MERRY CHRISTMAS...

Where does time go?  Guess when you have a super active two year old, the time flies.

I need to get better at this whole blogging thing.  Even if no one is following along, I really want a place that Asha can go and look back on the things we did or the person she was.  I plan on taking a ton of photos at Christmas and will be sure to post them all as soon as the holidays are over.

To all of our friends and family near and far, I wish you a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Will give an update soon... I promise...

AUTUMN...

We went to a pumpkin maze that they set up in a local greenhouse.  Asha had lots of fun climbing along the bails of hay. 

When we got home, we found hay absolutely everywhere!!!  Even in her underwear!

Daddy and Asha carved a pumpkin together to prepare for Halloween.  She had a blast using her plastic knife to help Daddy make the face on the pumpkin.

LOOK AT ME EVERYONE!!!  Check out the piece of pumpkin hanging from Asha's chin!  Too sweet!

FASHION DIVA...

Friends of ours were volunteering in the toddler room at church on Sunday.  When we went to pick up Asha after the service, our friend Amy-Jo told us how much fun Asha had dressing up and that she managed to do it all on her own with no help at all!  This was not really a surprise to us as she loves to dress up in almost anything at home.  But what really shocked us were the pictures that she emailed to us today - too cute and funny!!! 

Amy-Jo said:

I couldn't resist taking these in the toddler room on Sunday, she did this on her own. Hilarious... you can take the girl out of the Caribbean, but you cannot take the Caribbean out of the girl!

SO TRUE!!! 

 

SMARTY PANTS...

On the way home from the grocery store today, this is the conversation I had with Asha...

Asha:  Mama?
Mama:  Yes Asha.
Asha:  Asha wants a popsicle.
Mama:  Sure, sweetie.  Why don't we make supper and then have a popsicle?
Asha:  Mama, you want choc-o-lit?
Mama:  Sure, I love chocolate honey.
Asha:  Asha no like choc-o-lit Mama.
Mama:  I know honey.  How come you don't like chocolate?
Asha:  Makes me feel sick and stodgy.

I seriously laughed out loud!!!!  I couldn't believe my two year old used the word STODGY in a sentence.  The funny thing of all is that she used the word in the correct context too!

And for all of you out there who are not as smart as my two year old :), stodgy can mean: indigestible and starchy; heavy or heavy and unpalatable: said of food.

Yep, we have a baby einstein in our family!

AS SCOTT SAYS...

...WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS...

...STAYS ON YOUR ARM FOREVER!!!

 You guessed it!  While in Vegas I got a tattoo and I love it! 

It is a flower that is found in Asha's birth country and comes from a tree call the Cannonball Tree.  The tree is unique because each flower blooms in the morning and dies in the evening.  Also, the flowers from the tree bloom and grow from the bark of the tree instead of branches.  For me it symbolizes that although Asha didn't grow from inside my womb, she first grew in my heart.

I love that all I have to do is look down and I get an instant reminder of the journey I embarked on to become a mom.

   

THANKSGIVING...

What was I thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend?  The fact that Asha got to meet my Baba Josie.

When I was a little girl, maybe six years old or so, I told my Baba that in my life I wanted to do three things:

1. Become a teacher (I am certified and plan to work in this field once Asha is school age)
2. Marry the man of my dreams (and Scott is that and more), and;
3. Have a child and be able to be a mother

Through our struggles with infertility and then the route of adoption, I knew that if and when we did have a child, that more than anything I wanted Baba to meet our little one. 

Baba has never lived close by, but she has always had a special spot in my heart.  Baba's health has been failing and with her living in Kelowna, British Columbia, I never honestly thought Asha would get the opportunity to meet this special lady in my life.  But, my dreams came true this weekend.  Baba came here for Thanksgiving.

OOPS...NEVER TRUST THE PACKAGING...

Both Scott and I are creative and artsy.  I do scrapbooking (guess I can say I "used" to do scrapbooking as I haven't found time since Asha's been home).  I also crochet, cross stitch, make cards and more recently have taken up quilting.  Scott draws, paints and is an exceptional screenplay writer.  The arts are very important to us and so when it comes to Asha, we try as much as we can to incorportate anything creative into her day. 

Mama figured that Asha would have a blast with finger painting, so off to Walmart we went.  I knew it would be messy so I made sure to check that the paints were washable and non-toxic and I even bought a nice smock for her to wear so that her clothing would stay clean.  Well the clothes were not the issue, let me tell you!  The issue was that the paints were not in fact washable and because of that, Asha had blue lips for days!!!  Poor thing was scrubbed and scrubbed so hard that we couldn't tell if she was actually scrubbed so hard that she went blue, or that she was in fact blue from the paint color. 

