Christmas

We had a great Christmas. I hope everyone else did as well. We go to my moms for dinner and open presents on christmas eve and then we come home get everything out for santa and have christmas morning just the 4 of us. Christmas day we go to Brians Aunt Pat's house and have christmas with his extended family and have dinner there. This year we also got together with Brians sister Cindy, her son and fiance and we opened up presents from my mother in law on the web cam since shes in VA. Sunday we had my extended family christmas party at my house. Needless to say my girls opened an obscene amount of presents and dont understand how spoiled they are. I didnt take pictures, I meant to but Hannah was fussy for part of the time and eating for the other of I swear most of these get togethers. We told Hayleigh that she could open Hannahs presents since Hannah wasnt able to and she was more than pleased to help with that which was cute because she would open them and explain to Hannah what it was, who it was from, what it did etc. Shes such a good big sister. I did think to take a picture of the girls in their christmas jammies but it didnt turn out so well. Anyways, this is the best Ive got. Sorry. Next year....

Its about that time again...

Laura's birthday in is Jan. and I always start thinking about her alot around this time of year. I think about her alot already, but with her birthday and christmas shes on my mind extra. Ontop of that Ive been watching this show on mtv called Teen mom and they are following a few young moms and two of them annoy the crap out of me, but there are two I like. One girl seems like a great mom and seems very dedicated which I like and then there is a couple who did an adoption and of course that tugs at my heart. Watching their story kind of made me reconnect with some of the feelings I had originally after she was born. She has an outstanding family, I just cannot say it enough. Shes got an older brother who watches over her and her parents are just those people that were ment to be parents and excell at it. Im very open with my adoption and feel very much at peace with it. I never know if I should contact them or not. I get letters yearly but I dont want to interfere with their lives though. I dont know what it feels like to be the parent of an adopted child and if their biological parent writing or contacting the family would make them feel uncomfortable. I havent spoken to them in years, like I said I get letters but thats one sided. I think they would be okay with it, they were always very accepting of me but still...anyways Im working on a letter for them to tell them about Hannah and kind of give them a little update on me too. I dont know but I think later she will want that. I really do hope that one day my girls and I have a relationship with her, even if its not much I hope for something later. This picture is one of my faves and I think this is exactly what I wanted for my little girl. A safe, happy life with a Mom and a Dad that love her and she got lucky and ended up with a great big brother too!

Laura and her dad Summer 2007

Christmas is Coming!

Its almost here and now that my shopping is all done I want it to be here. Yesterday would be nice! I bought Hayleigh and Hannah matching jammies to open christmas eve and Im anxious to see Hayleighs reaction to them. Shes a very involved big sister and will be very excited about this. She likes to share with Hannah as much as she can. Finding these jammies...well..easier things have been done. Since there is a 6 year age gap its not often you can find things that work for both ages but thanks to carters and fred meyers for fixing this issue for me. Ive been a slacker and still have some christmas cards to send out, thankfully most are in state and will likely get there before christmas.

                                                                             Hannah got into bows and Hayleigh felt the need to cover hannah in them...why not right?!

Hayleigh just got her first report card in school and she is doing so well. I am very proud of her. She got great grades and her teacher wrote all nice things about my little girl. I dont ask that shes the smartest child in the class room, I dont ask that shes anything but herself. I do however want that little girl to at least be grade level, have manners and be able to get along with the other children. Thankfully all of these things are found in my not so baby "baby" ( I can still pretend right?! )

Hannah has discovered her feet and enjoys eating her toes as often as she can.  She has also discovered her range of vocal cords and joyfully squeals very often. Shes a pretty cute little bugger if you ask me. She is very interested in the things Hayleigh is doing and gets very excited now when Brian and Hayleigh get home. I never understood Im sure like many other parents how its possible to love another baby like you do your first, I felt like I would be taking away from Hayleigh or depriving Hannah of something and favoring Hayleigh or something, and just like everyother parent Ive found that wow I can love two kids just the same. Its pretty awsome.

I should have blogged a while ago, we went to the tree farm and got our tree with my family and Heather and I took the girls to get pictures taken which were super cute, (no shocker there) Anyways, here are a handful of pics....

                                                  Merry Christmas From The Beverlys!