Love of my life

Dance Recital 2011.......

2011-07-24T21:19:00.000-05:00

Jocelyn had her first dance recital on June 25th and June 26 and she had a blast and did a terrific job. She is in "Tumble Tykes" and they range in age from 3 to 5. She loved being on stage and said she wants to do it again next year. Here is her costume, she was going to a slumber party with her friends for her routine.

Here is her whole costume, isn't she just adorable?

I don't wear makeup so I had another dancers mother put it on. Jocelyn didn't like that at all as you can tell by her expression....

She loved to twirl in her costume and make the shirt flare out so she had to show me when I was taking a picture.

Her tumbling classes resume on August 3rd and she is already wanting to go back so we will have pictures of Dance Recital 2012 in about a year, stay tuned......

We love Melroe's School of Dance !!!!

Vacation Bible School 2011....

2011-07-16T13:39:00.000-05:00

Here she is at snacks, we made "wacky tourist's". Basically a pudding cup that we used candy, sprinkles, etc to make a face in the pudding. I was a helper in snacks this year and boy was it very busy but a lot of fun. The story was about a centurian so they made "armor" with paper sacks.

Here she is in the worship rally at the beginning of VBS every evening. Our theme was the Big Apple so wasn't the shirt that her Aunt Betty and Uncle Phil bought her in New York just perfect?

This is the picture that I took the first night of VBS, after all it was her first VBS and I had to have pictures...

She had a blast and really enjoyed VBS. This will definitely be a yearly tradition. So glad she was able to attend. We had an average of 75 kids each night and up to 83 on our highest night. Praise the Lord !!!

Princess Jocelyn....

2011-01-09T21:56:00.004-06:00

She wanted to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast for Halloween last year. She loves the Disney princesses. Do you know which one is her favorite??? I will give you a hint, look at the picture below. We went over to our friend TJ's house and went trick or treating after eating sloppy joes and chips. Of course the costume was put on after we got done eating.

I added the yellow shirt just before we left as it was getting pretty cold outside.

I love her smile in the picture below, she looks so grown up. What happened to the baby girl I brought home?

I think that she makes a beautiful princess, don't you???

A New Year and a New Years Resolution....

2011-01-02T22:03:00.003-06:00

This picture is from Christmas of 2010. She loved her Veggie Tale Castle, thank you Aunt Betty and Uncle Phil.

One of my many New Year's Resolutions is to post once at least once a week on this blog and I will be posting on Sunday evenings.

Jocelyn has really changed since my last post.

In August she started a tumbling class on Wednesday nights and absolutely LOVES it. She will have her first recital in late June. Incidentally we have met another family who adopted a little girl from China through her tumbling class. Their gotha day is June of 2009. Isn't it a small world?

Jocelyn loves the Disney Princesses and can name all of them. She has pajamas with all of the Princesses and they are the only pajamas she asks to wear. She keeps telling me that she is Princess Jocelyn. What an imagination.

My mom now watches Jocelyn 4 days a week and she goes to an in home day care once a week, that way my mom gets a break and Jocelyn gets some social interaction with other children.

See you next week

3 year photo shoot.....

2010-05-01T17:35:00.003-05:00

I took Jocelyn to Portrait Innovations to have her 3 year pictures taken, as you can see below they do a fantastic job!! I didn't plan well and made the photo shoot for 1:00 in the afternoon (right during her nap time). My 40 year old brain is deteriorating quickly!! She was a live wire not wanting to stay still at all. That just shows you how good they are that the pictures turned out so well!!
Even this picture (I hate having my picture taken) I was really pleased with.

I had to have one in her Chinese New Year outfit. I just loved this picture.

I am just the most behaved little girl. Don't let that grin fool you guys!!

I am going to have all of her pictures done there as I have been very pleased each and every time

P.S. Jocelyn is coming down with a whopper of a cold so please pray for healing and patience for me as I deal with a cranky little girl!!

Jocelyn's 3rd Birthday party....

2010-04-25T14:54:00.002-05:00

Jocelyn's 3rd birthday was April 10 and we had a party at our church. Here Jocelyn and her friends Jaelyn and Celeste are playing ring around the rosie. One of Jocelyn's games. The adults are having fun watching them play.

Here Jocelyn is tasting her birthday cake. It was delicious by the way.

I can't believe that she is 3 already, it was just yesterday that I was in China picking her up wasn't it???

Wasn't the cake so cute???

Two peas in a pod, they played with the balloons for at least 30 minutes. Cheap entertainment don't you think?

Fun was had by all especially the birthday girl. She loved her Happy burtday pahty. Mommy did too!!!

Jocelyn has gone through many changes since I last posted!! She can now count to 15, recognize all of her letters and sing the abc song. The biggest change is how much her vocabulary has grown. She is growing up so fast!!!

Chinese New Year.....

2010-02-27T00:48:00.003-06:00

February 14th was Chinese New Year (Year of the Tiger). A good friend of mine Krista found this outfit for Jocelyn at the store where she works.

After church we went to a local Chinese restaurant called North China Dragon and had wonderful Cashew Chicken and Moo Shu Pork and eggrolls.

Her cheesy grin...

Here we are at home before we left to go to church. She is letting me take many more pictures where she is smiling.

I wanted a picture where the whole outfit could be seen. Isn't she CUTE???

I can't believe how fast she is growing up! Just yesterday as I was getting ready to go to work she said "Hugs and tisses, mommy, hugs and tisses" After I gave her her hugs and tisses she then said "Dood day" (good day). Her vocabulary has grown so much in the last few months.

I can see that my daughter is going to keep me on my toes from now on and how I am going to have to watch everything that comes out of my mouth because it may then come out of hers!!

Happy Referral-versary to me....

2010-02-04T22:55:00.003-06:00

2 years ago at 3:45 in the afternoon I got the call that I had a daughter waiting for me in China. I had waited for so long for that call that it seemed like a dream. She had many people wanting to meet her in the United States and I would have a picture of her in my hand in less than 24 hours. I had become and achieved one of my most precious dreams. I was a mommy.

I am sorry that I haven't posted in awhile. My only excuse is that I have become addicted with facebook, especially farmville. I am working hard to overcome (or at least tone down) this addiction.

These pictures are from Christmas morning 2009

Here she is talking to "Ant Beddy" on her new cell phone.

Here she is taking pictures of mommy with her new cell phone.

Here she is using her cell phone for the first time. Are we sensing a theme here?

Jocelyn had more fun ripping the paper off her gift than what was inside. She "hepped" mommy and grandma open presents too.

Oh, boy a Veggie Tales Video. I love the Veggie Tales!!

I will try to do better at posting more and farming less. Hope everyone has a good week and pray for my travel to China sister Jennifer Johnson. Her father had triple bypass surgery today and is doing well. Pray for a speedy recovery and for strength for her family.

Sorry about the pictures. I got a new computer and haven't quite worked out all of the kinks yet.

Christmas Picture 2009...

2009-12-15T21:20:00.002-06:00

I took Jocelyn to a local portrait studio called "Portrait Innovations" on 12/05/09 to have her Christmas picture done. I had a hard time choosing one but decided on the one below. I just love it!!!!!!

Christmas cards were mailed Saturday, all but two of the presents are wrapped. We are going to put up the tree tomorrow. I am the queen of procrastination (otherwise the tree would already be up). I can't believe that I am going to be celebrating my 2nd Christmas as a mommy. I waited such a long time to become one and the time seems to be flying by. I am cherishing every minute of motherhood (well maybe not EVERY minute) but I wouldn't trade it for the world. To all of you out there waiting for your own China doll, keep the faith that you will soon be celebrating Christmas with your own daughter.

Doing Mission work...

2009-11-24T22:29:00.002-06:00

This past Sunday at church some of the congregation stayed after to decorate the church for Christmas. Jocelyn and I stayed after to help get the food sorted and lined up for our Deacon Baskets (these are baskets of food that we deliver to families that need help). We have done this every year and I decided that Jocelyn needed to start helping with missions that we do as a church as I want her to have a giving heart and to also see how lucky she is. Here she is loading up food in her "shopping cart" to take to the fellowship hall.
Here we are on our way to the fellowship hall with our cart full.

We had to make many trips as we had lots of donations.

Here she is unloading her cart and helping Aunt Betty putting like foods together.

As I said earlier we made MANY trips.

Jocelyn was EXHAUSTED when we were finished and the minute I put her in her carseat she was out like a light and she took a 2 and a half hour nap when we got home. I am so proud of our church and so proud of Jocelyn as she is beginning her mission work.

The leaves have fallen......

2009-11-14T12:08:00.002-06:00

A few days before Halloween (as you can tell by the decorations in the background) when we pulled into our driveway the neighbor across the street had raked up all of his leaves in his front yard and had them in a huge pile. His daughter was jumping in them and having a good time. Jocelyn said "eeves, mommy Jocen pay". How could you pass up such a cute request? I couldn't of course. We went across the street and asked if we could play and he said sure. Jocelyn had a blast as you can tell by her smile.

Unfortunately we couldn't play very long as it was pretty chilly outside.

I am queen of leaves!!!

She wasn't so sure what to think of mommy throwing her in the leaves. She wamed up to that quickly though.

Here she is just after mommy threw her in the leaves trying to get back up.

We had a blast and I think that I had more fun than she did. I don't think that I have ever laughed as much as I did just seeing her have fun and her precious smile many, many times

Mommy's Little Pirate.....

2009-11-06T21:31:00.004-06:00

For Halloween Jocelyn dressed up as a pirate. We went over to our friend TJ's house. We had mummy dogs (really hot dogs wrapped in pastry dough) Turkey pot pie, and fruit salad in oranges that had Jack-o-lantern faces. We had a really good time.

I had to get one without her mouth open.

After we were done trick-or-treating. We came back to the house and decorated pumpkin shaped cookies. Here is Jocelyn's masterpiece pumpkin.

I hope everyone had a Happy and safe Halloween.

Playtime.....

2009-10-24T20:50:00.004-05:00

Jocelyn and mommy being silly. Now don't forget to say cheez.

These pictures were taken last Sunday after we got home from church. Jocelyn and I decided to have some fun. We had a tea party, then we made some dinner, and then she decided it was time for her dolly to go night-night. So she decided to read her a bedtime story. I thought this was sweet so I had to go and get the camera.

Let's see what happens next in the story.

I could of course understand just a few words and most of the story was about trees, dogs, and night-night.

