Super Bowl "Monday"

Every year we try to find a place to watch the Super Bowl. This year we didn't have to look far. We watched it in our own living room! Matt brought the projector home from work, we hooked it up to the TV, and were able to watch the Super Bowl on what must have been the biggest "screen" in town. We had several friends come over to watch it with us. We all pitched in to make a great breakfast as we watched it Monday morning. Great food. Great friends. A great game!

Vera got her first haircut today! The ends of her hair were really dry, and she definitely needed a trim. When I told Matt I was going to do it, he kept asking, "Are you sure you want to do this?" I only took about an inch off the back. I didn't dare touch the rest of it. The front is still so much shorter than the back that I'm sure there are many more trims to come before she needs a "real" haircut.


















Taking a little off the back... I only posted this picture because it has my belly in it. Mom keeps asking whether or not I'm showing yet. I definitely am, but I don't know that you can really tell in this pic. Our local friends have all starting patting my belly when they see me.

















From the front...

















...and from the back.

















And one little chunk to save.

Preschool

Vera started preschool at the beginning of January. We had previously had a woman that came to our home and watched her in the afternoons while I went to the orphanage. Well, I got tired of having someone else here everyday, so we decided instead to have Vera attend a Chinese preschool in the mornings. She goes for three hours four mornings a week and loves it! She comes home each day repeating Chinese phrases while she plays, obviously something she heard someone say that day. Soon, her Chinese is going to be better than mine!

I'm REALLY enjoying having the house to myself again. We've tried several times since moving here to hire someone to help with Vera and housework so that I can have a little time at the orphanage, and each time I feel the same way...THRILLED when they're gone! I could write a whole post about that. I'll save you from having to hear! Anyway, I really LOVE cleaning my own house. I love that for the two mornings that I don't go to the orphanage, I can have some time alone in a quiet home. I feel so much more refreshed, my house feels so much more clean, and I feel like I've got more energy and desire to do fun things with Vera after her afternoon nap.

Here are a couple of pictures from her first day at school.

Walking out the door...


















She was the second child there her first day. Didn't make for a very good picture. There are about 12 kids in her class.


















After coming home... "Oh, I'm exhausted!"

Painting

Vera has been doing a lot of painting lately! She absolutely loves to paint! Here are some pics and a video.

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone had a great Christmas. Each year since having a child celebrating Christmas has become more and more fun. We are VERY excited to announce that next year we will have TWO children to celebrate with! We are expecting our second child in late June! For those of you who knew us before Vera was born, you may remember that she had a nickname--Spike! Well, one night while on a date, we named this baby as well--Baby Bo! Gotta love it!

Here are a few pictures from Christmas.

We invited some friends over for dinner on Christmas Eve. I'm a little disappointed that the leftovers are almost gone, because it sure was a yummy meal!


















Vera just before she got to dump the contents of her stocking and start tearing into them!























Our family pic before opening presents.


















"Oh, yeah! A new stroller and doll! Now I can get practice for taking care of Baby Bo!"























Coloring with new crayons and coloring book. It looks like V's going to be a lefty like her daddy!


















Family picture after opening presents. A little people barn and school bus, some games for Vera and us, several new books, new dresses, and more.


















After taking afternoon naps, we went bowling.


















"Oh, no. Not another gutter ball!"


















And finally, Vera ended the day with her first bubble bath. She got really mad when we told her it was time to get out!


















We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!

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She really is growing up!

I can't believe it! TRULY! Last night when it was time for Vera to go to bed, she asked for her nuk-nuk (pacifier). I told her she was a big girl and didn't need her nuk-nuk anymore. I hadn't even really planned to do that. I just figured I'd say it and see what her response was. She cried for about two seconds and then slept through the night. She just asked for it before her nap. I told her the same thing. She didn't even seem disappointed, much less cry. For the last two years and two months I've been trying to figure out how I was going to end her relationship with her pacifier. I never EVER though it could possibly be so easy.