~ LOG IN DATE ~

I was VERY unsure about writing this post. I didn't want people to think I was bragging or however else this could be taken...but, here I go!


Last year our dossier was logged into the CCAA on this date! We had a small celebration, ordered Chinese food and breathed a sigh of relief that all of the paperwork was done, accepted and actually IN China!


We arrived home with our China Princess 11 months later to our great surprise! Even before submitting our dossier I always had this "feeling" to look on the SN list (special needs) or WC list (waiting child) and I did look; but no one struck me as the ONE until I read "Dan Dan's" profile. She had a VSD ("hole in the heart" and what they called a "hemangioma" on the forehead) - scarey stuff to someone who isn't familiar with these conditions.


"Thanks" to two very special little people I was familiar with VSD ~ my little "E" was born with this and another heart defect; and to Miss "M" who was born with a hemangioma on her ear lob. I knew from "experience" that these 2 SN's were something we could "deal" with...don't get me wrong - I was SCARED!!!


When I got the call that we were chosen for "Dan Dan", I actually said to the woman on the phone, "how bad is the hemangioma, will I be shocked when I see the picture?" ~ I felt guilty for asking, but I wanted to prepare myself.


Well, as you know from my October 4th post, Mia's once huge hole in her heart is now the size of a pin hole! And, you've seen (MANY) pictures of my girl (I know I take a lot!) and you can hardly see the "hemangioma" or strawberry birthmark on her forehead ~ it mainly comes out when she is mad!!! Which does happen ... among all of her smiles!


I guess what I'm trying to say is...adoption is such a rollercoaster of emotions and questions and "blind faith" and most of all HOPE.


I'm not saying, by any means that every story turns out as perfect as ours, but in your heart you know what you can handle ~ even though I had experience with these "SN"'s I contacted many professionals and got MANY opinions ~ as EVERYONE should do!!!


Our story is ...well, our story and looking back I am proud and relieved that I followed my heart and all those "feelings" and that my wonderful husband had faith in me and my "feelings". Always check the SN's list (or WC list) and absorb and learn all that's happening around you (as I did with "E" and "M" 's conditions) ~ you don't want to miss out on your China Princess!



























"Screaming Mimi" ~ cute even when angry!!


*Special thanks to my little "E" and Miss "M" , without you I'm not sure what would have happened ~ thank God for you...for all of you :) I will be forever greatful...

MY 3 PUMPKINS & THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Or should I say "pumquins", as my little "E" calls them!! What a gorgeous fall weekend we had here ~ I'm so glad we didn't go last weekend in our 80 degree weather! Most of the fun was putting Mia in her pumpkin picking dress, which daddy thought was silly; but it made mommys day!!



The tough part was getting a good picture of my 3 pumpkins ~ I did my very best ~ but they did defeat me, I will admit...I did the best I could...



Hope everyone had as nice a day as we had!

~ ONE MONTH HOME ~

Mia Hope Yudan arrived home in NY a month ago ~ and we're happy to say ~ we'll never be the same!

Mia Hope has added even more laughter and giggles to an already crazy house. She is the most PERFECT daughter for us ~ beyond my best dreams ~ past my wildest expectations ~ Mia is the daughter I've always longed for ~ no question about that!

Mia finds joy in everything and I mean everything! She laughs when I push a car across the floor and throws her arms up in the air! She giggles uncontrollably when I kiss her neck and when I pretend to chase after her...I will never tire of that gorgeous sound :)

Mia has tried many new foods and seems to love pasta, pizza and chicken cutlets. Her favorites are bananas (which she says "nana") and of course, her beloved CHEERIOS! Not a day goes by without her "O's"; which she tries to say!

Mia says "dada", "mama, mama, mama" , "nana" and she makes the sounds for some animals: "moo", which she tries to press her lips together and no sound really comes out! "Oink", which is "aaaa, aaaa, aaaa " and "baaaaaaaaaaaa, baaaaaaaaaa", which sounds like a very soft "ba". She also says, "night,night" and "bye,bye"!!

Mia is an unbelievable sleeper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried to sit in the rocking chair in her room the first few days while she went to sleep; but it seemed to disturb her more. So, I just lay her in her crib and put her music on. We play a quick peek-a-boo and I say "I love you" and "Wa Ai Ni" and she blows me a kiss ~ yes, she is a doll!!!

Just a few pics:




























In Newark airport ~ Mia rides the luggage caddy with daddy!
WE ARE (almost ) HOME!!!























Mia loves stuffed animals, her pocketbook and is always busy!!
























Carrying Elmo & puppy in her pocketbook ~ very serious!





















Mia never sits still and is always looking for "fun", which = trouble!!!

Mia wants to ask me something...so she leans her head & body

over, as if "mom, can I please have...."

























My little China Princess ~ you are HOME!

