Raspberry Yogurt - our first video post

Well we had such fun last night and I was inspired by friends to post on our blog....

I was not able to post directly but you can access AnnaLeisa and her laugh on youtube... gosh the world is changing..... she just watched herself on this screen and then started to laugh at herself laughing.....

cold again in Edmonton and I do wonder when it will all shift....?

This is AnnaLeisa at Ikea --- she sure does love to push those little shopping carts - must be so much nicer than sitting in one?

We go to Ikea on cold mornings to play in the kids zone. Pushing the cart is more fun than the toys....

We are well and would love to hear from you!
PS: April 9th is 6 months since we met....... Wow! Hard to put this time in perspective as it seems we have always been together......


http://youtube.com/watch?v=mJIiumQtkS4

Growing Up! And Fast!

Spring is arriving and the snow that has been on the ground since our arrival from China in Oct is now surely melting! AnnaLeisa is enjoying her new boots and loves to stomp in the big puddles, the mud, the slush and the remaining snow. It is a hardy challenge as she needs to find new legs on the rough terrain each step. She loves to run up and down little hills but is wary of falling as the few times she has are big surprises!
My girl is growing soooo fast. I look at her lying in bed and am surprised each time by how long her legs are.....not such a baby anymore.

She has many words now including bra! Ball, bird, Mom, up, dog, woof, toe, and ohoh. She is very proud of all of her accomplishments and beams smiles with each new achievement. Just now she has climbed up the chair next to me and then back down. Such a smile!

She is also now taking off all of her clothes and then attempting to put them on. Hard for me to keep my girl warm. It is interesting to see the arrangements she orchestrates with her attempts. One foot in a pantleg and then the other trying to go in the bottom of the other leg. She gets tangled and frustrated but perseveres regardless.

We are still not sleeping well ..... AnnaLeisa wakes every 2-3 hours so a night with one spell beyond 3 hours is a reason to celebrate. She starts in her crib then joins me at some point and we toss..... and cuddle. What to do?!

The photos here are during one of our many walks..... we still love the ravine and watching me push the stroller up the ravine slush hills with AnnaLeisa and two dogs in toe must be a sight.
Here is one of the first times AnnaLeisa touched a tree..... she loves the pine trees and insists on me picking a small sprig for her to hold during our walks. Even not minding the prickles.


This is AnnaLeisa in a friend's coat and boots. All are free for attempts at mastering dressing up!

And soon we will be out on the sidewalk with various "wheels". She loves this toy and of course those hot boots.

Well.... off to playgroup. Have a great week-end.
Karla and AnnaLeisa

Chinese New Year 2007 at the Noodle Noodle Dim Sum

For the last two years I have attended the Chinese New Year event at the Noodle Noodle restaurant dreaming.....! I loved seeing the girls and meeting all the parents but it was all in anticipation of meeting my own daughter. Well this Chinese New Year was soooo full for me ..... AnnaLeisa and I were there together and I was beaming with love and joy. To have her home and with all of the other little girls was rich. She had a great time eating Chinese Dim Sum and sat next to her orphanage friend in a high chair. (They lived together at Leizhou and probably played together). At one point we looked over and they were holding hands.

It was nice to see old friends and to encourage and support those waiting.

The Dragon did dance into the restaurant with very very loud drums and that frightened AnnaLeisa so we missed the parade and made our way home for a needed nap. Satiated and full on many levels.

Camera news...

There was a tantalizing string hanging from the table and of course AnnaLeisa pulled on it! Who wouldn't? So it was attached to my camera.... it is now in for an estimate and possible repairs...
This week end is Chinese New Year and we are moving into the year of the pig. So I will purchase a disposable camera and try to post AnnaLeisa's picture from our Dim Sum celebration on Sunday. P.S. She is great!

our new look! to cut or not to cut?

Well as you can see our girl is growing rapidly and continues to shock me with her new realms. She comprehends pretty much everything I say to her and is now saying new words daily. Including "no, no, no, no "repetitively! She has me laughing outright frequently. The other day we were in the mall and I attempted to find some hair products for her long bangs and this was one touted item. I was laughing so loud in the mall as she cruised down the hall. Well, as you can see, it is so cute and so AnnaLeisa in terms of her persona....... and her mothers... not so adept at the girly things. The barretts were even more askew. But I also realized few of our blog photos show her smile and her joy. Her sense of humor is also growing daily.

