Who Is the Healthiest Girl in the World?

I am! Oh yeah, Doctor Jan told me that not only am I one of the most beautiful babies she's ever seen (she actually said that!), but I'm also exceptionally smart, strong, and developmentally perfect. True to my nature, I was very calm throughout the entire appointment, just looking around the office, "talking" to everyone, and smiling away. Because I had to go diaper-less for awhile, I peed all over the exam table. (That teaches them to leave me uncovered -- ha!) It was fine though. I don't mind taking an extra bath.

My parents had a relatively short list of questions, as far as new parents go (that's what Dr. Jan said). All in all, I am the picture of health. Here are my stats, but first I just have to say, BOOYAH! I was right on about my weight/length (give or take a few ounces/centimeters).

Weight: 10 pounds, 11 ounces (50th percentile)

Length: 22 and 3/4 inches (60th percentile)

Head circumference: I don't remember the measurement, but I'm in the 15th percentile. Dr. Jan said that's just fine. It means I made it easier on Mama Ashley to deliver a small-headed baby.

The shots weren't as bad as I had anticipated. The heel stick at my two-week checkup was much more traumatic. This time, I had to get four shots (two in each thigh). Luckily, Daddy was right there to hold and comfort me through the worst of it. Plus, I got to have two sparkly band-aids when I was done. Dr. Jan said I might be fussy the rest of the day, but I wasn't. I was my usual sweet little self all day long. In fact, I slept ALL the way through the night. I've been sleeping about six hours at a stretch, but last night I slept for over eight hours in a row! I'm not sure what my parents ever did to deserve me, but they are definitely the luckiest two people around.

I don't need to see Dr. Jan again until my four-month checkup in August, so until then, I'll just keep growing.

My Special Day

I was going to hold off on writing another post until after my well-baby doctor's appointment tomorrow. But, my scribe is taking advantage of this rare opportunity to write a little something while I'm kicking back in my car seat for awhile. You see, I love to be held -- all the time. Even though I am a joy to hold and cuddle, it makes it a little tough for my parents to get anything else done. I am finicky about being in my sling, so Mom and Dad have just had to adapt to doing things one-handed. Anyway, I might need a bottle pretty soon, so I better just give everyone my updates while I'm still content.

This past Sunday was my Dedication day. Oh what a blessed day it was! I looked so angelic in my white eyelet Dedication gown and bonnet that Grandma Jan made for me. It was adorned with eyelet ruffles, tiny lavender roses, and long streams of lavender ribbons. Many of my family members came from long distances to celebrate the occasion. It was so good to see my Mama Ashley and Daddy Mike, and several members of my extended birth family. My grandma on Daddy Mike's side came to see me, plus I got to meet my great-GREAT grandma on Mama Ash's side, which was a treat for all of us. I even got to be in a five-generation photo!

Uncle Chris and Auntie Nina stayed with us for the whole weekend. On Saturday, we spent the day wandering through a couple of outdoor street markets, then met all of my visiting birth family for dinner. That night, after my bath, Aunt Nini read stories to me and sang me to sleep. On Sunday, Auntie Noellie, Rubie, and Grandma Jan all drove up to be at my Dedication. Afterwards, they came to our house for awhile to play with me. It was a wonderful day. I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I am one lucky little girl to have soooo many people to love me.

As for some developmental news, I have discovered that my fists are just as good for sucking as my pacifier. I dribble, drool, snortle, and grunt when I'm sucking on them, but hey, who ever said that self-soothing is a lady-like instinct? As I'm trying to develop some fine motor skills (like opening and closing my fists), I've taken to wrapping my fore-finger around my thumb. Just think, "baby's got your nose!" It's very cute, and very Gracie-esque. Also, when I'm just about asleep, but not quite, all it takes is a light kiss between my eyes to send me into dreamland. It works nearly every time. Although it is obvious that I'm growing at an alarming rate, both physically and developmentally, nothing has grown more noticeably than my eyelashes! Almost overnight, they went from baby-fine to dark, long, thick, and lustrous. I'm a beauty, what can I say?

