Labor Day Weekend = Potty Training Boot Camp

We have put Karis in Potty Training Boot Camp today. We decided since we have a long weekend that we would potty train Karis. When she woke up this morning we took off her diaper and told her she would not be wearing any more diapers. We explained that she had now graduated to wearing Big Girl Panties. We have a number of pairs of panties, but the ones we started with have Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck on them. We tried to explain that Minnie and Daisy do not like to get wet, so she needed to tell Mommy and Daddy when she needed to "TT". We did not have success with the first 3 pairs of underwear. So, Mom decided that we were just going to forgo the underwear and be completely naked. We have had 2 successful potty attempts since we altered our plan of action.

We are confined to the kitchen today and tomorrow. 

We blocked off both living rooms and have plans to make a fort, read books, watch movies, and basically try to make this day as fun as possible while making potty time a routine in our day. 

We have had 2 successes so far today by 10 am. When we have a success we sing the "TT in the Potty" song, throw a very big party (clapping and cheering, etc.) and Karis gets a marshmallow. She is very excited about the marshmallows. Even Thia gets all excited when Karis goes to the potty. She claps and squeals like she completely understands what is going on. Karis thinks this is funny.

I am really hoping this boot camp does not need to last more than a day or so. I think Mom might go a little crazy before Karis does. 

Our Leak

While we were gone to South Africa our air conditioner started leaking down through the ceiling. I had not noticed the leak until one of the maintenance crew came by the house earlier in the week to look at the leak. Because the ceiling tile that needed to be replaced was connected to a light fixture, he said he would have to wait until an electrician could come and help him.

Well, it rained yesterday. I am not sure what is going on with the air conditioner, but apparently the rain is coming in through the air conditioner and causing a buildup of water in our ceiling. I was feeding Thia yesterday afternoon when I heard this rushing water upstairs and extremely fast and steady dripping of water in our kitchen. I walked over to the table to see that everything on the table was soaked. There was also a huge puddle of water on the floor. I literally watched the water stain on the ceiling tile grow and bulge.

Now we are waiting on someone to come and fix not only a tile but whatever is causing the leak in the first place. Apparently it is not only an air conditioner leak, but it has something to do with a leak in the roof as well. Oh well, we will see when they come to fix it. Not sure when that will be since the first work order was put in over an month ago. I will keep you posted.

Water stain on ceiling tile.

Cleaning up the water on the table and floor.

"Help me Momma!"

Last night as I walked into the girls' room to get Thia for her 9 pm feeding I looked over at Karis' bed to check on her. It took me a second for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but as they did I realized that she was not in her bed. I quickly started scanning the room for her. I soon saw that she had fallen asleep in the bouncy seat. I went over to pick her up and when I did she seemed much heavier than I remembered her being. I looked down and realized that she had fastened the security straps around her legs. I was picking up both Karis and the chair was coming with her. She woke up enough about that time to say pitifully, "Help me, Momma!" 

By this time, I am trying really hard not to laugh because I was getting a full picture of what had happened. She has become very aware of being quiet when Thia is asleep. I can just see her getting out of bed and walking over to the chair (very quietly), sitting down and thinking that she would have herself a little rock before falling asleep, deciding that she would like to be buckled in, and then realizing she could not get herself out. She then realizes that she cannot yell down to Mom and Dad like she is used to doing because Thia is asleep and she doesn't want to wake her up. So, she she quietly rocks in her little bouncy seat/rocker until she falls asleep where I find her around 9 pm.

How funny is that?! Thought you all would enjoy the story!

The Place To Be Is At The.....

LIBRARY!!!!!!!!

I took the girls to the Jefferson Parish Library today for Story Time. I will have to admit that it does not make life easy to have the "Reading Angel" for a mom. When you have grown up your whole life seeing how Story Times are supposed to be done, it makes going to "mediocre" Story Times difficult. Thank goodness my girls have not yet had the privilege of attending one of their Nana's story times yet. 

Karis had a great time hearing the stories and singing the songs. 

She even was able to color 2 color sheets while we were there.

Thia also had a good time listening to the stories and watching big sister color.

