Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Saturday in the Park

Actually we went Sunday after ice cream...but Chicago says it was Saturday...and who am I to argue with Peter Cetera? :-)


"Come on Mom, lets find the slides."



"Lets slide again!!"



"But I want the pool to be open now!!!"



"Okay, I guess I'll settle for the swings 'til it gets warmer."

Monday, March 27, 2006

"Lets all go to the Dairy Queen!"

Sunday it was a fairly nice day so off we all went to our local DQ. Our DQ is a HUGE draw here in town. It is an old style DQ...the kind where you walk up and order at the window. It's a bit of a landmark here in town, because as the town grew up around it, it remained true to it's 1950's roots.


Mommy and baby queue up for their turn for creamlishous goodness.


Mommy and Lydia both got a milkshake! Chocolate for me and Vanilla for the youngin'


"MMMMM...MMMMM GOOD!"


"Hey Daddy can I try a lick?"


"A girl could get used to this!"

Family (A definition)

fam·i·ly ( P ) Pronunciation Key (fm-l, fml)
n. pl. fam·i·lies

A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.

Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.

All the members of a household under one roof.

A group of like things.

A group of individuals derived from a common stock: the family of human beings.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Article in Shanghai Daily about Chinese perspective on foreign adoption

Adoption can help blend different cultures
Wu Jiayin
2006-03-21
LOVE is boundless. This is again forcefully evidenced by the fact that an increasing number of foreign families are enthusiastic about adopting Chinese children.

According to Peng Keyu, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco, more than 50,000 Chinese children have been adopted by foreign families over the past ten years. And 80 percent of the families are from the United States.

Unlike Chinese parents, who tend to hide the truth of the adoption from their adopted children, foreign parents not only tell the children about their origins, but also take them back to their motherland from time to time to familiarize them with their own country.

Patrick and Carolyn Kezele are one such couple. They adopted two girls from Sichuan Province four years ago. Since then, Ms Kezele has given up her well-paid job and has devoted all her time to taking care of the children. To provide the duo with the best growing-up environment, the Kezeles try hard to absorb Chinese culture along with their daughters.

Admittedly, these adopted children are fortunate in being able to enjoy the care and warmth of foreign families. But at the same time, the kind-hearted adopters also draw much joy from their children while falling deeper in love with Chinese culture.

In this sense, blending different cultures through philanthropy might be the most rewarding experience.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Sleeping with the enemy

Bubbles

Friday, March 24, 2006

Opinion Page (China News) March 24 2006

Villagers pay ultimate price of poverty in the provinces
Wang Yanlin
2006-03-24
THIRTY-EIGHT people squeezed into a farming boat designed to carry only two is obviously a disaster waiting to happen.
Inevitably, 28 of them died.
It happened in Yuechi County, Sichuan Province, on March 15. The boat, 5.7 meters long and 1.97 meters wide, sank instantly under the weight.
Most of the victims were villagers on their way back from a fair. The boat owner charged everyone 0.5 yuan (6 US cents) and, to make more money, continued inviting people to ride in the boat.
The journey was dangerous, obviously. Besides, it was illegal for a farming boat to work as a transport vehicle. So why did these people choose to take the risks and ride in the boat?
It could be the convenience at a lower price. If they chose the bus, it would cost them 1 yuan and a longer journey. For most peasants, a penny is worth a penny.
After the accident, the government has moved to strengthen controls on the river and stamp out boats illegally carrying passengers.
But as the fair is a routine event, villagers still have to get across the river.
The government would be better advised to provide a safe boat service at a reasonable price.


Children will continue to take care of old parentsAshley Tian
2006-03-22
A METRO story in last Friday's Shanghai Daily reported that the city is seeing a growing trend of retired seniors moving out of Shanghai due to a lack of nursing and retirement homes.
However, the trend is not likely to continue. The report cited three reasons.
Firstly, money issue - low-income families cannot afford apartments in seniors' neighborhoods in neighboring provinces.
Secondly, family issue - some people worry about being unable to reach their parents in case of emergencies.
Thirdly, medical care issue - the city's medical care for the retired cannot be transferred elsewhere.
There is a fourth reason which is rooted in China's traditional culture. Chinese people run the risk of being regarded as unfilial if they send their old parents away. The concept of Yang Er Fang Lao, which means raising one's child so that one can live a comfortable life supported by his or her child in return, has a hidden assumption - children have to live with their parents.
Sending one's parents away, even if it's for better care, is not an easy decision, because relatives will whisper: Why can't you just spare some time and perform filial duties by yourself? Parents may be unhappy too. And you probably won't feel good about yourself, either.
This traditional belief may be forced to change though when two "only children" get married and have to take care of four seniors who are too old to take care of themselves. It's just not going to happen any time soon.


