Mother's Day Weekend

It was a fantastic weekend all around -- wonderful weather and loved being able to spend time together.

We spent part of the weekend planning our newest project around the house -- a backyard deck. Notice the deck in the background? We are planning something similar for our deck.

Not my favourite pic of myself -- but love that she willingly posed for a picture...she is so cute!

We worked up an appetite after our deck planning, so we headed to M & M's for a fundraising barbeque. Every year they fund raise for the Crohn's and Colitis foundation and as a Crohn's patient myself, we do what we can to support their efforts. Also, the barbeque is a lot of fun!

Maelyn really wanted a balloon doggy...



Happy girl!



I love this pic of my two loves!



A little unsure about the firetruck...

On Mother's Day, I woke up to flowers, treats, cards, and a yummy breakfast!

Mother's Day gift she made at her daycare -- love it!

Gourmet French toast -- my favourite!

Maelyn insisted that I take a picture of her breakfast, too....





I certainly felt loved and appreciated this weekend and was grateful to be celebrating Mother's Day with our little miss. My thoughts were also with Maelyn's first mom and I quietly thanked her for the most wonderful gift of all -- Maelyn.

July Referral?

I have been hesitant in writing about our adoption journey to our little monkey. Our adoption program hit a wall of uncertainty this past November and the timeline for our adoption increased exponentially. We were honestly blindsided by the news that the program had slowed down -- and so suddenly. We believed that we would be home with our newest addition by March 2012 -- now we are into May and have yet to receive our referral.

It has been hard to be openly excited and enthusiastic about our journey because of the uncertainty we have experienced over the past six months. Although many others have experienced similar (or worse) slowdowns in their adoption journeys, we have no prior experience with slowdowns or changes to our program. Maelyn's adoption journey followed the timeline that we expected and although the wait was excruciatingly long, we knew what to expect at each turn.

I have found our second adoption journey to be quite different from our first. This time we have Maelyn to distract us while we wait -- making it a much easier wait. On the other hand, I now know what it is like to love a little one as only a mother can and I feel more of a loss with this next child than I did the first time around -- now that I know.

I know how long two years truly is for a little one -- the growing and learning that takes place daily -- and I mourn the time we have already lost with our little monkey. Most likely, our little monkey is between 18 months and 2 years old right now. He or she has been a part of the world since Maelyn came into our lives. The entire time we have spent with her, her brother or sister has been growing up in China. My heart hurts for the time that we have already spent apart.

We received a call from our agency this week and they left us a message saying that they feel with certainty that we should be receiving our referral for our little monkey within the next 8 weeks. Wow! It is possible that 8 weeks from now we will finally know if we have a son or daughter -- a brother or sister for Maelyn. It is finally starting to feel real!

I cannot wait to hear the words, the words that first bring a child into an adoptive parents heart and soul. With Maelyn it was, "Congratulations, you have a daughter." A daughter. Be still my heart -- I am a Mom!

I have a deeper understanding of what referral day really means. It is the day you first know who will become a member of your family -- the day your family and your heart expands. It is a day that can only be matched by the day he or she will be placed in my arms.

I cannot wait for the day that we can hug our little monkey. When his or her giggles makes us smile. When we can kiss away the tears. When Maelyn becomes a big sister. When we are officially a family of four.

For now we wait.

Maelyn's Baby

My sister's little one is expected any day now and the excitement around here has been building. Maelyn talks about 'her Ian' every day. Every. Single. Day. Even her daycare is now asking daily if Ian is here yet -- Maelyn updates them every morning.

Maelyn is convinced that Ian is truly her baby and she cannot wait until he comes out of Auntie Kara's tummy. Although, she has loved the pregnancy experience -- telling everyone she meets that she has her own baby in her tummy. Maelyn will tell them, "Here the baby head, here the arms,...oh! He kick me!"

Auntie Kara's pregnancy has even helped us out at dinner time. If Maelyn is eating, we will ask her if her baby is hungry -- and most of the time, the baby wants to eat! Hehe! Maelyn will tell us that the baby better eat so that it can grow.

