The Tail End of 2007

Alistair has grown almost 3 inches and gained over 5 pounds since we’ve gotten home. He is a non-stop smiler and a very good natured boy. He likes to turn our heads from side to side. He has walked 6 steps by himself. He crawls up and down stairs. His first real, recognizable, repeatable word: “This.” It is applied to any object. Other words: That, Hi, Done, Mama, Daddy. He uses sign language for, “all done.” He loves to drink from straw. He still likes to roll and chase balls across the floor and uses any object: a chair, my recycling bin, a block, as a walker to move himself across the room. What a joy!

Siena is POTTY TRAINED! She continues to go to pre-school three mornings a week and loves it. Her dramatic personality has not abated so the plan is for her to attend drama school the moment she turns four (in February.) She loves to play with play dough, read books, play with her new Thomas train set and watch Shrek 3.

S Hi Mommy, I’m a princess.
C Who am I?
S An ogre.
C Who is Alistair?
S A bad guy because he fights me.
C How about Daddy?
S I think he’s Fiona.

C Siena, take a chill pill.
S I can’t. I don’t know how to.

C What’s your favorite day of the week?
S Sunday.
C Why?
S I think it’s when the sun comes up out of the sky.

S Where did Daddy buy the peanut butter cups from?
C I bought them at Target.
S Mommy, you did a great job. Go Mommy! Go Mommy!

…and then I want a cookie. Can you grab one for me? Daddy does that.

Dasvidana (“goodbye” in Russian) Mommy & Alistair. Have a great day! Have a great nap!

He joined his sister in a fun game of "dump out the sugar on the kitchen floor and eat it!"

Playing dress up in the basement. I hope it doesn't scar him for life!

Art rarely stays on the paper only...

She took the term tree skirt quite literally.

Newest obsession: having tea parties using hot cocoa. Santa brought her a Cinderella tea set with 27 pieces.

Click back to adoptionbabyboyhalls.blogspot.com to see how much he's changed!

She likes to give loooonnnggg kisses now. We think it's from a movie.

Daddy's new socks.

Yes, she was quite a gift to us!

This was her idea: Santa came to get her pacis and give them to babies and gave her in return a pinata filled with candy. So far, so good.

New jammies from Mom and Dad; new princess crown, earrings and necklace from Jeremy, Val & Sam.

How'd those Christmas mashed potatoes get on my head?


Alistair and cousin Sam.

Cousin Sam and Siena out to Christmas Day brunch at the Hilton.

Grandpa Wayne, Alistair and Auntie Val.

Mom & Dad.

Molly Guthrey Millet's Christmas Photo Session photos. Thanks Molly!

Siena's 3rd Adoption Day & Alistair's 1st Birthday

Does "So big"& "Patty cake." Waves "bye bye" and "hi." Favorite place is on Mom and Dad’s bed, especially if being tickled. Mesmerized by the dream quilt above Mom and Dad’s bed. Says, "la la, ma ma" and more. Loves to walk while hands are held. Cruises furniture. Giggles and smiles a lot. Loves to eat, takes 2 naps and sleeps through the night. Got a clean bill of healthy from pediatrician. How could we have asked for more?

*When reading certain books, gets fixated on certain items in the book. I want those shoes! Those are MY shoes!
*Mama, you were very crabby because I dumped out the crackers in the car. I’m sorry.
*Alistair. I’m going to ask you a question. What’s your favorite food? {Pauses for his answer.}Peanut butter ravioli soup? I’ve never had that.
*Is everybody ok back there? Super dooper Dad. (From the movie Incredibles.)
*Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
*Thank you for supper.
{The fan goes on in the fridge}
Stop Fridge.
It’s not about you, Fridge.
Come on, Fridge.

Ok, I admit it--I love her and want to be by her every second of the day!

Get on the leaf, Alistair!

On her 3rd Adoption Day (10.14.07), I can't help but reflect how much emptier our lives would have been without her. Thank you, Siena's birthmother, for giving her to us.

Does anyone know this book?...Brown Bear, Brown Bear who do you see? I see a {Truman, sit down} yellow duck looking at me...

Germs? But I thought Uncle Jeremy gave you Kaboom to clean it with.

Happy 1st Birthday to Alistair! His birthday was 10.26.07 and the party with all the relatives was 10.28.07 (coincidentally, our 7th wedding anniversary.)

Siena was happy to open all his gifts AND play with them too.

Grandpa Ed.

Grandpa Wayne.

Grandma Clara.

Monster Pasta.

Cousin Sam serves up the cupcake and blows out the candle.

Daddy!

Mommy!

Erik still takes care of her every day when he comes home from work. If I'm having a bad day, he takes Alistair too, cleans the kitchen, puts the kids to bed, irons... It's not a bad life.

The day before Halloween was beautiful so we ate outside.

He doesn't like it when we do it either.

Neighborhood buddy over for a little trick or treating.

A bad picture of the turtle and his Queen.

Picking apples and pumpkins

He can get up two stairs (even without her supervision.)

I bought him a blue hat the other day, have no fear.

Man, they almost look like twins here, don't they?

Sometimes when I tell her to be nice to her brother, she lays down in front of him and lets him pull her hair. She does cry and run away, so I figure maybe it's not that unhealthy...

Uncle Jeremy!

She still wouldn't mind being the baby.

First trip to the Science Museum. He wants you to hold his hands and walk everywhere, ALL THE TIME.

"We're going to pick apples. At Cub Foods."

"Can I go to the Royal Ball, Mama? Should I?"

Finally, we get back to the Mall of America. During out first trip to Ridgedale Mall, she talked about going to City Mall. I told her that was three airplane rides away.

His first time on a carosel and he grabs right on, no fear.

We call him Alistair, Alley Cat, Alley Gator and a lot of times just plain Alley. I wouldn't mind if he decides to call himself Al or Alek either.

I had to wear the hat so the St. Louis Park MOMS Club attendees would be able to find us.

He ate some fries, hamburger and almost 3 jars of baby food. Now that his giardia is cured, he's actually gaining weight.

Siena was just diagnosed with giardia so we hope her appetite and weight will come back. I go to the doctor tomorrow. These are definately unplanned Kaz souveniers!