I like that BOOM BOOM CHOW...

MEIN that is!!!! WoW,,, need I say a word?? Front yard fun with Mikey and Eli!

My silly girl!

Hard at work in Auntie "Salsa's" office!

First trampoline jump!

The big dipper and the little dipper!

Coo-kie Coo-kie Coo-kie

Seriously!! I must hear the word cooo-kie a thousand times a day!!! Zaela definitely knew the word cooo-kie, however after our visit to see Gina and Taj, she has become a coo-kie addict! The crazy thing is that is was a vegan chocolate chip cookie that sent her on this downward spiral! I have to admit they were awfully good:-)))

I have been on vacation the last few weeks and we have been having a blast together! I absolutely love this age and wish I could just make time stand still. There is nothing better than spending my days at home with her, but it is back to work next Tuesday:-(( The good news is that grandma and grandpa will be here Saturday to spoil her rotten!

Coo-kie girl in action!!!!
Practicing YOGA??!?!

It was a fun time in the bath tonight!!

Playtime:-)

Headlines, Pics, and One CUTE Video!

This morning Zaela Rose became an official citizen of the U.S.A.!!!!

Enjoying a day at Venice Beach! I think the swings are more fun here:-)))))

Helping mama water the flowers:-))

Our new friends Gina and Taj!!!

Zaela's daily conversation with Grandpa!!!! LOL!

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"!