Red Couch Photo

Well, today our group met for the traditional Red Couch photo. First the newly adopted only. As you can see (click on the collage and it should get bigger), it was not very successful. From the left, Cali (22 months) and Nyah were crying hysterically, Li Hua (Allie, age 8) took it in stride, Addison (2 1/2) in the back never left Daddy's arms but still joined the crying bunch, Sheila (the youngest of the group at 12 months) seemed to wonder what all the fuss was about, and Sophie (3) on the right had huge tears in her eyes as well.

And the cause of all the chaos? The paparazzi of course!

Nyah did better in the group picture but if you look closely, she is holding the same green straw (from Caleb's Starbucks drink this morning) in all the pictures. Overall, Nyah was traumatized by the event even though I was never more than 2 feet away from her. She did not let me put her down without crying until she woke up from her short nap this afternoon.

Today I think she is finally realizing that when we say Nyah Pei Pei, we are talking to her. She also started feeding me a bit today which is cute. At the same time, she is coming more demanding and throwing fits if she is told no or doesn't get her way and I am not finding that so cute. I keep telling her that she is welcome to have more freedom at meal time to play with her food and try to feed herself if she would sit in a high chair but for some reason, she just isn't getting the message! :) It is hard to make the choice between letting her cry when she can't have something she is eyeing or giving in knowing she still isn't comfortable with us. She is definitely a drama queen. Here she is gazing at her brother Caleb playing on the equipment... she doesn't need to play herself - watching Caleb is her favorite thing!

I bought her three dresses today and while they are cute, I am such a t-shirt and shorts person and they seem impractical for right now since I am using a carrier 1/2 the day. But that is mostly what they sell here (I have yet to find a pair of shorts for sale anywhere). Today she has clothes I brought from home on and she is quite the fashion diva from behind with a hair band holding the straps of her shirt together so they stay on her shoulders and a diaper pin above her rear so her shorts stay on!

But the girl can wear anything and still look good!

Tomorrow we are headed to the zoo. I think all six families are going which should be fun. We have to suffer through Nyah's medical exam first. UGH!

Okay, I hate not having picture editing software here and the internet connection is too slow to use the online editors and I hate not being able to hear the videos. I tried hard to get one of Nyah babbling today and I took four but I remember one was better than the rest. I think it is this one but if not, there are a few good face shots!

Until tomorrow,
Kate