Tears, confusion and smiles

When we got back to our hotel room, Sophia became very upset. I don't know how we managed to get her changed and bathed, but we did. She drank her bottle and I remember it took David singing to her for her to finally calm down. The first thing I noticed were her eyes. I thought they were the most beautiful sleeping eyes I had ever seen. I knew I had to take a picture of this moment. There is a little tear on her right eye in the corner. I don't know if you can see it. Taking pictures of her sleeping is one of my favorites......it's all about the eyes....those beautiful almond shaped eyes.......~SIGH~ ;)

I'll never forget Sophia giving us these little smirks at the end of our 2nd day together. I was playing peek a boo with her from behind a chair. She was slowly coming out of her shell shock. The very first night when I put her to bed, when I checked on her the next morning, I was horrifed to see that she was in the exact same postition I put her to bed in. Nothing had changed......it was then that I realized just how truly traumatic this was for her. I could barely contain my tears. We were very fortunate that she bonded to all of us so well. She was just incredible. Look at that smirk.............my precious 8 month old baby girl..........and look at my sweet Emmie......her smile says it all doesn't it? Finally........God answered her prayer.

I'll never be the same again........

The day Sophia was placed in my arms, I knew I would never be the same again. As I looked around the room at the weeping families all receiving their babies, I knew I was a part of something so special, so deep and rare, that I wanted to hold onto it forever. Only we would understand the bond that would take place during these 2 weeks together. Sophia was such a special gift, I could hardly believe she was ours......forever. From that moment on and during the next few months, my life seemed to come full circle. All my struggles, trials in life, ups and downs.......they just disappeared as I realized I had come to understand my purpose in life. Sophia brought peace into my soul when I thought nothing would. She was my baby, my second chance, the piece that filled the hole in my heart.......she is my precious child and I love her more than words can say............my sweet Sophia....you are my Asian Princess.........my inner peace, my soul, my love and I will love you until the end of time..........

These pictures are of my Yahoo Group...."Sweet Peas" and the day Sophia was featured on the Homepage after we got our referral, Gotcha Day and Forever Family Day, April 7th and 8th, 2005.

Beach Day

Last week I decided to take Sophia to the State Park beach. Daddy decided he was going to take the day off and come too. We brought a picnic lunch and our beach toys. Sophia loved it. She is such a content child. She'd walk back and forth for water, find sticks to put on top of her sand castles, point out every sea gull and hold our hands as we walked in the shallow water along the beach. She asks about going back every day so I think next week we will have another beach day. ;) She just breaks my heart. She is so good natured. It amazes me how perfectly she fits into our family.

Her Daddy is so in love with her it's crazy! ;)

There are days that I am just in awe of Sophia's unique beauty.

Where is Sophia?

Sophia has always slept with quite a few things in her bed, but lately she is wanting more and more. I'm crossing my fingers that I can keep her in a crib at least through the summer. She is such a great sleeper and having Sophia and Daniel go down for an afternoon nap at the same time is such a great thing for me right now. A brief two hours that I can regain my sanity. Anyhoo.....She has 5 blankets in bed with her. Two under her, two that she can rub her lips on and 1 to cover her. Baby Tad, her bear from sissy and an octopus are at the end of the bed. By her head she has her baby, her mermaid doll and this great big long caterpillar that has been her latest request to take in with her. I think she likes to re-arrange them all too. I can hear her over the monitor talking about where they should go to sleep. There is also a pelican that hangs by her head and a duck that hangs on the other side. The duck plays music. There are usually at least 2-3 books in there for her to look at as well. She is such a goofy little girl......she is always happy. When I ask her if she wants me to take some things out so she will have more room she says "Nope, I wub dem all too much Mommy". And what my special girls wants, my special girl gets! ;)

Hmmmmm

Ok....I can't even begin to tell you how many times I come around the corner and find Sophia watching TV like this. I ask her what she is doing and she just politely says "I'm watching TV, Mommy". I ask her why she is watching it upside down and she says "Because I'm silly Sophia". Doesn't it hurt your head, I ask? "Nope, I'm ok". Do you think you should sit the right way on the couch? "No, not yet". She's crazy I tell ya....just crazy! ;)

Favorite Photo Friday

Somebody's workin' it for a cookie....

Who could say "No" to that????

Oops.......

A girl needs to be careful when there is a tropical breeze.......

Wow....look at this toothbrush!

Ok, so I accidentally deleted Splish Splash Part 2 which basically showed her falling into the tub as she was reaching for one of Daniels toys. Sorry....after we recovered from that, she was still preturbed with me because I still wouldn't let her get into the tub. Trying to stick to my guns with some things with this one....lol So she would do anything to get my attention. Un-roll the TP, pull open all the drawers really fast and shut them loudly, yank on the towels....all the while giving me "the look". So on her last attempt to get things out of the drawers, this is what she came across.

Forever Family

April 7, 2005 Two years ago today, Sophia Elaine Jiang Ao was placed in my arms and joined our family forever. I can't imagine my life without her and I am so thankful that God gave her to us. We love you Sophia.......

Miss Thing ~

Well, Miss Thing was in a mood today and she decided that she needed to wear her sunglasses while eating her lunch. I'm not sure if the glare from the PB&J was too much for her, or maybe the bright orange spicy chips she was eating. Whatever the reason......Sophia thought she was the bomb! lol "So-be-ya is a cool chick" is what she told me! I have to admit that I agree! ;)

Ariel has moved in......

