Disney Cruise 2012

Emily meeting Minnie before we board the ship.

Mommy and her girl

The family

Memaw and Bebaw with Em

Mickey and Em

My pretty princess

Mommy and her princess

Mommy at the turtle farm

Em holding a baby turtle

Our dinner servers James and Cindy

We went on our very first cruise ever this January. A 7 night Western Caribbean Disney cruise! Emily, my parents and I went on the cruise and we had a fabulous time! I cannot say enough about Disney cruise line, they cater to everyone and especially my princess. Emily was so excited to meet Mickey and all his friends. She met Minnie Mouse first when we checked in and boarded our cruise and let me tell you, my girl was excited! Every character she met she was excited to see and had to give most of them kisses on their noses. The food was awesome as well as the entertainment, I had no complaints at all. We visited Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay (Disney's private island). The weather was lovely, in the 80's every day. We spent our days in the sun and swimming with Miss Em. She had such a great time dressing up as Princess Tiana and White Snow (that is what she calls Snow White and I love it!) We also got a wonderful surprise because of Emily. While we were getting a picture with Mickey, he motioned to a crew member and they asked our room number. I had no idea what that was about, but went with it. Later that week, Emily received a letter from Peter the character manager inviting us to the Art Gallery for a special meeting. When we arrived outside the gallery there were 3 other families there as well. Peter told us that Emily impressed the characters so much that they wanted to meet her. We had 15 minutes to take pictures and meet all the characters, WOW!!!! What an honor and I am so proud of my girl. She is so wonderful and her personality shines and Mickey saw that in her too, just like her Mommy sees her everyday. What a proud moment to be Emily's mommy. It was fantastic! We can't wait to go back on another Disney cruise!!!! Emily still talks about it everyday. It was an awesome family vacation that I so needed!

One year since Gotcha Day!

Emily on Gotcha Day 2010

Emily today Gotcha day 2011

Mommy and Emily 2010

Mommy and Em 1 year later!

I can't believe it has been a whole year since I met my little Emily. One whole year since she has been my daughter. I cannot tell you when I look back how much she has changed. You would never know she was born in China. She is an American girl 100%! Last year at this time she couldn't hardly say Momma, now she is talking up a storm. My girl is growing like a weed...well, she has grown 2 inches taller and gotten 7 lbs heavier since Gotcha Day. So she is still my little peanut and always will be.

Emily is a very independent little girl, loves people and loves to eat! She is attending preschool and loves it. She gets to ride the bus too. I get asked every morning if she is going to ride the bus, lol...silly girl. Emily fits into our family so well. She loves her Mema and Beba (Grandma and Grandpa) as well as Aunt Chimene, Uncle Michael and the boys. We call her our Polish Chinese Princess!

I owe a gratitude of thanks to my Mom, Dad and my friends for helping me watch Em, while I am at work...it has meant so much to have them take care of her for me while I work.

I couldn't have asked for a better daughter. God has truly blessed me with a keeper. She is sensitive and caring and the apple of Mommies eye. I thank God everyday for Emily and the happiness and joy she brings me. She truly is a blessing and I love her so much. Happy Gotcha day peanut, Mommy loves you!

One year ago today...

One year ago today, my sister and I were on a 13 hours plane ride to China. I can't believe it has been a year. Where does the time go. It is amazing to see how much she has changed in just a year. This past year has been incredible and I wish I could do it all again. God is good, that is for sure.

1st day of preschool!

Emily and her piggies!

Mommy and Em

Cheese, ready for school.

Loved her shadow

Saying "Hi" to Ms. Deb

Off to school she goes, sniff sniff

Today was Emily's first day of preschool. She was a little tired this morning, but was so excited to ride the school bus again. Of course she wanted her hair done in two piggies. It's so cute, she will always say to me "No mom, two piggies, k?" And when she says it she always holds up two fingers. I love that, it is so stinkin' cute. After breakfast we took some pictures and then went outside to wait for the bus. I was happy to learn that Deb was going to be her bus driver again this year. Emily already knows her from last year, so it was perfect. We happily waited for the bus and I can't tell you how excited Emily was when she finally saw the bus coming. Deb and Martha the bus attendant greeted us with a smile and were very happy to see little Miss Emily. As the bus drove away, I have to say that mommy was a little sad seeing her go. I was very happy when she got home to tell me what a fun day she had. My little girl is getting so big. I am so proud of her.

Ears pierced!

My big girl getting ready to get her ears pierced!

Getting her ears cleaned off

Marking them

Ouchie!!!! It's over!

Her come the tears

A sucker makes it all better!

My big girl with Hello Kitty earrings.

Carousel ride with grandma and mommy afterwards!

This summer, Emily also got her ears pierced. It was a rainy day and I asked her if she wanted to get her ears pierced and she said yes! Em, had been admiring mommies earrings for a while now and I always told her that when she was ready, we would go and get them done. I told her that there would be an ouchie. And she was ok with it. So we headed to the mall and the Claire's store. We picked out a pair of earrings and had to wait for another Claire's worker to get there so they would pierce them at the same time. She was such a big girl, she sat there while they cleaned her ears off and marked them. The big moment came and Ouchie! It was over. She sat there for a minute and then the tears came. Big old tears too! The nice Claire's worker offered her a sucker and she was all better. So cute!!!! Oh and the earrings she picked were Hello Kitty. That's my girl. Afterwards, we went on the carousel because she was such a big girl! In a couple weeks we get to change them! So my little girl now has earrings!!!! So proud of her.

Summer

Playing in the sand.

Mommy and her beach baby!

So cute!!!!

Tucker an Em in the pool.

Playground fun with our good friend Ellie!

It has been a while since I have updated my blog and I thought what better time. I can't believe it will be almost a year this September since I met my daughter. Where has the time gone? I still remember the phone call I received last June 21 telling me that I had a referral. Little did I know then what was in store for me. Emily is a joy and is loved by everyone who meets her. We have had so much fun this summer so far. We have been to the beach several times! Lake Michigan and West Traverse Bay too. Emily is getting braver each time we go. I love watching her exploring the sand and the water. We have been picking up beach glass now each time we go and hope to display it in a glass container of some sort when we have enough. Emily has enjoyed fireworks a few times too. We went for a mini vacation down to Yogi Bear campground in Fremont, IN. and Emily loved the pools there too. She is definitely my little beach baby!

Emily has come a long way. Her speech is coming along well too. She is talking up a storm. I love listening to her sing to the radio in the car too. She usually only sings along to a couple songs on the radio and I am hoping to get a video of it sometime soon to post. It is soooo stinkin' cute too.

We have been thrown a lot of curve balls this summer and are trying to keep our heads above water and praying for better times. Emily keeps me going and I am so thankful that I have that little cutie by my side. She can always bring a smile to my face and I love that about her.

We are looking forward to spending the next week together going to the beach and maybe tubing too. It is nice just spending quality time with my daughter this summer.

1st haircut!

Getting ready for first haircut!

Being such a big girl

Getting her hair blow dried!

Pretty haircut for a pretty girl!

Showing off her new do!

Emily got her first haircut today! We went to Sharkey's and she got to sit in the pink Barbie jeep. She loved it. Emily did awesome sitting there while she got her haircut. She wanted to sit in every vehicle chair too. Too cute, my girl looks so cute and is getting so big.