Fun day at the park

We are loving the nice warm weather these days and met up with Nana for a picnic at the park.  My sweet boy could play at the park all day long- he loves it.  Kate is warming up to it- but would still rather stay in Mommy (or Nana's) lap and just watch.  Oh how I love the Spring!

Don't you love the "shin guards while you play baseball" look

Look at that cute belly

The make-shift goal- mom

Brett and Kate's first Bible verse

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Kate-a-versary and Happy Heart-a-versary

It is hard to believe that six months ago today my daughter was placed into my arms for the first time.  It is hard to believe because I feel like she has been with us for so much longer than that.  When I look back at the pictures from that day I almost don't even recognize my sweet girl.  She came in kicking and screaming (literally).  Little did we know how smart she was and that she really understood what was going on.  She was so scared and mellow that first day- but by that night she was "coming out of her shell" and showing us her cute little personality.  The first time she smiled was when we brought out the bubbles- I will never look at bubbles the same again.  

I am not going to lie- the first few months we were home were hard.  Learning to love and get to know how a toddler "ticks" is tricky- but I really feel like we have reached the other side now and I can't imagine life without my sweet, sweet girl.  Kate has such a sweet heart and it has been a pure joy to watch her heart blossom as she learns to trust us more and more.  She is one very special little girl and I am amazed every day that God chose me to be her mom.

Mommy and Daughter at last- look how solemn she is

My precious girl- what a difference six months make

Today is also Kate's one year Heart-a-versary.  One year ago today the Lord healed her heart through the hands of a surgeon in Beijing.  It is so hard for me to think about Kate going through all of that without her mom by her side.  What I wouldn't have given to be sitting with her, holding her, and singing her to sleep during all of that.  I hope and pray that she was not alone- but if she was I know that she quickly won the hearts of every doctor and nurse in the hospital.  Kate makes every one she meets smile- a quality that I hope she keeps her whole life. To celebrate today we made heart shaped cookies and are making a heart shaped pizza (Kate's favorite food) for dinner.  Below are some pictures of her with one of the cookies.  Yes, I know there are a ton of them but she is just so stinkin' cute that I couldn't narrow them down any more.  

Laughing at her big brother- who she ADORES!

Georgia trying to sneak in for a bite

Oh no Mommy!  Georgia is trying to eat my "ookie"

You mean I can really eat it????

Sharing with Georgia...

and with Brett

My happy, happy, happy girl

I don't know what she is saying here- but I thought her face was so cute

Brett went upstairs to get a drink and Kate blew him a kiss

and he blew her a kiss back.  As much as she adores her big brother- he equally adores her.  Watching the way they love each other amazes me every single day.  All I can say is the Lord prepared both of their hearts for each other- because the love they have for each other has no explanation- God did it.  Just today I picked them up from the nursery at Bible Study and the very first thing she said to me was, "Mommy, Ge-Ge(that is what she calls him- it means big brother in Chinese) took care of me".  My heart is so full.

The Skinner family....

Toy Story style!

As I have mentioned before, Brett loves Toy Story (even though he has only seen it once) and has given every member of our family a character.  He no longer calls them "Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and Bullseye" but Brett, Daddy, Kate and Mommy.  So without further ado- here we all are...

Brett staring as "Woody"

Kate staring as "Jessie"

Daddy staring as "Buzz Lightyear"

Mommy staring as "Bullseye"- don't ask me why I got so "lucky" to be the horse.

And here they are- Woody and Buzz

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

They may only be 8 months apart- but you would never know it to look at their shoes.  

Kate wears a size 5 shoe- Brett wears a size 11!

Doctor visits

We recently had Brett's 3 year old check-up and Kate's heart doctor and vaccination catch-up visits.  Brett was so proud to be three and answered all of Dr. Carter's questions like a pro.  He was in the 80th percentile for weight and the 99th percentile for height!!!!  Dr. Carter said if he had to guess he would guess that Brett would be between 6'3 and 6'4 when he was fully grown!!!!!  I can't believe that my baby boy is going to be so much taller than me one day.

Kate had to get 3 more shots (she has already had 3- and still has 2 more to go bless her heart).  I let Brett stay in the room while Kate got her shots.  He held her hand and when she started crying he started singing "Oh how He loves you and me" to her- my heart melted right out of my chest right then and there.  What a sweet boy- I am so thankful that he loves his sister so much!  He takes such good care of her.  And she adores him too.  What an answered prayer!

We also went back to the Pediatric Cardiologist to have a check-up on Kate's heart.  The echo was perfect and they found some trace amounts of pulmonary hypertension on the EKG- which the doctor was not concerned about at all.  He said worst case scenario Kate would have some side effects when she was in her 50's- but he seriously doubted that she would ever have any trouble with her heart again.  Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!  I know that He has great things planned for that sweet heart of hers.

And just because I can not do a post without a picture- here is one from Ma and Daddy Bob's yard.

Stacy, Anna, and Daddy Bob- this one is for you!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com