Highlights from Texas

We just returned home after six wonderful days in San Antonio, Texas, visiting our dear friends Lynn, Tom, and Will. Will and Isabel are just eight days apart in age, and they have been lifelong friends, having first met when they were just 10 weeks old. It was so fun to see the two of them together. Will was a very gracious host, letting Isabel play with all his toys and never complaining once. The two of them played so well together because they are so similar in temperment. The only time we saw any discontent is when the other set of parents would give some love to a child not their own. There was definitely a little jealousy in the air. Here are just a few pictures of our visit.

Up, Up, and Away


Can't you see that's my chair? It has my name on it!

Elmo Live was a Huge Hit with Isabel

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen?


Isabel and Her New Friend, Paige


The People on the Bus


Have You Even Seen Cuter Butts?

A Day at the Science Museum

Though probably more interesting for older kids, the Minnesota Science Museum in St. Paul has a lot of fun exhibits and activities for the younger crew, too. We spent about four hours there on Saturday. Isabel had a blast.

Hanging out with the Dinosaurs...not Mom's favorite

Watching the Tornado

The Free Floating Ball
Isabel's Favorite Display...Piano Notes and Sound Waves

Eating Lunch like a Big Kid

Half a Year Home Today

Today marks six months since Isabel has been home with us. It's hard to believe that much time has passed so quickly. Just this morning, Richard and I were marveling at how she's changed. When we brought her home from Guatemala, she was just a baby, ten months old. We could sit her down in one spot, and she would stay right there. She was still drinking bottles. She spoke no words. She played, but not purposefully. Now, I am startled when I look at her and realize she is becoming quite the big girl. Her personality, sweet and goofy, curious and intelligent, has emerged. She is running and skipping. She speaks about ten words and can almost tell you her name when you ask. ("What's your name," we'll say. "Isa," she'll respond, sometimes adding after a pause and some prompting "A-bell.") She can sign probably twenty words and phrases. Just yesterday, she did please and bear for the very first time. She is beginning to play pretend. She "talks" on her phone and feeds her baby and stuffed animals. She is bonded with us. Though attachment was never an issue due in large part to our many visits, our relationship has definitely cemented over the past few months. She will give us hugs and kisses of her own volition. She sings and dances. She knows several songs and rhymes and will gesture along. She can follow instructions even if she does forget from time to time what no means. That is just a sampling of her development.

Each day, Richard and I count our lucky stars that Isabel is our daughter. There was most definitely divine intervention in our coming together. Each day, we are amazed at what she has learned since the day before. Each day, even though it seems impossible, we love her more and more and more. We look forward with great joy and anticipation to what the months and years ahead have in store.

Did You Do Your Civic Duty?

Halloween: Part Two

If you know anything about Richard and me, you won't be surprised that for her second Halloween costume, we got Isabel...what else...a kitty outfit. It wasn't as cold this year as it has been many years past, but once the sun set, it was still a bit chilly, so the furry costume was the perfect apparel for the evening. All that practice trick or treating last weekend really paid off. Each time Ibby approached a door, she dutifully stuck out her basket to get a treat. She most enjoyed hanging out with Scooby Doo (her sweet friend Hanna). She was absolutely mesmerized by Hanna's transformation into the crime fighting dog. Speaking of dogs, Ibby tried to share some of her treats with a yellow lab named Rose, oh, and she "gave" all of her tootsie rolls to Daddy. (Not sure if this was voluntary on Isabel's part or not). All in all, it was a fun night for the whole family.