Zara's Christening

We attended a beautiful service this morning at Unity Church of the Hills. The music was exceptionally uplifting this Sunday and we were all so happy to be together as a family. After the service we went to the small chapel where they held Zara's christening. It was wonderful. Enjoy the photos.

Christen

Alina's Birthday Weekend

Wow, what a whirlwind of a weekend. First Alina's 5th birthday party followed by a smaller slumber party. Then, a big Easter egg hunt. We also stopped to take a few bluebonnet photos. Enjoy the web album.

Bluebonnets and Easter Eggs

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

It's Virtual Daddy!

Paul's recent short notice trip to Singapore (following on the heels of the week in Switzerland) has prompted me to investigate the Giraffe Video conferencing gadget at http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/07/giraffe-video-conferencing-robot-to-weird-employees-out/. The applications are amusing.

Virtual Daddy

Zara Playing in the Park

Here's a recent shot of Zara having fun at the park.

Recent Shots

Zara's First Words

Well, it's been 3 months since we returned from China and Zara is adjusting to her new life beautifully. She wants to be just like everyone else in the family and mimics everything we do and say with precision. However, the only English she utters consistently with the exception of "Mamamamamamama" is "uh-oh." I can truly tell she understands the meaning of the word. Too cute.

At Last - An Update

Things have been insanely busy as we settle into normal life. But, we're having lots of fun and Zara is doing so well. She's healthy and the happiest toddler I've ever met. You can see in our new photo album that she's always smiling.

BackintheUSA

We could not be luckier.

Making Plans for Chinese New Year

Things have gone so well since we returned from China with our new baby girl. I'm pleased to report that the whole family is adjusting well to the changes in our lives. Zara is doing beautifully. She has attached to both Paul and me. And I can tell that she thinks her big sister is the best. Both girls are now attending the Children's Center in Steiner Ranch and LOVE it!

We are making plans to celebrate Chinese New Year next week. Just got back from the MT Supermarket, Austin's first large Asian grocery store, with banners, ingredients for Chinese New Year cake, red envelopes for gifts and a large golden pig full of candy.

When we returned home and opened our mail we found a wonderful envelope full of photos of Zara beginning at 3 months of age. Apparently Families Through International Adoption, the organization that makes foster care possible in China, carefully monitors the kiddos in foster care and takes a photo of them each month. I am going to start donating to this wonderful cause as they are expanding their foster care program and I would like to make this available to as many children as possible. It's such a wonderful cause.

I'm also reading the wonderful book The Lost Daughters of China: Abandoned Girls, Their Journey to America, and the Search for a Missing Past. I really connected with the author. The similarities in our experience were amazing and she writes of all the same concerns. I find myself crying often while reading the book.

Make sure you take a look at our wonderful new portraits of the girls.