Our little pumpkin

Anyone who knows me (Lisa) or my mom knows that we often wear novelty clothing for the season or holiday. Soooo, OF COURSE the next female in the family must follow suit, right???!!!

Here are some random photos of Lindy celebrating the season and modeling some of her Halloween outfits--compliments of Grandma & Grandpa. Unfortunately, she is getting more challenging to photograph so the quality of the pictures aren't the greatest. A couple of times I bribed her with candy corn to stay relatively still and look at the camera. Hey, didn't I say I would never bribe my kid with food???? What happened there???

Enjoy!

Meeting the Austins

This past weekend, we had the pleasure to finally meet the Austin family (another Gladney family) visiting from Houston. Amy and I have been communicating via email and phone for the past year or so and at one time thought we were going to be in the same travel group to bring home our girls.

Since we hit it off so well, we were disappointed that we didn't get to travel together. However, that would've meant our Lindy would not have been the same Lindy or their Katie would not have been the same Katie. So, in the end, we wouldn't have had it any other way.

We went to La Fogata for Mexican food and while we were there our precious China dolls got many adoring looks.

Here are some pictures of our first meeting...

Six months with our Lindy

It is hard to believe that six months ago today our darling daughter was placed into our arms. It is incredible how fast time has flown--yet, in some ways, it feels like Lindy has been with us forever. I hope to never forget the feeling of holding her for the first time. Poor thing...she was so scared and so were we.

Since I see her daily, I don't notice how much she has changed. It isn't until I look at pictures from April that I see she is quickly evolving from a helpless little baby to an independent little girl. She is not the only one who has changed; we have, too. It is easy for Don and I to feel like we are her teachers and proudly gloat over what we've taught her. However, I think it is possible she is teaching us more than we are teaching her. No doubt, her life is better now but so is ours!

Weighing in at 19 pounds and standing 30.5 inches tall, here's a little bit about her...

Likes:

• Books---Loves Goodnight Gorilla--she can read a page to us from that book
• Mandarin oranges, pineapple, pears, apples, and bananas
• Most foods
• Music--dancing and singing
• Belly buttons
• Twirling until she falls down
• Animals
• Bath time
• Running away from Mommy
• Other kids big or small
• Being pampered with "pretty" lotions and sprays
• Jewelry
• Pretending to talk on the phone
• Asking "what's that?"
• Going up and down stairs
• Exercising her independence AND freedom of speech

Dislikes:

• Having her face and nose wiped
• Most vegetables lately to our dismay
• Wearing stuff on her head (hats, accessories, etc.) and seeing other people wearing hats
• Getting up before 9:00 a.m.
• Sitting still

Vocabulary:

The regulars--Bird, bubbles, Bible, book, banana, Beck, Mama, Daddy, please, thank you, more, pineapple, apple, mmmm...,cereal, bottle, rag, belly button (no where close-but we know what she's saying), pretty, fish, cheese, spoon, hi, bye bye, bread, Bryce, cat, kitty, dog, ruff ruff, bawk bawk, shoes, sock, baby, bath, night night, Jesus, duck, quack quack, what's that, keys, bib, amen, egg, stars, flower, waffle, diaper...

We'd like to thank everyone who has been so supportive of us since we've been home and for loving Lindy so much. It means so much to us and we are confident it will one day mean the world to Lindy.

Love,

Don, Lisa, & Lindy

Beach baby

This past weekend we snuck away for a nice little beach retreat in Port Aransas. It was wonderful! The conditions were perfect--great weather and very few people around.

I was a bit apprehensive about how it would work with Lindy. How will we keep her from drowning, how will we keep her from eating sand, how will we keep her from getting stung by jellyfish??? All these thoughts raced through my head.

It all worked out perfectly, though. She loved the water, loved playing in the sand, and had a great time.

I have included some pictures of our beach baby.

My visit to the Sunflower State

Hi everyone!

I'd like to tell you about my trip to Kansas to visit Grandma & Grandpa.