A virtual war between violence and educationXu Qin
2006-03-21
Addiction to computer games has become a worry to many parents of school-aged children, especially when they are hooked to games which have "violent themes."
However, to ban a smart child from a world of computer games, which is full of fantasy and excitement, is almost not possible.
Parents are urging the game manufacturers to make good educational games that will teach their children appropriate things and improve their computer skills.
An online game, "Learning from Comrade Lei Feng," has recently been released by China Shanda Entertainment, focusing on Chinese history, virtue and morality.
In the game, players are encouraged to do good deeds, stop bad habits and help the needy.
Successful players are rewarded with bonus points, which can lead to the highest prize - a chance to see Chairman Mao in Tian'anmen Square.
It is expected that children as well as parents will learn from the online role-playing game and use the rules as guidelines in their day to day activities.
And of course, the players should not only carry out those good deeds in the virtual world, but in the real world too.

News from China

When I started this blog. I did it for Lydia. It's evolved into a communications link for family and friends...and I want to keep that aspect going...but I also want to get back to Loving Lydia's roots. Information for my child:

So here we go baby. This is what's going on in China. Stuff you might be interested in someday.

Eight Do’s and Don’t’s
Chinese President Hu Jintao recently called on the whole nation and particularly young people to adopt the “socialist concept of honor and disgrace,” also known as “Eight Do’s and Don’t’s.” The list reads: “Love, do not harm the motherland; Serve, don’t disserve the people; Uphold science; don’t be ignorant and unenlightened; Work hard; don’t be lazy and hate work; Be united and help each other; don’t gain benefits at the expense of others; Be honest and trustworthy, not profit-mongering at the expense of your values; Be disciplined and law-abiding instead of unruly and lawless; Respect plain living and hard struggle, do not wallow in luxuries and pleasures.”


CHINESE President Hu Jintao will visit the United States in April, at the invitation of President George W. Bush, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang yesterday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Hu and Bush will exchange opinions on important international and regional issues, Qin said.

The two countries agreed on the visit last year to increase mutual trust and to develop future partnerships.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

"Ours is not to reason why..."



I am not going to question why...just bask. She actually likes this hat and wears it often!!

Sorta a hat picture...


Well, now that Lydia nows what it's like to "walk a mile in mom's shoes" we figured we'd give her a taste of what it's like to be Daddy. Here she is wearing one of Russell's hair and beard nets from the factory. In case y'all don't know what Russ does for a living he's a L.O.T. for Kenlake Foods. This particular Kenlake produces nuts and dry packaging. (cocoa, gelatin, powdered fruit drink mix etc.) So if you shop at a Kroger, Fred Meyers, Ralphs, King Soopers or one of the several other grocery stores in the chain and if you buy some store brand nuts or any dry packaged items they have been processed on machines repaired and maintained by Russell. It's a great job because Russell not only gets to work with his mechanical training, but his electrical training as well. The drawback of his job though is, even though he doesn't work with the food directly, he does work around the food. So he must wear the nets. And let me tell you, while Lydia looks cute in them...Russell? Well...let's just say...Lydia looks cute in them!! Of course she's not also covered in chocolate cocoa dust from head to foot either so she's working at a distinct advantage.
Though I don't know...chocolate covered Lydia sounds pretty yummy cute to me too! I guess Lydia just wins the house cute contest.

Monday, March 20, 2006

To Walk in the Shoes of Another...


...is to be able to say, you truely understand them.

Guess Lydia's got my number huh?

Sunday, March 19, 2006

With a little help from my friends...

Let me tell you a little story...

On April 19th of 2004 I came home to my husband and told him I wanted to adopt a baby. He was a tad floored and tried to put me off a bit. "Okay...I hear you...but lets take some time, lets figure this all out. Lets see how we feel in a couple of months."

He wasn't being horrible. I was. I just kinda dropped this on him and told him to "get on board or get out of the station". I was 100% committed. He was not. He understandably took time.

Needing support and dying for information I joined an adoption forum in May of 2004. While there I met some of the best friends I've never seen face to face I've ever had in my life. All of us had a story that was unique and special. Our lives were all very different. Trish the non-conformist was the first of us to receive her daughter and she acted in may ways as our guiding light. She was proof the impossible could happen. Karen, recovering from cancer was our inspiration, Becca who had been through several unsuccessful IVF procedures was our wisdom, and Astra (her nickname--actually another Karen) was on her journey to her daughter after remarrying and successfully raising a son to adulthood. She was our "earth mother". (Me...well I was comic relief. LOL) I bonded with them, along with others on the forum. Eventually, Becca formed a private group and we all joined. We talked together, we argued, we supported each other staunchly, we cried--both out of frustration and joy and we became friends.

All of us have our daughters now...save one. Astra. And she is in China right now picking up her beautiful Cadence Faye. Another fairy child--just as Lydia is a fairy child. And with the arrival of Cadence comes the end of the original group's journey. I have many other friends now: some have their children, some are still waiting. But we the original Adoption.com group from May 2004 are about to finish our adoption story and continue on with our story about a group of friends who all have a beautiful daughter.

