Sophie Lu: The 2 yr old self proclaimed "Birthday Queen"!

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A Poem for her Birthmother (on Sophie's 2nd Birthday)

Beyond Your Tears
(written for Sophie Lu's
Birthmother in China)

I imagine you kissed
her sweet face so round
And gently placed her
where she would be found

I imagine your heartache
your pain and your tears
I wish I could show you
and soften your fears

I’d show you a girl
with hope in her eyes
A girl who loves stories
and sweet lullabies

A girl who laughs freely
and loves to play
A girl who sings sweetly
and dances all day

A girl with a future
So funny and smart
A girl who loves music
and reading and art

A girl who I hope
has your courage one day
I know it took courage
to love and walk away

Her beautiful smile
I wish you could see
She looks like you
and laughs like me

So, imagine her laughter
Imagine her touch
I wish I could show you
she’s loved so much

Remember her face
Remember that kiss
And when you cry,
remember this

Beyond your tears
Beyond your pain
Sometimes the sun
shines through the rain

And I know that she’ll ask me
about you one day
I’ll tell her you loved her
and wished she could stay

I’ll help her remember
and imagine you, too
when she starts to wonder
and dream about you

We’ll look at the moon
I’ll give her a kiss
and when she cries,
I’ll tell her this

Beyond your tears
Beyond your pain
Sometimes the sun
shines through the rain

by Shana Rae ,
proud Mommy of Sophie Lu

Copyright © 2006 Shana R. All rights reserved.

Poem for Sophie's Birthmother (a preface)

Sophie's 2nd birthday is tomorrow. The day of her birth is (and probably always will be) a bittersweet day for me. Of course, the day she was born is so special to me and will always be a day of celebration; still, I can't help but think of Sophie's birthmother and what this day means for her. The day Sophie was born must have been the most difficult day of her life; and I imagine the anniversary of this day will be one of sadness and uncertainty. My great fortune comes from her misfortune; and this makes me feel so sad and even a little bit guilty. I just couldn't celebrate without acknowledging her and her great loss.

Somehow, lighting a candle just didn't seem like enough, so I was inspired to write a poem for her. I will post the poem in her honor on Sophie's birthday. I know she will never be able to read it, but I am hoping it will be meaningful to Sophie one day.

I want to preface the poem by admitting that I am making some assumptions about Sophie's birthmother. I believe in my heart that she loved Sophie very much, and that she would have kept her if she could. I choose to believe that she still mourns for her and keeps the memory of Sophie's precious little newborn face close in her heart. I know some will think I am wrong for sharing my assumptions as truths with Sophie one day, and that I should just say, "I don't know" when Sophie asks me if her birthmother loved her. But, my heart just couldn't bear that. Because somehow in my my heart, I just know these things to be true. So, please be understanding when you read my poem...

Counting to 10: Roses & Lemons

This video was taken a few weeks ago. It's funny how Sophie will do something perfectly over and over again- but turn the camera on, and forget about it! Here, Sophie insists that there are only 3 roses in our garden; and then her words are faster than her hands as she counts 10 lemons. Finally, Sophie engages me in her "I'm gonna run & make Mommy chase me" game!

My Amazing One Year Old

Sophie Lu will turn two this Saturday, but for now- she is still my one year old little baby girl! She continues to amaze us everyday by learning and trying new things. We are so very proud of her. In her 11 short months with us, she has come such a long way. Here is a list of just some of her accomplishments (and I'll try to catch some on video this week):

* She can count to 10 (in English and Spanish!), and she can identify written numbers
* She can identify letters from A through F- even if they are out of order
* She can recite many songs and knows several books by heart
* If I read a book or sing a song, she will fill in the words I leave off
* She can (and does) repeat everything she hears
* She can speak in 3 or 4 word sentences- especially if she wants something
* She correctly uses plurals (she'll say book when there is one & books when there is more)
* She knows all of her animals, animal noises, body parts, foods, etc.
* She knows all of her colors (but still whispers, "purple")
* She consistently identifies a circle and a triangle and is learning her other shapes
* She correctly holds her crayons, markers, pencils & paintbrushes
* She can match stickers with their silhouettes and carefully studies them and turns them so they match perfectly
* She can run and jump and dance (she can really shake it , too!)
* Really, there is just about nothing that my Sophie Lu can't or isn't learning to do :)
* But most importantly, she has learned how to trust and to love- (her Daddy added that part!)

