Meeting with Santa Claus

Today Lottie & Bette met Santa, our predictions were all wrong! We predicted Lottie would be afraid, especially since she requested to go home about a dozen times, & Bette would smile ear to ear. When it was our turn Lottie bravely sat with Santa & we got a few smiles! Bette however smiled the entire time until she turned to see who was holding her, then she was done for..classic

Next weekend we are donating some toys and writing cards for children who will spend Christmas at our local hospital, we will spend the morning with Santa & hopefully maybe some more photo opportunities.  Although today's shots are perfect in every way!  Their beautiful dresses were made by the girls grandma CeCe, aren't they fabulous! 

Happy Chinese New Year

This year celebrating Chinese New Year was extra special as we welcomed Lottie's little sister Bethany on Chinese New Year Eve, January 30, 2014.  We celebrated with Chinese take out in the hospital and again once we were home.  We snapped a few photos of the girls in their Chinese silks.

Merry Christmas

Its amazing to think a year ago, we clung to our three photos of our daughter dreaming of the day we would hold her forever, Christmas last year just didn't seem quite right.  What a difference a year makes.  The Grinch got it right, Christmas doesn't come from a store, its about family.  This year we decided not to exchange gifts, we donated to our favorite charities instead, this year we didn't plan any fancy vacations or expensive dinners, we just decided to stay at home and cook together.  It was by far my most beloved Christmas, for so many reasons, but having my daughter here after years of wishing and hoping seemed so surreal.

What a magical time of year, Lottie's first Christmas home was celebrated with her grandparents Lola & GrandT, CeCe, PopPop, Aunt Kelley and Uncle Dan. It was wonderful watching her see the look on her face opening all of her gifts.  Santa was so good to Lottie, she was opening gifts days after Christmas.  Although she is still recovering form her palate surgery a few days ago, it was a wonderful day, and we are so grateful to be surrounded by family holding our daughter in our arms this year. Wishing you and yours the joys of the season.  Merry Christmas to all. 

Love,

The Castagnos & Fogartys

Homebound for December

In preparation for surgery, we decided to keep Lottie home a full 20 days before surgery to avoid any illness.  Unfortunately, if she was to get sick, we would need to cancel her surgery and this isn't an option for our growing family.  It was quite the juggling act as we both work fulltime and trying to adjust our schedules and work from home with an active 2 year old was a challenge!  But we did survive- looking back we joke and wonder how we did it!  One day we both had important meetings and needed some help!  Thanks to our friend Brandi, she offered to help watch Lottie and took some real cute Christmas photos!

Meeting Santa Claus

Today Lottie met Santa Claus for the very first time, She was extremely shy which we expected, we tried to sit her next to the jolly old elf but she became terrified and began to cry.  We opted for a family photo with Santa. We were the last in line right before the end of the day, so Santa had some time to chat, we told him this was Lottie's first Christmas with us, how we adopted her from China 9 months ago.  Santa looked at me with tears in his eyes, and whispered....that he adopted his three children. It's amazing how adoption surrounds us and God reminds us daily of HIS plan.  I sat there with Santa, silently because no words were needed, we hugged & I thought this is the true meaning of Christmas.  It was magical!

 

And we told Santa Lottie LOVES ELMO and she showed Santa her Elmo Book, I am sure he will be bringing tons of Elmo gifts for our sweet girl this year.

Wishing you and yours an amazing Holiday Season!

We are BLESSED

This year has been our best one yet!  We have so many things to be THANKFUL for, and decided to dedicate a post of 30 things we are thankful for in 2013!

We are Thankful for

1) our blessing Lottie Lee, she is a gift from God and we treasure every moment
2) the love & support from our family & friends we received throughout our entire adoption
3) Lottie's surgical team in Dallas, especially the talented Dr. Hobar 
4) Lottie's health and development since arriving home
5) our health, given our new allergies, we are grateful for good medical care & epi-pens
6) a healthy and uneventful pregnancy
7) the soon to be arrival of our second child
8) our exciting and stable careers- we both love what we do
9) life in the USA- visiting a Communist Country makes you realize how lucky we are
10) our beautiful house, which has truly become a home
11) our parents- not sure what we would do without them! they are the BEST Grandparents!
12) the simple unscripted moments of parenthood
13) Lottie's happy, and charming personality- she is a joy
14) all those who have prayed for our family this year and throughout our adoption process
15) holiday traditions
16) Lottie's healthy blood drawls and vaccinations
17) our pediatrician Dr. Enders, whom we adore
18) our neighborhood- Teravista, and all the yearly child friendly activities
19) our strong marriage- we have learned form the best-70 years of marriage combined
20) Elmo- watching Lottie fall in love with this fuzzy red character makes life sweeter
21) all those who helped us financially throughout our adoption
22) completing a debt free adoption
23) our adoption agency Children's Hope International
24) friends who are like family
25) life in Texas, and the wonderful Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons we had this year
26) our crazy dogs Benton & Crawford who are adapting to life with Lottie
27) the adoption community, we have gained so many wonderful new friends
28) baby belly kicks
29) laughter with a two year old- priceless
30) experiencing firsts with Lottie- first steps, first time to the beach, first words

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving, we are looking forward to spending the weekend with family, taking in the simple moments and just enjoying the present.  We have so much to be grateful for this year!  Thank you to everyone!

