A Few Quick Pictures

Every day I plan on taking a ton of pictures of Leah since she is only going to be this tiny for a little while and every night I wonder how the day got away from me. My friend Candy is a photographer and I just need to call her up and plan a day for her to come over. I'm sure she would take gorgeous pictures, so I'm not sure why I haven't already called her.

This evening I sat down to write thank-you notes. I am awful at writing thank you notes. I have the best intentions of writing them, but sometimes procastinate a little too long. Then I think it has been too long since the gift has been given to even send a card so I don't end up sending one. I am really trying to be better at this. So as I was writing away, I asked Robby to drop off the ones in our subdivision. He decided to hook up the trailor to the back of a bike and take Cohen along for a ride. Cohen absolutely LOVED the ride!

Fundraiser Results...

Sorry I am just now posting the results from the Beef O'Brady's fundraiser. (Can't imagine what's keeping me so busy these days.) The event raised $421.53 for our attorney's new orphanage! I am going to be meeting with the owner of the restaurant this week to discuss making the last Wednesday and Thursday of every month Guatemala Days. He suggested the idea and we are going to meet and work out all the details.

Here's who this money will be helping -- the first three children who are living at the home -- David, Luis, and Stephanie.



To read more about God Bless the Children click here.

One Year Ago Today...

One year ago today I was arriving in Guatemala to stay with Cohen until we could bring him home. My mom and I flew down and we were both so nervous not knowing exactly what to expect. It was amazing how everything fell into place. Our driver picked us up at the airport and took us immediately to our attorney's office to meet Cohen and his foster mom. Our attorney surprised us with the news that our case was out of PGN and Cohen would soon be going home with us forever. And although there were many stressful moments in Guatemala, I look back at that time and treasure the time we spent there.

Cohen has changed so much (and so quickly!) this past year. He amazes us daily with how smart he is and makes us laugh with his entertaining little personality. And he is embracing his new role as big brother. One morning he was sitting next to me as I was feeding Leah. I looked down and he was holding her little hand. He is so concerned about her -- whenever she cries he either pats her, brings her a pacifier, or holds his hands out like he wants to hold her.

Things are busy around our house, but I just had to take a minute to share a few pictures of Leah and Cohen. Leah is doing great and even slept for a straight four hours last night! Cohen seems so big these days and continues to amaze us with all the new words he comes out with.

She's Here!

Little Leah Kate has finally arrived! At my last doctor's visit, Dr. Brown said I was making her nervous and wanted to move the induction up one day to the 28th. So we went in early Wednesday morning and Leah was born at 5:23 that evening. She is a tiny little girl (5 pounds and 7 ounces) and has a head full of dark hair.

We were able to come home yesterday evening and Cohen is doing great with his new role as big brother. He says "Shhh" when she is sleeping and gets concerned when she cries. He hasn't acted a bit jealous about his new baby sister, but we will see what happens when Robby goes back to work on Thursday...

We still need to have a photo shoot with Leah here at home. You can see her hospital picture by clicking here.





Here's Cohen tonight during dinner. Obviously his baby sister is wearing him out!

News about Baby Girl!

Just a quick update on Baby Girl... We went to the doctor last Thursday for another ultrasound and she is doing great. They are guessing that she weighs 5 pounds and 1 ounce. My doctor suggested that we induce on May 29th, which I thought was a great idea. I am so anxious for her to get here! So still plan on eating at Beef O'Brady's on the 29th (or the 28th), but we will be having a baby that day unless she decides to come sooner. :)

Guatemala Day at Beef O'Brady's!

As some of you know, implementation of new international laws have caused Guatemalan adoptions to stop. While the country works to be in compliance with these new laws, thousands of children will be left with no family and no place to go. The reality is that these children will live on the streets, in garbage dumps, or the lucky ones in overcrowded orphanages. Because of this, our attorney in Guatemala Cynthia Vallejo is turning her law office into an orphanage for as many children as she can. The Guatemalan government does not fund orphanages, so she is turning to others to help her with this mission.

