It is V B S up here in the "Station" ( that would be part of the name of a local town here... for those who needed explination). We have been taken over by all things kids, Jesus and fun. Seriously, it is Vacation Bibke School week at church and we are currently holding it daily for over 550 kids age 1st-6th grade and about 200 kids age 3-5 (and should I mention the 75 kids age 0-2 in childcare while their parents lend a hand). It is crazy fun, but a bit overwhelming at the same time. I think more so for the adults... as the kids eat it up! This year I was in charge of crafts (for the 3-5 age group)... which I picked so that I could do it all early ( I started in Feb.) just in case I could not be there for whatever reason with ELiza.
Anyway... busy week... if I do not make any post... I am busy crafting away.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Our weekned
A few shots from our weekend:
Eliza's Prissy Poof came and we had to try it out... she was not in the mood for a photo session, so we will try again soon.
Baylor was in his first ever Ho-Am Tae Kwon Do Regional Tournament. He got a 3rd place trophy for sparring. I am so proud of him... I hate I missed it because we were afraid it was too much for the younger kids at 2 PM in the afternoon. Brent said it was amazing. He was literally tournament fighting ( with sparring pads) and got to the semi-finals... WHEW that blows my mind.
Callan got to go too... evident ally having a big boy's day caused him to grow a moustache... even if only Fanta Grape drink.
Nommie and Gandie stopped by on their way home from Florida visiting and keeping my newly 1 year old nephew. This was the creation they made from Gandie's father's day gift.
And finally... the pig tails... just make me smile!
Eliza's Prissy Poof came and we had to try it out... she was not in the mood for a photo session, so we will try again soon.
Baylor was in his first ever Ho-Am Tae Kwon Do Regional Tournament. He got a 3rd place trophy for sparring. I am so proud of him... I hate I missed it because we were afraid it was too much for the younger kids at 2 PM in the afternoon. Brent said it was amazing. He was literally tournament fighting ( with sparring pads) and got to the semi-finals... WHEW that blows my mind.
Callan got to go too... evident ally having a big boy's day caused him to grow a moustache... even if only Fanta Grape drink.
Nommie and Gandie stopped by on their way home from Florida visiting and keeping my newly 1 year old nephew. This was the creation they made from Gandie's father's day gift.
And finally... the pig tails... just make me smile!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Check out the hands
It took 2 tries to capture this (the first time I took it sideways and then could not get it to turn once on the computer)it just makes my day. Of course we think she is just one the smartest kids ever, but look how quickly she is understanding and grasping things ( for those who do not know, her foster family did not speak English at all).
She just makes us smile!!!!
We also had a Dr. visit this week. In a month and a half since her last visit she gained almost a pound. She is up to a whopping 15 pounds 10 ounces (3.2 %) and it 26 inches long... but I think they streched her a little because I was holding her head. ( For you fact lovers out there... my boys all had that weight accomplished at 4 months... and at 9 months they were in order 30, 23 and 21... I am carrying half a child). She is doing great, but we have to make some decisions about her immunizations. Our office does not "recognize" foreign immunizations so we either have to do them all over ( UH.... NO!) or get titers done to see what is in her system which involves a pretty big blood draw. I am going to look into it this week and possibly call the Vandy International Adoption Clinic and see what they think.
Here is the clip... ENJOY!
She just makes us smile!!!!
We also had a Dr. visit this week. In a month and a half since her last visit she gained almost a pound. She is up to a whopping 15 pounds 10 ounces (3.2 %) and it 26 inches long... but I think they streched her a little because I was holding her head. ( For you fact lovers out there... my boys all had that weight accomplished at 4 months... and at 9 months they were in order 30, 23 and 21... I am carrying half a child). She is doing great, but we have to make some decisions about her immunizations. Our office does not "recognize" foreign immunizations so we either have to do them all over ( UH.... NO!) or get titers done to see what is in her system which involves a pretty big blood draw. I am going to look into it this week and possibly call the Vandy International Adoption Clinic and see what they think.
Here is the clip... ENJOY!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Mommy Milestones
It seems like it has been forever and a day since I posted, but it was only Sunday... I guess it is because I have freed myself from this ball and chain of a computer screen and I no longer need it to sleep, eat, breathe... you get the picture. In fact, Baylor has spent more time on it than me this week... OH THE JOY OF WEBKINS WORLD! ( If you knowing nothing of that... check it out... it is quiet cool, entertaining and there is a little learning too).
