A Year Ago

A lot of APs do these "year ago" posts. We've had a busy week and I didn't have my computer with me last weekend when we passed a significant milestone in our journey to be parents. On May 25, 2007, I met my daughter, Gabriella, for the very first time. I was alone. Ed did not arrive until the next day. I don't remember being scared or nervous. I remember feeling in awe of that little miracle. Every inch of her was beautiful and lovely. She already had a big personality and even bigger hair. I remember feeling incredibly proud to be her mother as I walked around the hotel.

But one year ago today was the last full day that I had with Gabi on that first trip. I know that I thought that I would be okay to leave her the next day if I just didn't think about it in the meantime. I remember mourning the passing of our sweet Karen who died only a month earlier as I learned more details of her situation. I remember being so grateful that Kristin was there with me. I was tired, in love, sad and humbled all at the same time.

I remember the next day when Kristin and I gave our girls back to Mariela. We cried as we watched them drive away. We laughed at the absurdity as we saw Mariela put Reagan in her lap (no CARSEAT!) and pull away from us. And then we cried. And then we laughed. And I remember thinking that after that week I would never be the same. How far we have come in this year! How blessed we are!

Moving, Moving, Moving...I think We're Homeless

Ed and I are in the marvelous process of moving. We have had movers at the house for 3 days. The loaders came with the big truck today and they had to call a second truck for all of our stuff. This happens almost every time we move. They estimate the amount of stuff that we have. They can't believe how much there is so they underestimate it. Then they have to get more supplies and an additional truck. Poor guys.

Gabi and I have moved over to Kay's for the duration. Thank goodness! I don't know what we would do without this place to lay our heads. Gabi is mastering her other signs. Her "mommy, daddy, water" were all looking pretty similar. Over the last 24 hours, her "daddy" has drastically improved, so has her "mommy." She's such a little smarty.





Sunday, we're headed to Park City to hang out with Nana and Papa. Two vacays in two weeks. Are we spoiled or what? The answer is "YES!" I think Nana and Papa are enjoying their time with Miss Gabriella before we move. We're loving the time with them. When we get back, we'll go to MTV and hang out with GG, Grumps, Aunt Paige, Uncle Barry, Auntie Li and the rest of the crew. We have a pretty full dance card these days.





I'm using Ed's computer which doesn't have all the pictures on it. So here are a few OLD favorites...

I Keep Forgetting... this is for Jan

Jan, you can email me at amanda.austin@gmail.com. Please do!!! I want to hear how the homecoming has been with Tucker et al.

Love,
Amanda

More Weekend Pics

I don't think I've ever seen a sweeter performance than Spencer singing "What a Wonderful World"

Party in SC!!!

It is safe to say that we had an incredible vacation in SC. It was beautiful, relaxing, fun and easy. Gabi met her cousins and aunt and uncle. She loved them all. Griffin and Spencer were very sweet to her. She's very lucky to have such wonderful cousins. Gabi liked hanging out with Aunt Hilary and apparently thinks that her Uncle Stephen is fascinating. She has a thing for him.

As for Kiawah Island... it probably couldn't have been more delightful. We had perfect weather all weekend. We celebrated my in-laws 40th anniversary and my 33rd birthday. We swam on the beach, swam in the pool, rode bikes around the island, watched the alligators and hung out together. It was a very welcome break from the chaos that exists at our house right now. Gabi LOVED the beach and the bikes and the pool and the alligators and the swings and the........

We returned on Tuesday evening and the packers began packing our things early this morning. They'll be here for the next 3 days. Gabi is doing well with all of it. I keep waiting for her to freak out. So far so good.

Some pictures from the weekend.

We Have an Official Walker!!!

Just one of the girls...

Representation from the E'ham Crew

Gabi decided that today was the day! She has been able to walk for a few weeks and seemed so close to taking off. She just didn't want to let go of that support. Tonight after Her MK and Eileen had been here with GG, Ed and I, she just up and did it. She walked about 8 steps, then 10, then finally 14. She did it over and over again. We're so excited!!! Just in time for our trip to the beach.

Gabi has had a rough 48 hours. Her gums are swollen on both sides of her bottom molars from front to back and on the top too. It is so sad. She's so uncomfortable. Of course, it's making it harder to sleep. And without good sleep, everything seems tougher for a little one. She's been a trooper but we've had to keep the teething tablets, Orajel, and Tylenol coming. Despite that, she walked!

Here are some pics from the last few days.

Weekend in the 'Ham

We headed to Effingham on Sunday morning to spend some time with friends, family and more friends. Gabi spent the morning with Nana and Papa. Then Aunt Anne and Uncle Frank came over. After Gabi's afternoon nap, the Ts, Zs, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Larry headed over to meet Gabi. We had delicious BBQ and hung out with the people we love. Kaitlyn, Grace and Emma took excellent care of Gabi while the adults got to talk.

This morning, several of Nana's friends came over for breakfast and met Gabi. Gabi was a bit out of sorts from all of the attention the day before. But as soon as the world focused their attention on her, she powered through. She's all about taking one for the team. The team being Gabi. She's a trooper. But we didn't get to the end of the driveway this morning before she was asleep. I have pictures to share, but I'm not completely certain of the location of the camera.

I'll get back to those pics as soon as humanly possible.

My Kid has a TBI...

Gabi playing with Her MK and Nana C.

Gabi with Kip and Michelle

Playing with Davis

That's Traumatic Brain Injury. Ok, maybe not. But she has a big ole pumpknot on her forehead. She was trying to take her ladybug chair with her around the living room and something went awry. Next thing you know... Gabi was all cracked up. She cried for a whole 30 seconds. I think that's a record or something.

I used to get aggravated when bloggers wouldn't update their blogs regularly once they got home. I now understand. Our house has a revolving door. There is a constant stream of people in/out of this house. I can take the pictures and have the visits, but I can't get them posted. Also, I've been working this week and Ed and I (more Ed than me) have started the prep-for-packing process.

Gabi and her new baby doll from the Ts

This week the Ts (Chris, Michelle, Davis, Emma), the Cs (MK, Kate, Donna), Chaz, Corinne, Eileen, Christy and Lucy, and several others have dropped by. Some of them more than once. We got some pretty cute pics of Gabi playing with her friends-- but not all of them.

I apologize for my lack of correspondence. And I have to do this fast because I have to work tomorrow too and I'm one tired girl. It's not easy going back to work-- even if it's only for a few days. So here are a few pics from the last week.

Signs Everywhere...

Gabi is amazing. She is now using the signs for "please" and "more" consistently. She is beginning to use "all done, milk" and we're working on "help." It took us a while to get going with "please", but once she understood that it works, the other signs have been coming much quicker. What a smart little cookie she is! It is so exciting to see her learning so quickly.

Another Graduate... Congrats Daddy!!!

Edward walked in his graduation ceremony Saturday morning. He officially has his MBA and is FINISHED!! We're so glad that this box is checked and we can move on to the next great adventure.

We shared Ed's graduation with his parents, my parents and our beautiful DAUGHTER! I prayed very hard for Gabi to be home in time for this milestone in her daddy's life. Edward has missed a lot of occasions in the last ten years because of deployments and our overseas addresses. I really wanted this to be one that he could share with his daughter.

We went to graduation, had lunch out and returned home in time for Gabi to meet her Aunt Jana and Uncle Leo. Then she took an almost 3 hour nap. Gabi was soooo good yesterday. She sat in the restaurant for 2 hours and never made a peep. She took pictures with her MBA friends/family. And she met a lot, a lot, a lot of people. She barely fussed.

Here are some great pics of a few of our friends and family from Ed's graduation.