Happy Lyvi Day!

One year ago we were given the wonderful Miss Xinshi! We were over-the-moon in love, but Lyvia cried so hard once she was handed over to us at the civil affairs office in Nanchang. It was many days before I felt like she relaxed at all and weeks to months before she would cuddle on her own. I remember with a sad smile how she would wake in the morning and look back and forth between us before bursting out into tears once she realized she wasn't "home". Fortunately she started giving us these crazy, funny open mouth "kisses" while we were still in China. I have no idea what she meant by them (maybe they were good-bye kisses!), but it endeared her to us all the more.

Look at this little pumpkin! She was so worth the work! Now we are the center of her world and we feel so blessed to have our spunky little beauty.

To celebrate Lyvi joining our family, we got some of her favorite foods for dinner, noodles, edamame and watermelon! Why I can't get clothes on this child for birthdays and gotcha days is beyond me.

As we got ready for dinner, Lindsay said, "It should be Happy Family Day because Lyvi makes us so happy!"

We love you, Lyvia Ann Xinshi!