Yes, a NEW POST!!!!

Ok, I know,,, "Bad Blogger!" Lot's has been going on so here is what we have been up to! Zaela had her 18 month check up last week! She is doing great and weighed in at 29.8lbs! She is in the 97% for both height and weight so at least her height has caught up to her weight:-)

She is keeping Grandma quite busy during the day and seems to be napping less and waking up earlier and earlier! She is a very independent and social little girl and just does not seem to want to miss ANYTHING! A few of her favorite things are shoes, sunglasses, yogurt, being outside, and cruising Costco for those fabulous food samples!!!

We have also been able to squeeze in a few playdates with our local adoptive mom's group and I even had the honor of hosting a "Ladies Night In" at my place Sunday!!!

Oh,, and....I received the "Sisterhood" blog award from Malia's Mom:-) So, I get to tag 3 more lucky bloggers that have been soooo supportive and kept me sane during my... well... rollercoaster of an adoption journey.

1) Christy... http://ethiopianking.blogspot.com She is not only my fellow blogger and single mama, but become a treasured local friend!!! Thanks again for everything including your wine and cake therapy:-)

2) Rebecca... http://rejotoblog.blogspot.com Hello girl.. You always knew when to give me a call to get me through! I feel like I have known you forever,,, thanks for "getting it!!"

3) Chris.... http://journeytolayla.blogspot.com Thanks for being my voice of reason,,, You are the best!!!


Zaela in her favorite heels!

Ah yes, the many moods of my little girl! From this...

To this within seconds! LOL

Trying to move the scale to the left!

My fellow local AP's!!!!

My buddy Eli:-)

All smiles:-))))

An Easter EGGstravaganza!!!

Adoption,,,,, a wonderful gift that fills your life with so much joy!!! What I didn't realize is how many great friends I would also meet along the way with the common bond of adoption. This week I got to plan our trip to Texas for my agency reunion in July and enjoy my first annual Easter Eggstravaganza with a local group of adoptive parents! I feel so lucky to have met such a great group of supportive friends and look forward to seeing our children grow up together! I'm so happy Christy and Mona joined the group and thank-you Mona for helping out with Zaela!!!

Also a huge thank-you to Auntie D.D.D. for the beautiful pictures and Jamie who gave Zaela the most beautiful Easter dress (see pic below!) The other big news is that grandma purchased a potty chair for Zaela's Easter present! She hasn't quite figured out how to use it yet, but sure likes checking it out!!!

Zaela and the Easter Bunny in her new dress!

Zaela and her new friends!!!!

Look mama,, I found an egg!!

I love all my friends!

Especially Eli:-))

Hangin' out on my new potty with my bunny ears!

What's your name???

Grandma and Zaela have been having some fun days! Unfortunately they often start anywhere from 4 - 5:30AM! I love to be able to say good-bye to her in the morning, but it sure does take longer to get out of the house and I'm sure grandma would appreciate a little more sleep! As you will see in the video little girl LOVES shoes, the park, and saying her name! Yup, grandma has been doing some home schooling and taught her how to say "Zay-ya!"

Hangin' with grandma.....

"Momma at wwooork"

Unfortunately Zaela's new word is,,,"wwooork!" It's so different not being able to spend all of my time with her now that I am back to work, but Grandma is having so much fun with her and I am met at the door with smiles and hugs:-)

Z is growing like crazy and jabbers non-stop! She enjoyed her last bottle a week ago and has not looked back so I guess she is officially a "big" girl now! I'm kind of sad about that!

We have been keeping so busy lately that it's tough to find the time to post! We have had a few highlights like meeting our new friends Beth and Dori! Zaela's friends Mikey and Eli also turned "1" in February so we have been hitting the party circuit!


My new friend Dori came all the way to Honey Beach to see me!!

I really was happy here at Eli's birthday party!!

Sharing my favorite cupboard with my buddy "Eli"!

Legally Zaela Rose...

It was a busy week.... back to work, taxes, post-placement visit, party time at Auntie D.'s, and Zaela's RE-ADOPTION! Yay,,, she is legally Zaela Rose as of February 11th! I sooo missed being at home with her, but having grandma here has certainly made it easier to return to work (and get things like my taxes done!)


Auntie D. gave us a preview pic of our latest photo session.... I LOVE the latest pic of my little Ethio-American Girl!!!! Auntie D. takes thee BEST photos!!!! THANK-YOU girlie:-))))



YaY,,, grandma is here!

Feb 11th,,, Re-Adoption Day!

Auntie D. showed me how to mix "Lemonade"!!! She's so smart!!!

Dear Zaela

Dear Zaela,

My life has been a dream since the day I first held you in my arms. We have spent everyday and night together since and it has simply been the best days of my life. I love waking up to your baby babble and coming into your room to see your sweet face. Our days have been filled with stroller walks, playing at the park, and sometimes just enjoying days at home. I have cherished watching you experience your milestones, while growing and developing quite the personality!

Every night I have rocked you to sleep with your lullabies and reflected on our time together as I try to etch the memory of each day on my heart. I am so grateful for you and the precious time I was given to be at home with you. Tomorrow as I return to work, I want you to know my heart will break and I will be missing you every minute! My hope for you is that one day you too will experience the pure joy of motherhood and comprehend how much you mean to me and the joy you brought to my life.

Love,
mama

Life is GOOD!

If there is such thing as a perfect day,,,, today was it! There is nothing better than beautiful weather, the sound of the ocean on a desolate beach, and watching my little girl smile and play in the sand! It just doesn't get any better!!!!

Here are a few pics from today and some other highlights of my last week (so far) home with little Z! We also did another photo shoot with Auntie D. on Monday!!! Yayyyyyyy,,, more fabulous pics to come:-)))

Today's fun in the sun,,, hard at work playing and sporting her sunglasses!!

Monday we went to a kids concert,, guess who was right in the middle of things dancing away??

Ahhhh, that's right, help mama dust! That;s my girl!

Playdate with friends:-)