I could only avoid it for so long

Gymnastics. You were my Nemesis when I was a child. I finally mastered a cartwheel in my twenties. Oh, how I tried, but my uncoordinated body would not cooperate. I even joined the gymnastics team in high school (my best friend at the time was a member) but didn't last long. Even the coach knew it wasn't going to happen (but she let me try and was very encouraging).

I avoided taking Avery to gymnastics for 3 years. Finally, yesterday I caved. Avery's little friend invited her (okay it was her mom) to the "bring a friend day". There was no way out.
Avery LOVED it. I'm sure, if she could have she would have stayed all day. I knew she would love it. She runs around the house doing splits all the time. She is so flexible, just like her mother ha ha. I swear I am not bragging, the kid is good.

I hate to admit this, but the only reason I have not signed her up for gymnastics is the cost. It's not too pricey for the little kids, but if you decide to become competitive the cost is crazy.

Oh well, she's been hooked. Looks like someone is heading to registration in March.

Oh, and Brennyn tried the parent and tot class. Let's just say that her gymnastic enthusiasm was a lot closer to her mother's.

Once again, it seems that I don't have much time to blog. Too much going on, and unfortunately, it hasn't been the best of news lately.

We did have a great visit with some friends. For the first time, Avery played with another child. Of course, Avery and L have known each other since we all met in China, but the girls don't see each other that often. We'll just have to work on that! Poor Brennyn tried to get in on the play action, but Avery just wasn't keen on having baby sister hang around. Brennyn quickly got over it!
Of course, when no-one else is around, apparently Brennyn will do (I took pictures as evidence).

Out of the mouth of babes

I have to write down some of the things Avery has been saying lately before I forget them. It may already be too late the way my mind has been working lately (or not working).

I asked Avery how I looked in my outfit one day and this was her response "um mom, you don't look very stylish". Sorry kid, I never was.

"Mom, we are missing a kid here, where's that other kid".

After I told her she was wise beyond her years. "I know mom, I am wise behind my ears".

After she played Mahjong for the first time "I have skills mom".

Avery has also very kindly taught her sister to say "mom bum".

Did I mention that she is cheeky?
As she runs over her sister on the little bike she likes to tell me "oh sorry, didn't see her".
When taking away some cherished item (even her Franklin books) from Avery when she has been especially naughty she usually says "that's okay mom, I don't want that right now anyway".

Gee, I wonder why I'm falling asleep by 9:00pm. These girls keep me on my toes. Don't they look so sweet and innocent in their pictures (and they are for the most part). The funny thing about Avery is that she is so shy when we are out in public that people don't believe she could be capable of doing some of her past escapades.

ramblings of an adult adoptee, part 2

I am about to start rambling again, so be warned! Also, this is just the point of view of one adult adoptee and adoptive parent.

I keep reading blogs, yahoo groups, articles where people talk about ending adoption. This statement really hurts, especially when it comes from an adoptive parent. I was raised by 2 parents who were unable to give birth to a child, placed for adoption by a young teenager who was still in high school. What would my life have been like if there was no adoption? I will never know, however I am very happy with the way it turned out (thus far).
There will always be people who long for a child, but are unable to conceive. Why should they not be given the opportunity to parent a child, because adoption is such a terrible thing.
I just feel that these statements trivialize my life and my children's lives.
I'm not saying that I haven't had issues in my life, of course I have. Would I have issues if I wasn't adopted? I can't answer that question because that is not my life. I am starting to embrace the fact that I am adopted. Do other adoptees? Of course not. As I've mentioned before, everyone is different. We are not one person, one adoptee. We have different life experiences, personalities and traits. Maybe I am too glass half full, but this is how I feel.

I do agree that as adoptive parents, we have to open and willing to communicate with our children. Adoption is not shameful, talk about it! Take the lead from your child, but you may also have to nudge (speaking from my personal experience as a teenager).

Yes, unfortunately there are so many problems associated with adoption, corruption, secrecy, etc. It is the secrecy that creates many issues, again my opinion. Is not idealistic to talk about a world without adoption? Instead, should we not concentrate on making the adoption process better for all involved?

I could go on and on about the subject of adoption, but this is supposed to be my lighthearted family blog!

Time for more pictures

Is it bad that pictures sit on my camera for weeks at a time? Oh well, I've finally downloaded (or is it uploaded) about 100 pictures.

Brennyn's new favourite word is "MINE". She says it with gusto! I think she's heard her sister say it so often that it comes naturally.
Speaking of Avery, I will say (although I'm probably jinxing myself) that she is much better with Brennyn. I dare say she even likes her mei mei, and helps her out sometimes. Avery was very excited that she taught Avery to say "tummy", that and mom bum. She really wants Brennyn to play with her all the time now, but unfortunately Brennyn isn't that interested all the time (her attention span is still a little short and her sister does have a tendency to be bossy).

The weather was very mild for January in Ontario and we pulled out the bike. Had to snap a few pics of Avery in her marshmallow man snowsuit on the trike. Didn't slow her down a bit!
Have to add that the weather is back to normal now, and I'm looking outside to a lovely snow squall.

I have to say that Sick Kids Hospital is an amazing facility. The doctor and his team were so great with Brennyn.
Brennyn did so well, and it was such a long day. I think she was getting a little tired of people touching her hands though; 2 interns, 1 surgeon, a physio therapist and the x-ray tech. She didn't cry once, she charmed everyone and stole the pens right out of their pockets.
As an aside, still have a few attachment issues with Brennyn for sure, although part of it is her personality. She is just too friendly with everyone, climbing right on the doctors lap. We are working on the attachment but it is an ongoing process for sure!

Anyway, we did come away with an official diagnosis (which was said like this "oh by the way, her the official condition is ...."). We didn't get much time to talk about the diagnosis and I will be asking him on our next visit. I do believe we will be seeing a lot of this doctor in the future.
Again, I am very at ease with who will be operating on my daughter, and feel that we are so fortunate to live so close to such a well respected and inspirational hospital.

new obsession

This may seem strange, my husband thinks I'm a tad obsessed. I am trying to discover what ethnic minority my daughter is. I am 99% sure Avery is Han Chinese, but I am also 100% certain that Brennyn is not.
I think that it is important to discover this kind of information about my child.
This obsession could stem from the uncertainty of my roots. Sure, the paperwork my mom was given says that 3 of my bio-grandparents were German and one was English but how do I know how accurate that info is??
It has created this need to discover the roots of my children. I really don't think that is a bad thing.
The picture was from Christmas, Grandpa and his girls.