Our Beautiful Francesca and Fun at the park!

Our Beautiful Francesca!

This past weekend...along with our trip to Home Depot...we took Francesca and Little Scotty to the park (as for those of you who don't know who Little Scotty is...he is my nephew). Here are some photos of our time at the park! And of course..others from this past week as well...

At Elm Street Park!




(by the way, That band-aid on Francesca's knee is a Nascar band-aid! When asked, what she wants to be when she gets older...she screams, "Nascar Driver!" Gotta love it! I think she just might be the first American-Chinese to do that! She is already asking us almost every day for a Tony Stewart race car from Toys R Us that she spotted in a newpaper flyer.)








(check out how high they are going...I have to admit, I was a little nervous!)



As you can see, Francesca is wearing one of her favorite outfits...her Tony Stewart one! When she heard we were going to Home Depot, she insisted that she wear her #20 TS outfit and was 100% sure that Tony - himself - was going to be there. She was not a happy camper once she found out that he wasn't. We did however find a picture of him on the Coco-Cola machine outside the store and you would have sworn he was standing right there! She was actually hugging the soda machine (sorry no photos of that one..I left my camera in the vehicle).

Play Time! Two peas in a pod!




(these photos were taken up at Aunt Lisa & Uncle Scott's house)

Like mother..like daughter!



(she loves to read and this is one of the photos that Keith actually took)

Making changes!

We made BIG CHANGES today in the Leonard household!


We are currently teaching Francesca about saving energy and recycling. So today we all went to our local Home Depot and purchase several energy star light bulbs (energy savers). Once we arrived home, she was so excited over our purchases...that the minute we walked into the door, we had to start the swapping process. I must admit...that I am proud to say that we are now using 99% of all our lighting bulbs as energy savers! (the only ones that we couldn't change over were our nightlight bulbs and our outdoor flood light bulbs). I never would have thought that Francesca would get so excited over a light bulb, but once we were done with changing every one we could...she couldn't stop jumping up and down, while clapping her darling little hands.

Photos to share!

These photos were taken over the past week. Some are from our church picnic with little Scotty...some are from Francesca's cousin, Luke, birthday party...and some are just of our darling Francesca enjoying time with the ones she loves!


Our Church Picnic...


Little Scotty enjoying the Big Bounce!



(Francesca wanted to go in this so bad last year, but we felt she was way too small for it. She wanted to go again in it this year, but changed her mind at the last minute and did not go in. When we asked why...she said, "It is too big!". I guess she just wasn't ready for the Big Bounce.)


Francesca watching Scotty and having a great time...just watching.

(My heart was breaking, but just wait until you see the photos from the birthday party!)



Luke's Birthday Party at Aunt Molly's house in Virginia!


Now, check out Francesca!



(yes, that is Daddy helping her out!)


With Luke's help, she wanted to try it without the hold of Daddy's hands! I couldn't believe my eyes! This is the same little girl that only the day before didn't want to go in the Big Bounce!




(in the photos are her cousins Zach, her cousin Sidney, and her cousin Luke, "the birthday boy")

Pool Time!



(again hanging with the birthday boy, cousin Luke and Daddy)

At Grandma's...

On the potty!

(typical girl...checking out a catalog!)

Enjoying time with Grandma!





My little Mulan!





One of my favorite photos...check her out in the rain gear! Boots, rain coat, and hat...she is too stink'n cute for words!



(yes! the coat and boots match)


As for Francesca and her potty training, she is doing a great job! She has gone 5 times on the potty and all those times she had told us that she had to go. There were several days that we held off on the potty training because she was again having problems with her bowels, but since it seems we have that problem again "worked out" we are back to the potty training! (and yes...she has even poop on the potty twice!)

Four months and counting...

An Invisible Red Thread...



" An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance.The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break." An Ancient Chinese belief ...



Four months ago today, our dossier for Sofia was officially logged in with the CCAA! I guess since the wait time for a referral is a long way off...I haven't been keeping track of the time until my good friend Sara reminded me the fact! Here's to four months down!