Anyway... we are still doing GRAND! Eliza ( I feel) is attaching well and sees us as mom and dad. She lights up when she sees us and does not seem to have much fear as long as we are around. In fact, we have hit a breakthrough and I can auctually lay her down to sleep while she is still a little awake and she will go on out. ( Where before I was having to hold, rock, bounce until she was open mouth OUT).
She really surprises us... I really do not think her foster family fed her much baby food. That or when she threw up her hand like she does, they just stopped trying. She is all about the big people food and really wants nothing to do with baby food. Last night she grunted and begged for her brothers green beans and mac-n-cheese, so much so that I just said "what the heck" try it. She ate it until I thought she would get sick, watermelon too... thanks to our sweet Sunday School friends for bringing our dinner... it is a true blessing. Since she has now begun to refuse all baby food, tonight I ran to the store to buy some stuff I thought she might eat. I got some of those Pick-Up Pastas... that my boys would never so much as smell... my little petite girl at the WHOLE CONTAINER ( I thought is was good for at least 2 meals). She has me laughing at the way she expresses "more" she holds her hand up and squeezes her fingers in and out... precious... and I am so glad that I figured out what it meant! Not sure what kind of expression this is... maybe giving watermelon a 4 out of 5. Either that or she is speaking "gangsta".
On other milestone news... since we were all adjusting well... we decided to try Silas in his "big boy bed" we have never done the toddler bed before. Both of the bigger boys went to a big bed right at 2 ( due to moving for Baylor and because Callan asked too). We decided it would be best to wait for Silas... but he has been asking. But, since we are adoption poor at the moment, we took advantage of the bed that converts to the toddler bed... which is perfect for him...and he thinks it is PERFECT! Funny enough, I thought he would be up and down all night or during nap... he has not gotten up once and in fact, he still hollers for me when he wakes up... it must be the invisible fence!!??
Anyway... we are still doing GRAND! Eliza ( I feel) is attaching well and sees us as mom and dad. She lights up when she sees us and does not seem to have much fear as long as we are around. In fact, we have hit a breakthrough and I can auctually lay her down to sleep while she is still a little awake and she will go on out. ( Where before I was having to hold, rock, bounce until she was open mouth OUT).
She really surprises us... I really do not think her foster family fed her much baby food. That or when she threw up her hand like she does, they just stopped trying. She is all about the big people food and really wants nothing to do with baby food. Last night she grunted and begged for her brothers green beans and mac-n-cheese, so much so that I just said "what the heck" try it. She ate it until I thought she would get sick, watermelon too... thanks to our sweet Sunday School friends for bringing our dinner... it is a true blessing. Since she has now begun to refuse all baby food, tonight I ran to the store to buy some stuff I thought she might eat. I got some of those Pick-Up Pastas... that my boys would never so much as smell... my little petite girl at the WHOLE CONTAINER ( I thought is was good for at least 2 meals). She has me laughing at the way she expresses "more" she holds her hand up and squeezes her fingers in and out... precious... and I am so glad that I figured out what it meant! Not sure what kind of expression this is... maybe giving watermelon a 4 out of 5. Either that or she is speaking "gangsta".
On other milestone news... since we were all adjusting well... we decided to try Silas in his "big boy bed" we have never done the toddler bed before. Both of the bigger boys went to a big bed right at 2 ( due to moving for Baylor and because Callan asked too). We decided it would be best to wait for Silas... but he has been asking. But, since we are adoption poor at the moment, we took advantage of the bed that converts to the toddler bed... which is perfect for him...and he thinks it is PERFECT! Funny enough, I thought he would be up and down all night or during nap... he has not gotten up once and in fact, he still hollers for me when he wakes up... it must be the invisible fence!!??
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Father's Day
We enjoyed our first Father's Day as a family of 6. I feel so bad but with just getting home and last week being our first week home, I just have not had the time or courage to get to any store (other than Kroger's) and get him a gift. He said no big deal, but I feel bad and wanted to do something... still working on that something. We made our first trip to church and although we did not sit through worship, Eliza and I walked the hall until she went to sleep. It was a big day, lots of people were excited to finally see her in person.
Tonight we sat in the "keeping room" of our house just listening. The boys were playing (loudly as usual)and we looked over at Eliza who literally had been playing in the floor with a pile of toys for over an hour without a peep. Brent said "Is this really what it is like having a girl, she is just playing so quietly." I do not think that ANY of they boys sat and played anything alone at 9 months of age, let alone that quietly for over an hour... did I do that to them or is it a boy thing. It is really incredible to already see some differences.
A few other shots from the afternoon:
Baylor took a tumble off his bike and he thought the boo boo was photo worthy.