She is telling our dog Nutmeg to "go way baby seeping"

After we put dolly night-night Jocelyn and I went outside to have some fun. She is having fun watching mommy fall down on the ground and roll in the leaves. What fun, I get a second childhood!! I got Jocelyn the vaccination for the swine flu on Wednesday. She woke up on Thursday with a fever of 103.5. The nurse said she might run a fever for a couple of days to possibly a week. My mom stayed home with her on Thursday. She was still running a fever on Friday morning but it broke Friday night. Praise God. I had a pretty cranky girl on my hands those two days but I would be cranky too if I had a 103 degree temp. She really has become herself again and is ready to play, play, and play. I am so glad but exhausted at the same time.

We have piggytails.......

2009-10-14T20:54:00.002-05:00

I had an appointment after work this past Monday so my mom picked up Jocelyn from the babysitter and watched her for about an hour before I got home. As I walked in the door this is the sight that greeted me. Jocelyns babysitter decided to put her hair in piggytails. She has been threatening to do this when Jocelyn had enough hair. My mom said that she kept trying to take them out but she wouldn't let her until I got home. As soon as I saw I had to go get the camera and take pictures. As you can tell she wasn't happy with mommy taking pictures.

She turned around though.

This picture is somewhat fuzzy but I thought it was the best picture of her piggytails.

I am so happy that she finally has enough hair that she can have piggytails anytime now!!!

Updates....

2009-10-11T15:39:00.003-05:00

Sorry it has been so long since I last blogged but we have had quite a round of sickness in our household lately. First I got sick the last week of September with what they thought may be the H1N1 flu. The test came back negative!! PRAISE GOD!! It took me a good 5 days before I felt close to normal. Jocelyn then came down with a bad case of diarrhea that lasted for 3 days. I called the doctor and he said that as long as she wasn't running a temp and was eating and drinking ok that we could only wait it out. He also suggested that I put Jocelyn on the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast (dry)) diet and no dairy products at all. That was ok because these are some of her favorites. We only gave her Gatorade and water to drink. That helped also and we have no more diarrhea! Again PRAISE GOD!! Jocelyn is starting to use 4 to 5 word sentences. The other day she told me "mommy watch" and she did a somersalt all on her own. I guess one of the girls at her daycare was doing them and Jocelyn copied her. There is no way that her mommy taught her as she can't do one. She is a SPONGE!!!

Thank you for your prayers for Lily (a girl adopted at the same time as Jocelyn). Her chicken pox are cleared up and she is doing well.

Jocelyn and her beh-beh.

My Budding Artist.....

2009-09-24T20:59:00.003-05:00

These pictures were taken this past Sunday after church. Jocelyn loves to color and when Grandma bought some colored pencils Jocelyn has been trying to use them. I decided to buy her some of her own and a Doodle Pad to see what she would do. She loves them!! She is concentrating to hard.

Thanks mommy for the colored pencils and paper.

What should I draw? A dog, a cat. I know I will draw a picture for mommy!!!

The MASTERPIECE is finished!!!

Jocelyn got the box of Elmo bandaids and covered her "owies". She used all but two of the bandaids. Of course she really has no "owies" but you can't tell her that.

Please be in prayer for Lily (another little girl adopted at the same time as Jocelyn) as she has the chicken pox and is pretty itchy. Let's pray that her chicken pox heal quickly

Wake up you sleepyhead.....

2009-09-17T21:00:00.002-05:00

The pictures below were taken about 2 weeks ago. Jocelyn is usually up before me most of the time so I never get to watch her sleeping. When I went into her room to get ready for the day she was still asleep. This made such a cute picture that I had to go get my camera. Don't you agree???

Why did you have to wake me mommy? I was sleeping so good.

Ok mommy that is ENOUGH pictures. I haven't even combed my hair or washed my face yet.

The blankie is still with us and seems like it always will be. It is her pacifier. Do any other girls have a security item that they hold on too???

Potty training is DONE. Jocelyn still wears pullups at night and during nap and we are starting to have days where they ar e dry when she gets up.

I am amazed daily at how much she is growing up and learning new things every second. Two days ago we were working on our numbers and I was using my fingers to show them and she counted to ten by herself for the first time. I was soooo impressed. We have been working on them for a while with little or no success. She just needed for mommy to be patient.

Hide and Seek....

2009-09-12T12:17:00.002-05:00

As you can imagine with our three dogs and with my brothers dog Mija in the house anytime there was food around they were all right there. Jocelyn wanted to eat her "fut nak" (fruit snack) in peace so she went and tried to hide from the dogs. I thought that this was so cute that I had to take some pictures.

You found me!!!

We had another milestone happen at our house! Jocelyn woke up this morning with a dry pull-up for the first time. She then went and immediately got on the potty. We may not even have to buy any pull-ups at our house anymore. Horray!! Hooray!!

Family...

2009-09-10T21:23:00.002-05:00

My brother Rob and my nephew Lee came to visit us this weekend. They live in the state of Georgia. This is the first time my brother has gotten to see Jocelyn other than pictures. As you can see she went to uncle Rob with just a little prodding. My brother thought she was so cute and full of energy. I think he as forgotten as his little one turns 13 this December. She is showing her "cool man" pose. (Notice the thumbs of both of them)

This is my nephew Lee, (the soon to be teenager) . He had Jocelyn full out laughing 10 minutes after he arrived. She now says "were eee, were eee" (Where's Lee?)

They also brought their dog Mija. So that means that there are four dogs at our house right now. Boy is it crowded!!

We are still doing really well in the potty training arena. We have only had one accident and that is because I didn't get the bathroom door opened soon enough. Today Dee (our babysitter) said that Jocelyn even had a dry pullup after her nap today!!

Her scabies have gotten much better and she is no longer nearly as itchy as she was. Her back is clearing up and we are so happy!!

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

2009-09-05T13:26:00.003-05:00

We had a very busy weekend last weekend. Friday night was game night at church. Of course Jocelyn was the hit of the party. We helped Aunt Betty put together a puzzle, and just played and had fun. Saturday morning we ran errands and then Saturday afternoon we had a birthday party to go to for Jocelyn's good buddy TJ. He turned 3 and we had a good time. Great food too. On Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6 pm we had a back to school carnival at our church with games and food. They also had an inflatible jumping room. As you can see Jocelyn loved it!!

Oops, I don't think that I was supposed to fall down. Oh well it sure is fun!!

They also had face painters. Jocelyn sat still and was great while the lady painted her face. She was a little scared at first. She wasn't sure what to expect but she went with the flow.

Like my two Happy faces???

On the potty training front. We have now gone four days in big girl panties with no accidents. I am sooooo proud of my daughter that I can't tell you.

On a bad note the rash that Jocelyn has on her back (for 3 weeks now) was getting a little bit better while on the antibiotics that the doctor put her on but started spreading like wildfire the last 2 days. The itching is constant. I ended up taking her to urgent care last night as I couldn't get her back in to the doctor due to the holiday weekend. The doctor at urgent care said that she has scabies. I had never heard of it before, but apparently there is a mite (the size of 5 mm) that burrows under the skin and lays 3 eggs and "poops" under the skin. We are allergic to the poop and this causes the itching and when the eggs hatch they in turn burrow under the skin and do the same thing so it is a continuous cycle. I have a cream that I put on her last night and again tonight that will kill the mites. Unfortunately it could take up to four weeks before the itching stops for her. Please pray for Jocelyn's itching and rash to have a quick and speedy recovery.

Bathtime...

2009-09-02T22:07:00.003-05:00

Jocelyn loves her bath and has to have every bath toy she owns in the tub with her. She has started becoming Miss Independent. She wants to do everything by herself. She has now figured out how to get her hair wet so that we can wash her hair. As she says "I do it".

Here is the after picture.

Proof that she has to have every bath toy she owns in the tub with her.

On the potty training front we had our first day in our big girl panties with no accidents. The only time Jocelyn has a pullup on is during her nap and at bedtime. She is now telling me when she has to go potty and we are making it to the potty in time. I think that we are almost done with potty training. HOORAY!! HOORAY!!

Stay tuned for posts from our busy weekend!!

Playtime.....

2009-08-16T21:08:00.003-05:00

The weather was great here on Saturday. Jocelyn and I decided to enjoy it and just have fun!! We blew bubbles, drew on the sidewalk, and threw a ball around. We had a great time!! Doesn't the smile on her face just say it all?? Sorry the pictures are blurry. I had trouble with my camera.

I can throw the ball really high!! I haven't quite mastered catching it though.

Look at me mommy!!

I love to cower (color) with all of these pretty colors.

I have also started something new this week. When I get ready to give Jocelyn her bath at night I go into her room and pick out 3 sets of pajamas and let her choose which one she is going to wear to bed that night. The smile on her face each night is from ear to ear. She just thinks that this is the neatest thing. I think next week I will start this with the clothes she gets to wear during the day.

Potty training is still in progress. We have graduated to big girl panties at home and she has had a few accidents but they are getting fewer and farther between. I do put her in a pullup during nap time and at bedtime still.

Updates.....

2009-08-13T20:55:00.002-05:00

Sorry no pictures today. Jocelyn has been keeping me pretty busy the last couple of weeks. She is talking so much more and in 3 or 4 word sentences. She has learned some animal sounds, we are still working on potty training, but most of all we ar e enjoying being together. I received her birth certificate in the mail this past Saturday. It was a great moment to see my name under the title mother. I am still amazed that I have that title at all.

Right now I have swimmers ear in my left ear and let me tell you that it is no fun. It started last Thursday, I went to the doctor on Friday, was in the emergency room on Sunday and back in the doctors office on Monday. I am feeling much better now but still have a wick (basically like a sponge) in my ear as my ear canal has completely swollen shut. I go back to the ENT on Monday and have the wick taken out and so that he can see how my ear is healing.

Jocelyn has a rash on her back and a little bit on her legs. She is really scratching at her back. It is a heat rash, we are putting hydrocortosine cream on it and hopefully it will be gone soon as we are planning to go back to the zoo on Labor Day. She is now wearing 3T clothes. She still soaks up everything like a sponge.

Will post pictures soon I promise

Surprise....

2009-07-28T22:21:00.003-05:00

Saturday July 18th was my 40th birthday. On Friday the 17th my mom and my church family threw me a surprise birthday party. The theme was flip flops as that is the shoe of choice for me if I have to wear shoes. It was a blast and I was sooooo surprised. I had no clue!! Most of the gifts were gag gifts such as bran flakes, large print crossword puzzles, and crying towels, etc. I also had to wear my purple hair, purple beads, purple flipflops, and glasses that had the number 40 on them. I was quite a sight let me tell you!! By the way can you guess what my favorite color is??

Here is the wonderful cake that they had for me.

Other things to report. Jocelyn is working on potty training now and is doing really well. We have had no accidents so far, we still have some work to do but I think we will be out of diapers real soon. YEAH!!! I have had two rounds of sore throat in the last two weeks, the last round starting last night and getting worse as the day wears on so please pray that my throat will get better quickly.

