10 months today!

Happy 10 month birthday Baby Girl!

Month 9 to 10 was a big month in terms of development for my Little Miss. Here are some of the highlights of the recently acquired skills:

1. understanding 40+ words or phrases (evidenced by a physical response to the word/phrase - i.e. where is Mommy, say bye-bye, get your kitty blankie, etc.) - I know, kind of scary that I actually counted, but being a pediatric occupational therapist will do that do you.
2. pointing to a couple named pictures in books (cat and dog)
3. signing "more", "eat", "quack quack", and almost "all done"
4. repeating all kinds of letter sounds and weird noises demonstrated for her
5. waving "hi", "bye", and "night night" (I know most people don't wave night night, but my girl does) with the adorable opening and closing of her tiny hand
6. crawling on hands and knees after almost 3 months of belly crawling
7. pulling to stand on anything and everything she can get her hands on (including her crib)
   
8. cruising along the furniture, walls, people's legs, anything really, in order to get from here to there - this girl wants to move
9. standing independently without support for about 15 seconds
10. feeding herself all kinds of finger foods independently

I'm sure there are more, but those are some of the biggies. Little Miss was busy this month. It is crazy for me to think about the fact that I brought home this tiny baby in August and now I have this curious, independent explorer! Time flies when you're having fun . . . and that we are!!

The Break Out - yes, she busted out of her safe little play area and she was pleased as punch to have done so.

Free standing

It's a new year - look out Mommy!

New Year's day I woke up to the sweet cooing and babbling of my Little Miss, the sounds I am so often blessed with in the morning. It was not the sounds that surprised me that morning, it was the sight of Little Missy STANDING proudly in her crib and waving to me as I entered the room! Well, it's a new day and a new year and it's time to lower the crib mattress again!

Christmas was an absolute joy! Every tradition, every moment, every detail was even sweeter this year because of this little girl.

I figured the gift part for Little Miss this year would really be about eating wrapping paper and playing with the boxes, but she surprised me. She got the hang of ripping the paper off for the purpose of seeing what was inside. She was very intrigued by each of the gifts she received. Here are a few pics from the Christmas days.

Christmas time with my little Elf!

This Christmas season is one of the sweetest yet, since it is the first Christmas for my Little Miss and our first Christmas together. I'm savoring every moment - decorating the house, making Christmas cookies, enjoying the first real snowfall, and celebrating with friends and family.

I hope everyone has a joyous, peaceful, and healthy Christmas season and New Year!

December days

Little Miss's first snow experience

"You expect me to touch that?"

"What exactly is it?"

Helping Mommy make cookies

"I love Christmas already!"

"I can't move a muscle in here,

but I am toasty warm."

Ringing in the new year

The wonder of Christmas

"Cheeeeeessse!"

Signs of the FIRST TOOTH!

My mom has been telling my Little Miss that she wants a tooth for Christmas, and as of December 9, 2008 it seems Grammie will be getting her wish!! There is just a tiny hint of white in the front, bottom left area visible only if I torture my poor girl by flipping her head backwards and holding her tongue up to the roof of her mouth. But there's no mistaking the presence of a budding tooth when you stick your finger in there. I tried to get a picture, but absolutely no luck. Seriously, the tooth is barely visible to the naked eye. Can't blame a girl for trying!

My little baby is growing up!

26 days since the last post

It took me about 2 and 1/2 years into the adoption process to start a blog, so 26 days to post again is not too shabby - ha! A lot can happen in 26 days in the life of a baby girl. Here are some of the things my Little Miss has been up to recently:

-belly crawling all over the house (if I let her)

-babbling away to herself, to me, and to her stuffed animals or other inanimate objects

-clapping her hands on command with gleeful self-pride

-moving into a size 2 diaper finally

-actually outgrowing some of her size 0-3 month clothes (at 8 months)

-sleeping through the night (well, at least a few times)

-beginning to put herself to sleep in her crib after we read a story or two together (too sweet)

-singing loudly with me at home (and with the congregation at church)

-laughing hysterically and heartily at any silly thing I do

-dangerously pulling herself to stand on her musical table (yikes!)

-raising her hand to wave hello

Well, the list could go on and on! She is an amazing little wonder who thrills me on a regular basis. I can't believe we've only been home together a little over 3 months - can't imagine life without her now.

Here is a random mix of pictures of our days together over the last month or so. We have some Christening pictures with mommy and Godparents, Halloween pictures with cousins, and playtime pictures.

Recent photos we had done

A little history

Being that I started this blog a little late in the adoption process, I'll do some back tracking to explain the beginning of this unbelievable process. Here are the basics of my adoption time line:

May 18, 2006 - began adoption process in China
August 18, 2006 - DTC (dossier to China)
September 12, 2006 - LID (log in date of documents in China)

many, many months of waiting . . .

January 25, 2008 - began the journey to ET (Ethiopia)
Feb 11, 2008 - Dossier to ET
Feb 14, 2008 - Dossier arrived in ET
April 9, 2008 - received referral of my baby girl (26 days old) - a day of complete joy!
June 2008 - received court date of July 2, 2008
July 2, 2008 - did not pass court, received new court date of July 18, 2008
July 18, 2008 - did not pass court again
July 21, 2008 - our case was not heard in court
July 22, 2008 - our case was not heard in court
July 23, 2008 - our case was not heard in court
July 24, 2008 - PASSED COURT!!!!!!!!
August 16, 2008 - left for Addis Ababa, ET
August 18, 2008 - the greatest day of my life: arrived at Hope's Place and met my beautiful baby girl! (exactly 2 years to the day from my DTC)
August 25, 2008 - arrived home with my angel

China - the wait continues . . .