Silas insisting on wearing Baylor TaeKwonDo Sparring gear... he is a hoot when he tries to "HI-YAH"
Callan showing off his muscles and new T-shirt that his Papa and Gran brought back from their trip to Niagra Falls.
And the "sits so pretty-plays so quiet" little Mayan Indian of ours.
Tonight we sat in the "keeping room" of our house just listening. The boys were playing (loudly as usual)and we looked over at Eliza who literally had been playing in the floor with a pile of toys for over an hour without a peep. Brent said "Is this really what it is like having a girl, she is just playing so quietly." I do not think that ANY of they boys sat and played anything alone at 9 months of age, let alone that quietly for over an hour... did I do that to them or is it a boy thing. It is really incredible to already see some differences.
A few other shots from the afternoon:
Baylor took a tumble off his bike and he thought the boo boo was photo worthy.
Silas insisting on wearing Baylor TaeKwonDo Sparring gear... he is a hoot when he tries to "HI-YAH"
Callan showing off his muscles and new T-shirt that his Papa and Gran brought back from their trip to Niagra Falls.
And the "sits so pretty-plays so quiet" little Mayan Indian of ours.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
BATMAN
We spent Eliza's first week home taking Callan to swim lessons. They were a little more than a 30 minute drive away so we had to stay there under the shade of HUGE trees waiting for his one hour lesson. It was auctually a nice time outdoors, if only Silas had thought so too.
Callan did great ( although he cried all the way there the first day). He loved it and did awesome. The instructor called him Batman all week.We went from not putting our head in the water to this...
AND this is him flying off the board into the pool ( where was that bat cape?)
And... I know most of you come to see pictures of our little Eliza... so here you go, although it is getting harder to capture her... she is all over the place.
Callan did great ( although he cried all the way there the first day). He loved it and did awesome. The instructor called him Batman all week.We went from not putting our head in the water to this...
AND this is him flying off the board into the pool ( where was that bat cape?)
And... I know most of you come to see pictures of our little Eliza... so here you go, although it is getting harder to capture her... she is all over the place.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
18 gifts
It was not my ingenious idea, but I liked it none the less. While in Guatemala, we bought 18 gifts for Eliza. One for each year as her "forever family/ homecoming/ whatever we decide to call it" gift. Right now we do not even know what date that is... is it the day our adoption became final May 7th, when we got her in our arms June 4th, when we had our Embassy Day June 5th, or when she was finally home June 7th... anyway. Here is our list and a photo of it. Nothing is too fancy, just a neat reminder of where she came from and her heritage.
1- dress/ textile hat
2- green frog
3- Noah's ark textile set
4- textile dog backpack
5- coinpurse with Guatemalan money and worry dolls (not pictured)
6- beaded bracelet
7- textile journal (? this one did not make it home with us?)
8- beaded purse
9- worry doll wreath
10- wood box with metal etching of Guatemala (jewelry box)
11- textile headband
12- wooden necklace
13- textile scrunchie/ Guatemala book (not pictured)
14- textile belt
15- Jade cross
16- Quetzel bird key chain
17- large tote bag
18- Textile table runner
( I may still add a few things to the smaller items... and am considering purchasing a hupil- traditional Guatemalan dress shirt- from her town of birth... or a large tapestry or quilt)
1- dress/ textile hat
2- green frog
3- Noah's ark textile set
4- textile dog backpack
5- coinpurse with Guatemalan money and worry dolls (not pictured)
6- beaded bracelet
7- textile journal (? this one did not make it home with us?)
8- beaded purse
9- worry doll wreath
10- wood box with metal etching of Guatemala (jewelry box)
11- textile headband
12- wooden necklace
13- textile scrunchie/ Guatemala book (not pictured)
14- textile belt
15- Jade cross
16- Quetzel bird key chain
17- large tote bag
18- Textile table runner
( I may still add a few things to the smaller items... and am considering purchasing a hupil- traditional Guatemalan dress shirt- from her town of birth... or a large tapestry or quilt)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
LOOK what we just missed...
Kind of makes my stomach hurt. I know it is common there, but I would have freaked out...
GUATEMALA CITY — A powerful earthquake shook Guatemala on Wednesday, but there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.
The quake struck at 1:29 p.m. local time (1929 GMT) and was centered 70 miles southwest of Guatemala City off the Pacific coast, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It gave a preliminary calculation of magnitude of 6.8.
Some landslides occurred in the southwest province of Escuintla, but there were no reports of injury or damage immediately after the quake, said Benedicto Giron, spokesman for the National Disaster Reduction Center.
But he added that phone service was knocked out in some areas and information was tricking in slowly.