Happy Four Months of LID to the Weaver/Winkler family as well...Owen, Amy, and Katie (who have the same LID)! We love you guys & miss you so much! We know we'll be seeing you all really soon....

(This month also marks our one year anniversary since we started Sofia's paper chase for our second dossier! I can't believe how much time has flown by...)

I was reminded today...

Francesca reminded me today that it is less than 6 weeks until we leave for Disney! I can't believe it! Time sure does fly when you are having fun.

(We have the dates marked on our kitchen calender & Francesca actually went over to it today and counted the weeks until we leave for Disney from todays date. She was running around the kitchen this morning screaming, "Six weeks, Six weeks!"...when I asked her for what she said, "Disney!"...how about that for an answer.)

Here are some photos that were taken over the weekend when Daddy was home. Hope you are all having a great week!

My daughter loves to read as much as I do!

(and she is sitting exactly like I do in the chair when I get sleepy)


(when I asked her what she is reading...I was told, "Little Mermaid" and she was!)



Making cakes with Daddy...They made a chocolate cake for the two of them and a strawberry one for me!

My little baker.





(taking a taste to make sure it is just perfect)



(look at that face!)


Mommy's cake...how sweet!

The Wiggles!

Yesterday, we all made the two-in-a-half hour trip to Philadelphia to go see one of Francesca's favorite musical group, The Wiggles...and boy let me tell you, it was a day full of many surprises...

We all left Grandma's house around 9:40AM..with Grandma, Mommy, Daddy, and Francesca in our vehicle and Aunt Lisa, Uncle Scott, and little Scotty in theirs. Grandma and Francesca had a blast on the way down...singing, talking, laughing, and reading (poor Grandma tried to close her eyes for a little bit, but Francesca kept saying, "Wake Up Grandma!"...so my poor mom didn't get to close her eyes). Anyway, once we arrived at the concert hall, Francesca was all excited! She had her Dorothy The Dinosaur hat on and was sitting in her seat patiently waiting for The Wiggles to come on stage. When the announcement was made that they were coming & the lights went low...she starting crying and shaking! At that moment, she was scrambling to get off her seat to jump into my lap. I tried to explain to her that The Wiggles were coming out & she didn't want any part of it. Keith offered to take her & she went willing...wanting to get so far away from the stage as possible. He took her out to the concession area and tried to calm her down. After a few minutes, I went in search for them...only to find them on top of the staircase with Daddy trying to show Francesca what was going on (The Wiggles were in full performance). After talking to her for some time about the show & what she is missing...and changing her diaper...she went back into the show (but, boy...her little heart was beating a thousand miles a minute). She didn't want to sit in her seat, but opted for sitting on Daddy's lap and wanted to wear her sunglasses and Dorothy hat throughout the rest of the show. She did have a good time...taking everything in...clapping when the song was over & calling out each Wiggles' name...Anthony, Jeff, Murray, Sam, Dorothy, Wags, Henry & Caption Feathersword and singing...all the while, never removing her eyes from the stage show. Once the show was over, she waved good-bye and asked her famous question, "One More Time, Please!" I asked if she enjoyed herself & she said, "Yes!". Than I asked what happened in the beginning & she said, "Cesca scared!" Oh, how my heart broke into two. Keith & I talked to her for some time letting her know that we would never let anything happen to her or at any time leave her there...and explained that Grandma, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Scott, and little Scotty would never let anything happen to her as well. We also showed her all the other children that were there enjoying themselves. I think she understood, for she was asking to go back to sit in her seat. I do really think she enjoyed the show, once she realized what was going on and I guess Keith and I have to go back to explaining everything that is going to happen before she experiences something "new" (we used to have to do this for the past year or so because she was so cautious with anything that wasn't familiar to her). All in all, we did have a great time...enjoy the photos!

Before the show...

Daddy and Francesca!





Mommy and Francesca!





Waiting for The Wiggles to come on...

Making funny faces...again...at Mommy!





Francesca & Mommy...still waiting for the show to start...





My Mom and Me!





During the show...

My favorite...Captain Feathersword!





