Baby # 2? Nope, probably not...

When I first began the adoption process, I always imagined I would have at least 2 children. When Elizabeth came home, I thought I would probably adopt again when she was around 3 or 4. Well, here she is almost 4.5, and I in no way feel able to have another child. I wish I could. I know Elizabeth would love to have a sibling. She does have her bio sister, sweet little Baby B., but B. lives with her adoptive family back in San Diego, so obviously it's not like they are growing up together. When E and I are home together, E always wants me to play with her, or go to a friend's house to play. She is very social, and loves to be with other kids. So I feel really bad that she doesn't have a brother or sister to play with. But...I look at our situation financially, logistically, and there is just no way I can see making it (adding another child to our family)work. Not right now, anyway. To be really honest, the cost of full time Day Care is killing me, and I'm counting down the months til I don't have to pay that anymore. The thought of taking that on again with a new baby is just...not appealing. Part of me would would love another baby, for Elizabeth, and for me. But even beyond the financial aspect, I have to really fess up and say, I got my hands full with my one kiddo! I love my daughter more than life, but yeah, she can wear me out! So at this point, as a single parent, I somewhat sadly say that any plans for trying to adopt again are off the table...

The day after...

Today was another fun day. E and I got together with our friends Misty and Paden, plus our friend Denise who Misty and I went to high school with. We went out for brunch (the kids look thrilled to be having their picture taken, don't they? lol)

After brunch, since it was a beautiful, sunny (but kinda cold!) day, we all went for a walk around Horn Pond (the kids ran, the grown ups walked :)

Paden is Misty's almost 7 year old son. Elizabeth and Paden usually have an awesome time together, when they aren't fighting, lol....They are a great little pair, cuties...:)

Christmas 2011 recap

We had an awesome Christmas! Santa, and my family, were very good to us, as always :) On Christmas Eve, we went to a 4pm Church service with my Mom, my brother, and my nephews. My Dad stayed home to watch the Patriots game, lol, and my sister-in-law had a bad cold, so she stayed home to rest. After Church we all went to my parents' house and had a delicious dinner. Elizabeth and I went back to our apt, and E fell asleep around 9:30. Santa showed up around midnight. He made lots of unintentional noise, fumbling around in the dark, but luckily didn't wake Miss E up...:) In the morning, I actually woke up before E did, at about 6:45 (don't ask me why), and E got up around 7:30. She was very happy and relieved to see her stocking stuffed with presents, and that Santa had remembered her. She said, "Mommy, I didn't make the naughty list!" I didn't get any pictures from this part of the day (not sure why), but we had a nice, relaxing morning at home, just the two us while I enjoyed my coffee and watching Elizabeth play with her new toys. In the afternoon, we went to my parents', where Elizabeth got her most awesome present from my mom...her first big girl bike!!!

The rest of the day was spent hanging out with the family, eating lots of delicious food, playing with new toys...

and of course, riding her beautiful new bike!!! And check out her cool, hot pink new Dora Helmet to go with it...:)

Merry Christmas!

One of my favorite things about the Holidays is getting all the photo Christmas cards in the mail. It's something I always knew I would do once I had kids. So I present to you our 2011 Christmas card...

Merry Christmas!!

Gingerbread House

Sunday

Today was a nice Sunday. Pretty relaxing considering it's only 1 week until Christmas (yikes!)...We went to Church this morning, then went over to my parents' to do laundry (one of these decades I WILL have my own *&^*% washer and dryer!!!). My parents' neighbors' have two little girls around Elizabeth's age, so we went over to play with them, and ended up staying for dinner.
Here's a pic of E with her buddies eatin' Pizza (this Pizza was much better than the Pizza we had yesterday at Chucky E. Cheese, btw...)

Losing my Chuck E. Cheese Virginity

Well, it was bound to happen to some time...this weekend, it did. On Saturday, Elizabeth and I went to Chucky E. Cheese for the first time. A classmate of her's was having a birthday party there. It was pretty much what I expected: crowded, noisy, and did I mention NOISY??? But E is a party animal, so she had a great time, in between overstimulation-induced meltdowns...

Santa 2011!!!

In keeping with annual tradition, Elizabeth and I went to the mall to visit Santa. This year was the closest we've gotten to getting a smile from her :) And, just for fun, here are E's visits with Santa in years past...My girl sure is growing up!

December 2010- 3 years old

December 2009 -2 years old

December 2008- 1 year old

December 2007 - 4 months old

X-mas at the Zoo

This evening Elizabeth and I went out with our friends Misty and Paden. First we took the kiddos to a nearby Pizza joint. Both our kids luuuv Pizza :) Then we went to the Stone Zoo, very close to where we live. It was all decked out for Christmas, with lights, exhibits, and some rides. Soooo cool and fun!

