No. 57

WHERE DO THE WEEKS GO? Last weekend I did a brief post on both blogs as it was the one year on December 7 since Cupcake was placed in our arms. I wanted to share the FANTABULOUS weekend we had in NY and NJ with so many friends and 2 great birthdays.

NEW YORK first...We hurried to Brooklyn on Friday to see the birthday boy & family. Most importantly it was time to stuff Elmo Boxes, hang balloons, and get ready for the ELMO DISCO PARTY! The kids had a big surprise ahead of them. About 10 we finally got the kids to dreamland, had a drink or 2 or 3, and went nite nite. Saturday we hurried and scurried to make sure all of details were in place. Daddy Leif catered this bash, we did the decor, the DJ did the hOOK UP, and about 75 people made it happen! Everyone was eating, dancing, and playing until late. When the special guest arrived (ELMO) the kids went nuts...

Cupcake got to see a lot of her friends! Other than Baby Leif, Baby Nic arrived, and a surprise visit from Ciara and Baby Mikey. It was just too much fun. They all played so nicely.

Maybe tomorrow I will catch up with Pebbles Birthday Blast...

No. 56

A year ago today we landed in Moscow, Russia. We met our friends Lisa & Scott for dinner. We dined at a wonderful restrauant on Tverskoi Blvd. The name translated to "All in the Mill." I rarley talk about like before on this blog because it is about Cupcake. Last year this time (inbetween Thanksgiving & Christmas) was just the most amazing time in our lives. I hope one day Cupcake really knows our joy through every step of the three of us becoming a family!



Anyway- The day after Thanksgiving was a blast at our home. Cousin Sami came home with us. Her parents put on a fantabulous Thanksgiving for the family.

Marco put up the tree. Lillie who cam e home about a month ago had a fear of dogs which was cured when playing with Buttercup. About 20 came for a late lunch which went until 9pm. The evening ended with the best photo of Marco watching Shrek with 4 TWO YEAR OLDS!

Our first tree is a work in progress...

We are so excited to see all of our friends in NY next week. Big Hugs, Big Birthday wishes, and we can't wait to come party!!!

Last time the "anonymous" poster decided to cross boundaries I decided to turn it into a positive. Many posters reminded this LOSER (probably a former home girlfriend) that blogs are often given to children as journals.

NO ONE in the adoption arena would ever say what was included in the comment received yesterday so I have chosen to delete for no other reason than it doesn't belong on my daughter's blog.

On behalf of all FAMILY BLOGS:

Windows created a "X" in the upper right hand corner of the window. If you do not like what has been written it is easier, faster, and appropriate to click the "X" as the comment section is for friends to support one another.

No. 55

Cupcake and Daddy started off the day together in the city for a walk at the condo and a visit to the ducks. When they got home she was still googling in her Daddy's eyes like I have never seen but she passed out until we had to leave.

Thanksgiving is the one holiday we usually do at our home but we skipped last year because we were packing. This year our cousins said they want to do it so we went to their home. Kim & Ray with daughter Samantha put on a great Thanksgiving Day for the family. It was so nice to relax!

Cupcake just loves Peaches who is Sami's bird and the guinea pig was another highlight. After running around like a nut, playing with the dogs, and knocking everything off one of the side tables. Cupcake and Sami decided...MORE so Sami came with us for the evening.

Did I mention relax? Well since we didn't have much to do I decided to give us something to do so I organized a After Thanksgiving Day Lunch @ 2. Who would have guessed our guests would be departing at 8:30ish. We had a blast!

For the first time the house was seemingly filled with laughter, high energy & babies. Four 2 year olds just changes the chemistry of the 25 people!!!

BLAH BLAH ...It was just the BEST THANKSGIVING for us, Cupcake's first, and THE TREE....I will continue about the TREE.

Also I am having mega issues posting pics any suggestions?

No. 54

No. 53

EDIT: What can I say except for THANK YOU for all of our friends in Bloggerland who are so TRUE BLUE. Many of you I have met, spoken to on the phone, and many who I wish I could email as you always leave the kindest thoughts but no return email address. To those of you waiting for your children is the only reason I continue to blog. I hope no matter what chat boards you read, or rumors that try to convince you that adopting an EE child is a probable problem...THIS IS NOT THE CASE as many of us are home HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T READ THE DELETED COMMENT IS THE POSTER DECIDED TO POST OUR DAUGHTER'S NAME. IN ERROR I REALIZED HER NAME WAS VISIBLE IN A PIC WHICH IS NOW DELETED. WE HAVE NEVER MENTIONED HER NAME AND WOULD APPRECIATE THE RESPECT WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM ALL OF OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALWAYS & ONLY USED CUPCAKE AS HER ALIAS. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT. WE ARE HOME HAPPILY EVER AFTER, MORE HAPPILY THAN WE COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED. I WISH FOR ALL OF YOU WAITING TO GET HOME QUICKLY SO YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER MAY BEGIN!!! MOST IMPORTANTLY>>>>EIGHT MONTHS HOME Cupcake...LOVE YOU BUNCHES & BUNCHES!!!

