新年快樂 Happy New Year!

It's the year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese calendar. TheHolidaySpot.com says this will be a "temperate year with unhurried pace. For once, it may seem possible for us to be carefree and happy without too many annoyances."

I like that!!!

We celebrated yesterday at our first Chinese New Year with FCC Lansing. Ella had a ball, and as you will see in the photos below, she was all decked out! She was so excited and got to see dragons and rabbits and eat all sorts of Chinese fare.

Ella's daycare celebrated the New Year on Friday with decorations, red envelopes and cake. The teachers were teaching the kids how to say "Happy New Year" and talked about Rabbits a lot.

Below are many photos... Enjoy!

Ella is a gift, mostly to us!

It's been a month since our last post and so much has happened!

We flew to Florida to visit my family and had a great time. The weather in Fort Myers was absolutely perfect... mid-70s every day! In fact the only day with bad weather was the day we left!

Ella had a wonderful time and did especially well on the flights. She even earned her first set of wings! The flight attendants loved her and visited her throughout the flight to see what she was up to. She slept most of the flights, though. It was WONDERFUL!

New Year's Eve brought most of our family together. Ella got to meet several cousins and see her aunts and uncles again. It was fun to see everyone and Ella especially loved playing with her little cousins.

On New Year's Day, Mark, Ryan and I went to Orlando to watch MSU get clobbered in the Capitol One Bowl. While the outcome wasn't what I wanted, it was still fun to spend time with them and go to a bowl game.

We visited several beaches and Ella just LOVED the water and just being outside. In fact, she and I ran outside three times together. Well, I ran and she rode in the jogging stroller. She especially loved running (napping) on the beach in the morning and the other runners, walkers and shell collectors would just stare and comment at how beautiful she is.

As far as Ella's development... well, let's just say that Early On is extremely pleased with Ella. In fact, they all get excited when they get to see her and their team talks about her all the time wanting to know how she's grown, etc.

Ella is officially walking, but she prefers to crawl right now. That's according to her physical therapist, Christina. One of the things that we were supposed to work with Ella on was siting on a pillow and the standing up without holding on to anything. Christina went to show Jenn and teach Ella how to do it when Ella just did it ALL BY HERSELF without being shown!!! That's how smart she is!

For occupational therapy, Jen has now altered her schedule to see Ella in three months rather than every other week! She does not have any food aversions and is perfectly on target now!

Ella can say a little more than 50 words, which is well above the average 19 month old. She must get that from her daddy!

Her 18-month old check up was very good. She now weights 18 lbs, 15 oz and is 30 inches tall. She is still in the zero percentile of her weight but is now in the sixth percentile for height. At least she's on the charts now!

Dr. Chapin told us that she labeled Ella as three months old when she first saw her in August and she is now saying she's 15-18 months old. So she has aged 13 or so months in merely five months time! That's what happens with love, nutrition and opportunities!

We now don't have to go back until her two year visit! WAHOO! Ella's doctor has really wanted to keep her eye on her and make sure she's gaining and growing, so we've been seen a lot more often that what's normally necessary. But that's okay with us. It helps us with making sure we are doing the right things with her and just keeping her on task!

A couple of fun stories to share:

- When Jenn dropped Ella off at daycare earlier this month, a little boy, Everett, came up to Ella and gave her a kiss. THEN another little boy, Ben, gave her a HUG! While Jenn thinks is sweet and cute, this just does not make daddy very happy.
- Our first stare-down. Ella and I were playing with each other one night after school and work. Ella kept signing and saying "more", so I obliged. But then got tired so I told her "no" and signed we're "finished". She was not done, so she SCREAMED and SHREAKED "MOOOOOOORRRRRREEEEE!" with her hands together for signing. I quickly responded with "Don't you every talk to me that way." At which point a stare-down began. What seemed like an hour was probably more like five minutes. We just kept staring at each other and she finally pushed her head back and ROLLED HER EYES!
- Ella and I were doing grocery shopping and while I was trying to find something on the shelf, a woman walks by and looks at Ella and says "HI ELLA! How are you today?" I had no idea who this woman was... but it was very strange and uncomfortable for me.

