Saturday, January 13, 2007
Happy Spring!
What, you mean it's only January??? Well, here in Florida it's hot!!!!!
Gabriella isn't too sure of the grass. It's funny because she just sits there and moves her arms, but doesn't attempt to go anywhere. It's the only place where she doesn't crawl away! So, mommy and daddy were able to pull some weeds while she marveled at the grass and leaves.
This looks like it has good fiber in it.
Gabriella isn't too sure of the grass. It's funny because she just sits there and moves her arms, but doesn't attempt to go anywhere. It's the only place where she doesn't crawl away! So, mommy and daddy were able to pull some weeds while she marveled at the grass and leaves.
This looks like it has good fiber in it.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Pretty in Pink
I was finally able to get a barrette into Gabriella's hair!
Hey, who's out there?? Want to come and play?
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream?
Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of days. It's been kind of hectic as Gabriella has definitely decided to mix things up with her naps. Most mornings, she doesn't sleep for more than 30-45 minutes now(vs. 1-1 1/2 hrs before) and afternoons are hit and miss. Never the 2 hrs it used to be and many times she is just flat out refusing to nap in the afternoon. Last night we had a repeat of the last post and she fell asleep in the high chair again since she hadn't napped in the afternoon. Fortunately, this time she had eaten almost all of her dinner first. The good news is that when she does go to bed early, she still sleeps right through until at least 7 am. In fact, the other night, she slept for about 13 hrs! She did sleep for about an hour this afternoon, so hopefully she'll stay awake through dinner and a bath tonight.
She is saying dada all the time now. The only thing that keeps me from being jealous is that it isn't in context. All day long, everything is dada.
Enjoy pics from today.
She is saying dada all the time now. The only thing that keeps me from being jealous is that it isn't in context. All day long, everything is dada.
Enjoy pics from today.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
No Dinner Tonight
This is the result of Gabriella refusing her afternoon nap two days in a row and taking very short morning naps to boot. She was sound asleep about 3 bites into her dinner. We got her out of the chair and she was out. So, we skipped her bath and put her to bed early. Let's see how early she gets up tomorrow.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Some Little Miss G
So it's not all about me today, here are pics from yesterday and today.
Mommy, pleeeeeease let my buddy Bing in! I promise I'll clean up all the cat hair!
Yes, mommy, it IS more fun to play with all your toys upside down and knocked over!
Mommy, could you at least comb my hair before you take a bunch of pictures of me???
I'm It Again
Ginger tagged me for this little meme. I in turn tag Tricia and Michelle.
1. FIRST NAME: Alleen
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes. My dad's name is Al and my mom's name is Kathleen. So, Al-leen
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Hmmm. All out cry or just tear up? I tear up every day because of Gabriella(no kidding!). Or if I read a particularly moving blog post and I've seen a number of those on people's blogs lately. Heck anything can get me going.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Pastrami. But, I usually go with turkey.
5. KIDS? Gabriella Marie, 9 1/2 months
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, I think I'm pretty alright! I have my crabby moments, I'll admit. But, I care deeply for people.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? No, just my blog
8. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Who, me????
9. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, got them out right before starting college.
10. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way!
11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Raisin bran and cheerios
12. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Usually no. And I almost always wear sandals.
13. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, but I have some very weak moments. But anyone who has gone through an international adoption is strong, damnit!
14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Coffee Almond Fudge
15. SHOE SIZE? 6(used to be 6 1/2 - how do your feet shrink??)
16. RED OR PINK? Pink!
17. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Procrastination and impatience. Yeah, I know, they would seem to not go together.
18. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Of people no longer with us - my dear friend Connie who lost her battle to cancer about 4 years ago. She would have been so happy to meet Gabriella. Her wish was always to see me have children. But, I'm sure she can see us :-)
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Jeans capris. No shoes right now.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? 1/2 Frontega chicken sandwich, 1/2 Fuji Apple Chicken salad at Panera
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Silence on the baby monitor :-)
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Burnt Sienna(not really, but I always thought that name was funny!)
