Zamara helps around the house

Merry Christmas everyone.  We are getting ready to leave for our Christmas in Oregon.  We have so many things to remember to pack now that we have a baby.  Of course, the last I checked, there were stores in Oregon if we happen to forget anything.  

We are very excited to go, but are also anxious since this will be Zamara's first big trip since coming home from Ethiopia.  Please pray for our trip.  

Zamara also had some immunizations on Monday.  They were ones that leave bruises and make the babies a little sick.  Every since Monday she hasn't been sleeping well at all.  Naps have been the worst, but she has been also waking up several times at night.  We are both very tired and hpe to get Zamara back on track soon. 

On a positive note, Zamara is healthy and doing great.  She is in the 70% for weight, height, and head size.  She can turn pages of books as we read them, clap her hands, show us how big she is, crawl, stand holding onto furniture, and show us where her mouth is.  She seems to do something new each day.  It is nice to know she is thriving so well (even if her naps aren't so good!) in our care.  That is always a worry when you adopt a baby.  

We also have this little video we took this morning.  I was doing laundry and Zamara wanted to help.  Craig videotaped the very end, but Zamara helped unload the entire dryer.  It was so cute and it show how well she is standing and responding to our commands.  

Again we want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas,

Laura

Loch Ness

I had no idea Laura and I made so many references to the Loch Ness monster. Please be assured we will try to limit those for only truly special occasions in the future.

Zamara Meets Santa

Hello Everyone! We have so much going on and so much to share. Zamara is now crawling. We have tried to catch it on video, but that is like trying to get the Lock Ness Monster on video! We will keep trying, though. Keep checking in over the next week and hopefully we can post a video.

We also took Zamara to get pictures with Santa last week. She loved Santa! She was not scared of him at all. She just sat there and giggled at him the whole time. Of course, everyone at the "North Pole" was in love with her--probably because she was one of the only babies that didn't cry on Santa's lap...well that and she looked adorable in her Christmas dress (Thank you Gilder family for the gift!).

We have been busy with work and church. Craig has been working hard on our annual Christmas production. It will be over this week, so Craig's schedule should open up a little bit after that. Oh wait, then we have Christmas Eve services to plan...well, I guess it is just a busy time of year.

We are having a babysitter watch Zamara this Friday night so Craig and I can go out on a "date". It is the only the 2nd time we have allowed someone else to put her to bed since she arrived home in August. I can't believe we haven't been out on a date in almost 4 months! We are very excited to have a few hours with one another. We know Zamara will be fine. Like most new parents, it has just taken some time to feel comfortable allowing others to watch her.

blessings,

Laura

Zamara has learned how to clap

Zamara recently learned how to clap.  Last week we would have to show her how to clap before she would do it  on her own.  Now she can clap when we ask her to.  So check out this short little video clip...

Season's Greetings!

Season's Greetings.....What does that mean anyway?  That phrase just annoys me.  What ever happened to Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving?  Season's Greetings is like someone saying "regards" to you.  Who says that?  

Ok, boy, I just got so excited there.  

My younger sister and parents were here for Thanksgiving over the past few days.  All of them have left over the last 24 hours so I thought I would go ahead and talk trash about them now that they are gone....Ok, here it goes....My little sister---man, could she be any more perfect?  She is like the most amazing person I have ever known.  I have no idea what happened to her but she is one of the nicest, kindest and most godly people I have ever known.  Seriously, if you haven't met her your life is not complete.  

And then there's my parents.  They really love their family.  They always make an effort to see us (even before we got them a beautiful granddaughter!).  I really appreciate all the times they have come down to see us in Flagstaff.  I am sure their trips will become even more frequent now that Zamara is here.  Posted above this are a few pics of our time together.  I think, at times, Grandma and I were having a competition for who could take the most pix.  I'm pretty sure I won...

Oh, I almost forgot.  We ate a whole bunch of M&M's brand chocolate candies.  And we ate at a restaurant named "Wendy's" but did not have a milkshake named a "Frosty".   (You had to be there)

Wow, this is getting long.  The most important part of this post is that I finally got a picture of Zamara's "poo face".  This has been like getting a picture of the Loch Ness monster but I finally got it.   Her eyes watering up, a constipated smile look.  It's hard to describe.  I am guessing you will be able to pick out the pic I am referring to.  That will be our little game for this post.  Pick out the pic  from the ones above that is Zamara's "poo face".  Hint:  It's the first picture.

Season's Greetings!  

Craig, Laura and Zamara