Last Day of Staycation ....The Zoo.....

2009-07-08T21:45:00.003-05:00

On Friday July 3rd, some friends and I took our daughters to the zoo. You might recognize them as they were at Jocelyn's 2nd birthday party. They are Lupita and her daughter Celeste, Lisa and her daughter Jaelyn, and of course Jocelyn and I. If you can believe this picture was actually taken at the very end of the day on the way to our cars.

The 3 musketeers (Celeste, Jaelyn, and Jocelyn)

Her first ride on a careousel...

Here are all the girls on the careousel...

We saw many animals at the zoo. Just to name a few
Deer

"iga" Tiger

"e ion"

Sea Lion

"angoo"

Kangaroo

"eep"

Sheep

Jocelyn actually touched and petted the sheep. At first she was scared of them but soon she was saying "eer eep", "eer eep"

Pig

We had a very busy and full but most of all fun day at the zoo. Jocelyn didn't nap at all that day and she fell asleep on the way home. We arrived home at 5:30 pm and I woke her up so that she could eat some dinner. She wanted none of that so I put her in bed expecting for her to wake up very early the next morning. If you can believe she slept from 6:00 pm to 7:00 am the next morning. She slept for a full 13 hours. Thank you Lupita, Lisa, Jaelyn, Celeste for one of the best times we have had.

Staycation Day 3...

2009-07-07T21:29:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday July 1st we went to Children's Orchard and they "bought" Jocelyn's clothes that were too small and gave us store credit to buy her some of the right size clothes. Boy did I have fun shopping. I got her about 8 outfits. Later that evening we went to our friend from church Jennifer's house and had fun with her son TJ who is also adopted. Jocelyn and I had a really good time just relaxing. After swimming we ordered pizza and just had a wonderful time.

I love Jocelyn's smile in this picture...

My buddy T.J and I having fun...

Jocelyn has started making sure that all of her toys are where she can easily get to them and have to be close by.

Stay tuned for our last adventure last week. It was a very busy week as you can tell.

Staycation Day 2.....

2009-07-06T21:09:00.004-05:00

On Tuesday June 30th I had a doctor's appointment at 8 am so after the appointment we went to McDonald's to have breakfast. We then went on our next adventure. Here we are just arriving at our destination. Where were we you may ask.

We went to ...

AirZone is an indoor play area for kids with inflatable obstacle courses they can go through. Jocelyn had a blast. Here she is entering the obstacle course.

She then had to "climb" these steps and she had to really work at it to figure it out. As you can see she is doing great

I am getting closer to the top..

She had to try it a few times before she could actually climb over

I'm ready to go to the next one mommy!!

They also had one that the kids could jump in and she would play in that one for a while also. Here she is sliding down from that one

She was finally able to get through the obstacle course and go down the big slide.

Here is what happened five minutes after we left AirZone. Or as I like to call it the AFTER picture.

Stay tuned there are more adventures to come.

Vacation, Vacation...

2009-07-04T14:43:00.002-05:00

My daycare provider and her family went on vacation this past week and so I decided that I would take the week as vacation also. That way I didn't have to find someone else to watch Jocelyn. Each day we did something new and/or fun. On Sunday the 28th of June I bought Jocelyn a new inflatable pool. I put all of my hot air to good use blowing up that pool. We got up Monday morning and played for a little while and then we went outside and filled the pool and it was so much fun. She didn't want to go back inside. We ended up going back to the pool after her nap. In the beginning she as a little afraid to get in. She decided to play in the backyard for a while first. Here she is chasing one of our dogs.

Here she is running back from the end of the yard towards the deck.

Ok Tarragon (our Lhasa Apso) where did you go???

I have my own pool. Isn't is cool???

Are you watching me mommy?

Here she is putting her face in the pool. She just loves being outside in her new pool.

Stay tuned for more of our adventures of last week. We are sure to keep you entertained.

Hope you all have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July.

And thee "I's" have it.....

2009-06-14T21:59:00.002-05:00

Jocelyn's new favorite word is I. As in I do it. I can mommy. Her new 2nd favorite word is mine. She will pick up a toy and say mine, or a book my mom or I have been reading and say mine. Can you tell she is two?? Today after we got home from church she said "I cowere" (color) and pointed to a package of sidewalk chalk that we had bought yesterday. We went outside to the front porch (a concrete slab if you remember from a previous post) and colored. In the following picture she looks like she has been put in time out but she hasn't been. She decided to look down just as I took the picture.

Do you really have to take more pictures of me mommy? I want to go and play!!

She couldn't decide which color to use as she only had 20 to choose from.

I finally was able to get a picture of her hair on the back of her head. It is growing but soooooo slowly.

Here is most of her drawing that she did. What a masterpiece!!

She was done coloring now and ready to go run. Mommy had to chase her of course.

We have also been working on our letters, colors, and numbers to 10. She can repeat the letters after me but can't point to a letter and tell you what it is. She has learned some of her colors, mostly red and blue. She can say her numbers after me but again can't point to a number and tell you what it is. We will continue to work on them.

Fun in the sun...

2009-06-03T22:42:00.002-05:00

This past Saturday it was very hot here and when Jocelyn woke up from her nap I decided that we would go and play in the sprinkler. What I didn't realize is that we didn't have a sprinkler. So I became the sprinkler ( I held the hose up in the air and let the water fall down. At first she would just run up and touch the water and then run back. After a few times of that she would let the water fall on her feet. A few times I just had to squirt her with the hose. She would run and then get the giggles. It was so much fun. I think I need to invest in a real sprinkler so I can enjoy getting wet too.

Did you really have to get my hair wet mommy? Yes Jocelyn I really had too.

Do you really think this suit looks good on me?

That sure was a lot of fun. Can we do it again soon?

Have you seen my towel? I can't find it.

These pictures were taken on our deck. We had the "sprinkler" on the patio directly beneath the deck.

Bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles......

2009-05-20T21:59:00.002-05:00

We have been having beautiful weather here this week. It has been in the 70's. Jocelyn and I decided to go outside and enjoy the evening. Jocelyn loves "bubbas" and every time she sees the container she says "bubbas". We went out on our front "porch" (really a cement slab but who's gonna tell). As you can see we had a blast.

I think I will use the pink wand mama.

Is this how you do it mama? Good Job Jocelyn !!

I am trying real hard mama.

Oh boy. I did it!

How pretty. The bubbles are different colors.

I have the hang of this and look at that big bubble I blew.

I just love BUBBAS.

Jocelyn has taught me that laughter is the best medicine and the more you use the better you feel. Thank you Jocelyn for that wonderful lesson that you may need to remind me of again from time to time.

Alot can happen in a week...

2009-05-18T20:58:00.003-05:00

What a crazy week we have had at our house! On Saturday May 9th, Jocelyn woke up with a slight fever around 101. As the day progressed her temperature kept climbing. I was giving her Tylenol, letting her drink as much as she wanted and gave her a lukewarm bath. Nothing seemed to keep the fever down for very long. When I took her temp at 8 pm it was 105.5. I immediately got her dressed and took her to the emergency room. When we got there her temp had gone down to 103.5. They took a chest x ray (actually 2 as she moved on the first one) She had the beginnings of PNEUMONIA. I couldn't believe it. She had no symptoms until Saturday and only a slight cough. They put her on Amoxicillin and I stayed home with her on Monday as the fever was still 103 when I put her to bed on Sunday. Fast forward to this past Saturday the 16th. When I was getting her dressed for the day I noticed 3 red spots on her chest and she was running a slight fever again. I was afraid that she may have the chicken pox. When I gave her her bath that night I noticed 2 more spots. So I called the nurse line and they said that she could have a reaction to the amoxicillin but to watch her. We stayed home from church and the fever broke and the spots went away. They never did raise or fester so now I will have to tell the doctors that she is allergic to amoxicillin. Didn't I tell you that alot could happen in a week?

These pictures were taken this past Sunday on our deck. Jocelyn was fascinated by the squirrel and kept pointing to it and jumping up and down.

This past Thursday (one of the few days this week Jocelyn was feeling good) Jocelyn and I both got our hair cut. I had the back evened out and the hair trimmed over her ears. She was so good. She just sat there and let the lady cut her hair. I was so proud !!!

I may be able to use barrette's soon. Maybe even a bow?? I know patience is a virtue.

Hope everyone had a better week than we did. We are going to have a better week this week.

Ponytails and Swan Lake???

2009-05-03T20:31:00.002-05:00

This is my best attempt to get Jocelyn's hair into ponytails. How did I do? I think that I will let her hair grow some more before I attempt again. You can't blame me for trying can you?

Below is an oragami swan that Jocelyn's Uncle Phil made for her. If you can believe there are over 300 pieces of folded paper that make the swan. I just love it and it is in Jocelyn's room as a decoration. Thank you Uncle Phil for the great swan and for everything else you and Aunt Betty do for Jocelyn.

The swan is sitting on the lake therefore I can say swan lake!

On a side note Jocelyn peed in the potty all by herself tonight. She later had two accidents but we are making progress.

Outside Fun....

2009-04-24T22:00:00.002-05:00

The weather here has been beautiful here the last few days. In the upper 70's and lower 80's. Jocelyn and I decided to enjoy it today. We went outside in our front yard and had some fun.

We had to take a breather ...

Let's see how fast I can run mama.

Here she is watching some birds flying.

Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy.

We have been pretty sick at our house lately. First I got sick and then Jocelyn got it. Then my mom got it. She got hit the worst. She has been sick for 2 weeks now. She is finally on the road to recovery.

On a side note, Jocelyn is still just getting used to the potty. We have made some progress as she has gone stinky twice on the potty this week. We are gettin there.

Pictures from Easter....

2009-04-18T20:44:00.003-05:00

I just love her new Easter Dress !!

Hey where are the eggs hiding?

As you can see when we left the house she had a headband on. It was off before we even reached the church.

My first Easter Basket. She got a Mrs. Potato Head, Easter basket, Elmo Bunny book, Goldfish crackers, Fruit snacks, and eggs with Chocolate Teddy Grahams in them.

Jocelyn's 2nd Birthday Party !!!.....

2009-04-08T22:37:00.002-05:00

Jocelyn will turn 2 this Friday, April 10th. Since this coming weekend is Easter weekend and a lot of people will be with their families and out of town, we had Jocelyn's party last Saturday, April 4th. A good time was had by all. Can you tell the theme of the party? You will have to look really hard.

The party was held at my church and some of my co-workers came and brought their daughters. Some of my mom's co-workers came and some church members came. We had hot dogs, chips and punch. The cake below was made by one of my co-workers Mary and her husband Lee. Isn't it ssoooo cute? This is what the inside of the invitation looked like.

