My 50th Post!

Hello everyone!  I'm excited to welcome you to post #50!   Maybe it won't take as long to reach post #100.  I'm actually attending a Blogging Conference next weekend, for work.  I'm hoping to come back inspired to write, write, write! 

I have been looking forward to catching you up on our neck of the woods.  Karis is doing well.  She is measuring at 16 pounds, 12 ounces.  She's in the 50th percentile for length.  She has had a couple of ear infections since I posted last.  She also cut her first tooth.  That was a month ago.  It's still making it's way out of the gum.  Gracie had a mouth full of teeth at this age, so it's been different to have a toothless baby for such a long time.  

Karis is a very observant child.  In fact, she would prefer to watch and figure things out before attempting new things like going down a slide, climbing on a riding toy, swinging in a swing, etc.  The other night, I introduced her to combs.  I said, "This is a comb, Karis.  We use it to comb our hair."  I showed her how to use it, and she just watched me.  Ten minutes later, she found one of Gracie's many combs on the floor.  She picked it up and started combing her hair.  It was so funny!
She has studied all of us drinking, and has become quite proficient at drinking from a sippy cup and from a regular cup for that matter.  Speaking of drinking, I don't anticipate being able to wean her at 12 months.  She does enjoy nursing and is very persistant at letting me know her wishes!  I'll let you know how that goes.  It's amazing to me that I'm now concerned that she'll never want to stop nursing.  It seems like yesterday when I was worried that we weren't going to be able to make it past 3 months.  Along those same lines, she still isn't sleeping through the night.  The most she has ever slept at one time is 9 hours, and that has only happened twice, maybe three times.  I know what the books say about letting babies 'cry it out', but I don't do that very well.  Also, we are struggling to keep Gracie in her own bed at night, so I have been hesitant to go to the crying it out mode, fearing that she may awaken her sister.  I am open to suggestions or at least hope that it will one day get better, and I will once again sleep through 3 AM.  

Karis Joy loves her baby dolls!

Here are a few of the pictures we had made just before Easter.  It started off being one of the worst photo sessions ever.  I almost grabbed up both of the girls and left.  But we survived, and the photographer ended up getting some really good shots!  I love my sweet girls!!

 On March 31st, Karis got to meet her Shur Shur for the very first time!  It was a happy and glorious reunion for all of us.  Both of my children have met their Shur Shur at Dulles International Airport.  Byron's parents spent a week with us. We hadn't seen each other in almost two years, so it was wonderful to be with our family. 

Gracie getting her teeth brushed...Shur Shur style.  This was funny to me.  They both had more than their fair share of tooth paste on them!  They had a lot of fun with each other. 

Today, my Gracie began a conversation with me about God.  From there, we started talking about heaven.  I told her that we won't cry when we get to heaven.  She said, "What if we get a boo boo?"  I told her that we won't have boo boos in heaven. 

She said, "Are the floors soft in heaven, Mommy?"  She falls on hard floors a lot! 

One more thing before I go, we have friends that are pursuing embryo adoption.  They are looking at a July transfer with the NEDC.  Stephanie has started a blog, and I know she'd love to 'meet' you and have your prayer support as they begin this journey.  Here's a link to their blog.  Baby Brown 

Blessings on you all!!!