Trick or Treat!!!

A couple of photos of Anna all ready for Trick or Treat celebrations! The cute outfit seen here is from an INDOT friend...




Below she is playing with one of her baby dolls and then showing how well she is taking care of her baby to Rem-Rem (yes, Remington has received a new nickname).





Look I now have three dogs...the pink one likes to watch Barney and just received her first Barney stuff toy from her grandparents for Family Day.

One year ago...

One year ago I became mommy to Xiu Fu Xin...which was the happiest and most life altering day of my life (up to this point).

XinXin has come so far...from a little girl who couldn't sit up by herself, to an active toddler who doesn't sit still long enough to get photos taken and whose newest trick is to strip out of her pajamas. She is my first thought in the morning and last thought at night. She brings joy and happiness to my life. Her smile makes me smile, her laugh makes me laugh, and her tears rip out my heart. She is the daughter of my heart and the center of my universe.

six months
family day
summer 2007 - photo by Cris Klika
ice cream with Grandpa - summer 2007 Having just stripped out of her pajamas, I'll put them back on when she is ready.

Happy Family Day to Xiu Fu Xin, all of her orphanage sisters and Leo!!

First Days...

Well, we both survived out first days. The Xin was not a happy camper about being left at daycare. After a full week with me, I think she was to accustom to me being present to perform her every whim. According to her daily sheet, she napped from 11:30 to 1, which is good. I was afraid that she would protest nap time, which she was doing at the beginning of last week. But I started enforcing a nap starting around 11:30, knowing that would be her routine at daycare.

My day went rather quickly. I even went to a meeting at the state DOT on a project. I spent most of my day reviewing manuals on my new job duties. Since I am going to be doing work in ROW, I will be studying that rather intensely.

My hours won't be all that different from my old hours at OES. I am going to work 7:30-4 for a 30 minutes lunch. And since there are not all that many places to lunch around the office, I will be taking my lunch on a regular basis - which is good both for my diet and pocket book. In timing the drive, including daycare drop-off and pick-up, the overall commute time is about the same.

On another note, we had an open house yesterday at the Indy house. Three couples came through - couple #1 was interested, has an accepted offer on another house, but have run into large issues during inspection; couple #2 is only approved for financing up to $100,000; and couple #3, she liked the lay-out, he was not too crazy about noise from South Meridian, but both liked the yard, fence, and privacy - they are working with a realtor and will have him/her contact my realtor if they are interested.

So, in all it sounds like it was a good open house.

They're here....

the terrible twos are beginning to show themselves here at the H. House - Missouri. Take something away from her that she is not to have or don't give her something she wants (but is not suppose to have) and XinXin will have a melt down. Example, ink pens....the child loves ink pens...if she has one and you take in away (because she is writing on herself and going for the dogs next) or don't give her one when she requests...the melt down will come quickly. Another example, juice in a sippy cup versus from a juice box (same juice) but if she is bound a determined to have it in the box format, watch the melt down. I cannot help but laugh at times because it seems so drama queenesque. Of course, I realize that laughing does not help the situation.

Also, she is starting to exhibit a strong streak of independence (on her terms of course). She has taken to walking beside me (or slightly behind) at stores...she likes shopping but hates to be confined to the shopping cart. This leads me to saying her name several times (OK, hundreds) in order to get her attention and keep her moving. But she is still listening, so far every time I have told her to put something back, she has and in the correct area if not spot.

Also, other items that are arriving early...X's 2 year molars. The bottom left molar came in at 19 months and the bottom right is following along at 20 months. For a child that couldn't sit up at 8 months, X has caught up and trying to surpass milestones for in her development.

Now to go wake up X and begin the day...

News of Jeff City...

A couple of new pictures of the XinXin, who barely holds still long enough for me to grab the camera and snap a picture.

I am embarrassed to say that I have discovered a couple of totes of 24mo and/or 2T clothing for Anna that I was not aware we had. So, the kid now has more clothes that she can wear. We will have to save them in hopes that Anna's future cousin is a girl.

The news from the last week....

* We visited Anna's new daycare twice for her to play with the kids and get use to the staff. She did well and began to warm up to everyone.
* We bought a new washer and dryer...we were going to rent until we found out it was going to cost us $86.00 a month. It was a better deal to just buy.
* Had an offer on the house...the guy was looking for the deal of a lifetime. He offered $114,900 and wanted 4% of the price for down payment assistance. Considering I paid more than $114,900 for the house three years ago, my answer was no. There were some counter offers back a forth...he didn't accept the last counter, so I am still waiting for the right buyer (not a bottom feeder like this guy) to come through the house.

I will update about my first day of work tomorrow or on Tuesday.

We made it...and all 4 of us are still alive...

We have been in the house for a few days now...and have at least four rooms set up - Anna's, mine, kitchen, and office/playroom. Of course, the game plan is for this to be a temporary home until the Indy house sells and we buy a place out here.

The drive was rather uneventful. I decided to drug Jake, who gets a little nervous/anxious on long car rides, which cannot be good for the little guy. Anna watched Elmo and Barney most of the trip and only took an hour nap. Remmie, being the almost perfect dog he is, chilled and slept most of the way.

Things we miss from the old house...

1) two car garage with a flat drive way; here we have an almost 45 degree sloped one-car drive way. I don't plan on parking in the garage.
2) having two full baths...actually, the under the sink space that comes with those full bathrooms. We have sharing a full bath and the half bath has a pedestal sink.
3) sidewalks for walking...those are a rarity here in Jeff City
4) babies 'r' us
5) Zoo...yes, we have a membership to the St. Louis Zoo (Thanks OES Staff!!), but that is more than an hour away.
6) Children's Museum
7) fenced yard for the boys...we now have tie outs so I don't have to stand outside watching them in the morning, when it is rather chilly
and most importantly...friends!!!

Things we have found in Jeff City...the Target store (very important), Kohls (brand spanking new and really coolly designed), Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, TJ Maxx....ok, yes I realize these are all in Indy. We will check out the downtown area on Saturday for some local flavor.

Other things I have learned in the last couple of days...30 minutes of Barney entertains Anna - therefore, I can get something done while she is memorized be the big purple dinosaur.

One week to go...

Playing with balloons from Mommy's going away party at work.

Guess what Anna is going as for Halloween?

Friday was my going away party at the office. It was a week early because staff was going to be out of town on my official last day. Anna loved the balloons that I brought home from the party. At one point in time was was completely tangled up in them.

We went shopping today...enjoying the ability to make a quick run to Babies 'R' Us and different Targets. Not something we will be doing in the near future. While at Babies 'R' Us, I picked up a Halloween costume for Anna. I think she makes a cute pink poodle.

Movers come Monday to pack and then are pack Tuesday to load.

Nothing more to add at the moment.

quick update...on selling the house

Well, so far we have had 3 showings...2 first showings and second showing. The second showing was last night from 5:30-6:30. Since it is now a day later and late on Friday afternoon, I have given up hope on an offer.

Additionally, we were to have a first showing this afternoon, which was cancelled. I need chocolate!!

Ok, done depressing everyone...I will try to get recent pictures up soon.