November 2012

We have been having a fun time so far this fall! It has been amazing to me to watch the girls become such good friends. Caroline ALWAYS chooses to sit by Luisa in the living room. Every time she is leaving the room, she says, "Mom, take care of Luisa while I am gone." And Luisa just adores her big sister. I'm not trying to make you believe that they don't snatch toys, squabble, and irritate one another, because they do at times. That part has just been so much less than I expected it to be.

Painting turkeys

 

Philip took Caroline to Disney on Ice (Luisa is not quite ready for a crowd that intense yet). She knew every character and every song. The Alice dress that I had made Luisa for Halloween got another use as well.

All dressed up to go out with Daddy

Of course, Luisa had to dress up and get a photo with Daddy, too.

November is Orphan Awareness month, and our church recognized Orphan Sunday on November 4th. This beautiful display is up for the month. It illustrates where church members have adopted children from. Colombia now has a pin!

 

 

 

 

Here is a shot of Caroline "helping" Luisa eat her dinner.  We have now expanded the list of things she won't eat to two items: hamburgers and pancakes.  Anything else she gobbles right up!

 

We had our first appointment with the International Adoption Clinic here in Birmingham.  There are two pediatricians, both adoptive moms, who practice there.  They ran all sorts of bloodwork and made lots of referrals.  We'll go back for results in December.  We have our first appointment with UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) the week after Thanksgiving.  I am anxious to get to this appointment so the fabulous doctor there can evaluate Luisa and make recommendations regarding treatment and therapies.  These 10 weeks have been fantastic bonding time, but I am feeling the need to get the ball rolling on helping her achieve whatever she can physically.

Speaking of doctor appointments, I had my first with my OB and saw the little bean growing inside me.  We are getting excited about our rapidly growing family!  Caroline has decided that she wants a brother this time, and he should be named Freddy.  We'll have to see if she gets the gender she wants, but I think Philip and I will have to pick the name.  :)