On a positive and long awaited note we slept the last two nights for 6 consecutive hours and that has been the first! Hurrah! She still has small itchy sores which we now attribute to "post scabies pustulosis". Certainly not anticipated as I had never heard of them .... and they apparently are here for awhile... but otherwise her skin is fantasitic.

I love her dearly and am so happy.... we are active and at the library or playgroups and she remains an extrovert with a close eye out for Moma.

What can I say...... she's my girl! My little warrior.

Our Wonderful Quilt!

We have a wonderful tradition with my fellow colleagues to create a quilt for members who are either leaving, getting married or having a child. We get together and cooperatively make a personalized quilt for the team member. It usually occurs over time with one evening where we come together and chat and sew and drink a little wine. (After the finer details have been completed!). It is a wonderful tradition and has created a bond such as I have not known in any other work setting.

Before I left for Nova Scotia holidays the girls gave AnnaLeisa and I a shower and we were presented with our own unique quilt. It was taken from the first page insert of a book entitled


"The Great Race" by David Bouchard. It won the Canadian Children's Book Center Choice Award and is essentially a book detailing how the Chinese Astrology came to be! The paintings are wonderful and the animals beautifully presented.
We both love the quilt and the book and the quilt is now in my car as I proudly take it on our travels to show off. Soon it will be hanging in AnnaLeisa's bedroom - that is if she lets go of it!
A special thanks to Pat who has been the creative and life force behind the projects!
I love our quilt!

Our Christmas past!

Here is AnnaLeisa with her cousins Brett and Derek (Colin's brothers). She was loved up and loved up! So wonderful to see her joy!
And the family photos is the first of all of us together! What a year this has been dear daughter!

Our Christmas was somewhat tainted but trips to the doctor, the Children's emergency room and finally an emergency dermatologist apt here in Nova Scotia. AnnaLeisa has developed a rash that became progressively worse to the point where she would scream and dig and her mom and her would both be crying in the night. The GP recommended a scabies treatment that would supposedly make the itch worse. Well it did and in the night Grandma and I took her to emerg for relief. At this point they said it was not scabies and made a referral to a derm. specialist. Who then said that she could not say it was not scabies.... so a retreatment. And creams and creams... for the dermatitis that could have been caused by too many changes..... internally and externally the weather has seen dramatic shifts.

So the long and short of it is that AnnaLeisa is now back to sleeping on Moma's chest as that is when she settles and has relief. Full circle and into co-sleeping again.

She has been brilliant in all of this! And we are more bonded than ever. So hopefully our return to Edmonton on the 11th will be less dramatic in terms of adjustment.

Great photos eh?!

Nova Scotia Christmas with Family

Here we are in Nova Scotia with all of our family. My brother Daryl and his wife Julie flew in from Pennsylvania to meet AnnaLeisa and we all spent a wonderful Christmas together with my parents and with Colin's brothers. It was all a big hit as AnnaLeisa entertained us all with her antics and in the moment wonder. She certainly has a large spirit and capacity for laughter and for love.
Here are the two of us on Christmas day and it is our first. She loved the balls on the tree and all of the teddy bears around the house and in various boxes she opened. Especially the one made by her cousins Colin, Derek and Brett as it says "I love you" when you squeeze the little paw. Roughhousing with her adolescent male cousins is also a big hit and all in all I think all the love she received is settling deeply into her little body.
Christmas and family... can't go wrong. Wishing everyone a good season and a peaceful New Year. May your dreams come true as mine has!

I am learning all about Christmas!