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Fresh rosemary.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mom
25. THE 1ST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes and smile
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes! She's got a precious baby girl waiting to come home forever!
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Diet Coke with Lime and coffee
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Basketball(but honestly, I'm not into sports at all)
29. HAT SIZE? No idea! I think I look terrible in hats.
30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, just reading glasses that I never wear since I quit working, even though I spend a ton of time on the computer and should wear them!
31. FAVORITE FOOD? Italian and homemade macaroni and cheese(see my previous tag post)
32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy. The sappier the better.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Peach,pink,melon and white stripes(vertical since I don't want to look fat!!)
34. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIES? It's been so long I couldn't tell you. It might have been Open Water(yeah, that long ago) and it was the worst movie EVER!
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer - pool and beach time.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? A big 'ol warm, fuzzy hug.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Key Lime Pie and Tiramisu
38. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Why, neither!!
39. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Both!! No pressure.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? I read magazines anymore. People(I know, I know!), For Women First, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal and Baby Talk.
41. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A big, fat watercolor cat and it says: I am Me, I am just me. I'm a little like other cats, but mostly I am just me.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? The end of Entertainment tonight, some of Emeril Live and the news.
43. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii
44. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I gotta say, I'm not so talented.
45. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? December 4, 1966 in Melbourne, Florida
46. WHO SENT YOU THIS? Another guatemama.
1. FIRST NAME: Alleen
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes. My dad's name is Al and my mom's name is Kathleen. So, Al-leen
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Hmmm. All out cry or just tear up? I tear up every day because of Gabriella(no kidding!). Or if I read a particularly moving blog post and I've seen a number of those on people's blogs lately. Heck anything can get me going.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Pastrami. But, I usually go with turkey.
5. KIDS? Gabriella Marie, 9 1/2 months
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, I think I'm pretty alright! I have my crabby moments, I'll admit. But, I care deeply for people.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? No, just my blog
8. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Who, me????
9. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, got them out right before starting college.
10. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way!
11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Raisin bran and cheerios
12. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Usually no. And I almost always wear sandals.
13. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, but I have some very weak moments. But anyone who has gone through an international adoption is strong, damnit!
14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Coffee Almond Fudge
15. SHOE SIZE? 6(used to be 6 1/2 - how do your feet shrink??)
16. RED OR PINK? Pink!
17. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Procrastination and impatience. Yeah, I know, they would seem to not go together.
18. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Of people no longer with us - my dear friend Connie who lost her battle to cancer about 4 years ago. She would have been so happy to meet Gabriella. Her wish was always to see me have children. But, I'm sure she can see us :-)
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Jeans capris. No shoes right now.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? 1/2 Frontega chicken sandwich, 1/2 Fuji Apple Chicken salad at Panera
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Silence on the baby monitor :-)
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Burnt Sienna(not really, but I always thought that name was funny!)
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Fresh rosemary.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mom
25. THE 1ST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes and smile
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes! She's got a precious baby girl waiting to come home forever!
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Diet Coke with Lime and coffee
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Basketball(but honestly, I'm not into sports at all)
29. HAT SIZE? No idea! I think I look terrible in hats.
30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, just reading glasses that I never wear since I quit working, even though I spend a ton of time on the computer and should wear them!
31. FAVORITE FOOD? Italian and homemade macaroni and cheese(see my previous tag post)
32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy. The sappier the better.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Peach,pink,melon and white stripes(vertical since I don't want to look fat!!)
34. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIES? It's been so long I couldn't tell you. It might have been Open Water(yeah, that long ago) and it was the worst movie EVER!
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer - pool and beach time.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? A big 'ol warm, fuzzy hug.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Key Lime Pie and Tiramisu
38. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Why, neither!!
39. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Both!! No pressure.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? I read magazines anymore. People(I know, I know!), For Women First, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal and Baby Talk.
41. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A big, fat watercolor cat and it says: I am Me, I am just me. I'm a little like other cats, but mostly I am just me.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? The end of Entertainment tonight, some of Emeril Live and the news.
43. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii
44. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I gotta say, I'm not so talented.
45. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? December 4, 1966 in Melbourne, Florida
46. WHO SENT YOU THIS? Another guatemama.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Gabriella is really on the move now! She's crawling away and I can't turn my back for even a moment. So much for those quick potty breaks!
We moved her crib down to the lowest position yesterday since it's only a matter of time before she can pull herself all the way up.
Playing with one of her Christmas toys. The first time she hit the button on the train and it took off, it scared her to death!
Monday, January 01, 2007
2006 in Review
Since 2006 was a pretty big year, I figure I'll do a year in review.
January 27 - The first post on my blog! A review of where we were in the process:
We officially signed on with an agency at the end of November with a request for an infant girl and thus the official paperchase began.
We had our homestudy visit in December and were waiting on the final copy of the homestudy.
February 4 - We received our I-171H
February 11 - Dossier sent to Guatemala. We're officially waiting on a referral.
March - A whole lotta nothing but waiting and going crazy!! I resorted to nothing but pictures of the cats and the pool.
April 7 - The day we had been waiting for!!!! We received the referral of Gabriella, born March 14, 2006. She was a tiny little peanut (4 lbs 7 oz at 2 1/2 weeks old), but cute as can be.
April 12-14 - I drove from one end of the state to the other to get our Power of Attorney documents quickly certified and authenticated and off to Guatemala to get the ball rolling on the process.
April 28 - DNA is done!
May 5 - Entered Family Court.
May 27 - June 4 - We are in Guatemala for our visit trip. We spent the weekend in Antigua and met our precious angel on May 29. We had the time of our lives and Gabriella was such a perfect baby. A piece of our hearts left when we had to say goodbye to her on June 2. But, we knew she was in good hands and we prayed we'd be back soon to bring her home forever.
June 8 - We got Preapproval from the US Embassy and exited Family Court in record time!
June 23 - Entered the black hole known as PGN. We steeled ourselves for the hardest part of the journey and prayed for no previos. The current average was around 6-8 weeks if no KOs occurred.
July - July was spent finishing the nursery. My baby shower was also in July and was such a special day.
August 9 - Got THE call!!!! OUT, OUT, OUT of PGN!!!! I had been really beginning to stress over being in PGN and just when I couldn't take it anymore, we were released.
August 22 - PINK!!!! Our Embassy appointment is Monday, August 28. She's coming home!!!!!!!!!!
August 24 - August 30- The pickup trip. We're a forever family and life will never be the same.
September - Gabriella turns 6 months old, Ferdy has a birthday and we are enjoying being a family. The transition was amazingly easy for Gabriella and she's such a good baby.
October - Uncle Charlie comes for a visit and baby's first Halloween.
November - Gabriella is baptized on the 19th and she meets lots of new people! We enjoy Thanksgiving at some friends' house. Gabriella visits Santa for the first time and is as happy as ever.
December - Mommy turns 40(ick!) and Gabriella enjoys her first Christmas! We close out 2006 the happiest and luckiest people ever. We've been blessed many times over to have this special angel be our daughter. She's the light of our lives.
Blessings to everyone for 2007!!!
LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD
Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one. One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
January 27 - The first post on my blog! A review of where we were in the process:
We officially signed on with an agency at the end of November with a request for an infant girl and thus the official paperchase began.
We had our homestudy visit in December and were waiting on the final copy of the homestudy.
February 4 - We received our I-171H
February 11 - Dossier sent to Guatemala. We're officially waiting on a referral.
March - A whole lotta nothing but waiting and going crazy!! I resorted to nothing but pictures of the cats and the pool.
April 7 - The day we had been waiting for!!!! We received the referral of Gabriella, born March 14, 2006. She was a tiny little peanut (4 lbs 7 oz at 2 1/2 weeks old), but cute as can be.
