Maya and the Princesses

Merry Christmas!

It has been a busy holiday season at the Dunn house! We've been celebrating since last week. We first celebrated with the Strakas since Jill and Liam had to fly up to Georgia. It was great sharing the holiday with our best friends. This was Liam's first Christmas--so it was extra special. We then celebrated with my Mom and my sister. Nana Birdie flew up to Boston to be with our family and my nephew William--it's his first Christmas too!
On Christmas Eve we took Maya Lily to EPCOT for the day. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Norway Pavilion with the Disney Princesses! She was in her glory.
Finally it was time to head home and start our Christmas Eve holiday tradition. We all wear new Christmas pj's and bake Christmas cookies for Santa Claus--it was so much fun. Maya Lily was covered in frosting.
This morning Maya Lily woke up to find her baby doll from Santa and a surprise Cinderella Castle!
Christmas is so magical through the eyes of a child. I am so amazed at how much Maya has changed from this time last year.
She understands so much more and is truly in the spirit of Christmas.
We are off to church to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas! It is important to reflect on all that we have been given because of God.
May the spirit of Christmas stay with you throughout the year.

Elf on the Shelf

Maya received the Elf on the Shelf from her Granny Linn. It has been so fun watching her look for her Elf every morning.
Tonight is the last night that the Elf is with us. He "goes back to the North Pole" to help Santa Claus get ready for Christmas. He also tells Santa whether you have been naughty or nice! Of course Maya has been great!
So "Buddy" is what Maya named her Elf--from the movie!. "Buddy" has left Maya a present for being a good girl and for taking good care of him. He left her a Cinderella dress and a pair of "glass" slippers!
We will miss "Buddy" and can't wait to see him next Christmas season!

Maya Lily and Santa Claus

Maya has been so excited about Christmas this year. She started talking about Santa Claus about three weeks ago. She told us that she was going to ask him for a baby doll!

Happy Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for! Our family and friends both near and far remain in our thoughts and prayers on this holiday.

We thank you all for your continued love and support and for being a part of our lives.

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

#2 in the potty!!!!

Maya Lily had an accident in her pants yesterday at school. She was so upset--her teachers her happy to see this because they were concerned that if she did not start to make the connection--that she would continue to poop in her pants. So this was a big deal!
Well today--she said she had to go on the potty. We tried several times and nothing came. After the last time I decided to keep her underwear off. A few minutes later--she announced that she had gone poo-poo on the potty. Patrick went to check--and there it was!
She was so proud of herself--she insisted on wiping herself--and then began to dance around the living. She called both of her grandmothers to tell them the good news!
I can't get over how big she has gotten...
I tell her everyday that she is still my baby.

Took Maya Lily to the polls tonight

We took Maya Lily to vote tonight. We stood in line for almost two hours--but it was so worth it. History is being made today and we wanted her to be a part of it.
She was such a trooper and watched as Patrick filled in his choices. She also got a sticker--which made it even better!

The prayer of St.Theresa

'May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.'

Maya Lily dancing to the music from Lianjiang

We bought the Lianjiang DVD a few weeks ago and Maya Lily loves the song that is played. So today she wanted to listen to the song--and started dancing.
It was so sweet watching her dance.

Funny story

This morning Maya and I were hanging out in her room--Patrick was still asleep. She went into her closet and shut the door. All of a sudden she started knocking on the door. I said, "Hello!" She opened the door and said, "Hi, I'm back."
I asked her if she had been on vacation. She said yes. I asked her where she went. She said, "On a boat." Playing along I asked her if it was a big boat or a little boat. She said, "Little boat." I then asked her who was on the boat with her. She said,"Mama." I asked where we were going and she said,"To get Daddy." This went on for about ten minutes. Then she switched the story to her being Mama, her baby Mulan doll was now baby Maya and I was Ms. Mary, her teacher at Kindercare. We pretended to drop off baby Maya and pick her up--just like we do every day!
It was so amazing to see her using her imagination! She is so smart!!!!

Happy 4th Birthday cousin Michael

We are sending happy birthday wishes to cousin Michael in VA!!
Hope you have a great day and hopefully we can get together soon.
Love,
Aleisa, Patrick and Maya Lily

Happy 2nd Anniversary Jim and Jill

Our dear friends Jim and Jill were married on the Disney cruise two years ago today--gosh I wish we were on the cruise right now!
Here's to many more years of love and happiness.
Love,
The Dunns

Three since we were LID!

