Visiting with Lora and Allie

Today Hannah and I set off for a play date at Lora and Allie's house. Hannah Claire and Allie lived at the same orphanage in Taiwan at overlapping times, but they're far enough apart in age that they wouldn't have had any interaction with each other. I think that it's pretty neat that we don't live all that far away from each other.

Lora beat me to the punch and posted about our day together already. Heehee! Go ahead to her blog first (click here) and you can see her photos of our day together.

Anyhow... here's a little part of the story that makes my connection with Lora extra special. The week that we got Hannah Claire's referral, I spilled the beans to Lora about the match. She just knew that something was up and teased me until I told her what was going on. We messaged each other back and forth online and I revealed that Hannah Claire was an itty bitty preemie. Lora had recently visited the nursery, and messaged back that she thought she's seen my baby! Well, of course I called her on the phone right away, and after sharing a photo we knew that the baby she remembered was our very own Hannah Claire! When in Taiwan, Lora remarked to the nannies that this one baby looked "no bigger than a ruler" and she was able to watch her for a little while. I'll be forever greatful to Lora for sharing this special "little" story about seeing Hannah... even before we ever knew about her.

Today there was 2-5" of snow in the forecast. I wasn't worried about driving as it was too cold for sleet and freezing rain, and it wasn't going to be enough snow that would be hard for the plows. I bundled up Hannah Claire in our warmest blanket, packed her little snowsuit just in case we'd have a car problem, lugged the diaper bag and two cameras... and we're off! It took me 45 minutes to get myself ready, and another 42 minutes to get her awake, fed, clean, diapered, dressed, bundled, happy, and secured.




The weather concerned Nana enough to make her call this afternoon to make sure that we made it home safe. Lora called too, just checking on us. I think Hannah Claire slept in the car the entire time there and back. I heard her stir a couple of times, but there was no crying at all. Humm... after looking at these photos, maybe I was just enjoying a coffee buzz thinking... hey, it's all warm here in the car. Feels good with the heater blowing on my feet, too!




Is this a pacifier clip, or a leash?



Allie was so good with Hannah Claire. She seemed to sense that she was "a baby" and was someone that she needed to be gentle with. When Allie first saw Hannah, she bent over and cocked her head to the side to get a good look at her face. She smiled and waved to Hannah, and tapped her a little bit to say hi. Allie shared her toys so well, and her mommy should be so proud of her sharing skills today! Allie seemed to understand everything we said and used several words with me. I gave her a Baby Mum-mum rice cracker wrapper, and asked her to take it to her mommy. She took it to Mommy, and Mommy told her to put it in the trash. Allie was so happy to be helpful and put it in the trash and had the biggest grin on her face.























Getting two babies to look at the camera at the same time is tougher than herding cats. Thanks for inviting us over to play today, ladies! We had a great time! Next time we'll have to have a tea party. :)