The earthquake may have caused damage due to its location and size, the Geological Survey said.
The quake was felt strongly in neighboring El Salvador, where people ran into the streets in the capital of San Salvador, but the Red Cross there said it had no reports of damage or injury. It was also felt in the Mexican city of Tapachula along the Guatemalan border.
On the home front... today was great. We did a lot of running ( Daddy's office, Swim lessons in Columbia, and Carter's birthday in Cool Springs) She is still getting used to having to be in a car seat ( she did not have one in Guatemala) and she fusses some but with three silly faces looking right at her for entertainment, she is quickly calmed. Tomorrow... I think I might take on a pool outing???
GUATEMALA CITY — A powerful earthquake shook Guatemala on Wednesday, but there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.
The quake struck at 1:29 p.m. local time (1929 GMT) and was centered 70 miles southwest of Guatemala City off the Pacific coast, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It gave a preliminary calculation of magnitude of 6.8.
Some landslides occurred in the southwest province of Escuintla, but there were no reports of injury or damage immediately after the quake, said Benedicto Giron, spokesman for the National Disaster Reduction Center.
But he added that phone service was knocked out in some areas and information was tricking in slowly.
The earthquake may have caused damage due to its location and size, the Geological Survey said.
The quake was felt strongly in neighboring El Salvador, where people ran into the streets in the capital of San Salvador, but the Red Cross there said it had no reports of damage or injury. It was also felt in the Mexican city of Tapachula along the Guatemalan border.
On the home front... today was great. We did a lot of running ( Daddy's office, Swim lessons in Columbia, and Carter's birthday in Cool Springs) She is still getting used to having to be in a car seat ( she did not have one in Guatemala) and she fusses some but with three silly faces looking right at her for entertainment, she is quickly calmed. Tomorrow... I think I might take on a pool outing???
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The letter B
First the important stuff... it is 12:35 and I have 3 our of 4 children asleep and #4 is quietly playing Gameboy. WHOOO HOOO!!!
Now on to the title of this post. Today is evidentally all about the letter B...
Baylor learned to ride his Bike last night!!!!
My girl loves her some cut up Bananas!
And who needs Baby toys when there are so many Boy toys around?
Now on to the title of this post. Today is evidentally all about the letter B...
Baylor learned to ride his Bike last night!!!!
My girl loves her some cut up Bananas!
And who needs Baby toys when there are so many Boy toys around?
Monday, June 11, 2007
My first day ALONE...
The truth... it was HARD! She did wake up last night about 2:30 AM. I am not sure why other than the need to be sure I was there. I fixed her a bottle but she just played with it for a minute and fell asleep. She tosses quite a bit in her sleep and grunts so everytime she does (because she is by my head in the Pack-n-Play)I am awake checking on her. I try not to grab her immediately, but try to let her drift back out which she always does, but it still wakes me. My hubby gets up at 5 and I am his alarm clock, so the alarm wakes me and I wake him. He gets up gets ready, kisses me by around 5:40 and he is off. Silas was the first to wake up at 6:30. Now that is not that bad, but before I left for Guatemala I was waking him up at 8:45. His "hollerin" woke up Callan and so then we were all up. I tried to have a quiet morning on the couch ( because Eliza was still asleep) but at about the 42nd "I-ONT JUICE" I knew it was a done deal and we were running full force for the day. Eliza and Baylor soon followed with getting up. The rest is a blurr until lunch. I did manage a shower after breakfast, but it hard to relax when you have a small audience. Eliza is not sleeping well during the day so when she went down about 9 I tried to scramble to fix hair and makeup... then took the boys outside for bug hunting. Just when I thougt all was well and she was going to sleep, she woke up ( after only about 20 minutes)so we had only been outside for about 5 minutes. We played still for a little while(and pestered my neighbor who was trying to plant her flower garden) and then tried to go inside ( all the while making phone calls for adding Eliza to insurance, making her first well visit appointment, and calling the DRYER repair guy to see when he was coming). By the time I got lunch on the table, Eliza was again rubbing her eyes and a sweet friend was coming by to bring dinner. When she left, I got Eliza down followed by big and bigger brother. I asked biggest to work on his "summer-work". Just when I thought I had succeeded as a mom and all was right with the world as Bay and I were reading a book together, Eliza finished her 15 minute nap and was ready for action again. We entertained until I had to yank the boys out of bed so that we could go to Callan's dreaded ( by him that is) swim lessons. Callan cried the whole way there ( he went last year and was not excited about returning). Callan did great at swim lessons but it being my first time out of the house alone with all of them, I had a little trouble. The fact alone that I yanked Silas out of bed was enough to rock his world, but we were sitting outside under trees waiting on the hour long swim lessons and Silas wanted to sit in my lap and to "hold you momma". Seeing that it was not the easiest place to put Eliza down, we struggled a little until I turned on "Cars" in the car DVD player. Eliza fell asleep on the way home and I hated to take her out and wake her up, so she took her best nap so far in the car in the garage with all the car doors open ( maybe because it was warm and that is what she was used to). She slept about an hour and a half ( while we ate and checked on her every minute)and woke up ready to eat. We ate some bananas and mixed vegies and went back to work on bike riding outside. She loves watching the boys, but cannot figure out what she wants to do, so she is quite squirmy. Baylor almost has the bike thing down pat and give Silas a ball, bat, tee and helmet and the boy could play for days.
