Isabella was turning 2 years old on 10.07, so Sis and I decided to take a trip to take advantage of her free airfare status. Our destination of choice: the Hawaiian Islands!

We stayed at the Wyland Hotel, which was newly renovated with the artist’s sculpture and paintings. Bella’s favorite activity was the bubble pool (jacuzzi).

Ooooo…birthday dim sum! What? No candle for my nai wong bao?

I bought her a couple of birthday leis, which she promptly threw down on the floor. Anyway, at least they made a nice backdrop on her bed in the hotel.

She LOVED the beach. I was hoping she’d spend more time in the ocean, but she preferred the sand, which (yuck!) just got into everything!

Back home (unfortunately, we had to return to reality), Uncle Craig and Auntie Kay met us for breakfast and they brought bubbles! - and other toys, too. Looks like she mastered the bubble-blowing!

We met Xinran at her book signing. She is the founder of Motherbridge of Love, an organization which promotes cultural awareness to adoptive families of Chinese children.

Halloween was rather uneventful for us. Bella had pee-pee’d on her costume at school, so by the time we got home and had dinner, it was too late to change and go out trick-or-treating. They did have a party at her daycare where she started attending on 10/15. Can you spot Bella in her U.C. Berkeley cheerleading outfit (pre-pee-pee)? Go, Bears! Her teacher (Yi Yi) is on the upper left.

We finally visited the doctor and she thought that Isabella was healthy, but underweight. Apparently, ALL the food she had been consuming was not enough - guess we’ll just have to eat more! Afterwards, we went to the Moraga Commons, which is a really great playground.

Bella was turning 2 soon and I thought it was about time for a portrait. After all the years of photography classes in high school and college, I should be able to take a decent photograph of my daughter. It was difficult getting her to cooperate, but here is my best attempt, taken at Lake Merritt in Oakland.

Auntie Linda hosted a Welcome Home Shower at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco, which is quite charming. I’m disappointed that I don’t have better photographs, but Mommy was busy greeting guests and watching Bella (in a room full of porcelain) - there’s only so much multi-tasking I can handle! At the family table: my cousin’s wife, Jenny, Grandma (my mother) and my cousin, Nita.

My second cousins, Julianne (new bride!), Joanne & Janice.

Bella did her share of socializing, as well. She seems to be amusing Aunties Eva, Carole, Suzanna and Michele.

Bella received a red tricycle from Auntie Michele along with lots of other great presents! Thank you, everyone, for coming to the tea party and also for your thoughtful gifts!

Bella eats just about everything, so we met Auntie Cecilia for Indian food. We hung out with Auntie Cecilia a few times - she was a lady of leisure over the summer.

Bella’s first jumpy house was at BACBC in Alameda. She had a lot of fun!

She REALLY had A LOT of fun!

Bella loves Auntie Ginger. She always has snacks for her after church.

I took 3 months off work to bond with my new daughter, so we went to Vacation Bible School at the Alameda campus of our church and spent much of the summer visiting the park, which seemed to be her favorite activity, aside from eating.

We continued to receive visitors, even from lands afar. This is Auntie Janet, who traveled all the way from Antioch. She has 2 girls of her own, which is apparent in her maternal demeanor.

While at Lincoln Square Recreation Center in Chinatown, we were offered tickets to the Oakland Raiders Fanfest. After considering whether there would be weirdos there, i.e. the Black Hole freaks, I decided to go since it was during the afternoon and geared towards children. We had fun taking pictures with players I had never heard of and seeing the Super Bowl trophies, which I’m sure were reproductions. Here’s Isabella with a Raiderette.

Auntie Lena invited us to go swimming with Olivia and Derek. They are a lot of fun and Bella loves playing with them.

We went to the park nearly every day! Bella, an avid A’s fan-to-be, especially enjoyed the swing and slide. She never wants to leave!

We met Ellen, Rick & Sarah (+ extended family), a family from our adoption travel group, at Nut Tree in Vacaville. They were in Sacramento (visiting from Virginia) for Grandma Yvonne’s big baby bash for Sarah. Bella loved seeing Auntie Ellen again. Sarah’s a cutie with her doe eyes and killer eyelashes!

Bella and Sarah LOVED the carousel. They must have ridden it 20 times! Here’s Bella on Tatiana the Tiger.

She could have ridden the carousel all day! So many animals, so little time!

We celebrated Auntie Linda’s birthday by spending the weekend in Monterey. We visited the aquarium, but the fish didn’t interest Bella as much as the crowds and the penguin eggshell display.

Bella attended her first wedding in late August, a beautiful outdoor ceremony uniting my second cousin, Julianne, and her husband. Bella is engaged in a Mandarin conversation with Julianne’s brother-in-law, Jiang.

Bella’s having her hair done! Well, not really, considering she doesn’t really have any hair. We visited Auntie Irene at her shop and Bella played with Rachel and Alice. They are quite animated and she loves them!

We arrived at SFO on 07.12, the day Isabella became a U.S. Citizen! She needed a little help with her declaration form. I changed her Chinese name to Ming Zhu, meaning “bright pearl” or “bright treasure.” Bengbu, the city where she was found, is known as Pearl City.

Bella’s first night in her crib, courtesy of Rachel & Alice…She’s all pooped out after the long flight.

We had lots of visitors, as everyone was anxious to meet the new arrival. Unfortunately, new Mommy here is not so quick with the camera, so if Isabella doesn’t have a picture with you, she would certainly like one soon. Then it will be posted here on the web for the world to see!

Ellie and Auntie Stacey were among our first visitors. Ellie is from Jiangxi, China. She’s enjoying a ride on Bella’s rocking horse, Ginger.

Out for a walk with Auntie Irene…Protecting her delicate skin from the sun’s harmful rays is a must - and so are fashion accessories!

Bella loves to ride Ginger. Auntie Kay and Auntie Sharon wait their turn.