It was just me and Mommy because Daddy had to stay home and work. We took an airplane and I behaved MUCH better than Mommy thought I would--even when we were delayed a couple hours. I fell asleep in Mommy's arms--something I haven't done since we were in China. In case you haven't met me, I don't like to miss much.

While I was on my trip, I got to go to Grandma's work twice. She works at the National Weather Service and I might've been an F3 tornado on their scale. I got to meet lots of Grandma's nice friends. They were so kind to give me some sweet gifts. I also got to meet some of Grandma & Grandpa's nice friends--including Sheri. Sheri let me use her car seat, crib, stroller, and many toys and books. That was so nice of her. Mommy was VERY relieved to not have to bring that on the trip.

Grandpa turned 60 years old while I was there. We got to sing to him and I helped him open some of his presents. Tearing paper is fun!!!


Right down the road from Grandma & Grandpa is a farm. There are cows, horses, donkeys, llamas, and ducks. We took all the hedge apples from Grandma & Grandpa's yard and fed them to the horses and donkeys. I petted the horses. One was named Jeff--like my uncle.

I was on my best behavior at their house. I loved walking up and down the steps and liked looking at Grandma's pretties, but I didn't touch. Grandpa walked with me up and down the steps. Grandma would twirl and twirl with me until we'd both be giggling so hard. Now I see why my mom is so goofy!

I missed Daddy but not too much. Here are some pictures from my fabulous trip.

Love,
Lindy Li-Xiao

Labor Day at the Branch Ranch

Almost each year we've lived in Texas, we've spent Labor Day at Dr. & Mrs. Branch's ranch in the Hill Country. There's a fish fry, lots of friends, and, for some, dove hunting. It's always a fun day visiting with special friends, eating way too much, and relaxing in rocking chairs on their large front porch.

Lindy had her first Labor Day at the Branch Ranch and loved it. She ate like the best of them, got more attention than you can possibly imagine, and even joined the folks who were shooting skeet. Just shy of 16 months, we felt it was a little too early for her to try her hand at shooting skeet. (Not to mention her mother is not at all fond of hunting and won't be encouraging her daughter to do it!!!)

Here are some pictures from the day.

Who me, an insurance risk???

I know, I know, I'm supposed to keep both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel. It's just that I'm soooo busy, I'm pretty sure that rule doesn't apply to me. In this heat, a girl has got to stay hydrated and, as popular as I am, I hate to miss a call.

My daddy works for a big insurance company, so I'm sure they'll understand my point of view. If they don't, I may have to go with the lizard that talks funny because I laugh out loud when I see him. (Just kiddin', Daddy!) :o)

Here are some pictures risk managers will go wild over!

Love,
Lindy

Next American Idol???

It all started when I was watching the evening news. The most captivating commercial came on and all I could do is bounce in my booster chair and clap with glee. There's just something about that Ford commercial with current American Idol, Taylor Hicks, that I LOVE. That day, I knew there was a part of me meant to entertain.

Then while I was exploring in an off-limits area I made the most wonderful discovery--a microphone. First Mommy scolded me for being somewhere I am not supposed to be (behind the entertainment center), but when she saw I knew what to do with a microphone (unassisted), she took a couple of pictures.

I like to sing, I like to dance, and I love to play the piano with Daddy. Lately, I twirl in circles until I fall down. I also kick up my feet and do a bit of a clogging number when I hear certain kinds of music. I have yet to perfect any of my moves and am no where ready for Riverdance, but it makes Mommy & Daddy laugh. Which makes me ask two questions:

1. What did you do for entertainment BEFORE me?

AND

2. If I'm not allowed to use the microphone, who in this family is???!!!


Love,
Lindy

High School Reunion

This weekend we went to Don's 20th High School Reunion in Snyder, Texas. OUCH!!! We stayed with our good friends, Mike and Terrie. Two of their three girls were home so Lindy got lots of attention from Megan and Kate. We tried to sneak Megan back with us, because she is the perfect babysitter and big sister, but somehow we couldn't swing the deal.