I need some time getting used to this 4 kid thing... I do not think I went to the bathroom today and I had chips and m&m's for lunch.
AHH... it is 9 PM and all is quiet. Until tomorrow. Sorry for the play by play... I did leave some stuff out. But once I started typing... it just all poured out. If you made it this far you deserve a picture... so here is the one for the day...
I need some time getting used to this 4 kid thing... I do not think I went to the bathroom today and I had chips and m&m's for lunch.
AHH... it is 9 PM and all is quiet. Until tomorrow. Sorry for the play by play... I did leave some stuff out. But once I started typing... it just all poured out. If you made it this far you deserve a picture... so here is the one for the day...
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Just a few shots
Still she is doing remarkably well. Her luggage arrived about 11PM last night so she is loving having her formula back. Now I just have to figure out how to wean her off of it. She still has a little congestion mostly in her eyes, but it does not seem to bother her, just me as I am always wiping them out. She is eating very well and has tried several new things. She really is the best baby. She really does not fuss and just loves to be down in the floor with the boys... right in the middle so she can take it all in. She is, however, having a hard time taking an afternoon nap. It is almost 6PM and she basically just went down. There is just too much to see and hear and do, just when she is about out, she finds something to focus on and just will not go to sleep. But HEY... I will take that over a child who is scared and having trouble. Here are a few shots from today. I praise God for her and the way we have all adjusted to her, really it is only by His hand!!!
A fresh from the bath picture
"I want my daddy"
Silas stealing a kiss. (You know Silas has been my baby for 2 years now... now he looks like a big bruit monster next to her, and when I hold him... I just do not know how I packed that load all the time every day.)
And Nommie's two babies... Silas spent all weekend on Nommie's hip. He would not let her go. Nommie got to steal a little Eliza time here and there, but as you can see Eliza loves her Nommie too.
A fresh from the bath picture
"I want my daddy"
Silas stealing a kiss. (You know Silas has been my baby for 2 years now... now he looks like a big bruit monster next to her, and when I hold him... I just do not know how I packed that load all the time every day.)
And Nommie's two babies... Silas spent all weekend on Nommie's hip. He would not let her go. Nommie got to steal a little Eliza time here and there, but as you can see Eliza loves her Nommie too.
Friday, June 8, 2007
One day home...
Eliza is doing great... as are the boys. Seems like she was always here, just trying to manage figuring out naps and quiet times. First official day home and what does she do??? Take a look:
HOME
We made it! Unfortunately ELiza's bag did not, so we are trying to force her to eat ( because her formula cans were in that bag and we used up all we carried on). She is doing great! She has a cold in her eye, but besides looked red eyed and goopy, she is all smiles. The boys love her and had a hard time going to bed last night. They just did not want to leave her. They are so excited. Callan wants to feed her and change her diaper... he is surprising me. Silas is unsure, he loves her dearly and kisses her... but is keeping his distance.
We are worn out... emotionally and physically and have lots to do with unpacking and such ( and should I mention that the NEW washer and dryer I bought before we left has a faulty part in the dryer and does not work... and they came to check it yesterday but needed a part and will not be back to fix it until Tuesday. So I guess no laundry until Tuesday and then I will have a mountain of it to do)
Anyway... pics of the new family... we are so blessed and so happy!
We are worn out... emotionally and physically and have lots to do with unpacking and such ( and should I mention that the NEW washer and dryer I bought before we left has a faulty part in the dryer and does not work... and they came to check it yesterday but needed a part and will not be back to fix it until Tuesday. So I guess no laundry until Tuesday and then I will have a mountain of it to do)
Anyway... pics of the new family... we are so blessed and so happy!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Off we go...
