Fabulous Four

Today we celebrated DD’s 4th birthday! I can’t believe that she’s already four years old. She has grown so much over the past two years, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. I can’t help but wonder how she would be celebrating this day if we had not been blessed with her. Even in a typical family, I don’t think the Chinese make a big deal out of most birthdays. From what I can find out, the first b-day is very special and is celebrated by all the friends and relatives. After that, the next important birthday to be celebrated is the 60th, then the 70th, 80th etc. Of course, in China, everyone becomes a year older during the Chinese New Year, regardless of the date of their birth. I think I like it better the way we do it. Friends from DD’s play group were invited to her Little Einsteins b-day party to help her celebrate. I am so glad that I was able to find some designs on e-bay to decorate her cupcakes and cake. Almost everything else was homemade, since there are no LE birthday products available.

The girls enjoyed playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Musical Squares, eating birthday cake and opening gifts. DD really enjoyed having her friends over. We missed you Cheerleader.
The highlight of the party, though, was Daddy Darling. He’s so crazy. It was just like having another 4-year old to play with. He kept them laughing most of the time and had a great time, himself. The party may be over, but the balloons will be fun for a few more hours! We have really enjoyed having Desheng Darling in our lives. I guess we should celebrate everyday because we are truly blessed to have her.

As happy as we are on this day, I know that there is another mother in China who is equally sad, knowing that 4 yrs ago she gave birth to a precious little girl who she couldn’t keep. Regardless of cultural differences and circumstances…there’s nothing like a mother’s love. Giving a child up for adoption is never easy. I just wish that there was a way to let DD’s birthmother know that she is very happy and is loved greatly by her forever family. I pray that God will comfort her during this time and give her a feeling of peace about this precious little girl that we call ours.

A Week in the Life of Desheng Darling

One of the main reasons that I blog is so that I will have a written record of some of the events in DD’s life to refer to in the future. My memory sure “ain’t” what it used to be and I don’t think it’s going to get any better, so I blog about some pretty basic things... this one for example. Things that may not be of interest to some will be great memories for me. If you've ever raised children, you can identify with me on this because once they are grown, you realize how much you have forgotten…(O.k. maybe it’s just the Nutrasweet, but regardless, my memory is shot.)

We started Monday off at the mall with Desheng Darling’s play group. These girls have formed a very strong bond and we all enjoy being together. Unfortunately, Spicy Girl and Cheerleader were unable to join us, but a new friend with a daughter from China met us for lunch. We are hoping that she will become a regular member of our Chopstick Chics play group.

(Think she's tired of having her picture made?)

On Tuesday, we went to Target and bought a table and chairs set with the money that Nanny, Aunt Sherry and Aunt Muarl gave DD for her upcoming birthday. She told the cashier about her Dora Kitchen and promised her that she would bring pretend cookies on her next visit to Target. Here she is hard at work.

Wednesday was spent preparing a few things for DD’s upcoming LE birthday party. She wanted to help so badly and really pouted if I didn’t let her. I quickly learned that there are just some things that a 3 yr. old can’t do! Trying to convince DD of that was a waste of time! One thing she does well, however, is sing the Little Einsteins theme song. She practiced alllllllll daaaaaaaay!!! It’s too bad I haven’t figured out how to include audio on this blog or you would have been blessed with a song.
Thursday and Friday were gorgeous days here with temperatures in the low 60’s. DD and Brother Darling enjoyed spending time together outside. She loved every minute of it! I think he did too.
After work on Friday, DD enjoyed helping Daddy Darling put together the table that we purchased at Target for her b-day. She loves it and it’s great for working word puzzles! The chairs will just have to wait until Saturday. Now, where on earth are we going to put it??? Oh well, who needs a living room anyway?

Happy Birthday….Maybe Not

(One of the first pictures we received of DD)

So far, most of my blog posts have been pretty positive, mostly light hearted and fun. That’s because Desheng Darling keeps us laughing with the goofy things she does. She’s a hoot. But sometimes, she says things that really touch my heart and bring tears to my eyes. Last night was one of those times, especially since her 4th birthday is just around the corner.

