What a Difference 1/2 a year makes

This was Macy and one of her nannies on our trip back to the Orphanage on May 17. Our Adoption "Forever Family" Day was May 4 2009. It has been a short 6 months since that day, and what a 6 months it has been. Macy has changed so much in the short time, she has gone from a baby barely able to pull herself up, to a running, jumping, climbing, swimming machine.



Here she is playing her games on Mommies computer.

And below is after a breakfast that included yogurt.


I wonder at the amazing times to come.

First Halloween

Macy as she checks out the Halloween Tree.

I know not everyone has a Halloween Tree, but years ago, I was out shopping with my own Mom, and we found this back twig tree at the store. I turned to Mom and asked her what she thought it was for, and her reply was, "A Halloween Tree of Course" So, ever since I have had a Halloween Tree along with my Pumpkin. Sadly, Mom was only here for that first Halloween Tree year, as she passed away a few short days later, but I think she would have thought this year was the Best Yet. I still miss you Mom.




Macy all dressed up and escaping with her own pumpkin, before her name was completed. IN the end, it did say MACY, not just the MA you see here.



On our Way.


I actually let her eat some fruits of her labour.

A good time was had by all. After we arrived back home Macy spent the rest of the evening running for the door whenever the doorbell rang, eager to see the other kids dressed in costume and to hand out goodies.

Our First Pumpkin

We spend some time this morning at a local Farm Market and picked out our pumpkin. Macy was less than impressed with the pumpkins, but she was thrilled with the big open field and the apple trees.

They all look the same, which one to choose.
Which weighs the most, Macy or the Pumpkin?It was a fun time, a nice start to an Autumn Tradition of Picking the Pumpkin.

Outside Having Fun

I love this picture, we were playing in the front yard and Macy decided to check out the next door neighbours flowers.......................she only picked a few.

Fall Frolicking

Well, another month and more has come and gone and my beautiful daughter continues to grow and learn at a rate that boggles my mind. It has been 5 months she has been with me and every minute of every day I am Thankful she is here.

We have been having lots of fun. Swimming lessons started again. Macy is in the "Duck level", having mastered the 1st level of Parents and Tots with ease. She loves the water and I plan on keeping her in swimming for as long as I can.

We spent Saturday Oct 17 at Pumpkinfest in Waterford. It was a great day. We met with friends and Macy sat and watched the parade for almost 1 1/2 hrs. She was a hit in her little pumpkin costume, (thanks Marie) and drew comments from more that one parade goer.
Bob decided she needed a wagon, so we stopped on the way home and got her one. It was a great hit. She loves it. She can see everything and even though there is a seat belt, she does not fuss over it like she does the one in the stroller. We had a nice walk along the river this evening, with Macy laughing and giggling most of the way. The picture above show off Macy in her new wheels as we left for our walk.

Macy has discovered the fun of unrolling the TP and emptying the Kleenex box. It's a great race to see how much she can get done before I grab her. She giggles all the while.
A few weeks ago, we were off the Toronto to visit with my long time friend Gabi. Macy and Gabi were quickly fast friends. We had a wonderful day and are looking forward to more visits.


Thanksgiving Dinner this year we spend with family at Uncle Gord and Aunt Karen's house. Lots of food, lots of company and for Macy, lots of kids to play with.

If Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we are thankful for, then for me, one day is not enough. Macy has enriched my life in so many ways, I cannot begin to list them.

We talk with my sister Kathy and her husband Ron almost every day. They are currently living in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, and through the wonders of the internet and Skype, we can see each other and chat whenever we want. As we chatted this evening, my supper time and their tomorrow breakfast, I told Kathy that at one point during the parade today, I got all teary, ( I know hard to believe I get emotional). One of the bands was stopped in front of us, and when they started up again, they started playing the "Ontario song", well those of us who were around way back in the day, may remember it, It starts something like, Give us a place stand and a place to grow, and we will be Ontario..................... It made me realize, how happy I am at this point in my life, to be able to give my daughter the advantages that come with living in this great country and this great province.

