Yippppeee! Yoo-Hoo and the Straw!

Lotus can and did drink from a straw yesterday! We have Yoo-Hoo in the juice type box and Lotus actually drank from the straw! Over the weekend it was Mommy squirting it in her mouth and Lotus running back for more. She started to not mind the straw in her mouth a few days ago but wasn't sure what to do with it. So with a little practice and the love of Yoo-Hoo, Lotus can do it. This may seem like a minor accomplishment to some, however, this is one step closer to saying bye-bye to Lotus' Bo-Bot, which is Lotus speak for her bottle. We may skip sippy cups and go right to cups and juice boxes. Great Job Lotus!

Love,
Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

PS Potty training to start soon!

Enjoy some Photos from Memorial Day!

Lotus with her cousin Tara

Rock Star Lotus

Yoo-Hoo sippy break with Daddy!

Playing catch with Tara and Uncle Jay

Hanging in my car, learning to drive.

Lotus explains the moon and the earth!

OMG! I am having way too much FUN!

Love,

Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

Play Date with Hallie on Saturday!

On Saturday, Lotus and I met up with Hongyu, Zhe, and their daughter Hallie at the Ground for Sculpture (a very cool place). I met Hongyu and family while working at Gymboree last year. We have kept in touch since I have left. Their daughter, Hallie, is 6 days younger than Lotus. It was so exciting to have a play date with them. I have not seen Hallie since October, boy has she grown so much. This was the first time they all met Lotus. The Grounds for Sculpture was very cool, all kinds of sculptures throughout the park and beautiful landscaping. Ohhh, and it is Peacock season, so Lotus got to see all the birds. We also happened upon a momma duck with her babies. Lotus was very excited. Lotus was a bit more shy than Hallie, but towards the end Lotus was running all over the place. She prefered to walk and not use the stroller. It was a wonderful outing and Lotus and I had a great time with Hongyu, Zhe, and Hallie. They are very nice people and I am glad to have met them. Enjoy the pics. (alot are from Zhe, thank you for sending them to me!)

Love,

Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

This Week.........

Lotus has been doing great with her eating. She self feeds for the most part by hand, tries the fork and spoon here and there. She is starting to eat a little bit of everything. We went out to dinner on Monday at the Red Lobster. Lotus enjoyed popcorn shrimp and french fries and applesauce. She was funny, because while I was getting her spoon to give her the applesauce she was already digging in with the spoon in the bowl. She enjoyed tomatoes and cucumbers from our salads and absolutely deavoured the pieces of lobster her daddy gave her. She ate alot and fed herself most of the time. She was so well behaved, even the waiter mentioned how good she was. Close by us was a little boy close to her age who was acting up. Lotus kept looking at him. She continued to eat. I think she was enjoying the food too much to even think of being bad! Lotus is on her way. It feels so good to see her blossom. She will be eating her birthday cake on her own in September!

Love,

Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

Another Party!

Last Sunday Lotus went to yet another party. It was Jade's 3rd Birthday Party. Lotus had a great time, she enjoyed running around with the kid's and was fascinated with the petting zoo. Complete with a donkey, goats, llama, alpaca, bunnies, chicken with babies, turtles, and a huge milipede (yuck!). Lotus actually went into the pen with the goats and such. She really had a great time. She enjoyed pulled bbq pork, beans, cool ranch doritoes, and garlic hummus with pita chips. She also tried a cream puff for the first time, she loved it. Ohhhh and the ice cream cake! Wil post photos soon of Lotus with the animals!

Love,
Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

Sippy Cups ! Millions of Sippy Cups!

We have almost every sippy cup that has ever been made trying to find the right one. Finally I found a Diego plastic(First Years Take & Go) one that has a big kid mouth with holes that Lotus has decided to like. We actually made a game of it and she did drink from it with help. She is getting there, however, she is having a hard time letting go of her bottle. Let's hope she gives up the bottle by the time her wedding rolls around, lol. Just kidding, she is doing great and has come very far. I know it is just a matter of time for her to let go of her bottle. I know that we take a few steps forward and sometimes go back a little, but that is ok. Baby steps are fine, because I know she will get there when she is comfortable.

