A Feel Good Weekend

What a fabulous weekend we had! Aimée and I drove out to Burlington to meet up with the two families that traveled to Vietnam at the same time I did to adopt our children. I don't know how to put in words how good it was for my soul to visit with them. I still feel warm all over.

Daniel, Aimée and Noah

O.K. then...... I guess the photo shoot is now over.

Aimée wants to play!!!

It was so neat to see the three babies together after four months. How they have changed. They know exactly who their parents are. The miracle of adoption is that in their eyes there was no miracle... this is simply the way it was always suppose to be. I am sure if they could speak they would say: "Yah, yah... that's my mom, that's my dad... what's the big deal?"

On the last evening of our visit, we watched videos and looked at some pictures from our trip. It was very emotional. Here are some pictures from when we were in Vietnam.

I LOVE this picture of Aimée.

In a matter of moments from the time this next picture was taken, I would be walking out of the orphanage with Aimée in my arms. I would be caring for her from then on.

My heart was racing.

Aimée was so tiny. Here, (at 7 months) she is wearing a 3-6 month outfit and it is falling off of her.

Here, Aimée and I are at the Canadian Embassy waiting for Aimée's passport.

Check out the maple leaf patterned couch!

Bananas anyone???

I call this next photo "East meets West"

On Saturday we went apple and pumpkin picking. It was a blast.

Keeping Busy...

Yesterday, we met up with some cousins. My cousin Chris was in town and I had not seen him since forever. It was nice to get together with some family. We share so many memories. You can always count on lots of laughter and teasing when we get together.

Aimée just being so adorable.

We had a brilliant morning. Fiona, Aimée and I went for a long leisurely walk. It was one of those great Canadian Autumn days. The air was crisp. The leaves have begun to change colour. We had steaming hot coffees from Tim Horton's in our hands.

Love is a wondrous thing....

I love being Aimée’s mom. I absolutely love the way her warm breath feels against my neck when she falls asleep on my shoulder. I love the way she vibrates and trembles with excitement. I love the way she tries to stick her tiny finger in my ear. I love the way she runs her hand up and down my arm when I am feeding her. I love the way she talks non-stop to her toys, the coffee table, the pillows, my socks, her shoes and everything else. I love the way my singing ACTUALLY settles her when she is crying. I love the way she can fall asleep all slouched over with her head hanging forward. I love the way she trust me and the world around her. I love the way she says "Maman" and "KK"(Casey). I love the way she continuously heads for Casey's water dish every single chance she gets. I love the way she shares her crackers with Casey. I love the way she bounces to music. I love the way her eyes always sparkle. I LOVE the way she makes me feel!

"Chez Aimée" Spa Photos

Nothing like relaxing in a warm bath to take away teething stress!

"Check out these legs, Baby!"

Here is Aimée after a full body massage feeling very relaxed..




Ready for our swim class.
(new swimsuit from Aunt Carmen)

Just when I think I have FINALLY baby proofed the entire house, Aimée finds yet some more wires! UGH!

She can now hold her bottle all by herself.

Aimée is making amazing progress with her helmet.

WE HAD JOY, WE HAD FUN, WE HAD FREEZIES IN THE SUN!

Summer is coming to an end? Really? It is so hard to believe. The end of August has always been a crazy, stressful and exhausting time for me as I get organized for a new school year. I am usually running with my head cut off trying to do too much in too little time (because I wasted most of it doing completely unnecessary things like changing borders on bulletin boards...). Well, there is one working day left before school starts and I am so darn relaxed it is almost criminal. This is a really nice change!

We had a wonderful visit from Craig, Sandie and Noah several weeks ago. They are extremely special to Aimée and I. They adopted Noah the same time I adopted Aimée. What we shared together in Vietnam during those couple of weeks has deeply connected us for life. They (as well as the other family we traveled with) are such kind people. Even though I was technically "alone" for the trip, I never felt alone. These two families were always there looking out for Aimée and I. Call me sappy, but I like to believe my guardian angel arranged for two of the nicest families to travel at the same time as me.

Noah and Aimée during their visit.

Aimée

"Le beau Noah"

Here is Aimée looking like such a big girl!

Aimée is now crawling. It is not the classic crawl.

In fact, she looks like a baby seal as she dives on her tummy.

(You can't see much of it in these photos, but the duvet cover on this bed is from my trip to Vietnam. It is hand made and absolutely gorgeous! The silk is quite inexpensive in Vietnam.)

Aimée has been working on her bowling game.

Watch out Mémère, she will soon be ready to take you on!!!

I am actually looking forward to this fall to tell you the truth. We have registered for numerous classes and activities. We will be going to the library for stories and songs, joining playgroups at the Early Childhood Center and taking swimming lessons at our local pool. It should be lots of fun.

I wish all of you a fantastic last few days of summer!

We are family!!!

Aimée and I spent the last little while in North Bay with my parents. I was able to recoup from the mono while Aimée was loved to bits by her Mémère and Pépère. I was so incredibly proud to introduce Aimée to friends and family back home.

We wanted Aimée to know that wearing a helmet is cool... so we wore one too!

Love can turn your brain to watermelon mush sometimes!!!

Pépère and Aimée

Maman and Aimée

Mémère and Aimée

Aimée is trying to crawl! She gets up on all fours and does the "rocking-the-bottom" thing! It is
adorable.

Concentrating....

Still concentrating.......

Now rocking!!!!!!

Oops!

And she's down!!

"Let's just skip the crawling thing.... I now want to walk!"

Aimée's two top center teeth have cut through this week. She has been pretty sore, but her Pépère managed to get her laughing.

The girl cracks me up every time she laughs. She has the most infectious laugh. (Remember to pause the music from my blog on the right hand side of the screen to better hear the video)

She still loves to be in the water!

Elmo has found a new home thanks to Gabrielle. He clucks and dances like a chicken. He is loud, silly and well... pretty much annoying. Aimée loves him!

"Hello everybody, Elmo can do the chicken dance!"

Aimée is an amazing little girl and I am so very fortunate to have her in my life! I could not have picked a sweeter daughter!