Holding my nephew, Little Scotty.





Coming to the end of the show...

The Big Red Car!





After the show...having some photo fun time!

My Family.



(they are everything to me!)


Captian Feathersword & Dorothy The Dinosaur...






(trying to get two kids to stand still to have their picture taken was an event all in its own)

Grandma and Francesca!



Aunt Lisa, Uncle Scott, and Little Scotty!


Plus +

I decided to change the tunes on our web blog. I heard the first song on my good friend Sara's adoption blog "Party Of Five" and fell in love with it and had to add it to ours. The second song is currently one of Francesca's favorite! Whenever we get into the vehicle, she requests,"Faith Hill, Please!" So in honor of my beautiful daughter...here is your song too! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do...

Follow-Up to post "I am one proud Mommy today!"

During the course of typing up the post below, Francesca did it again! This time all by herself. She came running into the kitchen to get me & said, "Potty, Now!" I asked, "Do you have to go?"...and she said, "Yes!"..we took off for the bathroom towards her little potty and I placed her on it with a book, and than went back into the kitchen to shut down my laptop. All of a sudden, she was screaming for me that she did it..."Ma...potty!" When I went over to check, she went pee again! I can't tell you how emotional this all is for me! I am so proud of her!

(and of course, she picked out another sticker...this time a Mickey Mouse one and she placed it on her chart!)

I am one proud Mommy today!

YES! After three days of working with going on the potty, Francesca did it today! (I didn't force it too much on Wednesday or Thursday because she was again having problems with her poopies). Anyway, this morning after she had her usual cup of milk while watching The Little Einsteins on Disney, I told her it was time for her to go on her potty. At first...she said no, but I gave her two choices, either she went on her little girl's potty while watching The Little Einsteins or she could sit on the big girl's potty with me while I get ready in the bathroom. She opted for her little potty and after getting her settled in, I went back to the bathroom to finish up. About five minutes later, I heard the sound of precious little feet running towards me and I asked her, "Did you go on the potty?"...she said, "Yes!"...I asked pee or poop and she said, "Pee-eeeee!" I must admit, I really didn't believe her, but after walking over to our bedroom & looking into the potty, there it was, full of pee! I started jumping up & down (she did as well) and gave her so much love, hugs, and kisses a 2 year old can stand! I also told her how proud I was of her and that she is finally becoming a big girl! After I got it cleaned out, we headed down stairs for her sticker. She picked out a basketball one and placed it on her arm & I marked her potty chart with a "smiley face" and the date! I know this is only the beginning and she really isn't potty trained, but what I wonderful thing it is for her to go on her own! I am one proud mommy today!

Francesca showing off her potty chart with the smiley face...


Francesca now showing off her basketball sticker!

(after posting this message...she later placed the sticker on her potty chart as was planned in the beginning)

Now, these are some photos I just had to add!

My daughter's beautiful feet...showing them off in her princess heels!



Auntie enjoying some book time with Francesca and Scotty!


Tomorrow, we head off to Philadelphia for The Wiggles' concert! Francesca is so excited! I just know she is going to have such a great time!

Potty Training...

I know some of you may be asking yourself..."Hasn't 'she' (meaning me, the mom) already started potty training Francesca?" or "Isn't it too early to start the potty training process?" and the answer these questions are...I have not clue! Keith and I have been talking about it for some time now, since her last doctor's visit (we got the go-ahead on the potty training) and when I woke up this morning I decided today was a good day to start. So far, I haven't been successful with Francesca going on the potty, but we are still trying! Like I said in the beginning, I have no clue on what I am doing, but I came up with a plan...every time she goes one the potty, she gets a sticker to place on her big girl's potty chart. She loves the idea of the stickers and has already asked me about ten times this morning if she could have one. I told her that as soon as she goes on the potty, she'll get one. And her reply was..."No go now!" Gotta love it!

So on that note, we have everything ready....



Francesca...





The Potty...





The Potty Chart...

Princess Big Girl Panties...

and The Bag of Stickers...







Now it is just waiting on see if it happens....

(any advise...I would greatly appricate it!)