Update, this past week, Lotus has been drinking from an open bottle with help and a few times on her own!

Lotus' Accomplishments

Lotus has been doing a great job eating! She can feed herself waffles, gold fish, cheerios, toast, etc. She will eat almost anything that will melt in her mouth or that she does not have to really chew or bite. She will gladly eat ice cream and chocolate cake. And yesterday she had a brownie for the first time. She was hysterical on a brownie high afterwards! We are so proud of our little girl for all the milestones she has accomplished. She is learning more and more each day. She surprises us every day with something new. And her personality is adorable, she can really put on the charm and be a ham in a crowd. Can you tell we are proud parents? I know that if our little girl can accomplish as much as she has in 6 months, she can accomplish anything she puts her mind too! We have a feeling that she is going to go places in her life!

Love,
Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

Adoption in the Media

This week there was alot of stir in the adoption community with a contest sponsored by Teleflora and the Today Show called America's Favorite Mom. The contest had several categories of Mom's. One category was the "Non-Mom" Moms which included adoptive moms. After many phone calls and emails to the Today show and Teleflora, the category was changed to Adopting Moms. A bit better but still a separation between biological and adoptive moms. Teleflora did post an apology to the public on the contest website. This is not the first time the media has been insensitive and I am sure it will not be the last time. However, there are times the media surprises us. Today, I had the experience of watching a positive commercial about adoption. Kevin was watching the news this morning and a Pearl Vision commercial came on the TV. I have posted the commercial below for all to watch. It was so nice to see something positive for a change. Enjoy the commercial.

Love,
Deb, Kevin, and Lotus





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My First Mother's Day

Yes, today was my first mother's day! A day I thought I would never have. Yet, 6 months ago, I became a mom to an amazing little girl. One of the happiest day's of my life, the other happiest day was when I married my husband. So today was my first mother's day. The day started out very typical. Lotus woke up and I went into her room to say good morning. We have our ritual which consists of diaper change, bottle while cuddling under the blankets, and then waffles! Then we played for a bit and and then woke up daddy (he worked late last night, so we let him sleep for a bit). I then had to run out to Target and Lotus would not let me go without taking her. She is a shop-o-holic. Do not know where she gets that from. So we made a trip to Target and Sam's Club. All went well without any issues. When we got home, Daddy and Lotus gave me my card and present. It was a heart shape box of chocolates but when I opened the box there was a square cut out and a little box inside. Lotus and Daddy picked out the most beautiful diamond ring. I was shocked! I wasn't sure what they had up their sleeve, but boy they are good at sneaking around together! Lotus picked out a really cute talking card and Kevin picked out a very beautiful card. After all that excitement it was nap time. Whew some time to get some stuff done for our Mother's Day Picnic!

Time flew by and everyone started coming over. Kevin's brother and sister and their families came over, along with Kevin's mom, Ian, and my mom too. We had grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc All very good, Kevin did a great job cooking. Later we celebrated Alex's 8th birthday with cake and ice cream. Lotus had a great day playing with her cousins. And she loved eating brownies and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Yummy.

It was a wonderful day and I am happy I was able to spend it with all the important people in my life!

Love,

Deb

PS Today was the Race for the Cure in Philadelphia, please remember to check yourself, early detection can save a life.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!

I received this in an email from the Adoptive Families Magazine. I wanted to share with all the Mother's I have met along my journey to motherhood! This is one journey I will never forget.

To All the Moms I Know...
We are sitting at lunch when my daughter says, casually, "Do you think I should have a baby?" "It will change your life," I say, keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that's not what I meant at all. I want her to know that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, what if that had been my child? That every plane crash, every fire will haunt her.
I think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.
I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five-year-old boy's desire to go to the men's room, rather than the women's, at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who changes the baby and who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again, for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice, and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reach across the table, squeeze her hand, and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift from God...of being a mother.
—Dale Hanson Bourke


Happy Mother's Day to All, I hope you have a blessed day!

