February 18, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {Goodnight, Poppy}

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I get asked questions occasionally. And a common question is from parents struggling with nighttime issues with their newly adopted child. And lack of sleep. And so I thought I'd share what works for us. Because, although we're not experts, we do have some experience. For the first 4 months, Poppy slept in our bed. Not necessarily our first choice, because Chris and I actually like to sleep. But for us, co-sleeping those first months turned out to be one of the best decisions we made to help our kiddos feel safe at night. And happy. And … [Read more...]

27 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy, Sunday Snapshot, what works for us
January 27, 2012

Chinese New Year: the wrap up

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Whew. All done. They might celebrate for two weeks in China, but I guess I just don't have that kind of stamina. We are wrapping up our festivities with just one. But, even on this last shoot with my two littlest buggers, we had a blast doing it. They had seen their bigger brothers and sisters getting dressed in their silks earlier in the week. And getting their pictures taken. And getting to play with their things from China. So when I came downstairs carrying their silks and their things from China, they knew. It was … [Read more...]

22 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, China, Poppy, Vivienne
January 18, 2012

for today

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Because it's cold out today. I'm snuggled up. And lazy. And hungry. So I ate half a tray of sweet potato fries. While I was otherwise occupied, Vivienne and Poppy - who were not interested in sharing my sweet potato fries - got into some things. One of which was the basket of hats and mittens. The basket that I hadn't put back up from this morning. But Mr. Sock Monkey Hat made Poppy smile so very big. And she danced and pranced around the house so, that I just had to throw on her coat and take her out for a few pictures. Maybe, for … [Read more...]

19 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy, real life
January 6, 2012

language acquistion. and poppy.

As I have shared, and shared, Poppy is doing marvelously. She has even made the leap from sleeping in mom and dad's bed to her very own toddler bed. Placed within arm's reach of me, but in her own bed nonetheless. And, since we made the big switch a few weeks ago, she's been just fine with it. Which, to me, is an indicator that she's truly feeling 'settled' and safe. Yay for Poppy! And yay for no more midnight karate chops to the head for Poppy's mom and dad! Really, in every way, sweet Poppy has been finding her way incredibly well. Except one. … [Read more...]

26 Comments
Posted Under: adoption, Poppy, special needs adoption
December 31, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {my favorites of 2011}

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Here are my favorite photos of 2011. In chronological order. 1. Sophie Lu in her silks at Chinese New Year. 2. Vivienne loving the snow. 3. Asher, growing up. I thought he seemed big in this picture but man, has he grown since then. 4. Remembering - and missing - Esther. 5. Chris at his fini flight getting soaked. Much to his children's delight. 6. Father and daughter. And kite. 7. Me and my girls on our last trip to our favorite spot in New England. 8. Poppy and the Red Couch. 9. Zach at Starbucks. In China. … [Read more...]

13 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, Esther, Jude, photography, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Victoria, Vivienne, Zach
December 30, 2011

cupcake bear

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Yesterday we made our way to the mall. To return some stuff. Maybe check out some after Christmas sales. Build-A-Bear was most definitely not on my list of stores to visit. But we were waiting, and waiting for the boys to get out of Hollister. And Build-A-Bear was just a few stores down. So the girls and I made a quick trip over. Just to look. As soon as we set foot in the store, she saw it. And her face lit up like nobody's business. Cupcake Bear. Covered in sparkles and confetti. And holding a cupcake in his … [Read more...]

20 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy
December 25, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {Christmas in pictures}

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*********************************************************** If you're ready to link up this week with your Sunday (or Monday or Tuesday) Snapshot, just copy the code under the Snapshot button and paste it into the body of your post where you'd like the button to be displayed. Because it's Christmas, and lots of y'all are probably otherwise occupied, I'm going to leave the link open until Tuesday night. When you hit 'publish' it should show up just fine. Then add your link below. Wondering what the heck Sunday Snapshot is? Visit here for the … [Read more...]

17 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, celebrations, d-bomb, Isabelle, Jude, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
November 29, 2011

she sleeps

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Adoption is such a journey. Twists and turns. Highs and lows. Joy and sorrow. Sometimes both in one day. And sometimes both in one hour. Our precious, beautiful Poppy is doing so well. She continues to blossom and is such a joy to parent. Laughing big, hearty, fearless belly laughs. Feeling safe enough to not only be happy, but to be sad sometimes, too. And sassy. And silly. And somber. And on and on. But sometimes. Our sweet girl takes a few steps back. And when I find her asleep by herself, on a chair or even sometimes on the … [Read more...]

30 Comments
Posted Under: adoption, Poppy, special needs adoption
November 11, 2011

Poppy: then and now

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I was digging through some of old drafts today. And I found this. I guess I never published it because I didn't finish it. I wrote it when I was in China and, things were a bit *ahem* crazy then. But now - well, things might still be crazy, but it's a different crazy. A comfortable, predictable crazy. And, in reading what I wrote just 3 and a half months ago, I realize just how wonderfully far our girl has come. Written on August 2, 2011: I want to get a few things down because, to be completely honest... I forget stuff. Important stuff. And I … [Read more...]

30 Comments
Posted Under: adoption, Poppy, Poppy China Trip
November 1, 2011

hand-me-downs

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I had never really considered saving the boys clothes for the girls. But when Vivienne spied these "space jammies" in the boys' old winter clothes, and asked oh, so sweetly if she could wear them, well... I couldn't refuse. I even had one in a smaller size for Miss Poppy. Shhh. Don't tell them they previously belonged to their big brothers. These space jammies are all girl now. … [Read more...]

10 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy, Vivienne