My goodness life has been full for me... today I met Santa... did not go near him but did see him from afar. Red is what I remember! I stuck close to Mom just to be sure. And then that big bag full of toys, books and stuffed animals. I could not get enough out of it. I put everything back in it too. Just wanted to touch everything.
And the food ... well I could not sign to my Mom fast enough to try all those goodies. "More, more, more" I kept signing. Good thing she listens.
And then there was the dancing. Three of us little ones entertained all the adults with our moves. It looks as though I have a little heart for the arts as I keep noticing music, dance, artwork and just all around have pretty good taste.
That was the party, as for other news. Mom plunked me in the crib finally. And now I can sleep. I did not like it at first but she stayed close, touched and talked to me. She also keeps that nice Celtic lullaby on so that I can sing a bit. It is not bad and I do not keep trying to get hugs all night now. That was fun!
So talk to you soon.
time for bed - says Mom.

It's all about sleep!

And a lack thereof... this is my girl settling and relaxing taking time to rejuventate. And me ...well last night we woke twice and I felt as though I had my best sleep yet. And for the first time since I was about 8 years old I am in bed and asleep by 0900 hoping to get 6 consecutive hours of deep sleep. AnnaLeisa wakes frequently through the night in our bed to open her little arms and ask for a cuddle. I invite her into my arms only to have her promptly fall asleep with an elbow in my trachea ... or to roll off and to ask again with open arms for me to enfold her. Well what can one say! It has been a process of me allowing her and also very very gently saying no and letting her settle next to me versus on!
We are getting there... little cherub wakes in the middle of the night to give kisses either to myself or to the teddy.

Last night I snuggled into bed next to her and listened to her soft breathing and marveled that she was there....next to me. It really can move you to wonder and love so quickly. AnnaLeisa being trusting and being cozy to the extent that she can at this point in time. Really I still marvel. The days can be long and somewhat housebound in minus 28 degrees C but all in all we are great. She is here .... and she is sleeping and soon I will get more.

Home Three weeks today!

Whew... Time has an amazing way of changing and moving and standing still.... Really three weeks!
Mom has now returned to Nova Scotia with a full heart and many photos of our girl. And I miss our tag-team venture. Gary, my brother and Colin's father has also come and had AnnaLeisa giggling most of the time. They had quite a time connecting with many laughs. I had a shower and a nap!
And I am now alone with her in our little abode with dogs and much snow. Today I caught her feeding Lola and Kirby from her booster chair. Now they love her!!
We are still getting to know each other and every now and then I can see a question in her eyes as to whether I am staying....
It has been a significant shift for both of us to be together and we are taking day by day in terms of finding a routine. We still do not quite have our groove.....
Last week we went to two playgroups as I love to get out, to not be housebound in the winter snow.

I was an elderly woman in the first and felt quite conspicuous. AnnaLeisa was also somewhat tentative but then quickly warmed up to all the push toys.
Then the next day we trouped off to a Mandarin speaking playgroup for Chinese students and their families. I loved it and will go regularly. I know it to be good for AnnaLeisa to have exposure to her culture and I loved the women's genuine kindness. It was so cute to see AnnaLeisa at the table eating with all the children. Next time I will bring a camera.....
So we are well enjoying our friends who drop by and sometimes with wonderful thoughtful food....
Thank you.....

We're home a week today!

My dear angel... you change and grow each day with such vigour... and I marvel. You are now asleep upstairs in our bed and I have the Beijing lullabies playing near the remote. It has been a week since our time in China and I cannot believe you are in our home. And what has it meant for you to leave your land? It seems a massive transition and I see somehow you are capable of great transformation and adaptation. You are an outgoing and vivacious little girl who has already captivated hearts with your way. Each time I take a moment to be with you and to let myself really meet you and who you are ...my heart bursts....
Grandma is still here and it has been a very tough week for us in terms of sleep and all of being sick with something or other...?
soon this phase will be over too and we will then have a simple routine. I must include children in your life AnnaLeisa as you really are an extrovert and thrive in the world of people.
Sweet dreams my love....

off to our new hotel!

Here is G'ma and G'pa with AnnaLeisa! We are all pretty tight now. AnnaLeisa is sick today with a cold and constipation so not so happy and we have to check out at noon and not get to our new hotel until this evening. Not a good day all in all and tomorrow the dreaded flight. Wish us luck. We are all tired and ready to come home. Except Colin... he is having a blast and I am happy about that.
so until Canada our love.

