Guangxi Girls Gone Wild....!!!!

This past weekend we hosted a Guangxi Province reuninon.....As most of you now know, when we went to China (it will be year this April 5th..!), we spent time in Beijing and then headed to the province where our daugther was waiting for us......Isabella was in an orphanage in Laibin, and we flew into Nanning, which is located in the Guangxi province of China...Joining us on that journey were Jacqui and John (who adopted Roma); Nancy and Jimmy (who adopted Laina) and Carmen (who adopted Jianna; her husband, Dante, stayed back home with their two boys, Michael and Steven)...Also joining us on that trip was Sandra (lovingly known as "Peeps" as she was our People and was a HUGE help with all of our families).....this past Saturday, all of the girls (Roma, Laina and Jianna) came to visit us......we had a GREAT time.....we cooked out......spent time together....and just got caught up on everything....it was a nice weekend, that was overdue, and went by too fast.....we had a lot of laughs and memories..Our only regret was that John couldnt make it, as he had a business commitment...he was missed, but we will catch up with him next reunion.....the following pics that I post will be from this past weekend......As you can see, our daughter isn't shy to show a 'little' belly...!! We miss the Guangxi Family already and cant wait til the NEXT reunion!!

Reach for the Stars......

This photo captured the silhouette of Zachary, leaning against a hotel window, in China....It appears that he is 'reaching for the Stars'......Zachary, NEVER stop reaching for the stars....for your goals......Anything is possible.....!

Easter Sunday.....Last year, we were in China...!

Easter certainly comes earlier this year....It is hard to believe that last Easter, we were in China....! Zachary received a letter from the Easter Bunny prior to departing for China, informing him that due to his trip to China, his Easter Egg hunt would be after we arrived home....This year, we are happy to report that the bunny will be paying a visit to Mansfield, ON Easter Sunday....!! It is amazing how much time has gone bye since last year.....Right around this time, we were awaiting word as to when we would be traveling....getting all our documents....our shots...in order...Now, we are getting ready to celebrate one year with our daughter.......It truly is amazing....I know a lot of friends still have not yet met Bella, and we hope to change that this spring/summer.....She is truly a blessing, and is more and more fun each day....Yes, she is a handful, but we find ourselves just sitting back and watching her, with awe and amazement, as to how far she has come in one year.....Here is a child that was 'taken' from the only home she ever knew, put on a plane to a faraway, foreign land, with strangers she's only known for less than 2 weeks........But, it is like she has always been a part of our family.....We can't imagine life without her, nor would we want to.....This post is dedicated to you, Isabella and Zachary, who have brought more joy to our lives than you can ever imagine.....And to all of our China 137 family and friends, we know you are sharing the same joy as our one year anniversary approaches.....We are so happy to have kept in touch with everyone...to have the reunions....the chat sites...the emails...the phone calls. For two weeks, we were in a strange land, nervous, excited.....and it was comforting to share it with other families, who we now consider our family...our friends.....to our Guangxi Family.....Carmen, Dante, Michael, Steven and Jianna.....Jacqui, John and Roma......Nancy, Jimmy and Laina....and Sandra (Peeps), we wish you a very HAPPY EASTER and see you next weekend...!

the next few photos I'm posting were taken in China by 'Miss Sandra', who we lovingly refer to as "Peeps"....!!! (this first picture is one of my favorites...Bella dressed up in her Chinese dress, that our dear friend, Carmen, bought her)....For the record, the thumb STILL is a constant in her mouth...!

Quiet....peaceful....down time....

I love this picture.....We were new parents....Not ready for the craziness that a newborn brings to your life.....the sleepless nights....the constant diaper changes...the running out to get things.....the strained veggies (that get thrown at you....!!)......but, every so often, you were able to sit down....relax......and be amazed that this child.....that you are holding...is yours......It is the same feeling we have with our Bella.......As someone once said, anyone can be a parent....but it takes a special person to be a Mother.......A Father....! As crazy as things can get (and yes, those who warned me that it gets crazier with two are right on the money...!), we wouldn't change parenthood for the world.....

this picture was taken a few nights after we got home from the hospital with Zach.....Quite simply, it is mother and son.....relaxing

Styling and ready to go......

Tina had to have a professional picture of Zachary taken....every...single....month......!!! This was one of my favorites..Hard to believe he was only ONE month old in this picture.....Bear in mind, he was 9 lbs, 5 ounces and 22 inches....a BIG baby........Course, now he's skinny as can be

Zachary continued

Zach, Bella isn't the only one that had a lot of pictures taken of her......You always loved to have your picture taken, and here are some of our favorites.....!! This was one of the first pictures of Zach...he was a big, healthy, happy baby....Ate everything...My, how things change.....For those that are reading this with toddlers at home who LOVE that their daughter or son eats everything in sight....Enjoy it.....there will come a time when its Chicken Nuggets and Fries.......Although, we can't complain...he does try new things for us......!

Number One Son.......Zachary....!!

This blog....site....was set up last year before we travelled to China to get our daughter, Isabella...(Bella).....It was a resource for family and friends to track our trip.....see our daughter....and hear about our experiences......I recently started to post more updates and photos, so those interested can watch as she grows.......It got me to thinking....reflecting.....about the birth of our first child, Zachary.....Zach will be turning 7 this April (wow, where has the time gone...!!) And will celebrating his birthday in the United States...!! Last year, he celebrated his 6th birthday in Nanning, China with our wonderful Guangxi Family (Carmen and Jianna; John, Jacqui and Roma and Jimmy, Nancy and Laina, all of whom we will be seeing...soon!).........I thought it would be fun to post some baby pictures of Zachary to see how he has changed through the years...(and becaue I am very proud of what a fine, young man he is turning into, and wanted him to know that......Zachary, one day, I hope you look back on this blog, and realize how important you were in our journey to get Bella, and what a wonderful, caring brother you are.....)....Enjoy...