 The most important thing of all...she had fun and that was all that mattered.  And our little girls hands and lips are no longer blue - which is definitely a bonus!

WHITE MAMA....BLACK BABY...

A friend of mine passed this along to me and it really spoke volumes to me.  She said:

Sometimes I have doubts about adopting transracially. I wonder if we are doing the right thing. Some say that it is not "natural" for a white family to raise a black child. They argue that there are just too many differences between the races. Having never been there, it is hard not to wonder if they are right.

Then God comforted me with the gift of this image. Even in nature, he reminded me, he gives black babies to white mamas. They are both sheep. They are exactly the same on the inside. It just so happens that the wool of one is a different color than the wool of the other. There is nothing weird or unnatural about it. They are a family, just the way that God intended.

Lord, make us a family with the child that you have called us to love. Help us to see no difference but the color of our "wool."

FOLKFEST...

FOR THREE DAYS EVERY YEAR, Saskatoon comes alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of our ethnic heritage. Performers of all ages, combined with exquisite artisans, global merchants, talented cooks, and enthusiastic servers, are proud to share their unique culture and the Caribbean is no exception.

This was about our pavilion:

"Whenever you have a few people gathering in the Caribbean, you have the makings of a party..."
The horn sounds. "All aboard!" Your surroundings come to life "Under the Sea" ... complete with live mermaids!!

Dive in and explore this underwater adventure while marvelling at Prince Niah - the Fire Eater all the way from Jamaica; Ayanna, our Limbo Dancer from Toronto; and the pulsating rhythms of Espirito Latino from Regina. The Steel Band will have you on your feet, and believe us, it's going to get hot Hot HOT! Enjoy other specials guests: def SOL, Sephoria and Tony Corbin - amazing local talent.

Tempt your taste buds with our Curried and Jerk Chicken, Beef or Chicken Roti, Beef & Vegetarian Patties, Festival and Gizzadas. Quench your thirst with our famous Rum Punch or try a  'Jamaica-Me-Crazy'; and we have Island drinks for the kids! Kids will also enjoy a variety of activities in Ariel's Corner.

Join the Conga Line! We're the place to be at the end of each evening during 'Jump Up at CARNIVAL'. So, kick off your sandals, dig your toes in the sad and discover what lies "Under the Sea" on this memorable voyage in the Islands! There is only one golden rule:

Enjoy yourself!

And we sure did have fun!  Even though Scott and I were rushing around most of the three days to ensure that everything was running smoothly, we still got to enjoy the food, friends and entertainment.  Asha even did some volunteering by stamping passports the one day!

 But, the best part of all was that Folkfest took us right back to our second home - St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

TO MY CHILD...

Just for this morning, I am going to smile
when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
 
Just for this morning, I will let you choose
what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step
over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play. 

Just for this morning, I will leave the
dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
 
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the
telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and
blow bubbles.
 
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell
once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream
truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
 
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about
what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I
have made where you are concerned. 

Just for this afternoon, I will let you
help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them. 

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's 
and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..
 
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my
arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
 
Just for this evening, I will let you
splash in the tub and not get angry.
 
Just for this evening, I will let you stay
up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
 
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside
you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
 
Just for this evening when I run my finger
through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given
me the greatest gift ever given.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold
you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God
for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day...

Author Unknown

FROM THE BEDROOM...

...upstairs and through the baby monitor, I hear this:

"Daddy?" Asha says.

"Yes Asha?" Says Daddy.

Then she says, "Asha wants to see Mama."

"How come?"  Daddy says.

And it is here that Asha completely melts my heart.  She says so sweetly and in such a matter of fact way, "Cause I love her."

She made my entire week!

MY BABY IS NO LONGER A BABY - IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

Today made me happy and sad all at the same time.  Happy because Asha is growing into such a smart, independent and charming little girl, but sad because she is no longer a baby. 

It seems like as soon as she turned two, a lot of the characteristics that made her my "baby" went out instantly like the candles on her cake (cheesy I know).  And although I am absolutely thrilled of the wonderful little person she is becoming, I don't want her to grow up... I am selfish I guess and I want her to stay a baby forever (minus the terrible two part of course).  

We have decided that Asha will be our only babe and so it's difficult to think I will not get to see each of these stages again.  I often feel like she is growing up TOO fast and that I cannot keep up.