Here are the some of the decorations before the party. A great big thank you goes to Jocelyn's Aunt Betty and Uncle Phil who came to the church on Friday night to help us decorate. Uncle Phil helped move tables and blow up balloons while Aunt Betty kept Jocelyn entertained.

We had our food table ready.

The kids had so much fun with the balloons. Celeste and Jaylen are the daughters of my co-workers Lisa and Lupita.

The birthday girl !!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jocelyn (The Love of My Life). Mommy Loves you!!!

Tea Party Anyone?...

2009-03-30T21:16:00.002-05:00

The weather here Saturday was awful. It rained most of the morning and then mid morning it turned to sleet and then early afternoon it turned to snow. A good day to have a tea party. The pictures below were taken Sunday morning of our deck.

It looks pretty as long as you are warm and cozy inside. Ok it looks pretty no matter where you are.

Let me introduce the hostess with the mostess, Jocelyn.

Isn't this the best tea mama?

Here let me pour you some.

I think our color scheme is is terrific don't you?

Jocelyn and I had a lot of fun at our tea party. We will definitely have to have many more of them.

Mommy's Little Cupcake.....

2009-03-28T14:20:00.002-05:00

This outfit was bought by a friend of mine and it was finally nice enough outside a few days ago that she could wear it. I love her in this color. I wanted to get a picture of her in the new outfit and she wanted nothing to do with it. I had to stand her in front of our refrigerator so she couldn't move away. This is her "cheese" grin. I just love this picture. I wish she didn't have the gash on her cheek though. We were leaving the house to go to Dee's (day care provider) house and I told her to tell Grandma bye bye and to give her hugs and kisses. She teasingly said "uh uh" so I pretended like I was going to chase her and she tripped and fell and hit her cheek on the hardware on the kitchen cabinet. It is healing nicely though.

This is the before picture from above. Told you she didn't want her picture taken.

This is Jocelyn just chilling and reading her new Elmo book. She is in the recliner in our living room

Soon I will post pictures of our first tea party with Jocelyn as our host.

Happy 1 year Gotcha Day Anniversary...

2009-03-17T22:34:00.003-05:00

One year ago today I got to hold Jocelyn for the first time. I got to comfort her for the first time. I got to physically touch her for the first time. I got to give her a kiss for the first time. I got to feed her for the first time. I even got to change her diaper for the first time. I will never forget Gotcha day. I is burned in my mind forever. When Jocelyn was given to me for the first time she looked at me with a scared look in her eye and then started crying. Nobody in that room had a dry eye. When we got back to the hotel room and unlayered her and got her something to eat she was a happy baby. She was so worn out from all of the excitement that she fell asleep a little while later and slept the whole night through. This is the first picture I have of Jocelyn sleeping. She looks so content and happy but most of all she is loved soooo much.

We decided to celebrate the anniversary by going out to breakfast with a friend of the family Maureen and her husband Bill. We had biscuts and gravy. Yum Yum. Then I had to go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. Jocelyn fell asleep on the way to the dentists so she and Grandma stayed in the truck while I was with the dentist. Then my mom and I got our hair cut. After dropping my mom off at home Jocelyn and I went to a park just down the road from our house and had a good time swinging.

And blowing bubbles...

And going down the slide..

And riding the pony..

Most of all just enjoying the day together as the family we have become.

Happy 1 year Gotcha Day Anniversary to all of Travel Group 132!!!

23 Months old today...

2009-03-10T22:32:00.002-05:00

Jocelyn is now 23 months old. Where has the time gone?? Some of the new things she does now are she loves to help mama and Grandma with anything and everything, we have started potty training, some of her words are becoming clearer and easier to understand, such as Elmo (she used to pronounce it melmo, we have dropped the m now) She is now trying and somewhat succeeding to dress herself. She is wanting to sit and look at a book for more than 2 minutes at a time. She is now starting to "shampoo" her own hair. She likes the feel and look of the "bubbas" on her hands and in the water. An example below.

As you can see she gets it in more than just her hair. Her face gets quite a few as well.

Rooms and updates......

2009-03-05T21:17:00.003-06:00

First the updates. The 12 month post placement visit went really well on Monday. Nikki (the social worker) stated that Jocelyn looked happy and healthy and was a normal 22 month old. Full of energy and always ready to play.

Now unto the room. My mom and I have been working on Jocelyn's room for quite a while now and it is just about finished. We have 4 pictures to hang and a few other little things to hang up and it will be done. HORRAY! I thought I would so you some pictures.

This is the bookcase that is just inside the door to the room. As you can see she has many to choose from. Most of them are the Beranstein bear books as I loved them as a child and I wanted to pass that on to Jocelyn.

This is the new dresser that we got specifically for Jocelyn as only one drawer can be opened at a time and the drawers can't come all the way out so it is much safer for her.

Here is her toybox that mama put together (boy was that an experience let me tell you) Jocelyn loves to take the toys out and put them on the floor.

Here is the shelf that I painted and the dresses are just ones that we found at thrift stores but doesn't it make a cute display for her fragile ladybug figurines??

This is a closeup of the "flower garden" that I created on her wall. I think that the butterflies add just the right touch.

This is a quilt the 3 ladies at my church made and gave to me at the baby shower the church threw after we came home. I LOVE LOVE it!!!

Here is a picture that shows off my mothers talents of which she has many. Let me explain. The cushions that are on the rocker were made entirely by her she even had to cut the foam to make them. She sewed the curtains that you see. Last but not least she did the mosiac on top of the table next to the rocker. You can't really see the design but it is the Chinese character for daughter. Told you she was talented.

Here is her kitchen that she got for Christmas. It is just inside the door.

Here is a closeup of the decals that are all over her room. I think that they are adorable.

Here is a picture as you are standing at the door to her room looking in.

This says it all. I bought the wooden letters at Wal-Mart and painted them in bright pearly colors.

Thanks for your prayers for my post placement visit. I felt very calm while she was here so I know that my prayer warriors were hard at work.

Prayers needed...

2009-03-01T22:06:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow is my 12 month post placement visit. I know everything will go well but I still will worry until it is completed. My appointment is at 5 pm central time. Also be in prayer as we have started potty training this weekend. Right now Jocelyn is getting comfortable sitting on the new "potty" and has tinkled in it once. She is now taking off her diaper by herself if it gets wet or she has a stinky so I know she is ready to potty train. Please help me be patient with her and that it will be easy for her to catch on.

I will post tomorrow to let you know how the home study went

11 months and one week.....

2009-02-24T21:23:00.004-06:00

Today marks the day that Jocelyn has been my daughter as long as she was in the orphanage in China. Tomorrow I will have been her mama longer than she was in China. That got me thinking about her life in China and I wanted to share some of the photographs that the nannies took of her with the camera I sent in her care package. This picture is taken not to far inside the gate of the Wanzai Social Welfare Institute where Jocelyn was found on the 11th of April 2007, the day after she was born. She is layered with clothes as the Chinese think that the children are cold and need to be covered.

These are some of the nannies that took care of Jocelyn until I came to bring her home.

This shows the front of the orphange where Jocelyn spent the first 11 months and one week of her life.

A better picture of one of her nannies.

I think that this picture is taken inside the orphanage front gate but I am not sure.

I found out from my travel sister Stephanie that this is a stroller/potty chair that you could slide a container in the bottom.

Here Jocelyn has the lamb and pictures that I sent her in the care package. Unfortunately we did not come back with any of the items that I had sent in the care package. I know Jocelyn is saying "This is my new mommy and soon she is going to come and get me and take me home"

Again per my travel sister Stephanie I found out that this building is where the nannies and foster mothers live.

Thank you Wanzai Social Welfare Institute for keeping my daughter safe and happy until I could come and get her and thank you for the wonderful glimpse into Jocelyn's life in China.

Jocelyn's first trim...

2009-02-15T21:12:00.003-06:00

On Valentine's Day this year Jocelyn got her first "trim". I know she doesn't have much hair but the back and over the ears was uneven and some of her hair was getting long and others weren't. I decided that she needed to have a trim to make it look more even. This is a picture taken before she had any hair cut off. I only had them trim around the ears and the back . She was so good. Once they made the first cut and she saw it didn't hurt she was a trooper.

This isn't so bad mama. Do I get a treat for being so good?

I had the stylist keep some of her hair and I am going to put it in her scrapbook. Yes, I have actually started her scrapbook. I still have a lot to do but I can officially say that I have started.

Happy belated Valentine's Day to everyone. I know I enjoyed my first one with my daughter.

I will try to get some after picutres and post them and she didn't want to have anymore pictures taken that day.

My Puddin face......

2009-02-12T21:46:00.002-06:00

My mom gave Jocelyn an individual container of chocolate pudding and she loved it. She decided that the spoon wasn't fast enough so she put the container up to her mouth hence the circle of pudding on her face and nose.

I can do this mama.

See I told you. Oh no I am spilling some on my dress!

What makes you think I need a bath mama? I'm not dirty and its not bedtime yet. As you can see we have an Elmo bathtoy that she has to have every night when we take our bath.

The after picture. Doesn't she look fresh and clean?

Jocelyn has learned so much in the "short" time I have had her. But she has taught me even more. The meaning of love and joy and yes even sometimes frustration and what I can do when I get little or no sleep. But you know what I wouldn't trade any of it for anything in the world as it is priceless.

God bless.

Jocelyn and her man.....

2009-02-07T14:46:00.002-06:00

We had to take my mom do the doctor this morning and guess what? She has bronchitis AGAIN. This is the third time in a month. While my mom was with the doctor Jocelyn and I were in the waiting room. She asked to be put in the chair and then said book. I got her one and she was so intent in "reading" that I had to snap a few pictures. She just looks so grown up in these pictures.

She kept pointing to the pictures of gogs or dogs as you and I call them.

What does this say mama?

I can do this by myself mama!

JOCELYN'S NEW MAN IS ELMO.

This is last night as Jocelyn was getting ready for bed. Guess the picture says it all. Elmo is her new best bud.

"The Call"......

2009-02-04T22:35:00.002-06:00

One year ago today I got the "call" that would completly change my life forever. At 15:45 at work the call came from my family coordinator Leah at AWAA stating that she was looking at a picture of my daughter. She told me that she had no hair and brown eyes and was born on 04/10/07 and that she was from the Jiangxi province and had been in an orphanage called the Wanzai Social Welfare Institute and was on the chubby side. She also let me know that they would be fedexing her pictures and bio information and I should receive it the next day. They were right on all counts weren't they? As soon as I got off the phone with Leah I immediately called and let my mom know. I don't think you could have dynamited the smile off my face that day. This is the first picture that I ever got to see of Jocelyn.

This is the most recent picture that I have of Jocelyn. My has she grown!!! Her hair has grown some too.