She is great and matching us in our fatigue.

home sweet home....
how cold is it?

Seems I might have been able to post a photo of my newphew Colin and AnnaLeisa from this morning. She is so sweet to play with... giggles and really just curious and making leaps and bounds daily in her learning curve and her experience of her very changed world. Colin has been extraordinary with helping the two of us. I could not have done it without he and my folks.
AnnaLeisa went to Grandpa today and hugged him spontaneously and that is big! She will play with all three and is more than happy to be with us all but to me for the 'Mothering' things. It is nice. Noone could have prepared me for this trip and for motherhood. My goodness it is all much in terms of my learning curve too.
So we are well and this part of the journey is fast ending. I expect that Mom and I will take time to settle AnnaLeisa with the jetlag shift but my girl is an extrovert and I think we can have visitors soon upon our return.
I cannot wait for everyone to meet her!
I am sure she will change your world too.
The five of us shopped today and had a blast at a local market.
Again much love.

AnnaLeisa dear you are a little flower and everyday I get to know you more. You are a wide range of much my angel and my only plan is to help you grow and broaden into all that you can be. You light up the room with your delighted smile and you throaty laugh.
night all
see you soon!

The Great Wall and AnnaLeisa

It is now Sunday evening and I cannot begin to relay everything ....it has been so much!
Today we traveled to the Great Wall and had a great time. AnnaLeisa is a combination of many things.... she loves to be engaged and to connect so is best outdoors and being with life ... and she is very shy to strangers also. So we trooped with her in my snuggly and wandered amidst many many people.
She is a real delight and is so connected to me it is amazing. We are a team already. At this point she will go to noone else so my shoulders and body are aching as she is strong and very very active. And I love having her close.
And I think she is the only one I have met who chortles. Really her giggle is so infectious. Everyone is tired but good and all the babies and parents are adjusting.

Tomorrow I am up early in the am to take her to the medical appointment and I am sure she will pass with gold stars.
Mom, Dad and Colin are brilliant and such a help. Tomorrow they go to the Beijing Zoo and to the Chinese Acrobats and I will stay home to relax.
I cannot believe we leave Fri.
I send my love and then some....
It is a wonder to see these girls flower ...
I feel such a love for this little girl and we are still learning about each other and have not yet been together a week!
Last night she slept her first night through with only waking once for consoling and I think she is starting to relax and to settle a little bit.

off to Beijing

A lazy day in Guangzhou....

Seems I have finally figured out my blog while here... could not locate my username and password as I linked it at home! Details seem so important now. Thanks for all the notes!

AnnaLeisa is beside me now sound asleep in a very very vibrant green stroller. We just walked the pearl river wall in the heat of noon and she loved the cobblestones bumping her.

We had a rough night as she cried for 2 1/2 hours ....inconsolable and I could see I was not quite doing what was familier. I can imagine her waking in the night to such strangeness.. even A/C. So I had to bounce and walk and eventually she fell asleep on my chest. Was not having the crib dispite 2 nights of sleeping in it. She is exposed to so much right now and it is rightfully overwhelming. At first glance or attemtp to master anything or to be exposed to anything she is frustrated but quickly moves to mastery. She is now pulling everything down from everywhere and walking all around the room. She is a delight. Shocking how much they change every day. Everyone in the group is fairing well and I must say Yulin from our Agency is marvelous.... could not imagine this without her.

Mom Dad and Colin went to a group breakfast and then to a city tour of Guangzhou. I wanted us to be quiet and to just have an easy day. It was nice to walk.

Colin helped me all night and is learning much fast.... AnnaLeisa is ticklish and giggles outloud when he plays with her... which he truly enjoys. The girls here are noticing my handsome newphew....He is also my coffee runner.

Again much love and if I can this evening I will post photos... if not wonderfully sleeping. We may have more luck in Beijing and we go there tomorrow. Cannot believe how fast this is all going....too fast really.

Again all my love and then some from us both...
my goodness she is perfect.
Karla and AnnaLeisa
Mom Dad and Colin

Wow it has been almost three days together!

