Happy Family Day!!!!

One year ago today, we were introduced to our daughter. We were supposed to meet her at 10:00 am. However, due to snow in her Province, we didn't get to meet her till closer to 5:00 pm. The Ayi walked in with her. Bill immediately sat on the floor and started telling her in Chinese that we loved her. I sat back. I didn't want to overwhelm her. We signed the Harmonious Agreement and went back to our hotel. Bill left me with this little one to go get juice for her. There the two of us stood. I tried to undress her for a bath because the Ayi's said she had an accident on the way to meet us. She screamed and tried to hurt me. She scratched me. She tried to poke and scratch out my eyes. She wouldn't let me touch her. It was awful. Bill came back to the room, helped me get her undressed and the two of them took their first bath as Baba and Shayla Yu Ping. Life has never been the same since.

Here we are one year later and while she still loves Daddy the best, I can say that I believe she honestly loves me too. There was a lot of crying in the beginning of our journey, but they have been replaced with smiles and laughter.

Today we celebrated the day by going to a place in Worcester called Sweet. It's a bakery. For $5.00 you get a cupcake and you can put frosting on it and decorate it. Meri and Lucas came with us. I was told it was going to be $5.00 for decorating and $1.50 per cupcake. Well after handing her a $10 for the both of our kids, I fully expected to have to pay more at the end. However, they never asked for any more money. I was pleased given that it was $10.00 too much for what they offered. Don't get me wrong, it was so nice to get out and chat, but it was not what I expected at all!!!!!! I had seen photos of the place and it looked so nice. The photos were of the back room where there is a bar. It opens at 7:00 pm. Live and learn. We are going to take Ping out on a Saturday to celebrate as a family. This Saturday we have a funeral and that by far is more important. So we will choose another day. Not sure what we are doing yet, but you can be sure I will blog about it.

One last thing before I go. I got a call from DCF today. That is Department of Children and Families. I have an appointment next week to have my house looked at safety wise. This marks the beginning of a new chapter. Who would have thought that one year to the day I would receive a call from them? I sent in some paperwork a few weeks ago. We are now legally ready to expand our family.

Well it is off to bed. Trying to get into bed a little earlier than 1:00 am! I have a feeling that I will be uploading pictures till then though. Oh well!

Mama Out!!!!!!!

Meeting our sweet daughter. February 25, 2008.

Snazzy Kitty from Build A Bear. Had to get her a lovely cat bed too.

Ping enjoying her cupcake.

Lucas and Ping.

Picture of the decorations at the bakery.

Meri and Lucas.

Another shot of the interior of the bakery.

Ping's glorious creation.

Meri holding a disc she decorated. She wrote Mom on it.

Ping enjoying herself.

The two misfits. You should see the hell we went through to get these two to take a picture. Never could get them to smile at the same time.

Like the sign behind them? They are anything but sweet.

Meri and the cherubs.

Meri with the Pingster.

Meri. I was trying to get a picture of her pregnant belly with the sign. She wanted no part of it, but smiled after she pulled her sweater over herself!

Lucas loving him Mommy.

Ping and Mama.

Meri and Ping.

Ping in her new nightgown. The other day when we were in the store and I showed her this, she says "I love it, I love it, I love it." Bill and I nearly collapsed from laughing. It was so darn cute! So here she is one year later on February 25, 2009. She has less hair than she did a year ago. Wonder why that is? LOL. I love you my sweet baby. You are the biggest joy in our lives.

Look at the time....it's 12:55 am. I knew it. I can't get to bed any earlier than 1:00 am. It's in my blood!!!