If Mom has time later this week, she'll try to report about my doctor's appointment. I'm having the usual check-up to be sure I'm doing all the things a baby my age should be doing, and I'm also having my first vaccinations. I think Mom is more anxious about that than I am right now. Is anyone taking any guesses about my current weight and length? I'm guessing 10 pounds and 22 inches. We'll find out tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Born in the Year of the Pig NOT the Guinea Pig!

These are the reasons I will never have a Guinea pig as a pet:
5. They shed
4. They stink
3. Their cage is a pain to clean
2. They stink
1. In some South American cultures the Guinea pig was used as meat (ew!).

I had such a great day today. I went downtown to visit Daddy at work. When I arrived , he was so excited to see me and show me off to all of his employees. Mommy and Daddy then took me in my stroller to an outdoor Thai food cart for lunch. I got to enjoy another delicious bottle of Enfamil, while Mom and Dad shared Phad Thai (it smelled so good it made me drool). The weather was beautiful: It was 74 degrees, sunny, and slightly breezy. After lunch, Dad and I helped Mom pick out a snazzy new pair of eyeglasses and made an eye exam appointment for her. I can't wait to grab them off her face with my pooger paws!
This past weekend I was so thrilled to have more visitors. My Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Noelle and cousins Brenden and Rubie came to stay with me. On Saturday, we hung around the house and visited until Brenden had to go to the airport. He will be spending the next six weeks in Utah with his mom. I'm sure going to miss him, but he promised to teach me his sweet new karate moves when he gets home. That boy has some mad skills for an eight year old!
Sunday was Father's Day and Daddy and I had a leisurely morning together. We went for coffee and scones, and then gazed at each other and smiled and "talked" for a while. Mommy dressed me in an adorable green dress with ladybugs and a matching hat. We went to church and I was quiet the whole time and mostly slept. This was my first time to make it through the whole service without murping or mousing. I was able to catch up on my beauty sleep while Dad and Mom got to enjoy the sermon without having to take me in the hallway or nursery.
When we got home we met up with Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Noelle, and Rubie. The six of us went out to lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and I got stuck with another bottle, while Rubie ate small bites of cheese, garbanzo beans, tomatoes and tapioca pudding. I can't wait until I'm on solids, but I have to remember that Rubie has 9 months on me.
After lunch, Daddy and Uncle Jeremy went to see a gross, scary movie. Us 4 girls went shopping at Baby's R Us. Auntie Noelle bought me a cute new outfit and Mommy bought me some "crappy" Baby's R Us brand diapers, but more about that later. The outfit is a stylish pink capri set that I will definitely look darling wearing. I love Baby's R Us. It's kind of becoming my second home. I especially love "meeting" all the other cute little munchkins like me. After everyone said their goodbye's, the evening wrapped up with some quiet cuddling at home.
Back to the Baby's R Us diapers. What a fiasco! Yesterday, as Daddy was holding and feeding me, I pooped right through the side of them. I managed to get my outfit, my blankie, and Daddy. Luckily it was right before bath time, so Mommy and Daddy just laughed at me and told me how funny I am. Well that's all I've got for now.

Please Keep the Comments Coming

Happy Monday everyone! I saw that a few new people added comments to this blog over the weekend. I LOVE to get comments; however, some blog visitors have reported that the Comments feature is not very user-friendly. Grandma Jan has fielded a lot of questions about it, so she asked me to provide this tip of the day: Be sure to respond to the letter scramble security thingie both before and after you enter your comment; otherwise, the comment won't go through. That seems to be the part that trips the most people up. Anyway, I love hearing from everyone who visits my blog, so please drop me a quick "hi" after you've admired all of my super cute photos.

In addition to being gorgeous (I can say that without being conceited because I look exactly like my stunningly beautiful birthparents, especially Mama Ashley), I am also very smart. Ever since I was about two weeks old, I have been able to mimic facial expressions. Only a small percentage of babies are able to do that at such a young age, ya know. For example, my favorite facial expression game is to stick my tongue out in response to someone sticking his/her tongue out at me. It's very cute. And sometimes, because I'm such a clever baby, I even initiate the game.

