Unabashedly Assured

Bradshaw is examining himself in the mirror. I overhear: "Wow.  Me look good!"

these make me laugh

My almost-17-year-old brother's school id folks.  Didn't take him long to become accustomed to stereotypes of the NW.  He cracks me up.

source: Lindy-bob's fb

11 Months Old

Olivia:

• sings (yodels?) along with the Mama Mia soundtrack
• is a climber!  She can pull herself up onto a chair and then onto the table 
• she loves pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo
• her stranger anxiety peaked around 8/9 months (she would burst in to tears and lunge for me when someone unfamiliar got too close) and mostly disappeared over the summer.  Selfishly, I miss it.  I think as an adoptive mom sometimes I'm a little less self-assured and those affirmations of her love for me make my heart soar. 
• she entertains herself very well and is a happy-go-lucky girl
• she was given the nickname "Snaggle Tooth" by some of her aunts & uncles this summer. (She has two teeth now, but she had one teeny lil tooth and she could take on anything with it--meat, crackers, apples, etc.)
• she's tall (in the 95 percentile for height)
• when we open and close our fists she'll walk or crawl to us
• if I pick her up and hold her away from my body, her feet pedal a-mile-a-minute. Her energy and concentration seem to say "Wow I'm flyin, look at me. Weeeee!" Dustinn says she's revving up and onto of these times when we set her down she's going to sprint out of the room. She's ready to hit the runway.
• she's weaned herself from bottles and prefers formula from a sippy cup
• she gets the cutest bedhead in her fluffy blond hair
• she gives sweet kisses 

She's had a sudden vocal burst (which seems really early to me; what do you think?)  She uses words in their correct context consistently, which is both stunning and thrilling:

• she says "heh" (hi) when she waves
• she repeats "nigh nigh" over and over when we're about to put her (or Bradshaw) to sleep.
• "Olivia do you want a bottle?" "Yaw." 

And, [drum roll] she took 27 steps the other day without stopping or sitting down.   We know it was 27 because Dustinn, Bradshaw and I were all counting in unison.  Of course, it ended with cheering and clapping.

She seems to walk as often as she crawls but more typically it's just 6-8 steps.  She's growing up!

Olivia LOVES her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and birthparents and had a wonderful time with them this summer.

HERE ARE THE VIDEOS:
First, Olivia saying "nigh nigh."  (We sing "Nigh Nigh" when we are leading the kids to bed and if you've been with us during this you might recognize the tune.  Cute, yeah?)

Second, our little walker:

Unpacking Boxes

We moved into our Chicago apartment on Wednesday.  It's more spacious than we thought and has many convenient perks.  We are so happy to be home.

Bradshaw and Olivia rediscovered the toys that have been in boxes for the last 3 months.  It was like Christmas morning.

It was so funny to me that Bradshaw (almost 3yrs old) crashed while playing on our bed and Olivia (less than 1yr old) was still going strong hours later.

Chicagoland

Things We'd Like to Do & See in CHICAGO

Winter Activities:
Macy's windows on State Street
Magnificent Mile Light's Festival & Parade (Nov 20th so we'll be out of town.  We'll miss the festival but catch the lights when we return)
Kirstkindlmarkt and see the Chicago Christmas Tree
Lincoln Park's Zoo Lights Festival
The Museum of Science and Industry's "Christmas Around The World"
Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic (Dec)


Museums:
Shedd Aquarium  (9/3/10) discount days
Kohl Children's Museum (9/18/10)
Field Museum of Natural History: free days
Adler Planetarium (Kellogg free days)
Museum of Science and Industry
Art Institure of Chicago (free Thurs after 5:30p)
use library museum passport program

Parks & Beaches:
Burnham Shores (9/6/10)
Penny Park (Miquelin's fave)
Community Playfield:
Lighthouse Beach
Noah's Playground for Everyone
Glenco Beach
Sculpture Park
Millennium Park (8/14/10)
Buckingham Fountain at 8pm (for the lights & music show)
Wagner Farm (free)

General:
Architectual Boat Tour at sunset (2-for-1 tickets)
Air & Water Show (8/14/10)
Chicago Broadway (hopefully the lottery tickets)
Go to a Cub's Game (9/21/10)
Sears Tower
Ride "L" Train (9/3/10+)
Ride the Metra
Lincoln Park Zoo (always free)
Chicago Shore (2nd cleanest water front in the world)
Union Station (for Bradshaw)
Along the Magnificent Mile (sightseeing walk)
Loop Art Tour
use the trip planner

Kellogg School of Management Activities:
KWEST (week of 8/22/10)
CIM Ball (9/25/10)
Section Showcase

Food:
Find a nearby ice cream shop Andy's
Find a nearby Thai Restaurant
Chicago deep dish pizza Giordano's
Bella Bacino's stuffed pizza

7,900 miles

We drove all over the continental U.S. this summer; dipped our toes in both the Atlantic and Pacific ocean. 
Bradshaw & Olivia are two excellent little roadtrippers. :)

How we spent our Saturday...

at the Air and Water Show!

