Elizabeth enjoyed her neighborhood Trick or Treating! So did Aunty Ki!

First Day of School

Elizabeth went to her new classroom today, and she's looking oh-so-much-smarter and older than last year! (and taller - she's shot up an inch recently!)

Here she is showing off her new new lunchbox that says "Liz" on it (that's what they call her at "school"/daycare) and new outfit (that Aunt Jenny picked out - yeah it's a winner!!).. doesn't she just look absolutely adorable?!?! :) She is definitely becoming a ham - look at that pose - doesn't she look like a little model!?!?!

Quote from Chrissie (Elizabeth's Mommy):

"It was Elizabeth’s first day of “school” in a new classroom with a new teacher, and what I thought might be a big moment for Elizabeth. She can be shy in new situations and I thought might want me to stay and play a bit. Well, not so! She marched into the classroom with her new lunchbox (courtesy of Grammy and Papi), and put her stuff in her new cubby and went to check out the goldfish with her friend Ethan. I got a quick hug and then she was off to check out all the other new toys and stuff."

Ahhhh.. she's growing up so fast!

Child Model!

Well, Grammy knew the day was coming, and it's here... Chrissie took Elizabeth to get her 2-year old pictures taken and the company was so pleased with the pictures that they have selected her photos to post in the store as examples! :)

She is adorable! Full of energy and spunk - she has lots of "sparkley" days when she is happy and bright and so cute you can't stand it! :)

Grammys know best!

When Elizabeth Speaks....

... we all listen - even when we don't understand her! The other night Elizabeth was entertaining her Mommy, Aunts Jenny and Ki and Grammy and Papi... she was putting on quite the show, holding onto the column while holding court, making facial expressions and hand movements - so Auntie Ki had to grab the video camera and record some of Elizabeth's monologue.. so here is the last minute of probably a 10-minute soliloquy! (we can't wait until we can actually understand what she's saying and have a conversation - that will be fun!)

Mother's Day Dinner at Auntie Ki's

This is Elizabeth's second Mother's Day - the Lord was gracious last year in timing her adoption so she came to the US a few days before Mother's Day! So last year's holiday was pretty special!

This year Auntie Ki and Aunt Jenny got in a little bit of trouble for being out of town for the weekend - but we got back in time to cook a delicious dinner for everyone.. we missed Tia Sarita who was down in Florida with her hubby (Uncle Mike)... here are some pics of our fun evening - you can tell that even though this was a night to honor the moms, it was Elizabeth who stole the show!

On this day one year ago…

I left for Guatemala to pick up my sweet little Elizabeth and bring her home for good! The pictures of Elizabeth from April 30, 2007 bring tears to my eyes – I can just see so much in that little face – I see sadness and fear and hope and tenderness. At this point I kept telling her “you’re going to love me.” I think back to her foster mom, Julvia who lovingly cared for Elizabeth for 10 months. In preparation for this day she gave Elizabeth a haircut, a bath, put her in the outfit I bought, and some shiny new black patent leather shoes. I also think about Elizabeth’s birth mom, Dora, and the agonizing decision she made to give this precious little life away and trust to someone else. At the time of going through the process many of these things never really sunk in, and today as I look back and think about this past year I fully realize all that Dora gave up and so appreciate the love and care that Julvia and her family showed to Elizabeth.
Being Elizabeth’s Mom is a very special and wonderful thing and has changed me forever. I fall more deeply in love with her with each day. Recently while Elizabeth and I were playing with her toys, she flashed me a look that I have given her many times and I was so taken aback! I was not expecting my 21 month old adopted daughter to so accurately imitate my disapproving “no, no, no” look. That has made me realize the depth of the responsibility I have in raising Elizabeth, providing her with the right values, and opportunities, and experiences.
May 8 is what I have decided will be our official adoption day. That is the day Elizabeth landed in the US, became a citizen, and met her extended family. I am not sure how we will celebrate it this year – maybe a trip to the zoo or something fun!

Tia Sarita's Wedding

Best Wishes to Tia Sarita and Uncle Mike!

Wedding Preparations!

Here is Elizabeth trying on her pretty dress for Tia Sarita's wedding next month! Isn't she so cute! Looks like she isn't quite sure what to do with her arms.. but after a few moments she realized she could still watch the Little Einsteins (her most favorite show of all time - when she wants to watch it she pats her legs as they do on the show!) and play with her toys..

Hope Tia Sarita approves of the pretty dress.. kinda tricky because everyone is supposed to look at the bride but how you can look away from this precious little face!?! :)

Now if we can just get her to walk down the aisle without a push toy!

Day with Auntie Ki

Today is Washington's Birthday and Elizabeth's new school was closed... Chrissie still had to go to work, but thankfully Auntie Ki's office was closed too - so she and Elizabeth spent the day together.... they met up with one of Carrie's friends who has a 14-month old and they toured around the mall.. it was a gorgeous day so Elizabeth got to go to the playground where Auntie Ki snapped this adorable picture of her in the slide!

In the Garden!

Today Elizabeth went to check out the new children's garden with Auntie Ki, Aunt Jenny and Greg.. poor Mommy was home with a cold.. Elizabeth had fun fun fun walking around, playing in the fountains and smelling the flowers... what a fun day! And thankfully Chrissie got to take a good long nap, so that helped her recovery!