Really Rachel!

For a long time now I've been wanting to make a note about the songs we sing each night. With each child I kept adding a song to sing at night. I remember "walking" the boys to their room each night by following the flashlight we would shine on the floor as they tried to "catch" the light all the way to bed. We would sing "Night Night" in a sing-song way. But when they were babies, the routine was always rocking them to sleep right before putting them to bed singing a few of the same songs every night. I was convinced I was doing something that my grandmothers before me surely did through the decades. I think that's why I chose old hymns. I didn't know any nursery rhymes or kiddie sing-songs anyway! Starting with Noah and Simon I always sang, in order, (1)What A Mighty God We Serve, (2) I Love You, Lord, and (3) Amazing Grace. When Elizabeth came along, we added "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord" because the boys LOVED singi...

So today as I'm spending a few hours writing up our report for our 1-year post adoption appointment with our case worker, Rachel is off to the side "using her imagination". Such a proud Mommy I am. My little darling using that noggin to discover the next cure for the common cold, of course. So did I laugh out loud or what when Rachel started singing "Happy Birthday Mommy" and presented me with a special "cupcake". Yes, that is a half-eaten apple with a Nintendo DS stylus tucked in the top just like a candle. I've told my boys to keep their games out of reach...oops!

Rachel had no problem learning how to collect eggs. She just kept going and going like and Energizer Bunny. We attended our church's Easter Speggtacular at a local park. Our kiddos covered all 4 age groups, so we came home with over 200 eggs...seriously! That said, we had an impromptu egg hunt in our greenbelt with our neighbor friends! Rachel's new vocabulary word for the week is 'EGGS' with the obligatory exclamation point thrown in!

I love her expressions in these photos! Especially the one where she has her mouth open saying "rohr!" I was giggling along with Rachel as she literally ran circles around me one morning as the sun casted its light on the wall. She looked so cute in her green stripes acting like a little cartoon character.

Rachel is a great sleeper...once she closes those wee little eyes. She likes to sleep on a big pillow and must be covered with a quilt or blanket. Toss in a ducky, Mulan, and another stuffed animal and she's content! She has to have things so precise to get her zees.

Rachel loves having her photo made. When the sunshine returns, we'll have to go out to the greenbelt and take lots of fun kiddo poses. With all the rain, we played "camera" in the house. I love natural light, so Rachel got to play in the curtains only because she was so darn cute! I adore the way Rachel "latches" on when she hugs. She lets you know very clearly with her arms she's NOT ready to stop hugging yet. I really love the photo of her and Noah. He is her protector, and I can't wait to see how that has altered his life as he grows.

We received a surprise in the mail from Aunt Carrie! She is quite the knitter; so fast I might have to dub her the bionic-knitter (not all superheroes wear capes, right?). She made a special blankie for Rachel. It's orange, because we LOVE orange. Rachel's referral photo had her in a orange walker. It stuck in my mind immediately. I tagged all of our China luggage with orange polka dots. I rented an orange stroller while in China. I must have bought 10 different orange outfits. I still love it. So to get Aunt Carrie's special blankie made with love knitted in orange was a super birthday treat for Rachel (and me!). We just wish Aunt Carrie and our cousins lived closer. Next time you see us dressed in orange, you'll know why! Which is kind of funny since Randy is an Aggie...