4 Years ago today...

Four years ago today, in San Diego, CA, I met my daughter for the first time. She was 4 months old. I remember rushing home from work at 11am that Friday morning after Elizabeth's social worker Martha called to tell me she was on her way to my apt with E. I got to my place about 5 minutes before they did. When they arrived, it was pouring rain out. Elizabeth was sound asleep in the car seat in the back of Martha's car. I was so worried about E getting wet. I gently took E out of the car seat and wrapped her up in a blanket and hurried up my apartment, where it was warm and dry. My sweet little girl woke up and just took everything in. By now, there were two social workers in my apt., Martha, plus my social worker, Ann. They talked a lot, and had me sign a bunch things, but I have no idea what they said, or what I signed. I could only pay attention to this incredible, sweet little baby who had been brought to me. It would take another year and a half for the adoption to be finalized, but this day, 11/30/07, is the day we became a family. I love you, my little Princess. Happy Anniversary!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great day at my parents'. And now I'm in a Turkey coma...I love Thanksgiving :)

my nephews helping Grandma in the Kitchen

Hello!

Wow, it's been a little while...So...just to catch this blog up a bit...

* I went to to Texas for 5 days to visit my friend Chris, who I've known for 23 years, but haven't seen in over 9! Without Elizabeth! It was a great trip, very relaxing. It is seemed so easy to travel by myself! And I slept til 10:30 one morning...can't remember the last time I did that, it was pure heaven...As for Miss E, she did great with Maria. We spoke a couple of times each day on the phone, and she was fine. I missed her way more than I thought I would. We were very happy to see each other when I got home. :)

Chris & Me

*Elizabeth and I are going to San Diego in August!! I am sooooo excited! My brother had some award miles he passed on to my mom, who passed them on to me. Thanks Mom and John!! We are only going for a few days, but it will be such fun to see all our friends there, go to my favorite beach ever- La Jolla Shores- and see Elizabeth's little sister, I hope!

*I'm looking forward to a nice Thanksgiving with the fam at my parents' house. Love short work weeks :)

Not much else new at the moment. Here are just a few pics of Elizabeth in the playroom after Church this morning...Sorry they aren't the greatest...

This n that

One cool thing that happened this past week was, I got a new Blackberry, for free! I was eligible for an upgrade, so I went to Best Buy. I picked out the Blackberry, thinking I'd pay $50 for it, but for some reason, it was free. Yay!! It's my first Blackberry, and I LOVE it...I was sooo tempted to get an IPhone (never had one), but couldn't really justify spending $100 that I don't actually have...lol...Doesn't matter, I'm happy with my BB. It sure beats the crappy little $10 go phone I've been stuck with for the past 3 months since someone threw my smart phone in the pool in July...Oh, I didn't tell you about that? Yeah, Elizabeth and I were at the pool one evening in July, and she decided she didn't want me talking on my phone, so she grabbed the phone and chucked it- right into the pool...Oh yes, she did...yeah, this Mama was not happy...Of course the phone was totally wrecked, and I had no insurance on it. So I ended up having to buy a little go-phone until I was eligible for an upgrade, which was luckily this week...Yay!! needless to say, I purchased insurance on this one...
In other news...on Thursday (just 4 days away!!) I'm headed to Texas for a mini vacay. I'm visiting an old freiend of mine...sans Elizabeth....She'll be staying with Maria. I know she'll be fine, but it will be the longest I've ever been away from her, and the farthest!! I am so excited, but a little nervous too...
And, just because, here are a few pics...

Happy Halloween!

My little skeleton with our friend Maria. We went trick or treating in Maria's neighborhood, then stopped by Grandma and Grandpa's. :)

Halloween Parade

We went to the Halloween Parade in our town on Sunday 10/30. It was fun, but cold! Yes, that's snow in the background...

I believe

I believe...

- that war is never the answer
-in the Occupy movement
-in Marriage Equality
-in a woman's right to choose
-that Racism still exists
-that quality child care is too expensive
-every one who works an honest full time job should be able to afford a decent place to live
-that adoption is COMPLICATED
-that no one is all good or all bad
-that family is the most important thing- however you define your family

Summer in October

The weather this weekend was incrediable- sunny and in the 80's!! Of course, Elizabeth and I took full adventage and spent lots of time outdoors. On Sunday, we went to a farm with Misty and Paden, so beautiful and relaxing. And delicious homemade ice cream, too:)

Today, we had the day off for Columbus day, so E and I actually went to the beach!! It was awesome:) The water was quite chilly, but the weather felt like July.