Happy Two-Year Referral Anniversary!

Two years ago today, on August 25th 2006, Mama and Baba got "the call" they had anticipated for so long. Our adoption coordinator Julia called to tell them that a baby in China was destined to be their daughter. And that baby was me! Within a few hours, Julia sent them the following pictures of me.

They spent the next few weeks getting prepared for their trip to China. Mama said that she could hardly sleep during that time. She carried my pictures everywhere. And my nannies began to prepare me to meet my forever family. What a wonderful day that referral day was for Mama and Baba because they knew for sure that they would meet me soon. And my nannies began to explain to me that I would soon be in the arms of a Mama and Baba who would love me my entire life.

We also would like to encourage the waiting families out there. We know it's a tough wait, but your day will come. And the wait will be just a memory. Our thoughts remain with you always.

Happy Birthday Pop Pop!

Today, my Pop Pop turned 76 years old! He, Grandma and Aunt Doe came up and spent the weekend with us. We started off with an excellent dinner at Siri Thai on Friday night, did some shopping and other fun things on Saturday, and then on Sunday, we went to brunch at one of our favorite places - The Last Resort. Here we are sitting outside waiting for them to open on Sunday morning.

Pop Pop and I went walking through downtown Athens while we were waiting for them to open.

Thank goodness it was only 10:45 AM because otherwise, it would have been way too hot!

Ooh, is that a puppy I see? I love when people walk their dogs downtown.

Here we are sitting on a bench outside - Grandma, Pop Pop, Doe and me.

I'm getting a little bored and very hungry. It's time to relax on Baba.

Grandma and Doe are all smiles.

I really did enjoy their visit this weekend. I'm so happy to spend time with my Pop Pop.

He always likes playing with me. And reading to me too!

Mama and Baba went out on a "date night" after I fell asleep on Saturday. Here they are all dressed up. They enjoyed a delicious dinner at Harry Bissett's and a movie.

Happy Birthday Pop Pop! We enjoyed your visit.

I Love When My Xavier Visits

We had another great weekend! My brother Xavier was able to come up and visit us. Here I am pictured with him outside of where Baba works. We are in the UGA Gardens (same place we visited last week except this time we were there to help decorate Baba's new office).

And another shot of us. It's difficult to get two kids with the bright sun in their faces to smile and keep their eyes wide open at the same time!

And here is a shot of the gardens from Baba's office building. Unfortunately, his office doesn't overlook them. But, they are just a few feet away.

And here I am helping straighten up his office.

And Xavier and I decided to hang out on the sofa for awhile.

We went back out to the gardens and took some additional pictures.

Here's another one!

And then we went to Doc Chey's to have some delicious Asian food. This is how I look BEFORE the food is served. :) I am hungry and thirsty.

And here I am being silly during the meal.

And another silly face.

And Xavier is wondering WHY Baba is taking pictures while people are eating!

There we go - he's smiling now.

A lot of people always ask about Mama's necklace, so Baba took a close-up of it. It was one she bought in China, and the Mandarin characters on it mean "mother to a girl". It is one of her favorite necklaces. And that's a yummy piece of teriyaki udon tofu she has there in her chopsticks.

It's time for another Mei-Ling funny face.

And finally, Xavier turns the camera on Baba.

No visit to downtown Athens is ever complete without going into the Junkman's Daughter's Brother. It has something for everyone. Here I am sitting in the palm of a big blue hand. Xavier is next to me sitting in a purple one.

Even at two years old, I know that a picture of me sitting in a hand will be hilarious.

Later in the day, Xavier wanted to go roller skating. Mama and Baba said it gave them flashbacks to elementary and junior high school. The funny thing is, Mama was skating before Baba was even born since she's 7 years older than him. Here is Xavier out on the floor (and he had no idea what Mama and Baba meant when they kept telling him "No Parking On The Dance Floor" and laughing.)

Mama and I decided to sit this one out. This is my "that flash is way too bright" face. I did get up and dance a bit while Xavier was skating but the loud music and flashing lights were a bit overstimulating for me.

