Gotcha Little Bird

Larry & Cassidy - Brad & Ava

August 22nd, 2006

One year later...


So...its a little late to be posting this...but it was one year that we got Ava last Tuesday on August 21st. One year already! One year ago, we were handed the most beautiful, serious, strong-lunged baby girl in the VERY hot, VERY humid, VERY polluted city of Chongqing. And we watched her change over that trip. First showing us the smile that said "There's more where this came from" then sitting up, then showing us her first sweet little laugh. Then we brought her home and watched her transform before our eyes. What a privilege to witness. Rolling, then crawling, then, finally, walking. All the while, charming us with her coos and her singing and her LAUGH...what was a serious and quiet baby, turned into a very silly little girl.

So, in celebration of this sweet silly little bird, we dined on chinese food (american style of course) with our friends Larry, Kyndra and Cassidy Georgeson. Cassidy is Ava's "orphanage sister"...meaning they were both brought to the orphanage around the same time and spent the first 9 months of their lives together. We met Larry & Kyndra in the San Francisco airport moments before we boarded a flight to Beijing. I knew they would be great friends when I cried about, oh, 3 minutes into our conversation about leaving my boys and they weren't scared off. :) Good people. In addition to the picture above, here are some pictures of that night.

So BIG!! (and cute, yes)

We just had to bring this hat and make Larry & Kyndra wear it. We bought it for a dollar in front of the Foribidden City. Imagine about 20 tall, white americans wearing this hat.

Proud Mommies...

Ava, we love you so much, little bird. God has put you into our nest, trusting us with your gentle & silly spirit. We pray that we only help you grow and become the girl you were meant to be! And that will be something great! You are going to be the change that we need in this world. Spread your wings baby girl....