First phrase
Li said “Bye Bye Daddy” today. As Trey was leaving, I was putting on her shirt and she turned to him and said it all by herself. Still a lot of grunting going on when she wants something or isn’t happy but we are starting to get there. She has about 20 words now but this was the first time anything has been spoken together.
Filed under Baby Li, Home | Comment (0)19 Months Old
Little Li celebrated turning 19 months this week with two sick visits to the doctor. She’s had a VERY high fever, initially thought it could be Roseola, and just hasn’t felt well all week. Her little eyes show the signs of being sick and she cries when she coughs. Her doctor thinks she may have the Hand, Foot and Mouth virus. I haven’t been able to take many pictures because she wants to be held all the time, plus she just looks so sad. But I do have a couple of happy ones to share from the day before the sickness came.
Wearing Mom’s shoes and eating pudding while standing over the heat/air vent looking a little like Marilyn Monroe with the air catching her dress.
Weekend
“Cutie Pie” or “Why she was worth the wait”
Li and Dad on climbing. Dad is trying to explain the importance of a safety harness but Li doesn’t seem to think he knows what he is talking about.
She actually pushed the little step stool into the living room area from the kitchen to make it easier to get on the trunk. Her shirt reads “I’m Happy, Don’t Ruin It”. And as always, the juice from recently eaten strawberries can be seen on the front of it.
How I vacuum these days; probably explains why I rarely do it.
Li had a pretty busy weekend by our standards. She went to her first birthday party for her friend Sam, he turned 2, and she met Olivia, very soon to be 3. Both Sam and Olivia are from China, too, not that any of them care, but oh my what cute kiddo’s they are together! A new friend came by Saturday afternoon, pretty little Abby and she and Li played in the creek. Abby is 5 and she was a big help with Li, she got her to smile and actually play a little bit. I wasn’t expecting to get much sleep Saturday night since Li typically has a fitful night after a busy day but everything was good. For the most part she slept through the night so we might just be making some progress.
Filed under Baby Li, Home | Comment (1)Re-Adoption Day
We officially became a family while in China on March 9th. This is recognized by China, the U.S. and Tennessee (but not every state). To make things easier for obtaining vital records, eliminating any potential legal concerns and to have our names listed as her parents on her U.S. birth certificate, we chose to re-adopt. Now she is recognized in every state as our little girl. OK, so one more hurtle has been jumped and hopefully we can rest for a while because we have our first birthday party to go to tomorrow! Our friend Sam turns 2!
Getting ready for our big day. Notice the cute dress with the flag emblem? It’s the one Martha made special for us. We didn’t take it the day we took our US Citizenship oath in China, I was afraid it might get lost in the luggage, but it’s perfect for today.
Pictures with Judge Thurman and Bryant Dunaway who made it all official! See the little flag on the dress, so cute.
And now we are officially “The Hassler Family” in every state. How cool is that!
Two Months Home
We celebrated being home for two months today! We had so many things to do and we couldn’t wait to share our day. First we started with some reading, with and without glasses. The last picture in this section captures the beginning of our nap time routine. Looks restful doesn’t it?
After our “short” nap we went outside to do some of Li’s favorite things, eating fresh strawberries out of her garden, playing in her great-great grandmother’s old wash tub-with water of course-and throwing the ball for Zusa and Max. She also thoroughly enjoys any dangerous activities that make the adults scream but I’ll save those pictures for another day.
She really needed to be in the wash tub after this busy day. Tomorrow is another big day. It’s a surprise so we’ll keep you posted!
Filed under Baby Li, Home | Comment (1)Rainy Days
On rainy days, like Tuesday, Li likes to stay inside and play with her favorite toys, a Huggies box and a cardboard paper towel holder.
Farming
Nana came for a visit and she and Li found Dad at the barn. Li got to work on her Daddy’s tractor.
Filed under Baby Li, Home | Comment (1)Outdoor Girl in Training
Li with her headlamp on. She is in training for a backpacking trip this fall…maybe. I’d love to take her to Cumberland Island for her birthday but we may have to wait until next year. I think she’ll make a cute outdoor adventurer.
We have had the great (mis)fortune of becoming the home to many abandoned cats (Please spay/neuter everything!) and have been forced to build individual kitty condo’s (seen in the background), since no cat seems to like the other. It is now Li’s job to help Mom with the evening chores including feeding our feline herd. She loves taking care of the cats, dog and bird!
