September 1, 2007--2 year Anniversary of Liana's Referral

I am amazed it has been two years ago that I was given the news of my daughter. I excitedly waited by the door for the UPS truck to arrive. I happened to have gone in the other room for a minute, and almost missed it! The rang the bell, dropped off the package and ran! I do have a picture of the back of the truck down the street. The plan was to drive to Saint Louis and pick up the Referral Package; however, I was so shaky that was impossible. When Karolyn told me about Liana, I was so overwhelmed. She was real!!!

September 1, 2007--Saint Louis Zoo

Today Liana and I picked up our friends Hannah and Cheryl and headed to the Saint Louis Zoo to meet Josie, Mary, Todd and friends of theirs. It was a wonderful day for us. The weather was absolutely perfect! We were with great friends, and saw so many new and interesting things. I think the biggest hits was the train ride, the carousel, and the water fan!!!! There was fussing when we had to leave the train, as well as the carousel. The water fan had the largest smiles! The girls got along so well. After we left the zoo...thanks Mary and Todd...we went to the mall. Hannah and Liana were laughing so much when they were in a toy store jumping on the jumping things. I even have video clips of it; however, I still haven't figured out how to add it to the blog yet. It was a very long day for the girls. They slept on the ride home, luckily I didn't, since I was driving!

Family Day at Christian Camp Aug 26, 2007

Liana had fun in the water, although the pictures don't support that statement. She looks like she is having a horrible time! She almost got to go on a pontoon boat ride, but mechanical difficulty halted that plan. The alternate plan was swinging on the tractor tire swing with friends!

Friends 1st Birdthday Party Aug 25, 2007

Liana really enjoyed the cake, more specifically the icing!

Illinois State Fair 2007--Aug 17, 2007

Since I work several days at the fair, I usually am not thrilled to go back again. This year my Mom came to stay with Liana while I worked a Saturday at the Fair. Friday after I got off from work, we all headed to the fair. It was a first for Liana, and my Mom. She had never been before! We were only there a couple of hours, and many things were closing as we were trying to go to as much as possible. I took pictures of as many "fair" things as I could. One of Liana eating cotton candy, a corn dog...her first horse back ride! She got to see an alligator. I guy was trying to catch it's tail. She still talks about the alligator. She like it at first; however, she is starting to make up stories of it trying to bite her. Oh, I took a couple of pictures of Liana watching the bungee jumping I asked if she wanted to do it and she said "I just watch." Annslee is the champ on bungee jumping!

Aug 19, 2007

A picture taken earlier this month. Cousins came to visit and we rode the Horses at the mall!

Update

A little update on what we have been doing lately...Liana has been potty training. She has her good days and bad days. Right now she is mostly in pull ups, sometimes big girl underwear. No more diapers! We also have transitioned from a small potty, to a seat on the toilet, to now she climbs on the toilet seat by herself.

Tonight was the second night of transitioning her into going directly to her bed at bedtime. Our routine had consisted of her falling asleep on my lap or on her Dora sofa, then I would carry to her crib. That way I could have a little more time to hold her since our schedule is so hectic during the week. Yesterday she went to sleep without any fuss at all!!!! Tonight she cried some before we actually got to the bedroom, but went along with it when we got to her room!!!

I knew that Liana was starting to learn letters at daycare recently; however, today I realized just how much she has been learning.

We were singing a song to teach her how to spell her name, which she likes.

I can't think of anything else tonight. Take care everyone!!!

Friends Visiting

Julie, my traveling partner when I went to China, and her two daughters (Mari had stayed with Liana for a couple of months after I went back to work) came for a visit this weekend. They arrived Friday and left today, Saturday. We were so sad to see them go. Liana made a card for Mario, since he couldn't come for a visit.

First Corn On The Cobb

We had eaten corn on the cob several times previously; however, I had always cut it off the cob for Liana. This time I gave it to her on the cob, and boy did she know how to eat an ear of corn! They must have had it at daycare...and I didn't realize she was eating it that way. She ate almost all of her corn!

July 23, 2007 Pool Party with Haleigh and Kaylee

Today we went to Knights Action Park. Mondays are Mom's get in free day. I hadn't realized just how important that was until I looked at the entrance fee!!! It was fun though. There were many different areas we could go with young children. They even had a tidal wave for the older ones.

July 22, 2007 Bubble Party with Hannah

Sunday afternoon we had a bubble party with our friends Hannah and Cheryl. We had a large bubble pail, as well as the bubble train purchased yesterday at the train museum. How fun!

July 21, 2007 Monticello Train Museum

Saturday we took a trip to Monticello to the train museum. They were having a special even...the "I think I can" train. Our friends Haleigh (sorry, no idea how to spell her name) and her grandma Joyce went with us. It was a the perfect day to go. We rode an old train for half an hour. Liana loved it! There were cars set up where you could see how they might have been in earlier times. There was a petting zoo, although Liana wasn't interested in it until we were about to leave. Both girls loved the Hay Maze. It was stacked two bails high. There was a tent to purchase items and a tent to purchase food. We had a great time. Both girls, Haleigh is a year younger than Liana, slept the trip home. Oh, the picture with both girls and the conductor of the train was funny. I had seen Liana sticking her tongue out at him, but didn't notice him doing the same until I uploaded the photos to the computer! So funny!


There was also face painting...Liana chose a red ladybug first for her right arm. She then asked for a white flower on her left arm. She loved the train set toys set up too! There was some intense playing going on there!