Thankful

I am taking a pause to truly appreciate all that I am thankful for as we approach Thanksgiving.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my daughter. Kiya is truly the most amazing kid. I am just so proud of her. She just takes things as they come and bounces back stronger than ever. I am so honored to be able to be her mother.  She is teaching me a lot.

I am grateful for my husband. He through all of this craziness that we call parenthood has stood next to me and encouraged  me and supported me. I couldn't have done half of this without him.

I am thankful for my family. I have amazing parents and in-laws. I am one lucky girl and Kiya is blessed with truly wonderful grandparents.

I am thankful for my lucky cast friends. These women, children and families have been in my life for a few short months yet they are the most amazing friends. They pick me up when I am down. The send me kind words and cyber hugs and offer support when I need it. I have made lifelong friends and so grateful for that.

I am grateful that I finally have a job :) The interview I thought went so well did in fact go that well. They called me back today and offered me a job. I have to pass a background check first but I am pretty sure that won't be an issue :) The plan is to do that and have me start in early December.

I am grateful for Shriner's Hospital, for Dr. H, Linda, Gwen, Robert and everyone else that works with Kiya. They are amazing and have made this journey manageable and I can tell they truly care about each and every kid that walks in those doors.

Lastly, I am going to take the time to be thankful for my squishy hugs, messy bathroom floor and the bonus cast free time.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

***Update in Kiya's Kare Korner***

The next 3 weeks

I think it finally hit me today. The next 3 weeks around here are going to be really intense, really emotional and sometimes even a lot of fun.

I am officially one week away from having a 2 year old. I am slightly in denial about this but it is happening ready or not. I did finally order her birthday cake and yes it is Dora and chocolate. And no I don't feel bad for not making her a cake as we are celebrating on Thursday (Thanksgiving) and I will be slightly busy cooking all day.

We host Thanksgiving every year since we became home owners that is. So like the last 6 years or so. We will have 11 people in our house and 2 pugs. It will be great to have the family together to celebrate Thanksgiving and Kiya's birthday a little early.

We are also 2 weeks away from being able to cut of cast #1. I can't believe it has been 10 weeks already. It has flown by in a weird way but I am ready to say sayonara to this purple cast. It is starting to look icky and smell a little funky. And I am more than ready for a week of squishy hugs.

So we get 1 week to enjoy baths, hugs and cast freedom. Then back to Chicago for cast #2 11 days before Christmas. Sigh.

And while I am super excited to cut that cast off, I am also terrified. First, she learned to have balance and walk in that cast, what is going to happen when we take it off for a week? Second, I am going to try my darndest to keep her healthy that week so a silly sickness doesn't stop us from getting cast #2. Third, knowing me I am going to obsessively look at her back and compare to old pictures and see if it looks better, worse, the same. That week full of hugs and baths is going to be so emotional.

We did find out that we should have one friend at Shriner's with us on cast day so that is always helpful to have someone there who gets it.

So as you can see I have a lot on my emotional plate right now and it is slowly starting to seep into my reality. I almost cried when I ordered Kiya's birthday cake....it is going to be a long 3 weeks.

On another note, since I posted about our sleep issues we haven't had any. She has woken up and put herself back to sleep. I haven't had to climb in bed with her. She even slept in the pack n play at a hotel this last weekend. I was shocked as she is way too big for that thing but we were in a jam and so it was and she did great. We were off schedule all weekend with late bedtimes Friday and Saturday and still she slept great. We are thinking part of the issue is her over active imagination along with nightmares/terrors being common at this age. We are headed to the doctor tomorrow for her 2 year check up and will mention the sleep stuff to her as well. And I so know that because I wrote this paragraph, I am jinxing everything and will likely find myself in bed with Kiya at some point tonight. Fingers crossed I am wrong.

Kiya's Thanksgiving and Birthday Party

Yesterday was a fabulous day surrounded by family. It was Kiya's first Thanksgiving and you can tell below that dinner was a hit. She tended to favor the mashed potatoes and stuffing.