4 months

Four months ago today, I officially became a Mother.
As I sit here and look at the clock, it is hard to believe that just 4 months ago, give or take a few minutes, (and the time zone difference) that I held my Magnificent Marvelous Macy in my arms for the 1st time.
The past 4 months are indescribable. The joy, wonder and amazement Macy has brought to my life is beyond anything I had imagined.
As one of my long time friends said to me, "This is the best thing you ever did", and he meant it was the best thing ever for me. Yes, Macy will have more opportunities here in Canada than she probably would have had in her homeland, but I am the one that gets the best out of all of this, I get to love her, my Magnificent Marvelous Macy.

Finally ...... another post

Enjoying a stroll down the Beach at Comox BC. Aug 03/09

Well, it's been some time since I last posted. Our life has been busy. Busy getting settled. Busy travelling the country and busy having Fun. Kathy and Ron (my sister and her hubby) are all settled and working in Ho Chi Minh City. We talk to them almost daily on Skype and Macy continues to entertain them from 1/2 way around the world. A few days after they left, Macy and I flew to Comox BC. It is on the Island in BC. We visited with my niece Samantha and her husband Andrew. We had a wonderful time, enjoying the beach and sites. Macy got to meet and get to know even more relatives.



Floating in the Pacific Ocean, in my new floatie. It was a great day and we even found a crab.
Macy checking out the beach before the tide came in.



After we came home from BC, we headed up to the Ottawa area with a another adoptive Mom and her wonderful son Ben. We stayed with my older sister Sandy and her husband John. On Wed Aug 12 we had a get together with other Vietnamese adoptive families. The turnout was great. There were 11 little ones, along with their parents. We had fun in the yard, a great swim and a BBQ to end the afternoon. Thank You so very much to my sister and her husband for all of their hospitality and work. You made Bev and I and the children feel so welcome and you made the day we all got together wonderful. We already have plans to do it again next year.
Sadly, a day or two after we returned home my Aunt Peg passed away. She was the last of my Mom's siblings. Macy and I travelled back to Ottawa, along with one of my brothers and two of my sis-in-laws to attend her funeral. I must say, by this time Macy was getting a bit tired of all the travel.

But...... after a few days at home we were off again. This time to Bancroft area. The original idea was to camp, but after a few hints and my worry that Macy would escape the tent, we decided to stay in a motel instead. We had a fun, relaxing time. A bit of the beach, canoeing, just hanging out.
We are home now, and staying home at least for awhile. We have no plans to go anywhere for a bit.
I am looking forward to the next Mommies in Waiting dinner, coming soon, where we get to meet new friends and connect again with the wonderful people we have met along this amazing journey of Building our Families.

Happy 1st Birthday

This past Sunday we celebrated Macy's 1st Birthday. Her birthday is actually today, but Sunday is a much better day of the week to have family over.
We had a great time. We played in the yard........................



and we sang Happy Birthday. Aunt Kathy explained that the 2nd candle was for us to remember Macy's first family. Without them we would not have Marvelous Magnificent Macy in our lives.


Macy enjoyed a piece of both chocolate and white cake and seemed to like them both.

Macy got to spend some time with Uncle Bob and Aunt Peg before the day was over.

2 Months as a Forever Family

Out for breakfast on Canada Day with Aunt Kathy, Uncle Ron and of course Mommy.



Having fun with Mommy.


Enjoying Springbank Park in London


Posing with Mommy on Canada Day


Enjoying a cold one with Uncle Ron on Canada Day.