DD was looking at a picture of me with a friend in New York. She asked, “Where am I in the picture? Was I in the car waiting or something?” I replied, “No, I think that picture was taken before you were born.” After a long quiet pause, she looked up at me and said, “No one was there when I was born, so I cried.” Not really knowing what to say I said, “Oh, I am sure that there was someone there when you were born.” She looked up at me with her deep brown eyes and asked, “Were you there?” What was I supposed to say??? I just hugged her real tightly and said reassuringly, “Oh Honey, you know your mommy was with you when you were born and that’s all you needed.” She looked at me and smiled thinking that I was referring to myself. Now DD knows that we went to China to get her, but she hasn’t really put the whole story together yet. She has been asking a lot of questions lately about her life as a little baby. There are so many things that I just don’t know since she was almost 2 years old when we got her. So far, I have been able to satisfy her curiosity, I know the questions and the answers will get more difficult as she grows older. I just pray that God will give me the right answers when the hard questions come.

She often tells me, “You are my best mommy in the whole world. I am so glad God gave you to me.” Of course, she has no idea of the complexity of this statement. I guess we will just take this one day at a time, keeping a tissue handy for moments like these.

A Little Ray of Sunshine!

After the cold, rainy weather of last week, Sunday was quite a blessing. Isn't it amazing how a little bit of sunshine can brighten you up both inside and out?

After helping Daddy Darling wash the cars, Desheng Darling enjoyed a little bike riding. I say “a little” because she was only interested in riding down the hill. When the time came to turn around and go back up the driveway, her opinion of bike riding quickly changed.












I guess it was just too much work for the little princess.

Barefootin'

Strange title for a blog entry in January, but it’s fitting. Daddy Darling took DD outside to see the snow and ice yesterday morning in her pj's without a coat or shoes. When she came back inside, her feet were freezing! Duh! That’s what happens when you stand in the snow barefooted! As you can see in the picture, it really didn’t bother her too much because she grabbed her house shoes and went right back out…still no coat (temp. below freezing.) She was having a great time!
Desheng Darling also enjoyed playing in backyard later in the day...…still without a jacket, but at least she had on a turtleneck shirt, sweater, and real shoes!


It was a little warmer here today, but we still had a build-up of snow and ice in areas. DD really wanted to help Brother Darling shovel the snow, so she got a little plastic shovel and went to work!
I’m not sure how productive she was, but she loves working with her Bubbi (as she calls him.) We just love to see her Bubbi working.(Ha!)

www.mommy.com

Desheng Darling will be celebrating her 4th birthday in a couple of weeks. She has changed her mind many times about the theme of her birthday party. At the beginning of last week, she assured me that she wanted a Strawberry Shortcake party. She was absolutely sure!!!! I thought this was great because I found just about everything we needed on the internet and placing an order would be simple. About two days ago, however, DD informed me that she really didn’t want a Strawberry Shortcake party. What she really, really wants is a Little Einsteins party. This is a great theme from a Disney show that comes on every morning. The characters are always on a mission in their rocket. The show highlights great works of art and classical music, and they travel all over the world. The only problem with this theme is that the Little Einsteins birthday supplies are not yet available. They are scheduled to be released sometime in 2007, but not before her birthday. Sooooo…for the last two days I have spent a lot of time on the computer searching for Little Einstein party ideas. Unfortunately, Desheng Darling made me realize just how much time when she came into the office, sat down at her little desk and computer, and said, “I’m going to Mommy.com” …out of the mouth of babes….. I guess that’s where she thought she would find a mommy to pay attention to her. Poor thing.
Now, that she’s asleep, I can continue my mission for party ideas which has been quite successful. (Thanks to Aunt Sherry and Auntie Alix!)

Ice Ice Baby

Every Saturday is a special day for Desheng Darling. It’s White Donuts and Chocolate Milk Day! We all drive down to the local convenience store and buy a very non-nutritious breakfast. DD loves it! Unfortunately, today we woke up to a Winter Storm Warning which for us means…Ice Ice Baby (for you old rappers). We still had several hours before conditions were predicted to get really bad, so off we went.

Daddy Darling and DD ready to go for breakfast!

Most people (with any sense) would have stayed at home for the remainder of the day. But not us...we had to run to Wal-Mart. Daddy Darling needed a new book, DD needed a Strawberry Shortcake DVD, and I knew that I could find something that I needed, so again, off we went.
Several of my blogger friends have little girls who are DD’s age. They often speak of how wonderful it is to have little girls and about all the pretty little pink frilly things that their daughters love. Well, life is not always pink and frilly with DD. For example, today at Wal-Mart she found two things that she wanted. I told her she could have only one.

