tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854566353713979382024-03-13T05:38:54.627-07:00Welcome Blake Luis!Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-71219960925311789472009-07-08T12:46:00.001-07:002009-07-08T13:23:13.302-07:005 MONTHS LATER!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlUAIKnJwXI/AAAAAAAAC10/ItoHokbXAH8/s1600-h/Lyla+on++the+4th!.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 302px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356187472114598258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlUAIKnJwXI/AAAAAAAAC10/ItoHokbXAH8/s400/Lyla+on++the+4th!.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlUAHojBcuI/AAAAAAAAC1s/NNDR6qt_Eig/s1600-h/Black+and+white+Lyla.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356187462970471138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlUAHojBcuI/AAAAAAAAC1s/NNDR6qt_Eig/s400/Black+and+white+Lyla.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT_o80uegI/AAAAAAAAC1k/DYChukki82E/s1600-h/1st+Trailer+Trip+to+Moses+Lake+-+Lyla+2+months+July+27,+2009+009.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356186935837489666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT_o80uegI/AAAAAAAAC1k/DYChukki82E/s400/1st+Trailer+Trip+to+Moses+Lake+-+Lyla+2+months+July+27,+2009+009.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT_ocO22oI/AAAAAAAAC1c/jjZQBXeiuyw/s1600-h/Boating+on+Lake+Sammamish,+June,+2009+029.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356186927088720514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT_ocO22oI/AAAAAAAAC1c/jjZQBXeiuyw/s400/Boating+on+Lake+Sammamish,+June,+2009+029.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT_n4t9RcI/AAAAAAAAC1U/nvrvndxUXkc/s1600-h/1st+Trailer+Trip+to+Moses+Lake+-+Lyla+2+months+July+27,+2009+057.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356186917555488194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT_n4t9RcI/AAAAAAAAC1U/nvrvndxUXkc/s400/1st+Trailer+Trip+to+Moses+Lake+-+Lyla+2+months+July+27,+2009+057.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT_nvrs4EI/AAAAAAAAC1M/CfjtF9t3Gjg/s1600-h/1st+Trailer+Trip+to+Moses+Lake+-+Lyla+2+months+July+27,+2009+025.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356186915130105922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT_nvrs4EI/AAAAAAAAC1M/CfjtF9t3Gjg/s400/1st+Trailer+Trip+to+Moses+Lake+-+Lyla+2+months+July+27,+2009+025.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT9tAzcByI/AAAAAAAAC1E/I3TFWFRcUBI/s1600-h/Day+on+the+boat+-+june+14+003.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356184806602049314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT9tAzcByI/AAAAAAAAC1E/I3TFWFRcUBI/s400/Day+on+the+boat+-+june+14+003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT9st27sZI/AAAAAAAAC08/LpYTp_5vgW0/s1600-h/Day+on+the+boat+-+june+14+005.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356184801516433810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT9st27sZI/AAAAAAAAC08/LpYTp_5vgW0/s400/Day+on+the+boat+-+june+14+005.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT9sFZDe6I/AAAAAAAAC00/HDutXfqLEt8/s1600-h/Ebay+July+2009+031.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT9r48aowI/AAAAAAAAC0s/IXVKpg4YyoU/s1600-h/Ebay+July+2009+031.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356184787312354050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SlT9r48aowI/AAAAAAAAC0s/IXVKpg4YyoU/s400/Ebay+July+2009+031.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>It has been 5 months since I have posted anything on our blog and I feel so guilty!! When I was in Guatemala, I was so good about posting weekly, but now that we have a 2 year old and 2 MONTH old, things have slowed me down a bit!! So speaking of little ones, we welcomed sweet Lyla Jane Williams into our family on May 4!! She is absolutely beautiful and was quite a surprise as many of you know. We were told for years that we would have difficulty conceiving so after adopting Blake, we were ready to call ourselves a family as was. Lyla is truly a miracle baby and I still stare at her daily, amazed that she is a part of us. She is growing and changing quickly and went from a tiny 6 lb. 10 oz little monkey to a 10 lb bubbly baby who is now beginning to smile!! She keeps me occupied eating every 2-3 hours and I'm still trying to figure out how to manage 2 little ones, but we're doing it. Our kids make us so happy and keep us laughing daily :)</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Blake is an absolute hilarious, intelligent, mischievous and delightful 2 year old! He says the funniest things one of being "Happy Birthday Mama and Daddy" for the last week every day! Not too sure where that came from! He continues to amaze us with his ability to speak in two languages and when he talks it is clearly a combination of the two. For example, "Los fuegos go boom, boom, mama!" ("the fireworks go "boom boom!"). He will be 2 on August 7th and we enjoying watching each day as he changes from a baby to a little boy.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>When Lyla was born, he gave us a run for our money and we had a bit of a rough transition being that Blakey wasn't the center of our attention anymore. It was hard for me as well, (not being able to give 100% of my attention to my baby boy) and still is, I have to admit, but we are doing our best to share that attention now. Blake has the ability to make us laugh, (when he shakes his sippy cup of milk all over Lucky our black Lab or reads a story to himself and we hear him over the intercom speaker), cry (when he falls down, is hurt, or feeling left out), and make our heart melt (when he comes up to us and says, "Hug mama and daddy" or "Te amo mucho Mama and Daddy" or "Blakey happy!"). I can't tell you how much we are in love with this little boy and baby girl. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Tomorrow we leave for California for the memorial service of Chris' Aunt. His entire family on his Mother's side will be there and some of whom have never met Blake and Lyla! We look forward to spending time with family and I'm sure we'll have lots of pictures to post once we return! I hope our blog followers will come back if I promise to post more frequently! We love you all! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-25834430181281589922009-02-15T12:53:00.000-08:002009-02-15T13:42:55.358-08:00Blake is 2!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiMQDhyEJI/AAAAAAAACmI/2CrvfHFW8u0/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+087.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303142768681554066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiMQDhyEJI/AAAAAAAACmI/2CrvfHFW8u0/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+087.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiMP_g_dzI/AAAAAAAACmA/AZ7JwI3FJDU/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+065.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303142767604496178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiMP_g_dzI/AAAAAAAACmA/AZ7JwI3FJDU/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+065.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiMPsi0jkI/AAAAAAAACl4/yCgiMUQol9A/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+084.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303142762511896130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiMPsi0jkI/AAAAAAAACl4/yCgiMUQol9A/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+084.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiMPbqCcoI/AAAAAAAAClw/vPKpfvkN_KY/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+076.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303142757978763906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiMPbqCcoI/AAAAAAAAClw/vPKpfvkN_KY/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+076.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiK1KrbToI/AAAAAAAAClo/n5GkBfNtGvY/s1600-h/Kaylie%27s+Pictures+taken+of+Blake+January+and+Feb.,+2009+012.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303141207232958082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiK1KrbToI/AAAAAAAAClo/n5GkBfNtGvY/s400/Kaylie%27s+Pictures+taken+of+Blake+January+and+Feb.,+2009+012.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiK08r4CmI/AAAAAAAAClg/ZcXikCuen3A/s1600-h/Kaylie%27s+Pictures+taken+of+Blake+January+and+Feb.,+2009+007.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303141203476744802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiK08r4CmI/AAAAAAAAClg/ZcXikCuen3A/s400/Kaylie%27s+Pictures+taken+of+Blake+January+and+Feb.,+2009+007.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiK0i5JkvI/AAAAAAAAClY/MnI3D8LSjZQ/s1600-h/Kaylie%27s+Pictures+taken+of+Blake+January+and+Feb.,+2009+006.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303141196553097970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiK0i5JkvI/AAAAAAAAClY/MnI3D8LSjZQ/s400/Kaylie%27s+Pictures+taken+of+Blake+January+and+Feb.,+2009+006.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiJsrFER7I/AAAAAAAAClQ/mmjLcyWkXEc/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+077.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303139961799985074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiJsrFER7I/AAAAAAAAClQ/mmjLcyWkXEc/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+077.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiJsf7OxeI/AAAAAAAAClI/70nK7Y3RX_s/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+071.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303139958805939682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiJsf7OxeI/AAAAAAAAClI/70nK7Y3RX_s/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+071.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiJsAmodaI/AAAAAAAAClA/1MsKLScs7Y4/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+061.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303139950398043554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiJsAmodaI/AAAAAAAAClA/1MsKLScs7Y4/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+061.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiG-MFMeyI/AAAAAAAACk4/GyE5tx-lblU/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+056.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303136964181785378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiG-MFMeyI/AAAAAAAACk4/GyE5tx-lblU/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+056.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiG91NXZZI/AAAAAAAACkw/QfvQyj63mmo/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+058.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303136958042039698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiG91NXZZI/AAAAAAAACkw/QfvQyj63mmo/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+058.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiG9nBl9LI/AAAAAAAACko/GEsdr1fF1cY/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+008.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303136954234565810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiG9nBl9LI/AAAAAAAACko/GEsdr1fF1cY/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+008.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiFyQY-sqI/AAAAAAAACkg/lzb3GP9c7gM/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303135659668452002" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiFyQY-sqI/AAAAAAAACkg/lzb3GP9c7gM/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+004.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiFxwQ9x7I/AAAAAAAACkY/m31jsDJWdcw/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+007.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303135651044902834" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiFxwQ9x7I/AAAAAAAACkY/m31jsDJWdcw/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+007.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiFxtbC7UI/AAAAAAAACkQ/oQ-e_uJzcqQ/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303135650281876802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiFxtbC7UI/AAAAAAAACkQ/oQ-e_uJzcqQ/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiEYm4M52I/AAAAAAAACkI/j1vE7ACPCDs/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+017.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303134119516759906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiEYm4M52I/AAAAAAAACkI/j1vE7ACPCDs/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+017.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiEYFjAC0I/AAAAAAAACkA/1Bt9UduFPgo/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+006.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303134110569466690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiEYFjAC0I/AAAAAAAACkA/1Bt9UduFPgo/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+006.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiEXi4XZDI/AAAAAAAACj4/00rE98g3kvk/s1600-h/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303134101263836210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SZiEXi4XZDI/AAAAAAAACj4/00rE98g3kvk/s400/Blake%27s+2nd+Birthday+2009+!+014.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>It is hard to believe that our baby is now 2! On February 6, we celebrated 2 years home in the U.S. and the next day, his 2nd birthday. We had a wonderful day with Mickey decorations galore (his new favorite character), a Mickey cake made by Grandma Bennett and Mickey balloons. Last year, we had a quick 1st birthday since we had just returned from Guatemala so it was nice to plan this year! Blake is doing so well and continues to make us smile and laugh every minute. He is growing tall and looks so grown up all of a sudden. We love him so much. I keep thinking, "How am I going to share this love with two?" when the second one comes along in May, but I know it will just happen. We will be a busy family! One major accomplishment that occurred once and hasn't occurred again, is that Blake went #1 on his new little toilet on his 2nd birthday!! We were overjoyed and continue to encourage this new habit - although I think it will be awhile before he's completely independent in the bano! It was quite hysterical watching him sit there after getting out of the bathtub and then hearing the little music play when the pee pee hit the potty (pardon the potty talk). He was SO proud of himself and every time we enter the bano now, he has to follow suit. It's very cute. He wants to be so grown up. And...let me tell you about the 2's :) He's now in a "no" stage so when he's grumpy, every answer is "no" and he'll also say, "No, mama" and "No, Daddy" when he wants to do something independently! He's a big boy now apparently. He has been enjoying my pregnancy as well and takes our little fetal heart monitor and puts it on his own tummy saying, "Blakey baby!" Priceless. He does this to Daddy too. He's also into being Mr. Social so whenever we're out in a store and he sees another little boy, he'll say quite openly, "Hi nino!" I had to laugh when he said it to a little Asian boy who didn't speak any English. That poor little boy was probably thinking, "What the heck is he saying?" Anyway, with a few days of sun lately, we've been trying to get outside more and now that I'm on mid-winter break this week, we will have more time to spend together! We are anxious for Spring, this baby and playing in the sun! Rumor has it I am having a boy, but we'll be surprised in May - you never know! We will be happy either way. We are so grateful for our family and for this blessing. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-24302375442006134462009-01-01T11:14:00.001-08:002009-01-01T11:34:04.674-08:00Happy New Year!