Cliff Notes

Bill and I often discuss how we will talk to Emily about her adoption and about the birds and the bees. Such delicate subjects to bring up and talk about openly and honestly. We want Emily to feel comfortable asking us about EVERYTHING without us getting all squirmy. Well, it seems as though it was all for naught. We have accomplished both within the last two weeks. Here is how we survived the talks.

While eating supper we usually have the TV off and just some soft background music on. You know, to promote communication and all that stuff. Well Emily wanted to talk about opposites. Okey dokey! She starts with "what is the opposite of off?" We say "on!" Then "what is the opposite of over?" We say "under!" It goes on for awhile...opposite of in, light, top, etc. Then she throws in "what is the opposite of BANG?" Huh??? Bill and I reply at the exact same time--Bill says "celibacy" and I say "abstinence". T-riffic, sex talk done!!! Glad that's over. Not nearly as hard as we thought it would be.

Next. Emily likes to hear about her adoption story. She loves us to say how much we prayed to God for a sweet baby girl. She loves to repeat back "my China mom and dad could not take care of me so I needed a new real mom and dad(her words). So God said I have a sweet baby girl for you. She needs a mommy and a daddy to take care of her and to love her. And you need a baby daughter to love and take care of. So he made us a happy family forever." She loves, loves, loves to hear this over and over!!! Recently, she cut out a few details and repeated this story to us. "once upon a time there was a mommy and a daddy who needed a baby girl and I was in China and I needed a mommy and daddy and you came to China and God said I SPY AN EMILY here you go here is your baby daughter." We just about died laughing. Another milestone. And to think we were worried. We'll have to let other adoptive families know how easy that was!

Now onto something entirely different. We were watching the Wizard of Oz the other day. Sometimes Emily likes it, sometimes not so much. Depends on how much WITCH she can take. You all will probably have to watch the movie very closely because we totally would have missed it if she hadn't pointed it out. When the house lands on top of the witch and her legs curl up and suddenly disappear under the house-this is the part-watch carefully next time. Emily says "oh that poor ZEBRA the house squasheded him poor thing!" Bwahahahahahaha! And you thought there were only flying monkeys in that movie! Pshaw!

At four years old, she continues to amaze and inspire us. Baby love. Nothing better.

Pictures

I found the lipstick mommy! Sick baby. Crafting with Nina! Lunch time! Camping with Daddy-Free Music! Ready for school!

Going for the mail!

Practical Emily

Is it too soon to think about Christmas? No? Good! Little Miss Em has been pondering those same thoughts. Four year old little girls love all things sparkly, princessy, and girly-twirly. We expected nothing less from our little one.

Emily obviously has other plans. Here is what she will be asking Santa to bring her.

1. A blue see through acrylic toilet seat for her bathroom.

2. A bathroom vanity for her bedroom.

3. A new ceiling fan that looks like a flower for her room.

4. A clock that says "it's seven o'clock, can you wake up".

No frills here. Pure practicality.

The blue toilet seat? Because it's blue. My favorite color. And it's see through!!! Jeepers!!

The bathroom vanity for the bedroom? Because it has doors. I can put books and things in it. And I can fit inside it. And close the doors! And, and, and it has a sink!!!!

The ceiling fan that looks like a flower? Because it's sooo pretty!

The clock? Because it tells you things and when to wake up!

Oh, in case you forget Emily? Highly unlikely!!!!!

The girl is very, very practical. Functionality here people. Riley said she still has time to ask for vinyl replacement windows!!! Hee hee!

We can't wait for her to sit on Santa's lap this year! I wish we could record it. We told her it was a very good list. I guess a gift certificate to Lowe's is in order?

Now for the language skills:

E. "Mommy this is tupendous!"

Me. "Emily, it's SSSSStu-pendous."

E. "oh, like one pendous, two pendous, three pendous."

Me. Bwahahahahahaha

Teaching moment-GONE! Laughter is really much better! And last, but not least.....

"Mommy I definate love you!"

My God we love her!!!

Remembering 9/11

Remembering to be thankful.

Proud

Rest in Peace Ted. We are proud to have lived in Massachusetts and proud to be Democrats. We will teach our little one how great a family the Kennedys are and how great a state Massachusetts is!

Our sympathies to the Kennedy family .

Sunrise Sunset

July 2007

July2009

June2007

June2009

Where has our baby gone. Look at how all her baby-ness has been shed. She is a little girl!!! She has changed right before our eyes-literally! We can't believe she is FOUR already. Make it stop.

Some things she has said lately:

1. Oh my God, I think I'm in trouble! (as she reached the top of a rope ladder and couldn't quite make the leap over)

2. Good night you both! (heard on the monitor at bedtime)

3. Oh good lord, who's gonna clean this mess. (surveying her playtime mess)

4. You stay in the kitchen mommy I'm gonna do my bills.

5. I'm too tired for sleep I think I need new batteries.

6. Can I have some coffee please?

7. I think I need a cuddle.

She says so many cute things and sometimes things she shouldn't say. We have to stifle our laughs lots of times! She was having a time out this week, she really doesn't care for them, and she tries to bargain her way out. She's at the table and we were right by her side in the kitchen telling her she cannot be fresh. So she says, "I'm sorry mommy. Okay? You're a genius!" She knows exactly what she's doing.

SCORE

Emily 3,578 Mom and Dad 0

I TOLD YOU SHE WAS BRILLIANT!

Ooooooops!

Let's see....what have we missed....oh yeah. Happy Valentine's Day, Happy President's Day , Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Easter, Happy Mother's Day, Happy Memorial Day, Happy Flag Day, Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday to everyone. Oh, and Happy all the Jewish Holidays too. So very sorry for not posting pictures or stories for awhile. I will be posting again soon though. So stay tuned. For now I found these videos in my stash. You will not believe how much Emily has changed. Here are the links :http://www.photoshow.com/watch/IR5yr2Er . http://www.photoshow.com/watch/mw5wA8GD . http://www.photoshow.com/watch/ST3Kg2Yh .Change really has come. I promise, promise, that I will update with more recent photos. After all, this baby is now FOUR YEARS OLD! It's hard to believe that this little sweetheart is now capable of saying "mommy this cat is being a ping of the ask"! I don't know where she gets that from!