We are about to put the last things away and finish getting ready to head out the door. Our angel is asleep on the bed where she slept between us all night. It was not an easy night. Let's just say we will never eat Sweet Potatoes again!!! She was up late and tossed and turned quite a bit. She cried like we have not experienced and her little belly, hard as a rock.
Pray that today goes smoothly, and last night was not an indicator of things to come today. We are exhausted already and really not knowing what to expect.
See you in a few hours.
Pray that today goes smoothly, and last night was not an indicator of things to come today. We are exhausted already and really not knowing what to expect.
See you in a few hours.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Just a lazy day
We have not done much today... just kind of slept in ( until 7:00) and played. After breakfast we went upstairs and changed to head out to the pool for a while before the rain appeared again. It was fun and relaxing...
Right now, I am waiting on someone from my agency to bring us her Visa and Passport. After that we are going to do some shopping and eat dinner and hopefully have an quiet night so that we are ready for the plane ride tomorrow. Prayers would be appreciated. She is a good baby, but like all the other children I have she likes for me to be standing up and bouncing... sitting will just not do. And well... I just do not think that the airlines will make acceptions for us.
OH... and her FIRST tooth broke through yesterday. I could feel it on Monday, but I could see the pearly white last night. Thank goodness I brought teething tablets just in case. Her second one is pushing on the skin. My boys got teeth pretty early so this seems late to me... but I am so thankful that God gave me a "first" to share with her!!!
I guess unless somthing funny happens... this will be my last post from the Land of the Eternal Spring (which I will really miss). Our flight leaves at 8:40 in the morning so that means we need to catch the 6:10 AM shuttle to the airport to have plenty of time. We should arrive in Dallas around 1PM go through customs and immigration with Eliza's special sealed "DO NOT OPEN" envelope. Our flight out of Dallas leaves at 4:10 and if all goes well, we should touch down in Nashville at 5:55. OH I CANNOT WAIT for my boys to meet her... for you all to meet her.
In the meantime...ENJOY
Right now, I am waiting on someone from my agency to bring us her Visa and Passport. After that we are going to do some shopping and eat dinner and hopefully have an quiet night so that we are ready for the plane ride tomorrow. Prayers would be appreciated. She is a good baby, but like all the other children I have she likes for me to be standing up and bouncing... sitting will just not do. And well... I just do not think that the airlines will make acceptions for us.
OH... and her FIRST tooth broke through yesterday. I could feel it on Monday, but I could see the pearly white last night. Thank goodness I brought teething tablets just in case. Her second one is pushing on the skin. My boys got teeth pretty early so this seems late to me... but I am so thankful that God gave me a "first" to share with her!!!
I guess unless somthing funny happens... this will be my last post from the Land of the Eternal Spring (which I will really miss). Our flight leaves at 8:40 in the morning so that means we need to catch the 6:10 AM shuttle to the airport to have plenty of time. We should arrive in Dallas around 1PM go through customs and immigration with Eliza's special sealed "DO NOT OPEN" envelope. Our flight out of Dallas leaves at 4:10 and if all goes well, we should touch down in Nashville at 5:55. OH I CANNOT WAIT for my boys to meet her... for you all to meet her.
In the meantime...ENJOY
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Interesting facts and PHOTOS
First the facts...
*Our daughter is more and more precious!!!
*We found out today from our Family Court documents that Eliza is auctually Mayan Indian decent. We know that because her birth mom spoke an indigenous language and not just Spanish. So some day when it is time to check those boxes on those forms... Eliza will check Native American ( I guess... or other whatever she chooses)
*Eliza likes Gerber puff things.
* Our agency is awesome and goes above and beyond.
* Eliza only woke up once during the night and then we had to wake her at 6:15 to leave
* Eliza likes small bites of the best Banana bread ever.
*M & M's make and excellent lunch ( for mom and dad... not princesea)
* Eliza is very smart and I am thankful for the attention she was shown with the foster family. She holds up her hand when you say bye. She tries to crawl but her little arms are not strong enough so she falls on her face. She will blow raspberries and stick out her tounge if you do, and if you disappear (like hiding for a game) she knows exactly where to look for you.
I am sure there are more... but here are the pics instead. Notice her tiny feet... ALL the shoes I brought her are too big. (Thanks again for the outfit Sonja... we tried the hat, could not even get it to stay on long enough for a pic)
And finally the first mommy and daddy ELIZA photo... we had to go into the Family Room and ask someone to take it for us... our self portrait attempts were just not working.
*Our daughter is more and more precious!!!
*We found out today from our Family Court documents that Eliza is auctually Mayan Indian decent. We know that because her birth mom spoke an indigenous language and not just Spanish. So some day when it is time to check those boxes on those forms... Eliza will check Native American ( I guess... or other whatever she chooses)
*Eliza likes Gerber puff things.
