Happy 18 months!

Today is Stella's 18 month birthday! On her first birthday she was still at Baby House #1 and I was back home, so we didn't get to celebrate. Tonight we will have a piece of the special pink cake that we had for her back in June. It's been in the freezer just waiting for Stella!

This past summer I finally got to meet Lou Ann and Lexie. I can honestly say that I have not met a couple of girls that I like more then these two! I feel like I have known Lou Ann for years. More then the 3 years that she has been there for me through the times with CHI and every aspect of the adoption. I know that I can ask Lou Ann anything and she will give me her honest opinion. She and I have so much in common. Both military brats of pilots, attended the same University at the same time, Her major theater, mine art. Both lived in LA to persue careers in motion pictures and television (she was successful....I was an extra ; ) ) Both single Kaz mamas.

Finally yesterday we got the two Kazakh princesses together. A fast friendship was created and I know it will be a forever one. These girls even had the same color on. Stella loves Lexie and I see a new light in her that I didn't see yesterday!




On Sunday we got into the holiday spirit and Stella, Tina and I went out to the winery and enjoyed the sunset, which you can't see but we really had a nice time.

My sweet star Stella

Stella's first photo shoot...our sneak peak

Stellabration!



Every thing I want to say here sounds so cliche' but Stella and I are really settling in famously! It was a huge adjustment for both of us in the beginning...just getting out to the grocery store or cleaning the house even! We seem to have our routine down pretty well now. Stella sleeps until about 8:30 or 9 and takes 2 naps a day. Now that I have a monitor I see that she actually plays a lot on her naps, she sings and loves on her stuffed animals. Precious.

We have already had two doctors appointments and in the 6 weeks in between Stella gained 2 pounds! The doc said that she is doing awesome and to keep it up. Oh...and she is perfectly healthy!! No anemia, no scabies, no TB!! We have also had several visits from the ECI folks. Early Childhood Intervention. They are working with Stella where she needs it most to catch her up. Mostly in the areas of walking and talking. The Therapist said that she is a flower just ready to blossom!

We've also made an appointment to have Stella's eyes checked but can't get in until February. Hoping it's just something simple. It seems like it's just her right eye that goes in at times. Maybe a lazy eye or could be one crossed eye?

Every day she says or does something that really surprises me. Yesterday I was talking about going out to eat with a friend and she did the sign for eat. Later she did all done (had that one down early), then later it was the sign for more. I was talking about her baby puppy and she signed baby and said puppy!

On November 20th we had an adoption celebration/party/shower for Miss Stella. It was so wonderful! I had new friends, my high school friends and my Continental work family all represented. Stella got some wonderful things and was very gracious in meeting everyone.

We also had a photo shoot for Stella last week...the pictures turned out just wonderful...better then I had hoped! I am still amazed that this is the same little girl that I met back in June. She really is blossoming!

Paka for now......