One way Robby and I thought we could help is by promoting Guatemala Days at our local Beef O'Brady's. The owner has graciously offered to donate 10% of proceeds to Cynthia's orphanage! All we need to do now is get the word out to eat at Beef O'Brady's on Brownsboro Rd. on either May 28 or May 29. You can stop by any time on either day to help support this cause.

Thanks so much -- we hope to see you there!

Apple Juice & Cameras Don't Mix

These days it seems I need to "pack" no matter where we are going. Travelling lightly, even to the grocery store, seems to backfire on me, so I now try to make just one trip to the car carrying everything I could possibly need. One night Cohen and I were headed to my aunt's house for dinner so I had: Cohen, his booster seat for dinner, diaper bag, purse, and almost forgot his sippy cup. I threw the cup in my purse and we were out the door. When we got to my aunt's house I discovered that the sippy cup had leaked on everything in my purse... including my camera! I had just about given up on my camera ever working again when Robby took it apart and let it dry out some more. That must have done the trick because the camera is now working again! So here are a few pictures to catch up from the apple juice/camera catastrophe.

Cohen and I recently met Kim and Alex at the park for a playdate. We all had a great time yet I only managed to take one picture the whole afternoon!


Cohen continues to keep me on my toes. One afternoon he decided to play quietly by himself... WITH POWDER! Instead of getting mad about the mess he had just made, I grabbed my camera and took pictures. When I asked him what he was doing, he pointed to his diaper and said, "Poo poo." I thought it was a nice try on coming up with a quick response because his diaper was perfectly dry.

Yesterday was the perfect day for a trip to the zoo -- beautiful weather and everyone else in Louisville was either at the Derby or a Derby party. Cohen enjoyed watching the lions this time and "roared" as soon as he saw them. Robby took him in the lorikeet exhibit and he was really interested when one lorikeet landed on Robby's shoulder and started pecking on his beard.



Cohen's latest favorite toy is a can of tennis balls. He loves throwing them for Bailey and having her bring them back, but the most fun was when he decided to open the can while laying down...

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The lastest about Baby Girl is that on Thursday I will be 35 weeks along. My doctor said she is throwing a party at 36 weeks and dancing in the delivery room when she is born. (I have the greatest doctor and you should see how thick my chart is!) I am getting anxious for her to arrive, but at the same time I'm trying to enjoy every last minute of one-on-one time with Cohen. Still not quite sure how we're going to handle having two under the age of two, but feeling very thankful that we have been given these two amazing blessings!

What's Cohen Been Up To?

Cohen is on the go non-stop these days, which means there is always some fun and excitement around our house. (It also means I sleep very well at night.) He loves to get ahold of the phone to call Daddy. Today he was sneaky enough to grab it and head for a corner in his room, hoping I wouldn't find him as quickly that way.


He is also very interested in his Baby Sister's room where we have been spending some time getting things ready. The ladder is definitely his favorite thing in the room and he is already taking after his Dad and working on his climbing skills.



He discovered today that Boo & Bailey's dog crate makes a cool playhouse...



And he absolutely loves to play outside!

Loving Some Cookies

Cohen is amazing us with all the things he is doing and saying these days. He used to just point out all the trucks we would pass while driving by saying, "ta, ta, ta." Now he can spot a Jeep on the road and tries to say Jeep. His Daddy is so proud!

Another favorite thing he is doing now is telling everyone I am his Mama. We will be in the grocery store, a restaurant, church, or wherever and he will tell others that I am his Mama. If Robby is with us, he will introduce Dada too. I just love it because I know that there will be a day when isn't so excited about being seen in public with his Mom.

Until recently, Cohen hasn't really seemed to notice that my stomach is getting bigger. We talk about his baby sister in my belly and practice being gentle with his baby doll, but he is still so young and doesn't understand what is going on. Which is why we cracked up at dinner the other night when he out of the blue he pointed to my stomach and said, "Ball!" I think he was trying to figure out why he couldn't have toys at the table, but Mommy could.

