Adoption Video

We are so excited to be able to unveil our adoption video!  We just had a private showing with the VIPs, so it's ready for the blogosphere!

Originally it started out as a video of our adoption trip and return home, but as time went by and we grew more and more (and happier and happier!) as a family, it sort of became a chronicle of our first 5-plus months together.

So, without further ado, here ya go....

Father's Day

Today I'd like to wish a very Happy First Father's Day to Baba, and a Happy Father's Day to Grampy.

It's funny how my two favorite men can be so different in many ways, but also very much alike.

One is often the chattiest person in the room.  The other is usually the quietest.  One loves to dance, the other you'd have to drag out on the floor.  One is the handiest do-it-yourselfer and fixit guy around.  The other, well, not so much.  One likes to play a little Blackjack at the casino, the other likes to drink cocktails at the casino.  One eats anything you put in front of him, the other is a tad picky, shall we say.

But in so many important ways, they are the same.  They both would do anything for you.  Neither looks for recognition on praise.  They are both trustworthy and loyal.  They are smart.  Neither puts himself first, always the people they love.  They are funny, strong, and reliable.  They both love their families with everything they have.

So, here's to "both" of my favorite guys on this Father's Day.  And a special shout out to Grampy with the Red Hair (who did not have red hair, but Nana did) who once wrote in my autograph book, "To my little friend who always tries to steal my beer" (a harbinger of what was yet to come?) and let me dance on his feet.  And Grampy with the Piano (not sure the piano was his, either) who was the best beach buddy ever and let us knock pinecones out of the trees to burn in his barbeque pit down the Cape.

E's Father's Day gift for her #1 guy.

E and Grampy just hanging out and having a chat.

Baba's Birthday!

We had a great time celebrating P's birthday with a surprise Elmo party (everyone in our family has an Elmo party) at Nana and Grampy's house.  Everyone chipped in and made tons of food, and the highlight was that Auntie Sue Sue even made special matching t-shirts for everyone to mark the occassion!  (When I say made, I mean made them, not ordered them online.  She actually silk screened the shirts with P's last name and "40" on the back, making them look like Red Sox away jerseys.)

Since E and I already gave P his birthday present (our getaway weekend to Cape Cod), E just picked out a few things at the Dollar Store for Baba.  It was so funny to see what she picked out for him and how excited she was to be doing her own shopping.  E also helped me bake the Elmo cake and wrap all of the presents.  She's such a good helper!

Birthday parties are E's favorite thing in the world right now.  She gets so excited about them, even though we haven't celebrated hers yet.  She loves giving presents, opening them, singing "Happy Birthday", and blowing out the candles (over and over....).

Making a wish!  (Someone already has black frosting on her teeth!)

Very excited to open the Princess puzzle she picked out for Baba.

So much good food and the little joker wants to eat her bib.

"Both" horns (for those of you who don't know, "both" is Emmie's favorite word right now).

Matching "40" shirts courtesy of Auntie.

Just chillin'.  E picked this pose.