Leading up to 2nd Birthday

Scooterbritches, As you approach your 2nd birthday I wanted to let you know about some of the highlights of your 1st year with us.
Your first birthday party was also your welcome home party. Your Oma came to meet you and the Zadie came later. We had a party at the house with a small moon jump in the front yard. Little did your dad and I know that you wouldn't like them after that day. There were lots of people here to meet you. Some had waited with us for a long time to meet you.
In July we had a 4th of July get together with the O'Quinns. We grilled and played with sparklers. You loved the lights and wanted more and more. About 2 days before, we got your letter from the President of the united States(George Bush) congratulating you on being an American Citizen. Daddy was so excited about the letter, he called his whole family.
The three of us have really worked hard at the bonding and we seem to love eachother very much. I had to go back to work in August, which was very hard for me to to. I cried the first few days I left you with Gigi (Gina Ravey). You seemed very ahppy with her and that made it easier to leave you every day.
Septemebr was kind of busy and not much fun. My Aunt Karen (your great Aunt) dies and daddy, you and I went to Cleveland Ohio to be with Uncle Sid. It was a very sad time, but you kept Uncle Sid laughing. You saw snow for the first time. You didn't like being bundled up in a coat, sweater, mittens, hat... but you were a trooper. Your Zadie and Uncle Jon also were with us.
In Oct. we decorated our house for Halloween. I had bought a blow up Tigger for the front yard and you hated it. It scared you and we had to take it down. I bought you a Minnie Mouse warm up with a tail and ears. That was what you were for Halloween. We tried to go to Cinco Ranch for the carnival but the weather was so bad we stayed home. We answered the door to trick or treaters. Ican't wait until you can decide what you want to be.
In November, we flew to Dallas to be with Aunt Marcy a few days before Thanskgiving and Daddy drove up later. We went to lunch with Aunt Marcy's friends so they could meet you. You made everyone smile and laugh. Zadie bought you a big red car that you rode around Aunt Marcy's house. You laughed and screamed all the time you rode it. You also helped cook for Thanksgiving. On that Saturday we went and met your Aunt Dana and Uncle Vernon for lunch so they could meet you. They were so excited to meet you that they asked us questions about adopting also. Also in November, Saba (Chaim Levy) fell from his atic and hurt his leg very badly. We went to visit him in the hospital sevral times and you cheered him up greatly. You made him laugh and he sang to you.
In December, you helped us decorate the houe and tree. I couldn't wait until you saw all our decorations. Dad put our inflatable Santa out on the lawn and you wouldn't go near him, but you would wave from the window or car. Mrs. Margaret gave momma a frost the snowman that sang and you were afraid of it. We put it under the tree and you stayed away from all the presents. Chanukkah came first and every night we lit the canldes and you would open a present. We went to the hospital to have Chanukkah with Saba and Safta (Martha) and you got to help light the candles there also. Manna came over Christmas day and we ate and laughed and opened presents. Manna gave you a little piano that we couldn't get you to stop playing. It was music to our ears.
Everyday when you wake up, life is just better. It is hard for me to remember what life was like before you came into Daddy and my life. We also took you for your six-month cehck-up. We learned you were slightly behind in walking and talking but would soon catch up. (Boy did you ever).
January and February all flew by. WIth Chinese New year and your learning to walk and say a few words. Ice was your first word. You loved to chew in it. I think it made your gums and teeth feel better. By the end of February, you had all your teeth except your molars.
In March, your Zadie turned 80 and he and his girlfriend DeeDee, Aunt Marcy, Uncle Jim and Uncle Jon came here and we had a birthday party weekend. We were going to go to the Rodeo and Fat Stock show but nobody wanted to go se we stayed home and played at the house. HYou did a great job of entertaining everyone. Also, Momma had a week off and we went to San Antionio to see Oma. You played in the leaves outside most of the time. We don't have many leaves that fall so it was a treat to go there and play. Your Uncle Ken and cousins came to see you. You loved playing with them. Daddy and I also decided to start the paper trail for a baby sister. We are very excited although I am not sure how excited you will be when she gets here.
You got your first bad cold in April and stayed home for a week. You ran a fever and had a bad cough, which you then passed to me. Your dad and I took you to Saba abd Safta's for your 1st Passover Sedar. You sat and ate and played every well. Jacob Lightlhill was there and you loved playing with him. On the 2nd night, everyone came here to our house. I think you had more fun at Saba's as you got to chase the cat around the house. Then on Saturday before Easter, your dad and I took you to the Zoo to have breakfast with the Easter bunny. I thought you would be afraid but you loved him. You kissed and tickled him and shared your eggs with him. It was hard for your dad and I to get you away from him so the other kids could have a turn. You also got to pet a huge rabbit, a chinchilla, geania pig and a ferret. But tickling the Easter Bunny was your favorite. We went and saw the monkeys and elephants and then on to pet the goats. You slept for 3 hours after our morning. That evening we died eggs outside. You enjoyed taking the eggs out of the dye with your hads and dropping them in other colors. Your hand came out black. We threw you in the bath and you were all clean agai. In eater morning, we woke you up and the Easter bunny had been here. He left baskets for all of us. You were excited about your basket and wanted to eat all the candy. Opening the eggs was the best as you liked seeing what was in them. At church after services we had an easter egg hunt. You seemd to enjoy the experience. We had lunch with Margart, Margo and Alex and then went down to the Aquriaum and had a second lunch with Manna and Jennifer (her friend). You were so sweet and went straight to Manna. It made her day. She gave you some fun straws and a cute bunny. She also gave yu a chocolate dipped strawberry and some chocolate mousse. Boy have you become a sweet treat eater.
In May we took you to San Antonio to readopt you. We went to court and swore to a judge we would be your mom and dad forever and ever. Zadie and Dee Dee came to see you and love on you. We stayed over night in a hotel and went to Sea World the next day. The Fourniers and the Lachich also went with us. You loved Sea World. It was very hot but you never complained. You watched everything and loved the animals walking around. Shamu was your favorite. Claire and Abby and Samantha took naps and you just keep on moving. When we got to the car, you crashed before we got the car moving out of the parking lot. On the 23rd of May, the Fourniers and we, went to Pai Wei to eat and celebrate Gotcha Day!!!!!.
What a great 1st full year as a family!!! :)