Happy one year anniversary, Elizabeth!

So, one year ago today was the most incredible day of my life. It was the day that my Elizabeth came home. I remember the social worker brought her to my apartment at about 11am. Elizabeth was sound asleep in her car seat, wrapped in a green blanket. It was pouring rain outside, and I was so worried about her getting wet as I took her out of the car. She woke up pretty soon after I brought her inside and was very alert and smiley. I know the two social workers there were trying to talk to me, but I don't think I heard a word they said. All I could focus on was this beautiful, perfect little 4 month old baby girl who I was just meeting for the first time. I couldn't take my eyes (or hands) off of her.

I am so grateful, and so blessed to be Elizabeth's mother. I've been given far more than I asked for. I just wanted a kid. I didn't think I'd get such a good one! I didn't think I'd get this amazing, beautiful little girl, who is my daughter. We are such a perfect match, and so attached. It is truly a miracle; she is a miracle. I will never, ever know how I got so lucky.

So now, I leave you with a recap of the last 12 months. The best 12 months of my life .


Nov. 30, 2007 December, 2007:

January, 2008:

February, 2008:

March, 2008:

April, 2008:

May, 2008:

June, 2008:

July, 2008:

August, 2008:

September, 2008:

October, 2008:

November, 2008:

My little princess

Elizabeth decided to "borrow" Bridget's tiara on Thanksgiving. Thanks for sending me this pic Dusty :)

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a wonderful time eating Thanksgiving dinner and playing at the Wilson's house today!

There were 4 dogs in the backyard that Elizabeth was so excited to watch through the sliding glass door!

Thank you Wilsons for a great Turkey Day :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Can you guess what I'm most thankful for this year? I'll save the long sappy post for our 1 year anniversary coming up on Sunday :)

Here is the art project she did at Day Care. Isn't my baby girl talented?!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Can't you see I'm trying to read?

One year ago today...

I saw these pictures for the first time:

I had gotten "The Call" about a week before from my social worker, saying there was a 4 month old baby girl she thought I might be interested in learning more about. So, a meeting was scheduled for Friday, 11/16/07 at 9AM with my SW and Elizabeth's SW for them to tell me everything about this little girl, and to show me her pictures. I remember being so glad the appointment was scheduled for the morning, I would have gone crazy waiting all day to see her pictures! Anyway, we had our meeting and then they asked me if I would be interested in being this little girl's mommy. Gee, I don't know...It was a pretty tough decision, let me tell you...:) Seriously, the only tough part was waiting another 2 weeks unti I could bring her home! I've been in love with that sweet little face ever since...

Fun at Balboa Park and Border Books

It was a warm, sunny day today, so I took Elizabeth to Balboa Park. I had this crazy idea I might get to take some great pictures of her outdoors. What it actually turned into was me chasing after her with my camera, snapping pictures of her backside. Once I popped her out of her stroller, she hit the ground running and had no interest in slowing down enough to pose for any photos. However, I did manage to get a few cute shots in.

Then, after the park, we went to Border Books. Don't ask me why, but I decided to whip out my camera there, too. Sheesh, I'm such a slave to this blog...:)

I wonder if she she realized that there were actual books there, in addition to the lovely step stool.

Phew! Did I say I was anxious for her to start walking? Yeah, I was totally kidding about that...

Do you know what today is?

Why, it's National Adoption Day! :)

My shy little girl

So, I just had a long talk with my Day Care provider when I dropped Elizabeth off this morning. She said that Elizabeth is very smart, and well behaved there. She also said, which I knew, that Elizabeth still prefers to play by herself, rather than with the other kids. My impression has always been that Elizabeth is a bit stand-offish with everyone there. That hasn't really changed in the 7 months she has been at this Day Care. The Day Care provider assured me that she does play, and sing and dance, and doesn't cry except for a specific reason. She eats and sleeps there fine. She doesn't seem unhappy, just kind of shy. I think it's a good Day Care, I just feel like Elizabeth has never totally warmed up to it. She is very attached to me, and it breaks my heart to have to put her in Day Care 9 hours a day when I know she she would rather be home with me. Sigh...I knew when I signed on to this "single mom" gig that it would be hard, but this feels REALLY hard. I love her so much, and if I could quit this job today, I would.

Weekend update

Miss E and I had a nice weekend. Went way too fast, of course. On Saturday, we visited at Auntie Julie's for a while, which was fun. Julie has a stash of toys at her house that Elizabeth likes getting into. Also, for the first time, Elizabeth noticed a picture of a horse that Julie has on her wall, and became fixated on it, wanting me to lift her up over and over to look at it. Saturday afternoon, I dropped E off at the Child Care center at the Y and went to get my hair cut and grocery shop. Yes, I felt very guilty about leaving her with a sitter, but it was sooo nice to get a (desperately needed) hair cut, and to grocery shop alone! And it was especially nice to be able to take the groceries upstairs to our apt. without lugging her, too! Sunday we went to Church, then in the late afternoon, went for dinner at my friend MaryAnn's house.
And now, it's Monday again. Sigh...

Not without my blanky!

Here's my pretty little girl, ready to go to Church this morning. But don't even think about leaving blanky at home!

About last night...

It was AMAZING!
I laughed and cried and felt so much excitement and hope for my little girl's future. It was quite a night, and quite a moment in history for our country. Although Elizabeth was sleeping when Obama officially won, I told her all about it this morning when she woke up. She had little to say about it, preferring to dump her Cheerios on the floor rather than talk politics. :)

Good morning!

Happy Election Day!

Happy election day, everyone. I'm so glad it's finally here!