Another Great Weekend!

We attended a wonderful conference Friday night about adoption. Mama and Baba attended a panel discussion and listened to the stories of many adult adoptees. They said that they learned a lot and really appreciated these individuals' taking the time to answer questions and help them to learn what to do and what not to do when I get older! While they were in the conference, I spent time with my mentor, Ji In, and watched a Japanese anime movie called "My Neighbor Totoro." Mama was very excited about me meeting Totoro, because she is a fan of Japanese anime (in fact, in addition to being named after the former First Lady of China, Soong Mei-Ling, Mama was also thinking of an anime character named Mei-Ling when she and Baba chose my name). Then on Saturday, we went shopping. Our friend Sharon (at GC Computer's at the Georgia Square Mall in Athens), who is from China, bought me the most beautiful balloon! It is a big, clear balloon with ivy on it, but it then has smaller balloons inside to form a flower and a butterfly. Isn't it gorgeous? You can't see it as good here, but you will in the next pictures. Oh, and yes - that is my Halloween pumpkin. It is one of my favorite things in the world. I realize it's almost May. I'll just keep playing with it until NEXT Halloween.

Here's a better shot of my balloon, Baby Yang in her stroller, and of course my pumpkin.

Don't you just love how the butterfly is on top of the flower? Miss Sharon was so kind to get this for me.

And here is a close-up of my beautiful balloon.

Now, Mama and Baba have something important they want to say. From the moment they met me in China, people have been so kind, gracious and generous to us. People in China would come up to Mama and Baba and thank them so much for adopting me and tell them how lucky I am. And since we have been home in America, any time they meet a Chinese person, they do the same thing. I have received so many beautiful things from Chinese friends and acquaintances Mama and Baba have met. Mama, Baba and I really do appreciate how hard Chinese Americans work to help me to feel included in Chinese culture and to help me remember things like how to speak Mandarin. It means so much to all of us that you are so accepting of our family and so supportive of us. In fact, even Chinese "strangers" never remain that way for long. Just last weekend we went to eat at a Chinese restaurant in Mama's hometown. The hostess spent almost the entire meal with us - feeding me, talking to me, playing with me. We never meet a Chinese "stranger." In restaurants, in shopping malls - it really touches our hearts how much love and kindness we are shown. And the Asian Children's Mentor Program are another great example of college students who dedicate their time and love to helping Asian children to remain tied to their culture.

But Mama and Baba also want to remind everyone of one thing: I am not the only fortunate one. Mama and Baba say that they are really the lucky ones to have me. We all remain so grateful to the People's Republic of China and to the people who are from there. We are truly all united in love and fellowship.

Happy Birthday To My Grandma!

This past weekend, we visited Grandma and Pop Pop to celebrate her birthday. We didn't end up with any pictures of Grandma and Pop Pop, because everyone was busy taking pictures of me and forgot to get any of them! It's always fun when I visit their house, because they have all sorts of fun things to play with. Here I am with a stethoscope, a flashlight, a Mardi Gras mask and beads - all at once! Mama is smiling because she knows that these things get to remain at Grandma's house. Oh, and do you see those new hot pink Crocs? I love them!

Grandma showed me how to use the stethoscope. And no, I'm not trying to check Xavier's heart, silly. I'm checking for bowel sounds. Well, OK - I suppose I will admit that I am a little bit confused as to where the heart is really located. I'm only two you know.

I think Xavier sounds just fine.

Baba is watching us and is probably trying to communicate to Mama with his eyes, asking her not to take his picture. And Mama is pretending to not get the "message".

We had a great weekend. I was able to spend time with Xavier, Grandma, Pop Pop, and Doe and then went to a baby shower in honor of my cousin Jennifer. We had a really good time - especially eating spicy hot shrimp at Longhorn and then Hunan tofu at a pretty "authentic" Chinese restaurant. I love my spicy food! That's why girls from Chongqing are called "spicy girls!" We are born loving that kind of food.

This coming weekend, we will attend an adoption seminar at the university, and I get to watch my first Japanese anime film! I can't wait to meet Totoro and spend some time with my mentor Ji In! Mama has talked about Totoro a lot since she is a fan of anime. We'll be back to let you know how much fun we had.

And Here Are Our Easter Pictures

This was my second Easter. Last year, we spent the weekend with Mimi, Poppy, Aunt Kim, Uncle Buck, Will and Jack in Tennessee. But this year, we spent Easter at home with Grandma, Pop Pop and Aunt Doe. I don't remember much about last year, so I was pretty surprised when I woke up to this thing:

Hmmm. It looks interesting. I wonder what it is?

What am I supposed to do with it?

Oh, rip it open. I can definitely do that! And look at all the "stuff" inside!

Wow, books, puzzles, bathtub crayons, a baby doll, flash cards, plastic eggs and a lot of plastic grass. I like it!

The toys are really nice, but I REALLY like this plastic grass. For some reason Mommy thinks it will be all over the house soon. :)

I think the grass would be more fun to play with OUTSIDE the basket.

My Mommy thinks I have the cutest little feet that are now surrounded by plastic eggs.

I am really concentrating on that grass and those eggs.

I'm just taking a moment to say "thank you" and tell Mama and Baba how much I like the basket full of stuff!

I just LOVE flash cards. I'm glad I have a whole new pack of them to play with.

And once again, Pandora looks around the corner only to find that the Easter Bunny did not leave anything for her. :( She mumbles to herself, "I must be a better kitty this year."

Baba and I take some time to go through the flash cards.

And since it's really cold outside this morning, I am hunting eggs inside!

Yes, it's a big basket. But I can manage just fine. I found all my eggs too!

See, Pop Pop - I found them all!

I love putting puzzles together with Baba.

Wow, Pop Pop solved the puzzle on his first try!

Well, that's it for now. We will be in Macon this coming weekend to celebrate my Grandma's birthday and to attend a baby shower for my cousin Jennifer. We will take plenty of pictures! Zai jian!