Christmas Card Pictures

Needless to say, trying to get a 13 month old and a 9 year old to smile at the camera for that 'perfect' picture is a difficult task. Soowan and I resulted into making funny, silly faces, jumping around and singing silly songs to grasp Amanda's attention. Micah's job was to sit still, look at the camera and smile. As you can see in some of these pictures, Micah was losing interest real quick. We did get some great shots, and some silly ones too. Here are some of our favorites.

TURNING ONE IS SO MUCH FUN!!!!

This Saturday Amanda turned ONE!!! It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day for the month of November. Perfect for an outdoor birthday party, some BBQ, a pinata and even a little swimming for the bigger kids. We kept the party small so the focus could remain on the birthday girl. Amanda was surrounded with love and tons of attention!!! She plowed through her cake like a champ, but only taking a few bites. It was more entertaining for her to play with, then to eat. Here is some pictures and a video from her BIG DAY!!!

LOOK AT HER GO!

Amanda is now officially walking! She's been taking a few steps here and there recently, but last night she really took off. This morning I shot this video of her walking.

For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,And I have walked in Your truth.
~Psalm 26:3 NKJV

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

It's been a while since I've written anything on here. With much persuasion from my sister, here's an update with some pictures as always!!!

The month of October has been rather busy. With Micah's soccer, choir, birthday parties, etc., his social life keeps us all busy. Soccer season is just about coming to an end, and then winter basketball starts up. Why? Oh, why I continue to sign him up for activities back to back... I have no idea? Micah is such a natural athlete, I guess that's why we have a hard time saying "No!".

Amanda is AMAZING! That's the only way to describe her. She has started to walk a bit in the last week or so. She can get in about 4-5 steps at each attempt. Amanda has cut two new molars this week, bringing her teeth count to 14! We lovingly call her JAWS, because she is always chomping down on something. It's so cute because she crawls around looking like a little puppy dog with a chew toy in her mouth. TOO CUTE!! Amanda has been home now for over six months and we had our last post adoption visit with our social worker on the 20th of this month. Currently we are getting everything together to finalize the adoption! We hope to do so before the end of the year.

Amanda's 1st birthday is around the corner. We were going to do a BIG BASH, but then we decided we would keep it small and do something BIG for our finalization day. I did a poll the last time and the winning outfit for her party is....



We are looking forward to November, not just because it's Micah's and Amanda's birthday month, but because Bob and Darline are going to be coming out to spend Thanksgiving with us! This year we decided to do something different and go to a 'Dude Ranch' the week of Thanksgiving. We booked our plans last year, and I am so excited for this time away with family and friends!!! Bob and Darline have not seen Amanda, since she arrived home in April at LAX. We will arrive to the ranch on Micah's birthday. A 5 hour car ride is not the most exciting thing to do on your 9th birthday, but we'll make it up to him while we are there.

Here are some pictures we took while at the Texas State Fair, and of the kids in their Halloween costumes. Why Micah decided to dress up in a scary costume this year is beyond me. Thankfully Amanda is not frightened by it, plus we've allowed her to get used to it for the past month or so.

IT'S ME..... AMANDA!

Can you believe that yesterday I have been home with my family for 5 months? I've grown a lot since the day I met my Mom, Dad and Big Brother. I have learned to crawl, pull myself up, play with toys, harass the kitties, sofa surf and other fun things. I'm have also learned to stand, and I have taken 2 steps ALL BY MYSELF! Whew! I'm sure a busy little girl! I'd have to say the worse thing about growing up is getting teeth! YIKES! They sure do hurt! They just keep coming, and coming. Can you believe I already have eight teeth? The crazy thing is that Mommy and Daddy say I still have more teeth to come.

I'm writing to you so you can help me out with every little girl's dilemma in life. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHICH DRESS TO WEAR FOR MY FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY!!! I'm sure most of my girlfriends out there can relate to the current crisis I'm in. After all this is my First Birthday, and my paparazzi will be following me all around so I need to look my best.

I have 8 dresses for you to decide from. Mommy loves them all, and Daddy well you know... I could wear a potato sack and he'd still think I look like his little princess. And for your information Mommy says a potato sack dress is not an option for this occasion.

To help you better decide the theme for my party is, "The Secret Garden". Mommy loves flowers and to garden so I guess that's why she chose this theme. She says when I turn 3 I can decide the theme, just like my big brother got to do!

So please respond soon, because my mommy needs to send a picture of me in my dress to Mrs. Alicia so she can make my invitations.

Also, some of you may notice my birthmarks on my arms. They are called mongolian marks, and I have several. If you would like to learn more about them you can read a post my Mommy wrote on this blog about them. My Mommy says many people don't know much about my birthmarks, so here is a chance for you to learn something new! Isn't learning FUN!

http://urmyallnall.blogspot.com/2007/05/mongolian-spots-101.html


Thank you for your help!

Love, Amanda

DRESS #1


DRESS #2


DRESS #3


DRESS #4


DRESS #5


DRESS #6


DRESS #7 (this isn't actually a dress but it's still cute)


DRESS #8

Sweet As A Cherry

Here are some pics I took of Amanda outside in her little cherry outfit. She looks so cute in red! Enjoy!

Sibling Rivalry

I know this title is deceiving! =)

Our two human kids are getting along just fine. In fact Micah loves Amanda to pieces and so far no real sibling rivalry between the two of them. It's my fur-baby Samson who is having issues with our new little edition. Those of you who know Samson, know that he is a rather PATHETIC cat, who thinks he's a dog! This cat is spoiled rotten, and he wants all of the attention in this (or shall I say HIS) household. Ever since Amanda has been home, Sammy has regressed back to being a little kitten. That is if you can call an 18 pound cat a kitten. LOL!

When Amanda is asleep, Sammy plays with her toys. When she's playing with her toys, he'll walk by and try and pick one up with his mouth and run off with it. I'm serious! It's hilarious! His new interest is to lay on the bottom of Amanda's exer-saucer. Usually Amanda can get Samson off of in a flash, but as you can see in this video he refused to budge this time! Also in all honesty, Sammy adores Amanda. In his view there is now two more hands to pet him. ;)

And for those of you who like to get your panties in a bind over seeing a cat pat their claws at a baby.... For your information Samson wears Soft Claws (click on link to see), so Amanda is not in any harms way. It's always safe to add a disclaimer for those who love to jump the gun on things!

I apologize that the video is so grainy. I filmed this with my digital camera.

QUICK POST

My mom is still sick and in the hospital... Maggie was here for 2 weeks to help and has already returned back to Sweden... Micah started the 3rd grade 2 weeks ago, I really like his teacher... Amanda is doing wonderful.

Here's some pictures! I will post more once I learn a new norm in my life.