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...]

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Posted Under: celebrations, China, Poppy, Vivienne
January 15, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {two years}

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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...]

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Posted Under: special needs adoption, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
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...]

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Posted Under: a-bone, Esther, Jude, photography, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Victoria, Vivienne, Zach
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...]

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Posted Under: a-bone, celebrations, d-bomb, Isabelle, Jude, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
November 6, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {Vivi’s Day}

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Vivienne has gone and done it again. She turned a year older. Without even asking us if it was okay. Whether we want to admit it or not, our Vivienne is four years old. She anticipated celebrating her big day for weeks. And her wish list was surprisingly small. Dinner at Chick-O'-Lay (or, as we call it, Chick-Fil-A). "Tangled" party favors. And white cupcakes with pink sprinkles. So we hooked her up. With all of the above. I mean, if she's gonna go ahead and get older, We may as well be sure she … [Read more...]

28 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
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
October 21, 2011

cold snap

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We've had a bit of a cold snap this week. Which meant it was time to bring some clothes down from the attic. Not actually new clothes - thanks to some resale shops and some incredibly generous friends - but new to Vivienne. Which was absolutely okay with her. She could not wait to get into this little sweater with the fuzzy hood. And can this girl rock the stripes, or what? Ugh. So stinkin' cute. To see more Favorite Photo Friday, visit my friend Lisa's blog, The Long Road to China. … [Read more...]

8 Comments
Posted Under: photography, Vivienne
September 13, 2011

the crew

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This is the daytime crew. They hang with mama during the day. They come with me wherever I go. Everywhere I go. Which, in the last week has been wayyyy too many doctor appointments - physicals for everyone, please! And a bunch of flu shots to boot. But finally, the craziness is subsiding. Mama is a happy camper. And I think these punks are, too. … [Read more...]

20 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy, Shepherd, Vivienne
August 25, 2011

sisters

Hills and valleys, y'all. Hills. And valleys. This morning Vivienne exclaimed out of the blue, "I don't like Poppy." Then, of course, sweet Poppy decided that today is the day she does like Vivienne - and has since been following her around like a puppy dog. Thankfully, this afternoon, Vivi conceded. And gave Poppy some love. I know, the video quality is poor. All I had within reach was my phone. And I know, Vivi's singing the same verse of her favorite Chinese song over and over. And over. But still. Sisters. I love it. Make a video … [Read more...]

13 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy, Vivienne
August 25, 2011

Vivi and Poppy

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Alternately titled: I Will Be Getting Up in Less Than 10 Hours to Rouse My Kids for Their First Day of School. And yes, I am in denial. So what better to do with my time - on this last day before school - than take pictures of Poppy and Vivienne together. It has been on my to-do list, m'kay? At first, Poppy wasn't too happy about having her picture taken, as it required her to have her beloved sippy cup removed from her mouth. Think Linus and his blanket. But after she saw her big sister Vivienne having so much fun, well, Poppy changed … [Read more...]

22 Comments
Posted Under: Poppy, real life, Vivienne