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0aopabxRI/AAAAAAAACjk/jK3K5WfmXGU/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286410823216645394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0aopabxRI/AAAAAAAACjk/jK3K5WfmXGU/s400/Christmas+2008!+001.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0al4UaldI/AAAAAAAACjc/M2CmEuwmiVg/s1600-h/Nino+en+la+Nieve+Dec.+21,+2008+037.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286410775678326226" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0al4UaldI/AAAAAAAACjc/M2CmEuwmiVg/s400/Nino+en+la+Nieve+Dec.+21,+2008+037.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0aloGAfMI/AAAAAAAACjU/cHsN4EZTyss/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+036.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286410771322928322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0aloGAfMI/AAAAAAAACjU/cHsN4EZTyss/s400/Christmas+2008!+036.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0ZJOvTogI/AAAAAAAACjM/Ycrmu_EGUFc/s1600-h/Nino+en+la+Nieve+Dec.+21,+2008+016.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286409183968862722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0ZJOvTogI/AAAAAAAACjM/Ycrmu_EGUFc/s400/Nino+en+la+Nieve+Dec.+21,+2008+016.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0ZItesC5I/AAAAAAAACjE/W5ZpXsMIYmY/s1600-h/Nino+en+la+Nieve+Dec.+21,+2008+012.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0ZIUT4g4I/AAAAAAAACi8/b7bNwswP3Sc/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+065.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286409168284582786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0ZIUT4g4I/AAAAAAAACi8/b7bNwswP3Sc/s400/Christmas+2008!+065.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0ZIOxcIWI/AAAAAAAACi0/SD8b5qzztYU/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+003.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286409166797939042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0ZIOxcIWI/AAAAAAAACi0/SD8b5qzztYU/s400/Christmas+2008!+003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0X99o6-5I/AAAAAAAACis/QNnd4k3mD0U/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+044.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286407890888489874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0X99o6-5I/AAAAAAAACis/QNnd4k3mD0U/s400/Christmas+2008!+044.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0X9K-rlDI/AAAAAAAACik/x5vY8ZrbH5A/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+039.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286407877289546802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0X9K-rlDI/AAAAAAAACik/x5vY8ZrbH5A/s400/Christmas+2008!+039.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0X6697IyI/AAAAAAAACic/qZlYb8iOMic/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+061.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286407838631666466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0X6697IyI/AAAAAAAACic/qZlYb8iOMic/s400/Christmas+2008!+061.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0W_HiO6bI/AAAAAAAACiU/lCtn9v_-q80/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+017.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286406811213031858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0W_HiO6bI/AAAAAAAACiU/lCtn9v_-q80/s400/Christmas+2008!+017.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0W-6XP_sI/AAAAAAAACiM/YD5W75u6OKw/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+015.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286406807677304514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0W-6XP_sI/AAAAAAAACiM/YD5W75u6OKw/s400/Christmas+2008!+015.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0W-QK83JI/AAAAAAAACiE/n4c1AujNVFo/s1600-h/Christmas+2008!+030.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286406796351429778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SV0W-QK83JI/AAAAAAAACiE/n4c1AujNVFo/s400/Christmas+2008!+030.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-46158303688686665072008-12-16T22:19:00.000-08:002008-12-16T22:27:13.454-08:00Blake Rides the Christmas Train with "Bear Bear"!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUibr4Gi3II/AAAAAAAACho/aTUAfFY9XTE/s1600-h/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280641741188422786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUibr4Gi3II/AAAAAAAACho/aTUAfFY9XTE/s400/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+032.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUibrVWtgpI/AAAAAAAAChg/tfOidx9UJ70/s1600-h/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280641731860988562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUibrVWtgpI/AAAAAAAAChg/tfOidx9UJ70/s400/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUibrGyi_JI/AAAAAAAAChY/5Mad2XQno8E/s1600-h/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280641727951207570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUibrGyi_JI/AAAAAAAAChY/5Mad2XQno8E/s400/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUia47IsgdI/AAAAAAAAChQ/ohsAiI78myU/s1600-h/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280640865829421522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUia47IsgdI/AAAAAAAAChQ/ohsAiI78myU/s400/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUia215f8_I/AAAAAAAAChI/e7u9lP79dmU/s1600-h/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280640830063768562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUia215f8_I/AAAAAAAAChI/e7u9lP79dmU/s400/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUia2s7XfRI/AAAAAAAAChA/hUZePRxRq4c/s1600-h/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280640827655683346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUia2s7XfRI/AAAAAAAAChA/hUZePRxRq4c/s400/Redmond+Towne+Center+Christmas+Train+Dec.+13,+2008+023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-30515398135009170982008-12-13T13:34:00.000-08:002008-12-13T14:08:40.580-08:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQqbJ9HwUI/AAAAAAAACeU/RUeugKxZx5w/s1600-h/CIMG4186.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQqbJ9HwUI/AAAAAAAACeU/RUeugKxZx5w/s400/CIMG4186.JPG" border="0" /></a> This was at Chris' 40th Birthday party if you're wondering why Blake is holding Rogain for Men!</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-62091490109271815202008-12-13T12:58:00.000-08:002008-12-13T20:24:05.377-08:00SO THANKFUL AND 17 WEEKS PREGNANT!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUSKScRiMII/AAAAAAAACf0/ZNgPO_VyvxU/s1600-h/CIMG4107.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279496712617078914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUSKScRiMII/AAAAAAAACf0/ZNgPO_VyvxU/s400/CIMG4107.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUSKR9vACeI/AAAAAAAACfs/p0r_K4AVPoc/s1600-h/CIMG4108.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279496704419170786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUSKR9vACeI/AAAAAAAACfs/p0r_K4AVPoc/s400/CIMG4108.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUSKRhqw2HI/AAAAAAAACfk/_GBZ6hR8tRU/s1600-h/CIMG4104.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQwKe1txOI/AAAAAAAACfc/njHPGHADIeY/s1600-h/CIMG4080.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279397619820250338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQwKe1txOI/AAAAAAAACfc/njHPGHADIeY/s400/CIMG4080.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQwJ1iWSoI/AAAAAAAACfU/RS4NkrHR_5M/s1600-h/CIMG4070.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279397608733166210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQwJ1iWSoI/AAAAAAAACfU/RS4NkrHR_5M/s400/CIMG4070.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQwJuGHUCI/AAAAAAAACfM/owjDkZBPeDw/s1600-h/CIMG4050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279397606735695906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQwJuGHUCI/AAAAAAAACfM/owjDkZBPeDw/s400/CIMG4050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQvOHV0bJI/AAAAAAAACfE/d1H8XqtlgkQ/s1600-h/CIMG4041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279396582720302226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQvOHV0bJI/AAAAAAAACfE/d1H8XqtlgkQ/s400/CIMG4041.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQvN3I6e_I/AAAAAAAACe8/8lLazqVdH0k/s1600-h/CIMG4039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279396578371206130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQvN3I6e_I/AAAAAAAACe8/8lLazqVdH0k/s400/CIMG4039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQvNsyWU2I/AAAAAAAACe0/WC1HIRiEkbo/s1600-h/CIMG4036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279396575592207202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQvNsyWU2I/AAAAAAAACe0/WC1HIRiEkbo/s400/CIMG4036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQo_hG6XuI/AAAAAAAACeM/a265vYS0Hc4/s1600-h/CIMG3579.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279389734869294818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQo_hG6XuI/AAAAAAAACeM/a265vYS0Hc4/s400/CIMG3579.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQo_bblzPI/AAAAAAAACeE/8SO-2fbBKTk/s1600-h/Blake+at+Farm+with+Gourds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279389733345414386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQo_bblzPI/AAAAAAAACeE/8SO-2fbBKTk/s400/Blake+at+Farm+with+Gourds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQo_SRhkhI/AAAAAAAACd8/eFwswm7WU04/s1600-h/Blake+at+Farm+November.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279389730887275026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SUQo_SRhkhI/AAAAAAAACd8/eFwswm7WU04/s400/Blake+at+Farm+November.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Hello friends! I realize it has been such a long time since I've posted to our blog (over a month). I continue looking at it excitedly to see if we have any new comments, but why should we when I can't even keep it current!!! :( Anyway, I know pregnancy can run you down, but honestly, I didn't realize I would feel completely out of my mind at the same time. Here are some examples of what I've been experiencing lately: not remembering if I've responded to emails at work so I send a response only to realize I DID already respond, forgetting to call people back and important meetings, and feeling like I got hit by a truck every day to name a few. And, this is only the beginning. I am now 17 weeks pregnant with a due date of May 21 and I've been told, it will only get worse. Well, yippee! I'm in for a treat! Honestly, things are going rather smoothly pregnancy-wise despite the above mentioned items. My midwife told me my growth is exactly where it needs to be, the baby looks healthy and all of our genetic testing came out normal. We feel SO thankful to not only have the luck of becoming pregnant, but to have such a beautiful son too. Speaking of Blake. He is the apple of our eye. He is amazing and we are absolutely head over heels inlove with him!! He is hilarious every day and keeps us constantly smiling. He will be 2 on February 7th and let me tell you, he is one bundle of NON-STOP energy. EVERYTHING is amazing to him and his latest fascination is flushing the toilet 5 times in a row and putting toys in it. Hmmm...this is fun for mom and dad. He also thinks it fun to pull things out of every drawer or cupboard in the entire house and then put these items into the dog's water bowl. Does this give you a little indication of maybe why his mom feels exhausted?!!! We love watching him. Every time we play music in the car, in the house or if he hears it in a store, he begins dancing. He is the happiest boy and we are overjoyed that he is ours forever. He is also talking up a storm and is just on the verge of putting short sentences together (right now they involve 3-4 words at the most). He loves his Grandma and Papa and goes to their house every day while Chris and I work. He is also fascinated with their toilets, by the way. My mom has neverending patience and loves him so much. We are again, so lucky to have her watch our son. Chris and I will put up our Christmas tree this weekend so I'm sure it will be lots of fun watching Blake "help" us decorate! On January 6th, Chris and I have our big 5 month ultrasound where we can find out the sex of our baby. While I would LOVE to find out what we're having, it means a lot to Chris to keep it a surprise, so it looks like we may not know until May! I know we will be so happy either way. We hope everyone is having an enjoyable holiday season thus far and will be able to spend it with friends and family. We will stay at home this Christmas and visit Chris' sister Heather and her family who will be here from California soon. It looks like our annual trip to Hawaii in April is off as my midwife has told me I can't fly at 37 weeks of pregancy! Darnit! Oh well. We will be thankful to just relax this year and get ready for #2! P.S. These are 12 week ultrasound pics! Hope to post the 5 month ones to compare in January!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-65134234660529654412008-11-05T18:05:00.000-08:002008-11-05T18:09:27.494-08:00YES WE WILL!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SRJRO7meitI/AAAAAAAACdY/UnciW9WMTtg/s1600-h/OBAMA.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265360231308626642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SRJRO7meitI/AAAAAAAACdY/UnciW9WMTtg/s400/OBAMA.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>What a refreshing change and historical moment. We are so proud to have our children born and raised during this man's presidency. As he said repeatedly, "Yes we will" and we have faith that he will. </div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-48897535279547991482008-10-26T10:59:00.000-07:002008-10-26T13:34:24.579-07:001 MORE MAKES 2!!! YES, IT'S TRUE!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTUGybaiQI/AAAAAAAACYc/-VcxXBitW3o/s1600-h/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+289.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261563477756643586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTUGybaiQI/AAAAAAAACYc/-VcxXBitW3o/s400/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+289.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTS9IXhRsI/AAAAAAAACYU/6UGxwEhjstg/s1600-h/CIMG3833.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261562212335568578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTS9IXhRsI/AAAAAAAACYU/6UGxwEhjstg/s400/CIMG3833.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTS8T1XLFI/AAAAAAAACYM/bR5B3xbR81A/s1600-h/CIMG3810.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261562198233656402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTS8T1XLFI/AAAAAAAACYM/bR5B3xbR81A/s400/CIMG3810.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTS8JVXRqI/AAAAAAAACYE/v1L015MgDa8/s1600-h/CIMG3798.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261562195415090850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTS8JVXRqI/AAAAAAAACYE/v1L015MgDa8/s400/CIMG3798.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTS7XsJBiI/AAAAAAAACX8/SxqZLBBbp2o/s1600-h/CIMG3775.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261562182088853026" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTS7XsJBiI/AAAAAAAACX8/SxqZLBBbp2o/s400/CIMG3775.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTRKb8VG6I/AAAAAAAACX0/6kZQ5b29peA/s1600-h/CIMG3910.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261560241905277858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTRKb8VG6I/AAAAAAAACX0/6kZQ5b29peA/s400/CIMG3910.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTRJsX4tII/AAAAAAAACXs/u5mEEwv1HIg/s1600-h/CIMG3870.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261560229135955074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTRJsX4tII/AAAAAAAACXs/u5mEEwv1HIg/s400/CIMG3870.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTRJYUoZuI/AAAAAAAACXk/0OllG7_hvis/s1600-h/CIMG3872.