Fun in the Sun

Yesterday we had a fun sun-filled day at the pool. We met up with our friends Roberta & Tyler. Leila loves to swim! Today we went walking in the stroller & had a cookout with our friends Kelly, Cassidy, Cara & Tommy. Leila loves playing with everyone.


On the swings with Daddy-this was Camden's swing from 2004!


Ryan, Roberta, Leila, Camden & Tyler at the pool club




Perfect Summer Day


Tommy, Kelly, Cara, Leila & Cara- what a nice picture!


Leila & her woobie with Cassidy


Cara snuggling with Leila

Getting Settled In

Many people have told me that the first week or two home are a total blur. I now know exactly what they are talking about! Leila's doing great. We're finally going to bed in the evening instead of the morning. (although she still wants to go to bed around 6:30,we are trying to stretch it a bit). Some nights are better than others but she always manages to be smiley & adorable. The boys have all been helpful-it makes a big difference when there's someone to grab you a toy, diaper,etc. We've had a few visitors this week & Leila's loved meeting some of her family & new friends! We've been home a week and look forward to enjoying the Summer & introducing Leila to her family & friends!

Pretty girl showing off her pretty dress


She loves playing with her toys


Hanging out with cousins Ava & JJ


At the Pool Club with Uncle Jason, JJ, Camden & Ava


Getting a bubbie from her Godmother, Regina. As you can see Mia is always watching Leila!



Regina & Leila



Beautiful girls in their new pink dresses. CeCe & Ella came up with these poses all on their own. Glamour Girls!

Home Finally!

We arrived home on Thursday night around midnight-thrilled to be home & totally exhausted. My Mom met us at the airport, thrilled to meet her newest grandchild. NECN was also there to do a follow-up on a segment we had done in May regarding the long wait and process of Chinese Adoption. Leila had just vomited her bottle all over me and Mike & I had such big bags under our eyes they almost were counted as part of our luggage:) Today is our third day home and we are still trying to adjust to the time change. The boys love their new baby sister and have been a big help playing with her-but not yet volunteering for diaper change duty.

Uncle Artie, Grandma & Leila, Daddy, Mia, Camden, Ryan & Luis



Leila & big brother Ryan in the jumpy-she loves it


Leila & big brother Logan


Leila & Daddy


Leila & big bother Camdenp



In her walker with her woobieo


Playing with her toys & our puppy Mia who follows her everywhere. Mia's been great with her & we've been sure to give her some extra TLC because she's a little jealous:)

On our way back to the USA!!

We're making our way back to the USA and we can't wait to get home! We miss our family & friends and all the comforts of home. We especially miss our 3 boys who have been cared for by their grandmas & grandpa while we were away. I have a feeling they're awaiting our return as well:)


A very good friend gave us this special little ladybug which I've carried during our trip for good luck. Only about 20 hours left!

Red Couch Part 2

Daddy, Leila & Mommy





Daddy & his little girl





Leila loves her toes-can't blame her I love them too!





Yippeee-pictures are over!

Red Couch

I thought this momentous event deserved it's own post. It is a tradition to take pictures with your group on one of the red couches at The White Swan Hotel. It's funny, for years I thought there was only one when in fact there are many:)

Big sister Jillian, Claire, Adley & Leila.







Claire, Adley & my little Buddha Belly.





Moms, Daddy & Babes!

Last Day at White Swan

Today is our last day in Guangzhou at The White Swan Hotel. We loved our time here but are so excited to head home!

Good morning sleepyhead. I thought ladybugs were appropriate for our last day here:)


Military exercise in streets of Guangzhou


Shopkeeper playing classic Chinese Flute. It had such a beautiful sound.

US Consulate

Yesterday Leila Meimiao became a US Citizen! She wore her stars & stripes!

On our way with my little giggle girl.


Mommy & Leila after we took our oath. We were so happy to be done with this portion of our journey.

The Open Market

The other day we went to the open market which included a pet market & a medicine market. It was very interesting:)




The Open Market



All types of tiny turtles.


Lizards on a stick used for medicinal purpose?


Big scorpions! Yikes!!


Lots of tiny super active scorpions!

Sweet Pictures

We just can't get enough. We are discovering new things about her everyday.

So peaceful. This is one of my favorites.


Leila & Adley hanging out. They are from the same SWI. Leila is 22 days older than Adley. They're already sharing hair accessories! So cute!



This is the smile we love! She babbles the whole time. Sound familiar?!

Precious Baby Girl

I know this picture is sideways but I forgot to rotate it (hahaha) It's Adoption Barbie! They gave these to every adoptive family at the White Swan Hotel! How fun!!



Playing in her PJ's


All Smiles!


Daddy with Laila & Leila:) Laila is 11 months and will live in California

We're at The White Swan Part 2

Since we can only post a few pictures at a time here are a few more:

Daddy, Mommy & Leila at The White Swan



Beautiful parks & walkways in Guanzhou


The gang waiting for our babies' physicals

We're at The White Swan!

For all of you that aren't familiar, The White Swan Hotel in Guanzhou, China is an icon. It's so beautiful and completely different from our last destination, Nanchang. Nanchang gave us the experience of culture and the authentic flavor of "Old World China" (although there is construction going on 24/7 throughout that city). The White Swan in Guanzhou was built in 1983 and is a classic beautiful hotel. To keep up with the rapid modernization of China it will actually close for a year in September. We are so glad we made it here before it closed. Leila's doing great although she had a tough time on the flight from Nanchang to Guanzhou. She has been tugging at her ear all week and after screaming on the airplane my suspicions of an ear infection were confirmed today at the medical clinic. It worked out well that we had our Visa Physical scheduled for this morning. Tomorrow we're off to do a little sight seeing and a little shopping. :)


Leila, Mommy & the doctor at the Medical Office. (He actually wanted this picture on his cell phone too) funny!






Leila being a trooper!

Location:Cedar St,,United States