First Lost Tooth 4/24/2011

 Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

 Almost out

 It is out

 Looking in the mirror

 Baby tooth gone

 Mind the Gap

 Safe keeping for the tooth fairy

 Look at me!

So excited for my lost tooth and upcoming tooth fairy visit

Today is a monumental day for 5 year, 1 month, and 1 week old Savannah Hope.  She lost her first tooth.  It is the first one that came in too--right lower tooth.  She got her first tooth at 5 months and 3 weeks old.  She was an early teether and I guess an early tooth loser too.  She is SO excited since many friends in her class have lost multiple teeth and last week at gymnastics about 5 kids had loose teeth.  It had been really wiggly for awhile, but let's say Savannah let is come out naturally.  She almost lost it at dinner tonight, but wouldn't let it go.  Then at 8 p.m. she was doing flips off the couch and out it came.  She did not cry or get upset or scared.  She was really excited and put it in her tooth fairy pillow for safe keeping and then kept looking in the mirror and smiling and laughing and jumping up in down.  She also kept looking out the window for the tooth fairy and then we "called" the tooth fairy and checked her Facebook page and ensured she would come over night while Savannah was sleeping. 

Very exciting day in the life of a 5 year old and she gets to go back to school tomorrow after spring break and show and tell her teachers and friends.  Our baby girl is definitely growing up. 

Happy Embassy Day Seth!

 Embassy Day April 20, 2009

All about Seth since that day two years ago...

 Now wants a two wheeler

 Works out on the treadmill

 Loves  trains

Still sleeps like a champ

 

 Continues to dip his food--a favorite

 Loves his sister

 Digs on the beach all day

 Falls asleep when reading

 Loves Starbucks

Loves Fruit

 

 Never misses out on the dessert action with Savannah

 Is ready to drive

Loves to color

Two years ago today we went to the US Embassy in Tokyo to a get a very wonderful boy's paperwork and visa to come to the United States.  Even though he adoption was not finalized for 13 months after that here in Connecticut, April 20th is still a very monumental and important day in our journey to our beloved son.  Without today, May 25th couldn't have become our official forever family day.  Since there was nocourt proceeding abroad, the Embassy appointment is different than in Guatemala since Seth was home on an IR4 and granted a green card until finalization in the USA.  Nonetheless, he was allowed to come home with us, as our son, and live in the USA, so it is a very special day.

So much has changed in Seth in the 2 years.  Since he was only 6 weeks when he arrived in USA, he now a "big boy."  Seth will tell you he is not 2, but 5.  He always hears another person say she is 5, so he wants to be 5 too.  He is so funny, loving, sweet, and full of fun.  He is into everything and talking more and more everyday and is getting more understandable with a wider range of vocabulary and longer sentences.  He is very attached to Mommy and loves his big sister more than anything.  He wants to do everything himself.  His favortie things to say are, "I do it" and "I come."  He has to be in the center of everything.  He loves his trians, planes and automobiles.  He can also color with more direction and loves to build.  His favorites shows now, thanks to Savannah are Dora, Max and Ruby, Little Einsteins and Team Umizoomie. We are hoping his molars finish coming in soon and the food dumping and throwing stage ends soon.  His favorite foods are Miso soup, macaroni and cheese, rice, yougurt and all desserts, especially "choc-it."

To celebrate his day, we are going to see Max and Ruby Live on stage.  Savannah introduced him to that show and he loves it.  He says, "I want Max," whenever he wants to watch it.  He should love the show.

Seth is such a love and we are so happy he is part of our family--son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend, etc.  Whatever Seth is to you, you know how special he is. 

5 Year Metcha You Day

How does this precious tiny baby become... 

this beautiful, grown, up gorgeous girl in a flash.

5 years ago we landed in Guatemala City.  A world unknown was before us.  We stepped off the plane into a bustling airport and found our driver.  We were taken through the streets to Zona Viva, Zone 10 to the Clarion Suites.  We settled in and then breathlessly waited for our baby to arrive.  OUR BABY!  A woman we did not know was taking care of our daughter while we mazed through the myriad of paperwork and red tape of two governments until we could take her home.  This was a first visit trip.  A whirlwind, way too short week.  With our heart beating, a taxi cab drives up and a dark haired woman gets out with a baby wrapped in many pink blankets.  We know it is her.  We meet her at the door with tears in our eyes and love in our hearts.  We exchange hugs and words through our language barrier.  We have an interpreter, but it doesn't seem like we really need her.  Some things don't need to be spoken.  Just felt with the heart.  The inerpreter helps us with some logistically questions and we make a time to meet the following week when we will depart back to the United States and leave our daughter in this person's care.  I cannot even tell you what that feels like.  Something I don't want to remember, but will never forget.