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261560223753594594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTRJYUoZuI/AAAAAAAACXk/0OllG7_hvis/s400/CIMG3872.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTQOu_PAtI/AAAAAAAACXc/T53uBARA9II/s1600-h/CIMG3926.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261559216225583826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTQOu_PAtI/AAAAAAAACXc/T53uBARA9II/s400/CIMG3926.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTQObiLyfI/AAAAAAAACXU/tkEGO61iP04/s1600-h/CIMG3923.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261559211003464178" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTQObiLyfI/AAAAAAAACXU/tkEGO61iP04/s400/CIMG3923.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTQOAY1sxI/AAAAAAAACXM/sHwiqahIxVQ/s1600-h/CIMG3924.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261559203716510482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTQOAY1sxI/AAAAAAAACXM/sHwiqahIxVQ/s400/CIMG3924.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTPaztlM1I/AAAAAAAACXE/75-T1gWEjkY/s1600-h/CIMG3791.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261558324140520274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTPaztlM1I/AAAAAAAACXE/75-T1gWEjkY/s400/CIMG3791.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTPaRqTAbI/AAAAAAAACW8/69mjbwQChDM/s1600-h/CIMG3768.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261558314999939506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTPaRqTAbI/AAAAAAAACW8/69mjbwQChDM/s400/CIMG3768.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTPZx4tIUI/AAAAAAAACW0/rZ75l53bk8M/s1600-h/CIMG3766.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261558306470437186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SQTPZx4tIUI/AAAAAAAACW0/rZ75l53bk8M/s400/CIMG3766.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Well, you all told me that this would happen and of course, I didn't believe you thinking, "After all that we've been through trying to get pregnant, I won't be the one it happens to." Well, guess again? Here we are going on 11 weeks PREGNANT!!! Chris and I read the plain as day word "pregnant" on the trusty little pregnancy test on Sept. 21 with mouths gaping open. It took awhile for us to realize that "yes," it was true! I made my first appt. that was scheduled with a nurse a week later and it was confirmed! As of now, my due date is May 21. My first doctor appt. will be Nov. 5th. We've been waiting patiently (actually for me, rather impatiently) for this appt. because it will be the first time we'll be able to see our baby for the first time with an ultrasound. I have to tell you it's a bit nervewracking the 1st trimester of pregnancy because you of course, worry about everything and hear every horror story (why do people feel the need to share this information?!) Thank goodness for family and friends that know just what to say to ease my nerves. We are very thankful and excited at the same time and know Blake will be so happy to have a new baby brother or sister!</span><br />Now, onto Mr. Blake! He keeps us going, I must say. That kid has more energy than any kid I know! Form the minute he wakes up in the morning, until his head hits the crib, he is wound up. I'm not saying he's hyperactive, just very active! It's hard to believe he will be 2 on February 2. He is now, almost 21 months old and like they say, the words keep-a-coming! He now says, "Mama, dada, hi, bye-bye, mas, pez (fish), more, Gus, Remi, Lucky (all dog names), nana and sometimes mama (for Grandma), papa for (Grandpa), hee-haw (when he wants to hear the farm song about the donkey), my dada and my mama (which means he wants you to do whatever it is he wants you to do - for example if he's jumping and he wants Daddy to do it, he'll say, "My dada," zapato (a new one) gracias, thank you, "ees" for "si" (not sure why this is still a backwards word, but it is), no mas, no more, ya (ready in Spanish), and this list goes on and on. He's also able to say all the sounds for the following animals and people when he's asked in Spanish or English: dog, cat, sheep, rooster, cat, cow, horse, dad (snore sound), donkey, chick, frog and bunny (both say "hop, hop") and lion. His favorite things to do are: jump, climb up and down on anything he can climb onto, run away from Daddy (he thinks he's always trying to catch him :), eat fish crackers, get into anything he can get his hands into, read books, play outside and in the rotting garden (this is nice), run in the leaves at Grandma's house and go on walks! Blake is one happy little boy and still quite a flirt. Let me give you a visual of his flirtatiousness. We were at Cucina, Cucina for dinner last night with some friends of ours which is always quite an adventure with an almost 2 year old anyway. It was homecoming weekend for several local high-schools so we were able to see many beautifully clad teenagers enjoying dinner before their big dance. Blake decided he would target one particular table next to us with 5 lovely ladies and spent his evening saying, "hi" to them and just standing by their table staring at them and looking cute. The girls thought this was hilarious, so they played along with their new little boyfriend. We just sit there and laugh. He is definitely Mr. social :) Then, once he had flirted enough and touched enough sequin dresses for the evening, he decided he would ride his Cucina, Cucina like a horse under the chair(see pictures). We all just sat waiting for the big moment it would pop and after a few giddy ups, it did. He couldn't figure out what had happened and he kept looking around for it which was equally hilarious. Once the novelty of looking for the popped balloon wore off, he decided he'd join the waiters and waitresses in clapping to the Italian rendition of "Happy Birthday" which ironically was sung to the group of Blake's lovely ladies! There is never a dull moment, I swear! Anyway, I'll leave you with some new pictures of our growing baby who is not so much a baby anymore! We hope everyone is well and in good health and looking forward to the upcoming holidays - I know I am already! Take a look at the difference in our sweet boy from last October in Guatemala!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-67947173421909887192008-08-03T22:14:00.000-07:002008-12-08T21:09:42.254-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaQS2Iu6PI/AAAAAAAABSc/dZQoB61AEws/s1600-h/CIMG3307.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaQS2Iu6PI/AAAAAAAABSc/dZQoB61AEws/s320/CIMG3307.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:RIGHT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-18002939496446942122008-08-03T22:12:00.000-07:002008-12-08T21:09:42.434-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaPwx5t9VI/AAAAAAAABSU/jyi5SZuRtbQ/s1600-h/CIMG3312.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaPwx5t9VI/AAAAAAAABSU/jyi5SZuRtbQ/s320/CIMG3312.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-60702496735764800182008-08-03T21:48:00.000-07:002008-12-08T21:09:43.072-08:00PLEASE TAKE A LOOK!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaOyR4p0mI/AAAAAAAABR8/e2nceDYzK-k/s1600-h/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+062.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230525011683037794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaOyR4p0mI/AAAAAAAABR8/e2nceDYzK-k/s400/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+062.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaOy0W4jmI/AAAAAAAABSE/30hPbz2EsgA/s1600-h/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+100.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230525020936638050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaOy0W4jmI/AAAAAAAABSE/30hPbz2EsgA/s400/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+100.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaOzRVaT1I/AAAAAAAABSM/z7sP9U1Us18/s1600-h/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+235.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230525028715089746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaOzRVaT1I/AAAAAAAABSM/z7sP9U1Us18/s400/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+235.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaM0-TQKmI/AAAAAAAABRs/rg_YVOE1fME/s1600-h/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230522858942245474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaM0-TQKmI/AAAAAAAABRs/rg_YVOE1fME/s400/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SJaM1MZM-rI/AAAAAAAABR0/Y3QbUrTjsF8/s1600-h/ALL+GUATEMALA+TRIP+PICTURES+RECOVERED+FROM+TRAVIS+005.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Dear Family and Friends,</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Being a teacher, I have the wonderful opportunity to be at home all summer with Blake! Once he goes to bed at night, I have another opportunity to catch up on my friends' adoption blogs! After reading Terry's blog tonight, (I knew her for a short time at Casa Bella before they went home soon after we arrived), I wanted to post a link to her new on-line business that she and her husband have created in order to raise money for their second adoption! As you know, adoption fees are horrendous and so I take pride in posting this link in hopes that you will pass it on to your friends to help a friend help a child come home to a new family. Thank you for taking the time to look! <a href="http://gifts-of-hope.com/">http://gifts-of-hope.com/</a> P.S. These new pictures are of Blake last July and August shortly after we met him a year ago at 5 months. How the time flies. Just look at him now (this was today at the Woodland Park Zoo)!</div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-45702362819281891192008-07-24T11:43:00.000-07:002008-12-08T21:09:43.841-08:00SUMMER SUN!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlR0LUJAuI/AAAAAAAABNE/N9r_ap0KJ9M/s1600-h/CIMG3008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226798799372485346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlR0LUJAuI/AAAAAAAABNE/N9r_ap0KJ9M/s400/CIMG3008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlR0Xm_RKI/AAAAAAAABNM/sq8yPVS4TIw/s1600-h/CIMG3015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226798802672764066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlR0Xm_RKI/AAAAAAAABNM/sq8yPVS4TIw/s400/CIMG3015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlR0xyOz9I/AAAAAAAABNU/bfxWEVwLab0/s1600-h/The+Circus+July+1,+2008+Blake+is+almost+17+months+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226798809699241938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlR0xyOz9I/AAAAAAAABNU/bfxWEVwLab0/s400/The+Circus+July+1,+2008+Blake+is+almost+17+months+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlQzXO7xaI/AAAAAAAABM0/aFXFZzg-vxQ/s1600-h/CIMG2978.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226797685880374690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlQzXO7xaI/AAAAAAAABM0/aFXFZzg-vxQ/s400/CIMG2978.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlQzxJujQI/AAAAAAAABM8/S6a2R75kG2g/s1600-h/CIMG2986.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226797692837858562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SIlQzxJujQI/AAAAAAAABM8/S6a2R75kG2g/s400/CIMG2986.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>We apologize for not updating our blog for so long, but we've been very busy running after a very energetic 17 month old!! Blake is doing so well and continues to grow and amaze us every day. He is now 22 pounds and I don't remember the exact height he is off hand, but he's getting tall. Our doctor said he is likely to be tall as an adult and believes one of his birth parents was on the taller side. I'm sure he'll outgrow his short mommy! Blake is enjoying the summer sun everyday and we now have a couple of different pools outside to keep him busy. His favorite thing is to spray the water from the hose all over the backyard like a fireman and then chase Lucky, our black lab with it. Lucky isn't too sure about this, but Blake thinks it is hilarious. He is definitely a dog lover and wakes up every morning wanting to go outside to chase them or throw them rocks! Yesterday, my sister, her kids and Blake and I all went to beautiful Snoqualmie Falls and hiked around. I kind of felt like I was doing Pacaya (volcano in Guatemala) again carrying Blake, but of course this was easier! I too am enjoying the summer off from work to spend more time with Blake. Every day we try to something new together like find a new park or other fun place to go. I am also staying busy changing classrooms from the first level of our school to the second which makes sense as I'm moving from Kindergarten to second grade! I am looking forward to this change and having some of my former students :) It has been a lot of work moving and then unpacking, but I'm sure will be worth the change this Fall. We have also been spending time on Pine Lake (where Grandma and Grandpa Williams live) and Blake has enjoyed floating around in his pink and yellow car (I know the colors aren't very boylike, but nevertheless, he loves it)! On our 6th anniversary, August 17th, Chris, Blake and I will be leaving for our annual trip to Canada to fish and enjoy some fresh ocean air. We are looking forward to boating, fishing and looking at bears and seals with Blake!! Hopefully the bears will stay their distance. Last time, one was practically in the backyard of our cabin!! Let's see...what else is new. Blake is still talking up a storm and certain times makes more sense than others. We know that language skills will likely be delayed a bit since I am speaking to him only in Spanish as he is processing two languages. Right now, however, he seems to be doing great! He is talking in both languages and understanding everything I say to him in Spanish. The other day I asked him in Spanish to go get his diaper bag and get out a diaper (just to see if he could) and he did exactly these two things! In English he says: bus, dada, bye-bye, hi, no, poop, Gus (granparent's dog), Remi (our dog), mama (for Grandma), duck, night-night and a few others. In Spanish he says, mas (more), mama (with the accent), casa, bebe (baby), pez (fish), and pato (duck). It is a joy to watch him learn every day - we love him so much - it's hard to even put it into words!! I go back to work on August 28 so we will spend a good 10 days in Canada together as a family. Until then, we will continue playing with dogs, going to the park and spending time with family. It has been so nice to hear of other families experiences upon returning home from Guatemala and to read their blogs. We feel so fortunate to have met so many wonderful people during our adoption experience and have enjoyed staying in contact with them watching each other's children grow up so happy. We hope you enjoy these new pictures of our growing baby! The last picture is a video so click play to see one crazy child!</div></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzDE-8jXOe5_c3LehY6TpNW91CDt6AeLNUa0honaOpIgK0Fesj3DyqsqfwOIzFuf0aXlq1BZVgwGZQKX8CkBA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-64827987468864707732008-05-12T20:03:00.001-07:002008-12-08T21:09:46.689-08:00BLAKE IS 15 MONTHS OLD AND WE ARE AS HAPPY AS CAN BE!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uIS6Rq-I/AAAAAAAABGI/PwsM711K7fE/s1600-h/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+075.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201426814686309346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uIS6Rq-I/AAAAAAAABGI/PwsM711K7fE/s400/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+075.