How to celebrate your kid's birthday when she lives on the other side of the world.

So Ella turned one on Monday.  (You may not have gotten that memo.)

Of course, she turned one in the beautiful country of China, and I was here.  I was missing her a lot Monday - as much as you can miss someone you've never met but know a little about and have committed to raise!  To celebrate I:

1.  Went to work, where I got a gift for Ella from my sweet co-worker.  It's a cute plush DRAGON!  I love it.  Ella was born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon.  I don't know what that really means for her, except that it supposedly means she is very compatible with me (a monkey?) and my dad is also a dragon.  So that's fun.  Her cute stuffed dragon has a heart on its hand with an E sewn on it (that was added special just for Ella).  It's cute and squishy and I am sure she will like it. If not, I do.

I also got donations for several more puzzle pieces, which is such a sweet gift.  We have 133 left to go!

2.  Mailed Ella's first care package.  I was nervous sending something so far away - I don't think I've ever mailed anything internationally before!  I sent an outfit, a photo book of our family, a dress and toy from my parents, and a card for her caregivers.  It isn't much, but she doesn't need much, I wasn't sure how much shipping would be, and it is hard to stop once you get started so I tried not to go too crazy!

3.  Went out with Martha (my roommate) to celebrate!  We decided to go to Cheesecake Factory, because if we were one year olds, that's where we would want to celebrate.  (No really, they have good food for leftovers for lunches and hello, cheesecake.)

4.  Ate cheesecake at home.  I even lit a candle (okay a match) to take a picture, so one day Ella will know we tried to celebrate, at least a little!

Peppermint Bark Cheesecake?  Nice way to celebrate!

The next day was a surprise (fluke, out of nowhere) snow day, which was a lovely way to spend the day.

I missed Ella a lot, and I definitely wish she was here, but I feel confident she had a good day and was well loved and cared for.  I'm very hopeful she'll be home before she turns two!