THE KISSING BANDIT

Caroline is a kissing bandit! It is wonderful. She LOVES to give big wet kisses. They are the sweetest kisses I have ever had. Mommy and Daddy get a million a day. When I ask her for a kiss she will come over with a big smack right on the lips - with the smacking sound to go with it. Pure heaven. The ones that are even more special are the random ones when I am just sitting there and she comes over and kisses me where ever she can find skin - my knee, my arm, my shoulder, anywhere. When I'm holding her she will just lean into my shoulder and give me kisses over and over. She is particular with whom she gives these to, they are reserved for mommy, daddy, the dogs (they get the most), Nana, Grandpa & Grandma Kathy, and Aunt Amy. We had friends over this weekend and I told her to give kisses but she refused - they are only for the ones she loves the most.

We made a mad dash to Home Depot this weekend to get a lock for the pantry door - I can't keep her out of there. Of course the lock we got won't work so I have to go get another one. She loves to open the pantry and pull out snacks, zip lock bags, whatever she can get her hands on. There is a big box of Honeycomb cereal and that is her favorite. She pulls the box out - reaches in a grabs the bag of cereal out of the box and walks around the house feeding the dogs and herself Honeycomb. This can keep her busy for 45 minutes. Little does she know that tonight was the last free for all in the pantry - the lock is going on tomorrow. Not only will she me mad but the dogs will be too - they are both getting fat thanks to Caroline. She loves to feed the dogs.

It is something new every day. Amazing how fast she is growing.

MRI RESULTS - ALL IS GOOD

Caroline had her MRI on Thursday and all checked out just fine. Aside from her head growth being off the charts - there is nothing wrong. We were confident that they would not find anything but it is reassuring to know that everything is just fine. It still breaks my heart that this is somewhat normal for children who have been in an orphanage once they are properly nurished. Another sign that becomming Caroline's mother was God's plan for me. I wish I could bring all the babies home and take care of them.

They put her to sleep so that she was still for the MRI. It took her awhile to wake up - she was totally out of it. As we were trying to wake her up I was wishing that I hadn't pinned her down the day before to cut her nails - it would have been the perfect opportunity. Once she starting waking up she was very groggy and a little out of it for the rest of the day. Junior was laughing saying she looked drunk - she kept falling when she tried to stand up. By the next day she was back to her wild toddler self.

We are having a relaxing weekend and trying to stay cool. Filled her little pool with water earlier and her and mommy took a little dip though it felt like bath water. Hard to keep anything cool outside in Arizona this time of the year. We have our Seattle trip and Minneapolis trip coming up over the next couple of weekends so it will be nice to get out of the heat.

Bye for now.

SATURDAY MORNING FUN

Giving her doggie Kansas loves
Mommy's wallet - my favorite toy

Bubble fun

Bubble fun

Bubble fun

Bubble fun

Bubble fun

Bubble fun

Bubble fun

Bubble fun

Catch the bubbles

Having my morning bottle

Our mornings start early so we have already had fun and I've had enough time to download pictures - scary! Actually Caroline slept until 7:30 this morning - this was a first. We went in and woke her up because we were a little worried. The fun started shortly thereafter.

Caroline loves to have her morning bottle laying on the living room floor on her boppy watching cartoons - the picture is the perfect capture of our morning ritual.

She got a new bubble machine yesterday and daddy took her outside to try it out. So much fun with the bubbles. One landed on her tongue and she loved that.

Junior's headed out to the lake with some guys today, Caroline just went down for her morning nap and I am going to do some house cleaning.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

15th MONTHS OLD

Caroline was 15 months old yesterday - we have been together 9 1/2 months - boy how time flies. She had her 15 month check up and got 3 more shots - OUCH! The doctor is very pleased with her development and growth. She was 22lbs 8oz and 31 3/4 inches. 90th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight - she is perfect which of course mommy already knew :).

The doctor did have some concerns about her rapid head growth. He has watched this on all of our visits but yesterday it was off the charts. He has stated that this is typical with children from orphanages. Once they are properly nurished there head begins to grow substancially (so sad). Because she was off the charts yesterday he is suggesting that we have an MRI done just to make sure that everything is okay. He is sure that it is nothing but considering I don't have any family medical history we would rather be safe than sorry. The MRI is not what bothers me, the part that bothers me is that they will have to put her to sleep to do the MRI so that she will be still. I don't like the thought of her being put to sleep. I'm waiting on a call from the specialist so that we can get is scheduled. Junior will take the day off work so that we can both be there. No great cause for concern just scary for any parent.

Other than that all is great here. I need to take some new pictures this weekend. We are going to our friends the Tennan's to hang out with them on Sunday - they are the parents of Caroline's friend Rylie who was adopted from Kazakhzstan. The girls have not seen eachother for awhile so I'm sure they will have a blast - both of them are walking and into everything. I'll get some good pics.

xoxo

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TRIP

Niki Beach - South Beach, Miami
South Beach, Miami

Dominican beach the day of snorkling / diving

On the boat with Amy & Brian

Hanging out in the DR

The amphitheater at Los Altos de Chavon

The chapel at Los Altos de Chavon (future wedding spot)

Los Altos de Chavon

Horseback riding at Casa de Campo

Santo Domingo

Junior and I just got home from 9 days in the Dominican Republic. It was a GREAT trip though we missed Caroline so much. I don't know if I can be away from her that long ever again. I got the cold shoulder when we got home though she was sure happy to see Junior.

There were 13 of us that went on the trip. Some friends of ours have a house at Casa de Campo in the DR and invited us all out for a vacation. We were in the capital of Santo Domingo for 3 nights and the rest of the time was at Casa de Campo which is a pretty posh resort area. Our friends rent their house out when they are not there and several months ago Beyonce and JayZ were at their house - pretty cool. The homes are beautiful, there are 3 golf courses, a gorgeous beach, horseback riding, hotel, etc. We took advantage of many of the activities. We did spend one day on a snorkling / diving adventure - it was great and the beaches were breathtaking. We had a 5 hour layover in Miami on the way home so we went down to South Beach to get a little more of the beach. We had lunch at Niki Beach where Junior used to be head of security. I got to see where he used to live. Junior had a permanent smile on his face on this whole trip - he was able to be in the DR and Miami - both homes to him. We were so happy to have him along because he could communicate with everyone in the DR - he loved being able to speak so much Spanish while he was there. When we got off the plane he commented that he was with "his people."

The most exciting part of the trip is that Junior and I found the spot where we want to get married. It is within Casa de Campo at this area called Los Altos de Chavon - this Spanish area overlooking the Chavon River. I am including a picture of the chapel located at Los Altos de Chavon which is where we will be getting married. We are planning for mid April - no official engagement yet - Junior is working on that :) We plan to have a very small wedding with family and a few friends. It will be a great vacation for those who can come - it is a beautiful place. The best part is that by having it in the Dominican Republic we will feel that Junior's dad will be with us since he is buried there and that is his home. More details to follow on the wedding plans.

Caroline is doing great - walking all over the place - there is no more crawling at our house. She is funnier every day and learns something new each day. I don't know how it is possible but I fall more in love with her each day. We have a wonderful little family and there is a lot of love flowing through our house.

Enjoy a few pics from the trip.

xoxo