Just a very quick little update! I was absolutely certain that I had posted a week or two ago. Where is the time going?

Our tree is up and the house is decorated!!!! This brings me such joy! I cannot even describe it:) Our tradition was always to decorate on Dec.1st or the weekend afterwards. That is the EARLIEST Kev agreed to! LOL Up until last year that is. When we went to Florida last year I made it my birthday wish to decorate 'way earlier than usual' as we wouldn't be home until into December. Crafty! Well, I confess that it is a little manipulative, but this is my new birthday wish! To decorate around my birthday (Nov.19th). Whoohoo!!!! Why on earth didn't I think of this sooner? haha So, we decorated in and outside the house all day Saturday and decorated the tree Saturday after supper. Tori is an expert and Mara-Grace LOVED it and was quite the professional this year (this being her 2nd Christmas and all!). She is very proud of the ornaments that we made and she is also incredibly proud of the ornament we had made when we were 'waiting' for her to arrive home. We had her referral picture put onto a Christmas ball. And of course this is put onto the tree with an emotional story told. She LOVES it! Her other two favorites are one with her picture from last Christmas in it and another that is a little angel who says 'my' lines from a Christmas pageant years ago. I was Angel Gabriel two years in a row! LOL I remember being so incredibly proud and then my brother told me Gabriel was a boy! ROFL Well, I was a very feminine girly angel in the pageant. So There! haha Anyway, she is quite impressed that the little angel ornament tells her so much!

Another major first I noticed yesterday while we were at playgroup. We have been going on Tuesdays to a playgroup for internationally adopted children. There is always an informative discussion for the moms while the children are in sight and playing. Yesterday was the last day and I was beside Mara when she started counting (we've been working on this). She made it to 10 all by herself!!!!!!!! I was so excited!

Another notable first is that Mara-Grace can wink on demand! She can wink with both eyes! Not a blink, a wink. One at a time! Another proud mama moment! Gosh!!!!!! It is my blog and I am allowed! LOL

Kev is in Toronto and last night it was my turn at the chapel (Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration). So, Victoria read Mara her story and brought her up to bed. When I came home, Victoria told me that Mara-Grace kept doing things and saying, "Mama lets me do it all time!". hehe Really?! Flip through the book over and over, sommersaults on her way to bed, extra milk....." Hmmmmmmmmm

I better run! Love from our house to yours!!!!! xo

Where does the time go?

I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by! I have been wanting to find time to sit down and update. I really must get into the routine of posting regularly. If you are reading this, thanks for checking in for updates!

Since I last wrote, there have been many milestones made...

I meant to say in my last post that since mid August Mara's speech has been coming in with leaps and bounds. It seemed that suddenly she was saying so many words and piecing them together. Sentence bound! Now she astounds us every day with her sentences and new words. She has retained so much (colors, numbers, exotic animals..... )

Also, not to be graphic, but Miss Mara's fear of "Poopy's" in the toilet has been conquered! Also since August (or so). This was a major milestone as you can imagine! Sorry for sharing hehe, but this is my journal to read in years to come.

Mara-Grace has cherished her bottle time. She would have one before nap time in the afternoon, and one before bedtime. Both times would consist of her drinking her bottle snuggled under a blanket on my knee. We would read a few books and then she would leave the bottle and go up to bed. Early in the summer I talked to her about changing from her bottle to a cup. She really didn't want to discuss it! Then I read the "bye bye bottle" book and we put the bottles into a 'special' bag and I attempted to give her a cup instead. Well, she was literally heart broken regarding this idea. She genuinely sobbed and I quickly realised that she isn't ready. Plain and simple. She needs this time. So, I didn't push it. We continued the routine and I felt as though she would give this up (possibly with gentle coaxing) when ready. Well, about 4 weeks ago when we were doing our run to Walmart I asked Mara-Grace if she'd like to look for a "special bye bye bottle cup". She quickly replied, "no...... bottle". So, I put it out of my mind. Then when we were shopping and passing through the baby/kids section Mara said "Bye bye bottle cup!". I almost fainted and quickly jumped on board! I found a Diego sport bottle which Mara adored. She loves Diego and so, this was perfect! However, I was prepared to have Mara still want her bottle that afternoon. But, she did not! Diego was just what was needed! So, bye bye bottle cup it is! The visions of Mara-Grace heading to Kindergarten with bottle in tow have now vanished!!!!

October was amazing! We went pumpkin picking and as always, it was such a special day. We even chose a little green pumpkin in Hannah's honor.

We had a few days of rain and since it was mild, Mara-Grace and I got in our gear and headed out. We went for a walk and jumped and splashed in EVERY puddle we could find. I remember doing that with Tori and honestly, it never gets old! I don't know who had more fun! We came home soaked to the skin (well, Mara was pretty dry with her rain gear and layers). She had a warm bubble bath and we had hot chocolate (her first cup ever!). Fun times! I cherish my days.

The night we carved our pumpkins (Oct.28th) we looked out and it was snowing! SNOWING!!!!! Mara was jumping up and down with joy as she looked out. Ok, we were all incredibly excited! That night she wore a Christmas nightgown to bed. Note the Halloween table cloth, broom cookie and Christmas nightgown. haha!

Halloween has come and gone and Victoria went trick or treating with friends this year and then to a friend's house for a Halloween movie. She had an amazing time! Mara-Grace also seemed to be very excited about Halloween this year and understood the concept so much more! She got all dressed up (that morning!!!!!) and came in costume to bring Lady to the spa and for groceries. She was so proud of herself! That evening she was thrilled to be back in costume and did really well going to doors and saying "Happy Halloween". Victoria manned the door for us for an hour so Kev and I could both take Mara trick or treating.

Victoria is really enjoying school and is very busy with her friends! She is now involved in a youth group and another youth volunteer program. Those along with her school work, social activities and swimming means a busy teen! She is really having another great year.

November 1st was Mara-Grace's 3rd birthday. We had both sides of our family to our house for lunch/opened presents and then headed to a local farm to visit the animals and have a wagon ride. The weather was gorgeous and it was really a great time. Back for cake and then everyone left late afternoon. As mentioned in an earlier post, the theme was 'farm'. I made Mara's farm cake and we played pin the tail on the donkey. Mara and her cousins enjoyed coloring farm pictures and making paper bag pigs. It was a great memory.

Our family celebrated again at suppertime by ordering Chinese food and having a quiet supper at home. Mara-Grace opened her presents from us and did some playing with her new toys.

As Mara's birthday approached, I couldn't help but think of her birth parents (even more so than usual). I gave much thought to beginning a tradition to honor them and we remembered them during our grace at supper time. We have been so blessed having our angel in our lives. Happy birthday sweet Mara-Grace.

I should mention that as of yesterday, when we speak to and call Mara, 'Mara-Grace', she says, "Nooooo, HONEY Mara-Grace". So there you have it, her new name! What a funny girl. She kept that up all of yesterday and today. We shall see what tomorrow brings for our Honey Mara-Grace! A quick mention... When I sing Mara her lullaby in her room she now makes this 'cooky face'. It is so funny really. I have been known to have to begin again and again as we both giggle our heads off. Also, tonight Mara climbed out of her crib! She has been jumping in and climbing in for quite some time. But tonight is the night she climbed out (with the side rail lowered thankfully. She didn't attempt it when the side rail was up-perhaps that will be the excitement for tomorrow:) As I said, we shall see what tomorrow brings for our Honey Mara-Grace.

I will do my best to update again soon! Love & prayers from our house to yours. xo