Easter

Easter, like all of our other holidays here in China, was very low key. Oh, except for trying to get two children under 1 1/2 to take a photo without crying, spiting up or having a blow-out. Fun times! When you have kids, you just have to go for it! You can't wait for the timing to be perfect. But that's part of the fun of it. I loved capturing the little moments we had together today. This is how the photo session began. Ali didn't want to put her dress on, which she usually loves doing, but she had already had to take it off once to eat breakfast. James is just chilling in the background.

The crying escalated until I offered to go get her a bottle. While I was gone, she calmed and Jimmy managed this adorable photo.

Ali is happy with her bottle and James is showing a CUTE smile.

And this is how the session ended. James is tired of sitting there and Ali is happy as a clam, wondering why he's crying.

Then Ali found her Easter bag, took a peek inside...

liked what she saw so much that she offered us the bottle. Wow!

This girl loves her some stickers!

And this is where they all ended up!

China doesn't celebrate Easter. There were no Easter bunnies at the mall, no aisle of decor and plastic eggs at the store, and no Cadbury chocolate. The last one is tragic, but the fact that we didn't have any of the other stuff didn't make it any less Easter. Easter is a time to remember the resurrection of our Savior and a time to ponder his life and sacrifice. Some people are good at taking the time to do that, no matter what. I love to throw parties and decorate and craft so I have a tendency to get wrapped up in preparing for the egg hunt and everything that I think I need to have on Easter. I am grateful to be in a situation where I don't have the option of being distracted. It will be a habit and goal of mine to focus on the true meaning of Easter in the years to come. I'm grateful for Jesus Christ and for what he sacrificed for me and everyone. I'm so happy that because he was resurrected, my family and I will be resurrected and have the opportunity to be together forever.

2 Months Old!

Our sweet James is 2 months old! He is the sweetest, calmest little boy ever! I haven't written too much about how perfect he is because I didn't want to jinx myself (since jinxing is real). But I think since he's been alive for 2 months already, things probably won't change. And if they do, it probably won't be because I wrote about it. James is so easy going! He sleeps like a champ, eats like a champ (note photos below) and doesn't scream when Ali is mauling him. He is so calm. I think he gets it from his sister.... um... just kidding- he definitely gets that from his dad. He only wakes up once to feed at night, which makes me the happiest mom on the planet! The poor little guy has been sick this week and he's still mellow and sweet. What a handsome boy!

Why are baby sneezes so cute?!

These photos are from last month but they must be posted! This boy is darling!

We love you SO much, James. We love watching you grow and are so happy to be your parents!

Hult Events

It's been fun visiting Jimmy on campus at the many Hult events. They host activities for every holiday. It's an American school in China but there are over 40 countries represented by the student body so we get to celebrate all the holidays from all the different countries. The kids and I have attended almost every one.

We celebrated Carnival. James slept through the whole thing, even the loud music. I love newborns!

Ali, eating some chicken nuggets. Not so Carnival-ish, but yummy.

At school with Daddy

Saturday, we went to a Holi celebration. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season and happens to be today, March 8th. It's not the first time Jimmy and I have celebrated the festival of Colours, but it is the first year we have celebrated it with people who are actually from India. It was a lot of fun and I loved the music!

Once again, James slept through the party. Little cutie!

I'm so happy that Jimmy chose to come to school here. We have enjoyed being in a new country and the opportunity to get to know so many people from many different places. I have loved hanging out with the three other wives, each of us from a different country, and watching how they mother and love their children. We are all unique, but not so different after all.

Cuteness...In No Particular Order

Here are some moments we have captured over the past month or so. They may not appear in the order they happened, but rather, in the order they uploaded. I'd like to have them more organized, but if I wait till I have time for that, we may never post them. Life with 2 is great!

Here is Ali at the Valentine party at Jimmy's school. They had fruit-kabobs and a chocolate fountain.

photo is self-explanatory: adorable!

Big city living:

Ali loves glasses!

Jimmy puts stickers on his forehead when he's playing with Ali so she thinks that's where they go. This is a whole page of stickers piled on top of each other on her forehead. I also love her face in this picture. It reminds me of Shirley Temple, whom I love!

Grandma and Grandpa got Ali this roller bag for our travels. Cute!

Sibling love:

Sweetest jailbird- love this soft, cuddly outfit.

hanging out- Ali in James' seat... James, chillin' on the couch

Swim cap in the tub... ironically, Ali is currently on a "head-wetting strike".

First time getting her nails painted. She's a pro now and likes to have them touched up all the time!

I just love this picture. She looks like such a big girl.

During Chinese New Year, people give these envelopes away with money inside! You can also kind of see Ali's eyes. She got a really bad cold and it got in her eyes and then the skin under her eyes turned bright red and severely dry. It looked really scary for a few days.

James' first walk. Ali's helping make sure he's strapped in.

What a sweet little boy!

Both of the kids are growing so fast. We are loving watching them interact more. Ali doesn't go directly for his eyes every time she sees him and James is less fragile. Soon he'll be able to defend himself and I won't feel so nervous leaving those two alone in a room together. James is SO smiley and loves to coo and talk to people. Any time he's awake he is smiling and happy! He seems to be very social, just like his sister. What a cute pair!

Coming Home With James

James is almost 2 months old but I wanted to document bringing him home from the hospital and just haven't gotten around to it till now.

Here we are in the elevator. The nurse is behind me, carrying James.... maybe they didn't trust that we wouldn't drop him.

Our sweet ride! The hospital offers a ride home to mothers. We were so happy to learn this since our other option was a dirty, smelly taxi. The ride home was so relaxing and nice.

James, snoozing away.

Jack, our nice concierge.

In front of our building.

This is our friend, Gaelle. She met us downstairs and helped us bring our stuff up and take photos of the arrival. We love her.
After we settled in that evening, it was business as usual- dances in the living room with Daddy...

and bottles and snuggles with Mommy.

We love you, James!

1 Month Old!

Yesterday, James celebrated being alive for 1 whole month! James is a very patient, easy-going baby so far. These traits are especially appreciated by his mother who is taking care of a not so patient 1-year old. Although he wakes up frequently to eat, he sleeps well at night and over the next couple weeks I'm going to see what we can do to stretch out the time between night feedings. He is very content and I'm thrilled that he's happy to sit in his chair by himself without crying. He is just so sweet- we love him so much and are so glad he is part of our family!

We took these photos last week and plan on taking more of this handsome guy very soon.