Thankful

Eliza's first Thanksgiving started with her first airplane trip since our journey home from China -- and since she started walking. She doesn't like to sit still for very long so I wasn't sure how it would go but she was a rockstar. She has been surrounded by family and friends and loves all the new faces and attention. She especially loved a holiday that mostly involved eating. I think she ate more turkey and sides than I did. We went to the thanksgiving day parade which she didn't really get but she seemed to enjoy being back in a city (her first time since Nanchang). We are so thankful for our little family - the 4 of us + pups, and our patient, generous and loving extended family who are hosting our East coast adventure. Pics to come. Can't post from my iPad.

Oh, one more thing - and how I know we really are an L.A. family...my Mom made a delicious cornbread as part of our thanksgiving dinner. Jackson was asking for seconds and said "can I please have more tamale?"

Happy Feet 3D

Rainy Day (with Asher) at the Peterson Car Museum

Mia

Last night, when Eliza was getting ready for bed I showed her some recent videos that were posted of Mia (one of the other little girls who was adopted from the same orphanage in our travel group to China).  She got so excited and started to point and say "ba-by."  Then she started to kiss the screen of the computer over and over again.  Unlike Jackson at her age, Eliza has been exposed to some television and the computer because it is difficult to keep her separate from Jackson and what he is watching.  Her reaction was really surprising because she's shown no interest in tv shows or videos -- just Mia.  What does she know? What does she feel?  Does she sense a connection? Instinctively she's responding to Mia in a different way than the other babies she sees.  Fascinating.

Spicy Girl

Our Day in Ojai with Michelle and Quan

Thank you Michelle for the beautiful storytelling of our day through your photos -- and thank you both for the great company.  Come up anytime!