Strawberry Shortcake Art Tablet with Crayons...OR...Ugly Teeth Party Favors

Is there any doubt which one she chose?????

Don’t worry, mothers, we won’t use these for party favors at our Strawberry Shortcake B-day party in a few weeks!

Shaken’ In My Pants…Take Two

Today we attended Story Hour at our local library. When we first walked in, Deshen Darling spotted a new girl, sat right beside her, told her that her name was pretty and that she liked her hair...all within 45 seconds of entering the room. The little girl’s mother was quite pleased that DD had made her little one feel welcome. I didn’t have the heart to tell the lady about DD’s past experiences at Story Hour. Refer back to my December 13th post "Shaken' in my Pants! "

DD's new friend....so sweet!

When you think about story hour at a library you might imagine someone reading stories and children listening intently. That has yet to happen for us. The topic of the session today was… Exercise. (Wouldn’t you know it?) It was led by a new lady, and her first question was “Can you wiggle?” Oh no, not again! DD quickly stood up and showed the lady and the rest of the room how she could wiggle. The lady then read them a book entitle Wiggle…which DD continued to do for the rest of Story Hour.

Showing the leader how to Wiggle!

Having way too much fun!!

Cornbread Nothins'

Desheng Darling is quite a little helper. She loves to help me with all the routine household chores. I know this won’t last forever, so I take advantage of it when I can. Cooking is one thing that she really likes to do. Last night she wanted to help me make what she calls cornbread nothins'. This is her specialty!












Start with the secret ingredient.















Add eggs and milk.














Stir with a magic spoon.

Pour into cupcake liners and bake.

Excellent!!!

Add a little butter, and before you know it there will be nothin' left…. hence the name Cornbread Nothins'.
For more recipes from DD’s Deli…..stay tuned to the blog. She might even share her recipe for Peanut Butter on a Spoon…yum yum!

Perfect Pink Poodle Party in PJs

Desheng Darling attended her first mock sleep-over birthday party today at Spicy Girl’s house. It was a Pink Poodle PJ Party. All the little girls wore their pajamas and took their favorite cuddly toy and sleeping bag. They ate hot dogs, chips and birthday cupcakes. The girls watched SG open her gifts, and then they all snuggled down for popcorn and a movie. Mommy Spice did an excellent job of planning the party, and decorations were just poofect!! (DD's being a little too helpful blowing out the candle.)

Catching Up

It’s funny how this blogging thing works. Some days I don’t feel like I have anything to blog about, then all of the sudden I realize how far behind I am. So…it’s catch up time.


THE ENTERTAINER
(Jan. 2, 2007)
Well, it looks like things are getting back to normal (whatever that is). After all of the holiday activities, it takes DD a few days to adjust to being without an audience 24 hours a day.

Entertaining herself (rare, but joyous occasion).

Entertaining Mommy (Whose idea was this guitar anyway?)

Entertaining Daddy or visa- versa (after work).

Ending the day with what she calls “my best daddy in the whole world.” It’s nice to be back to normal.

A VISIT WITH SUSAN

January 4, 2007

We have made many new friends through the adoption process. One, in particular, is our social worker, Susan. She came to visit us last night to update our home study for DD’s little sister. As always, we had a great visit! I wonder, sometimes, if she knows how special she is to us. We are very thankful to her for putting together all of the paperwork to adopt Desheng Darling and for working with us on our second adoption. She has been a great source of information and guidance. It is obvious that she loves her work. I only wish I had met her much earlier in my life, because I think I would have loved doing what she does. Although I know it’s not the best paying career, it’s got to be one of the most rewarding. I actually think I have an idea why God didn’t lead me down that path. He knew that my heart would be broken too many times by the hardships of children that I would see in this line of work. I’d be tempted to take in every child who needed a home and before long I might be like the “Old woman who lived in the shoe who had so many children she didn’t know what to do.” Thank you, God, for being all-knowing!

(I had a better picture of Susan, but DD looked even sillier in it...if you can imagine that!)

DD enjoyed the visit, too. As usual, her silly mode kicked in, but Susan didn’t seem to mind. It’s amazing how well she interacts with kids. She sang the “Bob the Builder” theme song like it was a part of her daily routine! She even relates well to Brother Darling…and that’s not always easy to do. Of course, the thing I like best about Susan is that she tells us we look younger every time she sees us. How could we not love someone who tells us that????