February 18, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {Goodnight, Poppy}

popnightnight-9

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
February 12, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {growing up}

jude6-1

My baby - that I first held in my arms when he was just 16 months old - is 6 now. And that called for a celebration. At his request, we had dinner at Chick-Fil-A. And a few presents. Then back home for the rest of the celebration. Jude chose a cookie cake, frosted in red. His new favorite color. The first time he has chosen a birthday dessert he actually planned on eating. And eat it, he did Then it was time for the big gift. The one he'd been hoping for. Asking for. Pleading for. A new bike. A new, big … [Read more...]

15 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, Jude, Sunday Snapshot
February 4, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {Asher}

AsherSS-8

This week's Sunday Snapshot is all Asher. After all, he's gone through pretty big changes lately. Started homeschooling. And got his smile back. Joined his dad and me on the Daniel Fast. And found a new appreciation for eating more healthfully. He got the big buzz cut. And decided he's going to keep it that way. For now. It's pretty cool to watch him make some grown-up decisions. And stick by some grown-up commitments. But still play legos with his little brothers. And watch Oomie Zoomies with his little … [Read more...]

18 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, Sunday Snapshot
January 28, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {six years – a look back and a giveaway}

SophieLu

I know. It's not quite Sunday. But this isn't your average Sunday Snapshot, either. Today, January 28th, marks six years since I began blogging. And a few things have happened since then. Sophie came home. We moved from the midwest to the southeast. Jude came home. The blog went from "Sophie Makes Six" to "Ni Hao Y'all". Shepherd came home. We moved back to the midwest. No Hands But Ours went from a dream to reality. My crazy friends and I started up our own t-shirt business - Wild Olive. Vivienne came home. I became the US … [Read more...]

205 Comments
Posted Under: blogging, giveaways, memory lane, Sunday Snapshot
January 21, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {Sophie turns 8}

sophie8-13

Her birthday list was made weeks ago. And posted on the refrigerator. Her pick of restaurants for her birthday meal was set, too. Birthday cake? Strawberry, please. All decided well before her big day. It's easy to make a type-A kid like this happy. And we did our very best to do just that. On this, her eighth birthday. She got the gifts that were starred on her list. And the dinner and dessert she requested. We added some light up balloons and glow wand. And some colorful bead necklaces and noisemakers. … [Read more...]

30 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot
January 15, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {two years}

vivi 2 years 4

The something special I mentioned earlier? A two-year anniversary. The someone special? Miss Vivi Cakes. Two years ago, Asher and I were in China to bring Vivienne home. Somewhere between gotcha day and the red couch. … [Read more...]

17 Comments
Posted Under: special needs adoption, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
January 8, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {the graduate}

toot

Can you believe it? I know I can't. My baby girl is now a college graduate. I mean, I can believe she graduated. I just can't believe she graduated, already. And, if you hadn't already guessed, I am so very, very proud of her. She's grown up so much in the last few years. Since she started college, she's had a few jobs. And a few roommates. And a few boyfriends. *Ahem* Through it all, she's managed to learn some very valuable lessons from the good. And the not-so-good. And blossom into a … [Read more...]

32 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, Sunday Snapshot, Victoria
December 31, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {my favorites of 2011}

favesof2011-9

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 25, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {Christmas in pictures}

christmas-28

*********************************************************** 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
December 18, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {D-bomb}

Dalton10-1

Dalton is 10 now. Double digits. And as ornery as ever. He loves school. And was just asked to join the 'gifted and talented' class. He's a fantastic big brother. Unless he's in a mood. And then he's not. But his siblings are crazy for him in any mood. He continues to be nutty for football. And basketball. And just about anything that includes a ball of some sort. He's ridiculously competitive. Loves to win. And hates to lose. Looks just like his daddy. And he's okay with that. Acts a lot like his … [Read more...]

10 Comments
Posted Under: d-bomb, Sunday Snapshot