Hard to believe that three years ago we were officially logged in at CCAA. It took 18 months to receive our referral--which now seems like a walk in the park!
I am so blessed to have Maya Lily--we know the wait seemed to be forever--but it was worth it.

EPCOT with cousin Colin

Maya Lily and her cousin Colin spent the afternoon at EPCOT together. It was Colin's first trip to Disney! They had so much fun making masks together in the China Pavilion. They were dancing to David Sanborn at the America Pavilion. It was great seeing Patrick and Peter together at Disney with their children. The twins grew up going to Disney with their parents--and now they are continuing the tradition with Maya and Colin.

A few of Maya's favorite things

Now that Maya is well into being a two year old--she has become quite opinionated. Here are a few of her favorite things:
1. Lovey Bear--who had to undergo a musicboxectomy because he was washed so many times.
2. Her soft yellow and pink blanket--the same one we brought to China--she has loved it ever since.
3. Her Ariel shoes--a pair of flip flops that one of Patrick's students bought her last year.
4. Vanilla Soy Milk--goes through a gallon a week.
5. A pink Barbie tutu dress--she would wear it to school or church if I let her.
6. Reading--current favs are Cinderella, Good Night and I Love You Like Crazy Cakes
7. Dancing-she loves when the music is on--she dances all around the house
8. Beatrice-our best friend's dog
9. The Disney Princesses--Ariel and Cinderella being her top two favs.
10. Going to school--she loves it!

Now for a few things my little one does not care for:
1. Keeping her shoes on--she is the barefoot contessa--has been ever since we were in China
2. Eating meat--except for my meatballs--she isn't a fan.
3. Going #2 on the potty--she'll do pee-pee in the potty--but won't do #2
4. Having her hair brushed--a daily morning battle
5. Being told no--but I guess that comes with the age!

Spreading the Love Award

My dear friend Tanya Jones named me as one of her "Spreading the Love" award recipients and I was so touched.
So now it is my turn to "Spread the Love" to those who have been a blessing to me.
The first award goes to my husband. Patrick is truly a saint of man. He is patient and kind. He is an amazing father to Maya Lily and a wonderful husband to me.
The second award goes to my best friend Jill. She has just become a mother and I know that she will do a great job with Liam. Jill was there for me throughout our entire adoption process and has been there for me ever since.
The third one goes to my Nana. Even though she has been gone for almost 20 years--I know that she is watching over me and guiding me long life's journey. She taught me so much and I am forever grateful to her.
The fourth one goes to all of the moms and dads who are still waiting for the forever babies. I know you have all endured a tremendous wait time--but the best is yet to come. So I am sending you some love-especially to Lori and Andy--who are hopefully in the next batch.
The last one goes to Maya's birth mother. I send her my love for she has given me the greatest gift of all.

Now it is your turn to "Spread The Love"

We will remain a party of three!

Many of you have asked about our second adoption recently--and I realized that we have told most people--but may missed some of you about our plans.
After careful consideration we decided to not proceed with our second adoption plans. Several factors helped us make this decision.
The first was the current wait time. If things continue to go they way they are--Maya would be six almost seven before we got a referral. That would be such a big age difference between them.
The second was the new regulations--we weren't 100% sure we would qualify--we weren't comfortable with having to go through the whole process all over again.

The bottom line is that we have been truly blessed with Maya Lily. She was so meant to be our daughter and we are forever grateful for this precious gift from God.

So now we will remain the Dunn family of three!

Patrick working at the Magic Kingdom

Patrick has started working weekends at the Magic Kingdom in Tomorrow Land.
This was on his first day at the Buzz Lightyear ride.
Maya and I went to visit him and she yells out, "Dada"
It was so cute.

Welcome to the world Liam James Straka

Liam James Straka was born on Oct. 4, 2008.
Here is Maya kissing him.
Patrick and Jim together with their babies.

Potty training

We have officially started Maya Lily with potty training. So far she has done a great job. She is wearing "big girl panties" to school all day. She still won't do a #2 in the potty--but we are getting there.
I am so proud of her--and yet sad at the same time because I still want her to be my little baby!