Claire's first Halloween...no big deal

Going from house to house wasn't what she thought it would be. She didn't really like the scary stuff and yes some people kept their porch lights on and weren't home. That became frustrating very quickly. Hannah on the other hand, had a GREAT time. She soon realized that Claire wanted no other candy than the suckers. Hannah had hit the mother lode!! She was saddened that we didn't have many visitors after we got home, she loves to pass out candy as well. They had great fun and now we have cute pics to look at.

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Wed. Oct. 25

This is part of the "Around the World" display at Hannah's fall festival. They had a section on China, so we thought we would stop and say hello. They had a really old map of China and the provinces weren't marked, but we guessed as to where Anhui was. The girls running the exhibit didn't speak much English, so Duane was having flash backs of the trip and we had to go. They were really nice, but again the language barrier was so bad.

Claire is learning to love being outdoors more often. My mother has a large house on a large lot. I took Claire over there and she actually picked up some leaves and sticks. She would turn and grin at me as if to ask if it was ok, then she would throw the leaf or stick and look for another one. Any progess is readily accepted now.

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More fall festivals and fun

Sat we went to Hannah's schools fall festival. It is always nice and small and she likes to see her friends. We then went out to eat and made a day of it. Claire still doesn't like the crowds but she would run around with Hannah a lot. She still doesn't want anyone else to touch her, which makes us feel more secure about her bonding.

She has begun to "sing" when she hears music. No words of course, just beautiful baby gibberish and melody. She will start to sing at the strangest times as well. She can be eating and then break out in song. Below in the pictures you will see her signing for more at the resturant. She is so smart, but yet so willful. It truly keeps me on my toes.

Hannah remains such a joy and great helper. She loves to "mommy" Claire and want to do alot by herself. It just still bothers her that sometimes Claire just wants mommy or daddy. I try to explain that she did that too, but she doesn't believe that she did.

Claire will be going as a ladybug this yr. and Hannah will be going as a witch. We love to visit my mother's neigborhood, as there are not many small children and the folks get a kick out of Hannah, now they will have Claire as well.

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Finally fri.

This week Hannah sang in her 5th grade program for the PTA. They sang folk songs, only 4, it was very sweet. Claire did not like all the attention that the children wanted to give her. She is still timid in crowds. I wish I could have video taped Hannah's performance, she was the only child that was bouncing and patting her leg to the music. She was really having a good time even at a PTA meeting.

We are beginning to get some fall weather here and we are READY. It was 85 degress last mon. I am ready for a high of 50. We are ready to break in the fire place for this yr. Roasting marshmellows and all that fall/winter activies. It will be great to have Claire here for the holidays, especially since we thought she would be her LAST holiday season. She is such a sweet and loving child. She is so smart. Just this week she learned the parts of her face. She won't speak them, but she will point to them if you ask her.

My sister didn't get to come this weekend, sick children. I was very sad, as she hasn't seen her new niece in person. We definatley have more plans in the works to have her here before Thanksgiving. Wish us luck.

Went to the park and the swings are still a no-go. She does fine in the shopping cart, high chair, and stroller. No swing. Maybe later, she has done so much in just the short month she has been here.

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One month anniversary....she is really a Smith

Our girl has been with us for one month. Hard to believe sometimes, as she seems so comfortable in our lives but yet we learn new things everyday. We still having bonding to do and work on trusting each other. She loves her family and home, she really doesn't like to leave. We are also working on that aspect of life. You can't live your whole life in your house.

Hannah is a terrific big sister. She has patience and understanding of the whole process. There are days that Claire doesn't want Hannah to touch her and those are still hard for a 10 yr old to understand. It helps that she still rejects me from time to time. Never Dad.

We are awaiting a visit from my sister and her 4 children. Hannah and the cousins have always been so close. I can't wait to see Claire in the middle of things. Their ages (including Hannah) are stair-stepped from 14 to 6, now Claire will soon be 2 and able to hold her own with everyone else.

We are going to eat Chinese food for the first time since returning from China, tomorrow, on the DATE that Claire was handed over. Hannah also got an excellent progress report, so we will be celebrating that too.

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Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Today we all went to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. It was perfect weather and we went with friends that are about my girls' ages. Claire still remains rather shy and curious more than adventureous and engaging. She would look at the pumpkins but not touch one. It was good to see Hannah having such a good time. She rode the cow train with her little sister and then we all went on a hay ride. Claire enjoyed the cow train I think because Hannah was there. We are eager to see the cousins and my sister this weekend. That will mean more alone time for Hannah and we have been needing that lately. She told my mother's friends that "it is hard to have a little sister". Maybe the bloom is falling off the rose of having a sister. She loves her and is very protective of her, but now that Claire is becoming more at home in the house, Hannah has to protect her things more closely. Enjoy the pics.

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Finally some smiles for the camera

Claire has the best temperment, except when the cameral comes out. She is fascinated by the light that comes on before the picture takes, so the smile dissapears. We are having a friend over today. Lily is 17months and has been a regular at our house before Claire was home. Today has been quite an eye opener for me. Lily doesn't want me to hold Claire and vice versa. Who knew jealousy was present before 2 yrs? Claire climbed on the coffee table today and thought she was really hot stuff. She kept trying to get my attention so that she could grin at me. Oh the joys of a stay at home mom.

Shelley

October 11, 2006

Claire is wearing her new hat from Aunt Kim. It has a matching outfit, but all we got was the hat. She is also getting to know Uncle Gary. She liked him right away...much to Hannah's dismay. Hannah thought Gary was all hers. We are anxiously awaiting a visit from Grammy.

We did ok at the doctor yesterday. I don't think the next visit will be as pleasant, as she will probably remember what happened yesterday. She becomes more and more comfortable with her new home everyday. She doesn't get "lost" as much.

Getting better at pics

Pics of our girls

Sweet Hannah

October 10, 2006

Today Claire goes to the doctor for lab work and possible immunizations. We have decided that it will be best to catch her up before it gets any later in the process. Hannah was very sad to know that Claire would have to have blood drawn and shots...she plans to be extra sweet tonight. Let's hope.

Duane is working a new schedule at work. He now works 10 hr days with an extra day off during the week. It makes for long days, but it will be nice to have the extra time off. Sometimes it will fall on the wknd and maybe we could travel.

I will continue to work on posting pics. I know that is the best part.

Shelley

New set up

We have started this blog to let family and friends stay updated on our growing girls. We have just returned from a trip to China to receive our second daughter. We are adjusting well to having another member in the house, its just the jet lag and time change that has gotten us muffled. Thanks for following our journey