1st Family Trip part 1

This is a great vaca!

Can mouse ears work as a belt? Who is Minnie Mouse anyway?

Practicing my So. Cal. look!

Meeting new relatives, Uncle Alfred from NY. The closest thing to a Yea Yea on dad's side. Sorry for vomiting my lunch in front of you.


Making new friends!

1st time swimming with dad, and going under water.

Tennis anyone?

A father daughter moment brought to you by Starbucks

Getting to drink some of mommy's Starbucks!


We had been telling Kimi we were going on an airplane to go see Nini=grandma. She did great on the plane she had so much fun and cried just a little. Once we landed we got the rental car and baby seat situated, she was all buckled in and asked for Ninei=milk so I handed her a bottle of milk, she said no, Nini (the two are so similar sounding) Nini, she held her hands up questioning. We realized she flew on the plane waited to get in the car were was Nini/grandma as we promised? Luckily she fell asleep fast and soon we were at her house. Kimi did great traveling staying at different homes and beds. I was worried because I have heard stories that first trip or hotel could scare kids (Intl. adopted. kids) since that is where we first stayed. It was nice to have some warm weather and not pile on clothes. Our friends tried to convince us to move toward Palm Springs. We will pass for now.

We visited Ken's childhood friends near Palm Springs. It was nice to catch up as we hadn't seen them since our wedding 11yrs ago? They have a 12yo, 9yo, 18mos old, and just to spice things up a new addition due any day. They were so gracious to have us stay with them, our guest room/house came complete with baby proofing and a toddler bed that Kimi loved. next back to Nini, Yea Yea and Disneyland!

Terrific two's can we freeze her like this!

We have been home now for almost 4 months. We just passed the 3mo milestone in Intl . adoption. I can say there is a deeper bond and better adjustment to the new family for everyone. Kimberlyn is learning so much and growing so fast. She is now (5/19/08 32.75" 23.2lbs.) We are doing our best to fatten her up a little while maintaining her nutrition. She is a great eater most of the time and will try anything. She just passed the sweetest phase where she waved hi to everyone, now she says hi to her regular folks i.e. the neighbors and coffee house friends. She is putting many English words together and her pronunciation is more clear. Instead of saying boo she says peep-a-boo (my favorite). She now says mur (for more food) instead of pls pls that she used to say and we like. She says shay shay "thank you" in such a quiet voice most people can't hear her. She also yells "Noney"=honey to Kenny as she saw me yell to him one day out the front window it isn't that clear so we couldn't tell for a while what she was saying. She notices fine details in pictures or anywhere and points out anything familiar. She is interested in how electronic things work. She is very sweet with other kids and does not like to see them cry. She will hand them toys at the park and does well with sharing most of the time. This is very hard for a 2yo. We are getting her used to a Mandarin day care I left her for the first time ever without Kenny or myself for an hour. She didn't do great so it will be a slow process. She does speak Mandarin when she is there playing and they are very nice. Every night we quietly sing golden slumbers the "Happy Feet" version @ bed time she can't help but yelling out the last word in every verse and trying to sing along it is truly precious. I want to freeze her at this age. Her favorite movie now is 101 Dalmatians, favorite song is are you happy clap your hands in Mandarin. Favorite game Ring around the Rosie she calls it "dutch?" that one we can't figure out. She loves to talk on the phone and is an attentive listens she and Nini bark like dogs for quite a while. She says no in a determined way when she does not want something. She says goo gr for good girl I hope this one continues. She is working hard to communicate her needs and us to follow.

Kimberlyn turn 2 4/26/08

Congratulations baby girl you are now 2yo!


Celebrating Kimi's special day @ the zoo, with family and friends John, Sarah, Ellie, Rick, Sandy and all the animals! It was a perfect afternoon. Notice a similar smile from the Mei Mei videos haha!


Kimi on her new tricycle ruling the neighborhood!


"Soy sauce is not just for dipping!"


Kimi with new cooking set thanks Burgers, she is feeding "Happy" pot stickers and soy sauce.


The two lights of my life!


She is the light of my life, I love her smile and laugh they melt my heart!


Kimi with her new friend Happy Panda, thanks for the gift Yea Yea Rick and Nini Sandy he has a special place at the dinner table.


"Don't bother me I'm eating chocolate cake for breakfast!"


Kimberlyn with her own cake, Ken had to hold her hands so she would look @ the camera for a quick photo. She loves chocolate (it was one of her first English words) and was very excited to see her own cake.

This is a pic of Kimi with her cousin Marissa. This was the first time visiting her, they are becoming best buddies.