Books

I'm almost finished reading XinRan's book, Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother.
I highly recommend this book to any adoptive parent with a child born in China. It should be a must read in my opinion. It's not an easy book to read, it is very heartbreaking but it opens your eyes to another world. How spoiled have we been in the West? So often we turn a blind eye to the sufferings of others.
I'd love to have the opportunity to speak with XinRan one day. What a brave, strong woman she must be. To tell the stories of the women of China, stories that are usually hushed and buried and so often forgotten by others.

2 posts in one day, it's a record! The information I have been waiting for has arrived in my inbox. How I love modern technology? Let's just say that the world isn't as big as we think and sometimes it can be really difficult to put yourself in someones shoes.
I apologize for being so cryptic but it's not my story to tell this time. I want to tell the world, because I know how much this means to other adoptees and adoptive parents but that will be my daughter's decision when she is older.
I'm all emotional, not sure how I feel.

CANDY

What can I say, she loves her candy. That's not blue lipstick, just nerd candy residue. The hairdo well it's the result of some serious sugar overload, candy binging. Avery bought nerds with her birthday money, along with a set of "tennis" racquet's. Grandma will be so pleased (not the candy part, she's a tennis fanatic).
EDIT: Yes, this post would have made more sense if I took a better picture of the blue lips. Maybe the camera fairy will bring me a good camera this year for my birthday.

Avery's on a roll

Avery just asked me "Mom are you old"? It's all in the perspective, but I'm going to go with, HECK NO. Why, I swear I just turned 29, cough, cough.
Some people's children butter them up, fill them with complements. My girl is not one of those kids!

Don't worry, revenge will be all mine when she brings her first boyfriend to meet the folks.

EDIT: Hmm, maybe Avery is correct in her assumption because apparently, I am using the wrong spelling of a word in a sentence. It's roll not role.

Just said to me by my 4 year old "ohh mom, look at this white hair", as she is pulling at my head. Hmm, think I really need to make a salon appointment.
Doesn't help that my own mother tells me I could be on that what not to we*r show.

Time

Sometimes it feels like the days are passing so quickly. A week goes by, a month and before you know it 5 months have gone.
Brennyn has been home for over 5 months. The first 2 months were a blur due to lack of sleep, stress, illness and adjustments for all.
Brennyn has changed and grown so much in 5 months. She doesn't even look like the same little girl we met in Xi'an almost 6 months ago.

Brennyn is such a cuddly, happy (for the most part), outgoing little girl. That is a major change for her. I don't think she smiled in our first week together, and not very often in the second week either. She loves to run up to her mommy and whisper "I wuv you". She is always giving me hugs, even if it's my leg because that's all she can reach.
I'd love to say that all the hard stuff is behind us, but that would be a lie. The slightest bump or look from the dogs can set her off in an instant (yet the next minute she'll be chasing them wanting to play). Let's just say that her loud scream has not diminished.
Oh, but her laugh, it is the sweetest sound. No matter how foul your mood, once you hear that laugh you can't help but smile.

She adores her big sister, I'd love to say the feeling is mutual but that may take a little more time. She is always asking "where Arie"? followed by "oh, dare she is". She loves to sing the 3 little monkey song and will ask me (while grabbing my lips if I'm singing something else)"nooo, sing monkey tree". Honestly, the first time she said I had no idea what she was asking for. Avery shouted from the other room "mom, she wants the monkey song" (trust me there was an implied duuuhhhh in her voice).

I wish I could adequately describe how much I love my daughters. They are teaching me to see the world, and life, in a different way.

Quick update

Fever broke last night finally. Poor kid started sweating buckets, looked like she had been doing some swimming.
Still has a slight temperature this morning, but at least she is acting like her old crazy busy self again. I think that is what worried me the most. Brennyn was passing out in our arms yesterday, and when her eyes were open she looked like she was drugged.
I had to break down and put cartoons on just so she would rest for a few minutes. Of course, Avery is loving it because I never let them watch TV in the morning.

She has a yucky runny nose and little cough, but the nose is not a new thing. I don't think she has gone a day without a runny nose.

We'll be having a pajama day today much to Avery's delight. Avery loooves pj day. I'll cave, because I'm weird like that, can't stand to stay in pjs.

germs strike again

I don't think I've ever been so scared. Brennyn woke from her nap this afternoon still half asleep. She didn't really want to get out of bed, which isn't that abnormal for my nap lover. However, while I was attempting to put her boots on (beautiful day here in Ontario, wanted to get outside) she started to close her eyes. She was very lethargic and warm to the touch. I didn't realize how warm until Blair took her temperature, it was 40 degrees (I think that is 104 F).

Called the doctor, ours wasn't in but we were able to see one of the other partners. Let's just say that I really appreciate my doctor now that I've had to see someone else. Anyway, she said to monitor the situation, give her meds and take her to the ER is the fever doesn't break. All this after saying how quiet and well behaved Brennyn is. Um, yes because she is ILL! This girl doesn't stay still for a second, especially at the doctor's office. She was passing out in Blair's arms!

Anyway, 5 hours later, her fever has finally broken for now. We don't know what caused it and the doctor really didn't seem concerned. To be fair, she doesn't know Brennyn's history like our doctor but still. Luckily, we already have and appointment booked for her ears on Friday with our regular doc.

Overdue pics

Finally, some new pictures. Let's just say that someone had their mother carry her camera at an event. That same person may have forgotten to get the camera before mom went back home. No camera for my daughters very special fourth birthday. Good thing I have a friend with an amazing camera who took some great shots. Just have to figure out how to get the pics downloaded from the site.

Anyway, in the meantime these will have to do.

This is going to be a repeat if you are my facebook friend but still have to keep this one for the record books.
Overheard while the kids were playing:

"Arie, shamous". "Yes, yes Brennyn, I'm going to be famous".

I don't know where Avery comes up with this stuff. I asked her today about it and she said that Brennyn just knows that Avery is going to be in the TV one day. Hmm, wonder who told Brennyn that?? (Avery of course).

I was just happy that the two of them were playing together!!

character flaw

Yes folks it's tax time again. For some crazy reason, Blair thought I should be in charge of all the paperwork this year. HA HA HA HA. Point proven, I am disorganized. Duh, didn't have to make a point of it, that fact is well known.

Needless to say, I am tearing apart the house looking for one more receipt and it's a big one.
Just thought I'd share my frustration today. I annoy myself sometimes, arghhh.

So behind on blogging

So happy that it is March. Can't believe Avery's birthday has come and gone. She had been counting the months leading up to it, is it my birthday today? (seriously, she was asking since last summer).
I think a fun time was had by all, especially the birthday girl.

Just received some amazing news that I can't really blog about, how is that for a teaser? Something that will greatly impact my daughter's life when she is older. Something that people said would be impossible. Yes, it is unlikely, but we are proof it's not impossible.