WE ARE STARS

I received a call from our adoption agency today requesting permission to use a picture of me and Caroline from our first meeting for the Adoptive Parents Annual Adoption Guide publication for 2010. This is a national publication. Wow, I feel so honored. Here is a proof of the ad that will go in the publication. And yes, I do believe in love at first sight thanks to my beautiful daughter. She is a dream come true. I remember this moment so vividly and I always will (Aunt Amy was the photographer who captured this precious moment). This picture still brings tears to my eyes and always will - we fell in love immediately. CWA feels that this picture will capture the hearts of many who are considering adoption or in the process. We are so thrilled to promote adoption and what an amazing thing that it is - it has touched our family in multiple ways. I'll let you know when the publication is available.

FLASHFORWARD

The girls have really been having fun playing together now that Gabriella is getting older. Of course, all we hear is "No Gabby" coming from Caroline's mouth as Gabriella is most interested in anything that her big sister is playing with. Caroline has a lot of patience with her and is so good to her. The other day Gabriella was standing at the coffee table and Caroline touched her back and said "I hold her mommy and keep her safe." So sweet - I know that she will always keep a watchful eye on her baby sister (just as Amy did to me). I love the relationship that they are developing.

Here is a great pic of them the other night - they love to "drive" around the house giggling and crashing into things. It is a scary thought that 13 years from now this will be real, in a real car, and Junior and I will be so worried. For now we will enjoy their innocence and do our best to keep them safe.

Gabriella just got her two top front teeth in the last few weeks - prior to that she got her two top eye teeth but the very front ones were not in yet - she looked like a vampire. She now has 6 teeth and is using them to her advantage. We found an array of bit marks on her crib last night. We think she is such a good girl and she will be away and stay in there playing - little did we know that she was eating her crib - little monster!

Caroline started soccer last Sunday and it was so cute. The won't have "games" but they will learn the rules and skills for soccer and have some play games. She will get her team t-shirt in the next few weeks and I'll post a picture. She is really good with the soccer ball - that is why we put her in it, she stays right on the ball and can dribble it for a long run in the grass. She also is pretty good at kicking.

Nothing else new with us - just working, enjoying the girls, and having a great time with Junior's mom here.

Talk soon!

OUR NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION

She loved her "champagne" (don't worry it was sparkling cider)
Cheers Mommy

What a beautiful presentation :)

Happy New Year Gabriella - our best gift in 2009

Daddy and his baby

We had a nice New Year's Eve at home with the Brennan/Gill family. Kelleen, Adam and their twin boys came over, hung out, ate, and spent the night. It was fun to have a slumber party. We enjoyed great Puerto Rican food, cocktails and games. The babies all went to sleep early but my little Caroline was in it for the long haul. She made it until 11pm and when I finally made her go to sleep there was a massive temper tantrum which finally knocked her out - she was so tired. She loved sitting at the table with us so we popped our champagne and sparkling cider a little early so that she could play with the adults. She loved the cider in the champagne glass. She keep clinking my glass and saying "Cheers Mommy"

I couldn't have thought of a better way to bring in the new year than with my wonderful family.

Happy 2010 to everyone.