I think that Maelyn will be sorely disappointed when she realizes that baby Ian isn't coming home with her -- and even more disappointed when she realizes that the crib in the other bedroom is for a new sibling that is already walking and able to touch all of her toys. :S

This past month, Maelyn and I attended a shower for Auntie Kara...

Later in the month, friends and family celebrated at a tea house....

Now, we just need baby Ian! Paul and I cannot wait to be an Auntie and Uncle. We will be thinking of Kara and Cam as they enter into the world of parenthood in the next few days and sending our love their way.

March Random Cuteness

I just love this kid!!

A princess with one of her favourite things -- her chapstick!

Fruit salad, anyone?

Making the most of the beautiful weather during the March Break...

Long-weekend fun...

On Saturday, Paul and my Dad were scheduled to work on a few projects around the house, which meant that I was on entertaining-our-little-miss duty.

I decided that with the good weather, it was the perfect time to head to the zoo. We even brought along Grandma and our friend, Genesis.

Running, running, running at the zoo...

"So big!" was the chant of these two while they tried to pick up the 'ball.'

Loved being able to visit the new baby polar bear...

This goose was very friendly!

Everyone is tuckered out after a morning of visiting all of the animals...

Maelyn and Grandma rode the merry-go-round while Genesis slept in the wagon...

Loved being able to spend time together on such a beautiful day. Love our little miss so very, very much! 

Let the Easter fun begin!

I cannot tell you how much I was looking forward to this long weekend. With both of us back to work full time, it hasn't left us a lot of time at home -- to spend together, to get caught up on chores, to see friends. We were really looking forward to spending more time together and especially looking forward to Maelyn's favourite holiday -- Easter!

Friday morning we worked on some Easter crafts...

This girl loves using scissors...but cutting the basket filling up made a huge mess!

We then dyed some hard boiled eggs for Easter breakfast...

Ooops! Mommy dropped an egg -- so Maelyn had a snack!

We were really happy with how they turned out...

Later that afternoon we went to my Mom's house for an Easter egg hunt and dinner. Maelyn absolutely loves searching for Easter eggs -- she had a blast!

 Notice the gum in her mouth? She is just slightly addicted to this new treat...

Reading an Easter book with Grandma...

Grandma is an avid tennis player and has been waiting for the day to give
Maelyn her first racket -- Maelyn loved it!

Maleyn's Musings....

My favourite thing in the world right now is listening to our little miss come up with new words and sentences everyday. She keeps me in stitches! It reminds me of when I first taught Kindergarten and how I loved my job because the kids brought a smile to my face every single day.

Here are some of my favourites over the past few weeks...

Said to me for the first time ever at bedtime, while I was rocking Maelyn...
     Maelyn - I love you ko (so) much!
     Mommy - Thank you, Maelyn! That makes me so happy! I love you, too!
     Maelyn - I love you ko (so) much!
     Mommy - (smiling at Maelyn)
     Maelyn - Now say thank you to Maelyn.

So cute...

• I know just what to do! Be back in a second, guys!

Said in response to me asking her to do something....but I think it is just a way of brushing me off, as she doesn't get moving any faster!

• Okay! I will!   (In the sweetest sing-song voice....so deceiving)

Said to me very, very often! Maelyn thanks us earnestly every time we give her something -- so sweet!

• Thank you, Mommy!

While playing dress-up with Daddy...

• I'm Dr. Green -- Dr. Maelyn Green.

At bedtime, while rocking Maelyn....

     Mommy - Maelyn, please stop picking your nose. It is dirty.
     Maelyn - Okay. (Pause). Will you pick my nose, Mommy? I can't get it!
     Mommy - (grossed out)
     Maelyn - Wait! I got it!
     Mommy - (very grossed out!)

Said every time she doesn't want to have to walk on her own, but wants to be carried...

• My legs are broken!

Maelyn has become quite sensitive to getting in trouble lately. It has been so cute to hear her try and negotiate with us!

• You have to be nice!!
• I need to talk to you!!
• You happy now, Mommy?

While trying to put her hair into new pigtails...

     Mommy - Sorry, Maelyn. I am not very good at doing this new kind of pigtails.
     Maelyn - It okay, Mommy. Daddy not good at it either!