Happy Birthday, CiBaby!

You are 4 years-old today. Amazing...truly amazing.

Yesterday we were talking about being a baby in someones belly and you said that you wish you had been in mine, but the truth is life would not be the same. I couldn't begin to imagine all of the differences, as there could be so very many.

The one thing that I do know is that Daddy and I are two of the most lucky people in the entire universe to have found such a wonderful girl to be our daughter. You bring us so much joy our hearts overflow daily. You are bright, inquisitive, funny, loving, imaginative, kind, beautiful, quirky and you just keep being you...because we cannot think of anything better.

We love you so very, very much honey. Happy Birthday!

Love, Mama and Daddy.

Happy 3rd Birthday, CiBaby!!!

CiBaby's 3rd birthday started off with frosting clean-up.

Followed by "Rainbow" fingernails by Big Sister...


Then came her party with her little buddies. It was suppose to be a "Splash" party, but notice the sweater in the picture below...a little too chilly for splashin' around. Regardless, the kids seemed to have a great time. We drained the pool of water and filled it with balls instead!

Pizza for dinner...

Tutu and playtime for dessert...

Then the Birthday Princess headed off to bed!

It was a great 3rd birthday for our little princess. I can't believe how much she's changed in a year!!!

Today's the day

Two years ago a woman, we shall most likely never meet, gave birth to our little CiBaby in China. For that I am eternally grateful.

A little over a year ago, in May, we received these pictures...

A year ago today, T-Daddy and I celebrated CiBaby's 1st birthday with Chinese food.

8 1/2 months ago, we arrived in China to finally meet our daughter.

On Sunday we celebrated CiBaby's 2nd birthday with family and friends, and most importantly, CiBaby herself. It was a great party and fun was had by all.

The yard was ready...

The fridge was stocked...

sandwiches - peanut butter, cucumber[1] and caprese
salads - wild rice and soybean[2], chicken, gingered asian[2], and white bean and goat cheese[3]
hummus[3] and pita
veggies and dip[1]
smoked tomato salsa[4] and chips
cupcakes
rhubarb cake*
beverages up the wazoo

The party started calmly with lots of eating, drinking and socializing...

But then came Toddlers Gone Wild...

Wet t-shirt contest

Pool jumping the car

Sandbox sitting

Present unwrapping

Chair climbing

The Iron Chefs

And a little beauty shop, thanks to Big Sister

The aftermath...

Today is a much calmer celebration.

She took an almost 2 hour nap...yippee!!!


Played with a friend...


And we celebrated this evening with G-Mama, G-Papa, Auntie, Horsy, Grams, Big Sister and 3 of her favorite foods...fried rice, potstickers and fruit!

It was a great 2nd birthday.

We love you Sweets.
Mama and Daddy


Side note: CzaMama was trying to be all handy and get together CiBaby's Cozy Coupe car, but with multiple interruptions from said toddler, ended up with "spare" parts...thus needing to order more through Little Tikes. Sadly it is not drivable for her birthday...check back in 5-7 business days.

*G-Mama has made this cake for years and this was the first time I'd ever made it. The cake was such a hit, every morsel was eaten at the party that I made another one on Monday.

1. Martha Stewart

2. Always Superb: Recipes for Every Occasion

3. Nantucket Open-House Cookbook

4. Recipe by CzaMama