March 11, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {our baby}

PopSS-11

Sweet Poppy. She is 2 1/2. And in many ways, still such a baby. She loves to snuggle with her bear. She loves to be carried by mama and baba. And she really, really likes to get her own way. Even if tears are required. But our girl isn't all baby. She loves to pick her own clothes. She is the most enthusiastic helper in the entire house. And she loves to tattle on her brothers and sisters. In just a few weeks, Tallula will join our family. And Poppy will be a big sister. Although we talk about her little … [Read more...]

11 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy, Sunday Snapshot
March 3, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {the Shepster}

ShepherdSS-6

It's been more than a year since my last Sunday Snapshot on Shepherd. And so, it was most definitely time for another. Our littlest guy is knocking on 5 1/2. And getting taller, and sillier, by the day. He's still a little dude. But he continues to stay on his own curve. Right around the 1%ile. And as far as he's concerned, he's just the right size. In fact, he seems quite happy with his size. It seems to work for him. He's a pretty confident cat. And he's counting the days until kindergarten starts in the fall. He loves … [Read more...]

23 Comments
Posted Under: Shepherd, Sunday Snapshot
February 27, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {girls’ weekend}

girlsnight-1-2

On Friday, the girls and I headed down to A-town to visit Victoria. And to celebrate, once again, her recent college graduation. Can one celebrate such an achievement too much? I think not. We hunkered down at my mom's house and spent the afternoon shopping and cooking. And then eating. All Victoria's favorites. Girly food, of course. But there was more fun in store. A little music. Make that a lot of music. And then some sister time. The girls positively adore their biggest sister. And I think she … [Read more...]

13 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, Isabelle, Poppy, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Victoria, Vivienne
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...]

28 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