Happy Girl(s)!

Elmo is definitely her favorite - here, she's watching him very intently!


We've had so much fun together over the past 4+ months and now as we're approaching the end of the 5th and gearing up for the my final month before going back to work, we are both enjoying and making the most of every minute!


This past couple of weeks have included some fantastic events:

- We had visits from Auntie's and friends that included fun dinners out, trips to the aquatic center for some good fun in the sun and pool - the two 'ladybugs' were so adorable together!

- Auntie Cindy brought us an outdoor slide/swing set!

- We visited Auntie C and went to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk where DQ got to ride on her very first rides, except for the carousel which she had previously done at the zoo

- We got to play in the sand and Pacific ocean, first time for Northern CA

- We took an impromptu trip to visit wonderful friends after showing DQ my office and meeting with a colleague for dinner!

- We got time with Gramma, aunt Dee Dee and uncle Rog


- We had a surprise visit from a great friend from San Diego, and went to the mall for the first time with another ride on a carousel

- DQ learned all the letters in her name - Wow! A huge accomplishment for 18 mos. old :) < the video for this is priceless!>


- We officially enrolled DQ into the Gover Family Daycare!





- We went to the early class at the gym so she had more energy than the usual pre-nap class; must see pics for this day!

Can't believe how amazing this girl is!

Delighted about daycare!

This topic and decision has weighed heavily on me since the day I learned about going to get my Butterfly... The thought of leaving her at a school or place with strangers for most of the daylight hours has kept me awake at nights! But now, I believe that through new friends and a strong community, I've found the perfect place for her to spend her days once I go back to work. Upon our first meeting with this wonderful family, she was instantly at ease and walked around like she owned the place! We've started a couple of 'trial' days that have, so far, been excellent and I'm at peace feeling that she is really being cared for in a way I would want her to be.

After looking at the best and recommended schools, I finally decided that for her, the best would be a nurturing environment with one main caretaker whom she has a relationship with, rather than the potential for multiple and/or a variety of different caretakers throughout the day/year. Having a structure along with learning time and interaction with other children is also important to me, which this has too, along with a very clean, safe, and positive environment.

She's a very happy girl!

It's a good fit for us, and with the opportunity to have a day or two per week prior to my return to work, I can get things done to prep and she can get more used to the idea that this will be our new 'normal'

She didn't cry at all yesterday other than a short bit at nap time (but still went down!) And a quick cry as I walked out the door today, but quickly recovered in Robyn's arms as they went directly into the kitchen for some breakfast.

Happy Mommy!

18 mos. old today... and so much progress!!

I can't believe we've been together nearly 4 months now and she's grown up so much, not really in height/weight since those measurements aren't too far from what they were at 14 mos, but in so many other ways. She's already been saying words like MaMa, Hi, Bye-bye... but now, her vocabulary is really starting to grow by leaps and bounds. She's saying, Elmo, baby, car, "Cheers" - to include the clinking of the cups :), done, again, good girl, thank you... lots of others as she's starting to repeat the last word in the things I say to her and is getting the voice inflections down pretty well, for lots of songs. She loves to learn and things that may not look like she's getting them initially, I'll see her practicing them in the rearview mirror. So adorable.

Diaper changing may soon be a thing of the past as she's doing really well 'going' on the big potty... at least when I take her.

This past weekend was filled with more fun and travels with a trip to Gramma's, a big party at the Hughes, visits from cousins and an impromptu trip to the zoo! We really had a great time.

I've started her sleeping in her own room, and this week will start the first time I try to sleep in my own bed with her staying in her own. She's had a babysitter (girl she loves from My Gym) twice in the past week and has done amazingly well, and having fun. Next week, we will start a couple of trial days at the daycare we plan to start for when I go back to work, and I expect her to take to it well. She immediately wanted hugs from Robyn (the daycare mom) and didn't seem to care much where I was.

She's getting secure enough now to separate and having tons of fun with her new found independence!

We've come a long way baby!!

First week of our 4th month home and US Court has made it officially, official!

Danielle Quin and I have had the most amazing 3 months together! We've been inseparable, really... only apart maybe 8-10 hours since day 1. What a true life-change it has been, but all for the good and today, we crossed a couple of big milestones. We had our US Court appointment for the CA Re-Adoption and went to a personally referred, in-home daycare, who seems like it could be a really good fit for our situation.

DQ is truly a one-of-a-kind child who steals the hearts of everyone she comes in contact with. I've never seen a baby attract so much attention and love to show off as much as she does! The judge and court reporters as well as all the other families and officers of the court were simply smitten with her smile, her soft demeaner and all around happy girl attitude.

Next step is to go to the Social Security office to apply for a SS#, then move on to getting her US Passport, just in case we decide to take an overseas trip at the last minute! :)

She loves her bathtime!

***See these and more in larger view @ http://santacruzphotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/at-home-with-danielle.html***

Special Friends...are more like family!

We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family in our lives. "Auntie" Cheryl is definitely one of those who is more like family and we finally got the chance to have her out to our place to enjoy the weekend with her son (Kai) and Belle-girl. We so enjoyed just playing and taking it easy along with going out to a community concert, going swimming, to the local farmers market and the neighborhood park!

Yes, this was a weekend all about the kids and doggie!

DQ surely remembered the bond she and Cheryl forged in the first two weeks we were together. How lucky are we to enjoy such great friendships and time with each other! Here's just a few of the wonderful moments we shared: http://cherylwelch.smugmug.com/Just-4-Fun/Danielle-in-July/18077016_5CTbmj#1389384426_MjfxKqS

Starting July with a Bang!!

June was very busy with so many travels, we had decided to stay home for most of July... which we still plan to do, and had a great time for the July 4th holiday by celebrating with new friends at their swimming pool and also a nice BBQ at their home, then our hometown fireworks show!

Then, when the opportunity came up to connect with some close college friends and their kids, we could not pass up the chance and made the 2 hour drive (each way) to have a fun fourth of July BBQ, including fireworks, with them and their kids too! It was so great to have both young kids for Danielle to play with as well as older girls who just loved holding and watching her!

Not the least bit scared of all the loudness of fireworks!!

Haven't seen some of these friends in so many years and then now to meet their kids too, was just great! DQ is now walking all over the place, so it was awesome to have help keeping tabs on her in a non kid-proof environment :)