Sorry, Bella.....

but we completely forgot your adoption day:( How horrible are we?!?!?! It is a given that Todd wouldn't remember it but ME??? Not a chance!!! If it occurred any other time than at the beginning of school, I would definitely have remembered. Bad mommy. Although, when she grows up and we talk about how we celebrated her 3rd adoption day, I WILL mention the new 3 Musketeers Barbie I bought her (at the time-there was no reason for doing this other than she wanted it and I wanted her to have it). So, I guess I am covered. Right????Playing with mommy after the Giving and Receiving Ceremony....

New clothes and a bottle...life is good:)

Talking to Elisabeth after we got back to the hotel...

At Isabella's medical check-up...

On our way in for our first interview with US Government...little did we know we would wait another 3 weeks for their approval to bring Isabella home!

It's the weekend and we survived.....

almost a full week of school, Elisabeth's first attempt at riding the bus in the morning, first soccer practice, and first night of ballet and tap. Whew.

Elisabeth always rides the bus home in the morning but we usually drive her in in the morning as it gives us another 30 minutes to get our act together. Last night I told her she was riding the bus and to be ready. I woke her up at 7, ran downstairs and got the kitchen cleaned up from last night, made the kids hot oatmeal, and packed both lunches. That is when I heard her from the top of the stairs. It was 7:20 (the bus comes at 7:35) and she was standing there, crying, with her hair standing on end, still in her pajamas, moaning that she couldn't find anything to wear. I instantly became bitch mom- "Get your ass into some clothes and down here to eat your frickin' breakfast before you miss your damn bus!" Nice way to start a Friday. After her fastest dressing and hair doing she has ever done, she ate her breakfast and headed for the bus only to find that it was just leaving the bus stop. She thought she had bought herself a nice drive to school but I hopped in the car in my pjs and socks and chased that damn bus down.

I then arrive home to find Todd LEISURELY getting ready for work. Now remember, I had already been up for an hour with Bella, was sweating like a pig, had made beds and dressed 2 girls and wasn't even close to being ready myself. He looked at me and said, "Oh...you want me to take Bella in today?? I wish you had told me - I would have hurried." UGH. I think I am going to start telling people I am the mother to 3- 2 girls and a baby boy:)

(He did redeem himself by sending me a picture and video from his new iPhone of her on the way out the door.)



I love this smile she does-it is a mix of happy and unsure. We were on our way out to ballet/tap.....

Waiting for the teacher....the damn duck stayed with mom.







The look...."I am NOT listening to you and I AM going to walk over and wave to my mom."

Playing catch up....

Work stinks. The older I get, the harder it is to start back again. How I am supposed to work full-time and run the kids around to everything they need to do, is beyond me. Ugh. And on top of that-I have laundry to do and dinner to make and lunches to prepare. Todd wonders where he fits into all of that-I am wondering too :) I have even given up on watching my beloved soaps most days!! Okay, I'll stop whining.

Elisabeth is doing well. The pictures are from her first day of school. She is surprisingly happy with her homeroom teacher-her first male teacher. We had a bit of a scare on Friday-she got a headache at school and I had to go and get her. She was complaining about bright lights and tingling on one side of her body. Talk about freaking me out. I called the doctor who suggested I take her to the ER. More freaking out. After 4 hours, we found out that she had a migraine. The numbness, difficulty thinking, head pain, and bright lights in one eye are all typical symptoms. It was such a relief. She was an absolute mess and spent most of the time crying. Poor baby was a nervous wreck. I almost wished they gave her something to shut her up/knock her out. Or they could have given it to me. Much better idea, I think. Soccer starts tonight. The whining has begun again. :)

Bella is Bella. She loves school and rarely complains about going. I don't mean that she rarely complains-she does that most of the day-just not about school. She starts tap class and ballet tomorrow. I will have to bust my butt to get her from preschool and out to the dance academy. Why I get myself into these things, I have no idea. The kid is only 3 years old and I have her in tap AND ballet??? DUMB. Hopefully she likes it. If not, the shoes are going on eBay and we are going to hang up the tutus.

Todd got a new iPhone. His life is complete now. The best part?? He has to come to ME for help. For once, I know more that he does about something computer-related. :)

First day of school and first eye appointment pictures...

Back to school for some of us....

Monday was my first day back...how depressing. BUT I had my first day off yesterday so I could spend our last day together with Rebekah. Not too bad. I am back to work again today. Depressing.

Today was Isabella's first day of preschool. She was more obsessed about when she was eating her lunch (first time she has ever packed) than when I was leaving! She kissed me on the leg and shooed me out the door. I think I am going to have to 'up' my medicine:( I believe Elisabeth will want to share that medicine as she starts 7th grade tomorrow. I'll let you know how that morning goes tomorrow!!

Rebekah's Visit

As you can see, Rebekah came for a visit all the way from Alaska. My mom and dad also drove down so that they could spend time with her. We ate out almost every night, went to the outlets in Lancaster, celebrated R's 35th birthday, went swimming, did make-overs, watched movies, and had a wonderful time together. It was very sad to see her go yesterday....although she was here for a week, it felt like only a few hours. I wish we lived closer but I know she is happy living in the frozen tundra:)