Happy one year anniversary of the call to everyone in Travel group 132.

Outdoor fun.......

2009-01-31T22:20:00.003-06:00

Jocelyn and I went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather we had today. It was so much fun. We ran around the front yard and just had a good time. The picture below is my favorite one that I took today. I love how the sun makes her seem like she has a glow about her.

This picture was taken on our front "porch" which is really just a concrete step.

I think that this picture shows off how much hair she has now. It has taken forever but it is growing.

We had to play "chase me mama". I had no problem obliging. I fortunately had my camera at the ready.

We enjoyed our time outside. We shared a lot of laughs and smiles.

I would also like to ask for your prayers for a family that I traveled to China with. They have had to change babysitters as their former sitter is too ill to care for Lily. This is putting stress and worry on her parents and Lily is having some adjustment/seperation issues. Pray for peace and strength for this family and for Lily also.

Please pray for us....

2009-01-27T21:16:00.002-06:00

My mom went to the doctor on Jan 13th and was diagnosed with bronchitis and was given an antibiotic and was feeling better. The following Sunday I started getting sick and went to the doctor on Monday and I also had bronchitis and was put on an antibiotic. I took my mom to an urgent care office here this past Sunday and she has bronchitis again. YES AGAIN. Now Jocelyn is starting to have a runny nose and some coughing but so far hers is a cold and not full blown bronchitis. Talk about a family sharing. We have been sharing too much at our house.

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone. We are in the year of the OX.

Sleepy anyone????

2009-01-21T20:40:00.002-06:00

We got Jocelyn 2 new blanket sleepers to wear as it has been really cold here lately. She loves them. I can't believe that we had to buy 2T sizes. They are a little big but not by much. I am amazed at how fast she is growing up. I also think that she is ready to hit a growth spurt as tonight for supper she ate 2 full hot dogs (cut up of course) and 2 small bowls of chips and she drank a full cuppie of milk. Where does she put it all? All I have to do is look at food and I gain 5 pounds.

Jocelyn is now 29 pounds and 2 feet 11 inches tall. We had to weigh her and measure her height when I had her MOCHIP'D this past Satruday. There were so many parents there. Jocelyn got antsy for a little bit but she was pretty good while we were going from station to station. She made me proud (as she does everyday).

Cute pictures of Jocelyn.....

2009-01-18T20:36:00.003-06:00

I snapped these pictures a few days ago. For some reason Jocelyn decided that she needed to wear a washcloth on top of her head. She was walking around the living room and just decided to put it on her head. Luckily she grabbed a clean washcloth to do it with. Isn't she cute???

Does this add to my outfit mama? The shirt she is wearing is one that I got her for Christmas. I love her in the colors pink and purple!

These pictures were taken this morning in the nursery at church. I love how she looks in red also!!

Hello, is anyone there? This is the first time that she has put the "phone" to her ear and actually "talked" to whoever was on the line.

Can I play with these mama?

Please no more pictures mama, I am trying to eat my snack.

As you can see her hair is finally laying down by itself. She no longer has the finger in the light socket look. HOORAY! HOORAY!

Jocelyn's Tidbits......

2009-01-14T20:30:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to update you on some things. This Saturday I am going to take Jocelyn to have her MOCHIP'D. What this means is that she is going to have a packet/envelope made in case heaven forbid she were to go missing or become abducted. This is done by the Missouri (MO) child (CH) identification(I) program (P). I think that this is a good idea. It will consist of digital photographs, digital fingerprints, dental bite impressions 2 id cards and child and emergency contact information.

We had our new dryer delivered on Jan 12. Unfortunately it was too wide to fit through the door to the washroom so they had to take it back to Sear's. We went last night and got a different one and made sure that the measurements will work and it will be delivered on Saturday. NO more taking clothes to the laundromat. YEAH!!!

My mom has bronchitis and went to the doctor today and was put on antibiotics so be in prayer that she recovers soon. Hopefully she will be able to get some rest in the next few days also.

We have been working with Jocelyn on telling us what she wants instead of just pointing to it. This has been somewhat of a struggle but tonight for the first time she pointed to her cuppie and said cup also. I was so happy that I started laughing and Jocelyn joined in. As my other blog friends have mentioned she is just like a sponge, soaking everything up.

21 Months old today.....

2009-01-10T20:19:00.003-06:00

I found this poem while waiting for Jocelyn and it spoke to my heart because it is so true. She was "The Chosen One" for me by God. He knew the perfect daughter for me and knew that I was going to have to wait for 4 years to meet her because she hadn't been born yet. I think he was also trying to teach me patience as he knew that as a mom I was going to need lots of it. Believe me Jocelyn was definitely worth the long wait. She is the perfect daughter for me. Thank you God for the gift of Jocelyn's birth 21 months ago today. I will treasure her always.

Like my glasses ?????

2009-01-08T21:10:00.002-06:00

Lately Jocelyn has been fascinated with sunglasses. One particular pair of course, hers. She keeps putting them on and then putting them up on her head like I do sometimes. If you ask her where are her glasses she will go and get them for you. She hasn't quite figured out how to put them on the right way but she will be able to soon I know. The picture below was taken this summer. I haven't been able to keep her still long enough to get a good current picture. I just love this picture though. A copy of this picture sits in a frame on my moms desk at home. It is in a I Love My Grandma picture frame of course. Hope this brings a smile to your face as it does mine everytime I look at it.

I've been tagged.....

2009-01-07T16:51:00.007-06:00

I have been tagged by Stephanie one of my blog friends and travel to China sisters. Her blog is listed on the right under my blog list and it is called "Loving Life with Lily" and it goes something like this. I have to post the 4th picture in my 4th picture folder and describe the scene. Well since I only have one picture folder on my computer I am posting the 4th picture from that folder. This picture was taken in October of 2008 at Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch in Riverside Mo. This is the first time Jocelyn had petted or fed an animal other than our 3 dogs (Nutmeg, Sage, and Tarragon). She wasn't quite sure what to think about the animals licking her hand to get the food we had for them. She had a great day and was so tired at the end of the day that she fell asleep as soon as I got her buckled in her car seat. I can't believe how much she has changed in just 3 months since this picture was taken. Thanks Stephanie for tagging me and letting me relive this wonderful moment in my daughters life.

Unfortunately my other blog friends have already been tagged so I will not be able to tag anyone but it was fun and I enjoyed it. I hope everyone has a chance to be "tagged" in the future and gets to relive a cherished moment in their lives.

Shoes....

2009-01-03T21:16:00.003-06:00

Jocelyn is fascinated with shoes. Anyone's shoes. She loves putting them on and then immediately taking them off. She also loves to wear Grandma's or my shoes. We usually were ones we can just slip on and off so they are easy for her to wear and walk around in. My mom recently bought a pair of slippers for her and another pair for me. These are what Jocelyn is wearing below. Well only one of them.

She can't figure out why there is a string on the shoe and she is trying to get it off. Maybe she is smarter and is already trying to tie her shoes. Don't grow up so fast. Slow down pleeeeaaasssse.

I can't believe it but today Jocelyn took a 3 hour nap this afternoon. I have never known her to take such a long nap. I was actually able to read a few chapters in my new book . Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood. She is a terriffic author if you like romance/mysteries. I highly reccommend her.

Return of the temper tantrums....

2009-01-02T22:27:00.002-06:00

Jocelyn had a real knock down drag out temper tantrum today. She was on the floor kicking and screaming and swinging her arms. Where did my sweet little girl to too? Is she hiding in fear of the temper throwing Jocelyn?? The sweet Jocelyn comes out every so often. She can now say wuv u (love you) when I tuck her in at night. She will give hugs and kisses without Grandma or I asking sometimes.

On to some other depressing news. Our dryer gave out this week so I have had to take a couple of loads of laundry to the laundromat. I HATE having to do that. We are going to go look (hopefully buy) a new dryer tomorrow.

I am starting to feel some better and I have a little more energy so I must be on the road to recovery. I have to admit that I am glad it is Friday so maybe I can get some rest this weekend. Yeah right with an almost 21 month old in the house. Not gonna happen I'm afraid.

Thankful Tuesday......

2008-12-30T21:19:00.002-06:00

Today I am thankful for my nephew Robert Lee. We call him Lee. He is 12 years old today. Happy Birthday Lee. He has changed so much and his voice is getting deeper. It seems like yesterday that I was holding him for the first time. He lives out of state so I don't get to see him much. The picture below is with his dog Mija (spanish for daugher). My brother named her. Isn't Lee cuuuute?

I am also thankful for antibiotics. I have an upper respiratory infection and pharyngitis (sore throat). I have started on antibiotics and hope to feel better real soon.

Tomorrow we will be going to church for game night. It is always so much fun.

Jocelyn's First Christmas.....

2008-12-26T20:52:00.003-06:00

Finally I remembered to post pictures of our Christmas tree. Jocelyn and I made one of the four paper chains on the tree. She got bored after we got one done so mama did the other 3 and put them on the tree. I know you can't see it real well but the white heart ornament between the 2 chains is a rememberance ornament for my dad who passed away in June of 2007. I know he was there with us.

Christmas Eve after Jocelyn had gone to bed I brought up the presents from their hiding place downstairs and put them under the tree.

We decided to open one present on Christmas Eve and Jocelyn opened one of the presents she got from Aunt Betty and Uncle Phil. It is a doll that coos and fusses until you feed it from it's bottle or put the pacifier in her mouth. Jocelyn LOVES it. She has been giving her kisses, hugs, and rocking her. She doesn't let her out of her site for very long. She is such a good mama.

Here we are Christmas morning at 6 am. Yes 6 am. Jocelyn decided to wake up at 5:30. We have a tradition at our house that we eat breakfast before opening presents and we usually have cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. Sorry this picture isn't the best.

After we read the Christmas story from the Bible we then open our stockings. We use decorated Christmas sacks. Jocelyn loves goldfish so we made sure that we had some of those in her stockings.

Jocelyn loved tearing the wrapping paper off. Of course she put it in a neat pile next to her. Who she learned that from I don't know. It definitely wasn't me.

I got a Little People Barn. Whoo-Hoo!!

More presents to unwrap. She had more fun ripping the wrapping paper off the presents than what the present was.

I got the best present of all. Just look below.

What a busy day we had. Jocelyn fell asleep in her highchair while we were eating lunch. She was exhausted. She slept for 2 hours.

My mom is the best that there ever was. She looked for about 4 months for a special gift for Jocelyn from her Grandpa Bob. My dad always talked about how he thought Jocelyn would have long, straight, and black hair that could be braided or put in pony tails. So my mom bought Jocelyn a sterling silver comb, brush and mirror set. She had her initials engraved on each piece. She then bought a card for a grandaughter and said how happy he was that she was here and how much he wanted to meet her but that when he knew that he wouldn't live long enough he asked Grandma to make sure that she got the set and let her know that her Grandpa Bob loves her and always will. I cried for about 5 minutes and am crying as I type this. Praise God for my wonderful family.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.

