Flour and Sugar

It seems that this scenario is playing out almost daily at our house. Sugar cookies, peanut butter balls, gingerbread men...my kids are starting to ask for cookies for breakfast. We need an intervention!!

Downtown Christmas

This morning the kids and I met my brother, sister and my nephew and niece (Isaac, 4 and Dahlia, 1) downtown for some Christmas cheer. We grew up on an island, two hours from the city, so it was always a BIG deal when we went downtown for Christmas each year and was always an all day affair. Since we live 10 minutes from the city center, we are there often, but it's always so much more fun at Christmas time!

today turned out to be gorgeous. The rainbow in the fountain was incredible.

The indoor train track is so fun for the boys. Usually they get to go up with the conductor and 'drive" the train too.

When the train started moving, the boys were giddy.

Bereket used to be terrified of my brother who is a towering 6'3". It is awesome to see her with him now. Still she was still and silent. Taking it all in.

Daliah was delighted.

What are those crazy moving pieces of metal at the mall kiosk?

What is it with kids and escalators. What a rush!

The carousel!

This train is so fun because the kids (or adults) can control it by putting their hands on the mittens on the window.

Happy times--missed Mark though! (and you too, Mom)

The kids had so much fun. Riding the train was definitely the highlight. We didn't have time to visit Santa this time, so we may have to go back before Christmas!

Christmas Picture Outtakes

A Day in the Life

Don't ever turn around...or this will happen

and I didn't capture the shattered glass all over the floor this morning, but you can imagine. Oh, and I tore my sideview mirror off running into a AAA truck this morning.

Are you having a good day?

The Twelve Books of Christmas 2010

Continuing the tradition. The kids love the daily suspense, and it's a great chance to refresh our home library. Here are last year's books too.

The Cat in the Hat

The Quiet Book

On the Night you Were Born

Moonshot

Lightship

June 29, 1999

I Love You Through and Through

Dog Loves Books

Counting Kisses

City Dog, Country Frog

Beach

Art & Max

Christmas Cookie-ing

Sugar cookies are an extended family favorite. We almost never make them except at Christmas time, which makes them extra special. Clearly the family tradition will continue with this generation...

...with extra sprinkles.

6 Months home

Last week marked 6 months home for our little sparkler. This is the mile marker that many adoptive parents consider the first time you should evaluate how things are going. Of course, I've been evaluating all along, because it's in my nature, but keeping in mind that it was premature.

It is remarkable to see how much she's grown, physically yes, but even more so emotionally. For the record, she has gained 7 pounds and grown 4 inches since she came home, and is now at the 50th percentile. She seems very petite to us, but the doctor assures us she is 'average.' However, this girl is not 'average' in any other way.

Emotionally she expresses herself VERY well without words. She uses her face to make a myriad of faces that can put you to shame, or light up the room. It is easy to know how Bereket is feeling because she wears it on her sleeve. I've never seen a baby express themselves so effectively.

Developmentally, she could not bear any weight on her legs when we met her. She could not roll over. She could lie down and sit with assistance. She is now very strong, and is cruising and standing on her own. She is not far from walking.

Verbally, oh where do I start? Bereket is constantly talking. She can only say a handful of words, but she communicates so much more through her sounds. Just from the tone of her gibberish and intonation, you can tell exactly what she's trying to say. She loves to sing and can sing her ABC's intelligibly. She also has a temper (ie.tantrums) and is easily frustrated. For better and for worse, all of her emotions are quite strong. We're happy she feels free to express herself so openly.

Miss B is very curious. More than my boys at this age. She is always testing limits. She is aware of certain (dangerous) things she cannot do, and always takes a look at us before she does them. We let her know that she can't do it, and she goes ahead anyway. It's almost comical, except when she consequently injures herself. This is the kind of look she gives me when she wants to do something she knows she shouldn't.

Bereket is so much more at ease with us and the world than she was 6 months ago. Looking back it is obvious to us how scared she was just by looking at photos. Her behavior was so full of anxiety and fear. She never rejected us, but she didn't embrace us either. She was rightfully cautious. She now fully embraces us--literally. Last week she began giving Mark the BIGGEST hugs when he arrives home from work. Since then she's been giving them to both of us spontaneously. She also loves to give kisses. We love her affection.

Six months ago, I wondered what had happened to my life and my family. Life was so upside down and nothing seemed the same. I wasn't sure I could cope with the change. I was anxious. Every morning I would wake up fearing I really could not do "this", what my life had become. Many people (including lots of you) encouraged me that I could do this, and that things would get better with time. And they have. No, my life is not perfect, and we still have lots of room to grow, but I am content and grateful for each one of my children. I do not wake up dreading the day (though I do groan when the day starts out with 100 demands, which it inevitably does), and that's enough to remind me that we've come a long way, baby!

(almost) Wordless Wednesday

hint: it's about the jeans. Why weren't they advertised as "skinny jeans" in the online description?