She is just growing and learning so much. She is mocking everything now and is able to repeat, repeat and repeat! So daddy is really trying hard to watch his mouth!!!

EC3 (daycare) is very happy with her and has told us that she is just a "really bright little girl... and very intelligent." That was from the director of programs at the whole school!

She just brings everybody that comes in contact with her so much joy and happiness. Ella is a gift, mostly to us!

Christmas 2010: A great success!

We are labeling Christmas 2010 as a great success.

As expected, Ella didn't quite understand everything, but it was still fun.

Jenn, Ella and I made my grandma's sugar cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Following her exact ingredients and even using her tin cut-outs, they couldn't have tasted more like them.

Of course, we left those with two carrots for Santa and the reindeer. Ella didn't understand but it was fun to see her point to the plate over and over again.

We also decided to begin a tradition of having Chinese food on Christmas Eve. Jenn made the dinner from scratch and it was very good.

I ended the day reading 'Twas the night before Christmas to Ella and explained that Santa was coming and she must sleep all the way through the night or she may not get any gifts. It sort-of worked. She woke up crying at 4 a.m. but then slept until 6:30.

As Jenn was bringing her downstairs she just had this look of "what's going on" on her face. But as we explained... she began to understand (or so we like to think).

She had 30 total gifts (and Jenn and I had seven) plus her stocking. Jenn began with her stocking and she was overwhelmed just with that. But when she saw her Radio Flyer wagon, that was it. She was done. She loved it. We took her riding around the house in it and she says "weeeeeeeeeeee" as we go. It's hilarious.

But we got through all of the presents... she loved them all. Her favorites are the wagon, her Asian doll (Cailin) and a piggy bank that is very interactive.

Of course, she has been very spoiled by her extended family... she loves all of the clothes, books, and toys she got. Since she's obsessed with shoes, she especially loved her Uggs that Auntie Monica and Uncle Jeff bought her. Seriously... she keeps pointing to them and tries to put them on her feet. HIGH-LARIOUS!

This week, I work Monday and Tuesday and then am off from 12/29 through 1/9. We will be headed to sunny Florida to spend time with my family (mom, brother, aunts, uncles and cousins). So excited to get to Florida and see my mom. :~) Jenn works Tuesday and Wednesday, so we each have a day to ourselves before our trip.

Mark, Ryan and I will be headed to the Capitol One Bowl on Jan. 1 to watch MSU play Alabama. I'm pretty excited about it and should have a fun (long) day!

Ella is such a joy... she is truly our gift this year.

Below are a few photos and videos from Christmas.

Love to all.

We've entered the world of toddler-land!

It's been nearly two months since we last posted, our apologies.

Ella is just a completely different child now than she was when we brought her home and even from two months ago! She is truly a toddler, getting into anything and everything.

On the development side, she knows 30+ words. According to Early On a typical 18 month old knows five-to-six words. When Jenn told me that she said "obviously she takes after her father." I guess the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. :)

From the walking perspective, she is so close. She is able to cruise along furniture and walk while holding onto mommy or daddy's fingers. Earlier this week, she stood by herself and took two steps. She's done that twice now. So, she is VERY close. She will also push her stroller or her scooter for quite a bit of time.

We've been teaching her some sign language to help us with "more", "thank you", "finished", "please", "up" and "down". This is solely to help with communication.

She loves to climb the stairs... going in both directions. She's a pro right now.

Ella is now 18 months and is just shy 18 lbs and 28.25" in height. She has increased her weight (and probably weighs more now) but has not grown in height at all. She is still in the zero percentile, but we just call her peanut.

EC3, Ella's daycare, has really come through with working with her. They have been instrumental with helping her walk, self feed and just getting her caught up. They love her so much, there. We couldn't ask for anything more. In fact, they even added a third teacher in Ella's room to give her some one-on-one time. Ella will be transitioning to a new room in the summer or fall; and, from what we hear, there are two teachers that are positioning themselves to get her in their rooms. The teachers all love her so much and fight over time with her. Again, we couldn't ask for anything more. It is so nice to go to work and not worry about her at all.