So I take her down stairs for her nap today.  And you really have to get a sense of what the usual nap time routine is like for Asha.  Normally I warm her up a "magic bag" in the microwave; the bag consists of grains and scents that calm her and make her all warm and cozy.  We get her special blanket and I warm up her bottle (she calls it tea-tea which is a St. Vincent thing).  Then I take her to her room, turn on some soft lullaby music, cuddle her on my lap while I give her tea-tea and then put her in her bed.  I then sing the wheels on the bus, pat or rub her back a little, say goodnight and I love you's, leave and blow a kiss from outside of her room.  Then I close the door and she goes to sleep.  The whole routine usually takes about 15 minutes.  But... this is what it was like today:

I warmed up her magic bag, got her blanket and her bottle, took her down stairs and turned on the music.  Then when I went to sit by her bed to give her bottle, she threw her blanket down onto the bed with her warm bag and covered herself up with a blanket.  I then tried to give Asha her bottle and she said, "No Mama, Asha's a big girl, no tea-tea."  So I went to rub her back and say my goodnight's, sweet dreams and I love you's and she said, "Bye Mom".  Yep, that's what she said!  Bye Mom.  Guess I'm going to have to come to terms with this sooner than later. 

See, I told you all.  My baby is no longer a baby - it's official!!!     

THANK HEAVEN FOR LITTLE GIRLS...

This picture couldn't have captured Asha more perfectly.  Not to mention she is holding her favourite thing in the whole wide world - her blanket - which reads, "thank heaven for little girls." 

ASHA'S 2ND BIRTHDAY!!!

Asha turned two on August 2nd!  Can you believe it?  As Asha's Mama, it is so difficult to believe that she is already two!  Where does the time go?  It makes me really realize how precious each moment is that I spend with her.  And although I rejoice that we are a family, a cute family of three, it also saddens me that my baby girl is growing up.  And growing up to be such a strong willed, kind, caring, generous, independent and loving little person. 

Posing for a picture

Asha may only be two but she has such a big heart and so much love, and would really do whatever she could to make you happy and smile.  She is amazing and amazes me each and every day.  And the best part of all is that... I can say that she is my daughter.

And although these two-year-old-tantrums-and-fits-and-crying-and-whining-and-complaining, really does try to get the best of me on some days, I would never ever ever ever never trade it for the world!

Candy!!!

FAMILY REUNION...

This weekend was very special to me because a lot of family on my Dad's side would be meeting Asha for the very first time.  The three of us traveled to Manitou which is a lake front town about an hour and a half away from Saskatoon for a family reunion.

Many came from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC.  We sang, ate, golfed, laughed, worshiped together, cried and danced. 

It took Asha Friday and most of Saturday to finally feel comfortable and to warm up to all the new people and faces.  But when she did, she had a blast.  Especially with her new cousin Asia (who is also adopted).

FIVE MONTHS...WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

I can tell you the answer!  We've been busy running after an extremely active toddler!  Just watching her makes me tired...

When I first began this blog, it was for us to be able to keep our family and friends updated with our journey to create our forever family.  Since we've become the forever family, my blogging has slowed down or maybe I should say, has become non-existent.  I am here to tell you all that I AM BACK!  Blogging is an awesome way to keep connected with people in our lives who love and care so much for our little family of three.  Not only that, but it will be nice for Asha to look back on this blog as she becomes older (although Asha getting older does depress me a little because I want her to be my baby forever).

So here I am.  Lots has happened over the last few months, but most exciting of all is that Miss Asha is now two!!!  Hooray!  And she is growing like crazy. 

Thanks for sticking around.  I promise I will update you all soon with whats been happening with Our Little Vincy.

HOPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Santa Claus didn't go over so well at Christmas and left Asha in tears and afraid for her life, so we assumed that the Easter Bunny would be much of the same but it so wasn't!  She absolutely loved him.  So much so, that she sat on his knee, left to come and see us and then ran back for more cuddles and tickles.  It was so adorable.

 

After the cuddle time with the Easter Bunny, we went to see some traditional Easter animals at the mall.  Asha loved seeing all the animals and especially loved seeing the little chicks.  She actually picked up a two day old chick and squeezed it so hard we thought it wouldn't survive.  She didn't mean any harm, just got so excited!

Asha had a blast with her cousins Keely and Kassidy in their hot tub!  They simply adore her and she adores them! 

On Easter morning, we started with an Easter egg hunt.  The Easter Bunny left little goodies hidden throughout the house.  Asha looked high and low until she had found them all.  She was so proud of her bowl full of chocolate eggs.  But what made her really excited was her Easter basket and the Elmo stuffed animal, book and bunny ears that were inside.  Too cute!

 

Asha loves to be outside, so we took a walk by the river and let her run around.  We hadn't had a family picture with the three of us for quite a while.  It was such a nice and sunny morning and was a beautiful start to our Easter Sunday.  

Easter couldn't have been more perfect.  Not only because we got to spend it with family, but because we had our little girl home with us.