Melania's Birthday Party & Mishayla's Homecoming!

Aunt Wendy planned a little 2nd birthday party for Melania after Wed. night bible study. As you can see, Melania has eyes only for Uncle Bean.

Thank you, Aunt Wendy, for making such a cute

'Sylvester' cake for Melania. Mommy was definitely too tired to do much in the way of party planning!

Candles are "hot." Melania hopes to get more for her birthday than a new sister!

Melania's favorite gift was from June. A keyboard with a microphone. As a special bonus, it also has a volume control!

Melania received a collection of bath letters and numbers, bubble bath, and sour jelly beans from Aunt Wendy and Uncle Blaine. They are her jelly beans, and she doesn't have to share! Mommy found a collection of Little Miss Spider books, another favorite!

What's a party without balloons? This one could just be reached on tip toe.

I will have to continue to experiment with the video function. I turn the camera the right way about half-way through this one! Mishayla meets Aunt Wendy, who says, "You are even cuter than in your pictures!" Cousin Shaun says, "I don't think I've held a baby since Melania." Thanks, Shaun for sharing in the birthday celebration. Are you sure you don't want to travel to MT with us for Christmas? I'll let you sit in the front seat...

Melania is 2 years old. Amazing!

We made it home! Yea! Both of the girls did really well, especially since it was such a long trip. It was quite a way for Melania to spend her 2nd birthday. Our flight to Phoenix was delayed, so we had to run from one to plane to the next. We arrived in Seattle on time with all of our luggage, so no complaints! I cannot begin to describe Melania's level of absolute joy to be home. She was so excited to see June, Caroline, Sylvester, her house and toys. We went to Wed. night meeting, and afterward my sister, Wendy, had us over for cake and presents. I'll include more details as I soon as I get the pictures from the evening ready to go. Mishayla was definitely aware of being in a new place and did not sleep so well last night. It was nice to have today to catch up stuff (mail, bills, laundry, etc.) before I return to work tomorrow. I think I might require the weekend to recover!

Quick Note

Just a quick note to let everyone know the interstate compact paperwork is complete, and we are now free to return home. We fly through Phoenix, so hopefully Mishayla is a happy camper on the plane. It will be a couple of long flights. I'm sad to say our wake-up call happens tomorrow morning at 4 am, but it will be great to be home. It'll be a few days before we have any DNA results, and I may have to eventually return to OH, but I hope not (at least not for those reasons)! Will update soon- hopefully with more pictures.

Adoptions are not without complications.

Well, with any luck, the paperwork for us to return to WA should be completed tomorrow. Just a phone call away from buying plane tickets. Mishayla's paternity, with respect to her biological father, is in question. One father has signed the necessary paperwork to move forward (Eric), and the other (Rodwrick) is choosing not to consent to the adoption. So, what does this mean? Eric has agreed to a DNA test, so I will be taking Mishayla in to have her cheek "swabbed." Rodwrick is currently in prison until 9/2009 on drug charges, so he is not really in a position to parent. However, his mother would like custody if Mishayla is his daughter. At this time, I am praying that Eric will prove to have fathered Mishayla. Cortney (birthmom) is doing well and remains adament that she wants me to parent Mishayla because she would be "afraid" for Rodwrick's family to raise this little one. I certainly appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers for what is best for Baby Mishayla.

Melania shares her hugs and kisses.

Melania loves to give Mishayla kisses.

Sometimes Mishayla likes them, sometimes it's too much of a good thing.

I see a light!

Learning early to stick out my tongue for pictures.

Sleeping. The huge pacifier is getting smaller as Mishayla gets bigger!

Home is where your cat and coffee are (among other things).

All in all, not such a good night for the UW Husky Volleyball team. They lost in 5 games to BYU. This picture is from a few years ago. If you look closely at the fans, you might see people you know. They are going to lose some great players, but next year should still be a good one! Meanwhile, I'll sit back and enjoy the rest of the tournament stress-free, and cheer for the Pac-10. Yes, even Stanford...

I am missing my sewing machine and my cat, Sylvester. I think he misses me, too. I can't promise he's going to be happy about a new baby, though. Caroline assures me she has been taking good care of him. Thank you, Caroline!

Finally, I have to tell a funny story on myself. Let me just say there are virtually no drive-thru coffee stands in this part of OH. I've found a few Starbucks, but you have walk in, which is no small thing with a new baby and Melania. Plus, I'm not really a Starbucks fan. So, imagine my delight when Carmen points out a drive-thru coffee place having their grand opening. A young man (14 or so) takes my order. I'm worried, but desperate for a skinny mocha with a splash of sugar-free Irish creme, my favorite drink. So, I politely explain/request the drink I want with a few extra directions on how to get it exactly right. From the backseat, without prompting, Melania says, "Picky, picky, picky." Carmen thought this was very funny, and I have to admit to laughing as well. A couple of days ago at Target, after several attempts by Carmen to find something, I had said to her, "Picky, picky, picky!" It is safe to say Melania doesn't miss a thing. Fortunately, my drink was perfect!

Still growing...

Thank you Uncle Hugh, Trenton and Kadyn for letting Carmen go on her "great adventure" to help out with Baby Mishayla. She misses you and hopes to come home soon. Mishayla has discovered her fist and her ability to suck on it.

9 days - Mishayla

Favorite pastime: Eating (or in this case, drinking). We went to the pediatrician yesterday. Mishayla has passed her birth weight and currently weighs 8 lb. 5 oz. My camera battery needed to be recharged for a better flash. Melania was sharing her cute, pink kitty with Mishayla. Carmen keeps undressing Mishayla in an attempt to keep her awake during the evening rather than at night!

I just get Mishayla all set up for her picture, and she does the lean. She is a little big for newborn clothes and a little small for 0-3 months. Poor baby has decided against shopping since nothing fits "just right" currently. Melania signed a new cell phone contract at the dollar store today. Here she is kicking back waiting for a phone call from the interstate compact office, our attorney, or anyone else who might decide to call. She has taken over Mishayla's "bed." It's OK because Mishayla has discovered that she prefers to be held - all the time.