Daddy's fancy coat...

Nora was quite fascinated this morning by the vast array of pins and buttons on Dad's suit jacket. She's learning that not everything is meant to be touched, so she's now in the habit of looking over her shoulder to see if Mommy's looking... 

 

I was "looking", but I thought it was too cute and so of course had my camera going. It's not every girl that gets to check out "Master Karpiuk's" personal effects so closely! :) (Can you see that I trimmed Nora's hair at the back? I'm guessing that's what you do until it all becomes closer to being one length...)

I should probably roll up her pants, too! I'm just a little too laid-back sometimes...

A sweet gift from a new friend..

I don't know how much Nora understands about gift opening, but she seems to get it that she's allowed to rip paper up if I give a wrapped, crinkly item to her. (Usually she enjoys playing with the paper after more than the gift.)

What a fun surprise! Nora gets to be a bunny... Thanks, David!

The dress-up box is going to need some re-vamping soon. Goodbye to cowboy vests and various plastic weapons... here's the first addition!

Rosie turns "3"

In honour of Rosie's special day on the 19th, we took her to a nearby park for a stroll and a "portait".

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon but very chilly at only 2 degrees Celsius. Nora's eyes were teary from the wind blowing in her face.

The picture below reminds me of how I forget that strangers view Scott and I as only having one child when we're out with just Nora. I've had a few situations of talking with people who ask more details out of curiosity about our obvious racial differences. There is always a look of surprise when it comes up that we have 4 older sons, which I can understand as I'm still sometimes shocked about it myself! What I'm finding interesting is how there is then a comment about how we are(I am..) good people, I'm guessing because we've adopted? I find it to be an uncomfortable line of thought, and so quickly try to dispel the belief that I am good because of this, as I know that I am NOT particularly good of my own accord. It's not about being a "good" person that compelled me to consider adoption. God led us down this path, with His giving me a desire to have a daughter as just one of the aspects of this journey. He knows how much we need Nora in our lives, and that she needs us as well. It's that simple. (And that's my only deep thought of the day...)

Nora finally flaked out in the stroller after fighting sleep for 30 minutes. I had to keep tilting the stroller up on it's back wheels to keep her supine, as she struggled to sit upright at all costs. I am sometimes determined to be just as stubborn as she is. I won this time... :)

The Golden Ears mountains were just as stunning as when we see them from our front door. We live in such a gorgeous part of the world, if only we remember to take the time to really see it.

Cute "Dress of the Day"

I love this dress that my friends in Texas sent up, knowing that I love ladybugs. I couldn't wait any longer to dress Nora up, as we were going out for a play-date last Thursday.

I just keeping thinking of the old TV show, "Different Strokes", when I see Nora's expression like this. Anyone remember Gary Coleman's famous quote with that same look, "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willus?"

Love her dimples...

Fifties Flashback?

Okay, so I want to call Nora "Flo" or something like that, as if she's ready to do housekeeping around the kitchen. This is Nora's infamous dirty look, still not at "full strength"! I guess she doesn't appreciate stereotypes. :)

Nora and Rosie would rather share the Cheerios they find together on the floor. Again, a sign that somebody should be cleaning up around here?!

Nora actually did enjoy having this bow from a box of chocolates in her hair. Can you tell that I like to have fun with her?

Ballerina girl...

This delightful dress has been hanging in the closet for months, waiting for the weather to warm up. Such a fun gift from a friend, who's just as excited to dress up her little girl as I am!

Nora's expression here has no bearing on what she is wearing... this is her newest "face" to give us, and this is just the start of the glare, you can't believe how bad the full her "dirty look" can be. We all start laughing at her sometimes, as it's so hilarious, and then she'll smile at us. 

Nora ponders which "move" to perform first of her dance. :)

Trying anything for a smile... putting her in the chair keeps her from running towards me and the camera.

Case in point.

Later in the afternoon, Nora had a play-date with her friend, Megumi's daughter.

Nora hasn't learned about respecting other's "personal space" yet!

Trying to get photos together was a challenge, especially after Nora insisted on standing on the couch...

Lewis comes around...

A few weeks ago, when I questioned him, Lewis expressed that Nora was annoying as she was little. He also clarified that a little boy would be the same way, so that was less disconcerting. However, he's found a way to connect with Nora that makes them both happy.

