Well, I did it

I never thought I'd give Tessa bangs. I've just never been a huge fan of bangs. Well, after battling her hair in her eyes for a couple of months now, I gave in. Her hair grows straight forward into her face, and it's just not thick enough yet to really hold a barrette. So, we trimmed her up. I think she looks pretty darn cute! :) Also...snapped this picture with Jake last night...how cute is Tessa playing DS with her big brother? :) And Sara is my little love bug...lovin' on her baby sister.

Six Months Home...

I can't believe Tessa has been home for six months. On one hand, it feels like we were just in Taiwan yesterday...on the other, it feels like we've been a family of five for a long time.

Tessa melts into our family like she was always meant to be here. And I believe all of my kids were meant to be ours. They each fit so perfectly. So different, yet so ours.

This past month has been one of sickness. Nothing major, just constantly battling one snotty nose after another. Some sun would be helpful. :)

Other than that, life continues on at a good pace...a blessed pace...and I am at such peace with my family and my role as a mom. It's what I was meant to do...

Here are a few cuties of my cutie (I really need to add pics of Jake & Sara too, huh)!! First pigtails! Aren't they CUTE?? :)

My One Year Old...

Tessa is so stinking sweet. Sigh. I just love her to pieces. She rests her head on my shoulder and just hangs on. LOVE this. :)

Took her to the doctor for her one year check up. FIVE shots. That should be outlawed, poor baby. She is very healthy. 27.5 inches long (50th percentile) and 18 lbs., 11 oz. (15th percentile). It's hard to believe she is so small when she eats like she does. :)

Here's a few new pics. Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!

I can't believe she's one...sigh. We love her so much!! Happy Birthday my sweet!

Christmas

Well, since it's the eve of Tessa's first birthday, I better get Christmas posted about and done with! :)

Christmas was amazing this year. Our home feels so full of love and joy. We could not feel more blessed. We adore all of our children, and our children truly adore each other. So many adoptive parents have said it, and I feel it from the very bottom of my heart. We are given the very children that were intended to be ours, from the very beginning. Unfortunately, that means a great loss of their first family, a loss I vow to never forget.

Blast from the past...

We had a wonderful Christmas, and when I'm feeling a bit more energetic I'll download those pics and post. Until then, I'm working on getting Sara's 1-5 year album put together (order pictures) and I've had so much fun looking at all her old pics tonight. Had to post this one...taken when they weren't quite 2 and 5...aren't they ADORABLE???? :) Sigh...time goes by way too fast.

Happy New Year!! Here's to a fabulous 2010!

Family Christmas Party

Every year, my sister holds a family Christmas party. This year was the 15th annual party, so to mark the special occasion, she miraculously got in touch with the big guy and arranged for him to come to the party. The kids were SO excited. Sara was absolutely smitten with the big man, and even got to help him turn the pages of the book, when he read, "The Night Before Christmas." It was a magical night. We are all blessed to have each other.