I'm having a pretty laid-back day after a busy weekend. Just a minute ago, Mom and I got back from the park. She likes to get me out of the house at least once per day to get fresh air, sunshine (ha!), and a change of scenery. I love to ride in the car and my stroller, so I look forward to the outings, too.

Auntie Nina and Uncle Chris came to visit me this weekend. Uncle Chris likes to think he's all tough and macho, but I completely melt his heart. He spent lots of time holding, rocking, and playing with me while he was here. On Saturday, Aunt Nini, Mom, and I all went to a baby shower that several wonderful ladies from church threw for me. One of the nice ladies, Becky, made this really cool guest/scrap book for me containing a lovely poem, prayer, and list of all the attendees and gifts they brought. Another one of our friends, Kim, shared a beautiful devotional she had written about how adoption has touched her life. We are very blessed to have such warm, loving people in our lives.

Yesterday, my Great Aunt Kathy, and her sister, Becky, came all the way from Idaho to visit me. We had a nice time visiting and lunching. Becky gave me the coolest thing for my car seat: It's a cozy, comfy insert called a "Snuggie Sac" that has holes in the back for the safety harnesses to go through, and wraps around me in the front like a blanket, so I'm completely enveloped in fleecy goodness. I love it!

I'm still a little sad about Dad going back to work last week, but I love it when he comes home and showers me with all the hugs and kisses he's been saving up all day. Dad usually feeds and reads to me after my bath in the evening. He is the BEST story-teller. He uses funny voices and makes silly sounds, so I'm usually pretty alert during story-time.

I've been wearing lots of really cute outfits and shoes. The shoes are the best part of my outfits! My birth mommy and daddy gave me these super cute booties that look like black Mary Janes with white socks (you can see them in the photo entitled Sweetly Sleeping). Plus, when we were in Southern Oregon, I got some booties that look like pink sneakers with white socks (they have shoe laces and everything). My Grandma Jan has given me tons of cute outfits built entirely around the coordinating shoes and/or hats. A girl needs to accessorize, you know.

Well, it's time for another delicious and nutritious bottle. Until next time, have a great week!

Back To the Grind

I'm sorry if I don't sound like my usual, cheerful self as I write this post today. I'm feeling a little low because, after six weeks of staying home with Mommy and me, my daddy had to return to work this week. He says it hurts him more than it hurts me, but I'm not so sure about that. I was really enjoying the way Mom and Dad took turns caring for me during the day. They each have their own special ways of feeding, changing, loving, and playing with me, but I kind of liked how they mixed it up. Mom does a good job and all, but I sure miss my dad when he's gone. Mom says we'll go downtown to visit Daddy for lunch each week, so I'm really looking forward to that. In the meantime, I eagerly await Daddy's return home each night so we can cuddle, play, and talk about our day.

So, that reminds me, I've been talking a whole lot lately. Most people think I'm just babbling and cooing, but according to my parents' books, I definitely have my own baby language. I am especially vocal when I want to play. I love to look at faces, including that of my new, singing Leap Frog toy. In addition to talking, I am smiling up a storm. Some people might think it's gas, but I'm definitely smiling (with my eyes and mouth wide open)!

I smile the most when Grandma Jan talks to me. She came to visit me last week. We went shopping ALL day and I was so good. I'm a born shopper. It's a good thing because almost everyone I know likes to shop 'til they drop. I'm also an excellent traveler. Mom, Dad, and I took a trip to Southern Oregon at the end of last week. It was really fun (and hot). My parents were a little worried that the trip would be hard on me, but it was actually harder on them. They sure have to pack a lot now that I'm in tow! On the way there and back, I got to see my cousins Rubie and Brenden. Rubie and I were wearing the exact same watermelon outfit, so our parents took loads of pictures of us. The pictures are pretty funny because I'm still a little wobbly and Rubie thinks I'm a toy.

Later this week, I'm going out to lunch with my mommy and her friend. Then, this weekend, Uncle Chris and Aunt Nini are coming to visit. On Sunday, my Great Aunt Kathy from Idaho is coming to see me. Wow, I am a very lucky girl to have so many people to love me!