She's No Humpty Dumpty

Today was a traumatic day in our household. Well, it started out fine then went downhill around 4:30pm.

As you know, Analise has started walking. Sometimes she walks fast enough that I have to run to catch up to her. The thing is, she isn't very steady just yet and relies on stable objects to break her fall. That didn't quite work out for her today.

She was walking towards her bouncer and misjudged the distance. Then she just bit it! HARD! Nose first into the walker. Of course, she screamed bloody murder and rightly so! It was like watching it in slow motion. Adam & I were both within two feet of her and there was nothing we could do to stop it. We tried.

I picked her up and took her to the kitchen. We wet a cloth and patted her nose. To which we see a small cut on her nose. It really did look painful. Adam goes, "Shannon, she split her nose." It was just awful...I felt so bad. I cried because I couldn't fix it. Ugh, the agony..

So, we loaded her up in the car and headed to the local hospital. Before we got there we decided we should go to a hospital in the city. We were concerned she would need stitches on/in her nose and we wanted her to get the best care possible. We then turned around and headed to the city. She was such a trooper and she had stopped crying before we even left the house. She then proceeded to nap for the next 45 minutes. Don't worry, it really was her naptime so we knew it was ok.

We go into the ER and they fast track her because of her age and injury. This is her in triage.

Then we get called back to the treatment room. Here she is showing out for her DaDa.

Then it all hit the fan. The doctor wrapped her up like a burrito with a sheet. He then proceeded to clean the wound and check her out. Here are her thoughts on that process...


She ended up with a laceration to the nose. They were able to seal it with super glue. NO STITCHES!!! Thank God!! Truly thank God. I prayed on the way to the hospital that we would get the right person at the right time to help Analise. The Doctor was great and the hospital was superb! We were so glad we chose to go there! Get this, we were in and out in less than an hour! HONEST!! That in itself was a miracle!

She discovered her hospital ID on the way home. She was so cute trying to get it off.

She has officially been dubbed perma-snot. The super glue makes it look like she has a huge snot rolling out her nose! I highlighted it for you!

This is her on the way home. She was exhausted and I think her face hurt. Poor thing. When we got home she was back to her usual self. Playing and walking too fast! That girl!!

Retrospect:
-I think this cemented our decision to move closer to the city.
-My husband, I am so proud of him. He just doted on her the whole time. I love him so much!!
-I hope that you all never experience this. Although she was fine, the things that run through your mind prior to hearing the Doctor's diagnosis can be crippling. If you let it.
-My child is one tough little egg. I'm glad they put her nose back together.

Do You Remember These Photos?

Today marks exactly one year since I held Analise for the very first time. I called my SIL yesterday to remind her of the day. It was such a wonderful trip and we had such a wonderful time.

I miss Guatemala today and kinda miss the process of adoption. Weird huh? The process was long but we always tried to remain joyfully expectant. We are still joyfully expectant for the things that are still to come!

Happy Mommy & Me Day Analise! I LOVE YOU!!

Happy 14mths. to Analise!!!

One year ago today I was spending my first night at the Marriott in Guatemala. I didn't sleep much that night because I knew I would be meeting my daughter for the first time. Wow, what a difference a year makes!

More Of This...

oh, and it is accompanied by a choir of friends. Including, but not limited too snot, upset stomach, sneezing, etc. I am almost CERTAIN we received this as a complimentary gift from the Mothers Day Out program! UGH!!!

She slept maybe 2 hours last night. Any suggestions (meds/home remedies) on how to ease the stuffed and runny nose? This is her first cold...poor baby.

Marching to the Beat...

...of her own drum.

This little chica is almost there. She currently will go about 15 steps and then fall backwards. I swear, she is like the leaning tower of Analise when she stops walking. It's hilarious! But we have to be with her ALL the time. I guess she hasn't learned how to just sit. Maybe I should show her or maybe not!

A little something extrie for the fam...Can she get any cuter?

Not So Happy Morning...

This is not actually a pic from this morning but this is what she looked like.


She attended the Mother's Day Out program at the First Baptist Church in town. She was happy and playing when I left. I ended up getting a call around 30 minutes later. They said she was crying "real hard". So, I told them to try her bunny and her snacks. When I called 30 minutes later they said she was still crying. So, I headed down there. She wasn't crying but doing that I'm trying to catch my breath after a hard cry. You know? She was fine when I walked in and just reached for me.