April 12-14 - I drove from one end of the state to the other to get our Power of Attorney documents quickly certified and authenticated and off to Guatemala to get the ball rolling on the process.
April 28 - DNA is done!
May 5 - Entered Family Court.
May 27 - June 4 - We are in Guatemala for our visit trip. We spent the weekend in Antigua and met our precious angel on May 29. We had the time of our lives and Gabriella was such a perfect baby. A piece of our hearts left when we had to say goodbye to her on June 2. But, we knew she was in good hands and we prayed we'd be back soon to bring her home forever.
June 8 - We got Preapproval from the US Embassy and exited Family Court in record time!
June 23 - Entered the black hole known as PGN. We steeled ourselves for the hardest part of the journey and prayed for no previos. The current average was around 6-8 weeks if no KOs occurred.
July - July was spent finishing the nursery. My baby shower was also in July and was such a special day.
August 9 - Got THE call!!!! OUT, OUT, OUT of PGN!!!! I had been really beginning to stress over being in PGN and just when I couldn't take it anymore, we were released.
August 22 - PINK!!!! Our Embassy appointment is Monday, August 28. She's coming home!!!!!!!!!!
August 24 - August 30- The pickup trip. We're a forever family and life will never be the same.
September - Gabriella turns 6 months old, Ferdy has a birthday and we are enjoying being a family. The transition was amazingly easy for Gabriella and she's such a good baby.
October - Uncle Charlie comes for a visit and baby's first Halloween.
November - Gabriella is baptized on the 19th and she meets lots of new people! We enjoy Thanksgiving at some friends' house. Gabriella visits Santa for the first time and is as happy as ever.
December - Mommy turns 40(ick!) and Gabriella enjoys her first Christmas! We close out 2006 the happiest and luckiest people ever. We've been blessed many times over to have this special angel be our daughter. She's the light of our lives.
Blessings to everyone for 2007!!!
LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD
Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one. One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it. The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name. One gave you a talent. The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home that she could not provide. The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me, through your tears,the age-old question unanswered through the years. Heredity or environment, which are you a product of? Neither, my darling. Neither. Just two different kinds of Love.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Happy New Year!!!!
Happy New Year to all of our friends, family and fellow bloggers! I hope that 2007 brings the best to everyone.
Enjoy some pictures from today....
You can't tell in the pictures, but the headpiece has 2007 on it. Of course, we had to have the kitties wear it too!
Bing was NOT amused. He wouldn't look up with it on.
Apple freaked out and took off through the house trying to get it off of her head right after this picture.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tagged!
I've been tagged by Farrah to do this A to Z list, so here goes:
A- Available or Taken? Taken! Married 12 years, together for 18.
B- Best Friend? I'm going to not say the obvious of DH and say my best girlfriend Sarah.
C- Cake or Pie? Pie - Key Lime(and if it's a Key Lime Martini, even better!)
D- Drink of Choice? Diet Coke with Lime
E- Essential item you use everyday? Bath & Body Works lotion of some kind
F- Favorite Color? Purple
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? Bears
H- Hometown? Merritt Island, Florida
I- Indulgence? Homemade macaroni and cheese
J- January or February? February
K- Kids and Names? Gabriella, 9 1/2 months
L- Life is incomplete without? Family and good friends
M- Marriage Date? September 17, 1994
N- Number of Siblings: Legit or not? None, I'm an only child and adopted myself
O- Oranges or apples? Apples
P- Phobias or fears? Frogs! They're slimy!
Q- Favorite quote?
R- Reason to Smile? My family is complete with my beautiful daughter and I am a SAHM
S- Season? Spring
T- Tag 3 or 4 people? Ginger , Ana's Mama , Sig
U- Unknown fact about me? People who know me know this, but my blog friends don't - I'm a wedding coordinator for my church. It's fun! Right now I'm on hiatus.
V- Vegetable you don't like? Brussel Sprouts - ugh!