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uIy6Rq_I/AAAAAAAABGQ/fi57FbGhEkc/s1600-h/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+076.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201426823276243954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uIy6Rq_I/AAAAAAAABGQ/fi57FbGhEkc/s400/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+076.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uJi6RrAI/AAAAAAAABGY/dlwBFprwLJg/s1600-h/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201426836161145858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uJi6RrAI/AAAAAAAABGY/dlwBFprwLJg/s400/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uJy6RrBI/AAAAAAAABGg/_CsjkfOHsUI/s1600-h/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+108.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201426840456113170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uJy6RrBI/AAAAAAAABGg/_CsjkfOHsUI/s400/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+108.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uKS6RrCI/AAAAAAAABGo/WdZYQLR8JWs/s1600-h/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+101.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201426849046047778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8uKS6RrCI/AAAAAAAABGo/WdZYQLR8JWs/s400/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+101.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8swi6Rq5I/AAAAAAAABFg/3_jD0BafL1k/s1600-h/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+061.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201425307152788370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8swi6Rq5I/AAAAAAAABFg/3_jD0BafL1k/s400/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+061.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8sxS6Rq6I/AAAAAAAABFo/Kq5yCf1XCR0/s1600-h/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+089.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201425320037690274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8sxS6Rq6I/AAAAAAAABFo/Kq5yCf1XCR0/s400/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+089.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8sxi6Rq7I/AAAAAAAABFw/aIpwVVu47Fc/s1600-h/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+037.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201425324332657586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8sxi6Rq7I/AAAAAAAABFw/aIpwVVu47Fc/s400/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+037.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8syC6Rq8I/AAAAAAAABF4/T98ekaL25-4/s1600-h/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201425332922592194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8syC6Rq8I/AAAAAAAABF4/T98ekaL25-4/s400/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8syi6Rq9I/AAAAAAAABGA/AboLYoZ2wDw/s1600-h/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+070.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201425341512526802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8syi6Rq9I/AAAAAAAABGA/AboLYoZ2wDw/s400/REDMOND+TOWNE+CENTER+BLAKE+IN+WATER+15+MONTHS+MAY,+2008+070.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rDy6Rq0I/AAAAAAAABE4/dHU0jySc6_g/s1600-h/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201423438842014530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rDy6Rq0I/AAAAAAAABE4/dHU0jySc6_g/s400/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rES6Rq1I/AAAAAAAABFA/uU3TLcE_VHg/s1600-h/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201423447431949138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rES6Rq1I/AAAAAAAABFA/uU3TLcE_VHg/s400/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rEy6Rq2I/AAAAAAAABFI/9p7VjAkLfsE/s1600-h/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201423456021883746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rEy6Rq2I/AAAAAAAABFI/9p7VjAkLfsE/s400/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rFS6Rq3I/AAAAAAAABFQ/g_kpuMrwa6E/s1600-h/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201423464611818354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rFS6Rq3I/AAAAAAAABFQ/g_kpuMrwa6E/s400/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rFi6Rq4I/AAAAAAAABFY/pKAER7LpULU/s1600-h/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201423468906785666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/SC8rFi6Rq4I/AAAAAAAABFY/pKAER7LpULU/s400/HAWAII+2008+WITH+BLAKE!+039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Words cannot express how happy Chris and I are having our sweet little boy home with us. He brightens our day and literally, is always smiling. We have been SO blessed to even have Blake here with us. He is our little angel and we love him SO much! So much has happened since returning home on February 6, so here is a little recap.</div><div>We were met at the airport by our immediate family as well as a few good teacher friends of mine. It was like a huge weight had been taken off our shoulders and it felt amazing to be home where we feel so comfortable all the time around our friends and family. </div><div>Theday after returning home, we celebrated Blake's 1st birthday, February 7th (pictures on our last entry) and then we left to go to Hawaii for Spring Break on April 14th! It has been a whirlwind with going back to work on March 24th (which is interesting in Kindergarten :), seeing all of our friends and family to introduce to Blake and the list go on and on. We are having a wonderful time and enjoying each minute we have. It is so true how fast the time goes. Every day Blake changes in some way. I have finally decided to go 100% Spanish with Blake and I have been speaking to him in only Spanish ever since February 15th or so. It took me that long to finally make the committment to him and myself to do this wholeheartedly. He is doing an amazing job with it and is understanding phrases such as, "Donde esta tu boca, tu pelota, tus zapatos, etc." He points to his mouth, goes and gets his ball and looks at his shoes! Yahoo! I have to remember though, from being a dual language teacher, that the language will come later - the understanding comes first. So far, so good! </div><div>Here are some things that Blake likes to do or has done since we've been home:</div><div>1. Say "hi" to everyone that walks by including our two labs every morning!</div><div>2. Waves to people when I say, "Dile adios or saludale/hola!"</div><div>3. Has had 3 haircuts since returning home (his hair grows like a weed).</div><div>4. Plays with his neices Hadley and Savannah and his nephew Cody - he loves them so much.</div><div>5. Has ridden in a limousine.</div><div>6. Watches baby bunnies in Grandma and Grandpa's yard.</div><div>7. Wiggles his fingers around when he's excited or nervous and when I say, "Dedos!"</div><div>8. Likes to touch female's legs (I'm a little worried about this one). At the gate in Hawaii, I got a little nervous.</div><div>9. If he's not saying "hi" to someone, he says "hot" - these are his two favorite words at the moment. </div><div>10. Play outside on our deck and carry the dog dishes around.</div><div>11. Chase and play with Remi and Lucky our two labs every day.</div><div>12. Play hide and seek and peek-a-boo with whomever will play it with him!</div><div>13. Point out school buses on our way to grandma's every morning.</div><div>14. Take walks in the jogger stroller.</div><div>15. Throw rocks in the drains on the streets to hear the water sound.</div><div>16. Throw all of his toys into the bathtub and then once he's in, throw all of them out!</div><div>17. Blow kisses to people.</div><div>18. Blow daddy's duck call.</div><div>19. Eat watermelon (still his favorite).</div><div>20. Make funny faces in his carseat as we drive around.</div><div>And the list goes on and on! Blake brings us so much joy every day. Although I'm working full time (to pay off our adoption debt), I feel good knowing that Blake is in warm hands with his grandma. She loves him so much and I have to keep remembering that the year is almost over, June 18, so we will be able to enjoy the whole summer with our precious little guy!!</div><div>Here are some random Blake pictures including some from our last Hawaii trip! We love you all!</div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-17349861868937286602008-02-24T22:32:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:50.289-08:00BLAKE IS WALKING!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Js-9Fxt7I/AAAAAAAABDk/G2aIpgMpapw/s1600-h/Carhart%27s+and+Fisherman+Knit+Sweater+Blake+Feb.+12,+2008+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170815150981232562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Js-9Fxt7I/AAAAAAAABDk/G2aIpgMpapw/s400/Carhart%27s+and+Fisherman+Knit+Sweater+Blake+Feb.+12,+2008+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Js_dFxt8I/AAAAAAAABDs/Md37BVasLhA/s1600-h/Carhart%27s+and+Fisherman+Knit+Sweater+Blake+Feb.+12,+2008+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170815159571167170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Js_dFxt8I/AAAAAAAABDs/Md37BVasLhA/s400/Carhart%27s+and+Fisherman+Knit+Sweater+Blake+Feb.+12,+2008+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Js_9Fxt9I/AAAAAAAABD0/eRRrWAQDBWE/s1600-h/Carhart%27s+and+Fisherman+Knit+Sweater+Blake+Feb.+12,+2008+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170815168161101778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Js_9Fxt9I/AAAAAAAABD0/eRRrWAQDBWE/s400/Carhart%27s+and+Fisherman+Knit+Sweater+Blake+Feb.+12,+2008+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JtAdFxt-I/AAAAAAAABD8/0FoDBg0XiSs/s1600-h/Carhart%27s+and+Fisherman+Knit+Sweater+Blake+Feb.+12,+2008+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170815176751036386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JtAdFxt-I/AAAAAAAABD8/0FoDBg0XiSs/s400/Carhart%27s+and+Fisherman+Knit+Sweater+Blake+Feb.+12,+2008+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JrctFxt2I/AAAAAAAABC8/_BmY5vvDGOo/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+064.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170813463059085154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JrctFxt2I/AAAAAAAABC8/_BmY5vvDGOo/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+064.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JrdNFxt3I/AAAAAAAABDE/TrMO1YwYjxk/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170813471649019762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JrdNFxt3I/AAAAAAAABDE/TrMO1YwYjxk/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+065.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JrdtFxt4I/AAAAAAAABDM/QRE1kBjeKCc/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170813480238954370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JrdtFxt4I/AAAAAAAABDM/QRE1kBjeKCc/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JreNFxt5I/AAAAAAAABDU/zkp7izAZz8k/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170813488828888978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JreNFxt5I/AAAAAAAABDU/zkp7izAZz8k/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JredFxt6I/AAAAAAAABDc/kobx_eBcN8E/s1600-h/Beth%27s+Copied+Pictures+from+Antigua+February,+2008+056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170813493123856290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JredFxt6I/AAAAAAAABDc/kobx_eBcN8E/s400/Beth%27s+Copied+Pictures+from+Antigua+February,+2008+056.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpI9FxtxI/AAAAAAAABCU/UfKFg3Ta-TI/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170810924733413138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpI9FxtxI/AAAAAAAABCU/UfKFg3Ta-TI/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+052.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpJdFxtyI/AAAAAAAABCc/FR7O7aTb6Hs/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170810933323347746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpJdFxtyI/AAAAAAAABCc/FR7O7aTb6Hs/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+057.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpJ9FxtzI/AAAAAAAABCk/YYJXCDqUpjI/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170810941913282354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpJ9FxtzI/AAAAAAAABCk/YYJXCDqUpjI/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+058.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpKdFxt0I/AAAAAAAABCs/sosindvMTRc/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+063.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170810950503216962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpKdFxt0I/AAAAAAAABCs/sosindvMTRc/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+063.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpLNFxt1I/AAAAAAAABC0/iLDBbzHZ9QU/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+066.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170810963388118866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JpLNFxt1I/AAAAAAAABC0/iLDBbzHZ9QU/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+066.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Jnr9FxtsI/AAAAAAAABBs/cALLvFABmOc/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170809327005578946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Jnr9FxtsI/AAAAAAAABBs/cALLvFABmOc/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JnstFxttI/AAAAAAAABB0/_oAG1xTzV7E/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170809339890480850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JnstFxttI/AAAAAAAABB0/_oAG1xTzV7E/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+044.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Jns9FxtuI/AAAAAAAABB8/IaEjdjgqAOo/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170809344185448162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8Jns9FxtuI/AAAAAAAABB8/IaEjdjgqAOo/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+045.