Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!! This weekend we got our pumpkins carved and ready to go. Emma was a little unsure - but after checking things out, she dug right in and started pulling the pumpkin guts out. She really likes to light our jack-o-lantern with Daddy! We are going home for trick-or-treating on Friday. I'm sure Emma won't have a clue what we're doing - but mom and dad are extra excited. We've waited a long time for this and its lots of fun watching Emma experience it all for the 1st time! Enjoy the pics and have a safe and happy halloween!!

Oh my gosh....an update at last!

I title it that because some of you will be pleasantly surprised to see an update! Life with Emma has made it a little more difficult to blog, which is sad because there is so much to tell. We went to the doctor a few weeks ago and dispite getting four more shots (this time she knew what was going on) - she got an A+ and all seems to be well. She is changing so much and we are just trying to keep up. This week alone, she is starting to try and say a few words. She wants to really bad - but it's just not quite there yet. And just today, she has decided to start climbing on anything and everything. Tonight she was standing on her push car and then we turned around and she was climbing over the baby gate. So it's pretty obvious those are becoming obsolete real soon!

Here's what we know for sure - she is alot of fun! Our girl is a little onry, but we love it. I think we may have our hands full in the coming months - but oh well, we will just power through!

Enjoy the pics - you've waited long enough!

Two Months Ago....

So it's been two months now since we first met the new love of our lives. M has changed so much, but especially in the last few weeks. She has definately put on some pounds (thank goodness) and seems to learn something new everyday! This week she has started spinning on one foot - so I think we might have a dancer in our future. She loves the music and just dances and laughs - and that makes for a happy momma! I'm amazed at how this beautiful thing half a world away has managed to make her mark on our hearts so very quickly. I'm not saying she doesn't have a naughty streak - she's a determined little thing! But she is so funny, so ready with a smile and so very loving. Everyone we meet tells us how lucky she is - but we are quick to remind them that we are the lucky ones! We waited so long for this gift and she is everything we could of hoped or dreamed she would be!!

My 1st bites of El Ran - yummy!!



Loves from Grandma L - a girl can never have too many Grandmas!!



More loves from Grandma W!



Spaghetti is messy but oh so good!



My 1st trip to the zoo



Sweet Girl!

Finally.....an update!

So it's been a while since I have posted. I wasn't very good at posting before and now it seems with the addition of Emma, it is pretty tough to find the time to sit at the computer and put my many, many thoughts together! Life has definately changed around here - but it has been a wonderful summer and we are just enjoying our days together and watching Emma as she tries to figure out the world around her! We just thought we had our hands full - but now it seems Emma has mastered walking this week, so we have gotten out our tennis shoes and are just trying to keep up!

Enjoy the pictures! After all, that's what you are really here to see!!

As you can see - I've found the toilet paper!


Spending some time in the pack-n-play so Momma can get something done!


These are from our 1st vacation - swimming at the Great Wolf Lodge

Adjusting to our "new normal"

Our little firecracker!!

Well, it's been two weeks since we got home and we are slowly adjusting to our new way of life. We've had alot of stuff going on since we arrived home - lots of visitors and of course the 4th of July holiday weekend. All in all, we've had some adjusting to do, but we all seem to be getting along great and settling into a routine.

I have lots of pictures to post - and as soon as I get them gathered up, I'll get them on here. Until then, we've posted a few to get you by. I do want to send a special thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes over the past few weeks. We have had many family and friends checking in on us and making sure all is well. Miss Emma is very loved and I think everyone is just so grateful she is here with us and doing so well! We've had some bumps and bruises, but all in all, she is adjusting very well and seems to be a pretty happy little girl. Of course, if she could master walking on her own - she'd be alot happier, but something tells me it won't be much longer and we'll be chasing after her!!


My 1st meal in America - Chili's at the Detroit Airport!


I've been traveling for 22 hours so far - but I'm still pretty happy!!


One of my favorite pictures - pretty much sums it up, we're ready to be home!!


My 1st birthday present - a new swingset from Grandma and Grandad


Learning to like the lake!