It's been 2 months since Macy and I became an "Official" Family.
In my heart we were a Forever Family many months before that. I remember so well the morning last July 19th, when I arrived home after working nights to find a message from CB informing me I would be adopting a daughter. That is the moment she became part of me. Yes, I had to wait until Dec 2nd to see her sweet face and Yes, I had to wait until May 4th, 2 short months ago to hold her close to me but it was that beautiful Saturday morning almost a year ago that she exploded into my heart.
I thought at that time that nothing could be better than knowing I was going to have a daughter, I was so wrong. Having Macy in my life is so much more than I ever expected. She truly is the light in my life. I wake up each morning eager to see her again. My days are so very different now, but they are OH so much better.
A few weeks ago when my family was together for Macy's baby shower I overheard my brother Fred say, "I have never seen Ellie smile so much". I should have told him at the time, but the reason I smile so much is because I have so much to smile about,...................her name is MACY.

Macy clowning around after a breakfast of yogurt, cheese and blueberries.



Time flies. It hardly seems possible that Macy and I have been a family for over 8 weeks. On July 4th it will be 2 months. 2 wonderful months of amazement, fun and family.



Macy is learning to master the spoon.



A fun day at a friends birthday party. The pool was a big hit with Macy. Here she is modeling one her her swimsuits.

New Toys

Macy hanging out in her new playhouse. It is presently occupying a place in the dining room.




Uncle Ron and Aunt Kathy were wonderful and came over and assembled all the items. Here is Macy helping Uncle Ron assemble another item.


Here she is helping Aunt Kathy put together the sand/water table.



It is truly amazing how much stuff can be accumulated in a short time for one tiny girl.... Who knew my house could hold so much stuff? At the recent family baby shower Macy received several "BIG" items. You know, the ones every girl needs and the ones I would have bought myself by now if she had not gotten them as gifts. An NO I am not spoiling her. I think every one needs a play house, water table, picnic table, slide etc etc etc. Maybe it is a case of "I never had this as a child so I want it for my daughter", but that is not really true. I am sure that most of these items were not even thought of when I was her age, but it is so much fun watching her play with them, and is that not what this whole thing is about? Fun!!! I just never knew it could be this wonderful to watch her learn and play. She amazes me every day with something new. And it has only been 7 weeks.

Our Day

Macy has almost mastered feeding herself,................................... sometimes that is.
Often more food ends up on the floor than in her mouth, but she is getting better, and is now trying to get the hang of using a spoon.




Too long of a nap during the day, and Macy is up until almost midnight............................... then she will sleep until 10am.



Macy's first Timbit................. I would say NOT a hit with her.

Family Weekend

We had a wonderful family weekend. On Saturday there was a family baby shower for Macy. It was great. Great weather and a great time was had by all. Family from Kenora, Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa were here for the occasion.


As you can see from the photo we have a sizable immediate family. Unfortunately not everyone was able to attend, (OK I guess living in BC and Florida is a bit far to drive for a weekend) but Thank You to all who were able to make it.

Macy may not have known, but long before our Forever Family Day of May 4, 2009, she was loved by MANY. My entire family has been waiting anxiously to meet her, and finally, they did.




Macy was the hit of the party and charmed everyone.





Macy with my older sister Sandy.
Sandy and her husband John are soon to be grandparents for the 1st time as their daughter Kim and her husband Jake are expecting their 1st child by the end of this month. Congrats to all of you.


One of the many wonderful gifts we received.


I cannot thank everyone enough for making the weekend such a wonderful, fun, but at the same time relaxing time. It is times like this that I truly appreciate my family. I don't tell them enough how much they mean to me. They are all thrilled and excited about Macy. They have welcomed her into our family and Macy and I are blessed.

new LOI's

Great news for several of the waiting families. Several of the families in the Vietnam program received their Letters of Invitation today. Wonderful news. I know how excited they must be. These families will be travelling to HCMC the 1st week of July. Hooray!!!!!!!

More Pictures

Contemplating the complexities of a straw with Uncle Gord



Checking out the "Welcome to Canada" gifts of Canada socks and a Kenora Moose Pillow from Uncle Fred and Aunt Aleta





Hey I am just looking for anything good that may be down here






Just a few of the wonderful gifts Macy received from her Baby shower at Marie's on Sunday June 7th.
More gifts from June 7th