1 year home - family photos

Then and Now Jammie shots

Amazing the difference a year makes!

China November 2007

Ohio November 2008

Sarah's first Preschool Pictures

Can you tell she is more than happy to pose for the camera?

First Days of School - 2008

Elizabeth was off to 2nd grade in mid August, while Sarah was ready in mid August, but didn't start preschool until September. Both girls love school, which is a big relief to their parents!

First Day of School Collage

Sarah's First Haircut Photos

Of course, at 4 years old, this is not really her first haircut, but it is the first in the USA! Sarah has often mimicked getting her haircut, so this must have been both a memorable and a happy experience for her in China...although with Sarah's sunny personality, she makes anything a happy adventure!

Now I have 2 girls who are addicted to the pampering of a beauty salon!

Before the cut

The wash

Clip, Clip

Born for the Salon!

Summer Fun!

Summer is here and opening a whole new world of adventures for our two. The pool in the backyard is the site of endless fun for Sarah. The girls love donning bathing suits and getting wet as these photos show.

6 months Home!

Can you believe it? We are celebrating 6 months since the day Sarah became part of our family!

Here we are at cousin A & B's violin recital. We are so proud of their playing!

Sarah was very eager to try the violin too! She would have gladly gone on stage to perform!

This photo of the two girls was a candid shot taken in their typical play. They play so well together, even though they have their typical sibling fights as well.

What a wonderful journey this has been. Sarah fits so perfectly in our family and life is so much better as a family of four.

March photos

Happiness is a tea party!

Or a vacation with your sister...

Sunvisor fun compliments of Auntie Ethel!

Chinese NY Photos

My drama queen, ready for her Chinese school New Year's performance!

FCC Chinese New Year party

Craft table at FCC party- Elizabeth and best buddy Kim work on making cloth fortune cookies Elizabeth is all dressed up for her Chinese school dance performance...half the fun is the make-up!

Meanwhile, Sarah is all aglow with excitement in dressing up like big sister for FCC party

Here are dance partners Elizabeth and Casey backstage before their performance

Photos from 2nd month home

Our girls love to bake... There are always lots of muffins at our house.
Cookies are fun to bake, then fun to decorate!

What big sister does, little sister does

And finally the clean up (this time of playdough). Gotta have those goggles!

After 2 Months Home

Having been home 2 months now, I guess we have hit the new normal mark. Jet lag and holiday days off school are over and I am back to work 3 days a week until my family leave runs out. Sarah is now comfortable enough with us to start expressing her displeasure if life doesn’t follow her plan! She is still the happy and delightful child we first met, but is dealing with the fact that she now has parents who need to tell her “no”!

Sarah turned 4 in January, although she is still a peanut at 24 lbs and 32”, she is making remarkable progress with language and development in areas she has never had experience with (such as cutting with scissors). She has gotten a clean bill of health from the adoption clinic and only had to have one catch up immunization.

The sisters are getting along great and Elizabeth continues to be a huge help with Sarah as mom goes back to work. One of their favorite activities is baking, as you can see from the photos. Mom & Dad are still pretty tired, but quite content with having two very special girls.