Easter Moments

The HAWK on Easter morning, posing for the constant paparrazzi style photography of his daddy. Not to be out done, he wanted to take his own shots. Good thing we waited until after church to start the photo session.

The budding photographer took this one.

After brunch, the real fun begins. Easter egg hunt in the front yard. Clearly on a mission in this shot, he had a great time grabbing eggs. I couldn't help but think about next year and hope that he would have a bit more competion maybe from his little sister?

Hmmmm, Grampie jumped in the the hunt. We were surprised he
wanted to help add to the competition!?

There's always one that's out of reach, especially when the daddy hiding
them is 6 ft 5 in! Time to call in the serious reinforcements!
(This is the egg decorated by The HAWK as a self-eggtrait.)

This is about the time that Craig started shouting about my shoulder and neck. He forgets how moms do anything for there kids no matter how much it hurts. Perhaps, he was upset that the HAWK found all this hidden eggs.

Fortune Cookie says Daughter

My mother gave me the fortune from a cookie she recently received. It says "Learn Chinese: Daughter" I don't know if things like this came and went before we made our decision, but it seems to me that I find meaning in the little things now more than ever. I don't think there is anything wrong with allowing small coincidences to bring joy. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason, whether we know the reason or not. My mother received this fortune - maybe it was to reiterate our special bond or it was foreshadowing of the bond I hope to have with my daughter. No matter what, it bodes well for us!

We watched the ending of the 60 Minutes report on the state of women in China last night. It left me with tears streaming down my face. I am struck by the image of the hidden camera documenting a woman having an ultrasound in the back of a van. I don't have any frame of reference for that feeling of desperation (and I am grateful I don't). How did that woman get to that point...well, I didn't have to wonder too long for that answer. The report wrapped up with a young woman in a school proudly telling the reporter that, 'Americans are conceited for having more than one child. And that in China having one child is her patriotic responsibility.'

Perhaps, China should make fortune cookies with "Daughter" printed in them...

Progress on a nursery

Here are the lovely gentlemen who are installing a hard wood floor in the baby's room. You can see my initial steps to correct the funky wall painting. I think I am going to completely paint over the pattern and switch a pattern or contrasting color to another smaller wall. Unfortunately for everyone, these installers are dreadfully slow. Their slow install was compounded on Friday by an alleged bout of the stomach flu by the crew...I think they wanted to go home on Good Friday and sensed a germ paranoia from me.

Getting Satisfaction in China

According to the Asia Times online edition, Mick Jagger and his crew will play in Shanghai tomorrow night. Apparently the band has been trying to play in mainland China since the 80s, but the government has blocked their performances. The first thing reason I would have thought would be the poltical tones in some of their songs such as "Street Fighting Man" and "Satisfaction" , where were not questioned by the Chinese censors. However, they are not allowed to play overly sexual songs such as "Brown Sugar", "Honky Tonk Woman", "Beast of Burden" and "Let's Spend the Night Together".

Even if you're not a Stones fan, it's interesting to note that they will be playing live to an audience of about 8,000 (no stadium crowd in China) and a televised audience as well.

I think this shows some change in China. Granted they censored songs, but they are after more than 20 years, letting a rock band into the country.

I find it interesting to track the general news of China. I plan to take a collection of news bits and incorporate them into my daughter's lifebook. In my job, I spent much of my time attempting to get news coverage, so it seems only fitting that she know what was happening around her at the time she was in the country. Visit www.atimes.com for news from Asia. If nothing else, it's a different perspective on world events.

New York, New York

This weekend I flew to NYC with my parents to celebrate a recognition my younger brother received. Although he lives in Atlanta, he entered an international architecture exhibition. His work was selected for display among a prestigous group of architects from around the world. We were all incredibly proud. It also provided a great reason for a trip to NY!

In addition to attending the architecture reception, we visited Ground Zero. Every time I go there I am further moved by the strength and resillience of the city and its citizens. It makes my self-pity for the "wait" seem trivial.

But, as so many of us do during the wait...I shopped. A trip to FAO Schwartz was essential. I purchased a first toy for our little girl. I bought a small, soft-sided photo album that matches the sweet toy. My hope would be that she would get the album during her last few weeks in the orphanage and then get the toy with us.

Everything is still in a dream place right now, but it's good enough for me.