Mother Nature Smiled Upon Us

The Home Stretch!

Yes, she did! Saturday, April 12th was the nicest day of the year by far -truly a gift. I believe the temperature actually crested the 70° mark! Celebrating kids' day, the YMCA sponsored a 5K fun run to start the Grand Floral Parade festivities which I got the bright idea would be FUN to do. I've jogged in races for years but
never pushing an extra 40 pounds of baby and jogger. Wow, what a difference it made in my all ready slow but steady pace :)

I was a little nervous about maneuvering the 3 wheeled contraption through the sea of bobbing bodies making their way through the course, but Devi was calm as a cucumber taking everything in stride. Strapped in and ready, apple wedge in hand, the high pitched horn sounded the start. We managed to roll our way through the pack of runners and found a comfortable open space somewhere between mile one and two. Devi, my cheerleader and support team, dosed off and ended up missing most of the race and the big finish down the parade route! She received a number of "Ahs!" and "Oh, how cutes" from the by standers as I sweated us across the finish line. Coming in 3rd for the women/jogger category and a staggering 9th overall in the stroller division, we both felt it was a job well performed. Devi was pleased with the participants medal she received for her first organized event.

With that nearly unrecognizable orb shining down upon us, we enjoyed the day to it's fullest. Devi played in the make shift kid's gym set up at the end of the race course as we awaited the beginning of the parade.

Meanwhile I popped into a very crowded Starbucks for a drink. Awaiting my turn to be helped, I noticed this nice looking woman a couple of people ahead in line, staring back at me. Recognizing my picture from this blog, she approached me. It turns out we have a mutual friend who had shared this site with her. She knew all about our adoption journey. Wow! we are reaching people...the power of the internet is sometimes staggering isn't it?

All that hard work gives a girl an appetite

Joining Devi and daddy curbside with cups of joe in hand, the first of the floats sauntered by. Barely able to contain her enthusiasm for the marching bands, Devi bounced and bopped to the drum beats, clapped her hands and waved her cute little hellos to the various honorees of the parade. We watched for a while, but left just in time to stop by our house, empty the contents of the fridge into a back pack and walk the few

My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!

blocks to our local park for lunch. Our first family picnic! What a mess a toddler can make when given free rein to a container of half eaten hummus! She enjoyed scooping the dip with her little finger tips, right from the dish and into her open mouth - no cracker required! Being tossed in the air by daddy and feeding our lunch leftovers to the ducks rounded out the afternoon, leaving us all exhausted and ready for nap time.

My first picnic

Sun still blazing, promising a beautiful sunset, we dashed out for Devi to experience another first...a frisco freeze burger for dinner. This drive-in burger spot has not changed a bit since the 50's when it opened. I'm sure the layer of grease that coats the closet sized building hasn't changed either, but somehow I'm convinced this is what makes these burgers, still wrapped in old-fashioned waxpaper bags, their mouthwatering flavor. We ate our dinner in the back of our van with back hatch open to catch the last rays of the sun's warmth. Devi gobbled a whole burger herself, a few fries and sips from my own personal

Higher daddy, higher!!!!

favorite, malted root beer milk shake! Perfect!! What a treat to experience this meal, this way, this early in the year! Covered in the remnants of the day - apple, hummus, burger and sticky shake, Devi nearly fell asleep in the bath tub, marking the end of an enjoyable day spent experiencing Mother Nature's gift.
NOTE! Before I could post this, we are back to record setting hail and snow....completely uncharacteristic for our area.

The power of an Elmo DVD!

Puzzles...my new favorite thing

Jr. Daffodil Parade

Daffodil princesses posing with our Indian princess!

In spite of the threat from a looming rain cloud, we ventured out today to attend the annual Jr. Daffodil Parade. This parade is the kid oriented festival that precedes the Grand Flora Parade that takes place next weekend and which marks the arrival of spring - celebrating the first of the yellow annuals to emerge from the earth, bursting with color.

Another parenting milestone realized, we couldn't wait to join Oma in finding the perfect curbside seat and sharing this annual event with OUR princess for the first time. We did manage to round up a few authentic daffodil princesses from area high schools to pose with our cherub. They were delighted to donate a smile to our cause and Devi was wowed by the sparkle of their tiaras.

Adorned in costumes and daffodils, children from various area organizations, preschools, scouting troops, marching bands and dance groups promenaded through the parade route tossing flowers and candies to us. Devi was mesmerized by it all as she pointed out pup-pups and balloons as they sauntered by.
A few of the highlights were the dinosaur on the 2 wheeler fighting the length of his tail, trying to avoid the spinning spokes of his back tire, a very balanced unicycle troupe and the choreographed baby jogger routine performed by the parents of one local preschool. Not to go unnoticed, was a boy about 5 years of age who suddenly got stage fright and clung to his poor mothers leg. She managed to finish the route, peg legged–pirate style–swinging him along with the momentum of her gate. I couldn't help but chuckle, unfortunately a little at their expense :)

Devi managed to shake the tops off each of the daffodils she received with jubilant enthusiasm! She bopped to the beat of the music and by all accounts, managed to enjoy the festivities immensely. The day was a huge success even with the sprinkle of rain that managed to remind of us that we are still in the first of week of our April Showers.

A successful first parade...don't you think?

With this first week of April came our first mommy and me swimming lesson. Devi's approach to new activities is always to observe from the side lines a bit first before jumping in to participate. Our first lesson was no different, but by the end of class she was blowing bubbles, kicking her feet, splashing, and she even went under water. Not certain of her response, it was an anxious moment as her tan skinned little face cleared the blur of the unsettled water revealing her white toothy signature grin. Having been a swim instructor for years in my younger days, I have to admit I left with a sense of pride and a bit of a puffed chest....that's my girl :)!!

Miss August on daddy's desk calendar...taken at 1 year old.

In her ever changing vocabulary, she now has added Uh-oh, No-no...with a finger wag, help accompanied by the sign for it, apple, rhino, up, and is constantly saying dah-doe. We have no idea if this is a thing, a command, or a term of endearment, but she says it often and with conviction. She will timidly attempt to say almost anything we ask her to try, and is gaining confidence with the words she has been saying for awhile, now saying 2-word phrases.

Her 16 month check up revealed her first real weight gain, tipping the scales just shy of 19 pounds and 30 inches tall. Although still under the 5% on the growth chart, Dr. Ayer seems to think she is doing great and marvels at the excellent care she must have received before we were united.

Favorite new past times are blowing raspberries on mommy and daddy's bellies, using building blocks, putting together wood puzzles, trying to put on her own clothes, climbing, running, and hanging upside down. As seen here, marching is still top of the list!