Mothers Day and more

Lily got her very first haircut on the 12th of May. I was so worried that she would throw a huge tantrum because the girl does not like her head touched. I was also worried that it would take away from her babyness. She does look older but the cut is adorable and she did pretty well considering she was not the least bit happy about the situation.

The calm before the storm.

What Lily really thought about her haircut. The lady who cut her hair was super patient.

And the finished product, a short and stylish bob.

Mothers Day was wonderful. We went back to the duck pond. Lily loves the animals she sees and the freedom she has to walk around. We took sandwiches and snacks and just hung out for hours. My kind of relaxation. Auntie Jessica included Lily in a game of ring around the rosie. I wish you could have heard it. Lily's giggle is infectious.
Lily and Ava giving each other bonks.
Troy and Ava fishing in the duck pond. We didn't have the patience to catch a fish but she did lure a stick her way. Last time we were at the duck pond she saw someone catch a fish. We asked her what she thought and she said it was terrible. Perhaps it is good we only caught a stick.Is this not the cutest picture you've seen. Perhaps I'm biased but com' on.

Lily in her new bikini. I wanted to capture her in it before she outgrows it but she doesn't have time to pose. You will just have to trust me that it is adorable.

Cinco de Mayo

FOREVER FAMILY CELEBRATION

CINCO DE MAYO

THIS IS MY LITTLE DARLING ALL DRESSED UP FOR HER CELEBRATION. I can not believe how much she has grown and changed in one years time. Oh, how one wonderful being can change everything. She is absolutely amazing. To think back on the little sweet soul that entered our lives with the easy smile and quiet ways. When she first came to us she slept all the time. I think she kept going to sleep in hopes that when she awoke she would see something familiar. To her dismay we kept appearing at her bedside. I can not imagine my world changing so much in a day. Lily is a prime example that children are truly resilient.
We invited Nonnie and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa to help us celebrate and honor our forever family. Lily showed off quite a bit and decided food was not for eating but for playing. We left our waiter a hefty tip and Lily left a giant mess. We must explore everything!
And here is the true face of Lily. Sugar and SPICE mixed in with a whole lot of silliness. I just love it!
She is getting one of her molars. OWEE. That finger is almost permanently in her mouth.

Can you tell it's time to go? She didn't even want to try the ice cream. Yes to all of you out there who have thought us mean and torturous to not feed our darling the sweet stuff. We have decided to let her try her hand at an occasional sugary snack. so far our efforts have been thwarted and sweets have been rejected. I assume that it is only a temporary dislike.

Festival de la familia

Lily has been very anti-spoon lately. We only eat finger foods and when she is presented with a spoon she turns her head in disgust. So as you can see we have reached a new day. She recently turned 18 months and decided she could handle the spoon and no siree I do not need any help thank you very much.

Aren't they cute. I went to make Lily her breakfast and came upon this cuddly pair. Can you see why I'm in love? Who could resist.

Festival de la familia

Today we went to Cal Expo and joined a celebration of Latin American culture. My mom went hog wild with the shopping and Lily did some dancing and walked all over the place. She did not take a nap and I am so surprised that she was as agreeable as could be. I love this shot of Papa and Lily they are such a cute pair. She teases him and plays hard to get, but in the end loves him immensely.

Lily has discovered she can move really fast and going down hill it is almost a run. Sometimes she surprises herself she gets going so good.

Ooh and mommy won 4 free tickets to Monterey Bay Aquarium. I am so excited I love Monterey. So I suppose we will have to take a summer trip now. Isn't that just too bad?

They say it's your birthday

So this birthday is very special. I am 32 (technically tomorrow) and it is the first birthday I don't feel the pressure of the biological clock like a ticking time bomb. My 30th birthday we were sure I was pregnant. I just went through a round of fertility drugs and I was sure like always that this would be it. That this would be the pregnancy that would last. We rolled baby names around and thought about whether this child would have my lips or Peter's nose. We were not pregnant and it was around this birthday Peter and I decided it was okay to let that dream go. I am so happy we did.

My 31 birthday our adoption was almost complete. We were waiting for word that we could travel. I was so nervous. What if's were rampant. What if I was a terrible mother, what if we didn't bond, what if I didn't feel magic when I first layed eyes on my baby, what if the baby got sick while we were in Guatemala, What if the plane crashed, what if..........................

So now here we are and I am not a perfect mother but I am a happy one and I have this little wonderfully strong funny person in my life. And it doesn't matter that she doesnt have my features or my genes. We are family and it is fabulous. I have gotten some wonderful gifts for my almost birthday. But the best gift of all is currently calling my name and it is the best sound. I must go cuddle and love her. Happy birthday to me.

Vacations Over

This is how I am feeling today, just a little blue. I am finishing a two week vacation where I did nothing but hang out with my little sassafrass. Now it is back to reality. The juggling act of a working mom is one I did not expect to be this hard. It does make me cherish every moment I have with her. Yes even the ones where she is screaming at the top of her lungs because she wants to push the stroller through the mall and not sit in it. I do even enjoy those moments.

Todays update. Lily has added the word play to her gaggle of signs.

A funny moment:
Lily has been dragging my purse around the house for three days. It is empty and much much to big for her so it drags on the ground as she walks. Today I said Lily lets go bye bye. She went over and hoisted my purse on her shoulder and walked to the front door. We had to drag that purse into each of the stores we went in today. She was so proud of herself. Such a big girl.

Its the little things

So I don't ever want to forget the tiny fingers and toes that capture my heart a little more each time I see them. These tiny appendages are growing quickly and pretty soon it will feel a blink of an eye and they will not be so small anymore. I know this to be true because they have grown so much already.

Speaking of growing so much I have to make a list because Lily continues to amaze me. She now knows four words. Mama, Dada, Hi which comes out Hieeeeeeee and eye which sounds like ieeeeeeeee. I know I know it is the same word but whose counting. Here is where we are learning in leaps and bounds. Lily now knows 14 signs and uses them quite freqently and is adding more to the list daily. She watches her baby einstein movie with true motivation and astounds each day with a new word.

So here is our list of signs so far:
bubbles, baby, I love you, more, cookie, help, bath, milk, eat, all done, hat, thank you, please, and potty.

Forever Family

Our family is coming up on a very important anniversary. We have chosen to call it our forever family day. As we near our anniversary of the completion of our family I am beginning to remember to take notice and appreciate how truly blessed I am. It is easy to slip into a routine and forget how special and phenomenal ones own family is. I can not believe that my world ever existed without Lilyana. This year has been filled with so much joy and change and love. I feel truly blessed. The video below is of our journey. It starts from the first pictures we recieved of our beautiful girl and continues on to bringing Lily home. I hope you enjoy it and that most of all Lily will always know that she is loved, and we are truly honored to be her parents.