Happy Birthday Auntie Ta-Ta!

It's Auntie Ta-Ta's special day. Here is a note from Henrik and Lili. Hope you have a great night.

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One year ago this month....

We were traveling back to Ethiopia to bring home our sweet baby girl, Lilja. It's hard to believe she has been home for a year. In some ways...it feels like just yesterday...and then when I look at these pictures of that little peanut...it seems like ages ago. She has been such an amazing blessing to our family.

When we first told people we were adopting a second child...I think most thought we were absolutely crazy. And honestly, five months after bringing Henri home...I thought we might be a little crazy, too...but we knew in our hearts little Lili was meant for our family, and we thank our lucky stars every day for our sweet little Lili.

Here we are...one year ago...in the airport...waiting to bring you back to the states. You were so tiny...now you weigh almost 23 lbs...and you are only 2-3 inches shorter than your brother! Since January of this year...you have grown almost four inches...the doctor couldn't believe it. She made you get re-measured....but four inches it is. :)

One of our first photos as with both parents. We were heading out to celebrate your adoption with other families who adopted. You were wearing your cousin, Emma's, hat and coat....and were swimming in it! You were still very shy and a little scared. You did not like loud noises, or loud voices, and you did not want to sleep, unless you were touching us. So sweet.... 

One of your first baths at the hotel. You could easily squeeze into the sink...with room to spare!

We just said goodbye to Hywot, your caregiver...she also took care of your brother, Henri. She made sure you had lots of love...until we arrived to bring you home. You were still a bit overwhelmed with everything that was going on...and a little scared to be leaving the transition home...

Here is one of the first photos we ever saw of you. I thought you were the most beautiful baby girl in the whole world, and couldn't believe that you were going to grow up in our family. This is still one of my favorite pictures....you are so beautiful, so honest, so our baby, Lili.

Lili's eyes...I love now, when you point out the various parts of your face....when you say "eyes" you blink your eyes fifty times. Your big, beautiful, eyes! We are so happy to have you in our family...and can't wait to see what else those eyes bring....

Happy one-year home in America, Baby Lilja! Our sweet, scared, quiet little Lili...has now turned into our fun-loving, always laughing, life of the party! You win everyone over with your sweet spirit, gentle disposition, and your smiling, friendly ways. And...you love to make everyone laugh. We love you! 

Cheers to many, many more years as a family together....

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all! It's been a tough past few days at our house-hold. Unfortunately, first Lili, now Henri...have contracted a virus that is common in daycares. It's called hand, foot, and mouth disease...sounds awful...and basically is. Both kids have been lethargic, not eating much, ran fevers, and then...completely broke out in a rash all over their body...and in their mouth. Lili is on the mend...she's almost completely back to her crazy self. :) Henri...he's in the thick of it...he was so out of it this morning. It's awful.

Despite the hoof disease...we treated our #1 to a Daddy Day celebration. Or..."Daaaaa-Diiiii" as Lili would say. :)

We started the morning off early...and went to Daddy's favorite place, Downtown Disney, for a little treat to eat. The kids are past the contagious part of the virus...but we thought it might be best to steer clear of the crowds:

Here are the toots...poor little Henri's eyes. Just still not feeling great. :(

We had an early lunch at the T-Rex Cafe...here is sissy with her daddy....

And me with Henri....we are in the Ice Cave...so that is why we are blue. :)

Sissy is getting so big...she was drinking with a straw!

Lunch was pretty quick...I think Henri ate 1/2 of a banana and maybe drank a little juice. Poor little fellow. But don't worry....Lili at the rest of their lunch. :)

Now...everyone is enjoying a little nap...and Mommy is trying to catch up on some long-past due blogging! :) More to come...

All aboard!

Henri is big into transportation: cars, buses, fire engines, airplanes, and trains. Here he is singing his choo-choo train song. He loves to sing!

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A Party for Henri!

