August 10, 2014! Luke's Gotcha Day!

What a wonderful day we had, Luke! This is the day we celebrate your adoption. And August 10, 2012 you when I left China got an airplane to fly to the United States. When that airplane landed on United States of America soil, you became an American citizen, what a proud day for both of us! Grandma, Koko, and Bob picked us up at the airport. It was very late in the night, and you and I were very tired. August was the first day that we were all together as a family. We celebrate that day every year, and call it Gotcha Day!  This year, you and I went to the aquarium in Cincinnati, to see all of the beautiful fish. We spent the entire day at the aquarium, and had lunch together while we were there. We had so much fun! When we got home, we made smoothies! Grandma gave you a pirate memory game! Mommy gave you an airplane to play with in the bathtub! I love you so much, Luke! I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity to be your Mother! What a day of celebration!

Summer 2014 Photos!

July 4, 2014. It's Independence Day!

What a big weekend for you, Luke! We had so much fun this 4th of July weekend! Koko and Bob came over to our house for dinner, like they do every year.  You love it when Bob and Koko visit, because you always blow lots of bubbles with Koko, and draw on the front porch with jumbo sidewalk chalk! You got a big splinter in the palm of your hand, and Koko got it out with tweezers. You thought that was pretty cool! Grandma bought sparklers for all of us... for after the sun went down. You were a little too young to hold the sparklers this year, but you loved them! You and I stayed up late this year, and listened to the fireworks from your bedroom! We had a great night, baby!

The next day, we went out to Uncle Joe's and Aunt Sandy's. Joseph is your middle name because of Uncle Joe. We had hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill, and you loved washing dishes with Uncle Joe at the sink!  Your second cousins played with you, and took a lot of pictures with you. Uncle Joe and Aunt Sandy are their Grandparents. You and I just called the the big boys because they are 6'2", 6'5", and 6'7" last we all checked! They are just very big boys, and you love to see them when they visit! The best part of the weekend, for you, was riding Uncle Joe's tractor with him! Oh, my goodness! You just loved that! Uncle Joe always found fun things to do with you! 

June 17, 2014. Luke's First Trip to the Dentist!

It's time to get your teeth cleaned, baby! The truth is Luke, this was not your first trip to the dentist. When you were a baby, you wore your night-night shoes with the bar all the time. On Easter Sunday 2013, you got ahead of yourself and hit your mouth on the floor. You were a little banged up! You went to the dentist for the first time then, to make sure that tooth was going to be alright... and it was! This was, however, your first trip to the dentist for an actual cleaning! You loved it! You always love going to the doctor, because you love to exploring the medical equipment! You are always learning and always curious! You had a blast at the dentist! The dentist said your teeth or beautiful and healthy. The dentist also said it would be a good idea for you to stop sucking your thumb! One of these days, I know you will!

May 11, 2014. Mother's Day.

Today is Mother's Day, Luke, and I am feeling so blessed! We had a quiet day at home, together... my favorite kind of day! Grandma helped you pick out decorated sugar cookies, especially for me! You gave me four in total: a rose, a smiley face, a heart, and a cookie that said, "MOM!" We ate the cookies together, and you were so proud of your gift! They were delicious and Mommy was reminded again, that we are very blessed to be Mother and Son! I am very blessed to be your Mommy! We played "Candyland" and "I Spy" games together in you room, while listening to fun music.  We do that as often as we can, because we have so much fun! I love you, Luke! Thank you for the wonderful cookies!

April 20, 2014. Happy Easter, Luke!

We are celebrating your second Easter this year, Luke! We decorated Easter Eggs and you loved doing that! You were so careful and you loved the colors! The Easter Bunny visited our house while we were still sleeping, and he filled your basket with a lot of treats and exciting things for you. He brought you It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown and lots of Snoopy and Peanuts movies. Grandma gave you a Clifford movie... you love him! The Easter Bunny also gave you two bucket hat, and you wore them every day! Everyone, including you, loved those hats! Grandma's neighbors, Mr. And Mrs. Russo left you a surprise on the front porch... a yellow duck and your first bag of "Jelly Belly" jelly beans! You were very excited and you had a wonderful Easter, son!

December 25, 2013. Merry Christmas, Luke!

Merry Christmas, Luke! You are three years old this Christmas! It has been a very cold Winter this year! You still love Curious George! You still wear your bar and shoes at night, but you don't mind at all! You love to read in the rocking chair with Mommy before bed! Lately, we've been reading The Snowy Day, The Jacket I Wear in the Snow, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, and of course, Curious George.  He is, hands down, your favorite! 

Koko and Bob came over for dinner, and to exchange gifts with us! We always celebrate a little early with them, because they travel to Charlotte for Christmas. You love it when they come over! They love you very much! They bought you a warm, navy blue Winter coat and your first pair of snow pants! The snow pants are too big for you right now, but they will fit you soon enough!

You made cookies for Santa with Grandma. You love to do this! Grandma lets you help every step of the way! You have so much fun, and love getting a little messy, of course! We put Santa's cookies on the little table next to Grandma's Christmas Tree. You always leave him a bottle of milk, because you know he'll be a little thirsty! You ran down the stairs so quickly this year, Mommy did not even have the camera ready! Mommy bought your "Elf on the Shelf" Advent Calendar and Christmas Pajamas this year. I tried to take your Christmas Card Photograph in front of your new calendar, but you were not terribly interested, and Mommy could not find the picture that was 'just right' for the yearly Christmas Card! I decided to go another way because you just didn't want your picture taken in your pajamas this year! I remembered a picture of you running on the playground at school! You looked so happy and you were having so much fun in this picture! I decided the playground picture would be the perfect Christmas Card Photograph!

Santa brought you a lot of toys and little treats! You got 5 new Matchbox cars, and a