Russell of course did "get on board". But when he was still waivering y'all were there for me. And I thank you.

WE ALL DID IT LADIES!! (Now Becca onto #2 for you!)

http://homepage.mac.com/andersenscott/The_Cady_Chase/
Go here to read The Cady Chase and see Astra become a mommy!

Saturday, March 18, 2006

More Wiggles Influence

Friday, March 17, 2006

Spooky Weird...

Okay the posts I was trying to do last night suddenly "appeared" today when I posted about my technical difficulties!! WEIRD!!!
Now it won't let me delete one!! How strange.

Technical Difficulties

We here at Loving Lydia have been experiencing technical difficulties with Blogger. I am not sure what the problem is, but it has prevented me from posting pictures of Lydia on her new Wiggles couch for the third time.

(Okay...it's just me here at Loving Lydia, but saying "We" just makes it sound so much more official. Also, I know owning a Wiggles couch does seem a bit hypocritical as I always talk about how The Wiggles "creep me out". However, I AM coming to grips with them. I just still find it kinda strange that Jeff is always missing and always sleeping when he's found. Personally I wonder if maybe he has an alcohol problem...or even worse, maybe he's dealing drugs!! And seriously what grown man is going to consent to being called Captian Feathersword without major threat to his physial well being?? Someone must be roughing him up on the side!!
But Anthony is so cute and I love the Mashed Potato song and the big red car that's really not so big have all won me over despite my understandable concerns. LOL)

I will attempt to fix the problem with the pictures this weekend as I know Grandparents and Aunts and others look forward to seeing Lydia on a regular basis.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Mashed Potato? Maybe more like Couch Potato!


Wednesday, March 15, 2006

It's gonna be a zombie kinda day

For whatever reason Lydia would not sleep last night.Both Russell and I are exhausted. She wasn't sick, so I don't know what the issue was...but obviously there was one!! Man I really miss the days of sleeping late...

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Life under the bigtop!!


Learning to make funny faces can be a lot of hard work!



Juggling the balls can be tricky and challenging!!



Taking the elephant for a walk can be dangerous!!



But still, the circus life's for me!!

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Baby's got a new hat!!


Thursday, March 09, 2006

Growing Everyday


It's almost our 5 month anniversary as a family and Lydia today became 17 months old. It's amazing how much she's progressed and continues to progress everyday.

Still not a talker, Lydia is definately a "mover". She dances, she twirls and she is semi-sucessful with a spoon. She is trying to get her own shoes on, she helps us dress her and she is close to mastering "the wheels on the bus" choreography while just beginning to become intrigued by the whole idea of the finger play of "the itsy bitsy spider". I don't know if she knows how to walk anymore, because I only see her run. She's growing...too fast for my taste, but she is growing beautifully and wonderfully.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Cold Ravioli Straight Out Of The Can


Do y'all know the story about how Russ and I hooked up?

We were both comic book store flunkies. I hung out with the pretentious vampire gaming crowd and he hung out with the much kinder and gentler anime crowd. We met while I was dating a jerk and he was being all googly eyed over a jerkette. After about 2-3 weeks of being good aquaintances I talked to him about his Christmas plans and he told me he was going to probably be doing the same thing he did for Thanksgiving--eating cold ravioli out of the can.
I was aghast!!!
"No Way!!! You are coming over my house for Christmas, no arguments that's it!"
And so a friendship was born...then a love...later a marriage and then ulimately a baby was adopted from China.
A baby who has to eat.
A baby who has to eat even when mommy is far away.
A mommy who remembered the ravioli incident and who lovingly menued and purchased all easy to prepare meals that should be consumed by both daddy and baby while mommy was away.
Those meals are still intact...and these happy meal toys have been added to our ever growing collection.
No worries, I'm not going away again for awhile.
:-)

Monday, March 06, 2006

Happier




Well I'm back from Florida to be with my little ladybug. (Here we all are at bathtime...this is another of her cute towels I love so much.)
I had an okay time. I saw Cirque du Soleil (brilliant) and Anne Bogart (also brilliant), but honestly I would have rather been home with "the fam".
I think they would have rather had me home too. For the second time in our lives I made a prediction it would be rougher on me than on Lydia. I was right the first time...about daycare..it WAS rougher on me. This time...I was wrong. My going away was pretty rough on Lydia. (And incidentally on Russell as well.I am married to a SAINT!!) Lydia was never happy, very clingy to Russ and cried bunches. Her sleep was bad and she kept Russell awake most of the time I was gone. She was upset and crying at daycare constantly. When I got home, it was almost a complete 180. Happy, laughing, and sleeping through the night is how Lydia is now. I'm not getting off 100% though. She is uber clingy and cries quickly...but overall, she's doing okay. I'm gonna stay home with her tomorrow. And hopefully soon she'll be feeling completely secure again. Overall I am happier, Russell is happier, daycare is happier (the practically applauded my return today) and most importantly...Lydia is happier.