A Day at Hidden Lake

Today was a nice day for the beach and swimming. We are fortunate to live on a beautiful lake. Jinnae loved exploring the beach sand for the first time in her life. She also loved being in the water, which surprised me, since she does not like baths.

Her Aunt Sally and cousins, Sasha, Katrina, Autumn, and Jewel came to join us.

We all had a lot of fun. Of course, Jinnae had to eat some sand. She puts everything in her mouth now. I think she snuck it in when I was adjusting the camera.

Jinnae was so tired from the fresh air and all the activity that she fell asleep sitting up with her sand bucket. I wish I had got a picture. She sleeps well sitting up just like her Grandpa Gerst. :)

Comfortable?

When I peeked in on Jinnae the other morning, she looked like this. I guess it is comfortable to sleep sideways in your crib with your feet up and crossed.

Whatever works. I am so thankful she sleeps 10 hours a night! :)

Neighborhood Baby Shower

Our neighborhood gave us a wonderful baby shower on Saturday. We are so thankful to have such kind and thoughtful neighbors.

Jinnae and I were taken out to eat at a nice, local restaurant here in Allendale. Then we went back to my neighbor, Val's, for cake and gifts. The cake was special as it said, "daughter" in Chinese.

Jinnae showed off her ability to roll and crawl backwards all over Val's living room.

She also enjoyed helping me open her gifts.

Thanks for the great afternoon, neighbors!

Grandma and Grandpa Gerst's House

I am fortunate to have my parents living nearby. Jinnae and I visit them at least once a week. Jinnae just has to whimper and Grandma and Grandpa will give her whatever she wants.

Grandma Gerst keeps a beautiful flower garden. Here is Jinnae by it. Grandma Gerst likes to have fun and decided to do her hair like Jinnae's for the picture. We call the hair-do The Rooster.

Fun with People

My friend, Annette, from work stopped by to visit Jinnae and I. We had a nice walk and chat time.

Jinnae has many cousins who love spoiling her. Here she is with Sasha, Katrina, Autumn and Jewel.

More Aunts and Cousins

Jinnae had the privilege of meeting her Aunt Sharon and her cousins, Stacy, Erica, and Raymond this week.

She loved the cell phone her cousin Stacy bought her. She played on her cell phone while Rick and I worked on our laptops. If anyone walked in our house then they would have thought what a bunch of electronic junkies!

Jinnae is doing well, and is going to start crawling any day now. Personally, I don't encourage it. I like putting her in one spot and having her there when I turn around. She is rolling like crazy though and likes getting into things that way. :)

Happy Father's Day!

Hi Daddy,

Thank you for being so fun. I love it when you balance me while I'm standing on one of your hands. You are the best daddy ever!

Love,

Jinnae

Dawn and Lynda

My good friend, Dawn, and best friend from high school, Lynda, came to visit at different times this week too. We had great conversation and they were both so happy to meet Jinnae.

Trish and Lia

On Wednesday, my friend, Trish, and her daughter, Lia, came to visit. Trish and I met about a year ago. Trish adopted Lia from China. She has been a good friend and very supportive during our adoption process. Jinnae and Lia looked very similar as babies. If they were not from different provinces, we would of thought they might be sisters. Trish will be going to pick up her second daughter from China soon. Yea!

Lia cooked up a storm for us in Jinnae's play kitchen. We had a great time!

Music Festival

We went to the music festival in Grand Rapids this morning with our friends Marc, Shelby and their six beautiful children. It was very hot, but we all had a nice time enjoying good food and good music.

Jinnae's favorite was the ballet dancers.

Pulaski Family Picnic

We had a picnic on Saturday with Rick's family. We all had a great time! We laughed and enjoyed a lot of good food. We also celebrated Jinnae's cousin Michael's birthday. Michael was excited to get a new fishing pole. Aunt Rhonda made goody bags for Michael's birthday and gave Jinnae one. Out of all the choices in the bag, Jinnae loved the mini basketball the best. She held onto it and chewed it for the rest of the afternoon as you can see in the pictures.

Speaking of basketballs, we also had to wait for a hour to eat as Uncle Jerome and Grandpa Pulaski went to get a basketball at the store to play with. We were all starving. Then they finally returned! Jinnae's daddy beat her uncles at basketball. A challenge is on for next time.

A Visit from Charity and Sweet Adeline

Charity and Adeline came to meet Jinnae on Thursday. Jinnae was happy to meet both of them.

Adeline was very sweet to Jinnae and brought her a cool, flower toy.

Charity and I had fun visiting and the girls had fun playing and eating a snack together.

We look forward to seeing them again soon.

A Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Pulaski

Grandma and Grandpa Pulaski came from North Carolina to meet Jinnae and see family and friends in Michigan last week. Jinnae was excited to meet them! They gave her lots of presents, attention, hugs and kisses.

They left today. She misses them and so do we.