Thankful Tuesday....

2008-12-23T21:27:00.002-06:00

Today I am thankful that I am off work for the rest of the week and so is my mom. We will be able to enjoy the holiday as a "family" of 3 this year. Of course we have some errands to run tomorrow but that is ok as we will be able to go at our own pace and not be stressed.

I am also thankful that I will be celebrating my first Christmas as a mama. I still have to pinch myself when I say that to make sure that I am not dreaming.

I hope you all have a safe and happy and healthy holiday season.

Mommy's Bra.......

2008-12-18T22:27:00.003-06:00

As you can tell by the title of the post Jocelyn found my bra one day and decided that she needed to wear it for a while. She kept putting the straps over her head and taking it off. She did this for quite a while and it was so cute that I had to take at least a couple of pictures. (Blackmail for later you know). She would get so upset if she couldn't get the straps over her head. I had to help her a couple times.

What a workout. I need to sit down and relax. Maybe push the buttons on the toy next to me and listen to some music and just chill.

By the way happy belated 9 month gotcha day anniversary to all of travel group 132.

Please pray for us tomorrow as the weather here is freezing rain and the temperatures are below freezing so the travel to and from work tomorrow will be dicey. Please pray for the safety of all of the people who venture out and for Jocelyn and I.

Thankful Tuesday...

2008-12-16T22:19:00.001-06:00

Today I am thankful for Jocelyn's and my safety. It was snowing heavy and bitterly cold outside today. Traveling to work was scary and very stressful. The roads were slick and some of them hadn't been treated with sand and snow before I went to work so I was sliding in some places. To drop Jocelyn off at Dee's I have to go up 2 big hills and 1 small hill. Let me tell you that I was praying the whole way there. I was able to navigate my way to Dee's house with a minimum of sliding.

The trip home was just as bad although they had treated some of the roads by then. I ended up driving most of the way home going 40 miles per hour when ususally I am able to go 65 to 70 mph. I ended up having to go down to the next street and back tracking to get to Dee's house. We arrived home safely. Praise God!!!!

Jocelyn's first snow....

2008-12-13T22:40:00.002-06:00

Last Tuesday (the day of my mom's surgery) it started snowing when we left the doctor's office and snowed most of the day. It was quite a mess on the roadways later that day, but it sure made the landscape beautiful with everything having a layer of white covering it. The first thing we did after I got home from picking up Jocelyn from the babysitter is to play, play, play outside. She wasn't sure what to make of the snow at first. She touched it with her bare hand and it was cold. Then we put her glove on and she tried touching it and that was better. She just kept running around and smiling.

Unfortunately the snow was mostly melted when we got home the next day. We only got to play that one time and as you can tell by her rosy cheeks it was COLD!!!!

Can you tell my favorite color is purple??? By the way my winter coat is PURPLE too.

20 months old today....

2008-12-10T21:12:00.002-06:00

Jocelyn is 20 months old today. It can't believe how fast she is growing up. We are still working on the tree as tonight we had the final choir practice for our church Christmas Cantata that we are performing this coming Sunday. Jocelyn was able to stay in the nursery with Aunt Betty and Mrs. Linda. She had so much fun playing.

Aunt Betty has a Christmas tree in Jocelyn's Sunday School room and last week she was able to help decorate the tree. She loved it. She kept trying to put all of her ornaments in the same place though. Here she is getting an ornament that had fallen off after we had put it on. Thank you Aunt Betty for letting me help decorate the tree.

Thank you Betty for taking and sending me the wonderful pictures you took of her last Sunday.

Thankful Tuesday.....

2008-12-09T21:18:00.002-06:00

Today I am thankful that my mom's surgery went really well. They only had to take one specimen and it was all clear so she then went back and had to have 13 stitches put in. They way that her skin cancer grew made the doctor have to make a larger incision so he had to take so many stitches to make a skin flap which will leave a smaller scar. Thank you all for your prayers. She is in some pain but the Tylenol is helping reduce that.

We have put up our Christmas tree tonight and have started decorating it. We have a small prelit tree that we have put some red and silver shatterproof bulbs on. We have also put some M & M ornaments on the tree. Since our last name sounds like M & M and a lot of people pronouce it that way I buy the tubes of candy with the character on top and we then keep these and use them for ornaments. Since they are plastic they are ok to put on the tree with Jocelyn around. I will post pictures when Jocelyn and I are finished decorating it.

Dressing Myself ??????

2008-12-08T21:24:00.002-06:00

A week ago today we went to a party at my moms work for the children and grandchildren of the employees of the hospital. This is the picture that we took just before she went in. She was able to decorate a sugar cookie, glue a snowman on a placemat, play some games and win prizes.

After we got home she needed her diaper changed. Since it was so close to bed time I decided not to put her jeans back on. She found them while I was disposing of the diaper. I had to run and get the camera. I couldn't stop laughing. As you can see she is putting them on backwards. She was getting frustrated that she couldn't pull them up.

Maybe if I stand up I can finish pulling them up. Probably not since I am standing on the jeans.

Maybe this is as far as they were supposed to go. I think that I will quit and watch some television. It sure is a lot easier than dressing myself.

A praise. Jocelyn has not thrown a real temper tantrum for 2 days now. It has been wonderful. Thank you for all of your prayers. I'm sure that I will need to call upon my prayer warriors again.

Compassion and Love...

2008-12-07T21:22:00.002-06:00

Yesterday at around 3 pm central time I started getting sick. I ended up having a case of food poisioning. I threw up 5 times and finally quite at midnight and also had some diarrhea. Jocelyn came in the bathroom with me and patted my arm and gave me kisses. I ended up laying on the bathroom floor for a while and she came up to me and shoved her blankie under my head for a pillow. My mom ended up watching her for most of the day so I could go lay down and rest. I have the best daughter and mother alive.

I am feeling much better (still tired) tonight.

Tonight we had our holiday/20 year anniversary dinner at church. There were people there that I hadn't seen for more than 5 years. They loved Jocelyn and were so happy for me. I loved being able to say when I was asked who she was that this is MY DAUGHTER. It felt fantastic.

Please pray for my mom. She has an area on her cheek that has been found to be skin cancer. We are going on Tuesday the 9th for surgery to have it removed.

This and that.....

2008-12-04T20:53:00.003-06:00

Jocelyn has learned some new words in the last few days. od grl (good girl), it (sit) this is said as she is pointing to our dogs. She has also learned to point to things or people when we name them such as mama (she will point to me) grandma (she will point to my mom) and we can do this with our dogs also. Two days ago my mom said piano and she went and pointed her finger at the piano. We then said tv and she went and pointed to the tv. She soaks up everything like a dry sponge that is in a swimming pool.

We are still throwing the temper tantrums every day now so please be in prayer that my nerves can hold out and that my patience can be quadrupled for the next "little" (I hope) while. Also pray that I can find the right way to handle the tantrums that she and I will be happy with.

My mom talked to my grandma yesterday and she stated that the memorial service for my grandfather was the family sitting in the living room telling stories and reliving memories of my grandfather. My grandmother stated that they were able to even laugh at a few of the memories. We have started the process of healing. Thank you again for all of your prayers.

Bathtime and Tantrums.....

2008-12-02T21:36:00.003-06:00

"Not more bathtime photos mama PLEASE." I can't resist though. It is the only time when her hair isn't sticking straight in the air. She is so adorable and smells so good after her bath.

Jocelyn doesn't like to have her hair (what few hairs that there are) washed. She is finally starting to make the shampoo lather after I put it on her head. This only lasts about 5 seconds. Progress I know.

Jocelyn has had some pretty good temper tantrums the last 2 days. We have had to use many time outs. I think she has hit the terrible twos early as she won't be two until April 10. I was hoping for later rather than earlier. Maybe this means I will be done with the terrible twos early (Well I can dream can't I).

I can sleep standing up....

2008-11-29T22:25:00.009-06:00

I snapped these pictures last night around 8:30 pm. I didn't realize that she had fallen asleep until I went to the kitchen to get a drink. She had been watching the tv and I thought that is why she was so still.

A different angle.

Isn't this the cutest picture you have ever seen? I sure think so but I may be prejudice.

A closeup. Of course the blankie is never far away.

Thank you for all of your prayers during the recent loss of my grandfather this week. I found out that they are going to have a private family memorial on Tuesday 12/02/08 at my uncles home in California.

Jocelyn's First Thanksgiving...

2008-11-27T16:19:00.004-06:00

Jocelyn wanted to play with her puzzle this morning. She is getting better at finding which pieces go where but she gives up real quick and mama has to help.

Here is the spread that we put on. Doesn't it look yummy? Let me tell you it was!!!!!

Jocelyn is anticipating the great food. I love her smile in this picture.

As you can see we are letting her feed herself more and more. She seems to get the hang of it most of the time but she still uses her fingers sometimes as it is much quicker.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I am most thankful today that God gave me the gift of being Jocelyn's mama.

Pray for us .....

2008-11-26T22:28:00.005-06:00

Update:
My grandfather passed away 11/26/08 at 11 pm central time. He is going to be cremated and his services are still pending. Please continue to pray for my family at this time as we deal with the loss of a loved one.

We just found out yesterday that my Grandfather (my fathers dad) has been put in the hospital in intensive care and he is not expected to live much longer. He has liver failure and stomach infection. This means that my Grandmother will have lost her oldest son in 2007 and her husband in 2008. Please pray for my grandmother and their 7 living children and their families. I will keep you updated as I find out anything new.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Potty Training on the Horizon.....

2008-11-24T21:06:00.001-06:00

Yesterday Jocelyn came to me and patted me on the arm and then patted herself on the butt and said "poopy". She did this twice yesterday. I believe that we may be potty training soooon. I can't believe how fast she is growing up.

Dishwashers and Old Man Winter....

2008-11-21T20:44:00.003-06:00

Jocelyn has decided that she is suppoed to help me unload the dishwasher. I have allowed her (after I take the sharp knives out) to unload the silverware and put it away. She thinks that this is fun. Just wait until you are older Jocelyn and see how fun you think it is when it is one of your responsibilities. As you can see below she is unloading the silverware.

Here she is "putting it away". Actually she just dumps all of it in the drawer and I then seperate it into the right compartments. She can just barely "put the silverware away".