W- Worst Habit? Serious procastination and disorganization
X- X-rays? Broken leg in junior high, boob squeezes, HSG(female parts X-Ray)
Y- Your favorite food? Toss up between Thai and Italian and of course Macaroni and Cheese
Z- Zodiac: Sagittarius
A- Available or Taken? Taken! Married 12 years, together for 18.
B- Best Friend? I'm going to not say the obvious of DH and say my best girlfriend Sarah.
C- Cake or Pie? Pie - Key Lime(and if it's a Key Lime Martini, even better!)
D- Drink of Choice? Diet Coke with Lime
E- Essential item you use everyday? Bath & Body Works lotion of some kind
F- Favorite Color? Purple
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? Bears
H- Hometown? Merritt Island, Florida
I- Indulgence? Homemade macaroni and cheese
J- January or February? February
K- Kids and Names? Gabriella, 9 1/2 months
L- Life is incomplete without? Family and good friends
M- Marriage Date? September 17, 1994
N- Number of Siblings: Legit or not? None, I'm an only child and adopted myself
O- Oranges or apples? Apples
P- Phobias or fears? Frogs! They're slimy!
Q- Favorite quote?
R- Reason to Smile? My family is complete with my beautiful daughter and I am a SAHM
S- Season? Spring
T- Tag 3 or 4 people? Ginger , Ana's Mama , Sig
U- Unknown fact about me? People who know me know this, but my blog friends don't - I'm a wedding coordinator for my church. It's fun! Right now I'm on hiatus.
V- Vegetable you don't like? Brussel Sprouts - ugh!
W- Worst Habit? Serious procastination and disorganization
X- X-rays? Broken leg in junior high, boob squeezes, HSG(female parts X-Ray)
Y- Your favorite food? Toss up between Thai and Italian and of course Macaroni and Cheese
Z- Zodiac: Sagittarius
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
I Have the Best Secret Blog Pal Ever!!
I got another gift today from my SBP. This adorable shorts outfit for Gabriella that will be perfect this Spring!
Thank you!!!!! You're just the best!!
Oh, and the Peppermint Bark??? Gone days ago!! All by myself.....
Monday, December 25, 2006
I Need New Clothes Now!!
We ate so much tonight!!!! I think we'll all moan and groan for the next 3 days. We had appetizers of deviled eggs, shrimp, hot artichoke and blue cheese dip & crackers. We followed that up with some shots of Coquito, the Puerto Rican version of egg nog(but there are no eggs in it). For the main event we had ham, corn casserole, broccoli casserole, white and sweet potatoes au gratin and crescent rolls with herbed cheese filling. Then, gosh, we hadn't eaten enough so we had deep dish apple pie with ice cream and pumpkin pie. My God I'm going on a diet(well, as soon as I polish off the leftovers)!
I guess we ladies saw the flash coming and closed our eyes for the pictures.
The above picture contains a rare sighting of the mysterious cat of the house Apple! She's rarely where the action is.
Gabriella got some cool bath toys that she is going to have a blast with as much as she loves her bath!
Of course, Bing had to get in on the action.
This Christmas has certainly been magical. Everything was really low-key since we have such a small family here. But, I have every gift I will ever wish for in having my daughter here.
To all my blog buddies who still don't have their babies home with them, I am thinking of you. I hope and pray they will all be home very soon. Next year, the blogs are going to be exciting !!
Merry Christmas All!
Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family and to everyone out there in blogland! We are having the most awesome Christmas ever of course thanks to the best gift of all!!
Enjoy pics of this morning opening presents. We're missing one member of the family, but there's no way the 3rd cat would come near this much activity!
We're having my mom and a couple of friends over for the Christmas feast and I'll post pics later.
Enjoy pics of this morning opening presents. We're missing one member of the family, but there's no way the 3rd cat would come near this much activity!
We're having my mom and a couple of friends over for the Christmas feast and I'll post pics later.
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