Word Cloud

So, I've seen a couple of people post these on their blogs. It's kind of cool. Here's the website . You just enter your blog address and it scans it.

Fun with Sorting & Organizing

This is how Ferdy caught me last night.... I still can't get over how wonderful everyone was to us. I am overwhelmed with the abundance of gifts for our sweet Gabriella.

Like the shirt, BTW????

It's the Rainy Season

Shower? No, that was a monsoon!!!! Such generosity.

Saturday was my baby shower. All I can say is wow..... We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. 26 of the greatest people came to give their good wishes and blessings to Gabriella, Ferdy and I. The day was just marvelous!!!

Look closely at the "flower" arrangment to the right(click to enlarge).... The "vase" is made of bottles and the "roses" are little socks! How cute is that????

I would like to personally thank my friends who helped put together the shower: Beth, Jeri, Kim, Sarah and Vickie. You guys are the greatest!!!! My best bud in the world, Sarah came down from Nashville for my special weekend. She tells me she's been dreaming of this day for a long time. I have too and it was perfect!!

I would also like to give a special shout out to my friend Laurel who drove down from North Carolina to be here. She had just returned from driving from Canada to NC the day before and then got back in the car and came all the way here. Thanks!!

My mom also deserves special thanks. As if she hasn't already done enough before now..... Not a dry eye in the house after I opened one of the gifts to find two blankets that looked oddly familiar, but I wasn't sure why.... The enclosed card read:

"My Dear Daughter,

These two blankets were given to you from my mom when you were born in 1966. I am so proud to give them to you for your daughter, Gabriella.

With much love, Mom"

Gulp. I couldn't read the card out loud and had to have someone else read it.

And she made the beautiful photo album you see here.




Each person wrote a message that will become part of a scrapbook that my friend Vickie started and will help me put together with pictures of the day.


The cake was so adorable as you can see.
I also present you with Gabriella's room now. Oh boy, do I have some organizing ahead of me now. The crib, by the way, is FULL of gifts.


Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came and made it a spectacular day.

Filled with happiness and love indeed.....

The Reveal

OK..... Here are the "after" photos of the nursery. Still want to get some things to put on the walls,etc. We had to try lots of configurations as the furniture was quite large once it got in the room. Funny how that happens, huh?




I figure a lot of hours will be spent in this chair. Good thing it's comfy!
















A crib fit for a Princess.

A Preview

Today the nursery furniture is going to be delivered. I'm so excited!!! Yesterday, we finished up the room by putting up the wallpaper border(well, we still have to to put up the blinds).



Here are some pics without the furniture. I will take more later once the room is set up. Think of it as a little before and after.

And yes, there's more!

Here are some pictures for the regular monthly update that is done for all the babies on the same day.

I think Gabriella had just woken up as she is very sleepy in all the photos.

July at the Doctor

Gabriella had her monthly checkup on Wednesday, July 5 and I received the report this evening. She is now up to 11lbs 10oz. We're so happy to see that she definitely seems to have recovered from her initial low weight issue.

The dr. reports that per the foster mom, she turns her head in response to sounds (especially voices) makes cooing noises of her own and shows a differentiated cry for her needs (now she'll have to teach us which cry is for which need!). She shows voluntary control of her arms and legs, alternates opening and shutting her hands and will also kick and push with her feet.








The pictures this time weren't the greatest(too close and poor lighting), so I leave you with a couple that show that million-dollar smile!

Spoke Too Soon

Well, turns out I got an email tonight with pictures from a foster mother visit June 23. She is changing so much already. We miss her so!

Nothing New to Report

It will probably be longer between updates now since we are in PGN and just waiting. Gabriella is due for a doctor's visit on July 5th, so hopefully we'll have that report and pictures by the end of the week. I think there should be a foster mother visit soon as well, so I'll post those pictures whenever I get them.

In the meantime, I leave you with a rare sight in our house - all 3 cats in the same frame and no hissing, spitting, growling or otherwise happening.