!

We were matched with our sweet daughter! It's been such an amazing and overwhelming experience! We're able to look back and see the footsteps of God. We wanted so much to give up and be done, but God pushed us through. He gave us amazing friends and family who cheered us on and supported us. Thank you so much to everyone!!!! We love you!!! Here's a photo of when she was a little thing, and one just a few weeks ago. Wow, she's grown up so fast!

Pumpkin Patch

We went on a family outing to the pumpkin patch. It was a nice, sunny, almost too warm of a day. We had fun!

I might as well mention that I'm back to work now, a month in a half to be exact. Paul is taking care of her and working his regular job, since he's self employed. Sophia is doing very well. It was hard for me to leave! I would text message or call Paul to see how things were going. I love coming home! When she hears the door open she comes running and giggling. It warms my heart! I can't get enough snuggles and loves from her!!!

Sophia's little personality is coming out more and more each day. She loves to go and say bye-bye. She will take our shoes and put them by our feet and wave bye-bye. If we mention the word bye-bye she will giggle and run to the door or sit by her shoes. It's so sweet. Her verbal skills are growing too! She can say Amen (wanting to hold hands at meals times), bye-bye, Dada, Baba, Mama, hello, hi, hi ya, yes, puppy, book and some other things too. My friend calls it Ching-lish, half Chinese and half English. I'd have to say it's true. She'll have a conversation with us, but it's in another language. It's too funny!

Enjoy the photos!

First Family Vacation

The second week of August we went on our first family vacation to the Oregon coast. I was worried that Sophia would have a hard time with the change, but she welcomed it. When we got to our room she ran around screaming with joy! It was just like the Home Alone episode!!! She slept well too!!! We also met a few families that had adopted from China as well. It was nice to compare notes and encourage one another.

My parents and my brother, his family too, were there. It was so nice to have family time together. She went crabbing for the first time in Newport, Well watched, but she did great!!! She loved watching the sea lions too! We went to the aquarium, she saw her first shark, sea otter, starfish, sea horse and other sea things. It was fun!

New Photos!

Here's a few new photos! Paul's aunt took them the other day. We stopped by her home for iced tea and a visit. They turned out pretty nice, considering Sophia was fussy from teething and all.

Two Months Together

Hard to believe it's already been two months!!! It's gone by so fast. She's such a joy! Here's a few of her favorite things!

1. Mr. Tiger at bedtime! (Mr. Tiger was bought at the Safari Park in China)
2. Feeding herself oatmeal
3. Music and lots of it. She loves to shake her tushy to it.
4. Watermelon
5. Walking around with milk jugs
6. Grocery bags
7. Her reflection in the dryer
8. Walking anywhere and everywhere
9. SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10. Kisses on her hand!

There's many more, those are the top 10 that stand out. We love being a family. God has blessed us beyond measure!

Here's a few photos my friend took of Sophia. She's a professional photographer, so it was fun taking her out and getting photos taken. The other photos are from 4th of July, I took those. Enjoy! :0)

She's such a joy!

It's hard to believe that we've had Sophia for almost 2 months! Time flies by so fast.
We've enjoyed every moment with her and it's fun to see her little personality grow. Her laugh is so cute!!!! She said her first word, other than Mama and Baba, it was Hi, but her version was Hieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! Too funny and sweet! She loves to be silly and get us to smile. Yesterday she took her snack and placed it on the floor, laid on her hands and knees and scooped it up with her mouth then giggled really loud. I realized that she was mimicking our dog. She watches him eat, so she is doing the same. She's so smart!

She's been teething like crazy, but is really good about it. She loves her teething tablets and gets excited when we give them to her. She also takes her vitamins really well.

She loves to go outside, listen to the birds and watch people and wave at them, even if the people are on the tv. She's just a little sweetie pie and we love her to pieces.