I had forgotten that laundry baskets can be so fun!

Watching these two giggle together was definitely a heart-warming experience.

I think they'll find their way together despite the unexpected 8-year gap in age. I'm just glad that it's not me that has to squeeze into the laundry basket to play with Nora!

Nora embraces her Scandinavian side...

Scott was hanging out in the playroom with Nora, and it would seem that Nora is naturally drawn to the plastic swords etc. that the boys tend to leave on the floor. Scott couldn't resist trying out his camera again on his favourite daughter...

Pretty hard to be scared of this little Viking!

Let's just hope that Nora never finds any genuinely sharp objects lying around...

Who knew Nora's secret ability to swallow swords?! We'll let you know when she's got that down. :)

Nora visits Nana and Papa's house...

Nora had her first chance to explore Scott's parents' home, as they were back in town. Did you know that dishwasher buttons are a natural attraction no matter where we are?

I love the height difference here... little Nora looking up to big Papa.

The boys enjoy hanging out with Nana and Papa, too.

Nora enjoys having Thomas lift her up. (Somehow I think he likes doesn't mind.)

Just a couple days before this, Nora had seen this photo in our home. She pointed at me and said, "Mama". I was so proud. Apparently, she did the same thing when she saw the identical picture here. I think she's so smart...

Nana enjoys watching Nora explore so many new things.

Papa and Nora have a good time together.

Nora visits her "Sisters"

We had a very busy but fun day today as we met up with the adoptive families that we travelled with in September. The Chinese New Year parade was in Vancouver's Chinatown, which unfortunately I haven't been to for many years. Today wasn't the day to tour it due to the crowds, but we'll make a point of visiting again when the weather warms up.

We met up in a downtown hotel, where we took some pictures of the girls together in case they "lost it" later on in the afternoon. Here is our older inspiration, Miss Jenna, who is now 2. She was looking so gorgeous in her special outfits.

Seeing all the proud and happy parents was so heart-warming for all of us...

Meeting new friend, Amelia, was a definite highlight of the day...

Nora and Ai-Li say "hello". Nora has a thing for zippers...

The girls followed each other around in the hotel lobby... just like old times, except now they can all walk.

We had dressed Nora in layers to stay warm later for the parade.

Once again, our attempts at the "couch" photo were very similar to the last time when in China. Ai-li just wasn't so sure about this, and the others just looked at her as if to say, "What's wrong?"

Several attempts were made, but no one succeeded in getting that perfect shot. Maybe next time?!

We headed a few blocks over to Chinatown, thankful that the rain had lifted momentarily.

Numerous dragons were "dancing" in the streets. We could feel the beat of the drums in our chests as they were so loud. The girls weren't sure what to think, especially as they couldn't actually see anything from their stroller view.

Nora was happy just to reach across to Amelia. Eventually, she was trying to take her snacks off of her, so they ended up sharing. (The parade was all happening during "Naptime", so we weren't sure how Nora would behave, so the cookies were a nice diversion.)

It was enjoyable to see all the costumes and variety of colours; such a contrast to the grey weather.

These little girls looked so sweet.

Jenna gets a bird's eye view from her Daddy's shoulders!

Eventually the rain returned, and so it soon became a parade of umbrellas...

Thankfully, we had parked ourselves under a store overhang by then.

This group was interesting... I'm not sure how the Viking theme fits in here?!

Our end of the parade finished up by 1 pm, so we then headed out to eat together at the "Burnaby Palace". (Of course, Nora had just fallen asleep. She did pretty well with just a 15 minute nap... I woke her up further by changing her in the car.) Nora's ready to party now!

Isabella was all decked out... I should have dressed Nora in her little red cheongsam from yesterday, but it had sticky rice on it!

Amelia was too cute!

A rare photo of Scott, before the meal arrived. (It was delicious... so surprising to have dish after dish arrive. Nora enjoyed eating everything.)

Jenna joined Isabella in wearing a similar red cheongsam. Oooh, I should've brought Nora's dress!

Isabella and Ai-Li are good buddies, as they both live in the same town. How nice that will be for them.

Ai-Li makes her parents laugh.

Isabella and her beautiful mommy.

Our waiter was really great with the girls, with trying to get some group shots with them.

Not all the girls were so keen about that!