I cannot believe I have been unable to post until now.... I have met my girl and she is everything I imagined and more! I am a very busy and active mother of a delightful and very personable girl.
We met on Monday and as we went to the civic affairs office at the top of the stairs suddenly there were Chinese women with babies in their arms and the first one was AnnaLeisa. I knew her immediately and we both looked directly in each others eyes. It was her chin I knew! I broke down sobbing and could do so now again. I had to then go in a room with the other parents and wait. I knew she was across the hall so tried to catch glimpses but alas had to wait. And then she arrived... howling and screaming there was as much tears as snot... gosh she went for it.
I was able to take her into the nannies and have them hold her again and the head one must have had a connection with AnnaLeisa as she would hold her and speak very loudly and rock her vigorously.... Like I will never be able to...
She then gradually pointed to me and said Mama Mama and would touch me and bring her close to me. It was like the kindest most gradual transfers. One could see AnnaLeisa knew what was going on and she fought tooth and nail... Strong nature this little girl.
Then we hung around amidst wailing babies and parents. So great Mom and Dad and Colin were here and to share. They were very moved.
After awhile we went on the bus and AnnaLeisa slept. Once her and I were in the room alone awhile she sat and played with a single toy for a long time. I did get a smile or two out of her... it was a very sweet time together and as long as I provide some curiousity for distraction she shifts her emotion.
She slept from 8-7 am and soundly too.....
(Her mom on the other hand has not been sleeping since Edmonton Yikes).
The next day was overwhelming paper work at the Civic Affairs office and really hard acutally. AnnaLeisa did have more time with her nanny and again another transferring so to speak. Broke my heart to see her reaching for the women she knew so well...
And today she is really blossoming... smiling and laughing and all round just curious. It is now 10 pm on Wed and just before bed she decided she could walk so she is into and throwing everything. All new behavour and a true testament to resilience.
I love her... she called me Moma on the second day.... (thanks to the Nanny). And she really does know who I am to her. She comes to me for everything and I console and love her as much as possible. I am singing to her and somehow imagining wings from my heart that emerge from my chest to cacoon and to hold her and that she feels this support completely.
good night....
lovingly
Karla and AnnaLeisa....
we'll see about some photos soon. Hard here as very busy.

China bound.

I am now packing... and packing and then some. AnnaLeisa I meet you a week tomorrow on Thanksgiving day. I am now washing the dogs, washing your linen for your crib, clearing space for Gramma's clothes (she is staying for 2 weeks here in Edmonton) and getting sooo many hugs from everyone who wishes us well. Dear heart when I think of the changes you will experience I am packing only to make that all easier for you. It is big honey! New food, new smells, new language; and a big change in the way of relating. And as much as I am excited and preparing you are living your life as before. Do you hear my heartbeat....? The thread is about to draw closer.

I leave on Tues the 3rd of Oct and fly to Vancouver to see Sean, Sarah and of course Laurie. Then Gramma flies from Nova Scotia to meet me in Vancouver. Her and I then jaunt to Hong Kong to get over jetlag and shop for you. Maybe in Kowloon? On Sun Grampa and cousin Colin arrive to have a quick supper and then a lesson in how to use the DVD for the next day when we meet you. Darling Darling ... I am practising lullabies... singing in my heart to you. Little diddies and soft soothing songs for you to settle.
Are you waking up now. Is the orphanage also preparing? A faster beat of anticipation. Tender touches to you my dear all along a moonbeam.

Dearest Daughter

Dearest Daughter...
I cannot believe we will meet soon. I am so excited I cannot sleep and everyday imagine our first glimpse of each other. I know it will be a big day for you, a long bus ride and all strange. Then somehow you will be plunked into my arms in the midst of chaos. Other babies, cameras flashing and an overall hubbub. I will be quiet in the midst of it all and just be with you so gently. Quiet, gentle time AnnaLeisa. And maybe in that you will be consoled in your transition time. I hope so honey. I am there for you... and will trust you will communicate what you need and that somehow I will muddle through to understanding.
I love you... It is a clear night and soon I will tuck you in.... soon.