Mirror, Mirror photofest

I often wonder what Hannah will be like as a grown woman. I think about her self-confidence growing up as a child that looks different than many of the children around her. I worry. I think about multi-cultural books, videos, foods, celebrations. Is once a week Chinese school enough? Should we find someone to give her private Mandarin lessons when she's school aged? It's hard enough to feel good about yourself as a teenage girl as your body changes, you break out with pimples, and you worry about being liked enough by your friends 24-7. Throw international adoptee into the mix and it could be a big deal... or it could very much not be one.

Remember to find yourself a copy of Mei-Ling Hopgood's memoir "Lucky Girl" and have it read by the end of Memorial Day weekend. My bloggy friend Judy and I will moderate the book discussion. I've been e-mailing a few other Taiwan adoptive mamas about some topics in the book already, and know that several of you are really looking forward to a discussion. CLICK HERE to read the original post about the book discussion challenge for more information.

These photos were taken in a bathroom at the Hyatt in Indianapolis Tuesday night. I had Hannah sitting on the counter top while I was brushing her hair getting ready to go out for dinner. She likes to look at herself in the mirror, so I just let her go at it. She was being so funny just laughing, pointing, and talking to herself that I grabbed the camera, asked Kevin to spot her to make sure she didn't fall over, and started clicking away. The self-love got kinda crazy at the end... you'll see.

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, Who is the silliest baby of them all?
It's Hannah baby!

Licking the mirror?!?!
Doesn't this shot make you wonder what in the world she's thinking?
Yes, baby. You're sweet. Mama thinks so too.




Happy Mother's Day to all of the first time mamas out there! Whoop whoop!

To those still waiting for a positive test, struggling to get through a first trimester, or for adoption referrals, I've felt your hurt and know your pain. I know there's no words I could give to comfort you... but keep going. It feels like you keep jumping through hoops and you don't get anywhere a lot of the time, but eventually you could jump though that hoop that makes you a mother, a foster mother, or a mentor that changes the life of a child forever. At the end of the road, you'll most likely discover that you're stronger than you ever knew.