Jennifer and I had Auntie AJ come over and babysit Ella so we could just go out. This was our first time! AJ did great and Ella had a BALL. It was so nice going out and having dinner without any worrys about Ella. Thanks, Auntie AJ!

The holidays have been extra special this year, as you probably know. It's been fun buying things for her and having her sit with Santa. She really doesn't understand anything, but she certainly takes it all in. Christmas is something... we keep buying more and more stuff when she doesn't need a THING! But, Ella is what it's all about.

We are celebrating Christmas with just the three of us... which is what we wanted. Next Thursday, we leave for Fort Myers to visit my mom and her new place, and the rest of the family. Mark, Deb, Ryan and Emily will also be there along with my aunts and uncles and some cousins. It will be nice for all of us be together.

With MSU going to the Capitol One Bowl, Mark, Ryan and I will be making the trek from Fort Myers to Orlando New Year's Day to watch the Spartans beat the Crimson Tide (knock wood). That will be fun fun!

And now for what you've been waiting for... below are two photo galleries: one is the family photos we had taken in the Fall and then pictures with Santa. I'm sure we will update more tomorrow or Sunday after the BIG DAY!

Love to all!

Developing Ella...

I can't believe October is over. It's been more than two months since we came home from China and there have been A LOT of changes.

Jennifer is now back to work, as of last week; which means, last week was Ella's first week at daycare. Overall, she's done really well. Drop off is not so fun as she cries every time I put her down to play or eat. It will get better, I know. Jennifer picks her up just after 5 p.m. and every time Ella falls asleep on the car ride home. So, we believe she's having a very busy and fun day.

Ella's development has really begun to take shape. Early On, Michigan's early childhood development program, said that Ella is - developmentally - a six-to-eight month old. So, she has physical therapy and occupational therapy about every other week right now. The goal is to get her to her normal age within six months.

Over the past four weeks, she is:
- Self feeding using her fingers
- Holding her own bottle
- Crawling on her knees
- Pulling herself up
- MUCH more vocal
- Mimicking a TON
- Moving from a crawling to a sitting position and vice versa
- (has) pulled herself to a standing position in her crib

Jenn and I were talking the other day at how busy we've been... in fact, we have had more company at our house than in the past 10 years. Thankfully, we have a bit of a break until Thanksgiving. We will be able to just have some downtime while we get into a new routine with her daycare. We've loved having everyone here and visiting, catching up, but we've really only had one weekend to ourselves in late September.

Ella's swimming lessons have concluded, but Jenn is still taking her to her early music class, which ends in December. She has become more vocal in the class and mocking the music and programs.

Her teacher's at EC3 are Miss Ada and Miss Jen. They are wonderful. Miss Ada especially has been spending a TON of time with Ella and, the best part, is that they offered to put an extra teacher in the Dolphin room (Ella's classroom) so Miss Ada can spend more one-on-one time with her. We really couldn't ask for anything more. They are spectacular to work with. Anyone in the Lansing area who needs a daycare/preschool/kindergarten facility should utilize EC3... EXCELLENT!!!

With Halloween, this past Friday there was a parade with all of the children at EC3. Jenn and I attended and saw them march around the block. We were toward the end of the parade and when Ella saw us... well, she reached for us both. It was really cute to see all of the kids.

Tonight was her first Halloween with us. We went over to the Jaconette's (thank you) and Auntie Ariana took her trick-or-treating while mom and dad watched. It was hilarious. We probably went to a dozen homes or so and by the very last one, she finally understood it.

You'll see some pictures below of Ella as a Panda.

Thank you to all of you who have sent presents, it is so sweet. The UPS and FedEx folks ring the doorbell and hand us the boxes and say "here's another one for the baby." HIGH-LARIOUS!

Of course, Ella just loves the paper!!!

I think that's everything for now... I'm sure the next two months will be INSANE with the holiday's approaching.

Love to all!