Readoption Day!

One year ago today, on December 4, 2008 we had the giving

and receiving ceremony in Hanoi. On that day, Sophia Rose

officially became our daughter. It was purely coincidental 

(or perhaps fate?) that our re-adoption hearing in the 

Morristown, New Jersey courthouse wound up being scheduled 

for December 4, 2009, exactly one year later. Needless to say, 

this was a joyous and emotional experience for our family.  

It meant a lot to us that Sophia Rose's brother Michael and 

sister Laura were able to be with us for the re-adoption proceeding.  

It was also very meaningful that some of our friends were able

 to be there with us today. 

Swearing in Loren and Susan before the Judge, at the

beginning of the hearing

Our lawyer and family friend Bill representing us

Sophia answering all the Judge's questions....

At the conclusion of the hearing...

With the Judge and our lawyer.  So happy for our re-adoption

to now finally be completed in the state of New Jersey.  :)

GOTCHA DAY!!!

Exactly one year ago today we went to the Dong Anh orphanage

outside Hanoi to meet Hoang Thi Phuong; it was love at first sight!

She was almost 6 months old, and immediately took to us as we 

held her for the first time.  It's hard to believe that it's been a year

since that emotional day.  We are so blessed that she is part of our family now,

and we can't imagine life without her.

.

Mommy holding Sophia Rose for the first time on

December 1, 2008 at the orphanage.

Mommy and Loan (from PLAN) with Sophia Rose and 

two of her orphanage friends, Claire and the other Sophia

Daddy and Sophia bonding during that

first meeting at the orphanage. 

Back at our hotel on gotcha day, finally

out of the orphanage clothes and into something

more fitting for this little cutie.

One year later...Sophia has developed

so much, and has an amazing sense of humor. 

She loves wearing our shoes, and she knows

it gets instant laughs from us.

What a difference a year makes! 

Nothing better than this!  It's impossible not to have 

a smile on your face and in your heart when you are with Sophia.

Sophia absolutely loves her big sister

LaLa (Laura).

We celebrated Gotcha day with dinner out

at a Thai restaurant. It was Sophia's choice

since Pad Thai noodles are one of her very

favorite foods! 

First Halloween and Thanksgiving!

It's been one year to the day this Thanksgiving that we left

for Vietnam to get Sophia Rose.  It's hard to believe a full year 

has gone by, and it's so wonderful to see how much Sophia has 

grown and developed since we first met her.  

On October 18th, Sophia, Laura and I went to a fall brunch

of the Families with Children from Vietnam, New Jersey 

chapter.  This is Sophia with Ellie whose mom and dad 

hosted the brunch. 

I think I'll help myself to a little ice cream 

while mommy and daddy aren't looking

Oh, oh.....caught in the act

Forget the bowl; the container is much 

more fun to eat from

Sophia and mommy go to Gymboree every Thursday; The 

class dressed up in costumes the day before Halloween;  Sophia

was one of two bumble bees buzzing around the class!

We went to the Halloween parade at the Elementary 

school, but it rained at night se we stayed home

and greeted the trick or treaters as they came to

the door

Sophia modeling the jumper aunt Karen

knitted, and wearing the velvet and silk

jacket that was hand made in Vietnam

In deep thought or admiring her shoes??

Holding a picture of my big brother Michael

when he was about 6 years old. 

Nobody's going to take this picture away from me!

Hugging his picture, and can't wait for him to come

home for Thanksgiving so I can see him

Thanksgiving dinner with my nana, my family and some 

friends that joined us (not pictured)

All dressed for shopping with my family

on black friday

New Discoveries

Me and my shadow....it moves everytime I do.

Amazing

Waving hello to my shadow

With brother Mike blowing bubbles in Central Park on

a beautiful fall day in New York City

I've gotten pretty good at blowing these 

bubbles

Just stuffin' my face...

There's that shadow again; keeps following me around.

Pretty cool.

All set to fly with these angel wings

In one of my more studious moments, 

reading one of my favorite books in our

sun room

Playing peek a boo: first I cover my eyes

Then I blow a little kiss

And voila....here I am

Love hangin with my big sis Laura

Discovering a big hay stack at a farm with Michael 

and Laura on a beautiful fall Sunday

Pretty comfy seat...

Summer fun and Referralversary

Now and then.....Last year on August 27, 2008

we received our referral at about 3:00 a.m., just 3 days 

before the US/Vietnam program officially closed. This is

the picture we received that day, and we are so blessed

that Sophia Rose has developed so remarkably over the

past year. 

Sophia and Laura in our pool, but she actually prefers her

mini pool or the bath.  Oh well, maybe this will be more her 

thing next summer.

We took 2 day trips to the Jersey Shore, and

Sophia LOVES the sand. She dug and sifted in 

it for hours!

Sophia's hair finally got long enough for

Laura to put it in pigtails.  Well, at least 

it's a start.

The pigtail days were short lived once she discovered

how to pull them out

On August 10th, Laura turned 16 and we celebrated it

with a family dinner at one of our favorite Mexican 

restaurants in NYC.

Never too young to support the Yankees, our favorite

baseball team!

A few more times on this slide and she'll be ready for the

big time at 6 Flags.

Who needs stuffed animals when you have your plastic

'dog dog' to carry around?

Always willing to share her snacks, especially

with Molly, our 4 pound Maltese.

All dressed up for Labor Day, the biggest

weekend of the year in our little town with

parade, carnival and fireworks.

With Laura at the end of the parade after the Cheerleader's

dance routine.