Cape Town

I thought you all would be interested in seeing some of the sights we saw on Saturday. The pictures do not do the views justice, but they are the best I can do. Page and I spent the day on a bus tour of Cape Town. The Boone's were so sweet to watch the girls for us. We marked out the places we want to go back to with the girls. We will take them back to see the Aquarium, Cape Pointe, and the penguins (of course). Karis was able to see the seals (picture below) on Saturday. The seals were all she talked about the rest of the afternoon.

The seals are basking in the sun. It is a cold day. I would do the same thing.

Beautiful picture of the beach.

Another picture of the beach in Cape Town.

Table Mountain was a bit cloudy on the day we went to visit.

This is a picture of one of the Townships in Cape Town. People actually live in these very tiny, very simple home.

Gelato Night

While Karis and I were out for one of our walks we came across a gelato shop. The shop is right down the street from our apartment. We were very excited about this find because our family really like gelato. For those of you who do not know what gelato is, it is Italian ice cream. I really like the fruit flavors, but as with ice cream - Page and Karis both like chocolate the best.

Some of you know that our family is having to take Malaria medicine to 

prevent us from getting the dreaded sickness. We have had some problems getting Karis to take the medicine recently because she has figured out our tricks. We had to invent a new one pretty quickly. The trick this week was to sneak the medicine in the gelato without her seeing. A problem that comes along with the "sneaking" is to try to keep yourself looking as casual as normal so that people in the gelato shop and on the street do not think you are drugging your child. 

Here are some pics of us at the gelato shop. We are really enjoying the weather and eating outside at many of the places we have gone. Karis is enjoying being out of the child seat that she is normally strapped to. Her walking around and sitting on her knees makes for a very stressful meal for mom, but she thinks the freedom is great!!

Karis is loving that she gets some of both Mom and Dad's gelato!!! We know she is ready for more when she comes up to us or leans over and opens her mouth.

Can you see the chocolate mustache??

Thia was not too thrilled that we were not sharing with her. She did have a good time just hanging out with us!!

Picnic with the Boone's

Mike and Amy Boone (IMB missionaries to J-burg) took us to a park near Stellenbosch today. On the way we were able to see lots of different animals in a park near by. We saw lots of ostrich and other "deer" like animals. We also had a great view of the vineyards and mountains.

We picked up our picnic food at the deli on the Spiers land. They also have a restaurant that has great authentic food and music. We will come back at another time to visit that restaurant. Today we had a picnic.

Mrs. Amy brought some bread for she and Karis to feed the ducks and geese. Karis was not so sure about the ducks to begin with, but after a while she warmed up to them.




Dad and Karis also got to go pet the cheetahs. Spiers has a cheetah refuge on it's land as well as a place for many different species of birds. We did not get to see many of the birds, but Karis did enjoy seeing the cheetahs.
We had a great time today. We are hoping to get to spend more time with the Boone's while we are here. Page is guest lecturing in Mike's class one day next week and we are planning on visiting J-burg to see the cites there. Their daughter Grace is going to babysit for the girls next Saturday so that Page and I can do a little site seeing in places that might be hard for them to go (like on the boat to see the whales and such).

We are having a great time. Hope to post more later.

"I Lotioned Up Mom"

Karis has individual play time every day around 9:30 am. This morning was no exception. She had yogurt for breakfast and managed to get it all over her pajama top, so I took off her top and we went up to her room for her to play. Up til today I have not had to worry about her getting into anything she was not supposed to get into. She has played with her hair products and lotions before, but she has only pretended to squirt them and never actually opened them. Well the other day that all changed. I walked upstairs to check on her and I peeked in the door and saw this picture:

I immediately ran downstairs and got my camera and came back up ready to take lots of pictures.

Karis had completely emptied a large bottle of lavender baby lotion on herself and the floor. Luckily she had also pulled out her first year birthday poster and was sitting mostly on the poster during her self spa treatment. A good bit got on the carpet though. At least it keeps the room smelling nice and lavenderish.

"I lotioned up Mom"

"Wash the hands!"

I immediately picked her up and stuck her in the bath tub. We washed all the lotion off and got her ready to take a nap. (By the time we had cleaned her and the carpet up it was that time.) Needless to say all the lotions and hair products are put away during Karis play time.

Thia's Gotcha Day: May 15

GOTCHA DAY!!!

