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.