Playing with Aunt Julie & Uncle Chris

A few Fridays ago, Isabella spent some time with Aunt Julie & Uncle Chris at a local park. She loves swinging and sliding and wants to do everything herself. If you try to help her, she wags her finger at you and says, "no, non, I do it." I heard both Julie and Chris got a lot of the finger wag at Patterson Park.

Building Blocks Picnic

Isabella had a blast playing on all the inflatables at the annual Building Blocks family picnic. Each each adoptive families gather to see each other, the kids and the BBAS staff to celebrate our families.

With lovely temperatures in the mid 70s, Camp Christopher was a perfect location to swim, canoe, eat and just run! It was great to finally meet the Ousley Family and little Mikayla who we read about everyday on their family's blog. And it was so great to see Kelly, our local agency rep, and Veronica, the lady who took such great care of us in Guatemala!

Check out the pics of Isabella playing!

I know...

Yes, I know! I need to post!

It's been crazy here and we've been really busy. I have Father's Day pics to post and pics from our Zoo trip with Grandma Sue. Pics from Kevin in New Jersey at the National Shoe Competition and the Building Blocks Family Picnic are on the way. I've got an update from Isabella's 2-year well visit with Dr. Rubin.

Wow! I'm really behind but with a busy two-year-old running around, it's hard to find time to run a home business, watch and play with her, attend ALL her activities, take a little time to relax AND blog!

Check back soon and I'll have new posts and pics of all the fun things we've been up too!

Oh and we still have a debate going on the mysterious bird visiting the Gaylord house. So keep sending your comments!

The mystery animal

Does anyone know what animal this is? My mom found it on her fence one night this weekend. She thinks it's a baby hawk. Any confirmation?

Happy Father's Day!

Wishing all you dads, grand-dads, godfathers, papas and uncles a blessed Father's Day full of love and family!

Isabella got her dad a special gift this year and even picked out her very own Father's Day card for "Daddy". I'm sure he'll be proud and want to share a pic with you all.

The final Finals game for the Cavs

Even though the Cavs lost game 4 of its Finals run, the guys still had a great time seeing all the hype. They even ran into Brylan Edwards of Cleveland Browns fame.

Go Cavs!

Sorry for the lack of posts and pics this week. It has been a major adjustment being at home with Isabella. She's not sleeping well so I'm not sleeping well and we are both really crabby. Hopefully things will get better soon!

Watch for Kevin, Keith, Papa Al and neighbor Tyler as they cheer on the Cavs from the Upper Deck Center Court, Row 1 tonight at the Cavs Finals game. The gang has to pull off a win to stay in the series. Personally I think they will win tonight and the next game so the Spurs can when the series at home. If I was in charge, that's how I'd play it out!

GO CAVS!GO CAVS!GO CAVS!GO CAVS!GO CAVS!GO CAVS!

First Day Home

Well, today was the first official day home for Isabella and me. We were by ourselves for the entire day and no major catastrophes happened!

She didn't sleep as well as I had hoped last night. I think she may have awoken scared, not recognizing where she was. Nap time was rough, too, taking nearly an hour and a half for her to calm down.

We played outside a lot and played inside, too. She is liking her backyard and her room.

Hopefully tonight and tomorrow will go even better (even though Kevin has to go out-of-town for work, again). Wish us luck!

Great Party

Thank you to all of you who shared in Isabella's special day. She was spoiled, of course, but she really enjoyed her Elmo party. The kids had fun playing on the swingset and fort and in the Little Tikes house in our backyard. The adults enjoyed pizza, cake and lots of conversation. The day (and weather) was perfect.

I can't believe my baby's already two! Oh, how the time flies!

Birthday Breakfast & Presents

Last year my mom and I took Isabella to Bob Evans for breakfast on her birthday. Since Isabella and I were still staying at my parents' house this birthday, we decided to make it a tradition so Isabella, Hama, Papa and I headed to Bob Evans for pancakes and other great breakfast treats. I used my mom's camera for breakfast so these pics will follow next week.

I do have pics of Isabella opening her gifts from Kevin and me. She got new DVDs, coloring books, number and letter books and fun jewelry and hair accessories.

Happy Birthday Bella!

Isabella turns 2 today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday, baby girl!

Vacation post #3

I know these are out of date order but Julie sent these pics to me today, and I wanted to get them up for you to see. They came over small in email but the pics are still cute.

"How much spaghetti do you think I can fit in my mouth?"

Showing off for the table of 12 (all our family) at the Jolly Roger Restaurant

Checking out the dolphin sculpture with Aunt Julie

Relaxing while Mommy pushes (This is where Mommy got poison ivy)

Vacation post #2 - The drive to Corolla

We decided to break the 12-hour day into two days since we weren't sure how Isabella would do in the car or how my back would feel. We planned to leave at 9 a.m. Friday and drive to Fredicksburg, VA, 6 hours from Stow. We planned to leave then so we'd get through Washington D.C. before rush hour and get to our hotel early enough to relax and enjoy some swimming.

Plans are bound to fail.

Isabella, Hama Mary (Isabella's new word for Grandma) and I started with colds earlier in the week. We were all beginning to feel better but Kevin starting feeling sick Thursday night. By Friday morning, he knew he had a bad infection so we spent Friday morning on the phone with his doctor and the pharmacy. We got him a prescription but it caused us to leave at 11 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

We made excellent time until we hit D.C. We sat in traffic for nearly 3 hours. Instead of getting to our hotel by 3 p.m. we didn't check in until after 7 p.m. We were all tired and grumpy and stuffy, but Isabella and I still made time to swim.

Day two went a little better. We made great time to North Carolina but hit some traffic caused by an accident just outside the Outer Banks. By 2:30 Saturday we were unpacked and in the pool.

One tired little girl!

Weddings, Baptisms, birthdays, oh my!

It seems that every weekend gets busier and busier. The weekend before vacation we attended a wedding, two birthday parties and a baptism. This weekend promises craziness as we head to a wedding Saturday and host Isabella's birthday party Sunday. Is it Monday yet? Can I even say that without getting hit????

Mommy kissing Bella goodbye before Sarah & Ben's wedding.

Mommy & Bella watching Nathaniel Miller get baptized.

The Millers at Nathaniel's baptism.

Bella playing with Madison at Owen's first birthday party.

" Can I have this horsey, Mommy?"

The gang celebrating Noah's 4th birthday

Getting ready for vacation

Getting ready for vacation can be stressful. There are so many things to do and to remember to take. With a child, there's even more to pack and to remember. So the week before vacation, we were all busy packing suitcases and bags, but we had to fit in a very special event.

Kevin turned 31 on May 27. We would be in North Carolina so we wanted to make sure he got the chance to celebrate with his family before we headed south. We headed to his parent's house May 22 for a pizza and cake and outdoor playing with the girls!

Vacation Post #1

Lots of vacation posts on the way. Check out these pics as a tease!