Onto happier things.  Meeting your child for the first time is the most amazing feeling.  It is like this gift was placed in your arms.  There is nothing like it.  We unwrapped her in the 80 degree heat and in the 3 blankets, a blanket sleeper, and a onesie.  We freshened her up, put her in comfy clothes and gave her a bottle.  All was right with the world.  We were a family of three, like we were suppose to be (way before Seth of course).  She was our daughter and we were her parents.  She was the most precious little love ever.  6lbs and 12 lbs and all our own for a week.  It was the most fantastic week of love and bonding and we knew she was meant to be ours whatever laid ahead and what rollar coaster we would ride to get her home. 

8 months later and 1 more visit trip and me staying in Guatemala for 88 days and she was ours forever.  We will never forget Metcha Day though on April 15th.  That is no longer tax day in our mind.  It is you had us at wah day, the unwrapping day, and we love you day all in one.  Savannah you are our forever sweetheart, up all night girl, and the light of our lives.  You are our daughter and we will always love you unconditionally.

Spring into Spring We Hope

 Finally sunny, short sleeves, rides in the wagon and an ice pop.

 Yum and refreshing

 Cheesy smile, closed eyed princess

 Out for the count

 Furry Baby

 She asked to go to "The Place With the Hats."  Otherwise known as Johnny Rockets.

 I have trains

 This is puppy love

 Love this picture of Savannah and Ozzie

 Petting and Playing

 Girl's Best Friend

 Savannah's Spring Sing

 Hand motions to the song

 Highlight of her life right now--Tangled the movie on DVD.

 Both watching Tangled

In awe of Rapunzel

We have had a long, wet, cold and dreary winter.  The first day of spring brought snow.  We had maybe one nice day and then cold and gray.  We even got snow on April 1st.  A few inches here but lots in the mountains.   Very late spring skiing this year.  This week we had three days in a row of pouring rain and temperatures in the 40's outside and COLD nights.  Well, yesterday that spell broke and we had 68 and bright sunshine and today looks like more of the same before the rain comes in again.  So we have been trying to make the best of it and really enjoyed yesterday.

Savannah had her Spring Sing on March 29th and it was anything but "springy."  There was a very cold breeze outside with not much sun.  At least it did not rain.  The concert was inside and it was very cute with all the songs they have been learning throughout the year with the music teacher Derek.  He is really fantastic with the kids.  We had a fun time and I took video and Sheila came to visit and to see her show.

Our newest addition to the family, Oslo is doing awesome.  Savannah loves him and they have formed a bond.  He is almost 100% house trained and is attending obedience school.  When he is done with puppy chewing, he can have more of a run of the house.  He is now 21 lbs. and will soon surpass 25 lb Seth.  Ozzie loves the nice weather and is totally trained on his invisible fence and is enjoying the freedom of running around the yard and chasing tennis balls.

Savannah has a very wiggly tooth and we are awaiting a visit from the tooth fairy soon.  We had her spring conference and she continues to excel at Montessori.  She will attend kindergarten there next year for 5 1/2 days in the afternoon.  She will be in the same class with the same teachers and friends, except for those going to first grade, being a mixed age classroom.

Seth is enjoying every part of being two and acting like it.  His language is exploding and his vocabulary expanding and combining more words.  He calls Savannah, SAH and she knows that it is her and he will scream SAAAAHHHH on the top of his lungs if he wants her and she is not paying attention to him.

We are so looking forward to the warm weather and may playful and joyful days ahead. 

VT in the Spring?

 Sharing snacks

 After bath fun.  This is my favorite picture.

 Savannah skiing (in the yellow jacket)

 Savannah doing her pizza slice

 In Stratton Village

 Relaxing in the beautiful village

 View

 This is the view from our condo.  We could walk our patio to the heated pool and hot tub and the mountain and village were across the street.

 Going to the top of the mountain high tech (magic carpet)

Since we have had a long and cold winter and the mountains got a foot of snow on April 1st, we decided to head up to Vermont for one last go at skiing for Savannah.  Since it was Spring Fling weekend and the last one they were open, we got great deals and upgraded to a 2 bedroom condo across the street from the village and mountain.  It was a gorgeous place with plenty of room and lots of fun.  Skiing a 5 minutes walk, shopping a 2 minute walk, and swimming steps away.  What more could you ask for.  Very strange for Savannah to take a 2 hour ski lesson and then go right in the heated pool from our condo.  The weather was gorgeous with bright blue skis, warm sun, and great conditions for Rich and Savannah.  She was so excited to ride the lift with her instructor and go up to mid mountain and ski down.  She loved the soft snow and had as much fun falling in it as skiing in it.  She did great though and now her skis are returned to the shop for the season.

I love Stratton Mountain because of the contained village and also Manchester 20 minutes away. And it is only 2 1/2 hours from home.  It is a super destination for families.