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JntdFxtvI/AAAAAAAABCE/vzuRL1YSpug/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170809352775382770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JntdFxtvI/AAAAAAAABCE/vzuRL1YSpug/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JnuNFxtwI/AAAAAAAABCM/B-TgWvRLk3M/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170809365660284674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JnuNFxtwI/AAAAAAAABCM/B-TgWvRLk3M/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmGdFxtnI/AAAAAAAABBE/eYzRt1q5NX8/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170807583248856690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmGdFxtnI/AAAAAAAABBE/eYzRt1q5NX8/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmHNFxtoI/AAAAAAAABBM/LEv7Bzgr-Ds/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170807596133758594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmHNFxtoI/AAAAAAAABBM/LEv7Bzgr-Ds/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmHtFxtpI/AAAAAAAABBU/HYj5G8wtRlA/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170807604723693202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmHtFxtpI/AAAAAAAABBU/HYj5G8wtRlA/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmH9FxtqI/AAAAAAAABBc/krhkWBqOKr8/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170807609018660514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmH9FxtqI/AAAAAAAABBc/krhkWBqOKr8/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmIdFxtrI/AAAAAAAABBk/-EZRVdXf25w/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170807617608595122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R8JmIdFxtrI/AAAAAAAABBk/-EZRVdXf25w/s400/FEBRUARY+WELCOME+HOME+BLAKE+PARTY+2008+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We are home sweet home and there is nothing better. There is so much happening that I don't even know where to start. Forgive me if this post is all over the place because it's 10:30PM right now and I'm tired, but so eager to let you know about life back in Washington!! First of all, many people ask us how Blake has adjusted to being in a new country. The answer is, beautifully. He sleeps and eats well and is doing everything he needs to be doing at age 1 (we think)! He is happy, full of life and into everything as usual. And, the most exciting news is HE IS WALKING!!!!!! About 5 days after his first birthday on February 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> (the day after we got home), Chris and I were sitting on the couch watching TV and all of a sudden Blake just took off with this arms straight out in the air like a mummy. We knew he was close, but it was so funny how he just decided to go one day!! It has been quite humorous watching him walk. He now thinks he is way cool and opens every drawer, tries to take everything off of shelves within his reach and pull the dogs tails (so far so good with the two dogs). The babbling is now turning into more defined babbling so the random "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ba</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ba</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ba</span>" is now "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dada</span>" or "do" for dog. He tends to leave off the last consonant. Let's see. We celebrated his first birthday party the night after getting home (actually on his birthday) and we had dinner and cake with close family. Chris and I opened gifts not only for Blake, but ones missed from Christmas. My sister, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Melaine</span> printed out our whole entire blog in color and put it into plastic sheet covers and then into a large 3 ring binder (see the picture). It is one of the best gifts we've received as it will be so special to share with Blake when the time is appropriate. Oh, we took Blake to the snow on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Snoqualmie</span> Pass on Friday and that was a hoot. Chris' sister Heather and two of her three kids came to visit for a week to see Blake so we took the clan up to the pass to sled. As you can see by the pictures, Blake wasn't too sure about being in the cold sledding, but you have to admit he looked so darn cute dressed in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">camo</span> two sizes too big for him!!!!!!!!!! Today, Chris, our friends from Malibu and I went down to Pike Place Market in Seattle. We had a blast and had to get pictures of Blake with the famous fish throwers (men in orange). Jody and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Nik</span>, our friends, loved Blake and we will spend one more day with them tomorrow before we bid them farewell. Last night, Chris' parents hosted Blake's welcome home party and it was so fun to share Blake with friends and family whom we hadn't seen in ages. We had Mexican (close to Guatemalan) food that was delicious and my sister-in-laws worked hard to decorate the house to look Guatemalan. We even put the Mayan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">guipiles</span> around the chair backs! It was beautiful and we had fireworks on the dock after dark. Blake did great being passed around the crowd, but of course crashed immediately after returning home. Anyway, enough blabbing, let's post the new pictures!!! We love you all and are SO GLAD to be back in the beautiful Northwest!</div></div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-32859526814860622472008-02-10T16:08:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:52.538-08:00HOME SWEET HOME AND BLAKE TURNS 1!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gudFxtdI/AAAAAAAABAI/UTPzhzAsJLw/s1600-h/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165524017560532434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gudFxtdI/AAAAAAAABAI/UTPzhzAsJLw/s400/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gvNFxtfI/AAAAAAAABAU/avBh5sXm24M/s1600-h/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165524030445434354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gvNFxtfI/AAAAAAAABAU/avBh5sXm24M/s400/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gvtFxthI/AAAAAAAABAg/mREpRPc68tU/s1600-h/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+071.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165524039035368978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gvtFxthI/AAAAAAAABAg/mREpRPc68tU/s400/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+071.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gwNFxtjI/AAAAAAAABAs/709KLCzwNIQ/s1600-h/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+075.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165524047625303602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gwNFxtjI/AAAAAAAABAs/709KLCzwNIQ/s400/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+075.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gwtFxtlI/AAAAAAAABA4/29Vm1owVQPA/s1600-h/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165524056215238226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-gwtFxtlI/AAAAAAAABA4/29Vm1owVQPA/s400/February+Guatemala+Leaving+Trip+2008+043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-XqNFxtaI/AAAAAAAAA_w/kvzGxns5Ilw/s1600-h/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165514048941438370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-XqNFxtaI/AAAAAAAAA_w/kvzGxns5Ilw/s400/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-XqtFxtbI/AAAAAAAAA_4/e-mMF29aJQo/s1600-h/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+072.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165514057531372978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-XqtFxtbI/AAAAAAAAA_4/e-mMF29aJQo/s400/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+072.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-XrdFxtcI/AAAAAAAABAA/1iNCkC4LM0E/s1600-h/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+071.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165514070416274882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-XrdFxtcI/AAAAAAAABAA/1iNCkC4LM0E/s400/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+071.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-WYdFxtVI/AAAAAAAAA_I/9Nok5FK4wCc/s1600-h/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165512644487132498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-WYdFxtVI/AAAAAAAAA_I/9Nok5FK4wCc/s400/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-WZNFxtWI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/Th6_ac7GBno/s1600-h/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165512657372034402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-WZNFxtWI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/Th6_ac7GBno/s400/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-WZtFxtXI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/CtyBAOxcjCI/s1600-h/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165512665961969010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-WZtFxtXI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/CtyBAOxcjCI/s400/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-WadFxtYI/AAAAAAAAA_g/J93v8pol6xQ/s1600-h/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165512678846870914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-WadFxtYI/AAAAAAAAA_g/J93v8pol6xQ/s400/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6-Wa9FxtZI/AAAAAAAAA_o/1sLRo-EbDK4/s1600-h/Blake%27s+1st+Birthday+Party+Feb.+7,+2008+069.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I know I always seem to post two topics at once every time I update the blog, but it always just seems to work out this way! We are FINALLY HOME AND TOGETHER AS A FAMILY! We can't even tell you how good it feels to be here. Honestly, we feel like we've died and gone to heaven. We could not be any happier I don't think. We arrived on Wednesday night to our family holding "welcome home Blake" signs at the airport. What a happy feeling to walk off the plane to this. Everyone was crying tears of joy including ourselves and Blake just smiled as usual to make it even more special. He got to meet his Auntie Marne and Uncle Erik along with cousin Hadley, Grandpa Dick and Grandpa Larry for the first time which was really emotional. We went home in cold windy weather, but it felt so good! We truly felt like we were back home. Now, we've spent the last 4 days getting the house back in order, baby proofing the house a bit more, meeting new friends and spending time with family. Oh, I forgot that we've also had a blast driving, going to Target (I love that store) and SAFEWAY!!! What a great store and a nice change from Bodegona where you can barely walk through the aisles. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Blake celebrated his 1st birthday on Thursday night and of course, the whole neighborhood showed up!! He has more new toys now than he could ever need and is intrigued by each one of them. My mom made a lovely dinner and Blake had his very own piece of chocolate cake! He was so tired by the end of the night though that he decided not to eat it. Oh well! On Friday I took Blake to my school to meet my students and staff. It was so nice to see everyone again. My students were overjoyed to play with Blake and had pictures and emails from me on the classroom door. It was very cute. I missed them so much. I will go back to work on March 24th now so it will be nice to not only teach again, but have such a short year!!! I feel like I've already been on vacation for 6 months and now I'll have another summer one! Can't beat that.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your constant prayers, positive thoughts and support throughout this year of our adoption. We are truly blessed and thankful for not only Blake, but for people as wonderful as you. What would we do without you?! All of this waiting was truly worth it. We love you all.</div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-42154188344625365832008-02-05T10:40:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:53.761-08:00HOTEL PICTURES/VISA APPOINTMENT DONE!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iyord7SQI/AAAAAAAAA-o/o1KSRwX620k/s1600-h/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iyord7SQI/AAAAAAAAA-o/o1KSRwX620k/s400/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163573384713029890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iyqLd7SRI/AAAAAAAAA-w/A9X1o1uDYW4/s1600-h/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+074.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iyqLd7SRI/AAAAAAAAA-w/A9X1o1uDYW4/s400/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163573410482833682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iyrbd7SSI/AAAAAAAAA-4/_EseQBNW8o0/s1600-h/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iyrbd7SSI/AAAAAAAAA-4/_EseQBNW8o0/s400/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163573431957670178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iyr7d7STI/AAAAAAAAA_A/rETfZ9G4A4E/s1600-h/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iyr7d7STI/AAAAAAAAA_A/rETfZ9G4A4E/s400/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163573440547604786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iwerd7SNI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/ExHykEqVLp0/s1600-h/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iwerd7SNI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/ExHykEqVLp0/s400/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163571013891082450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iwg7d7SOI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/Kn7fJXWYDyQ/s1600-h/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+060.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iwg7d7SOI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/Kn7fJXWYDyQ/s400/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163571052545788130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iwird7SPI/AAAAAAAAA-g/esxy7wjkdKE/s1600-h/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+063.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6iwird7SPI/AAAAAAAAA-g/esxy7wjkdKE/s400/Blake%27s+Visa+Appt.+063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163571082610559218" border="0" /></a><br />Hello all! We arrived here at Hotel Casa Grande on Sunday and we already are getting picked up at 5:45AM for our 8:15AM flight to Seattle tomorrow morning. We are at the end and can hardly stand it. Both of us have had trouble sleeping - actually all 3 of us because we're so anxious! Tonight, Blake's foster mother is coming to visit which will be a little sad. She has already been teary while on the phone with us, but she also is so happy that he is happy with us and ready to begin a new life in the U.S. I am posting a few pictures we've taken while being here as well as a couple from Antigua. See you in Seattle!!Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-65855390021966773812008-02-01T11:11:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:54.289-08:00LAST POST IN ANTIGUA!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6N1H7d7SKI/AAAAAAAAA94/AaCb-WMJDe4/s1600-h/DSC01579.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162098376979466402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6N1H7d7SKI/AAAAAAAAA94/AaCb-WMJDe4/s400/DSC01579.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6N1ILd7SLI/AAAAAAAAA-A/ooGTk-X7LD8/s1600-h/Monterrico+%2322.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162098381274433714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6N1ILd7SLI/AAAAAAAAA-A/ooGTk-X7LD8/s400/Monterrico+%2322.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6N1Ird7SMI/AAAAAAAAA-I/DzQJ-RZUUCA/s1600-h/Monterrico+%2315.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162098389864368322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R6N1Ird7SMI/AAAAAAAAA-I/DzQJ-RZUUCA/s400/Monterrico+%2315.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We are actually coming home. It is still surreal. It will be quite a change to come home to freezing weather, but I'm sure we'll get used to it quick. We are so excited to see you all and share Blake with you. Blake is doing so well and is just on the verge of walking. He can stand alone, say no by shaking his head, clap, and take steps from one chair to another if they're close to each other. He is so grown up and this first year has flown when we look at how much he's grown. We will miss our friends and daily routines in Antigua, but will look forward to creating more memories at home. Tomorrow night (Saturday) Chris arrives and then Sunday we'll head to the city to stay for our last 3 nights. Our plane leaves at 8:00AM on Wednesday morning so we arrive in Seattle at 5:30PM!! I will keep up on the blog when we return - I promise!</div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-40187900910148822652008-01-28T10:49:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:55.458-08:00NEW PICTURES!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54oFrd7SBI/AAAAAAAAA8w/DCSy0dAuK8I/s1600-h/DSC01543.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160606301045868562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54oFrd7SBI/AAAAAAAAA8w/DCSy0dAuK8I/s400/DSC01543.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54oF7d7SCI/AAAAAAAAA84/Adgbm397faY/s1600-h/DSC01542.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160606305340835874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54oF7d7SCI/AAAAAAAAA84/Adgbm397faY/s400/DSC01542.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54oGbd7SDI/AAAAAAAAA9A/4auPrjbLoZ0/s1600-h/Monterrico+%234.