EDIT: Instead of deleting ANONYMOUS comments I would like to comment regarding the concerns of our daugher being safe in her car seat. First & foremost...When I snap a picture of her I am not DRIVING and taking a photo. Thank you for thinking I am so talented but I AM NOT! Since we were in the car so long I removed her jacket at the prior stop and didn't realize it left so much room. After fixing her ponytail, putting on her shoes, I readjusted her belt too!

The previous photo on our way to the wedding, we were stuck in stand still traffic for many hours. When I turned to check her I noticed she wiggled out so I took a photo, climbed in the back to change her, and placed her properly in her seat. I do appreciate your concern as I have noticed many do not use the carseat correctly. However, even those of us who believe we try our hardest to make sure our children our safe, our little HOUDINIS' wiggle. I am taking the time to respond ONLY because I do believe CARSEAT safety is a great conversation. Thanks for your comments and fell free to speak up with a face and name as I do!

Surprise! We are back now that blogger is allowing me to post photos. There abre a few weeks of fun to catch on so I will start posting. This pic is from October 26 when Cupcake and I were on our to NY. We stayed with another family from our agency. One of our friends had a birthday party for Baby Nic who came home in May so we had a funfilled weekend! I iwll finish this post later

No. 52

Hello from New York-

I finally worked on a post from the past ten days but with Blogger having upload issues the post was quite boring without cute pics.

We met Poppy & Nana for breakfast so Nana could help us finish a list of errands without diverting to more fun things.

First, Cupcake went to the Post Office for the first time to send a very important package to our friend & Blogger friend Lisa. Cupcake and I sorted through all of her clothes and shoes to find there were many great things to pass along to Lisa's little ones' who will be on their way home soon. Finally the Huggie box sitting in the back has made it on its way to Texas.

After we went to Toys R Us to pick out some B-Day gifts to bring with us to NY this weekend. Mission Successful! Daddy surprised Cupcake at the toystore so they played while we shopped.

After running to Target, Drycleaners, Wegman's, Toy R Us, USPS, and Pannera we head home for lunch and a nap.

Great Day? Could it get better?....I get an email asking what would I be doing for lunch on Tuesday? Many of may not know but LUNCH WITH THE GIRLS could be the title of my book. I love lunch with girls. Lisa & I met in Baltimore for lunch. After 14 months it was so great to meet! Lisa, our visit was so special. I am so glad you were to spend so much time with Cupcake and I !

Now we are in NY. Yesterday we met another special blogger pal but i will continue with all of the NY post when we return!

Have a good weekend!

No. 51

As usual I am catching up on the past week. We had a couple of cold days so we bundled up to go play outside but we also had a couple of hot days. Cupcake went to the BMA (Baltimore Museum of Art for lunch with Nana, to the zoo with Papa (my father) and myself. Friday Night (last week we went to the Baltimore Aquarium with our friends.



Cupcake had a great week at school. A big Congrats to HEIDI in the UK who will be on their way to Russia next week. Can't wait to hear from you when you return!

No. 50

Thank you Note to Korea:
Mommy: Where is Pineapple Princess?

Cupcake: "DUNNO", But I love my dress THANK YOU SO MUCH, XOXO! I tried to email you but NO LUCK!

No. 49

Warning: No Pics this Post but coming soon!

Thursday, my mother watched Cupcake so I could work. In the evening they were playing on the trampoline. Cupcake fell in an awkward way so we ended up with our first trip to ER. She clearly doesn't like strangers (this new) so when the nurse did registration, the next one took vital signs, and the next took us to X-Ray...CUpcake hooped and hollared. I tried laughing, throwing her in the air and swinging her inbetween my legs to diffuse her. A combination worked well. She did well and the doctor gave us a clean bill of health with the usual "give her motrin and / or Tylenol for comfort."

