I love this picture

This was taken on her birthday, before she went to school. She was so excited to wear her dress of choice that morning.

Isn't she a beauty?

I just love her eyes, the shape of her face, the color of her skin, her naturally pink lips and her beautiful blond hair.

The Match Party

2-8-10 was the day Adam's spot in the Orthopedic residency program here was officially official. Let me tell you, it felt good to see it on paper. A binding contract. It has been a roller coaster full of anxiety, stress. A faith builder.

So, we had a party.

Elina, our good friend celebrated with us too. It was a day, and news, worth celebrating.

A St. Louis ooey gooey butter cake, made by Elina. Fitting, since their med school is in MO. #1 for getting their first choice of programs. And, I won't tell you what the 6 other candles are for. You can think about it.

Jet's Pizza. Gotta have it.

The twin chairs

This is one of those pictures that I took just to document a tidbit of a typical day at home. My jacket hanging on the back of a dining room chair from taking Adalin out to the bus (still hanging there after she is home from school), socks and shoes on the floor, drapes and shades open to let the sunlight in, dog toys on the floor.

Welcome to our home.

These two girls frequently choose these chairs in our living room to veg, snack, and watch movies in. They are really 2 peas in a pod and play together everyday, all the time. I just hope that they are always as close as they are now.

Yes, she is 5.

I remember looking at couples who had 5 year-old children and thinking that was kind of old. Old... on the parents' part or the kids'? Don't know. Brand new, little families don't have 5-year-olds. I don't feel old at all and 5 really isn't that old for a little girl.

5 just isn't toddler age anymore.

It is a "hey can you answer that phone for me" or "can you hold the baby for me" or "see you after school at 4pm" kind of age.

I am a bit behind on my blog posts which is why these pics from her latest birthday taken a month ago and are just now being posted. Nevertheless.... Here she is!

Yes, the above picture is of Adalin IN THE HOSPITAL right after she was born! You can see all 9 lbs. 9 oz. of her in the cheeks, can't you? Porker.

At ~4 months... thinned out a little, you see.

And now. Beautiful, sweet, helpful, intelligent, nurturing, lovely, grown-up Adalin.

Also known as "Buzz."

Sadly, after singing to her Adam gave her 5 spankin's and was about to give her a "pinch to grow and inch" and she freaked out. "DON'T PINCH ME!" she said.

Okay, okay. This used to be my favorite part about my birthdays. The yearly pinch. Well, not really. She had just never heard of that before.

The good thing- she rebounded quickly and was a happy birthday girl for the rest of the evening.

She got a new bike this year. The little 12" princess bike was way too small (and has since been passed on to Kira.) She has a 16-incher now and is still getting used to the jump up. She will get it though. I wouldn't be surprised if she grows another inch by the end of summer. The girl is growing like a weed. The school clothes I bought her in September are all almost too small now!

Love you Buzz-a-roo!

Hi, my name is Ava and this is my first time in my new Bumbo seat.

I still need some supervision b/c my head is so darn heavy, but I performed well for my first time, right? I'm thankful for Craigslist, just like my mommy, 'cause that's where my Bumbo came from last night.

The only problem... it just made me so tired.

My 3 Winkies

Taken by Rooster Photography

They really were fighting. At least we got a way cute picture out of it.

Ava J.

K

A