It was a big weekend at our house. Yesterday...we celebrated Henri's 2nd birthday with our friends and their families. It was a great party...Henri's theme...MONSTERS! (Only because that is what Target had...and I had 20 minutes to shop...) We had all of our friends in town...even friends who had moved away...so it made it an extra special day for our little Henri. Here is a summary.

With two little ones and Jeff and I trying to set up...we decided to enlist the help of Henri and Lili's favorite babysitter, Elizabeth. Here is the birthday boy...arriving at the park with his sister. He was dying to get out and run around.



The party decorations....



Our special treat for all of our guests. A monster cookie to take home and enjoy. YUM!



I think Henri consumed 12 drink boxes by himself. He was so excited about the straw. That he kept grabbing another. Now...not all of them were finished...but we did go through a case of juice boxes at the party. Thank goodness for Costco!



Monster finger puppets on super-straws...they were a hit!



Little Lili. So proud....she climbed up on the play structure and went down the big slide, all by herself!



Here we are...getting ready to celebrate!



The birthday boy! Loving his party...



New moms, Whit and Lisa and the future Homecoming King and Queen for Winter Park High School. :)




The menu was basic...pizza (delivered to the park), fruit and veggie trays. The pizza was a hit!



Enjoying lunch.



Henri's buddy, Parker.



The present of the party...a dump truck. We actually requested no presents...but a few friends didn't want to come empty-handed....so they brought toys that Henri would love...that their kids no longer use. This truck...Henri lost his mind over about a month ago and Bruno and Krysta's house. Surprise! He is now the proud owner.



Lili and Olivia....



Baby S., Lili and Henri...



Henri and his truck, continued....



The big kids...getting ready to play throw the soda can. Exciting...while the game briefly lasted.



Henri and Parker....



Oh No!



Ewan, Sophia and Alex...the moss collectors with the dump truck.



Henri's cake...a big 2!



The fun has barely started...and Henri already has frosting on his nose...



now in his hair....



Playing with the finger puppets. Note Molly eating the frosting off Henri's cupcake. :)



Henri used his puppet as a spoon. Surprising that he would be concerned about eating...after already making a mess....



Here goes Lili...



Thinking about it.....



And...then she went in for the big bite. Yum.



Me and my baby boy. Can't believe he is 2!



The end of a great birthday...so exhausted...he could barely keep his eyes open.



It was a fabulous afternoon. What a great way to celebrate Henri's birthday! We'll post more soon....

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Henri's Birthday!

On Wednesday, our sweet little Henri celebrated his 2nd birthday! Amazing how fast time flies. Here are a few pics from our "family" celebration. Friend celebration is tomorrow at the park. Should be a great day....

The birthday boy...first thing in the morning. He is in love with his "bus"...he carries it with him to school every morning. Thanks Nico!



Look at how big he is getting. He's my little boy!



A shy smile (possibly putting an Apple Jack in his hair)....



There is my smile!





And here is sweet Lili....



She's so cute...I have to post two pics of her. :)



We came home and daddy had brought us balloons...Mickey and Elmo...we were in heaven!



Still figuring out those balloons...



Now the fun begins...it was like a punching bag in the kitchen. Balloons going everywhere...



We made a rookie parent move...and opened presents before dinner. Big mistake. Oh well...here they are...Lili even received some new Minnie Mouse Sippy Cups!



Ah...the boat. This boat will later haunt us...having to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to find it....figuring out how to use it in the tub without having a meltdown. But...it combines a train and a boat...his two favorite things.



Well...next to cars. Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma...I have a car ramp! I'm crying because I can't get it open...



Here is how I spent my dinner....



And...an hour later...still going strong....



I did manage to eat cake...a watermelon cake from Publix....yum!




Look at that concentration!



Here comes the tongue...some things don't change...



My first frosting bite!



And Lili...



We'll post more from this weekend...a monster party on Saturday! Yikes!

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