Most of the reunion was out at a classmate's hunting lodge. They have a 9 hole par 3 golf course in their backyard. Here are some pictures of the place.

Lindy meets the "B boys"

The past few days Lindy has been hangin' with the "B boys" from Folsom, CA. Okay, you Johnny Cash fans, the "B boys" aren't a terrible gang with the blues from Folsom Prison. They are her cousins Bryce (age 3.5) & Brendan (age 2 next week). Bryce & Brendan were accompanied by Uncle Jeff & Aunt Dani.


The seven of us had lots of fun together. We went to the San Antonio Zoo, Sea World, and the Riverwalk.

Yesterday we were also all together for a special event--Lindy's readoption in the United States. It was really more of a formality, because Lindy was already officially adopted on April 4th. This just makes it a bit easier for her to get a U.S. birth certificate and social security number. Anyway, it did give us more photo ops, as you see.










Lindy loved being with the boys. Now that she can walk, she did her best to keep up with them and didn't let her size intimidate her from getting right in there to play with them. In keeping with her love for words that begin with the letter B, she loved saying Bryce's name. Several times she went to Bryce to just give him a hug.

It is fun to watch young children at play with each other. They don't care about size, shape, or color. Sometimes they hurt each other's feelings when they don't share or are a little mean, but they are forgiving and soon get over it and before you know, they are rolling around giggling like nothing ever happened. Oh so long ago, I remember playing like that with Jeff, so it was music to my ears to hear our children doing the same.

Thank you Uncle Jeff, Aunt Dani, and "B boys" for coming to see us. It was a very special visit! We love you!!!

A new chapter in an old book

As I post, Lindy is napping and the house is pretty quiet aside from a load of towels in the dryer and the hum of the computer.

All I can think is, "This is it. This is my new life." I am officially a stay-at-home Mom. July 7th was my last day at American Funds and after 10 years there, it was pretty bittersweet to leave. However, I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home with Lindy. I hope I can be the Mother to her she desperately has needed, as well as create a calm, comfortable home for Don, too. I think he is looking forward to the possibility of more meals that don't come from a box. :o) I will gladly accept easy recipes to help in this endeavor. :o)

To those of you whom I saw daily and now won't see as often, thank you for everything--I will never forget you! To those of you whom I didn't get to see very often because I worked so much, I am hoping we can see each other more frequently.

Thanks to everyone for all your support as I make this transition!!!

Love,
Lisa

Our little firecracker

Our first Fourth of July with Lindy was very low key, but we were oh so happy to have our little firecracker home with us, and did find the time to take some pictures.

During the day Mommy sang many patriotic songs to Lindy. She especially liked "Yankee Doodle Went to Town," and "You're a Grand Old Flag." When asked what it means to be an American, Lindy replied, "Bird, Bible, and pineapple." We believe she is referring to the bald eagle, freedom of religion, and hospitality (which the pineapple symbolizes).

Lindy took her first dip in her new Wal-Mart wading pool and sported a very stylin' bathing suit. We'll let her wear the two-piece now, but not for long!

Due to some much needed rain and the holiday being in the middle of the week, we did not take Lindy to see any fireworks. Maybe next year...

For two people who love America as much as we do, we hope someday Lindy will cherish being an American. We never want her to be ashamed of her Chinese heritage, but hope the events of July 4, 1776 will have special significance to her.

A reunion of China friends

Tonight we had dinner with Lisa and Aubrey (21 months) Weinstein whom we had met in China at the White Swan Hotel. Lisa and Aubrey were in the San Antonio area visiting family and were kind enough to fit us in their busy agenda.

Besides Lindy, one of the greatest gifts of adoption were some special people God placed in our path during our long wait. In addition to our family and existing friends, we "met" (often via the internet and phone) new friends who helped provide support and encouragement. Lisa was one of these people. So, to meet her in China was wonderful and to catch up almost three months later, even better!

Here are a couple pictures of our China dolls.