We all share the same moon no matter where we are in the world!

Dec 28, 2010

Merry Christmas





Taylor looking beautiful and Kendy, not so sure of Santa yet!

When Kendy smiles she crinkles her nose and closes her eyes and gives a sweet little noise like haa.

We had such a fun Christmas with Taylor and Kendy this year. Taylor loved opening her presents and Kendy's too. Kendy loved any box, paper, or bow that was on the floor. She has since grown to love her new toys and books. Taylor was very excited and happy with her presents too. She hasn't stopped singing with her new microphone or checking out each book and she couldn't' wait to wear her new outfit from Lindsey & Joe.
We shared Christmas eve at home doing last minute wrapping (Kip & Tay) and enjoyed a nice meal as a family. Taylor opened her one gift...guess what, new jammies! She loved them and was pretty excited to wear them to bed. We put out the plate of cookies with a glass of milk and carrots too. Christmas day lunch was spent over at a friend's house, and unfortunately Kip stayed home with Kendy who was doing a lot of crying after her too short nap. I know she was missing me but she needed to finish her nap so Kip took her for a car ride to do the trick.
Christmas morning Taylor crept up to me in bed and said, "Mommy, I peeked and you should see what Santa brought me!" I love the excitement and joy she shares with me over just about anything, but especially Santa. She is an open and honest little girl full of life and love. I videotaped her coming down the stairs and then we opened our stockings. We always have cinnamon rolls to start and then once gifts are opened we have a big breakfast. I miss being with all my family and wish we could celebrate together every year. Keeping traditions alive from my family and Kip's is how we plan to give Taylor and Kendy their own family traditions to hopefully carry on with their kids. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Chaos by the fire!
Taylor and Sydney posing for pictures!

Dec 19, 2010

Our Christmas Card

Family Wall Noir Christmas 5x7 folded card
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May the good things of life be yours in abundance, not only at this season, but throughout the coming year.
Merry Christmas,
Love Kip, Terry, Taylor & Kendal

Dec 17, 2010

Here Comes Santa Claus


Taylor and Kendy met with Santa and Taylor did beautifully. Kendy...cried. I took her off his lap and let her stand near him while Tay stayed on Santa's lap. Kendy stopped crying and just spied him with her little eye. So cute. Thank you Patty for the adorable holiday outfits for my girls.
This year Taylor received a letter from Santa and Rudolph letting her know she was on the "Nice List". She was so excited; it even came with a certificate. Her Wish list is very short and she included a gift suggestion for her little sister too. I love her generosity.


Tay's classroom holiday party was a hit with the kids. Lots of crafts and yummy sweets to go around. We made a felt mouse with a candy cane tail that is now hanging on our Christmas tree. We have a few plans to see friends over the holiday break and just relax at home. We are excited to watch the kids open their Christmas presents and play together. HO Ho Ho to a Merry Christmas!

Dec 12, 2010

Taylor Happenings







Taylor is doing great in school. She has good friends and lots of fun classmates. She loves taekwondo and recently passed her green belt test. She is very excited. Last night at her school's after-school performance event Taylor was chosen to perform one of the demonstration forms all by herself in front of the crowd of parents and students. It is not that she is shy, but she is more of an introvert but still enjoys performing. She loves to dance and sing and wants to be in Hollywood. I am not sure she really knows what that means, but she does ask a lot of questions about Hollywood and what it would be like to live there. I tell her we will have to ask cousins Mandy and David. I hope to get her guitar lessons. Tay loves Taylor Swift and is learning the songs from her Christmas album. Taylor loves to read books to us, Kendy and anyone who will listen. I am so happy she enjoys reading and I hope this is the beginning of a life-long love.
Taytay is learning how to be a big sister with the help of her little sister! Sharing mommy time is sometimes difficult but we are trying to give the girls, especially Taylor one-on-one time each day. We both need our time together and bedtime is important for us to do the rituals together-wash, floss, brush, etc.

Dec 10, 2010

All Tangled at 7


Taylor is 3'10" and weighs 53.5 lbs and is turning 7 today!