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160606313930770482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54oGbd7SDI/AAAAAAAAA9A/4auPrjbLoZ0/s400/Monterrico+%234.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54nErd7R_I/AAAAAAAAA8g/SZpcRlpmsEM/s1600-h/DSC01430.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160605184354371570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54nErd7R_I/AAAAAAAAA8g/SZpcRlpmsEM/s400/DSC01430.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54nFLd7SAI/AAAAAAAAA8o/lgPLzftkSTk/s1600-h/DSC01482.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160605192944306178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54nFLd7SAI/AAAAAAAAA8o/lgPLzftkSTk/s400/DSC01482.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54l-bd7R6I/AAAAAAAAA74/_hLMjy0LGU0/s1600-h/DSC01585.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54l_Ld7R7I/AAAAAAAAA8A/VZtZLfahOPM/s1600-h/DSC01435.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160603990353463218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54l_Ld7R7I/AAAAAAAAA8A/VZtZLfahOPM/s400/DSC01435.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54l_bd7R8I/AAAAAAAAA8I/U94t7W0v5vc/s1600-h/DSC01470.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160603994648430530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54l_bd7R8I/AAAAAAAAA8I/U94t7W0v5vc/s400/DSC01470.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54l_7d7R9I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/XKFWclUHA7s/s1600-h/DSC01412.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160604003238365138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54l_7d7R9I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/XKFWclUHA7s/s400/DSC01412.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R54mALd7R-I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/p-8zAm7z6FE/s1600-h/DSC01481.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-40666884622587777352008-01-23T07:31:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:56.845-08:00Finally some new Pictures!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5dp2rd7R2I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/sbn5lAxNbCE/s1600-h/99630004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158708286278289250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5dp2rd7R2I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/sbn5lAxNbCE/s400/99630004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5dp3Ld7R3I/AAAAAAAAA7g/rvQhOhrsWZ0/s1600-h/99630006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158708294868223858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5dp3Ld7R3I/AAAAAAAAA7g/rvQhOhrsWZ0/s400/99630006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5dp3rd7R4I/AAAAAAAAA7o/Re0-ULD2UbI/s1600-h/99630005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158708303458158466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5dp3rd7R4I/AAAAAAAAA7o/Re0-ULD2UbI/s400/99630005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5dp4Ld7R5I/AAAAAAAAA7w/jfISERk8rO0/s1600-h/99630010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158708312048093074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5dp4Ld7R5I/AAAAAAAAA7w/jfISERk8rO0/s400/99630010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><ol><br /><li><br /><blockquote><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djBLd7RpI/AAAAAAAAA5w/P6GMiTMvgW8/s1600-h/Monterrico+17.jpg"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djBLd7RpI/AAAAAAAAA5w/P6GMiTMvgW8/s1600-h/Monterrico+17.jpg"></blockquote><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158700770085521042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djBLd7RpI/AAAAAAAAA5w/P6GMiTMvgW8/s400/Monterrico+17.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djBrd7RqI/AAAAAAAAA54/ngN1_jKspAE/s1600-h/Monterrico+%235.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158700778675455650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djBrd7RqI/AAAAAAAAA54/ngN1_jKspAE/s400/Monterrico+%235.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djB7d7RrI/AAAAAAAAA6A/Mo7c5JsFlmc/s1600-h/Monterrico+%235.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djCLd7RsI/AAAAAAAAA6I/-LZI5IwETzA/s1600-h/Monterrico+%236.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158700787265390274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djCLd7RsI/AAAAAAAAA6I/-LZI5IwETzA/s400/Monterrico+%236.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djCrd7RtI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/_apNeae3WNc/s1600-h/Monterrico+%238.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158700795855324882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R5djCrd7RtI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/_apNeae3WNc/s400/Monterrico+%238.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></li></ol>Here we are with exactly 2 weeks left before coming home!! I can't believe I'm saying that. It's like a dream come true. Blake and I are doing well and just waiting for Chris to arrive on Saturday, the 2nd. We are so glad we'll be able to go home as a family. Not too much is new here except that Blake and I have been spending lots of time with little Vinsy and Flor. These little girls you've seen before on my blog. They sell in the park every day. They have now returned to school (4th grade), but still sell every afternoon. We have had a great time eating at Burger King together, having hair braiding parties and walking around town. These pictures crack me up of Flor with Blake on her back and wearing my sunglasses. They are the sweetest girls and every day they ask me when they can come to visit or live with Chris and I. It will be hard to leave them. It melts my heart when I see them running up to me and Blake in the park calling our names and hugging us. These beach pictures are from Monterrico where my friend Beatriz and I went last Friday. It is about 2 hours away and was absolutely beautiful. There were pigs running around the streets - very funny!Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-65208744912334321892008-01-19T07:44:00.000-08:002008-01-19T07:59:35.594-08:00WE HAVE OUR EMBASSY APPT. AND ARE REALLY COMING HOME THIS TIME!!!Hallelujah! We finally received our Visa/Embassy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Appt</span>. on Thursday morning!!! This is the VERY LAST THING we have to do before coming home. Our appointment is set for Monday, February 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> (in 16 days and yes, we're counting them down), which is not too far out. We were hoping for sooner, but apparently the holidays have backed up the embassy's appointments. We will hang in there though. Of course we've already emailed them to see if we can get an earlier appointment or be put on the cancellation list, but we haven't heard back yet. That probably won't happen though so we'll just enjoy our last couple of weeks in Antigua. We can't even imagine what it will be like to be at home now. Every adoptive family here says, "Until I'm on that plane, I won't feel like we're really going home." This is so true. It often seems like things will always go on and on and you'll never see this day. It is actually here for us. Our plan is to go to the embassy for our 7:15 AM <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">appt</span>. on Monday, the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span>. Then, Blake's Visa will be available for pick up after 3:00 the next day. Therefore, we will fly back home on Wednesday, February 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>!!! And, this is 1 DAY BEFORE BLAKE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!! It will be exactly one year since he was born that we have been going through the adoption process. Wow! This has been an amazing journey. Blake is SO WORTH everything we've gone through here. Yes, it has been VERY frustrating and emotionally draining at times, but for the most part, the things we have experienced and seen in Guatemala we are so lucky to have been a part of. How often can you wake up in the morning to sunshine and the sound of doves in the trees? How often can you say "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Buenos</span> Dias!" to every person that walks by and have them respond happily? How many times can you see pigs wandering through the streets like dogs and walk on a beach with your baby on your back? (yesterday's trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Monterrico</span> beach). How often can you make friends with and directly help a child in need by walking to the nearest park? How often can you order any type of fruit smoothie just by walking up to a bar in a cafe? The list goes on and on. We are SO thankful for Blake and this trip. We have been able to foster Blake for 5 months and we can't imagine life without him. At this point, we'd like to take 3 children home with us when we go, but that's impossible. All we can say is that if you are even the slightest bit interested in adopting, DO IT!!! You will never regret it. Yes, it can be trying, but like I continue to say, SO WORTH IT when you see that little smile every morning! Anyway, we're hoping to post more pictures soon. I'm taking my new fancy disposable camera to the camera store today so look for new ones tonight! We can't wait to see you! Chris said he's planning on kissing the airport floor as soon as we walk off the plane (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hee</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">hee</span>)!Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-91176133459130298042008-01-16T11:27:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:57.474-08:002-3 More Weeks and it's Homeward Bound!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R45fNoZf56I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/X41N-dlK6kc/s1600-h/Lake+Atitlan+with+Mom+December+8,+9+and+10+2007+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156163311173101474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R45fNoZf56I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/X41N-dlK6kc/s400/Lake+Atitlan+with+Mom+December+8,+9+and+10+2007+051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R45fOIZf57I/AAAAAAAAA5g/c37ZzO3iwZk/s1600-h/Lake+Atitlan+with+Mom+December+8,+9+and+10+2007+086.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156163319763036082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R45fOIZf57I/AAAAAAAAA5g/c37ZzO3iwZk/s400/Lake+Atitlan+with+Mom+December+8,+9+and+10+2007+086.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R45fOYZf58I/AAAAAAAAA5o/eINYV7KRY0U/s1600-h/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+077.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156163324058003394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R45fOYZf58I/AAAAAAAAA5o/eINYV7KRY0U/s400/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+077.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hello friends and family! We hope everyone is well in the states. We are still hanging in there for our last few weeks in Guatemala. We are now waiting for our official "pink" email with our embassy appt. date. Our DNA results have been sent to the embassy (our agency confirmed) and now we wait once again. The good news is, we should get the email today or tomorrow. The not so good news is that some of the appts. have been for 18 days out. We can try to get an earlier appt. if this is the case for us, however the majority of my friends who've tried this have had no luck because the embassy is still backed up from the holidays. I think we can hang in there, but we're really starting to want to come home now. What else is new here. I got really sick on Monday night from eating at McDonald's again (I've been sick from eating there before and continue to go back). It was like the 24 hour bug because I was up all night vomiting. Sorry for the visual. Thank goodness Blake didn't wake up during this. Thank goodness also for my wonderful neighbor Beth who nursed me back to health with Gatorade, bananas, and everything else I needed. She is great. Blake is doing great, by the way and growing like a weed! He is now able to stand up on his own and has figured out how to step down a curb by putting his arms straight out for balance. It's really cute because he's so intent and focused when he does this. We also think he's beginning to cut a few more teeth because his appetite has decreased a bit and he's been really fussy and clingy to me. Any moms out there that can help me with this one? He doesn't have a fever, but is just not his usual self. Let's see. Oh, my camera is officially lost now. That's why I haven't posted any new pictures lately. I'll have to post some older ones and/or wait for Chris to get here with the other camera. I did buy a disposable, however so when I get the pictures developed soon, I'll put them on a CD to download to my computer so you can see some more recent ones! I will post again as soon as we receive our appt! Cross your fingers for an appt. not too far out!! </div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-73042948698377280492008-01-10T06:33:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:58.464-08:00Have you ever hiked a Volcano with a Baby on your Back?!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4eNxIZf55I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/kpNOStD_VT8/s1600-h/LAVA+RIVER+PICTURE+PACAYA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154244173756360594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4eNxIZf55I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/kpNOStD_VT8/s400/LAVA+RIVER+PICTURE+PACAYA.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bmP4Zf54I/AAAAAAAAA5I/0XrhwoIlsT4/s1600-h/Pacaya+Nap+with+Blake+January+2008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154059984083871618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bmP4Zf54I/AAAAAAAAA5I/0XrhwoIlsT4/s400/Pacaya+Nap+with+Blake+January+2008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4blLIZf53I/AAAAAAAAA5A/hR7Q5bix7sY/s1600-h/Roasting+Marshmallows+on+Pacaya+January.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154058802967865202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4blLIZf53I/AAAAAAAAA5A/hR7Q5bix7sY/s400/Roasting+Marshmallows+on+Pacaya+January.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjCYZf5yI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/cXf-Q0mhMZU/s1600-h/Pacaya+6+Group.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154056453620754210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjCYZf5yI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/cXf-Q0mhMZU/s400/Pacaya+6+Group.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjEYZf5zI/AAAAAAAAA4g/GulEpa6TGlM/s1600-h/Pacaya+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154056487980492594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjEYZf5zI/AAAAAAAAA4g/GulEpa6TGlM/s400/Pacaya+3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjEYZf50I/AAAAAAAAA4o/N_RxrIKeB3g/s1600-h/Pacaya+7+Volcano+view+lava.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154056487980492610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjEYZf50I/AAAAAAAAA4o/N_RxrIKeB3g/s400/Pacaya+7+Volcano+view+lava.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjEoZf51I/AAAAAAAAA4w/L3c-qr5feYM/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+003.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjE4Zf52I/AAAAAAAAA44/bcOIoqqAnuM/s1600-h/Lara+on+Pacaya+Lava+Rocks.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154056496570427234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4bjE4Zf52I/AAAAAAAAA44/bcOIoqqAnuM/s400/Lara+on+Pacaya+Lava+Rocks.