Now on to Old Man Winter. Here in Missouri the temperatures are in the 30's and it is COLD. I have had to break out Jocelyn's hat and gloves within the last week to a week and a half. She does not like the hat and cries when I put it on her but after a while she is ok with it until we get inside then it is to come off. I snapped this picture tonight at Wal-mart. She was buckled in and couldn't try to put her face to the camera as is usual for her. I think she is ADORABLE in her hat. Don't you?????

Grandma's Birthday ..

2008-11-18T21:58:00.001-06:00

Today is my mom's (Jocelyn's grandma) birthday. We have had a few days of celebration. First "Aunt Betty" and "Uncle Phil" took us out for dinner last night at Cracker Barrel. We had a great time. We had good conversation and Jocelyn had many moments that made us laugh. She sure does love her "Aunt Betty" and "Uncle Phil" and I know the opposite is true as well. Then this morning before I went to work and Jocelyn went to Mrs. Dee's I had Jocelyn give her the card from her. My mom thought it was so cute. Then I gave her my present (a set of light blue Frosty the Snowman fleece pajamas). Tonight my Aunt Helen and Uncle Gary visited from Springfield, MO, ( about 3.5 to 4 hours south of us) and we went and picked up some Church's Chicken and again enjoyed some great conversation. Jocelyn and aunt Helen played ball for quite some time and Jocelyn laughed the whole time.

Happy Birthday Mom and Grandma.

Happy 8 Month Gotcha Day Anniversary...

2008-11-17T21:24:00.003-06:00

Today is the 8 month anniversary of Jocelyn's Gothca Day. It is hard to belive that 8 months ago today I held my daughter for the first time. I got to hear her laugh for the first time. I got to hear her cry for the first time. I fell in love for a lifetime. She has changed so much in those eight months. I have changed so much in those eight months. She was in 12 month clothes at that time now she is in 24 month clothes. I was having to carry her everywhere at that time and how she walks (make that runs) everywhere. It seems like yesterday and in other ways it seems a lifetime ago. As one of my travel to China sisters Kimberly said "I would not trade these last eight months for anything"

Now on to some "funny business". A couple of days ago I stated how Jocelyn was pulling her pants down at daycare. Last night at home she started doing that again. Of course I ran to get the camera and take pictures. Maybe I should have got on to her instead but it was so funny I couldn't help it. Here is is standing up after she tried to pull up her pants. As you can see she hasn't quite mastered that task yet. I also noticed in the picture that her Mongolian spot is starting to fade away. The doctors said it should be completely gone by the time she is 3 to 5.

She decided that the task of pulling up her pants was hard work and she needed to take a siesta. As you can see the blankie is never far away.

Happy 8 Month Gotcha Day Anniversary to all in Travel Group 132.

Not feeling well...

2008-11-13T21:41:00.002-06:00

Last night Jocelyn started coughing and started having a runny nose. Dee said that it ran like a faucet today. Poor thing her nose is so red she could be mistaken for Rudolph. She is cranky and easily upset. I know that it is because she is sick. She seems to have lost some of her appetite, although she will drink anything you put in front of her which is good as she needs to take the fluids. So please pray that this is just a cold and will run its course quickly.

Jocelyn learned how to say baee (baby) today. She is so smart!!!!

Pants down Wednesday...

2008-11-12T20:37:00.002-06:00

Today when I picked up Jocelyn from Mrs. Dee she told me that Jocelyn has learned a new trick. I said "Great what is it?". She stated that Jocelyn is pulling her pants down and trying to take her diaper off. When she saw her doing this she told her to pull her pants back up. Which she did immediately. Dee turned her head for just a minute and when she turned back around Jocelyn had pulled her pants back down. She did this three times. I had to laugh at the picture that came to mind when Dee told me this. She has also learned how to unzip things. After her bath when I put her in her footed pajamas she will have them unzipped by the time she stands up after lying down while she is being dressed. She learns things so quickly that it is scary sometimes. I am going to have to pay much more attention to what I do and say when she is around me so that she doesn't pick up my bad habits.

God is good. My travel to China sister Jen D's daughter Lilli has been diagnosed with chicken pox and it is a very mild case. Hooray! Prayers have been answered.

Thankful Tuesday...

2008-11-11T21:55:00.004-06:00

Today I am thankful for my mom. She is the best mom in the world. She is loving, understanding, has a good sense of humor, Baptist, and patient just to name a few of her many great qualities. She has backed my decision to adopt 100% and has never waivered in her support. I have come to rely on her guidance with any questions that I have about being a first time mother. She will offer advice but leaves the final decision up to me. We have had a tough year and a half since we lost my dad to pancreatic cancer June 15, 2007. We have come out the other side and are able to smile and laugh again. We can also now talk about my dad and smile or chuckle at the memories that brings back.

I couldn't ask for a more loving and wonderful Grandmother for Jocelyn than the one she has. When you ask Jocelyn where her Grandma is she will run to her when she sees her. Jocelyn LOVES her Grandma.

Yesterday Jocelyn was 19 months old. I will post a new picture of mamas China doll to reflect her becoming a month older soon.

Please remember to thank God for your parents. They can be gone at any moment. Remember to tell them what they mean to you and how much you love them as often as you can. You never know when it will be the last time.

Jocelyn has learned a new word today. Buba (bubble). She is learning new words so fast.

So much fun in so little time.....

2008-11-08T22:35:00.004-06:00

Friday was game night at our church "New Covenant Baptist Church". We had a great time playing games and having a good time of fellowship. I was able to show mama who Aunt Betty and Uncle Phil were. She was so proud of me. Jocelyn loves her "blankie". We don't go anywhere without it. Isn't she adorable?

Grandma is playing Skipbo with other church members. Jocelyn had to go and check on Grandma a few times during the night just to make sure she was still there are doing ok. What can I play with over here?

Today Jocelyn and I went to a 1st birthday party for a little girl that is in her daycare by the name of Elizabeth. We had a good time and isn't she adorable?

Jocelyn is intently watching Elizabeth open presents to she what she could play with.

Jocelyn fell asleep in the car as soon as we left and slept all the way home. She played hard while we were there.

Guess what? We did more Christmas shopping today. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. We are close to being done though. She has also added a few new words to her vocabulary. She now says petty peez (pretty please) , ba (ball), a don (all gone), and uppy (cuppie). She is learning new words daily it seems.

A size bigger and Baby's 1st Christmas...

2008-11-05T21:15:00.004-06:00

Jocelyn is growing up so fast. Today I had to exchange a package of diapers for the next bigger size. I knew that eventually I would have to get a bigger size (but not this soooooon). She now wears size 4 diapers.

We did some more Christmas shopping today. Let me clarify I did some Christmas shopping and my mom tagged along. I was able to withdraw the money that I had in my Christmas club at work today. There is a tradition that I wanted to start where Jocelyn will get to pick out (when she is older) a Hallmark Ornament that shows what her interests are. I started that tradition with this ornament below. Isn't is cute as a button as the bottom of the ornament states. Now I know that this is not technically Jocelyn's first Christmas but it is the first one with me as her mama.

Thankful Tuedsays....

2008-11-04T20:39:00.004-06:00

Today I am thankful for hugs and kisses. Jocelyn is much more willing lately to give mama and Grandma hugs and kisses than she was before. I think that she is really secure that she is going to be loved and cared for. She is also more willing to hug and kiss mama or Grandma in front of other people too. She is becoming much more affectionate such as wanting to sit on our laps, wanting to sit next to us on the couch (and stay there for more than 5 seconds). It is a joy and an honor to be her mama. I wouldn't want or have it any other way.

Where's Mine?.....

2008-11-03T21:31:00.002-06:00

We have 3 dogs. Their names are Tarragon (the black Lhasa Apso), Nutmeg (the white and buff colored Cocker Spaniel) and Sage (the Golden Retriever/Lab mix). Notice a theme? Nutmeg, Sage, and Tarragon. Spices. We could call them the spice girls except Tarragon is the only girl. When they come in from doing their business outside we give them a treat. They know that when we go to and open one certain drawer that they are going to get a treat. Jocelyn has also learned that if she goes and "sits" she will also get a treat. A cookie or raisins from the pantry at the other end of the kitchen. She has now done this for about a week and it is so funny. We had to get pictures!!!!

Nutmeg is making sure that Jocelyn is sitting so that she can have her treat.

She sure can make a bad day easy to forget with the laughter and joy she brings into my life. I love her to pieces and will FOREVER.

Don' t forget to excercise your right and vote tomorrow.

Jocelyn's First Halloween...

2008-11-02T20:56:00.004-06:00

Here we are at home leaving to go to Antioch Bible Baptist's Church's Trunk or Treat. It was perfect weather.

We are now walking to get our place in line at Trunk or Treat. There were so many people !!!

Don't I look cute in my antenna's? I can't get them to stick straight up though.

Grandma and me. She is trying to make me smile or laugh for the picture by sticking out her tongue but I was too busy checking out all the other costumes. Mine was the best.

Mama was able to get one picture of most of my costume without me having my blankie or crying. I have to make mama happy once in a while. Don't I?

I got alot of candy and had a lot of fun. We went out to eat at Perkin's before I could have any candy though. I might try Trunk or Treat again next year.

Musician in the making?...

2008-10-30T20:31:00.002-05:00

My mom is taking piano lessons on Thursday nights so last night when she was practicing Jocelyn came up behind her and started playing the high notes. She then ran in a circle through the kitchen and living room and played the low notes. She got such a smile on her face when she was playing. My mom decided to sit her on her lap and let her play the piano. As you can see by this picture she is so focused on the piano book and the notes. It's like she has been playing for years.

Now she is asking how did I do mom. Do I need more practice or am I done? I of course said she did great and clapped my hands together.

As you can maybe tell in the top picture we had just gotten done with our bath so her hair was actually laying down instead of standing straight up. Maybe soon it will lay down on its own.

Help! The Ticklemonster has invaded our house...

2008-10-29T19:46:00.002-05:00

Jocelyn and I discovered a new and inexpensive game that is a lot of fun for her and I. We pretend that I am the "Ticklemonster" who is coming to tickle her silly. She lets out a big old belly laugh when the Ticklemonster finds her. Her favorite spots to tickle Jocelyn are the belly and the armpits. We can play this game for hours also and never get tired of it. The Ticklemonster can change colors depending upon the mood and fashion sense she wakes up with. I should patent this game I could make a fortune don't ya think.

Jocelyn will finish her antibiotics tomorrow (she takes medicine really well I must say) and I will be glad of that. She is doing so much better.

I am going to put the "Ticklemonster" back in her cage and I will let her out again soon. She needs her beauty sleep.

Thankful Tuesdays.....

