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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The first time....

The first time we laid eyes on Amelia in person was exactly 2 years ago. People always ask me "What was it like when you saw her for the first time?" and even two years later, I have yet to come up with an accurate response. Words are not adequate to describe meeting face to face, the little person you've fallen in love with through a photograph. Surreal is probably the closest word I can come up with, and that afternoon two years ago certainly was surreal!

I've always loved this picture-they both look so deep in thought like they're really trying to figure the other one out!


Friday, March 25, 2011

March 25, 2009

There are certain dates that stick out in my mind, and today is one of them. Two years ago, on March 25, 2009, the phone FINALLY rang and I picked it up to hear a cheery voice say "It's time to bring your girl home!". Our wait for Amelia felt like an eternity (4 months is an eternity to be away from your baby!) and I will never, ever forget the emotion I felt that morning when I learned it was time to go to Korea. I can still remember that the call came just a few minutes before 8:00 am and that Graham and I were in the middle of a gourmet Cheerios breakfast. I know that I somehow stopped shaking and gathered my thoughts enough to call Jeff and tell him to wrap things up at work for a few weeks because we were about to become a family of 4!

Check Spelling
Time is such a strange thing. On one hand, I can remember the details of two years ago like it was just yesterday. But then I look at Amelia and it feels like she's been home with us forever. Today, on the 2nd anniversary of Amelia's travel call, I had the privilege to enjoy a gourmet Cheerios breakfast with both Graham and Amelia....my little treasures!

Amelia thinks she's a super star and sunglasses are absolutely necessary (you can never be too prepared for the paparazzi!) as is the fancy purple plastic princess necklace!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The 'Um Ya Ya' Hat

Long before we had Graham in our lives, I purchased a winter hat from the St. Olaf bookstore. I just knew that someday, we'd have our own little Ole to sport the black and gold that Jeff and I were so proud of. Graham wore the 'Um Ya Ya' hat when he wasn't even a year old. When he outgrew it, I shoved it to the back of the closet and kind of forget about it. Amelia was never a fan of hats (she's too concerned about her hair bows-yes, I'm completely serious!) so I had no reason to go looking for it. Imagine my surprise when Graham came out of his bedroom proudly wearing the St. Olaf hat that he wore at 10 months old!

4 years old

10 months old


Saturday, March 12, 2011

Toddlers in Motion

Yesterday morning we had three toddler friends over to play. By the time I thought to whip out my camera, Brielle and Brayden were already on their way home, but I was able to get a few shots of Graham, Amelia, and Halle. This is what it looks like when we interrupt a fun game of "Let's chase each other!" and attempt a group photo. I think these action shots are pretty funny and cute. And yes, I will fully admit that we used s'mores as an "incentive" for them to sit semi-still long enough to get these shots. They are all such cuties!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Just keepin' it real...

Miss Amelia and her teenage size attitude is really giving me a run for my money lately! Several weeks ago she had a tantrum at Target that got so ugly she actually threw a dozen raw eggs at my feet. And yes, she was successful in making a huge mess all over my boots and the floor. Today, Amelia treated me yet again to a public display of frustration. I wouldn't let her lay down in the wet parking lot (I'm just mean like that) and she was already agitated that I insisted she wear her seat belt and ride in her car seat (mean Mom strikes again!) so Amelia unleashed an A+ toddler tantrum on me at Graham's preschool while we waited for him. While laying on her back, Amelia kicked the wall, and screamed so loudly a teacher had to come close her door. Thankfully, the people witness to this little show were all Mom's themselves so I didn't get a single dirty look, only smiles and knowing glances that said "I've been there!". At one point, a teacher leading her class down the hall had to march around Amelia. The teacher looked at me, winked, then loudly announced to her class "Boys and girls, please walk around the little girl who is choosing to be angry on the floor". Long story short, the tantrum went on for quite some time. It actually went on until we got all the way home. Only when Amelia walked into the kitchen and asked for a cookie, did she stop screaming. When I told her that cookies were a treat and that she couldn't have one, the tantrum started all over again. On.my.goodness. 2.5 year old attitude is serious stuff! I'm wondering if I need to be afraid of a 16 year old attitude...at least I have 13.5 years to prepare for it!