Disney Day 3 - MK and GOTCHA day

On Monday (also GOTCHA day) we hit the Magic Kingdom, which is by far the kids favorite park. Max rode Space Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad while Megan met Ariel and splashed in her waters. Mia spent the day in my arms (per the photo below). Of course we were able to see a lot more characters and get more autographs - even Scrooge McDuck who comes out only this time of year! After naps we went back to see the castle at night, fireworks, and the parade.

Here's more photos.

Day 3 - Magic Kingdom again - a photoset on Flickr

Disney Day 2 -A Fu Reunion and MK/Epcot

UPDATE:

I think I fixed the link to the pictures. Please leave a comment for me to know if you can view them. Thanks for your patience!

Sunday we were able to meet up with our travelmates from China. The Devlins spent the whole day with us at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. We started at the Magic Kingdom in character lines (imagine that!). After a few adventures we headed over to Epcot where we had a Princess lunch scheduled for Megan. Then we went to "China" and spent a wonderful time there - although we couldn't believe the cost of items compared to China. Let's just say the USA can make a buck! It was so wonderful to have company for the day, but especially Mia's Fu friend Olivia. They were so cute together when Mia wasn't having meltdowns. They have both come so far in the last year! Thanks to Butch, Kristie, Amanda, Candace and Olivia for spending the day with us!


There are so many pictures from the day, so click on the link to view descriptions and see some great shots. There are 2 pages worth, so make sure to click at the bottom. This is the 1st time I'm trying this - hope it works ok!


Day 2 Fu Reunion and MK/Epcot - a photoset on Flickr

Disney Day 1 - The Making of a Princess

On the 1st day of the trip, we headed to the airport at 5am. The kids were tired but had everything in tow for the trip! After taking the magical express to the hotel, we couldn't get in our room so we wasted time at Downtown Disney. Later on we were able to check in and watch the tail end of the Ohio State/Michigan game (Go Bucks!).

Before we left, Grandpa John treated Megan to an appointment at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique where little girls can be made over Disney style. Megan chose Jasmine, and had a great time. As most of you know, Megan has never been a girly girl...so this was a treat for Mom too!

Must haves:

Blankie, Bars and Elephant, and IPod shuffle

Getting ready for the makeover

Hair Up!

Adding more hair!

Princess Megan

GOTCHA Day

I know I need to get to the Disney pictures. They will be posted as I get to them. But, if you want to truly know how our trip was...check out the last post. I wanted to share a moment about Mia. We celebrated our 1st GOTCHA day on Monday, November 19th. (For those in the non-adoption world, GOTCHA is the day you get the baby). We did the usual theme park outings, but we managed to get this picture via our 7 year old photographer(thanks Max!). We are so blessed to have Mia in our lives and we can not wait to see how she grows and develops. This past year has been crazy with China and moves, but we'd do it all over again to get our precious Mia.

Happy Gotcha Mia - we love you!

In Nanchang, China when we first met Mia

One year later - at Disney, and with elephant of course!

Top Ten Things We Learned from Disney World

10. Magic Kingdom - Always busy. Epcot - NEVER busy. And, plan for the 1st week of Dec. It is apparently the slowest week of the year.


9. Make sure you keep your room key with you at all times - especially if it has charging capabilities.


8. Don't bother trying to check in early - your room won't be ready until after 3.


7. Pay for park hopper tickets, but spend most of the day waiting in lines for EVERY character's autograph (including several that you don't recognize).


6. When waiting in lines for autographs - always split up. Dad go to one line, Mom to the other. But don't cross over the ropes or the Disney police will come after you.


5. Book character meals 6 months in advance, even though you don't have a vacation planned. As an added bonus, if you book all character meals - you will avoid all the lines for autographs.


4. This should be the number of extra people you take with you so Mom and Dad can actually enjoy the vacation they paid for.


3. Make sure to pack a life jacket - your daughter may freak out in the deep end and need a lifeguard to save her.


2. Keep characters at a HUGE distance from toddlers. Too close and they freak out uncontrollably.

1. Disney is no place for kids under 5 (and we won't be returning until then). Leave the toddler at home with loving grandparents or friends. It will be a much more enjoyable trip and she will be happier too.

See ya Real Soon!

We're taking a break from the high tech world - and taking NO computer with us to Disney. Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving! We will be celebrating Mia's GOTCHA day on Monday, seeing a Fu Friend, and having a great time in Florida as long as our Buckeyes win and the weather is sunny! (I drove the kids to school in snow yesterday!)

