"Hui-Hui Happy..".

Hi everybody. I've got a couple of busy weeks to get you caught up on, so here we go!

Tonight: Happy!!

I am really starting to say more words and put 2 and 3 of them together. But mama has been still teaching me some signs so that I can communcate needs and feelings. As mama and dada were putting me to bed tonight, I had a conversation with them that went something like this.....

Me - "Mama?"

Mama - "Yes, baby?"

Me - "Hui-Hui happy", and I did the sign for happy when I was saying this.

Gheez, my mama sure cries a lot, doesn't she??

Here's how to do the sign for "happy" - with palms in, make circular motions near the chest.

This past weekend: Reunion with Lea!

This past weekend we went to the beautiful coast of Maine to visit my orphanage mate, Lea. We were there when Lea came home from "schoo" and when we saw each other, we both jumped up and down and screamed (we both have very good lungs!) for a long, long time. We have so much in common: we love tea parties, parades, and our bathtime! Here are some shots from the weekend - doesn't it look like we're having fun??

We walked on the rocks along the Maine coast. Beautiful but mama says "careful"!!

I strike a pose for Dada.....

Lea is experienced at this so she shows me the way...

A rare picture of all of us (usually Dada is the photographer taking the pictures!!)

Wooohoooo, bathtime is extra fun with a friend!

I serve tea...

Lea shows off her teapot, which was her mother's and her grandmother's when they were little girls.....

Lea has very cool instruments in her parade box - - I took up the harmonica easily...

We had a great time and we plan on getting together again in the fall. Love you, Lea - I already miss you and can't wait 'til our next visit. We'll be so big then!

The week before: Surprise Present!

Last week we received a BIG package in the mail. Hmmmm, what could it be now? With Mama and Dada's help, I opened it up to find a beautiful original water color painting with MY name on it, including the definitions of my chinese names, Zhi Hui. Zhi is Determined (Dada says that is true!) and Hui is Intelligent (Mama says, of course! that is true!). Our special friend, George, had this made for us and it will be hung proudly in our house. Thank you, George, for your very thoughtful gift. I enjoyed the present for sure, but I really enjoyed the box and styrofoam peanuts that it was packed i! Here are some shots of the whole process...

BIG box!

I'm so excited! What could it be????

Whoa, what's in here?

Tahdah - this means ME!!

I love the box...

...and these peanut things are cool!



May 28: Happy Family Day!

Mama and Dada are writing this section - - We can't believe how fast time goes, but it has been a year since we were united as a family. On 5/28 (in China the date was 5/29) we met and held Hui-Hui for the first time. Unlike many of the other babies, Hui-Hui was calm, did not cry, and even smiled for us within minutes of us getting her. That first day we spent quiet time together in our hotel room, bathing her, laying with her on our bed, and having the doctor examine her. Though she never complained, the day's ordeal must have been exhausting and stressful; she fell asleep at the dining table that afternoon. That first evening, we carried and walked her in the room to get her to fall asleep, and she seemed to be singing a tune to sooth herself. She fell asleep fairly easily and slept the entire night through. A year later, she exhibits many of the same traits she did that first day, being cheerful most of the time, sleeping well, and singing joyfully. She has already grown so much but she only gets sweeter with each day (well, ok, sometimes those toddler twos come out!!). May 28 will forever be a very special day for us.

Happy family day, Hui-Hui. Mama and Dada love you so much!

A picture of us on our family day anniversary.



Here's a shot of me that Mama and Dada love and say that shows what a big girl I'm becoming.......do you think so too?

Thanks for watching my blog. I've got an exciting trip coming up soon to visit with my family on the west coast. Watch for a blog about those happenings.

I love you all.

Love,

HH