We are HOME!
December 2007  |  January 2008  |  February 2008  |  March 2008  |  April 2008  |  May 2008  |  June 2008

March 2008 It has been 3 months since we met Claire, and she continues to amaze us daily. We love listening to her chatter away, and are constantly amused by her little sayings…. especially ‘You’re not funny’. Some of her favorites: ~Soup ~Playing outside ~Polly Pockets ~Going to the Library ~Using the computer ~Dolls Special sayings we don’t want to forget: ~’You’re not funny’ ~’I am not too happy right now’ ~Singing “Mommy loves me’ ~Singing ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star in Chinese’ ~Calling every meal ‘breakfast’ ~Being able to name an object/animal for almost every letter in the alphabet! ~Writing her name for the first time ~’Don’t do that’ ~Learning to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in English, and singing it in Chinese. Claire talks about Beijing a lot, and will still say from time to time she wants to go back…I am not sure if she means to visit, or to live….but, we let her talk about it, and ask her questions about her friends there, and her caregivers. She becomes anxious when Mama leaves the room, and I have begun sitting and reading on our bed until she falls asleep. She is very content as long as I stay upstairs. She also loves listening to a Chinese CD we were given by friends from online, and she sings along, and claps her hands…which makes the going to bed part a little difficult. She is so happy, it is hard to be cross with her for long. It is strange thinking we have ‘only’ been together for 3 months, it seems like we have been together so much longer! I cannot imagine life without her…. Claire is a wonderful little girl. She has managed to wrap herself around our friends hearts, and also enchants strangers, too. She is quick to say hello, and has completely mastered ‘you’re welcome, excuse me, God Bless you’, much to our delight! She and Courtney are truly siblings! They argue, and they tattle on each other…..I finally told them they were not allowed to speak to each other anymore….Claire was shocked! That didn’t last long, but, at least it curbed the arguing for a little while! But, at night, and in the morning, the love they have for each other shines through when the hug and kiss….it is a wonderful thing! March was a fun month, with Easter falling very early this year ~ our Second Holiday as a Family of Four! I love the way that sounds! We were invited to Holly and Greg Harte’s annual Easter Egg Hunt…made even more special this year as any proceeds raised were donated to The Half the Sky Foundation, which supports Chinese orphanages with education and supplies. Courtney has been to quite a few of the hunts, this was Claire’s first Egg Hunt! We had talked about it the week before, and, other friends were going to be there, including Claire’s best friend, Kailei. Another one of our good friends, Tonya, brought her kids, too. Both of them are waiting for their daughters from China! The Harte’s came home with their little one, Kennedy, almost one year ago. Watching the girls run from the line to start gathering their eggs was magical. The shining eyes, and belly laughs are something you don’t just forget….I was lucky to capture the moment for Claire in a photo….. It was difficult trying to explain the Easter Bunny, and the need to put out carrots and water before going to bed…I am not sure she truly understood what was happening. In the morning, Courtney was chomping at the bit to wake Claire up, but, we made her wait until a ‘reasonable’ hour! The girls loved their baskets, and the little toys the Easter bunny left for them….Claire especially loved the Bubbles, and the Chalk Eggs! Since it was warm outside, the bunny hid the eggs outdoors and in the house, too! Easter Sunday was spent with our friends, the Gionta’s and Fitzgeralds. We spend most of our holidays with them, and have always been friends. Claire was reintroduced (having met most of the guests at Christmas, but, not remembering them….gee, I wonder why??)

Claire and Kailei at a local indoor play area.... they are so happy together! This was as close as Claire was getting to the Easter Bunny....as long as Courtney stayed with her! Michele made coordinating outfits for the girls....and, they looked adorable! Courtney was waiting patiently with the 'big' kids for their turn to start hunting down the eggs! 'and, she's OFF'....I think Claire got it, what do you think?! Miss Kennedy and Claire ~ Harte Easter Egg Hunt 2008

'What are we supposed to do with this carrot,
and how does it relate to me holding a big basket?'


Claire and Courtney Turner, Easter, 2008


Easter Day, 2008 ~ Our girls looked so pretty....


Mama and Claire playing on the swings


Baba and Claire playing on the swings

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