~ GOOD-BYE SUNSHINE, HELLO RAIN ~

We had such a nice, warm and sunny weekend. I couldn't bring myself to have Mia pick pumpkins for the first time in a sundress, so there's always next weekend (which is supposed to be more fall-like).

Some pictures of Mia in our backyard ~ she loves this little house that daddy cleaned up and put up on our patio; especially opening and closing the door:





















































Anthony, Penny & Eddie wait for the (mini) bus this morning ~ it's windy and cooling off a bit. My big boy is NOT happy about taking the mini bus these days; but until his arm heals and the doctor o.k's the regular bus...that's his his ride...

~ HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, DEB ~

This weekend my best girlfriends and I got together for an overdue birthday brunch. Debbie's actual birth day was the day we arrived home with Mia! Aunt Debbie came by to welcome us home in the middle of her birthday celebration ~ what an Aunt!!!

Me, Debbie, Barbara & Michelle (yes, those are mimosas!!!)

Debbie shows off our traditional "special" b-day charm braclet!!

*As always we had lots of laughs, talked about old times and new times and before you know it they were cleaning up the place around us! Everyone else had eaten their brunch and left and we were in our own world...as usual! Thanks girls for waiting until things settled down for me, and for meeting at a time when Mia was napping! You guys are truly the BEST!

Love you!

~ MOMMY & ME (Mia) DANCE CLASS ~

"Mommy, why am I dressed like this?"
















"Dance class? Oh boy, I think I'll need my thumb..."





















"Why so many pictures mommy...why???"















"My brothers give the best hugs!"





















"Thumb? check! Ladybug? check!
O.k, I'm ready to go..."
















"Hi Meg, what do we do now?"















"Look at Taylor go!"





















"Itsy bitsy... what??"

"Wow, mommy really loves me; and
I think I'll keep her even though she
dresses me up all the time..."
















"Meg, why are mommys always taking pictures?"

























"Daddy, I'm home!!!!!"

























"O.k, O.k, I admit it, dance class IS fun!"

THANK YOU, GOD!!!

- Get Your Own





Today was an amazing day ~ a great day!!!

Mia had her cardiologist appointment and we got the best news!!! Her VSD has been closing and is now the size of a pin!

The doctor said he was honestly worried after looking over the medical papers from China on Mia's heart condition. According to these papers (which were dated when she was 9 months old) her hole was huge, the size of a nickel; and he was concerned she was living like this for the last 20 months.

Well, after reviewing her echocardiogram (it took my mom and I to hold poor screaming Mia down) he was thrilled to present us with this wondeful news!!

He wants to see Mia back in 6 months and does not anticipate the hole reopening (please no! I didn't even realize this could happen!).

I keep thinking over when we were reviewing Mia's profile and medical - we were told by many professionals, "you need updated information before accepting this referral, you cannot go on blind faith alone"...I was so confused because I knew in my heart that this was our daughter; but how do you take such a chance?? Well, I did have faith (or blind faith) and felt in my heart that this is right and that this is our Mia ~ wow!!

My poor little tiger had 3 doctor appointments this week - and boy was she ticked off! Monday was the pediatrician, Wednesday was the lab for bloodwork and today! You made it through, little girl with flying colors!!! (Keep fingers crossed that the blood & stool tests are this wonderful!!)

~ October Sunshine ~

It's been gorgeous in NY ~ clear, warm and sunny; almost too warm! We are all ready for the fall weather here . . . where are you? Mia had her blookwork done today; boy is she a tiger! She kicked and screamed throughout - I was so worried she wouldn't trust me anymore - just the way she was looking up at me with tears streaming down her face...Afterwards we picked "E" up at school (he was glad to go to school today instead of coming to the lab, he didn't want to hear Mia screaming he said!). It was so nice out, that we stayed outside for a while before lunch...

"E" with his remote control

Mia loves to be outside...

After lunch, Mia has some puffs...

She's trying to tell mommy something...

Mia does the sign for "more" ~ good girl - she really

surprised me, I didn't know if it was sinking in!!

"oh, thank you mommy ~ I love my puffs!"

"What can I do now?"

Her smiles are frequent and light up the room!

Happy girl!

Eddie & Mia in one place at the same time....

doesn't happen often ~ they're always on the go!

~ MIA MEETS SOME COUSINS ~

Anthony: "you ready to meet some cousins ?"

"My cousins are coming!!"

Mia eats, you know what, with Max, Madison & Aunt Barb

Uncle Glen challanges Anthony

Anthony lures the kids in with his trumpet...

My boys waiting on the cakes...

"Happy Birthday Debbie!"

Brandon helps Aunt Debbie blow out the candles

~ ONE MONTH ~

Unbelievable...that Mia was handed to me one month ago. I feel like I know her like no other, I feel like she was born to be my daughter ~ I really have no doubt that we were meant for each other ~ that she was meant to be a part of our family.


~ MIA HOPE YUDAN ~


























Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul.
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
~ Emily Dickinson