As Sophie's mother (and a former teacher), I am just in awe of her. It's hard to believe she is still only one year old. I can't imagine what her next year will bring. I just hope I can keep up with her! :)

Way behind on my emails (sorry!)

I just want to apologize to everyone who has emailed me or asked a question in the comments section. Aside from a couple random emails which I responded to immediately, I am about a month behind on my emails. I do have a policy to respond to all emails, and I am so sorry so many responses will be this late. Also, if you have asked a question as a comment, please email the question to me so I can be sure to respond. If you emailed over a month ago with no response, please re-email me (it's possible your email got buried).

I am so blessed to receive so many beautiful emails and comments; and I truly appreciate each and every one. Again, I apologize for my late responses!

Shana :)

Mother's Day, Birthdays, & Bon Voyage

We had a lot to celebrate on Sunday! It was Mother's Day, of course, but it was also my brother Willie's birthday. And since he and my brother Shane and their families are moving to Colorado (Willie left straight from the party), we also celebrated Sophie's birthday a little early. We are so thankful to have had this special day together!
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Adults: Sarah, Willie, Shane, Cissy, Elliot (my dad), Michael, me, & Emily
Kids: Jordyn, Braden, Ian, & Sophie Lu
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Sophie learns how to "smile for the camera" from her cousins, Braden & Ian.
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Sophie discovers Ranch dressing & the fine art of double dipping. Uncle Willie thinks it's funny!
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Sophie forgets her "camera smile" because she's too busy thinking about those balloons behind her...
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And there she goes...

sBig Cousin Braden shows Sophie how to throw lemons at the tree.

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Sophie shares her dollie with Cousin Jordyn.
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And, even though she is very busy, Sophie still takes a phone call!

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"H-ro?"
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Sophie got so excited when we sang the Happy Birthday song!
sUncle Willie helped her blow out her candles.
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But she had absolutely no interest in eating the cake!
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"Down, Mommy! Pleeeaase?"

sSophie had a lot of help opening her gifts.
sAnd she got a special kiss from Auntie Sarah!
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And she loves her Auntie Emily & Uncle Shane too!

s sButBut, there's nothing better than a little, innocent water fun! Thanks for a wonderful day, family- we love you and will miss you so much~

Happy Mother's Day!

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Beach Boyfriend #2: Football Frank

Oh- see that boy over there? The one working on his tan? He is SO cute & much bigger than that little baby, Joe. AND he has a football! I'm going to stand here like this in hopes that he'll notice me and ask me to play with him...


Hmmm... maybe he'll notice me if I am wearing these cool big girl sunglasses... Geesh, what does a girl have to do to get some attention around here?
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Okay- this calls for drastic measures. Notice me, boys... NOTICE ME!
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Boy: "Hi, my name is Frank. Do you want to play football with me?"
Me: "Who, meeee? Hee hee hee!"

"I'm an old fashioned girl. You'll have to make a formal proposal!"
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Score!

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Frank: "Okay, now throw it back to me."

Me: "Huh! I don't think so, honey..."

s"You'll have to chase me!" So, he chased me- and we had so much fun!

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But, then Football Frank had to go bye bye too. I was so sad. "Please don't leave me, Football Frank... Well, at least don't take the football with you..."
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Ahhh, parting is such sweet sorrow... (But, yay! I have a new football!)

So, what did I learn this spring break? Boyfriends- they come and go; but toys last forever!

Beach Boyfriend #1: Ice Cream Joe

This is Joe. (Isn't he cute?) I met him earlier at an Ice Cream Social. He ate A LOT of ice cream, so I decided to call him Ice Cream Joe. Here I am trying to give him a hug, and he is still licking his spoon!
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Ice Cream Joe had to go bye bye; but not before we had the chance to make a swim date for the very next day!
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Here we are at our pool-side rendez-vous. Joe brought some pool toys for us to play with. s

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And he even almost let me kiss him! Maybe next summer, Ice Cream Joe!

More Beach Photos

Las Tres Chicas! (Mommy, Sophie Lu & Amy)

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Sophie met some new friends on the beach. This is Mei Mei!
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This is Clara (Mei Mei's little sister- just home for 4 months!) Sophie called her "Baby" and gave her this "pose for the camera" hug!
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Sophie's first sandcastle!

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Sophie loves her Grandma Rae!
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My Coppertone Baby!
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Garden Hose Fun with Lucy!

Sophie & Daddy at the Beach!

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Sophie & Mommy at the Beach

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