We went on the weekend of May 15th up to Columbia, SC for Alethia's final adoption hearing. We were so blessed to have a mid-morning appointment. So we got up at our normal time and did not have to rush. We made it to the courthouse by 10 am. In adoption hearings not only do the adoptive parents have an attorney, but the babies being adopted have an attorney as well. I met Alethia's attorney on the phone, but we met him in person that morning at the courthouse. We also met with our attorney to sign some papers before we went to the courtroom for our hearing. Our judge was the Honorable Judge Donna Stromb. Both the girls were in the courtroom for the hearing. Our lawyer asked me to go first on the stand. I answered a number of questions about Alethia's attachment and whether we understood that adoption was for life and we could not give her back. (Like we ever would if we could!) My questioning lasted for about 5 minutes. Then Page was brought to the stand. He was asked if he agreed with all my answers. He then was told he was excused from the stand. His questions lasted all of 30 seconds. The Judge Stromb then said she was pleased to grant us full guardianship of Alethia. She then came down off the stand and wanted to hold her. She held her for the next 10 minutes while we took pictures and her bailiff went to go find toys for the girls.  

Our family with Judge Donna Stromb immediately after the completed adoption hearing.

Judge Stromb really enjoyed holding Thia and talking with both girls. Karis and Thia had on identical dresses from Children's Place. I thought the day deserved new dresses for the girls. I like that I can dress them in colors I could never wear!

The bailiff went searching all over the courthouse for gifts for the girls. He said that Judge Stromb enjoys giving the adopted kids toys to remember their adoption days.

Judge Stromb giving Thia her gotcha day toy.

Karis decided she wanted to sit in the Judge's chair. Who knows, maybe we have an Honorable Judge in the making. As she likes to sing at the top of her lungs "I am a great big bundle of potentiality."

Thia has been spending time on her tummy. She does not like it very much, but she has started rolling over.

She has started sitting up in the Bumbo seat and seams to really like it.

Easter was very fun for us. We had a good day as a family. Karis enjoyed her Easter basket. She received a monkey puppet, a few books, lacing cards, play dough, and a few other fun things. Thia received a giraffe puppet, a book, an outfit, socks and a few other things. I think, Karis enjoyed the Easter grass as much or more than any of her gifts.

One of Karis's favorite meals is pancakes. Karis likes to help me as I cook. Nana gave us matching aprons for Christmas. We like to wear them every time we cook together.

Karis is a good look cook. She likes to have her own bowl and spoon so that she can stir just like Mom.

Karis 2nd Birthday was on April 28th. We had her party on the Saturday before. She is really enjoying Winnie the Pooh right now, so we had a Winnie the pooh themed party with a few family members and friends.

One of Karis' favorite friends is Cru. They had a wonderful time eating lunch, playing in the sand, opening presents, and eating cake.

Karis is eating really well with a fork. If she can't spear the food with the fork, she picks up the food and places it on the fork and then in her mouth.

All of us made hats by sticking on Pooh stickers. They were a lot of fun. Thia even wore a hat for a little while.

Karis received finger paints for her birthday. I thought you might want to see her first work of 

art.

Karis is now in a big girl bed. She has been very excited about her bed. I have been excited because she has had no trouble staying in her bed. She slept all the way through the night and is taking great naps in her new bed.

We gave Thia cereal for the first time a few days ago. She rolled it around in her mouth a little and spit it out. She then looked at us with a look which said, "I don't know what you are trying here, but can we get back to the formula?"

Th pool opened this week. Thia had a great time swimming for the first time and Karis enjoyed walking around the baby pool all by herself.

I just thought this was a great picture.

Hope you enjoyed these pics. I will try really hard to get better at posting pictures and commentary.

Two Days & Counting

We are so excited we had to tell you. Both Page and I have slept all the way through the night 2 nights in a row. That's right! Alethia is sleeping through the night. We do not know how long it will last (we are hoping forever), but we will take it any night she gives it to us. We went to bed last night around 10:30 pm. We fed her around 9:30 pm. She did not wake up until 7 am this morning. WooHoo!!

Another exciting thing we did was have pictures taken. We all got dressed up (sort of) and went to Sears yesterday. The lady (Melanie) who took our pictures did a great job with the girls. She had them both smiling and laughing in most of the pics. I am posting a few of the examples. Hope you enjoy them.