6 month mark with little B

All day yesterday I kept thinking how can it be 6 months…1/2 a year since I held this sweet girl for the first time… She really has just come out of her shell (not that you can tell by this picture).. HAHA!!! Thank to our sweet friends The Burgess Family we met on our trip that sent this shirt to Brooklyn for Chinese New Year..

A few milestones in the last month which makes me feel like she is already growing up so fast.. (sniff..sniff)

*no more crib.. She officially sleeps in her big girl bed with no rails. She is in the exact same position she went to sleep in when I get her in the morning

*no more bottle.. She was on a bottle at the orphanage and I was super hesitant to take this away too soon because it was most definitely a soothing thing for her. We switched to milk in a cup and she did great! We don't even warm it up anymore.. HAHA

*no more DIAPERS… She is "mostly" potty trained as of last week with a couple of accidents and pull ups at night. Can I get a hallelujah!! She took to it so easy and is eager to please

We have our 6 month post adoption meeting next week and paperwork due with our agency. It seems like its certainly a milestone in our family.. One that came with some challenges but overall I can't be more thankful for how well she has adjusted.

We finally got our family pictures printed and hung in the house yesterday.. Brooklyn squealed with delight to see her face on the walls. I need to be better about printing pictures out and hanging them. The last one I had hung in our frame in the living room was before Colton was born.. oops.. 

Here are a few more pictures of her enjoying a popsicle for the first time..and being goofy. Adoption is AMAZING!

I will do another blog soon about my oldest preparing for graduation and college bound soon… (Hold me)!!!

Lots of love,

December wrap up

This post is sure to be the longest one ever.. Too much fun this month but I will try and keep it to just the highlights ;-) Mid- December marks our 3 month anniversary with Brooklyn.. She has certainly becoming more comfortable and her personality is shining through more and more…

She has become a favorite at our local gym and is always so excited to see me when I pick her up which I love!!! I wish all my kids jumped up and down when i walked in the room ;-) I may have to start requiring this.. HAHA

Colton our 4 year old has had the hardest time adjusting to his new little sister. I will occasionally see them playing together and it makes my heart smile!

We had a great time celebrating Christmas little early with Dan's family. The little cousins exchanged gifts and this was Brooklyn's first time to open a Christmas gift. She got the hang of it pretty quick. ;-)

We celebrated Christmas Eve and I especially felt so grateful to reflect on our journey to bring our girl home. How we have the privilege to teach and show her God's love for her. One that we don't take for granted and pray we do well.

Christmas morning was perfect!!! Cozy, Exciting, Relaxing and full of family time.. All the things I love.

I mean this face shows you her personality. she is so funny and makes us laugh all the time! Note the little pack n play in the back.. I love watching her put her dolls night night in there..

One of my favorite things is when the kids get gifts for each other. This is when Nathan got Brooklyn a doll and she is saying Thank You. It so fun to watch them get excited about giving. So fun to see lots of pink girly things in our house.
My mom, her husband, my brother and his girlfriend joined us for Christmas dinner. It was full of ugly Christmas sweaters, yummy smoked turkey and tasty cheesecake.

As 2015 came to an end, Dan and I took a trip to California for some relaxation. It was a great time for us to commit to each other new goals. Strive to do better in 2016 with God as the center of family and our own personal lives.. We have some exciting new ventures coming up! Working to simplify our lives to what matters most. Make this the best year yet!

Love,