A Visit with Nai Nai

Sammie's Toronto nai nai (granny) is not well so, last week, Sammie went to visit her. She also got a tickle session with her Uncle Innes.

Sammie's New Hat

Sammie's got a new hat, new hat, new hat; Sammie's got a new hat alllllllll day long! (We have a special tune that we make up silly songs to all day long! )

Toronto Flower Show with Auntie Pat

Sammie Reading in Her Bedroom

Here's some pictures of Sammie doing what she enjoys most!

Visit with Auntie Sheryl - March 2006

Here's some cute pics of Sammie and Auntie Sheryl!

Attaching to cozy binks!

At the Hunan girls reunion on Saturday, a few of us moms were talking about whether or not our girls had started to 'attach' to anything, for instance a teddy bear or blanket. Well, not many of them appeared to be doing this yet. But, on Sunday (the very next day), Sammie appeared to be seriously attaching to one of her blankets -- the one we call cozy binks because it's so incredibly soft and has a lovely textured feel to it. Anyone, she has now been dragging that blanket all over the house, so, perhaps, it means that Sammie is now getting attached to at least one of her possessions. Another milestone! Here's a couple of cute pictures of her dragging her cozy binks around.

Hunan Girls Unite!

On Feb. 18th, we had our first reunion of our adoption group since we've been back in Canada (we returned 3 months ago on November 11th, 2005). It was great seeing how well the girls are doing and how they've grown. Only eight families (of the 15 that travelled together) were able to make it, so here's a picture of these 8 cuties!

Sammie speaks three languages!

Well, sort of ....

The day before we left for Puerta Plata, Sammie said her FIRST word in Mandarin. "Mao mao" (cat). Then, while in Puerta Plata, she started saying her second word in Mandarin ... "dede" (brother). It's so cute when she says these words.

When in Puerta Plata, her godmother, AEmilia, also taught her to say "ola" (hello), so Sammie stole everyone's hearts going around saying "ola".

Music ... maestro!

Sammie enjoys a weekly music class. Carole, the storeyteller, is really wonderful in leading the class with songs (accompanied by various instruments), stories, poems, and other wonderful ways of entertaining the children.

En Vacances! Puerta Plata

On Feb. 5th, we left for a well-deserved vacation in Puerta Plata. The resort, Occidental Jack Tar Puerta Plata, was great. The food was fabulous, the grounds lush and green, and the service outstanding. The beach wasn't the greatest but that's what you get in Puerta Plata. However, the pools were fine.

Unfortunately, Mom and baby were sick! Bah! So, not much of a vacation for us. But, I guess, there's always next year. Here's a picture of Sammie finally getting to 'play' on her last day in the sun.

First Steps!

On January 12th, Sammie took her first steps!
You go, girl!

Sammie's Fairy Godmothers!

Sammie is one of the lucky few who has not one ... but ... two godmothers! Neil's family has a tradition that says that the males get one godmother and two godfathers; the girls are appointed one godfather and two godmothers! So, here's a picture of my sister who lives not too too far away, and she is one of Sammie's godmothers. Sammie's other godmother lives in Australia and hopefully I'll get a good picture soon and post that as well.

Between Sammie's older, experienced-mom but very cool godmother and her younger and very hip (only 15 years old the time of writing this blog), I think we have all bases covered that Sammie will get lots of good advice ... and spoiling ... in her wee life!

Sammie's Playgroups

stay tuned for this posting

New Year's

New Year's Eve was pretty low key this year. DJ was on a school trip to Quebec City (major party scene for him!), and we just hung out at home with Auntie Aemilia, Brit, and our neighbours, Deb and Kevin. Nothing wild happened but Sammie was happy as a tick with her adoring godmother here for a few days, as well as cousin Brit spoiling her with attention.

Sammie's First Birthday

December 27, 2005: Since Sammie just loves Chinese food, and especially noodles, we decided to keep her first birthday low key and just go out for Chinese food. However, we made the mistake of taking her to the Mandarin Restaurant at Eglinton and Birchmount and it was just awful. She wouldn't eat any of the food. Can't blame her as we thought it was pretty awful as well. Prior to our trip, we had gone to a Mandarin Restaurant in Mississauga with our adoption group and it was fabulous so we thought that this would be a safe bet. Wrong, wrong, wrong! However, being the party girl, all was not lost as Sammie had a ball just being out and she babbled at high pitch all the way through dinner. Quite funny. Unfortunately, DJ was on a school trip so couldn't partake in the festivities.

Even the cats love Christmas!

And herrrrrrrrrre's Fatty! in his winter garden!!

Sammie's First Christmas - Dec 2005

Sammie really enjoyed her first Christmas. She just loved the tree as you can imagine, and even now if I ask her where the Christmas tree is -- she will point to the corner of the living room where it stood. As she was still a bit young for playing with toys but loved trying to play with the cats, I made her a stocking stuffer (what else do you put into the stocking of a one-year old?!) of a wooden spoon with a string and a cat ball attached to the end of the string. She loved it! She'd swish the spoon around the floor and the cats would chase the ball. Per usual, as happens with all babies, she got royally spoiled by family and friends alike. I think we take out at least one new toy per week with all the loot we got! Thanks everyone for your generosity!!!