Pics... Enjoy!

Farewell to our Beloved Izzy

We said goodbye to Izzy just a few minutes ago. She is going to live with two brothers who live together with their 3 other Vizslas. They have had Vizslas since they were 4 years old. They love these dogs, have no children in the home and the dogs get tons of attention and lovin'. This is exactly what we prayed for our sweet Izzy. We know she will be so much happier than she was with us. Poor girl was always in trouble for something and Gabi made her nervous. I truly believe that she will be happier.

My heart breaks for Gabi who adores her Izzy so much. We hope to have a dog in the future-- once we decide what our overseas plans might be. We do not feel complete without a dog in our home. But safety for our daughter, future children and other children who might be in our home have to come first. Some breeds and backgrounds of dogs are much more suitable for small children. I hope Gabi doesn't miss her too much. Let's hope that our visitors who arrive tomorrow will distract her from Izzy's absence.

We love you, Izzy!

A Little Update

The last hurrah for her cowboy boot slippers-- she's outgrown them.

Gabi is delightful. Her face is healing well, she's off her antibiotics and she is as feisty as ever. She recently developed a hysterical excitement for the equestrian events in the Olympics. As any bad parent does, we were watching the Today show. A piece on one of the equestrian champions came on. As soon as Gabi saw the horses, she went into belly giggles. The lasted the entire piece. What should one do in the midst of such a discovery? Call your Aunt Paige and tell her that your love of horses is deep and real. Aunt Paige's response was that if she isn't going to be a gymnast, she just might make it as a jockey. (We're constantly looking at career options for someone who is likely less than 5 feet tall. Just kidding-- she can be whatever she wants to be.)

Waking up from naptime on the wrong side of the crib.

Playing with Daddy after church-- isn't she cute?

Paige Beat me to the Punch

I was going to post about this today, but Paige beat me to it. This was one of the funniest conversations I've had in a while. It took place in a gmail chat and it was remarkable how in sync we were about these thing. So check out Paige's blog. If you know any of us, it will make sense.

Brilliant Blogger Award

My lovely friend, Robin, nominated me for this lovely award. I'd like to thank Robin, the Academy, and of course, my family.

This is how it goes: 1st I have to answer a little questionnaire. Then, I have to choose 7 bloggers who I feel are BRILLIANT and I give them the award. They will post their own answers to the questionnaire on their own blog and they will choose 7 more recipients. And so on!
A. Attached or single? Attached
B. Best friend? Ed & Liza
C. Cake or pie? Cake-- um, chocolate please. Preferably my Gran Gran's.
D. Day of choice? Saturday
E. Essential item? Reading material before bed, preferably a delightful book.
F. Favorite color? Orange, Go Illini. Well, it's just a bonus that the Illini are orange.
G. Gummi bears or worms? Worms, but not a fan of either.
H. Hometown? Mt. Vernon, IL
I. Indulgence? too many to list here.
J. January or July? July
K. Kids? One serious sassafras from Guatemala
L. Life isn’t complete without? Gabriella Lilisol
M. Marriage date? 6/18/98, 10/10/98
N. Number of brothers & sisters? 1 freakishly brilliant big sister
O. Oranges or apples? Oranges
P. Phobias? Falling up stairs and breaking my teeth
Q. Quotes? "It is difficult to discover new oceans if you never have the courage to lose sight of the shore"
R. Reasons to smile? Gabi and lots of friends and family to love.
S. Season of choice? Autumn
T. Tag seven peeps! (see below)
U. Unknown fact about me? I have very few fears. See above.
V. Vegetable? I'd have to say green beans, too.
W. Worst habits? I'm a chronic napper.
X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y. Your favorite food? spinach artichoke dip
Z. Zodiac sign? Gemini
http://finallyfive.blogspot.com/
http://adoptbellagrace.blogspot.com/
http://strawnequine.blogspot.com/
http://adoptingbabyz.blogspot.com/
http://jodianddave.blogspot.com/
http://nickandkatie19.blogspot.com/
http://tyleredwardcarlos.blogspot.com/

I Need Help

I really want to close this blog out, print it for Gabi and have it bound. But I'm having a really difficult time coming up with a name for my new blog. Until I come up with a name, I can't have a new blog stylized and started. So I need my creative readers to assist in the continuation of our family blog. Start brainstorming and send your suggestions in... Thanks.

