Year of t he Snake

This weekend we celebrated Chinese New Year and our 7th month anniversary.  Seven months from today, I first held Yi Mei in my arms.  I'll never forget the day we both locked eyes in the civil affairs office or how she slept on top of me that first night, clinging to me for dear life.  Those first five months were hard for both of us, as we both adjusted to our new circimstances. Life has been wonderful these past couple of months and we have so much to celebrate. 

Since Yi Mei has no recollection of celebrating the New Year in her own country, it was a special weekend for us to create new traditions as a family, while celebrating her culture.  Yi Mei enjoyed  setting off fireworks (jumping on bubble wrap) and eating cake shaped like a snake a with the kids from our adoption group.  We also enjoyed festivities with our "aiyees" (aunties) at the Nelson Art Gallery.  Yi Mei was thrilled when she could touch the Lion who danced right before her eyes. Yi Mei loved opening her red envelope to find money inside.  She has decided to spend her New Year's money on a kit kat bar (her new favorite treat).