May 26th, 2008.

A year ago yesterday, Aimée and I officially became a family. I have been on an incredible high reminiscing over every single detail of those first few days with Aimée. It meant so much to me that my mother was here to celebrate with us.
We celebrated our first "Gotcha Day" in a way we never dreamed possible. We met up with Hoa Binh's orphanage director, Thuy(TDH in country facilitator), TDH staff, familiar adoptive families and a group of special delegates from Vietnam for a picnic that just happened to be organized by TDH for May 26. Between you and me, I secretly told Aimée that all these people were really here for OUR special day. But really, could it be any more perfect!!!! It was so awesome to visit with everyone there!
Last evening, we had a special Vietnamese meal for dinner and shared drinks and cake with friends. Just when I thought our day could not get any sweeter it did. Hannah called Aimée by her name for the first time. "Maymay!" It deeply touched my heart. In that moment, I finally found the answer to a nagging question. On occasion, I have worried and wondered if my love alone was enough for Aimée. Hannah reminded me that Aimée has so much more than that. She has a large number of tremendously loving friends and family in her little life. All of whom she would not know if things were any other way. I went to bed last night full of peace and pride. Aimée and I are doing terrific. She is a very happy little girl full of love. I know this is where she belongs.

If there was any doubt as to whether the Vietnamese

officials really cared about the children...

Jacqueline and Sadie

Hélène, Manon and Dorinda from TDH

Feeding Maman

Feeding Mémère

Girls from Hoa Binh with director and delegates.

Hannah, Cindy and Aimée and I

Thuy and representative from the People's Committee

Cindy, Grandma and Hannah

Samantha, Woody and the Adorable Twosome.

Sadie and Jim (one of my favourite pictures of the day)

Dena and Sarah

Saying goodbye to Thuy

Bye Bye from Mr Luu (orphanage director)

She Works Hard For The Money

Yahoo! I survived my first week as a "working-outside-the-home-mama". It was not nearly as difficult as I thought (knock on wood). Sure, I am tired at night, but who isn't? I think I am doing FANTASTIC. Perhaps not everyone would agree, though. The other day, a little boy in my class asked me if I was tired. "No, not really", I said. To which he replied: "You know, you have some black under your eyes". Only from the mouths of babes.....

Aimée would like very much to be at school with me. I tried to pull some strings and get her a job as administrative assistant. So what if her feet cannot touch the floor. I don't remember that being in the job description.

I personally think Aimée would make a brilliant Administrative assistant, don't you?

My first Mother's Day was superb. I was thrilled to finally be able to celebrate this day with my daughter. And believe you me, I was totally spoiled. Apparently, Aimée had arranged/shopped with many of my friends (without my knowledge) for gifts for her maman. Aimée is very good at surprises and keeping a tight lip on things. She didn't even give away one little hint.

"Bonne Fête des Mères, Maman!!! Je t'aime!"

Aimée's first week at daycare went better than I could ever have imagined. She is very happy there. She is napping and eating without the slightest fuss. That's even better than what she does here. Bravo Bébé! She has one of the "blankies" Kathryn has made for her at daycare. I am so relieved that she has one to comfort her there. I can't thank Kathryn enough for them. Aimée loves both of them very much and is attached to them.

Here, she is snuggled up to the other one in her crib.

In case any of you were worried, Aimée and Hannah still get lots of playtime after work.

For you Aimée...

In two and a half weeks (May 26) it will be one year since Aimée was adopted. I wanted to make a video commemorating this amazing journey before our fist "Gotcha Day" (adoption day anniversary). With me going back to work on Monday, I knew I had to seize the moment and get it done. The video brings back so many powerful and wonderful emotions. I look forward to one day sharing this video with my beautiful daughter. I hope she will see how much she was wanted and loved... even before we met.

(Don't forget to pause the music in the pink box on the right hand side of your screen.)

For you, Aimée

Mother of the Year!

My sister caught this on the news last night on CNNBC. She forwarded the link to me immediately. (Thanks Den) Although I was not aware of the news release... I am not surprised really. It just comes to me naturally. That is just the way God made me... loving, nurturing, sweet and thoughtful.

Here is the link Mother of the Year Award . Don't forget to pause the music on the right hand side of your screen.

Doggy Heaven

Casey has gone to doggy heaven today. My heart aches. I hope it is a place with unlimited tennis balls, chewy toys that never lose their squeak, and endless green grass.

I hope there are piles of warm fresh clothes (just pulled out of the dryer) waiting for Casey to dig into and cozy up to. I hope there are Tim Horton Drive threws with free Timbits at every corner.
I hope there are lakes she can swim in, squirrels to chase and a bazillion pink soft Frisbees soaring through the sky.

I hope she knows how much I loved her. Casey has giving me so many funny and wonderful memories. I got her when I was still in university. She was just 10 weeks old and the runt of the litter. Can you believe that I used to sneak her in my coat on O.C. Transpo and bring her to class with me? As good friends do, Casey has gotten me through some really tough times. I feel so incredibly grateful for the unconditional love she has given me over the years.

Aimée will miss her partner in crime.

Bye bye Casey! Be a good girl!

And a bah bah here, and a bah bah there....

Aimée and I are making the most of our last days together before I have to return to work. This morning Aimée had a playdate at the daycare she will be soon attending. She likes the other kids and really enjoys being there. I feel very lucky and relieved to know that she will be well loved and taken care of while I am at work. This afternoon we went to Valley View Farm with some friends.

My little sunflower

"Choo chooing" with Kathryn

Posing with Morgan

"Woohooing!!!"

I have been watching a lot of America's Next Top Model and applied all that I have learnt in this next photo. Fortunately, my good friends are happy to comply to my direction.

Tyra would be proud!

Aimée's teeth are still hurting her. :( She won't take any teething toys to chew on but she will gnaw on a stroller.

"Can we take them home, Maman?"

"I love you, Bah, Bahs!"

Jo-ann and Little M with Aimée and I

Digging, tossing and pouring sand with good buddy Little M

And I ask, could you walk away without getting a picture of yourself and this backdrop?

Aimée is still working on her walking.

We are also enjoying our time with Hannah and Cindy. We like to go to the park, play in their backyard, walk to Subway for dinner, chase duckies at the pool or hang out in our backyard and play with our low budget sand and water centre.

Have I mentioned that Aimée's teeth are really hurting her??????

Here she is, this time, gnawing on a plastic boat.

Sweet little Hannah

Chez Mémère et Pépère!

We spent the last week in North Bay visiting my parents. We had a really nice time despite the yucky weather. Aimée has no problems making herself at home. She had taken over Mémère and Pépère's house the moment we walked in.

Life is good!

Really good!

Aimée is snuggling with Mémère in this next picture. Her eye teeth are STILL coming out (they are taking forever) and they are hurting her very much. She is often rubbing her gums with her thumb and chewing her palm. She is also slightly on the grumpy side.

Mémère and Pépère brought Aimée (back from the U.S.) her very own Cabbage Patch baby with adoption papers and all. They got her from the Babyland General Hospital.

Mémère saw lots of babies before she found the perfect one for Aimée.

Here is baby Arianna with her new mommy Aimée.

"Aimée, you have to be gentle with Baby Arianna! "

We got to visit with our longtime friend Nicole, her family and her chickens!

Aimée playing the piano with Nicole.

Like all good things, our visit came to an end. We were sad to go home.

Only two more weeks left of my parental leave. On May 11th, I am back in the classroom.