Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Good luck Karen & Bob!!

Tomorrow Karen & Bob depart for Uralsk, Kazakhstan, to find their heart's desire. Noelle and I will be thinking of you!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Noelle is a big reader!


Or a big mess maker, depending on how you look at it!! She is getting more precious day by day.
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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Finally-- some bath time fun!!






















If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. It took a couple of tries, but Noelle not only doesn't scream when bathed-- she actually likes it. And she is getting darn good at the splashing-- I never stay dry during a good bath!

Monday, February 11, 2008

"The stickers only stick if you let them"

Have you guys heard of the book "You Are Special"? It is by a man named Max Lucado, and literally it makes me cry every time I read it to Noelle. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Actually I might even cry right now just talking about it. It is a touching story about having faith in one's self, and finding self worth through the love of a "creator." The story goes that the creator is a woodcarver named Eli-- but when I read it, I am the creator and it is Noelle who will find herself in my love. Add it to your library-- you'll cry too.

Noelle and her gang!














Remember my meeting with Noelle's friends from Spain? Olga, the woman I told you about, sent me these great pictures of what Noelle was up to while I was back here in the states waiting for the waiting period to be over. It is heart-warming to see her so happy... Wait a minute, why was she so happy if I wasn't there?!?! Doctors and other parents tell you that the attention alone from a caring person can make the world of difference in these kids-- Noelle and I were very lucky that she found 4 (Olga, her husband, her daughter and her sister) of those caring people to keep her company until I could make it back to Kazakhstan. Thank you Olga!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Look, ma-- no hands!



Okay, she is getting some assistance, but Noelle is "thisclose" to walking by herself. I actually think she could do it if she tried, but so far she insists on holding onto someone or something to cruise around the apartment. Noelle is doing great these days. She spent the week getting comfortable with her new babysitter-- I go back to work on Monday-- and they hit it off very well. Noelle has also joined a baby gym, and she has a blast crawling up and down the mats. She is also very intrigued by the floor to ceiling mirrors-- she spends a part of every session just checking herself out!
Noelle also got a "thumbs up" this week from the pediatrician. She is still on the small side-- 25th percentile for height, but only 5th percentile for weight (19 pounds!)-- but otherwise, she seems to be doing well. Bathtime is going better, too! Today was her first bath without me in there with her (quick-- think of something else, you don't want the mental image of me in my bathing suit!), and she was hesitant at first but by the end, she had learned of the joy of splashing mommy! What else? There are dozens of things that happen everyday, I should be doing a better job of chronicling them. Mostly, she is a happy little girl. My nephew picked out a "Snow White" doll for Noelle at the Disney store the other day, and she loves it! She hugs it and squeals. Otherwise, her favorites are the toys that make noise-- she has a Fisher Price Learning Puppy (I think that's the name) and she revels in making it sing or talk to her. And even though none of the Mickey ears have her name on them, she is putting the "Daniel" ears to good use!

Noelle finally starts to earn her keep!




Okay, okay-- I didn't really make her do the laundry or mop! I'm just glad she offered..