Well, it didn't take more than one time watching the Little Mermaid for Sophia to fall in love with Ariel! I don't think the "moon" has anything to worry about, it is by far still in first place, but "Moomaid" is sneaking up in the runner up spot for sure! We now have a Mermaid doll, crocks and a night gown, which she uses for "dress up". And the best is hearing her sing the "Ahhhhh....ahhhhhh."She is learning who all the important characters are in the movie and is very proud to announce who they are when she see's them. She was very excited when I showed her the new "Moomaid" crocks I found. When I gave them to her she said. "Dank you Momma,....awesome!" Now, I'm sure you can all figure out who taught her that one, can't you? She is my little Asian Mermaid......and I love her so much!

Sophia's Eye's

I will never forget the first day we were joined as a family. Sophia became very upset when we walked into our hotel room. We managed to get her changed and fed, but she then started to cry again. I remember my heart just breaking for her. It took Daddy singing to her for her to calm down and finally take a nap. This is my very first picture of my beautiful daughter sleeping. I remember going back to look at the picture after I took it to see if it turned out, and I let out a gasp as her almond shaped eyes just seemed to stare at me while they were closed. It was a beautiful moment for me. When I look at this picture I am so thankful that God chose her for us. I can't imagine my life with out her. There is just something so special about Sophia's eyes that I totally and completely love........open or closed. I often find myself going into her room while she is sleeping so I can just stare at her.......and it always, always takes me back to this very first picture I have of my precious little gift from Hunan, China.

Here comes trouble.......... There is just something about getting into Emmie's things that Sophia just can't resist. Today it was Em's winter hat and her "cool chick" shades!

Moon Baby

I found the moon..........

I would say that for the last year, Sophia has become obsessed with the moon. A morning, afternoon or evening does not go by, without Sophia talking about the moon. Her favorite moon is a full moon......a "big circle moon" as she calls it. She wakes up everyday talking about the moon. Saying that it is "all gone in day time." "Moon out at night time." She will look out every window of the house as soon as it get's dark. Most of the time during these winter months she will report, "No moon....too cloudy." There are nights that she insists we take her outdoors to "check for moon." She doesn't even care how cold it is right now......we must look for that moon......EVERY NIGHT! And when she does see it......you would think it was the first time, every time. She is thrilled beyond belief. It amazes us how she thinks about it constantly. She'll talk about it to her baby, on the phone to Daddy or Oma and of course she tells all her friends during nap time party time.

This particular night she was looking for the moon while I was getting dinner ready. She was sitting on the ledge looking out our dining room window. I asked her what she was doing......of course I knew.....and she said "looking for the moon, Mama." I asked her if she could see it and she said "No....sky is pink." Sure enough, when I went to see what she was talking about, she was right. The sky was indeed pink. Does anyone else have a toddler out there fascinated by the moon?

New pictures added in the guestbook......take a peek.......

All righty, then.....

This morning Sophia was eating her bowl of cereal and not really paying attention to what she was doing. Milk was dripping every where so I proceeded to say "Sophia" to which I got no response, so I said it again, "Sophia"........ she is still staring at Dora.....so I say "Sophia Elaine" to which I then did get her attention. I said "you are spilling your milk all over the place this morning. You need to watch what you are doing." My two year spice girl looked at me and said ever so sweetly.......

"Chill Out Mom" (while putting her other hand up in the air that didn't have the spoon in it) What???????????????? She never ceases to amaze me!

You're Invited

I wanted to let you know that you all have been invited to the Beckering home anyday of the week around 1pm. For some reason, I think some of you have already been here, but just so we don't leave anyone out, I wanted to include all of you . You see....everyday around noon, we start lunch with Sophia. By 12:30, she is usually done and on the couch watching one of her most favorite TV shows. The Big Comfy Couch........the minute the music starts we will hear, without a doubt, that high pitch scream.........Loooooooonette! (giggle, giggle) Meanwhile, I am either getting Daniel down for his nap or cleaning up. Once Loonette is over, I will ask Sophia if she is ready to go nite-nite. There is never any question about it. She'll get up, grab her "o-wange bankie" and "baby" and start going upstairs. No complaints, no whining....she just trots her little self down the hallway to her room. We pull down the shades, give her a few books, Baby Tad, turn on her Feng Shui music and give hugs and kisses. "Nite-Nite Mama.....I'm happy." I always tell her the same thing. Well......I have come to the conclusion that I would be happy to if I could have a party every day of the week in my room. There is screaming, laughing, jumping up and down in the bed, singing songs, major conversations going on that I can't even understand sometimes, gymnastics, and I think we have even had a petting zoo attend. There have been cows, pigs, monkeys, ducks, roosters, horses, cats and dogs. And if that is not enough for you......we even have celebrities stop by. The Wiggles have attended our afternoon parties, and I know this for sure because I have heard Sophia nicely ask Jeff to wake up! :) Barney stops by too, and of course Loonette, Dora and Boots and Elmo too. I'm a little worried once spring is here and the windows are open what the neighbors will think. I'd hate for the police to show up at my door due to a disturbance complaint! The parties usually last an hour to an hour and a half. Last week she had one of the wildest yet....and I told her if any more books got the flaps ripped out, there would be no more parties! I am pleased to say that she does have good manners. Everyone gets a "bye-bye"......I yuv you" before they leave. However....today.......oh today was a doozy! She got in big trouble!!! I told Sophia that she could no longer have parties in her bed if she took her clothes off! Yep...buck naked again today......and I wasn't so lucky with the sheets! LOL So if you want to party with Sophia....stop on by......she'd love to see you! ;)