HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALAINAH GRACE QINYANG

Happy Birthday our sweet angel sent from above. Today you turned 2 years old. And we celebrated your very first birthday together as a family. You have grown so much in the last 10 months since we were united forever as a family. You went from not being able to sit on your own to running faster than your little legs can carry you. You went from not being able to talk to us to talking all day long. You have gone from jumping into any one's arms including strangers to making sure that mommy and daddy are close by. You give the biggest hugs and most wonderful kisses and snuggles that any mommy and daddy could ever dream of. You, our most beautiful angel are a gift from God, a true miracle that has brought so much happiness to everyone who has the honor to know you. Today, we celebrate your life and thank God that you are home with your family forever. Happy Birthday Halainah Grace Qinyang. Mommy and Daddy love you all the way to heaven and back and more than words could ever describe.

To Halainah's birth Mama, Thank you for the most cherished gift that you have given us. Thank you for choosing life for your daughter and making our life complete. May you have peace today knowing that your daughter is loved more than anything in this world. I wish I could tell you how happy Halainah is and how she has the most beautiful smile. I wish I could tell you that she loves to color and play. I wish I could tell you how much she loves her family. I wish I could tell you just how contagious her laughter is. I know today must have been a very difficult day for you and I pray that somehow you have found comfort knowing that Halainah is so very happy.

We had a big birthday bash for Halainah on November 7th. I will blog about it in the next few days and post tons of pictures. It truly was a beautiful day filled with family and friends all coming together to celebrate our daughter's life.

Tony took the day off of work today to celebrate with Halainah. Our day started off at the doctor's for Halainah's 2 year check up. She is currently 25 pounds (19 pounds when we brought her home) and is 33 inches. She hits the US charts for weight at 35% and 45% for height. Halainah's doctor is very impressed with her physical and mental development. She is right on target for a 2 year old despite the fact of living in China for the first 13 months of her life. After the doctor, Halainah had to get blood drawn which was very uneventful as Halainah didn't even flinch for the needle and sat still while watching the blood flow from her arm to the vial, she looked very amazed. Next we went out to have a very special birthday lunch together. Halainah had all of her favorites and expressed herself all day saying, "happy." We stopped off a the mall to show Halainah Santa, although we did not stop for a picture just yet. At the mall, she was the center of attention like always. Last year I had a very hard time dealing with all of the questions and comments. But this year, I have grown accustomed to the fact that it is just going to happen no matter where we are. We ran into a Chinese family who runs a massage place in the mall. The mom came running up to us and asked, "Chinese Baby?" To which we replied, "yes." She was very interested in Halainah's story and asked a lot of questions. Halainah seemed comfortable with the woman who talked to Halainah in Chinese for a while. I often wonder if Halainah remembers her first language. But was very happy to jump back into our arms and continue the rest of her special day.

Since today was Halainah's birthday we allowed her to indulge in some sweets since we don't allow them in our home. So she had a lollipop at the doctor's office. She had a mango yogurt milkshake at the mall. She had a tootsie roll for the very first time at home. And had some chocolate cake after dinner. I am actually surprised she fell asleep tonight with all of that sugar in her little body.

Today was a beautiful day. A day that was only a dream for 10 very long years that we tried to conceive a child. We celebrated our daughter's birthday today. Our miraculous daughter's birthday. What a blessed day we had!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.

Jeremiah 29:11

After a fun day out, Halainah couldn't wait to come home to play with her kitchen that Aunt Chrissy, Uncle Joe, Cousin Vincent, Grandma and Grandpa gave her for her birthday. She LOVES her kitchen!

Talking on the phone in her kitchen!

Tootsie Roll time! Her very first Tootsie Roll!






Cake Time!