Allison, Isabella, Sydney, Maile, Taylor, Jaida & Michelle



We began the birthday celebrations by hosting a movie date with some of her good friends. The girls saw Tangled in 3-D and then ate cake and ice cream. Today her 1st grade class shared dessert, and then we went to dinner as a family to her favorite restaurant, Sweet Tomatoes, followed by her school's event. All in all it was a fun week and I hope Taylor had a wonderful time as well. She loves all her gifts and cards; thank you all for sharing in her birthday joy! We love you. I love you Taytay forever, mommy


Sharing birthday cupcakes with classmates

Dec 9, 2010

Bathtime

Tonight I took a bath after the girls and Kendy stood next to the tub and kept her hand reached out to touch my arm and kind of made a little sound like a "hum". When I rinsed my hair over my head with a pitcher of water she started to cry and looked so worried for me. It was really sweet and cute.
She loves playing in her crib with Taylor! It is the funniest thing to watch. She throws herself down and then gets up laughing. Of course, she knows we are all laughing too so it is even funnier.
Taylor has recently joined AWANA (a religious program) and goes on Wednesday evenings with a bunch of school friends. She really enjoys the gathering and the learning. I enjoy the Terry time, especially if Kendy is home with Kip and I can go have a cup of coffee with friends while the kids go to their meeting.
Kip's new job has him traveling to Chicago...4 blocks from his parent's house. He stays with his folks which they love and he enjoys getting time to see them too. Hopefully we will all get out to Chicago soon to see all the family. Kip's brother is home now and walking either with a crutch or a prosthetic on his lower leg. We can't wait for Auntie Peg to meet Kendy and see Taytay too.
Kip has been working on the sign for "more" with Kendy and she gets it. She will use it when she wants more of something and definitely does not use it when she sees something on her plate that she does not want. Chocolate cake = more. Applesauce = No. I was feeding her a french fry and a vegetable mixture. She did not want the veggies anymore; she wanted the fry. I put the fry in my left hand and the spoon with veggies in my right and put them both up to her face. She kept her eyes on the veggies while turning her head and opening her mouth for the fry. I slipped in the veggies and then followed up with a fry. Funny girl!

Dec 6, 2010

New Tooth and Other Exciting Things


We have a new tooth! Kendy has her 5th upper tooth and more are showing signs of poking through her gums. She is liking the cats more and more and doesn't freak when they come up to her. They love her of course! Kendy can stand herself up and walk around holding onto something. She really loves the wood floors over carpeting. We think this is because the orphanage had floors in all the pictures.





Kendy went pee pee on the potty today! I am going to try and make the effort to sit her on the potty and see how it goes....she is playing right next to me and obviously, I missed the afternoon poop! We sat again after lunch but in the middle of pulling her pants down with one hand and pulling her diaper off with the other all the while holding on to her over the potty seat, she went pee pee. Got a little wet on her leg, my hand, and the diaper, but most went into the potty. I count that as a success. She knew what the plan was, but just like the cheerio still stuck to the back of her hand, she at least is trying.
Bath time last night was also a success. Kendy sat in the tub with Taytay and played with the alphabet letters that stick to the wall. I yelled for daddy to get the camera...that also explains how I came to catch a picture of Kendy sitting on the potty this morning when she went pee pee in the potty.
We put our Christmas tree up and Taylor put her Princess ornaments on the tree while we all played around her. She and Kendy are really getting along and are so cute together. They even can take baths together now! Tay also likes to get into the crib and play with Kendy. I love my girls so much and can't wait to see and learn more about their budding relationship.
Kendy is eating all sorts of food now, most from the spoon. Occasionally she will only use my finger. She can finally pick up a cheerio with her fingers and hit her mouth about 80% of the time. I add applesauce, yogurt, bananas, rice cereal to her bottle, along with her vitamins....yummy! Kendy starts her day at 6:30-7:00 gets a bottle, then breakfast, she takes a short nap around 10-11 am, then lunch at noon followed by a bottle, an afternoon nap 1:30-3:00 and then dinner 5-6 pm and bedtime 9 pm. She typically wakes up around 2:30 am and then falls back to sleep with a gentle pat. If she is standing up and her crying is louder than a whimper, I will pick her up and hold her for a few seconds and lay her back down. If I gently lay my hand on her back she falls right back to sleep. Such a lovey with her hugs!
I am having so much more fun with her now that she is eating solid foods and sleeping on a regular schedule. I am also willing to share in the tasks with Kip and friends, so I can have a little down time or Taytay time. I needed to do everything with Taylor and she also didn't sleep through the night, so I was tired and running on empty with Taylor in the beginning. Now I am pretty awake and have lost 10 pounds. 10 more and I can fit my wedding dress. Now wouldn't that be a surprise one afternoon with Kip at home!