2008-10-28T21:30:00.002-05:00

Today I am thankful for Mrs. Dee. She is the lady who watches Jocelyn for me every day during the week. Jocelyn loves her and holds out her arms for Mrs. Dee to take and hold her every morning. She watches 2 other children and has a 1 year old son herself. She keeps busy. She is only a mile from my house and it only takes 3 minutes to get there in the morning so it is convenient and close. She has been a blessing to me in my journey into motherhood and I don't have to worry because I know that Jocelyn is being well taken care of.

What a cool toy. Can you show me how it works Mrs. Dee? Peez.

I was able to get one picture of Jocelyn in her costume. She was ok as long as she got to have her "blankie". The minute I tried to take her "blankie" and take a picture she threw a fit. I hope to get some more and better pictures on Halloween.

I LOVE ladybugs. Especially this one. LOTS.

Christmas shopping before Halloween??...

2008-10-25T21:15:00.004-05:00

Yes we went Christmas shopping today. My mother wanted to get started as there were specific items she wanted to get Jocelyn. She wanted to make sure that she got them now and not later when they could be out of stock or hard to find. She got Jocelyn the Fisher Price 2 in 1 learning kitchen and the Fisher Price Little Super Star sound stage. She will love them. We have decided to concentrate on the reason for the season and not the materialism of the season. It is hard though because you want to give her everything she wants as this is the first Christmas she will be with us. We are going to keep some traditions that I had growing up such as we have to eat breakfast before we open presents (usually consisting of Pilsbury cinnamon rolls and hot choclate) and only one person at a time opens a present so that we can share in the joy of the person opening the gift. One new tradition that both my mom and I want to start with Jocelyn is to read the Christimas story from the Bible every year. My first Christmas as a mother (that still sounds strange to me).

Now on to Halloween. I have finally decided what costume Jocelyn is going to wear. Drumroll please. She is going to be a ladybug. We found the costume at a store that resells baby and toddler clothes, toys, etc. We got a black longsleeved t shirt and a pair of long black pants and black shoes today at Target/Walmart. She doesn't seem to like the "hooded feelers" and she keeps trying to pull them off. I hope that she will at least let me take pictures with the hood on. I will post them if I can get them.

Does this make me look cute mama ???

2008-10-23T20:14:00.002-05:00

This coat was given to Jocelyn by one of my friends and a co-worker named Karen. She found it at Macy's and said she just had to pick it up for Jocelyn. I think that she looks adorable in it and its PURPLE which is my favorite color. She is not quite sure what to make of the coat though. We have only tried it on once as it is not quite cold enough for her to wear it outside yet but it will be soon I'm sure. Jocelyn's ear and sinus infections are continuing to improve so she is ready to play, play, play. I will post pictures of the first time she has to wear it outside in the snow (not to soon I hope).

Peez and Tank U

2008-10-22T17:15:00.003-05:00

We are really working on Jocelyn saying please and Thank you when appropiate. She has said please or as she says "peez" for a couple of days now. Today she said thank you for the first time. Of course it came out "tank u" but we were excited. She is also trying to put her own shoes and socks on now. Of course the tries to put them on with the bottom of the shoe up. She then gets mad because she can't seem to get them on. Oh well at least she is trying to help mama save a little time in the morning. She now also likes to put my shoes on over hers and walk around the living room. She is so adorable when she does that. She now also dances as we watch "Dances with the Stars". Of course we always give her all 10's. She is becoming so independent.

Update on her ear infection and sinus infection...the cough has gone away and her runny nose has almost dried up too. She is well on her way to a full recovery. Thank you all for your prayers during her illness.

Thankful Tuesday's...

2008-10-21T21:19:00.004-05:00

Today I am thankful for sleep. Both Jocelyn and I were able to get a good nights sleep last night and she is doing so much better today. She has been sleepy and tired today per Dee (her babysitter) and took some cat naps today. She is doing really well at taking her medicines and doesn' t fight me or Dee when we give it to her. Jocelyn is still running a low grade fever and I have been giving her Children's Tylenol to keep that down. Her runny nose has stopped but she still has the cough which is sounding better today also. Mama was able to sleep from 9:30 pm to 5 am this morning and then I said I can lay here for another thirty minutes and the next time I looked at the clock it read 6:10 am. I had fallen back asleep. I know other parents told me to be prepared to get little or no sleep when you get your daughter and I knew that was case with newborns as they need to be fed every few hours. I never realized how little sleep matters when your child is ill or in pain and just wants you to comfort them. I have learned and am learning many new things about myself in this journey. The one that stands out from all the rest is how much I LOVE being Jocelyn's mama.

First ER visit...

2008-10-20T10:26:00.002-05:00

At around 12:30 am this morning Jocelyn woke up crying and screaming. When I went to get her she felt like she was on fire. I gave her a dose of Children's Motrin and took her temperature. It was 105 degrees. Yes 105 degrees. I called the nurseline at my work and was told to bring her into the emergency room. When we got there the triage nurse asked me questions and took her back to a room. When they did a rectal temp there it was down to 103 degrees. The doctor looked in her ear and her nose and she was diagnosed with a sinus infection and the very early stages of an ear infection. We then went to a 24 hr CVS Pharmacy and picked up the antiobiotic they prescribed. By the time we got home it was 2:30 am and we were TIRED. She was so good at the emergency room. She didn't fight when they took the rectal temp and didn't fuss when he looked in her ears and nose. She made mama proud. She slept in until 8 am which she NEVER does. She seems to feel better today and her temperature is continuing to go down. May this be the first of very few visits to an emergency room. Mama needs sleep !!!!!

Party Anyone....

2008-10-19T20:13:00.003-05:00

The reason for the party is that Jocelyn only woke up once last night and it was for only about five minutes and then she went back to sleep so we were able to get a good nights sleep. Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!! Today has been a very busy day as we went to church and then out to lunch with some friends. We each took about an hour nap when we got home and then went back to church at 4:30 pm so that mom and grandma could go to choir and practice the Christmas Cantata and Jocelyn played in the church nursery with "Aunt" Betty and Mrs. Linda. We then went to the grocery store on the way home from church and picked up a few things. It was 7:15 pm when we got home and Jocelyn fell asleep next to grandma on the couch. I think that she is making up for the sleep she lost the last 4 nights. Mommy intends to catch up too.

7 Months Ago Today....

2008-10-17T20:32:00.003-05:00

Today is the 7 month anniversary of Jocelyn's Gotcha Day. It is hard to believe that Jocelyn has been with me for 7 months already. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in other ways it seems that we have always been together. This is the one of the first pictures of Jocelyn that I received. I can't believe how much she has changed in just 7 months. I'm also amazed each day how much stronger my love for her grows.

I remember the first time I got to hold Jocelyn and smell her and touch her. It is a memory that I will never forget and I know that the other "Forever Families" made on that day will never forget it either.

Update on Jocelyn's cold. She has a very runny nose and is starting to cough so maybe the cold is starting to break up and go on its merry way.

Happy 7 Month Gotcha Day Anniversary to all in travel group 132.

So this is what sleep looks like....

2008-10-16T20:33:00.002-05:00

So this is what sleep looks like. I wouldn't know as I have not had a lot of sleep the past couple of nights. Jocelyn has decided that she is supposed to get up between 11 pm and midnight and stay up till 1:30 am. She will ususally take her cuppie and may "guzzle" the whole thing or push it away and then she starts to cry and between her and I we calm her down and then she will grab her blankie and suck on it for a while and then fall back to sleep. I have tried to give her something to drink right before she goes to bed but it doesn't seem to help. She has done this for the past 3 nights. She is not feeling well and is on the road to recovery so maybe I can get some sleep tonight. I know that we would both feel better if we could get a good night sleep This picture was taken on "Gotcha Day" in China. (March 17, 2008). Doesn't she look like an angel when she sleeps?

Oh boy new snacks

2008-10-15T21:01:00.004-05:00

Jocelyn has a snack when we get home from daycare to tide her over until dinner. Usually raisins, apple slices, granola bars, etc. She loves Teddy Grahams (honey flavor). Well when we went to the store last week they had banana flavored Teddy Grahams. She loves them. They are very tasty if I do say so myself. We are working on saying please and thank you and tonight at dinner she said please for the first time and my mom and I started clapping and cheering. Of course we were in a restaurant at the time and the other diners looked at us like we were losing it. Jocelyn's cold seems to be getting better and I am starting to see the dimples more and more.

Thankful Tuesday's

2008-10-14T21:16:00.003-05:00

If my travel to China sister Jen D doesn't mind I would like to borrow one of her ideas to say what we are thankful for one day of the week. I think that I will use Tuesday's. So you may be wondering what I am thankful for and the answer is dimples. Why may you ask is the answer dimples? Because the only time that I see Jocelyn's dimples is when she has a full smile on her face or is having a good belly laugh. In other words she is happy and full of life and knows that she is loved and cherished. Unfortunately right now she is battling a cold and is not feeling well so we are seeing less of the dimples right now. But I know that soon they will come back full force and once again I will remember to thank God for dimples.

Is anyone missing some "hats"?

2008-10-13T21:07:00.005-05:00

She has found that mixing bowls are great hard hats when you are playing real hard and don't want to get hurt. She has the same hat in many different sizes. Unfortunately they only come in white at the store she buys them at.

We are letting her try to feed herself and get used to holding a spoon and fork. In this picture she is eating rice with butter and was getting frustrated that she couldn't get the rice on the spoon. She decided that tipping the bowl over and letting the rice fall on the tray to her highchair was easier and finished the meal with her fingers. She also decided that the bowl is supposed to go on top of her head when you are closed to finished with the meal.

Growing Up and Jingle Jars

2008-10-12T14:25:00.002-05:00

At church we have what we refer to as a Jingle Jar. It is a 5 gallon glass jug that we have sitting in a wooden stand that we put what "jingles" in our pockets namely quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies in there. We then use this money to buy what is needed for the church. Jocelyn's Sunday School class gives their offering via the jingle jar that is located in the foyer of our church. The kids form a single file line and take the money and put it in the jingle jar. Of course Jocelyn has to be lifted up to put her money in. If she sees me while they are in the foyer she will start crying and come to me to pick her up and hold her. Well, today for the first time when she saw me she ran to me and gave me a kiss (this is also new for her she was always the receiver and not the giver) and when I told her that she needed to go back to class with Mrs. Betty she walked to Mrs. Betty and gave her her hand and went to class. I was so proud and sad at the same time. She is growing up way too fast.

The Great Outdoors

2008-10-11T22:20:00.005-05:00

Today we went to Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch in Liberty and we had a great time. The weather was perfect and it was a gorgeous day. She was so tired when we left that she fell asleep as soon as we put her in her car seat.

Jocelyn got to try a pumpkin donut for the first time today and she loved it and wanted more.

She got to ride a train for the first time today and was unsure of what to think. Of course it didn't help when the guide had everyone scream when as we went through the tunnel.

She got to feed and pet the animals.