Thursday, November 30, 2006

Sick day

Both Isabella and I are sick today. I've been fighting bronchitis since Sunday and she started with a runny nose yesterday. We are spending the day in bed!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Can't I drink in peace?!

I'm always sticking a camera in Isabella's face. If she could talk, she's tell me to go away!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Sifting for Gems

At the Gem Show, kids could sift for their own gems. For $1, Isabella got a coin which she gave to the man who ran the gem mine. The bucket went up the shaft and got filled with dirt and rocks. Then she sifted for hidden treasures. Grandpa Al will smooth them out for Isabella so she can play with her lucky rocks.

Monday, November 27, 2006

The Gem Show

Grandpa Kramer is a member of the Summit Lapidary Club. A lapidary (the word means "concerned with stones") is an artisan who practices the craft of working, forming and finishing stone, mineral, gemstones, and other suitably durable materials (amber, shell, jet, pearl, copal, coral, horn and bone, glass and other synthetics) into functional and/or decorative, even wearable, items (e.g. cameos, cabochons, and more complex facetted designs).

Each year the Summit County Club hosts a gem show with vendors who sell and show their artwork and gems. Isabella was invited to this year's event so Kevin and I joined her.

Tomorrow...sifting for rocks and gems.



Sunday, November 26, 2006

I want to do it myself!

Since Isabella is so independent, she has started to undress and dress herself - sort of. The undressing part has come pretty easy but she has not mastered the dressing part as quickly.


Saturday, November 25, 2006

Adoption Day Pictures - Post #3

Opening gifts at Dontino's


Adoption Day Pictures - Post #2

Getting ready for court

Waiting our turn in the court room

Celebrating in the courthouse

P.S. Note that Isabella is pulling her hair bands out!

Friday, November 24, 2006

Adoption Day Pictures - Post #1

Talking with the judge about Isabella and us

Accepting the final adoption decree Stamping the final adoption decree

Receiving the final adoption decree Taking our court adoption photo

Final Adoption Day - The Story

I have mentioned the Adoption Day a few times so far on this blog, but I haven't told you about the day and what it means. This special occasion deserve a lot of blog space because of its significance to our family.

Isabella was adopted from Guatemala in March and entered the United States on an I-4 visa. This means that she is a permanent resident of the U.S., not a citizen. In order to gain citizenship for Isabella, Kevin and I had to re-adopt her in the states, have a new birth certificate issued by Ohio in our names, change Isabella's name from Gersel Marina Kramer to Isabella Gersel Kramer, and file for citizenship with Homeland Security (immigration). Isabella's final adoption took place in Summit County court Oct. 30. Her name was legally change and we applied for a new birth certificate which we received this week. Now we can file paperwork with immigration to change her status from permanent resident to citizen.

The court proceeding was an exciting experience for the whole family. Kevin, Isabella and I were joined by Grandma & Grandpa Kramer, Grandma & Grandpa Gaylord, Aunt Melissa and Aunt Julie. Four families adopted children at our proceeding so the court room was full of happiness and love.

The judge called us, along with our attorney, up to her bench, asked Isabella if she knew who mommy was and who daddy was - Isabella just stared at her in her inquisitive way - asked us if we were able and willing to care for her and to confirm our names and birth dates for the new birth certificate. We got to stamp our final adoption decree and get our picture taken with the judge. The grandparents and we celebrated with dinner at our favorite dinner, Dontinos.

Lots of pictures to follow!

My favorite toy...of the moment

Besides anything Backyardigans, Isabella loves her ride-on singing unicorn. Kevin and Isabella took a daddy-daughter trip to Toys R Us in honor of her adoption day. She came home with the talking horse with light-up horn and the latest Backyardigans DVD. When she picks out a new favorite toy - which happens quite often, she will still love riding her unicorn but won't run to it like she does now.



Black Friday...ready, set, go

So Isabella can experience all that is the mad rush of shopping, Julie and I are taking her out to the stores today. We've got a plan so hopefully are purchasing will go smoothly. Then, Isabella and I are headed out with Grandma and Grandpa Kramer to cut down a Christmas tree. Kevin has to work so Isabella and I are solo today. Happy shopping!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving!

What to be thankful for this year...do I have to say anything?

Isabella at 5 days old

Kevin, Isabella and me at Isabella's final adoption hearing on Oct. 30, 2006

Sleepover

Isabella spent the night with Aunt Julie and Uncle Chris. Kevin and I enjoyed a nice dinner together and then watched television in the dark - what a relaxing evening!

Julie said in this morning's report that Isabella slept all night long and was good for her bath. Hopefully the rest of the morning goes as well!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

I love my daddy!

Isabella loves playing with Kevin when he gets home from work. She rarely wants anything to do with me when he's around.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Trick-or-Treat part 3

After trick-or-treating at my parent's house, Isabella was allowed one piece of candy. She picked a Three Musketeers bar and really liked it!

Trick-or-Treat part 2

Since Isabella didn't get a chance to truly enjoy trick-or-treating, my mom and I took her to Chapel Hill Mall to participate in the mall's trick-or-treat night. Each store passed out candy or games or toys to the kids dressed up in costumes. Isabella had a good time but most enjoyed the ride on the carousel.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Trick-or-Treat part 1

In the cold rain, Kevin and I headed out to visit a few houses in my parent's neighborhood with our little monkey. She had enjoyed a warmer trick-or-treat experience earlier that day with Aunt Julie and Great Aunt Dee Dee and Cousins Brittany and Jessica so we didn't feel bad taking Isabella inside after just a few knocks. She really didn't understand what we were doing anyways but she did say "Tank You" to those who gave her treats.

Boo at the Akron Zoo

Even though Isabella and I were not feeling well, we had to participate in Boo at the Akron Zoo. Being Zoo members, I wanted to take Isabella to this event because we could get discount tickets. Acme partnered with the Zoo this year to offer tickets at its stores. I thought this was great because it saved me the 20 minute trip to the Zoo box office. Waiting to the last minute to make sure we both were feeling okay to go, we headed to Acme in Stow to pick up the tickets. Sold out was the response I got. Try another store. Bailey Road Acme - sold out. So I called the Zoo and they had a few pre-sale tickets left. We sped to pick those up. And it's a good idea we did because when we arrived at the Zoo gates that night, we were greeted with a line out into the parking lot. With our tickets we worked right in! We all had a great time - Grandma & Grandpa G and Grandma & Grandpa K, too. By the way, Isabella was a monkey - her favorite zoo animal.