Vera's Dinnertime Video

I think I have the videos figured out now. Since we can't actually watch Google videos in China, I haven't tested it, but hopefully all is well...

Vera thinks that she has learned two words that get her anything she wants...or doesn't want. When she says "please" she expects she will get what she wants, and when she says "bu yao" (that means "don't want" in Chinese) that means she will refuse whatever it is that is being offered. Here's a short video we took at dinner tonight. Vera definitely didn't want her water. She also demonstates a little something we've been working on...we think she's pretty cute... I guess we have to feel that way though...she is our daughter...

Dinner with Vincent

Meet Vincent. He recently moved here from Guangzhou to work for Future Hope. He lives alone nearby, so he's become a frequent dinner guest.















"Vincent, I'm not really fond of cucumbers. Would you please eat them for me?"















"Vincent, HELP ME! Daddy's coming after me with the salad tongs!"















"Oh, come on. You can eat one more, cucumber, can't you?"

Date Night

This last Friday night Matt and I spent our first night away from Vera. We had been planning for several months to do this, and things finally came together so that we could spend a night away. We didn't do much... We went to dinner at a nice restaurant...spent the night at a nice hotel where we had a very cool Japanese tatami style room...slept in...no alarms, no crying babies...ate a fantastic buffet breakfast...watched English TV until check-out at noon. Thank you Amy and Anna for making this possible!

















Getting ready to head out.

















Having fun with Aunt Amy.

















"You don't expect me to eat that 'mush' do you?"


















"I'll eat it if Aunt Anna feeds me!" Yes, Vera still eats mush... Chicken, carrots, broccoli, and apple all cooked and pureed together. She usually eats this healthy "treat" once a day and then gets something with a litte more texture for her other meals.

More Date Night Pics

"What stinks?"























"I'm learning to brush my teeth all by myself, but playing in the water is much more fun than actually brushing!"


















"Night, night! See you tomorrow Mommy and Daddy."

A few more recent pics...

"I LOVE MAC & CHEESE!"


















What do babies do when their moms need to get ready in the morning? Take things out that they are normally not allowed to play with, make a big mess for mommy to clean up, and why...just so they'll stay quiet and content for a few more minutes... At least that's what this baby does.


















This may just look to you like a picture of a baby cleaning a window, but to me it is so much more. It's a reminder of just how smart babies are. (For those of you with multiple kids, you can ignore the amazement of a first time mom.) Vera has seen me wash windows ONCE. When was it? When I had a broken foot...probably some time in October. Vera found our little window cleaning device that is usually hiding beneath the bathroom cabinet, picked it up, briskly walked to the window, and started cleaning. It's been three months...I'd have never thought that she would remember what that thing is for!

Chinese Driver's License

Matt has recently been going through the process of getting his Chinese driver's license. He went to take the test a couple weeks ago only to find out that the 20 question test in English that he knew the answers to had been changed. The new test had 100 questions and was all in Chinese! Needless to say he didn't pass. Supposedly the new test will have an English version within the next couple of weeks. The problem...the book to study from is only in Chinese...and has approximately 1000 questions to study!!! He's been looking online to see if he can find any help. Here's a list of questions he found. Take the test and see how you do! Don't cheat...the answers are at the bottom!

Click here if you'd like to view a clearer version.

Love of Pacifiers!

Yesterday Vera took her love of pacifiers one step furthur than usual! I was sitting on the couch, she was playing, and then suddenly she got really excited about something. I looked up to find this!