Holiday Tradition

We started a new Christmas tradition last year. The family (Gaylord side)-Grandma Mary, Papa Steve, Aunt Julie (and Uncle Chris when he's not at the base), Kevin, Isabella and me-head to Hartville Flea Market for a day of shopping. Aunt Dee Dee, Uncle Ted, Brit (and Bobby) and Jessie joined us for the day.

The market is decorated so nicely with trees and garland and Santa and Mrs. Claus were even there. (Too bad Isabella is petrified of him!). Dinner was delicious! And after seven hours-Isabella was a tired baby!

The Latest Christmas Craze

Thanks to Office Max you can "Elf Yourself" and make anyone dance. Check out Isabella!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9627909253

Thanksgiving Video

We really enjoyed are family day! Hope you enjoy the video of our Thanksgiving holiday!


Thanksgiving Day 11/22/07

What a Great Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful day of family and food yesterday. Lots of pics to upload which I might make into a short movie this weekend. I wanted to update you on the day, though.

We started the day at home. When Kevin got out of bed, I asked him, "What is today?" He answered Thanksgiving, of course, but I had another answer in mind.

"It's the first day of 24-hour Christmas music!" I found out later in the day that I was wrong; some local stations started the music earlier in the week.

Isabella was dressed in an adorable orange jumper with a matching purse, so I matched her with an orange sweater.

We headed to Grandma Sue's and Papa Al's house first. We had a lovely time eating and playing with Uncle Tim, Aunt Melissa, Uncle Keith, Aunt TT, Kelsey, Kylie and Grandma and Papa.

After dinner there, we headed to Grandma Mary's and Papa Steve's. Aunt Julie and Uncle Chris were there, too. We eat, and played Tickle-Monster and Hide-n-Seek. Then we started to watch Shrek 3 until Isabella said she wanted to go "night-night". We headed home at 7:30 p.m.

What a great day! I'm so thankful we were able to spend it with family!

Gobble, Gobble

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
Wishing your entire family a safe, happy and "filling" Thanksgiving!

Why I'm thankful

When I got up this morning, I opened the Akron Beacon Journal. I wasn't looking for anything in particular. I just wanted to catch up on the daily news, check out the Heldenfiles for celebrity gossip, see the pre-Thanksgiving ads.

But an article caught me eye and made me cry.

http://www.ohio.com/news/nation/11680016.html

I've linked the article here. It's titled:
Adoption changes wrenching
U.S. couples in limbo as Guatemala looks at rules that would drastically slow now-unregulated system

While I've used this blog to call for reform in the Guatemalan adoption system, I've also heralded seamless adoptions for families in the process. This article points to the need for the seamless transition for those families. And it makes me count my blessings, that Isabella is home.

Even though she's sometimes fussy, bossy, messy and time-consuming, she's here, in my arms, forever. I can hold her and hug her whenever I want. I don't have to look longingly at pictures of my baby so many thousands of miles away.

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful she's home! And I pray for the 3,700 Guatemalan babies who are waiting for their forever homes. But most importantly, I pray for those parents who so badly want their babies here and are wondering if and when it will ever happen.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Season Begins

We headed to Sharon, PA with friends (and next door neighbors) Candice and Todd for a fun-filled day at Kraynek's, Quaker Steak & Lube, The Winner, Daffin's and Reyer's.

Kraynek's was amazing! The Christmas trees and accompanying displays are magical. Isabella just loved it (so we'll definitely have to make a trip to Akron's Holiday Tree Festival). The toy store there had everything and we got a lot of shopping done!

The Daffin's Chocolate Village was appetizing so we, of course, bought tons of candy to kept us filled up during our day.

We finally found Isabella's Christmas dress at The Winner. I would go into details because I want to share pics later on. All I'll say is that it converts to a summer dress very easily.

The guys were disappointed with Reyer's being the big "shoe guys" they are but lunch satisfied their cravings!

What a great day! Enjoy the first Christmas video of the season. They will be many to follow.


Start of Christmas 2007

Busy, Busy!!

I promise to write a post this weekend.

I've been so busy with work. I thought working from home would be less stressful but with the mortgage job and the flurry of new clients for my company, I've been working a ton of hours. Grandma Mary and Papa Steve have been helping out with a very good Isabella who has been a delight to be around lately-no fussing, no crabbiness-just pleasant and helpful. (How long will that last?!)

I do promise to post pics soon!

Dear Readers

When I started this blog, I began writing for several reasons:
1) Therapy-for me because infertility and the adoption process were stressful.
2) Informational-so friends and family could receive adoption updates as they happened.
3) Educational-so other families in the blogosphere/online could turn to me for my thoughts on infertility and adoption, my experience with the processes and my joyful story of family.

Those reasons still apply, and I thought I'd share my thoughts with you on WHY I still blog, which is fitting since it's National Adoption Awareness Month.

While many posts are about Isabella's latest activities or our fun weekend plans, this blog is still (and will always be) about working through personal issues of infertility, the disappointment and celebration of adoption and of the family that has come out the other side so much stronger. For those reasons, I blog.

I often think about who out there cares about what I have to say on any issue let alone these. I often think readers get bored with my rants about doctors and counselors and social workers. I know you don't want to hear my sob stories, but you keep coming back so I'll continue to write.

As Isabella grows, she's involved in more and more activities, and you will continue to see those fun posts, but bear with me if I write about an occasional personal triumph, post about an international adoption case or write about how I'm feeling about infertility or adoption in general.

I appreciate you, my readers, and I hope you read again soon!

Happy Anniverisary

Eight years ago today the sun was shining, and we were well into an Indian summer heat wave with temps in the mid 70s. By this time, the hair and makeup were done; the dress and tuxes were on; the flowers placed; the guests had arrived; the "I dos" said.