* Our agency is awesome and goes above and beyond.
* Eliza only woke up once during the night and then we had to wake her at 6:15 to leave
* Eliza likes small bites of the best Banana bread ever.
*M & M's make and excellent lunch ( for mom and dad... not princesea)
* Eliza is very smart and I am thankful for the attention she was shown with the foster family. She holds up her hand when you say bye. She tries to crawl but her little arms are not strong enough so she falls on her face. She will blow raspberries and stick out her tounge if you do, and if you disappear (like hiding for a game) she knows exactly where to look for you.
I am sure there are more... but here are the pics instead. Notice her tiny feet... ALL the shoes I brought her are too big. (Thanks again for the outfit Sonja... we tried the hat, could not even get it to stay on long enough for a pic)
And finally the first mommy and daddy ELIZA photo... we had to go into the Family Room and ask someone to take it for us... our self portrait attempts were just not working.
Embassy Day
A quick pic before we left. I know it is not the family photo you asked for, but we were not allowed to bring the camera and no one on the floor was up and out at 6:30 this morn.
And... our own little party after!!!
And... our own little party after!!!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Details
Okay so some of you have asked for details. So, while she is again sleeping... here you go.
The room phone rang just after 10AM... we went down to the special room and there she was...precious as ever, but looking so big. I eased into taking her and holding her. They woke her up to meet us and say goodbye so she was red-eyed and SLEEPY. She immediately put her head on my shoulder which was a big sigh of relief for me. She went to Brent no problem and we played for a while in the room talking to her and thanking her Foster Mom and giving her the gifts.
When we left we went up to the room. She was exhausted. I usually give her a bath immediately, but she was too tired. So, I tired to get her to sleep. She started crying and getting very fussy. She seemed almost too tired but at the same time afraid to go to sleep. She was confused and a little scared. She finally went to sleep when Brent took her bounced her and sang to her ( he is so proud of that). She woke up still tired and unsure. We decided to go ahead a bathe her and change her she did okay, but was still unsure. After she was ready, I tried to go down to the rocker in the family room and feed her a bottle. When we got there, there was a little girl eating jar food. Eliza saw her and started grunting and kicking her feet. I immediately went back to the room for bananas, bib and spoon. I *THINK* that might have been the breaking point where she decided I was not bad and that I understood her and what she was trying to tell me. She ate the whole jar. We went for a little walk, called the boys and came back to the room for her bottle where she fell asleep for about an hour and a half. She woke up a little confused, but played and laughed with us both. She loves peek-a-boo and us kissing and "eating" her hands and feet. So we do that almost non-stop.
Brent and I wanted an easy night in, so we ordered Domino's... it was really good. It is the same, but different. They told me she only ate at breakfast and lunch, but I thought HEY...WHY NOT... she is 9 months old almost it might help her sleep through the night if I give her more. So we tried some squash. She seemed to like it, but only ate about 1/2 of it. We played some more and then I decided to take her back to the family room to visit some other kids and spread out to see what she could do. UHHHH... we are in trouble. She sits up great with AWESOME posture. She is so flexible ( she can bend in half to eat her toes) and she is trying to move. She scooted forward a little on her hands and knees, but her favorite thing to do is pull up on Brent when he is sitting on the floor. I was not ready for that!!!
We said our goodnights and went back to the room for a night time bottle. She went right to bed and to sleep... Easy!!! But, she woke up about 45 minutes later. I heard her stirring and went to peep in and she was just sitting there. So we rocked and patted for about an hour and she went back out.
I think she is doing better than I expected. We will see how she does tomorrow when she realizes she might be stuck with us. I did not really get any good pics, because she either does not sit still long enough to take one, or... she is being held and since we were up listening to the local jazz late and the birds woke us up at about 5... we are looking a little weary. I will post some of the ones we got. Sorry if too much info, you asked and now I will not have to journal it to remember.
OH and PS... it is raining buckets here right now... I am going to try to set a jar out to see if I can bring it home!
The room phone rang just after 10AM... we went down to the special room and there she was...precious as ever, but looking so big. I eased into taking her and holding her. They woke her up to meet us and say goodbye so she was red-eyed and SLEEPY. She immediately put her head on my shoulder which was a big sigh of relief for me. She went to Brent no problem and we played for a while in the room talking to her and thanking her Foster Mom and giving her the gifts.
