Happy Very Belated Birthday Audrey!

Here is my inadequate attempt to be clever. It definitely didn't turn out like I had in mind, but I guess in this case it is the thought that counts. I was trying to make it look like the girls were back together by using a blowup of Audrey at the Guangzhou Zoo in China. I couldn't get the angle quite right and Audrey is significantly smaller than I had planned. Anyway, Hannah seemed to have a good time.

Again, a very belated, yet Happy Birthday to Audrey.

:)

We apologize for the delay...

Please stand by. We recently experienced a flood in our home and are in the process of assessing the damage. To add insult to injury, our online and phone have been down so posting has been at a standstill. The laptop that I used to post pictures pretended to be a shiny metal sponge (p.s. it failed miserably) during the "catastrophic release of water" so I'm not sure when I can get the next batch of photos up. Sorry Audrey for the delay, we hope you had a great birthday!

In the meantime, I stumbled across this poem and thought it was a very sweet sentiment during a very challenging time for us:

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 your 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!

:)

Hannah's new playpen

Things have been slow in the Hannah cuteness department. Not that Hannah hasn't been cute, oh no, it is that she has been cute when I am no where near the camera. We have also been dealing with alot of poop lately, and that kind of puts a damper on everyone's mood (see below). Today Hannah insisted on playing in this plastic tub I had just emptied out. Well, not completely empty since I left a bunch of Easter eggs in there. One large plastic tub - $10.00... a dozen out-of-season Easter eggs - $5.00... watching your daughter invent her own game - priceless.

You can also see Hannah's latest trick... she can pull herself from a seated position and stand while leaning on something (coffee table, parent's leg or in this case plastic tub). Pretty neat huh?

The last two weeks have gone by really fast. Which is great because I think we were dreading me going back to work. We had our first official call from the daycare, although in complete Hannah-style, it was not for the usual fever... apparently, Hannah pooped in epic proportions and I needed to come get her to give her a bath because it had gotten in her hair. Now I am thinking there is a pile of poop in her hair from what they described over the phone, so I jump in the car and drive an hour to pick her up. I get there and there is ONE STRAND OF POOP in her hair. One. A wet paper towel across the head could have easily been the solution. Nice. At least all the caregivers were apologetic because they did not realize I worked so far away and I gave them a Jersey-look so they won't do it again. I've got no problem picking her up when she is sick or God forbid if there is a serious situation, but next time you can handle the single poop strand thank you very much. Since I had the rest of the day off I made an appointment with our pediatrician since the epic poop situation has been going on for almost a week. We just started whole milk and thought that was the problem, then we switched to soy and there was no difference. So needless to say, enough poop is enough poop. It turned out that Hannah had two ear infections and that was causing the diarrhea. Did you know that ear infections can cause diarrhea? Yeah me neither.

:)

One tough day... for both of us.

Thursday, July 6th was one tough day. After saying goodbye to her grandparents, Hannah was sent off to her first daycare experience. I had planned on leaving her there for a half day and then picking her up and going to the doctor for her one year physical. Hannah did fantastic at daycare - she cried when I first left the room, but after that she was fine. So I sniffled all the way home and waited for the time to pick her up. Needless to say she did better than her Mom.

The exam was not as smooth. Hannah started to cry as soon as the doctor put the stethoscope on her chest. You can see the suspicious look in her eye in the photo. She calms down quickly, so much so its as if it never happened. Then, of course, Hannah had to endure FIVE shots. At least the nurse that administered the shots was like a "shot ninja" and it was over before we knew it. Unfortunately, one of the shots can cause a fever up to two weeks after innoculation. Great. Well, Hannah has as much patience as her Mother and decided to get the fever right away. I dropped her off at daycare on Friday for a full day... it was not in the cards. The daycare called at 9:45am saying that Hannah had a fever of 101 and I needed to pick her up. Oh well.

Tomorrow is the big day. I go back to work and Hannah starts daycare. Wish us luck that everything goes smoothly and is emotional blubbering-free (that's for me of course).

:)

How do you spell fun with friends and family on the fourth of July?

Z.O.O!

We packed two car loads of babies, friends and family and took off to the zoo. It was a hour long drive, so all the babies (and some of the adults) got a quick nap on the way. Hannah really enjoyed the fish and the otter, but I think the wolf stole the show. Hannah very much enjoyed howling at the wolf along with Riley, Chance, Clay & Ashley (Hannah's God parents and their children). She really got into it - even tried to stand in her stroller. I tried to catch it on video, but let's just say I need a lot more practice using that camera. After a long hot day, we loaded everyone back into the cars, and this time everyone napped, except the drivers of course (sorry Clay & Chris).

Once we got home, we had to say goodbye to the Kittrell family. Our dear friends had a very long drive ahead of them - they drove over fourteen hours to meet Hannah. We can't say enough how much we appreciate them making the trip. It was wonderful to see them again and meet their son Chance. Riley has grown so much since we saw her last, quite a little lady. Hannah had such a great time with the babies and the baby goldfish made a huge impression. Thank you guys so much for coming... now its our turn.

:)

Busy, fun weekend!

This first picture is of sweet Hannah after she fell asleep in mid-sip. Now that is a busy weekend! Hannah got to meet her two Grandfathers, one Grandmother, one Uncle, God parents and her God sister & brother. We also had our Turkey Fry and Birthday party combo and Hannah's christening. Did I mention that she got to swim in a pool, eat goldfish and pull herself up for the first time? She has even started to take a few (well-aided) steps. Wow! Hannah was so excited to meet everyone and do everything that her whole schedule has been turned upside down. No worries, she recovers quickly! I just wish we were so quick to recover. Our house has been a lively place to be! As always, Hannah was a gracious host with an abundance of smiles and sweetness! She is most certainly the best thing that has ever happened to us.

We love a parade!

Last Saturday was the Fourth of July parade and fair in Mount Pleasant. I know it is a week early, but every year Mount Pleasant holds their festivities early so not to conflict with the neighboring town's events. Isn't that too cute? The parade goes right past our house, so Hannah got a good seat for her first parade. She liked everything but the fire trucks. They were all broadcasting their sirens at the same time as they went by... too much noise for all of us. Hannah seemed to be especially interested in the horses. After the parade, we went inside and Hannah followed Cole around and showed off her cute outfit. In some of the pictures you can see Hannah is perfecting her wave, its just too cute... and then Daddy tosses her in the air.

:)

P.S. As you can see Hannah's hair is slowly starting to take on a life of its own. Now don't get me wrong, if anybody could carry off circa 1982 Pat Benatar hair, its Hannah. However, if anyone has any suggestions in taming this wild beast - they would be greatly appreciated.