Halloween 2013:The year of eLLmo

Oh, Halloween and making memories!  As a child it was one of my favorite times of the year- the big kickoff to the holiday season!  I was so excited to make this a great day for Lottie, trying my best to spend the day filling it with great and fun surprises.  Little did I know she would surprise me and make my day so very special.  We were not sure how Lottie would react to Halloween- dressing up, scary costumes, and all the candy.  We figured she wouldn't pay much attention to it wither way.  Boy were we wrong.  Lottie had the time of her life!  It was as if she had done this before- she is such an old soul.

Our dear friend in the adoption community reached out and asked if Lottie would want to borrow her daughter's Elmo costume- we thought sure! it is her absolute favorite thing right now.  Our sweet friend Paige packed up the tutu costume and sent it from FL with love.  Words cannot even express how excited Lottie was when we showed her the costume.  Her little body erupted with a constant Elmo, Elmo, Elmo.  I found an Elmo candy bucket at a second hand store, and Target supplied red tights, hair bow and the glitter shoes which finished off this amazing costume.

On the day of Halloween, Lottie had 2 very sad doctor appointments one with a flu shot and the second a dreaded 4 vile blood drawl.  We had a rough start to our day and even after our nap (yes Mama napped too) I wasn't too sure how Halloween would play out.  Determined to make this day special for Lottie we rushed from Halloween party to home to get ready for our night out trick-or-treating.  Scott was out of town and would be rushing home by 6pm to see Lottie, but the beginning of the evening it was just the two of us (well three if you count baby #2) Lottie beamed when I showed her the dress, I was worried it would be uncomfortable and she would not like it once on- wrong again.  She glowed, she couldn't stand it and ran round the house screaming Elmo at the top of her lungs.  Honestly one of the cutest moments ever.  Before even leaving the house I wiped tears away, watching Lottie was pure joy.  She just radiated in her pretty tutu costume.  It made me realize how far this sweet little girl has come, reminded me how strong she is, what love can do, and well how special this child of mine truly is.

Once outside, Lottie continued to run around and smile ear to ear.  Our neighbors couldn't help but stare at her- I mean yes the costume was beyond adorable but her glow, spirit and smile just took others by surprise.  Again here is 7 month pregnant Mama sporting a cookie monster tee, sweating (it was a hot day in TX), wiping tears streaming down my face.  She was such a joy to watch.  Lottie enjoyed going from house to house and adding candy to her bucket.  At times, she even tried to give candy back to others she was just too sweet to watch.  Daddy made it home right before dusk, and was able to take her to a few more houses.

As we tucked her into bed, kissing her through the slats of her crib (a tradition she started months ago) We just stared in awe of this child who simply amazes us every single day.  Today, will forever be engrained in my memory- all day long I thought I would be making this day, Lottie's first Halloween, so special for her; yet she made the day so very special to me.  Tears, streaming down my face I kissed my sweet girl through the slats of her crib.  My life, will forever be changed by this child.  Boy, am I forever grateful.  Happy Halloween!

Our little Pumpkin

A trip to the Sweet Berry Farms, this past weekend.  Lottie was afraid of the pumpkins at first, but she slowly warmed up to them.  We have dreamed of the day we could share this memory with our daughter, as we have had annual trips to Sweet Berry Farms for years.  What a wonderful day we had as a little family of three.

Sesame Street Birthday Bash

 

Somewhere out there...

Somewhere out there she is thinking of you, how couldn't she, she gave you life....

This Mother's day we decided to start the tradition to celebrate Lottie's Birthmother. We decided each year she will pick some flowers and decide on a special place where she would like to leave them... This will be hard the first few years as Lottie doesn't understand, but I feel it will be important for her to see, that even before she could understand, I did.  This year we have two bouquets on our kitchen table, two beautiful arrangements that resemble the two woman that together weave her story.

I want my daughter to know how much I think of her Birthmother.  It is daily!  Everyday I think of her, and thank her for choosing life and giving me my precious daughter.  The woman Lottie resembles.  Her beautiful eyes, lips, oh and that smile.  The woman who carried her for 9 months.  The woman who kissed her first, cradled her and loved her.  She loved her so much she gave her more.  This woman who I will never know. but who I will forever be grateful for giving me such a precious gift.  

This year, I am not really able to fully comprehend it all, yet alone begin to express my thoughts, but I will spend my life in gratitude for the opportunity to be Lottie's mother and forever will think of her biological mother whom gave her life.  Today we will celebrate her.

And today we celebrate all Mother's...

"To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you." -Amy Young

Merry Christmas!