Dear Anna: It was your third birthday today (9/23).  It was  such a beautiful sunny, cool day to celebrate your birthday celebration in the U.S.A.
Beautiful silhouette of you in the morning sun.

Your first gift arrived in the mail. Elle just wanted to sniff and see what the fuss was all about

One of the  art works in the drive way. Who was the artist?

 You just love to ride in your toy car!!!!  Oh Oh....

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You loved your friend pushing you in your stroller. 

Playing piano! (yes, it was outside for this day)

You were a little shy at first

More friends have arrived

You were just getting used to all the guests. 

You didn't know what to do with the cake and candles, so your new friends helped with candles

More new friends!!!

Opening Grandma's gift, it went into your piggy bank!!!

More gifts

After most of the guests have left, papa had to catch some football, and you opened another gift.

Having fun with your balloons!!!!!

Saying thank you and bye bye to your grandma at the end of a big day

Dear Anna

You had an appointment with Dr. Peeler today.  (thus the dress up, well, sort of.  Dad made sure we had pics taken before we got in the car. Of course, Elle had to be in the pic as well.)
Everyone was so nice in the office, and it was  wee early in the morning.  You were so well behaved I was very proud of you. We even had 2D echo with just one candy.  I was soooo happy to hear that your heart is just perfect and normal. What a great day!!!!!

Then we went to see everybody that I work with since we were there at the hospital already. Everyone was so happy to see you and they just loved you to pieces. We even got an invitation from my boss to stay for lunch and plus I got to visit with my friends.  It was so good to see everyone.....
You were so exhausted, and now you have a runny nose....

Dear Anna: week two

You are still eating well and in large amounts for about every 2 hours or so.

You are just so darn cute just hanging out with us. 

You are getting used to the seat contraption. (Hmmmmm, this is not so bad......) I hope that is what you re thinking

 Out shopping for a coat. Everything is too big on you....I know maybe we should try a fancier store?

The bike should be just right by next year, but you still had fun with dad pushing you around

Now  all three of us have Panthers jerseys!!! Then it was our first day watching a football game.  Our team lost, again.

You were not sure about this one. But, you had fun after you got it in.

Dear Anna

We are going home!! I think you might like to travel, and that suits us just fine.

Dear Anna

We are just hanging out...two more days and we are going home. We lost that little purse as well.....

You met a girl almost your age at breakfast. She is much bigger and taller, it's because she was adopted over a year ago?. Hopefully, with right nutrition and love, you will also grow to a beautiful girl that you already are. It was so nice meeting you guys from California.

Dear Anna

Today ( August 28, 2012) was our US consulate appt. day. You better thank me when you grow up, because the head band that came with this outfit is missing from this photo. The headband made you look like a flapper, a very young cute flapper. But, the white hair bow better completed the look for this awesome day. Dad was not tired or stressed, he just did not smile for this photo out of many photos we took this day. This outfit was sized for 12months old( in America) and it fit you perfectly. We lost this doll, by the way....

Dear Anna

I hope you remember this sunset reflecting on this building in Guangzhou. If not, it's here for you to remember when you are old enough to look at this post. This was taken from our hotel room.

Dear Anna

Visiting Shamian Island is a tradition? So we went, and ate at the Lucy's to complete the tradition. Back at the hotel, dad is being goofy again, we captured you laughing and giggling. Oh so good to hear you laugh.....

Dear Anna

You learned to say "good morning Guangzhou" from our hotel room. Or, you mimicked dad's saying very well.
Your TB test was negative as we expected. So glad medical stuff is all behind us now.

Dear Anna

You weighed exactly the same as 3-5 months ago and same height.  We have to get busy and feed you some more.
This guy was a "doctor"
He was scary to me too. I had to bite my lips not to scream about his, well, everything about him. You cried with him, but you did not even make a sound with TB test. ENT exam was a joke (well, the whole med/clinic thing) and that's all I am going to say about that!!!

Travel Day to Guangzhou ( August 24, 2012 )

Dear Anna

When we got to the airport to fly to Guangzhou, we found yet another mistake. You see, I was to fly alone 5hrs ago, therefore, no plane ticket for mama.   Our guide  took care of it,  but it took 2hrs.  She had to pay extra to buy another ticket for me so we can all fly together. Then we had to wait for the  travel agency to approve such an ordeal. 
We almost missed our flight, so we thought. We ran to the gate, but not knowing where to go exactly, but looking for a matching gate number. I felt so illiterate. After all that, our flight was delayed for an hour. It doesn't seem bad now, but when you don't know what's going on at the time, (no more English speaking guide) it seemed eternal.

Your very first flight, and you were an absolute gem!!! You were not afraid at all, and I think you even enjoyed yourself

I hope you are not thinking that we are hotel jumpers. Believe me, I like nice hotels and all, but packing and unpacking is not my thing. So, here we are.....all dressed up for a med/clinic day.

Day Three to Six

Dear Anna

We are on our way to Guangzhou. We had to wait for a police officer to look at our passports and say OKAY.  Yap, we are an international family, dad with American passport, you with Chinese passport and mama with Canadian passport. Your back pack was bigger than you so we carried it for you.

Day Three to Six

Dear Anna

We are just hanging out, bonding, and playing. Oh, and eating!!!!