Love,

Deb
aka
Lotus' Mommy

Happy 6 Months Gotcha Day !!!!!!!!!!!

Lotus,

On Monday, May 6th, it was our 6 month gotcha day! I cannot believe it has been 6 months since I held you in my arms for the first time. And boy has it has been an amazing ride since! You have grown so much and are such a big girl now. I am amazed every day by the things you do. You always surprise me with a new word, expression, or how you play with a toy. I love it when you crack up, your laugh is so contagious. I especially love it when you snuggle in the morning when you first wake up. And our night time ritual has become my favorite. You certainly have changed our lives little one, we are proud you are our daughter and we want you to know we love you very much!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

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Recent Photo from April 20th

No Chicken Nuggets for this Girl! (5/4/08)

Yesterday when at the grocery store, I decided to see if Lotus would like to try the crab stuffed mushroom sample over by the seafood dept while I picked up crab legs for dinner. My little girl devoured the sample! So of course I bought a mushroom for her lunch tomorrow. Once we got home I started making dinner outside while Lotus played with Hallie and Allissa (our neighbors). Dinner was ready and Kevin was home, so we went in. I made a plate for myself and a small plate for Lotus. I gave her some baked potato and decided to try her with a little bit of crab leg meat. She couldn't stop eating it. At first I was feeding her and then she took over. She kept stuffing her face, it was priceless to watch her enjoy her first crab leg dinner. Our little girl has expensive taste! Who knows what she will eat next. This weekend she was devouring some penne pasta with sauce and green grapes galore! Then right to crab legs! Lol. Wish I had captured a photo of it!

Love,
Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

Fan Appreciation Day at Our House

Everyday is Fan Appreciation day at our house! Ever since it has gotten a bit warm and I have put the ceiling fans on, Lotus loves having them on. If they are not own she insists that we put them on. She loves watching them go round and round. It is very cute and she is very insistent when she is drinking her bottle to have the fan on.

Love,
Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

Proud Mommy & Daddy Moment (4/23-24-2008)

Lotus eats a cheerio on her own! It was the proudest moment so far. Lotus started to feed herself cheerios! She found her mouth with her hand! She didn't stop there, she eats waffles and toast on her own too! Lotus has made such great progress! We are so proud of our little girl.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Lotus' First Sleep Over and Trip to the Zoo (4/21/2008)

Lotus had her first sleep over with her cousin Bren on Sunday and then cousin Tara on Monday. Lotus is very taken with her cousin Bren, she wanted him to sit next to her and was always looking up to him. Very cute. She really loves playing with other kids no matter how old they are, she tries to imitate what they do. The next morning Tara came over (Bren's sister) and we all went to the Zoo. It was cold out but we had a great time. Lotus decided to hold Bren's hand at one point, very cute! Tara was the photographer for the day. Lotus call the big black jaguar a DOG! She must of thought it was Saber, our big black dog. We had lunch and later some ice cream, Lotus was loving the mint chocolate chip. This is where Lotus slowly started to eat cheerios on her own. It was a fun filled day. Later, Tara stayed over and on Tuesday the girls went shopping and had lunch. It was a great couple of days. I love spending time with family and Lotus really likes hanging with her cousins. Enjoy the photos of the zoo!

Love,

Deb, Kevin, and Lotus

Lotus' Christening (4/13/2008)

Lotus was christened on April 13th. Many of our friends and family attended the celebration. Not sure if Lotus really understood the celebration was for her! She had a great time! At the party at Ming's she was running around with all the kids. She really likes hanging out with other kids. Lotus was a trooper through the whole day, it was a long one. Sandy and David did a wonderful job as the god parents! The mass before was beautiful and the baptism was an incredible experience. I am glad we were able to share with everyone. Enjoy the photos!

Love,
Deb, Kevin, and Lotus