When we left we went up to the room. She was exhausted. I usually give her a bath immediately, but she was too tired. So, I tired to get her to sleep. She started crying and getting very fussy. She seemed almost too tired but at the same time afraid to go to sleep. She was confused and a little scared. She finally went to sleep when Brent took her bounced her and sang to her ( he is so proud of that). She woke up still tired and unsure. We decided to go ahead a bathe her and change her she did okay, but was still unsure. After she was ready, I tried to go down to the rocker in the family room and feed her a bottle. When we got there, there was a little girl eating jar food. Eliza saw her and started grunting and kicking her feet. I immediately went back to the room for bananas, bib and spoon. I *THINK* that might have been the breaking point where she decided I was not bad and that I understood her and what she was trying to tell me. She ate the whole jar. We went for a little walk, called the boys and came back to the room for her bottle where she fell asleep for about an hour and a half. She woke up a little confused, but played and laughed with us both. She loves peek-a-boo and us kissing and "eating" her hands and feet. So we do that almost non-stop.
Brent and I wanted an easy night in, so we ordered Domino's... it was really good. It is the same, but different. They told me she only ate at breakfast and lunch, but I thought HEY...WHY NOT... she is 9 months old almost it might help her sleep through the night if I give her more. So we tried some squash. She seemed to like it, but only ate about 1/2 of it. We played some more and then I decided to take her back to the family room to visit some other kids and spread out to see what she could do. UHHHH... we are in trouble. She sits up great with AWESOME posture. She is so flexible ( she can bend in half to eat her toes) and she is trying to move. She scooted forward a little on her hands and knees, but her favorite thing to do is pull up on Brent when he is sitting on the floor. I was not ready for that!!!
We said our goodnights and went back to the room for a night time bottle. She went right to bed and to sleep... Easy!!! But, she woke up about 45 minutes later. I heard her stirring and went to peep in and she was just sitting there. So we rocked and patted for about an hour and she went back out.
I think she is doing better than I expected. We will see how she does tomorrow when she realizes she might be stuck with us. I did not really get any good pics, because she either does not sit still long enough to take one, or... she is being held and since we were up listening to the local jazz late and the birds woke us up at about 5... we are looking a little weary. I will post some of the ones we got. Sorry if too much info, you asked and now I will not have to journal it to remember.
OH and PS... it is raining buckets here right now... I am going to try to set a jar out to see if I can bring it home!
Okay...here you go
Not a lot of time to type now that the pics are here... Eliza is up...
The view from our room in Antigua
At the Casa Santa Domingo
Me as a Guatemalan woman
Brent in coffee plants
The band playing for us... Victor told them we were "Muy Importante"
BEAUTIFUL... La Mercid
Guatemalan textiles
Brent's favorite pic... the Arc a reflection taken from a puddle on the cobblestone streets in Antigua
Brent's seeing his daughter for the first time since she was 12 days old
The view from our room in Antigua
At the Casa Santa Domingo
Me as a Guatemalan woman
Brent in coffee plants
The band playing for us... Victor told them we were "Muy Importante"
BEAUTIFUL... La Mercid
Guatemalan textiles
Brent's favorite pic... the Arc a reflection taken from a puddle on the cobblestone streets in Antigua
Brent's seeing his daughter for the first time since she was 12 days old
ANTIGUA IS AWESOME
Well...it was. We left this morning but spent an awesome day touring everywhere yesterday. Our tour guide, Victor, AMAZING... he has even toured Pres. Clinton.
I wish I could tell you all about it now... but we have just arrived at the Westin and have about 15 minutes until they call us to get our baby girl. We are so excited!!!!!!!! When time permits tonight... I will share some pics from our trip yesterday and of our angel today!
Again... we are changed people!
I wish I could tell you all about it now... but we have just arrived at the Westin and have about 15 minutes until they call us to get our baby girl. We are so excited!!!!!!!! When time permits tonight... I will share some pics from our trip yesterday and of our angel today!
Again... we are changed people!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Last Call... Jones, Party of 5
Well... here it is. We leave tomorrow. I am so excited that I do not think sleeping is an option. I wish I had the words to describe my feelings but I do not... I just thank God that he has given me His PEACE for the past year. I do not know how I would have made it without it!
Tonight Baylor played in the 6 year old All-Star game. He did awesome and had a blast. We used the opportunity to grab a photo when we got home... our last family photo as a family of 5. Next time we take a family photo... we will be JONES Family of 6. ( Not the best pic... but it was late)
Tonight Baylor played in the 6 year old All-Star game. He did awesome and had a blast. We used the opportunity to grab a photo when we got home... our last family photo as a family of 5. Next time we take a family photo... we will be JONES Family of 6. ( Not the best pic... but it was late)
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