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Yes indeed, we did just this. On Tuesday, our friends Heather, Grady and their daughter Kylie along with Blake and I did a 2 hour climb up the volcano <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pacaya</span>. I think now that we're out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">PGN</span>, I'm feeling like I want to see everything before we go so I decided to put Blake and my back and go for it. We drove a very scenic route about an hour and a half away from Antigua and then hiked an hour up and another one down. It was absolutely amazing and SO worth the aching legs the next day. I actually sat in front of a lava river that was about 3 feet away from me. We walked on volcanic rock that radiated heat under our feet. It was surreal. The view at the almost top (they don't let you actually summit for safety reasons) of the volcano was breathtaking. We were actually looking down on towns while watching 3 lava rivers flow down the mountain. Our guide, Luisa, was amazing and she had us all roast <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">marshmallows</span> on one of the white hot rocks. That's how hot it was. Another nice woman on our tour watched Blake while I got close to the lava rivers so don't think I'm too crazy. I had to laugh because as we got to the top, an English speaking man walked by and said hi to me before realizing Blake was on my back. He then said, "Wow, you have a baby! Where are you from?" I said Seattle and as he walked off I heard him say to his friends, "Only a person from Seattle would bring their baby on their back and hike a volcano!" Go <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Seattlelites</span>! I had to laugh at this one because I'm not a typical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Seattlelite</span> and normally wouldn't do this! The bad part about this trip is I lost my camera or it was stolen. We had amazing pictures of the volcano. Luckily, my friend Heather has some of us that I'm having her send. I will post them as soon as I receive them.<br />So much has happened here in the last few days so I'll start at Monday. We now have Blake's new birth certificate, Passport and 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">nd</span> DNA completed. The DNA was sent to a US lab yesterday and the results should be at the US Embassy by next Monday (according to our agency). Our facilitator said that we will receive our "pink" email (used to be called a pink slip because you would get an Embassy/VISA <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">appt</span>. date on a pink piece of paper) by next Wednesday if the results come in Monday. By law the embassy has to give you an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">appt</span>. date within 48 hours of receiving 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">nd</span> DNA. Once we have that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">appt</span>., we will go to the Embassy for our final doctor visit there (you have to check out of the country with a thorough exam from a designated Embassy doctor) and then attend our VISA <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">appt</span>. date which should be that same week. We will be handed a sealed envelope with Blake's paperwork to get through customs at the airport and then go through a short interview. The next day, we will return and pick up his VISA. Once that is in hand, we can RETURN TO THE USA!!!! We are so excited to come home, yet sad that we'll be leaving this beautiful place. It has been an experience we will NEVER forget. We are blessed and SO incredibly lucky to have this sweet baby boy.<br />On another note, I have been busy this week helping the family whom we brought gifts to at Christmas. Remember this family? I have pictures of Juanita (the mom) with her 3 boys (5, 3 and 4 months). This is the family who is homeless, living in a shelter and whom I've become really close to living her in Antigua. Basically the mother has no money and sells probably 2 bracelets in the park a day equalling about $8.00 a day. She is supporting 3 kids on this income. To make a long story short, the oldest child, Esteban, developed an enormous tumor like looking mass on the inside of his right leg. Literally, it was the size of a grapefruit. I had not seen it until Monday, but Juanita had told me that her son was not well and she was really worried. Finally, on Monday when I came through the park for our daily walk, little Esteban showed me and drew a crowd of people amazed at how bad this mass was. I asked her if she'd been to the doctor and she said yes and was given an antibiotic prescription. Of course, she couldn't pay for it so she returned to the streets. The mass just continued to get worse. So, to save this little boy's life (literally), I took them all by taxi to Dr. Juarez where I take Blake in town. He took his temp. and said that not only did he have a fever, but that Esteban had an infected <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">abcess</span> filled with puss. I know this sounds absolutely awful - it was. He said he needed to go to the hospital and I had two choices - one associated with him around the corner and another a little outside of town (little did I know that the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Nacional</span>" hospital is government operated and treatment is free). Of course I chose the closer one not knowing this. We waited with 4 children in the lobby of the hospital for an hour before Esteban was given a room. He stayed for 2 nights and Dr. Juarez basically took out the puss and filled him with antibiotics. He was released yesterday and I paid a huge hospital bill. Thank goodness though for my wonderful former roommates who had helped Juanita at Christmas though because they all donated money and helped to pay me back. Basically we all ended up chipping in money for the cause. The mother, Juanita, has been calling me now from a friend's home (we also paid rent for her to stay there for the month while Esteban heals) beyond thankful. She continues to tell me that her son would've died if we hadn't helped. This is true I'm sure. Esteban is a prime example of the children that die because their parents can't afford medicine and hospital treatments. When I went to visit Esteban the day after his treatment, he was SO happy and like a different kid. I left that evening with tears in my eyes. I can't even tell you the feeling I had knowing I had helped save this little one's life. I'm tearing up right now writing this. Anyway, I will never forget this experience. It was definitely a once in a lifetime one.</div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-56932973327669323382008-01-06T06:58:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:09:59.895-08:00We May be Home Sooner Than we Thought!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FJQYZf5uI/AAAAAAAAA34/CWRI05X1XQg/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152479994464691938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FJQYZf5uI/AAAAAAAAA34/CWRI05X1XQg/s400/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+056.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FJQ4Zf5vI/AAAAAAAAA4A/9BqL0ARR7p8/s1600-h/Kristina,+Katie+and+Lee+Phillips+January+4,+2008+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152480003054626546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FJQ4Zf5vI/AAAAAAAAA4A/9BqL0ARR7p8/s400/Kristina,+Katie+and+Lee+Phillips+January+4,+2008+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FJRYZf5wI/AAAAAAAAA4I/VDnlI8vKtuk/s1600-h/Pastores,+Antigua+Boots+Nov,+2007+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152480011644561154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FJRYZf5wI/AAAAAAAAA4I/VDnlI8vKtuk/s400/Pastores,+Antigua+Boots+Nov,+2007+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FJRoZf5xI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/aFm0YU6bJsM/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152480015939528466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FJRoZf5xI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/aFm0YU6bJsM/s400/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFDIZf5pI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/X169WBWY7lI/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152475368784914066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFDIZf5pI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/X169WBWY7lI/s400/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFDoZf5qI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/HrF1U7vPYzY/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152475377374848674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFDoZf5qI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/HrF1U7vPYzY/s400/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+048.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFEIZf5rI/AAAAAAAAA3g/DYVGwYRvfog/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152475385964783282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFEIZf5rI/AAAAAAAAA3g/DYVGwYRvfog/s400/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+074.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFEoZf5sI/AAAAAAAAA3o/JCqqlv_EvQI/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152475394554717890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFEoZf5sI/AAAAAAAAA3o/JCqqlv_EvQI/s400/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFFIZf5tI/AAAAAAAAA3w/Knthb1mpsSI/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152475403144652498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R4FFFIZf5tI/AAAAAAAAA3w/Knthb1mpsSI/s400/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+058.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>After 11 months of waiting for our adoption to be finalized, things are finally moving rather quickly. Moving quickly in Guatemala is literally unheard of so we are very lucky. Tomorrow morning we are headed to the city to get Blake's Passport and 2nd DNA test done. Last week we received his birth certificate in 1 day as well as his adoption decree. Birth certificates can take weeks at times depending on which town they're coming from so we feel very fortunate. We actually went to get his Passport last Friday however the man needed Chris' signature which is impossible now that he's returned home. So this is why we are returning on Wednesday with our Mandatory attorney (the one whose last name was mispelled on 1 document in our file) and she has a Power of Attorney that says she has legal responsibility of our case should we not be in Guatemala. So, all is well. We have to be there at 7:45 AM before they open so this will be interesting. Blake will wake up and will literally jump in the taxi! </div><br /><div>Antigua is, believe it or not, rather calm since the holidays have ended. Many stores have shut down for awhile because of a lack of business and others are closed due to renovations. My favorite coffee shop is closed, however not for renovations. We're still trying to figure out why when it's one of the busiest places in town. Speaking of coffee, I thought I'd make a couple of lists again of things I miss about Seattle and things I'll greatly miss about Antigua. Now that our trip is coming to an end, I'm suddenly having all of these thoughts of things I remember and will miss. What a journey it has been and probably the greatest experience of our lives. I've posted some new pictures today too! We miss you all. Here goes the lists:</div><br /><div>Things I miss about Seattle:</div><br /><div>1. Starbucks Mochas (actually Starbucks in general). They don't make mochas too much here and a cappuccino is actually a latte.</div><br /><div>2. My husband, dogs Remi and Lucky, and my family.</div><br /><div>3. My car.</div><br /><div>4. Carpet.</div><br /><div>5. Regular shoes.</div><br /><div>6. A warm fireplace.</div><br /><div>7. Normal lighting.</div><br /><div>8. Scented candles, lotions and soaps.</div><br /><div>9. The mall.</div><br /><div>10. Target and Walmart.</div><br /><div>11. My school and 24 kindergartners.</div><br /><div>12. My neices Savannah, Jordan and Hadley and nephews Cody, Reilly and Carson.</div><br /><div>13. My house.</div><br /><div>14. Tucking Blake into a normal crib rather than a Pack and Play.</div><br /><div>15. Constant electricity and running water.</div><br /><div>16. Paved roads.</div><br /><div>17. The convenience of the states (everything is available when you need it and you don't have to search all over town for things).</div><br /><div>18. Las Margaritas chips and salsa and bean burritos (Woodin staff I'll be wanting to go weekly when I return to work so get ready).</div><br /><div>19. Real Mexican food (I still am biased to it probably as a result of all of my wonderful Mexican parents who bring me lunch every so often at school). </div><br /><div>20. Snow, cold and wearing warm turtleneck sweaters.</div><br /><div>21. Shopping with my sisters.</div><br /><div>22. Fresh air - especially from the lakes and oceans.</div><br /><div>23. Our weekend neighborhood get togethers.</div><br /><div>24. Cash machines that always have money and never run out.</div><br /><div>25. Safeway and grocery stores where I can walk through the aisles without bumping into 5 people at once. </div><br /><div>26. My bed and sleeping in (I guess the second part is unlikely to change much)!</div><br /><div>27. Visiting my parents.</div><br /><div>28. Costco.</div><br /><div>29. Full length mirrors.</div><br /><div>30. Receiving mail.</div><br /><div>31. Normal Internet service that also doesn't go out every day!</div><br /><div>32. Saturday Night Live and Grey's Anatomy (I'm going to have to buy an entire missed season I think). </div><br /><div>33. Country music (this one's for you Amanda, my friend!)</div><br /><br /><br /><div>OK! Things I'll miss about Guatemala:</div><br /><div>1. The beautiful architecture, restaurants, doors and vivid colors.</div><br /><div>2. The kind and gently people.</div><br /><div>3. The swimming pool, brunch and the best Eggs Benedict ever at Hotel Antigua.</div><br /><div>4. Horse drawn carriages.</div><br /><div>5. The wonderful friendships I've made with other adoptive families and Guatemalan women.</div><br /><div>6. The calmness of every day life.</div><br /><div>7. Homemade tortillas available on every street.</div><br /><div>8. Hyper Paiz (the large Target store in the city).</div><br /><div>9. The market prices.</div><br /><div>10. Tokens to do my laundry (this one's for you Monica).</div><br /><div>11. Carlos the 12 year old who shines shoes and gets mad at me when I don't wear my shinable shoes every day.</div><br /><div>12. The two little girls who always ask me, "Laurie, what will you buy me today?"</div><br /><div>13. The market women asking me, "What you like lady? Good price" (Mel, this one's for you).</div><br /><div>14. Being able to walk for miles every day and enjoy every bit of it.</div><br /><div>15. The market in general.</div><br /><div>16. The used clothing section of the market (it's like an oversized Value Village).</div><br /><div>17. Pollo Campero (the best fast food KFC type restaurant in town and they deliver).</div><br /><div>18. Pushing strollers over bumpy roads and bumpy Tuc Tuc rides.</div><br /><div>19. The "Tres Leches" coffee drink made with evaporated milk, whole milk and whipped cream (fat? what?!!)</div><br /><div>20. The beautiful views.</div><br /><div>21. The church bell ringing all day long at random hours.</div><br /><div>22. The random fireworks.