Silliness... and a brave face

The morning after her dog bite wearing her sad face, her Park City t-shirt and her worry doll headband. She thought she was big stuff with that big girl headband on.

Day 3

She isn't the slightest bit afraid of Izzy... which we're very relieved about.

This green dress is the first thing that Aunt Hilary bought Gabi. She gave this and another one to her for Christmas 2006! That was before Gabi was born and when we thought she would come from Vietnam. These dresses were actually given to Addison from Vietnam. Well, God had other plans for our family. So they were later given to Gabriella from Guatemala. It has taken forever for Gabi to grow into this dress. Finally. Check out her new kicks. She's stylin' and they are size 3s.

By the way, at the hospital the other day we weighed Gabi. She's over 21 lbs!!!! What a big girl.

Oh Lordy! Dog Drama

Drama continues at the A. house. Today's events included our dog, Izzy, biting Gabi in the face. Follow that up with the chaotic phone call to Edward to find out where the closest ER is and then a 3 hour wait to see the doctor.

I just love ERs. They're horrible. They're such painful places. No one can give you a timeframe, there is limited compassion and extra frustration. Usually the doctors/nurses are fine once you get in, but not always.

Gabi's nurses and doctor were very nice. And she wasn't in pain after the initial bite. I must say that the actual bite incident was terrifying for her. She cried harder and differently than I've ever seen her cry before. Of course anything on your face bleeds a ton. It can be very misleading. I assumed that one of the holes was pretty deep. It was not. They were actually two small tears. One is very tiny, next to the left side of her mouth. The other is on her right cheek and a quite a big bigger. They flushed them out with saline and then used Dermabond to close them up. She'll take antibiotics for several days and then be fine. Bless her heart.

The irony of this whole incident is that my mom-in-law was attacked by a pit bull on her bike almost two weeks ago. The dog bit her leg pretty good and thankfully did not attack her further when she was knocked off the bike. The dog went into quarantine because its shots were not up-to-date. On Friday, Animal Control called her to let her know that the dog died and they don't know why. Guess what that means? Rabies shots!!! So she started that series in the ER out in Park City. Could we ask for anymore dog drama?

If this doesn't make your day, I give up...

My Little Summer Sassafras...

Robin made this adorable "G" t-shirt for Gabi. It's just like the one Ella has. Isn't it so cute? Robin wins points for major craftiness! Thanks, Robin!

Every time that we told someone that we were moving to Houston, s/he would say, "Holy cow! It's going to be soooo hot!" Obviously, we knew that. And it isn't a 'dry' heat like so many geographically-challenged people think. We aren't in the dry part of Texas. We're in the disgustingly humid, drippy part of Texas. Needless to say, we cannot play outside during the day unless we're in the pool. The pictures of Gabi outside were taken at 7 p.m. and within 2 minutes of stepping outside I was dripping-- literally. Those of you who know me well, know what I'm talking about. You can imagine that when we get ready to run errands and get loaded in the car, I am sopping wet by the time I turn the car in. The whole ordeal of getting Gabi in her carseat and settled is too much. Yuck!! I can't wait for some of this to subside. I'm pretty sure that I have another 2-3 months before it does. Oh good!

Aunt Kristin sent a box of happies this week too! Gabi received lots of new bows, several outfits that Reagan wore (including the gingham top outfit in these pics) and some shoes. Gabi finally grew out of her sandals. She has the tiniest feet, but we finally had to buy some new shoes. I was ecstatic to see that these feet are not going to be size 2 forever. Thanks Aunt Kristin!

Gabi received another box this week that sent me over the edge. I have been friends with the G.'s since I was 8. I grew up with Jenny and Jessica at church, playing sports, swimming, lifeguarding. Janet, their mom, just folded me into her brood. I love her dearly, as I do Doc and Janet's mom, Grandma Betty. Well, Janet and Doc sent the most elaborate outfit I've ever seen. It is a layered tutu of sorts in dark pink and a 'twinkle' shirt to go with it. I will have to put GAbi in it and post pictures. It is hysterical and darling! Thanks Janet and Doc!