I sat down and played with her and the other kids. She started to play and have fun. I also stayed for lunch. I wanted to help her get acclimated and if it helps that I am there then that is fine by me. We left after lunch and she came home and took a two hour nap.

Will she go back? Absolutely. After today, I realize she is still very young but also in need of social interaction. The only human interaction she has on a regular basis is Adam & I. I think it will be good for her.

My heart did melt though when I walked in, picked her up and held her close. She just sank into my arms. It was such a great reminder of how bonded we really are to each other...

Sunday Recap

We relaxed after a long week and enjoyed lunch with MiMi & PaPa. Of course, I took pictures while we were on our walk after lunch. Here are just a couple.

A Little Piece of Heaven

I am reminded every day how much joy my daughter brings to my life. It's a joy just to be able to write "my daughter". I waited and prayed a long time for the miracle that now goes everywhere with me. She really is perfect, in our eyes anyways. I dreamed many days of seeing her first steps, hearing her first words and of course being on her first horse. It's funny because the horse one came before the other two...ohh, my life.

She now will consume just about anything you put in front of her. Did I mention that we now call her "pickles"? The reason-she can eat her weight in Klaussen pickles if we would let her. Actually, if it were up to her she would dine on a slice of cheese, 2 slices of turkey and a pickle at every meal. I kid you not! She also LOVES her new sippy cups with straws. She will drink about 3 or 4 of these filled with ice cold water everyday. It has to have ice or she will not drink it. She gets this from Adam, I am sure of it! We spend alot of time outside so beverage consumption is a must in our household. We actually spend about 2 to 3 hours a day outside working/playing. That does not include running errands!!
Needless to say that is why she can sleep anywhere at anytime. Example, we (Analise & I) were mowing grass the other day and she fell asleep. So, I laid her down in the seat and held on to her. She slept like that for about 45 minutes. Then she just popped up and finished mowing. She also still takes 2 naps (generally) and goes to bed about 8 or 8:30pm. and then wakes up between 7 and 7:30am. We give her a bottle still in the evening and just put her in her bed-she lays there and jabbers and then goes to sleep. The first few nights didn't go that smoothly but I am so glad we did it! WAY WORTH IT!!! She also has the ability to drive me straight up the wall!! When she decides she is done with her meal, she simply starts dropping or tossing, her mood varies, off her tray. Any suggestions on how to stop this?!?! Oh, and slapping the big screen with her hands and anything she can her little human paws on...lovely, I know.

She still is the most precious thing ever!! Sometimes, when I look in the rear view mirrow, I remember those days of looking back and seeing it empty. Now, I look back and see this giant grin and if I'm lucky a "MOMMA!". I'll be honest - I still tear up when I look at her sometimes and I send up prayers for those that brought her to us.

That's How We Roll

There have been lots of people ask me, "How do you do it?" Meaning, how do you do everything on your place with a 1 yr. old in tow. Well, this is how we do part of it. I pretty much just strap her in and go for it. She will sit right there beside me and mow grass for hours. Well, at least two hours. Yes, we have enough grass to mow for about 5 hours and that's with a 60 inch deck! She loves to look around, clap her hands and yell. It makes for great Mommy & Me time.


I have decided there are things we can't do with her. Like use the riding mower. Adam suggested using the sling to put her in but I think she is too big for it. She is about 23 lbs. now. Just a little more than my back can handle. I also can't do any weedeating. Adam usually mows while I weedeat so that's leaves her with no one. The solution, I have looked into a Mother's Day out program which would be for one day a week. She would be there for about 5 hours. I think she will love the interaction with other kids! We'll see. I go tomorrow to me with the Director and check things out.


As Tim Gunn, from Project Runway, says "Make It Work!" So, that's what we do. We take what we have and make it work!

PS-I'm not purposely holding out on the website. I just want to make it perfect before I post it!!!

What A Difference After 4 Months

We have had our tumbleweed for over 4 months now. Man, time has flown by and she is growing up right before my eyes. See the difference for yourself.

1st Week Home - 9 1/2 mths.

Last Week - 13 1/2 mths.

I love the second picture of Analise. This is the face she makes when she is concentrating and trying to figure something out. She was trying to figure out how to get the camera out of my hands...

Have I mentioned how truly blessed I am?? I thank God every day for the joy she brings to Adam & I.

Cause I Love My Man....

I just love him so much...

We have been busy workin' outside and workin' on a new website that will be revealed at a later time! I am so EXCITED about it!!!