</div><br /><div>23. Curious, yet smiling children's faces.</div><br /><div>24. The look on a Mayan child's face when you give them a toy or give them anything for that matter.</div><br /><div>25. Warm banana bread fresh out of the over at Dona Luisa bakery.</div><br /><div>26. I'm sure I'll keep adding to this list as the week goes on!</div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-17034911994516601842007-12-30T06:30:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:10:01.714-08:00WE ARE OUT OF PGN AND COMING HOME!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3gv9YZf5oI/AAAAAAAAA3I/ClF_9LZF1Ug/s1600-h/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149918905466087042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3gv9YZf5oI/AAAAAAAAA3I/ClF_9LZF1Ug/s400/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3gumYZf5mI/AAAAAAAAA24/xvrV156xAfo/s1600-h/Camoflauge+with+Dad+and+Blake+Dec.+2007+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149917410817468002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3gumYZf5mI/AAAAAAAAA24/xvrV156xAfo/s400/Camoflauge+with+Dad+and+Blake+Dec.+2007+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3gunIZf5nI/AAAAAAAAA3A/COs9bFMCHiI/s1600-h/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149917423702369906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3gunIZf5nI/AAAAAAAAA3A/COs9bFMCHiI/s400/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+058.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_I4Zf5hI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/3aAGr1fX8fQ/s1600-h/Camoflauge+with+Dad+and+Blake+Dec.+2007+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149794858220643858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_I4Zf5hI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/3aAGr1fX8fQ/s400/Camoflauge+with+Dad+and+Blake+Dec.+2007+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_JYZf5iI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/xmwRoZYpBq4/s1600-h/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+081.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149794866810578466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_JYZf5iI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/xmwRoZYpBq4/s400/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+081.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_J4Zf5jI/AAAAAAAAA2g/A5YOsrZYcQ8/s1600-h/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149794875400513074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_J4Zf5jI/AAAAAAAAA2g/A5YOsrZYcQ8/s400/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+046.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_KIZf5kI/AAAAAAAAA2o/g4qqFcPTEoo/s1600-h/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149794879695480386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_KIZf5kI/AAAAAAAAA2o/g4qqFcPTEoo/s400/Hotel+Antigua+with+Dad+Dec.+26,+2007+036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_K4Zf5lI/AAAAAAAAA2w/XX2GRU9QrMw/s1600-h/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149794892580382290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R3e_K4Zf5lI/AAAAAAAAA2w/XX2GRU9QrMw/s400/PGN+APPROVAL+PICTURES+DECEMBER+28,+2007+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Hallelujah!! Blake's adoption was FINALLY approved on Friday, Dec.28 at PGN. He is officially our son and we will be coming home to Washington at the end of January or first of February. We are still in shock that this actually happened AND happened 3 weeks earlier than expected. This is what happened. Chris, Blake and I were getting ready to go to the city for our monthly formula and diaper run when we received a phone call from our agency. Apparently, Barrios' secretary had called them asking them to call me to come to PGN to meet with Barrios. This is usually unheard of so of course, we thought the worst. We did however, submit the "special consideration" letter before Christmas so we wondered if it had something to do with it. So we rushed to PGN and went right into his office upon arrival. He sat us down and was very nice (compared to last time) and had our file with the letter attached on the table. He also brought in an interpretor for Chris which we thought was a nice gesture. He wanted to know if we had indeed written the letter ourselves first of all. We said "yes" of course and I told him that we had it translated by a translator to ensure the letter was written in Spanish correctly. He then proceeded to say that he was giving our case an exception and approving our case 3 weeks early. The letter worked!! We were amazed and thanked him up and down. Can you believe I actually hugged the guy?!! What was I thinking? We plan to write him a letter thanking him again and asking him to please consider other families that write letters in similar situations. He told us he loved children and reached out to hold Blake who immediately screamed (I had to laugh inside) and reached back for me! Our agency representatives Lourdes and Alex met us at PGN shortly after and physically came to pick up the file. I asked (of course) to see the approval letter with Barrios' signature just to be sure. It was there!! There is no way we can go back into PGN ANYMORE! The file is OUT OF THE BUILDING!<br />The next steps will be: Wednesday, January 2 (after everything opens again) the adoption decree will be picked up at Civil Registry in the city.<br />Thursday or Friday our birth certificate will get picked up (as we were told it would only be a day to obtain which is VERY lucky as some cases take 3 weeks to obtain), and then the following Monday we will get Blake's Passport and 2nd DNA test. We should be submitted to the embassy by the 2nd week of January and have our Visa appt hopefully 2 weeks later. Our agency swears we will be going home by the end of the month, although we're estimating the first of February around Blake's first birthday as one month usually ends up being longer here. We feel so lucky to be out of PGN now and this will save us a whole month. It's a miracle!! Get ready for one of the biggest welcome home parties you've ever seen when we return to town!! You are ALL invited!!</div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285456635371397938.post-26622345409835248762007-12-23T06:40:00.000-08:002008-12-08T21:10:03.890-08:00MERRY CHRISTMAS!! DADDY IS HERE!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26E44Zf5eI/AAAAAAAAA14/Ss5u_BulqGQ/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147197536877929954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26E44Zf5eI/AAAAAAAAA14/Ss5u_BulqGQ/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+069.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26E5IZf5fI/AAAAAAAAA2A/2o8Q-N8a6n4/s1600-h/Camoflauge+with+Dad+and+Blake+Dec.+2007+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147197541172897266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26E5IZf5fI/AAAAAAAAA2A/2o8Q-N8a6n4/s400/Camoflauge+with+Dad+and+Blake+Dec.+2007+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26E6YZf5gI/AAAAAAAAA2I/kkxTv4rdIbM/s1600-h/Camoflauge+with+Dad+and+Blake+Dec.+2007+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147197562647733762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26E6YZf5gI/AAAAAAAAA2I/kkxTv4rdIbM/s400/Camoflauge+with+Dad+and+Blake+Dec.+2007+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26Cz4Zf5aI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/8-CwRU5WMPs/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147195251955328418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26Cz4Zf5aI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/8-CwRU5WMPs/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+040.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26C04Zf5bI/AAAAAAAAA1g/MO3m3oVvwOQ/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147195269135197618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26C04Zf5bI/AAAAAAAAA1g/MO3m3oVvwOQ/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+045.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26C1YZf5cI/AAAAAAAAA1o/uhNIdwN12Dg/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147195277725132226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26C1YZf5cI/AAAAAAAAA1o/uhNIdwN12Dg/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26C1oZf5dI/AAAAAAAAA1w/D8mwiyoIRoA/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147195282020099538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R26C1oZf5dI/AAAAAAAAA1w/D8mwiyoIRoA/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+056.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R258HIZf5WI/AAAAAAAAA04/bJ4bBXwRW9I/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147187886086415714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R258HIZf5WI/AAAAAAAAA04/bJ4bBXwRW9I/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R258H4Zf5XI/AAAAAAAAA1A/wlxZN0ObCSY/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147187898971317618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R258H4Zf5XI/AAAAAAAAA1A/wlxZN0ObCSY/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R258IIZf5YI/AAAAAAAAA1I/S6dJOKDbxJU/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147187903266284930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R258IIZf5YI/AAAAAAAAA1I/S6dJOKDbxJU/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+052.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R258IoZf5ZI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/MyswOVghT-g/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147187911856219538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R258IoZf5ZI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/MyswOVghT-g/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+053.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R255_4Zf5SI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/r9NUWj2p4rw/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147185562509108514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R255_4Zf5SI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/r9NUWj2p4rw/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R256AIZf5TI/AAAAAAAAA0g/SaeYVCDS9TY/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147185566804075826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R256AIZf5TI/AAAAAAAAA0g/SaeYVCDS9TY/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R256A4Zf5UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/oMY_Z2RaHmE/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147185579688977730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R256A4Zf5UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/oMY_Z2RaHmE/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R256BYZf5VI/AAAAAAAAA0w/IODOgAz-A54/s1600-h/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147185588278912338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZDiA6LbSCE/R256BYZf5VI/AAAAAAAAA0w/IODOgAz-A54/s400/Christmas+2007+with+Blake,+Mom+and+Dad+034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Happy Holidays friends and family! We hope you are all enjoying some much needed relaxation with your family. We hear it has been just beautiful in Washington with crisp cold frosty days. The fireplace next year at Christmas is going to feel so good - I miss it so much. Chris arrived at 1:00 am on Thursday and we've been busy ever since! It only took Blake a couple of days to remember who his Daddy was. He thinks he is the most hilarious person in the world. The pictures I'm posting today prove it. Chris makes funny noises and faces and Blake just cracks up. I've never had myself in tears quite this much from laughing at the two of them. They are quite the pair. Yesterday we went to Hotel Antigua and went swimming! Blake loves the water and he had a great time eating cheese puffs with his new friend Jordan who is also being adopted (they've been in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PGN</span> since May with 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">previos</span> - can you believe it?) Jordan was so sweet sharing his bag of puffs with everyone at the pool. </div><div>Antigua is SO alive with Christmas spirit! We have seen a parade of floats with Santa and his reindeer, children singing, fireworks (nonstop), families coming into town to visit, white lights on every tree in the park, and lines of children lined up to receive toys at a local church. It is quite an experience being here. Chris is enjoying every second as we all are and every day there is something new to see. On Friday, Chris and I splurged a little bit and purchased a gorgeous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Talavera</span> (hand-painted pottery) sink for our Mexican style bathroom. It's been on our list for awhile and now that we're here and found one at an excellent price, we got it!! I'll have to take a picture later on to post. Chris plans to redo the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">countertop</span> and whole sink area when he returns. It will remind of us this Christmas in Guatemala every time we see it. </div><div>Let's see...what else is new? Blake is growing like a weed. He looks like he's a year old and he's only going on 11 months. He has 8 full teeth now (4 on top and 4 on the bottom) and a full head of hair. In fact, we may get hair cut number 2 today! I wrote a list of everything he is doing now and it amazes me. We cannot wait to watch the list grow as he grows. </div><div>There is a possibility that I may be moving again before the end of the month. Our new apartment has bad mold and dust and after taking Blake to a lung specialist in the city last week (he has had lower respiratory problems since birth), the doctor took x-rays and concluded that although his lungs look healthy, he does have allergies to several different things. So, we are on a house hunt again. We may go look at one on Monday. The problem is it's pretty difficult to find housing here without mold and dust. It's the climate. We may have to grin and bear it until we go home. </div><div>Still no change in our adoption status at this point. Right now we're still hanging on for the 8-week mark of January 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> to have our adoption finalized. We PRAY we have no other kick outs in the meantime. There is a possibility we could get signed at 6 weeks which would be around January 3. </div><div>The adoption law passed here which is good and bad. It is good because all adoptions will continue between the US and Guatemala. Pending cases such as ours, have been "grandfathered" in and will continue as well, however as of January 1, 2008, our case (one of 3700 cases) will have to be registered at a place that has not been designated yet. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hmm.</span>..this could be interesting and to us, it sounds like another 3-4 week delay. Cases that are not in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">PGN</span> yet, will have to abide by the new rules which will go into effect on January 1. These rules will be a bit stricter and therefore take families, once again, more time to be approved. At least all adoptions will continue and the past problems of illegal adoptions will stop ( with abducted/stolen children for example). What a relief for all adoptive families here. Families were quite scared they would stop them all from continuing and they would lose their children. Thank you, God for this not having this occur. We have so many pictures to post right now so I'll do my best to do as many as possible! Happy happy holidays!!! We'll see you in 2008!!</div></div></div></div>Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03184834779840974533noreply@blogger.com2