more vacation pics

hey- its our one vacation of the year- gotta milk it... no, really i just got my hot littles on my sister's pics - she has an awesome camera...

and these are from this weekend...

Helena Day

Can it be one year ago that she was placed into our arms?? It feels like last week - I cannot believe how quickly the year has flown by. I remember that moment so vividly- the foster mother placed her into my arms and she just snuggled in, head against my shoulder, arm wrapped around me. Such a joyful weight - I felt myself melting into her.

Over this past year, we've watched her learn to sit up, to eat solid foods, to crawl, to stand and creep, to use a sippy cup, to learn some sign language and some words, to zip up and down stairs, to wipe her own face, to a million other little and big victories. Such learning and growing over one year! Physically, she's gone from 19 pounds to 25, and grown 6 inches taller.

Mostly, though, she has transformed us from a rather self-centered individuals to being PARENTS. She is the center of our world. She is on my mind first thing when I awake, and last thing before sleep, and most of the minutes in between.

Happy Helena Day, baby! We love you so, so much.

Vacation getaway...

Pics from the week

At the Bristol Renn Faire (highly recommended, btw!)

"You take her from the right, and I'll come around from the left, okay?"

A visit to the Grandparents...

nother summer weekend...

Helena is entranced with her sunglasses.

We played at the park...

and had an impromptu picnic...

Then we went to play with Violet and Mary...

And here is Helena looking ever so elegant. When she is 16, I'll take a picture of her sitting in her fist car- with sunglasses on. Then I'll frame both pics and hang them side by side...

hmmm, not so elegant.

weekend shots

At Third Ward Jazz fest- Helena requesting more kettle corn please.


















At the State Fair...

And lastly, Helena walking with her scooter (I know- they don't help and probably impede walking- but she uses it for like 5 minutes a week...). The physical therapist says low muscle tone- anyone out there care to offer a second opinion?