The "I dos" said. Wow! Can it really be eight years ago. By this time of the day, we were Mr. and Mrs .Kevin Kramer. After 6 years of being together, we had done it.

And we did it in style. 250 guests! Balloon arches! DJs! Videographers! Cake fountains! Drinks, food, music!

But does all that really matter now? Now eight years later with the house payments, long work days, crying baby, stressful lives. No.

It's fun to look back and remember the excitement of the preparation and the buying of the dress, checking out halls, and going to Pre-Cana. It's wonderful to think about the family who were there that aren't with us anymore; to share stories of showers and parties with new friends; to recall memories of those first days together as a new family.

But really it's about today and the tomorrows we have, that we have picked each other to hold onto through the tough times; that we have each other to support; that we have each other to care for; that we have each other to love. Today! That is what is important.

Celebrating the anniversary of the start of this new family is wonderful, but it reminds me that I shouldn't just remember those things once a year; I should celebrate this anniversary every day because together we got through life. Together! Everyday!

I love you, Kevin!

The Annual Rock Show

Kevin, Isabella, neighbor Candice and I all headed to the annual Gemboree to visit Papa Al and all his Rock Club friends. Isabella had a blast digging for rocks in the Gem Mine. Plus, she got "discovered."

A nice lady came up to us and asked how old Isabella is.

"She's so beautiful and that smile," she said. "Has she ever done any modeling?"

We, of course, answered no since we've not done anything like that with Isabella.

"I work for Little Tikes in the graphic design office. We are looking for fresh faces for our new catalog; would you be interested in having her in the photo shoot?"

We decided to go for it so I emailed the lady recent photos of Isabella along with her height, weight, clothing and shoe sizes.

She emailed me back and said it's a go for January, that she'd be in touch to set up the dates after Christmas.

We'll let you all know how the test shots come out. For now, you'll have to just look at mine shots! Enjoy!

National Adoption Awareness Month

November is national adoption month. It is estimated that about 1 million children in the United States live with adoptive parents, and that between 2% to 4% of American families include an adopted child. (Stolley, 1993). The majority of Americans are personally affected by adoption. In 1997, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute conducted a benchmark survey of 1,554 adults to examine public attitudes toward the institution of adoption and members of the adoption triad. The survey found that 6 in 10 Americans have had personal experience with adoption, meaning that they themselves, a family member, or a close friend was adopted, had adopted a child, or had placed a child for adoption. (Evan B. Donaldson Institute, 1997).

You are in that 6 in 10 Americans because you know us, so you should feel blessed to know the love of an adopted child. I know we do!

Trick-or-Treat

What a bummer! It was rainy and cold so we only hit four houses. The trio of kiddos didn't care though. They had fun handing out candy to other trick-or-treaters who braved the rainy night; Plus each time they passed out a piece on candy they tool a handful each for their own bags. Thank goodness Grandma Sue and Papa Al were well stocked. They even had pizza and yummy brownies for us!

Before trick-or-treat, Isabella and I met friends at Stow's 10 & Under Halloween Party. What fun for the kiddos 2.5 and up! Crafts, pizza, candy, parades! Isabella had fun making scary stick-on pictures.

We didn't do much on the actually Halloween night. We had planned to carve the rest of our pumpkins but some goblin snatched them aways.
But, it was still a great Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

From our little spider to all you ghouls...
Happy Halloween!

Final Adoption Anniversary

I can't believe it's been a year since Kevin, Isabella and I stamped the final adoption decree at the Summit County Courthouse. Time moves way too fast!

I heard my mom say all the time while growing up how quickly the time goes. I always thought she was just being sentimental, but now that I'm a mom , I know what she meant each and every time she said it.

A year ago Isabella was barely talking, was just starting to get her bearings as she ran around the house, was not even feeding herself. Wow-what a year changes!

Today, my chatter box keeps me on my toes running from room to room, moving from one game to her favorite toy. She tells me when she wants lunch and when to change her diaper. She takes off her own clothes and brushes her own teeth. She soothes herself to sleep and swims like a fish.

I long for the days of spoon feeding my princess and rocking her to sleep; of bathing her in the sink and feeling for the newest tooth; of running for every peep and soothing every whimper.

But, now I love the days of talking about zoo animals, coloring in her books, reading her stories, singing nursery rhythms, baking cakes and just being together. I love when she asks for hugs and when she kisses my nose for no reason.

I can't wait to see want this year brings (but I do wish the time didn't go by SO fast!)!

Carving our pumpkin

Isabella carved her first pumpkin on Saturday. She helped draw the face on the pumpkin and helped carve out the eyes and nose with the kid-safe pumpkin carving knife. She had so much fun pulling the guts out and finding the "nuts". We baked the seeds and ate them up. For some reason, Isabella continues to call the seeds nuts but whatever she calls them, she loves them!

My Painted Pumpkin

Isabella is SO proud of her painted pumpkin from her friend Nicholas's birthday party. She wanted to share these special pictures with all of you!

P.S. Good luck to friends Laura (and Josh) as she delivers baby, Ally, tomorrow!

And Another Party

The brithday party for Nicholas was a blast! You'll see in the photos how much fun everyone had. And Isabella got to paint her very first pumpkin! And Bella and Daddy matched from head to toe!

What a weekend!

We had a full weekend!!!!!!!

Friday night we met Kevin's parents for dinner at Rocknes' and then they came over to our house to play with Isabella.

Saturday we headed to Kevin's parents to celebrate the "older" girls -Tiffany, Melissa and my- birthdays since they are within weeks of each other.

Sunday we had two more birthday parties - one for Courtney, Isabella's friend from across the street and one for Nicholas - the son of our longtime friends Rick and Chelsea.

I've got tons of pics so I'm going to focus on Saturday's party!