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| Though we no longer update this blog, I've noticed that it still receives quite a few visitors. So, I wanted to give a brief update on what we've been up to. Emi is now an active, happy 3 year old. She is "all girl" and loves anything having to do with princesses, ballet and the color pink. She also became a big sister last April when we welcomed a new member to our family, Miyako Claire. Gregor and I spent two weeks in Tokyo, Japan adopting Miya, who was 5 1/2 weeks old at the time. Life has been nonstop chaos since then...but the wonderful kind of chaos that we wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Miya is now 11 months old but seems ready to take on the world. She is bright, curious, talkative and bond the she shares with Emi is amazing. Between preschool, playdates and work, we are lucky enough to experience beautiful moments like this: 
The princess
Miya Claire
Miya's first visit to Mickey's house.
While seemingly unconventional to some in its' creation, our family could not have been more perfectly formed. Our other blog is still going strong and if anyone would like the address, please send me an e-mail at gecech@yahoo.com. | | |
|  Today marks one year since we completed our trip to adopt Emi and arrived to a warm welcome at O'Hare International. Has it really been a year?? When we were preparing to come home from Almaty, I had so many expectations for our family’s future. I had no idea that, in a year’s time, those expectations would be surpassed ten times over. Even during the first few weeks we were home, I felt a small sense of detachment, like I was still getting to know this little girl. Today, when I look into Emi’s eyes, I see a reflection of Gregor and myself. She is our daughter, and it feels like that has always been so. After all is said and done, ends have come together and lives always meant to be connected, have found each other.
We received a wonderful gift in the mail last week from our adoption facilitator, to mark our one year milestone. It was a book of lovely, heartfelt adoption quotes from adoptive parents and children. It was a reminder of how blessed we are to have found such an awesome adoption agency. My wish for all adopting parents is that they find someone as amazing as Lesley to work with.  Gregor and I have decided to close the “Journey to Emi” blog with this posting. The Journey “to” our daughter is complete and, now that we’re here, we’re ready to start a new chapter. We’ll start a new blog for anyone who is interested in keeping up with us- just shoot us an email for the address. Hopefully, we’ll also have a new “journey” to blog about very soon, so stay tuned! J Love, The Cechs | | |
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 A very special day...
On Halloween of last year, Gregor and I were half a world away, sitting in a Kazakh courtroom telling a judge why we’d make the best parents for “Baby Ainash”. After receiving a favorable ruling, we drove back to the babyhouse to pick up our daughter (now Emerson Grace) for the last time. “She missed you”, we were told. “She cried the whole time you were gone”. A breakthrough for a baby who had shown very few signs of attaching to us up until that point. They brought her to me and, as I wiped away her tears, she clung to my sweater and gave me the most wonderful smile. I still can’t get enough of her hugs...or her smiles and kisses. We are the parents of one of the sweetest, most compassionate toddlers ever. Emi Grace- you have never stopped amazing me since the day I met you. And, while it feels like you have been our daughter forever, it still amazes me how much you’ve changed in one year. Last year, we had yet to see you sit up on your own. Today, you ran up and down the street with us, knocking on doors saying, “Trick-treat!”. We are so lucky to witness all you have accomplished and all that you will accomplish. And we are so blessed to hear you call us “Mommy” and “Daddy” in that sweet little voice. We love you kiddo- Happy Gotcha’ Day! Love,
Mommy and Daddy  
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| Last week, while shopping with Emi, I was approached and asked if she'd participate in our local Nordstom's Holiday Kids fashion show. Since she's such an outgoing kiddo, I thought it might be fun for her. Anyone who has met our daughter knows that she is 110% girly-girl. She loves to dress up, pick out clothes and if it isn't pink or frilly, forget about it!  Well, the show was this Saturday and Emi did wonderfully. She received a lot of "ooh's" and "awww's", as did all of the other adorable kids who participated. Afterwards, the "models" got to shop at the "employee discount", which was really Mommy's incentive all along.  Below are some pictures from Emi's first fashion show. 
Checking herself out before going onstage
Practicing striking a pose- where does she learn this stuff?!
Mommy walked out with her
Walking back
On and off the stage in 30 seconds- she wanted to run back out there.
Playing in the clothing display
Back in my own clothes, enjoying a complimentary beverage- Call my agent if you need me again, hehehe.
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Yesterday was Daddy's 33rd birthday. Daddy really wanted to take Emi to her favorite place in Sacramento, Funderland, for his birthday. Funderland is small amusement park for little kids and the rides there are perfect for Emi. Daddy and Mommy also enjoy going on the rides with her. We had a blast at Funderland, then had a wonderful pizza dinner with our parents. I am constantly in awe of the love and devotion Gregor shows our family every day. In addition to being the primary cook in our home  , he gives Emi her bath and gets her ready for bed every night. It allows the two of them to have some quality one on one time with each other. Daddy is a superhero in Emi's eyes (and mine too) and I'm so lucky to witness that special connection they share. Gregor is one amazing father and husband...the kind that many guys would strive to be like. Emi and I are so glad he's ours. Photos from Funderland:  Emi's favorite ride- flying fish!
 Of course, she loves the Merry-Go-Round
 Come on Mama- Choo choo!!
 Bye Daddy- see you soon!
 A birthday kiss for Daddy.
Also, today was a field trip day at Emi's nursery school. The class (and parents) went to the pumpkin patch. Emi got to meet some animals, go on a hay ride and pick a pumpkin.  How 'bout this one Mama?
 Meeting a baby goat
 Hello baby cow!
 Such a sweet, gentle kid
 Mama loves this picture
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