Friday we planned a fun filled day at Dutch Wonderland. Maybe if I had a little common sense I would have checked the schedule to see "weekends only" but luckily the great outlets are located across the street so we did a bit of shopping, lunch and a long ride home in traffic. We went with our friends Crystal, Garrett, and baby Alayna. Traveling in style in their Mommy Mobile meant the kids watched Nemo, Robots, and a few other flicks I have never heard. Next weekend we will try again.

Saturday Marco and I decided to have an adult evening since we haven't been able to get out for his Birthday. Warning to all new parents who like to go out and a couple drinks...unless yoru sitter or parents are staying the next day too....TAKE IT EASY! So we partied like rock stars and I could not get it together on Sunday. Thankfully Nana and Poppy wore Cupcake out the night before so she had a nice long long nap with Mommy. When I recovered we did our usual outdoor activities followed by a big long bubble bath and s few nite nite stories.

Today we woke up early for breakfast with Daddy headed to work and school. Since school was closed on Th and Fri last week I am having abit of seperation anxiety. Gosh I miss my little Cupcake!

All about Cupcake...She is her usually happy, humorous self. She is making great efforts to speak all of the time. She signs and speaks. As her speech is more clear she seems to naturally drop the sign. Her new thing: Loves to sit on my make up table and have hair done..SUCH THE DIVA!

No.48

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I can't say to much or I may get mushy and cry but tonight was the most different (LOW KEY) birthday we have ever celebrated in 6 years. By far it was the most sentimental. Tonight I was the photographer, the cook, and the party planner. Tonight was a Daddy & Daughter night. After sharing in blowing out candles, eating cake, and making a beautiful mess with chocolate cake, Marco & Cupcake played a vigorous game of hide and seek followed by snuggles and cuddles with a movie.

Happy 43rd B-Day!
XOXO-L

No. 47

Today I was going to do a quick post on Thursday night's dinner at Mom's. Show a few more pics of the kids. Blah Blah Blah....,

I MUST INTERUPT THIS ENTRY TO ANNOUNCE I LOST MY MIND YESTERDAY SO I HAD CUPCAKE'S EARS PIERCED. WHY? SHE WANTED THEM PIERCED. REMEMBER THE FIRST LINE...I LOST MY MIND. THIS WAS NOT A PLAN UNTIL 4-5 YEARS OF AGE. THEY ARE SO SO SO CUTE!!!

Cupcake was great through the piercing ordeal. Luckily I had Crystal for moral support. I felt the same as I do when I take her vaccines...like i am about to cry and die. We took the kids to Rainforest Cafe. After 6 hours at the mall we had to hurry to my mother's for dinner.

If you click and blow up the pic you may see her diamond earrings.

Crystal & Garrett

Cupcake & Me

Irenee pretending to be a baby too. She is at 2 yrs old.

No. 46

Happy New Year's

Last night (Wednesday) was the first of two nights that my family celebrates the Jewish New Year or Rosh Hashana. Cupcake tends to lean towards her Daddy's dislike for Jewish food. HOWEVER, the one thing you can't serve too much of to Marco is Liver Patte/Chopped Liver. In a million years I would have never of guessed this was going to be Cupcake's favorite item last night. She snickered to the rainbow cake and went back to the patte on crackers. It was too funny. As I went to serve her the first cracker everyone was hollaring this is an acquired taste-don't bother. What can I tell you...Cupcake is NOT eating chicken soup (she really doesn't like soups in general) and has no interest in beef or vegetables. The Little Diva was quite cute with her pinkie in the air while she indulged in her crackers and patte.

By now most of know both of parents have significant others'. Some have thought Larry is my father as we spend so much time together. Since I have two families to grace with our presence we started the evening at my father's sister's home. Luckily, she lives a minute away from my Mom & Larry where we finished our evening. Cupcake and I came home at 10 pm. She is still sleeping!

Cupcake has aluminum foil all over her...We were doing a pretend jewelry store .

Poppy and Cupcake engaging in intense conversation

I Love You Cupcake...Cupcake gives KISSES TO NANA!

Second dinner, a great little jewelry store, and kids kids kids everywhere! Lets get started at 8 pm!

3 2yr olds sitting on a step for a photo can be a task in itself! Cupcake and Garrett are in the same class since they are only 4 days apart. Irenee is obviously having the most fun during this photo shoot.

My Mom's neighbors daughter loves Cupcake- and Cupcake gets super excited to see her too! They came in to see Nibbles the Guinea Pig.

NITEE NITE!!!