Xavier had a great time. Mama and Baba had some fun too playing arcade games from when they were kids (yes, they had working Galaga and Ms. Pacman machines!!!). If they only had Tron, Centipede, Frogger and Donkey Kong, they would have been REALLY happy. There were plenty of songs to make them reminisce too.

After we took Xavier back home on Sunday, Mama treated me to something that I really, really enjoy -- a pedicure!!!! Right now, she does them for me instead of having me go to a salon. I do enjoy picking my polish color and having my toes look pretty. This time I chose "Cozu-Melted In The Sun" by OPI. It's a pretty, glittery coral color that doesn't show up to well in this picture. And yes, I am turning out to love all things "girly." My Mama just has no idea where I am getting the love of shoes, purses, lip gloss, jewelry and pedicures from. ;)

Well, that's it for now. Grandma, Pop Pop and Doe are coming up this next weekend, so we will definitely have some additional pictures to share! Also, I have a special message for Aunt Kim - we love you!

The University of Georgia Gardens

This past weekend, we went to the University of Georgia gardens. Of course it was nearly 100 degrees outside with typical Georgia humidity, so we didn't stay too long. But we did get some good pictures of us and of the beautiful gardens. Here is one of me with Mommy.

And another location. Aren't those plants and flowers beautiful?

And here is one of Baba with me. He works very close to these beautiful gardens on the UGA campus.

And here we are with BIG smiles, as I'm saying "cheese."

Extreme close-up time!

And here is a nice overview of the many different species featured at the gardens.

After being out in the heat, nothing is better to cool off with than a Chick-Fil-A lemonade. I really enjoyed playing there too.

And I am no longer afraid of climbing up into the playscape by myself! I had a GREAT time.

And here I am inside the big yellow climbing tube.

I am really looking forward to this weekend. My big brother Xavier is coming up for a visit, and I always enjoy spending time with him. We'll take some good pictures to share! Zai jian!

Wow, Is July Gone Already?

July was a busy month! Mama and Baba celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary. Thanks to our friends Lee and Judy for spending some time with me so Mama and Baba could go out on a "date night." And, I am potty trained now!!! Mama and Baba are so proud of me. And I like being a big girl. I am also drinking exclusively from a cup (no more sippies) and I am enjoying using complete sentences almost all of the time now. I can name just about every animal that exists and can even correctly say words like hippopotamus and platypus. I am enjoying being able to recognize most letters of the alphabet and can distinguish my own name from other words. Mama and Baba say that I am growing up fast. What a long way I've come since October 9, 2006 when they first met me in China.

Our pictures this time are pretty random. Here is one of Baba enjoying his anniversary gift a few weeks early. Mama treated him to a parasailing adventure while we were at Siesta Key. Here he is on the boat on the way to his adventure.

And here he is up in the air. He had a great time.

Mama's anniversary present included some much-needed spa time, so there are no pictures of that. We also had some professional photos taken while we were at Siesta Key. They were taken by Mama's friend and former coworker, Barbara Banks. She is a photographer in Sarasota, Florida, and can be found at www.barbarabanks.com.

Barbara is a very talented photographer and does everything from family portraits to editorial as well as corporate photo shoots. So here is one of Mama, Baba and I sitting in some sea grass at Siesta Key.

And one of all of us, including Grandma and Pop Pop.

We also stood in some very tall grasses and shrubs. These were taken at the public beach at Siesta Key which has all sorts of background scenery.

And here we were on the beach for a beautiful Gulf sunset. We love the way the sun sets over the water on the west coast of Florida.

I enjoyed finding shells while Miss Barbara was taking my picture.


And finding other interesting sea life.

My Grandma and Pop Pop have been married for almost 53 years. This is a great picture of them.

And one of my Mama and Baba with me.

I found some very interesting flowers and such in the sea grass.

I really had fun running through the grass.

Barbara shot hundreds of photos of us, but these are some of our favorites. Those of you who may want copies of some of these - you know how to get in touch with us.

Well, that's all for now. We will be posting pictures soon of our visit to the University of Georgia gardens this past weekend. We have some beautiful shots. Meanwhile, we are just enjoying our time here in Athens before school starts back and the crowds associated with football season begin pouring into town each weekend (especially since the Bulldogs are ranked #1 right now).