This is Chicago.  We could wade into the water and watch the planes, parachuters, etc. from there.

 

these blue angels would fly so low right over the water and then right over a building.  They broke the sound barrier which is very disorienting to watch/listen to.

Afterward we went to Millenium Park, which seems to be the Central Park or National Mall of Chicago.

the park has this splash area which includes this tower: a face appears, you watch it blink and stretch and then in spits on you.  Totally hilarious and creative.

Bucket List

Do you have a bucket list?  (Crudely put--the list of things you'd like to do before kicking the bucket.)

Dustinn and I do.  And we had a great time making the list.  We recommend it for a date night activity.

Dustinn's is potpourri of random things--some easy and some incredibly difficult (such as those that require a lot of money or time.)  Mine is a pragmatic list of things most people do during there lives.  Dustinn said my list is boring but those are the things I want to make sure I do.  I guess that sums us up in a nutshell.  :)

Anyway, this summer we accomplished 2 of the things on Dustinn's bucket list:

1. see Aurora Borealis
While we were in Montana, Dustinn read online that due to unique electrical storms, Aurora Borealis could be seen in some northern parts of the United States.  We crossed our fingers and were checking the night sky every half an hour.  We discovered them at 10:45 on August 5th and watched them again on the 6th.  Amazing.

2. visit Mt. Rushmore
It was along the drive from Utah to Illinois

How funny is it that Bradshaw & Olivia make the same open-mouth smile?!

one cute lil missy

Nic & Jordyn's Wedding

We were so nervous to meet Nic for the first time.  We wondered if he would he like us.  We wondered whathis thoughts were about his baby (yet to be born.)  We wondered how he felt about adoption.

The plan was to meet up at Olive Garden.  We saw a man pull open the door and immediately recognized Nic from his pictures.   From then it was easy.  He made us feel better by saying he was a little nervous too. :)   He smiled a lot, telling jokes and stories.  

Two months later Olivia was born.  Nic was a great support to Stefanie and us at the hospital even though he was grieving himself.

A few months later he told us he was dating a girl named Jordyn that he really cared about.  From the moment we met Jordyn she has welcomed us warmly with open arms.  Jordyn is kind, fun and very faithful.  

On 8/10/10 we got to celebrate with them as Nic & Jordyn became husband & wife.

We love this sweet couple

The program included a special dance just for Nic & Olivia.
They danced to Steven Chapman's Cinderella.
Nic loves her so much.

Olivia was a flower girl. 

 

It was so fun seeing/hanging out with Nic's family.
Just thinking about this awesome group of people makes me happy. 

Lake Blaine Montana

all of Dustinn's siblings playing together

 Jack-man [left]=superhero dude fun best friend to Bradshaw

Look at Olivia's face!  That's how excited she is to be with her cousin Amelia.

I love watching this little man with newborns.  He becomes subdued, still, quiet, smiling and cooing at the baby.  His demeanor just seems to embody total adoration for babies.  We are all so excited cousin Amelia is part of the family.

  

 This is Olivia's and Bradshaw's first tea party with Carma the Great. 

They had a blast!

resting on Great Grandpa Dean right after they finished his root beer

Beautiful Girls!  Amelia (1M) Olivia (10M)

We had such a good time.  Thank you Kevan & Swan,Curtis & Deanna, Grams & Gramps & Jodi for making it possible for us to get together at Lake Blaine.

PS Dustinn's Aunt Jodi is an incredible photographer and took a bunch of pictures while we were there.  I'm giddy over her work.  We can't wait to see them. :D  

El Salvador: The Finale

We all knew going into it that this would be the last year we go to El Salvador.  Our family has just gotten too big, but here's to many more wonderful years of making fun summer memories together! 

 

Forgot to mention.  Colt did his eagle project 2 years ago (?) but never had an Eagle Court of Honor so we surprised him with one in El Salvador.  We set up a seating/stage area/sound and all applauded when he came walking out.  Everyone helped with the program, Gen made a slideshow and Kate entertained us with tribute stories.
ABOVE: the Eagle's nest (missing Lorin who was working) + one cute wannabe

 

Oh Coatepeque I miss you already.

El Salvador: The Horse Ranch

 



A



or B?

We were sitting and watching everyone ride and Bradshaw said something about the sun being hot and then, "may I mur sunbluck pweeze?"  Pretty sure he's the only toddler who is adamant about sunblock.  :)



El Salvador: The Beach House

occassionally she'd jump to me...just not for the camera

see Bradshaw 2008

attempt at a family picture
see pict from 2008



this picture cracks me up. 
I'm quite sure Genny had no intention of catching him.



but he knows his Genny loves him :)