Happy Adoption Day!

Avery at about 2 weeks old
~ isn't she adorable

Avery and her Daddy
~ the day we met her

Avery at 10 months old
~ waiting for Mommy and Daddy Yes, that's right, we made it! It has been one year, one hour and 58 minutes, since a judge in Khabarovsk, Russia made us parents to Avery! I can hardly believe it. I honestly think I am in a state of shock and awe. I was really emotional in the days leading up to today, but now, I am just at peace. We have our daughter and all is right with the world.

This is Avery leaving the Baby Home

9/27/05

Avery has taken it upon herself to grow up over the last month. No more baby in this house, unless you count the diapering that I do every time I turn around. She stopped saying "hold you me" and has resorted to the proper "Hold me!". She has mastered the art of climbing out of her crib, so that makes for some fun evenings and morning suprises. A big girl bed is just around the corner I fear. She is counting and saying her A, B, C's, although we have a way to go before those are mastered. She reads me books from memory and sings songs all day long. Being 2 is fun again! We are thinking about boarding that infamous potty train again, but I am in no hurry. You would think I was, by my earlier diaper reference, but no, I am enjoying one last glimpse of my baby.

My baby girl, in Russia!

2nd day with us

Life has continued to be busy here in the Stevens house. Ryan is busy working. I am trying to get a new business venture off the ground, and Avery is running circles around us. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Life is good, and I am feeling so very blessed to be Avery's Mommy!

Summer Happenings

July was a busy month and Avery did her part to keep us hopping. Being 2 is challenging, but so fun too. It's almost like having a mini teenager. Avery just oozes with a wild personality. She cracks me up with her answers to questions and silly antics.
We've spent a lot of time swimming and I think Avery is part fish. I've never seen a child so small hold their breath and swim underwater like she does. She frequently tells me "No Mommy, get away - I do it!". She prefers to swim without arm swimmies or a lifejacket. Talk about heart attack city for Mom!
This weekend we went to the zoo with Daddy. It was a first and she LOVED it. The cat house and the monkeys were huge hits. When she saw a baby monkey and it's mommy swinging from vines she screamed "Hi, Hi, Hiiiiiii - monkey, you swinging!!!" then she ordered the mommy monkey to share it's food with the baby. "Share, share now monkey". When we was the Rhinos (that were sleeping) she couldn't grasp why they were sleeping in the "Eeeeeww ucky mud!"
We found a great new place to play. Go Play Cafe is loads of fun. It is like Discovery Zone and has all the fun tunnels and slides. We went with some friends and can't wait to go back. My knees were sore and I now know I'm old, but hey - I'm young at heart.
Well, that's all for now. Avery is raring to go, so I better be too!

So let's see... We are just home from a trip east to visit our Russia travelling buddies. We had an amazing time and Avery made fast friends. The girls were just the cutest playing together. Avery got to pet her first sing ray - apparently it was "cold" or so she said.
The "terrible 2s" are in full effect, with fits and "I do it! by myself" abounding. It's fun though. I though she talked a lot before, but now, now - let's just say it is never ending. I can understand her much better now too. She is a bundle of energy and opinion and
it makes for some very interesting days.

Swimming is a huge hit, although I wish she had at least some fear of the water. Not my girl, she will even go off the diving board. All day she says "Jumping, jumping, jumping!" I get tired just watching her.