Baby Girl is still doing well. We have about two more months to go and I am starting to feel a little panicked about getting her room ready. We have so many little projects that need to be done. We (and when I say "we" I mean Robby) are putting up crown molding and replacing the carpet in both Baby Girl and Cohen's rooms. We still have to touch up the paint on the furniture in her room. And as if that is not enough, we also decided to replace the carpet in our bedroom with hardwood. So, I think we have plenty to keep us busy these next two months and I will be so happy to have everything finished.

Cohen is way too busy for photo shoots these days, so most of my recent pictures of him are either blurry or taken when he is in his highchair. Here is a little clip of him asking for a cookie -- how can I say no?

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Easter Fun

We had a great time with family this past Easter weekend! Saturday we went to my Aunt Karen's house where Cohen learned the sign for cookie. He's been asking for cookies ever since! First he says "tut tee" while I pretend not to understand what he wants. Then he pairs the word with the sign and points in the direction of the cookies. Such a smart boy!

The Easter Bunny came to our house and brought Cohen some fun things. He loves his bubbles and asks for them whenever he sees them on the counter in the kitchen. He's still working on mastering the noisemaker that looks like a duck bill (we are not encouraging him to practice because it is pretty loud) but he does think it's funny when Daddy makes the noises. And he has had a great time with his soccer ball Easter eggs -- he likes to scatter them around the house and let Mommy find them. :)

Sunday we went to Robby's parents' house for some more Easter fun. Cohen had a great time searching for Easter eggs and looking through his Easter basket. He and his cousin Drew sat down next to each other and enjoyed tasting the treats in their baskets. They are just four months apart and are so sweet together. We hope everyone had a great Easter weekend!

One Year Ago...

One year ago today we met Cohen for the very first time. What an experience that was! I remember feeling such excitement and nervousness as we landed in Guatemala. Robby and I got settled in our hotel room, changed clothes, and decided to go on to the lobby of the hotel to wait for Cohen and his foster mom. When we walked into the lobby -- there was Cohen! His foster mom didn't speak English and the interpretter hadn't arrived yet, but we managed to communicate and she let me give Cohen a bottle. All of our fears and worries disappeared those first few minutes and we knew Cohen was meant to be our son. Such a magical day that we will never forget!



Then...

Now...





Edited to add: Robby just gave me my last shot! I am now 28 weeks and won't have to have them any more. (Had to post this picture for my dad who hurts just a little bit when I mention getting a shot in the stomach.)

Pictures from the Zoo

Well, it has been well over a week since we actually went to the zoo, but these pictures are just too cute not to post. Cohen and I met Sarah, Caleb, and sweet little Grace at the zoo on one of those really warm days right before we got a ton of snow. This was the first time Cohen really noticed the animals. He got so excited and pointed in amazement. He loved the elephants, camels, giraffes, but overall I think the highlight of his day was hanging out in the back of a minivan(not mine -- Sarah's, which I am still giving her a hard time about) eating goldfish with Caleb.






Today we spent so much time at my doctor's office that Cohen made friends with just about everyone in the waiting room. Dr. Brown was delivering a baby and after waiting to see her we had to go to the lab for my diabetes test. As I was drinking the orange drink for the test, Cohen was alternating between saying, "Ju...ju" and holding his mouth wide open. He finally gave up and started mingling with the other patients waiting. One man showed him a picture of his dog on his cell phone. When Cohen said "dog" another lady pulled out her camera and began showing off pictures of her dog. Cohen continued to make friends with every new person that came in the waiting room until we were finally ready to go home.

Baby Girl still seems to be doing well. We didn't get an ultrasound today, but will go back in two weeks for one. It is hard to believe that her due date is exactly three months from today! We haven't even started getting her room together, so we will be getting busy with that very soon. Robby's sister is letting us use their crib and changing table and we plan on using a dresser that my granddaddy made for me in her room as well. The fun part is going to be picking out colors and putting it all together!