And after dinner it was party time. She wore the hat long enough for pictures and then ripped it off.

Yummy Birthday cake was enjoyed by all... except....

Kiya. She didn't seem to like the whole production. She ate really no cake and didn't like the frosting on her face, etc. Not the reaction we expected but by this point in the day she was tired and way over stimulated. We still have birthday cake so Sunday on her actual birthday we will try again.

Here she is surrounded by just a few of the new toys she received. Wow. Looks like a toy store in my living room right now. We don't want a repeat of this at Christmas so we are trying to find a creative way to let people know that clothes, books or a charitable donation would be a better idea. We are kind of toyed out at this point yet very grateful to everyone who thought of Kiya and what she might like.

Overall the day was a lot of fun. At times it was too much for Kiya but she was a trooper. She did go to bed at 6:15pm though and slept all night. She is definitely teething and is acting her age. Her appetite has been less than stellar and formula has been a no go for the last few days. Luckily she is drinking more and more milk each day so our days of formula may be nearing an end.

Two more days and my baby girl is officially 1.

Giving thanks

Today we are so blessed to be able to spend the day with our daughter and our family.

We have so very much to be thankful for. First and for most, we are so thankful to Zinash for wanting more for her daughter and loving her enough to let her go. We are thankful for Kiya. She is such a blessing and so amazing. We are thankful for our family and friends who have stood by us through the years and were so supportive during the tough times.

We have so much to be thankful for. 2009 has been and will continue to be a wonderful year for our family.

Wishing all of you out in blog land a Happy Thanksgiving.

PS--Stay tuned for adorable pictures from Kiya's birthday party :)

It's Birthday Week

7 days! Oh my goodness. This time next week Kiya is 1.

I can hardly believe it is here. I still have a lot to do to get ready and we are keeping it low key. Thank goodness the house cleaners are coming on Tuesday so I can check that off the list.

We will celebrate with cake and balloons, etc on Thursday. So after we cook a 20lb turkey with all the fixings with a little help from family, out comes the Princess Birthday cake and ice cream.

We have her outfit all picked out and camera batteries are charging. Gifts still need to be wrapped but that will happen. Even though I am sure she is really only going to want to play with the wrapping paper and bows.

On Sunday, we are just hanging out the 3 of us. The hope is to make it to church and say some special prayers for Zinash and just enjoy our family. There will be pancakes since Kiya LOVES pancakes and I am pretty sure we will still have cake and ice cream left.

I am also going to have an extra box of tissues available as I am pretty sure I am going to cry. My little Peanut is growing up and this momma is excited and a little sad all at the same time.

Right here, right now

I wasn't going to blog today but as I was going to get coffee this morning, I felt I really should put in writing the things going through my head. (And yes, I realize I have a severe addiction to coffee) So the turkey is in the oven, the house is clean and we are waiting for family to arrive yet my mind is far far away.

This is our last Thanksgiving without our little peanut. I am thinking a lot about peanut today and wondering if they are in the care center or even born yet. I am also wondering about peanut's first family and what they might be going through.

I also know that my life today isn't what I thought it would be yet I can't imagine being anywhere but right here, right now. Sure in my head I wouldn't have pictured my life like this but really I believe everything happens for a reason. I am supposed to be right here, right now. I am supposed to be waiting for peanut to find us. As hard as this is, the waiting, it is what I am supposed to be doing.

So 10 years ago, if you asked me what my life would look like I wouldn't have responded that I was waiting to adopt from Ethiopia but I am. And more importantly I want to be. I need to be. My peanut needs me to be. So as I wait to serve dinner to my precious family on this day of Thanksgiving, my thoughts are with you peanut. I have set a place at the table in my heart for you. You will be here next year to share this day with us.

So thank you God for putting me right here, right now. I may not have always understood why things happen but I am thankful for all things past, present and future.