So Mickey, Pooh, Ariel and the Lego Store...we're coming!

See ya real soon!

A YEAR AGO TODAY...

We boarded a plane to China to pick up Mia. It is so hard to believe that a year has already passed since we got TA, then visas, then packed a million times to reach the 44 lb limit, scheduled childcare for Max and Megan, charged camera batteries, got not a wink of sleep, headed to the airport and traveled across the globe to meet our precious daughter. What a journey it was!

TUBES IT IS!

Mia will be getting tubes per the ENT today. In late December after Christmas we'll endure the short and sweet ear tube surgery and possible adenoids as well. We just hope she recovers as quickly as her sister did! The good news is that Megan is well and she doesn't need anything right now. Now if we could all be healthy to endure our trip - that would be a blessing!

22 Months Old

I remember this time last year thinking Mia will be 10 1/2 months when we get her. Now she's 22 months and home with us. Although she's had her battles lately (which can lead to a frustrated temper tantrum and an even more frustrated Mom), she's been such a blessing. Right now at 22 months to our knowledge, she's 30 1/2 inches tall, 24 1/2 lbs. (she's only gained 8 pounds since we got her!) She's trying to talk, runs after her brother and sister, and is really cute when she sings her one and only "Twinkle Twinkle" version. Sometime I'll have to videotape it cause it is really quite amusing! Yesterday she said 2 new words "out" and "down". We're making such progress! She is loving having Grandpa John around since his surgery. Every morning she wakes up and when we head down the stairs she says "Gampa" making sure he's still around. I think she will be sad when he leaves for his own house!

Happy 22 months Mia!

Flat Maurice?

We have a new visitor in our house this weekend. His name is Flat Maurice. #34 is on his shirt. He has a lot to do this weekend. Max has to take him everywhere and document his adventures. Most of you would know him as "Flat Stanley". Apparently as a 2nd grade project, Max decided to do his own version of it and name his "Maurice". I guess we've overdone the Ohio State football facts. We now have a flat version of #34 Maurice Wells. Next he will visit a friend or family member far away. His adventures will be sent back to the 2nd grade. Let's just hope "Flat Maurice" gets to the National Championship game!

This NEVER happens....

My poor Mia. She's been so sick with back to back ear infections since August. This one is the worst per the pediatrician yesterday. And, we started our 2nd antibiotic to get rid of it. And yes we are experienced with this (thank goodness). Megan was 26 months when she got her tubes, etc. taken out. Next week Mia (along w/ big sister again) will see an ENT and will most likely need tubes. Megan still has a hole in her left ear that needs repaired and now has 99% blockage in her right ear from earwax (which only the ENT will be able to take out). I so don't like going through this again! I hope my girls get well and healthy again. After all, Mickey awaits in 10 days! Today Mia's laying around with a fever. She NEVER lays around. She's always on the go. We had to miss music class today which is her favorite time of the week. Barney seems to be her entertainment for the time being. Guess I'll have to add it to my season pass list so she can watch it more often.

Get better soon my sweet girl!

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

I was going through the "End of Season Award" pictures and caught this. While everyone was getting their flag football awards here was Megan giving a high five to her brother for a job well done. I didn't even know she did it until I saw the picture!

Priceless!

Our 1st Real Word!

Most of you know Mia has been in speech and the other day she said her 1st real complete word. We are excited.... it was "BUS". An easy word to say but she was saying "ba" and then we worked on adding the end sound "sss". This morning when it came for Max... she let out a big "BUS BUS BUS!" (all extremely clear by the way). I'm so glad she's making progress!

Happy Halloween!

Last night was the big event! Our kids had such a great time. It was the 1st time though that we had to trick or treat with coats on! (at least since Max was 2!) Since this was Mia's 1st Halloween, we weren't sure how she would react to everything, but she got the hang of it for sure! Max was so great with her. He would run up to a house then come back and hold Mia's hand and walk her up. It was so cute. Here are some pictures of our crew (including some neighborhood kids we trick or treated with! Enjoy!

Our Minnie Mouse

Jengo Fett, Minnie, and Ariel ready to go!

The Neighborhood Crew (Peyton, Cooper, Megan, Max, and Mia)

Megan and Coop taking a break

Max helping Mia up to the doors