Pivotal Moments!!

Have raisins....will travel!!

We've been told that a pivotal moment in an adopted child's life is when they have lived with you longer than the amount of time they spent in a babies home or orphanage. For Devi, that milestone is at 10 months and 3 days, which falls on July 21st.

A true show stopper, her perky and playful personality has blossomed. Patrick and I find ourselves having to turn our crinkled faces and watery eyes away from Devi's view all the time for fear of ruining a moment by breaking into laughter at her expense. To her, strolling through a farmer's market or grocery is nothing short of a parade held in her honor, as she waves and says "Hi" to everyone we pass. If the passers by don't answer she assumes they didn't hear her so will repeat the greeting LOUDER. When out to dinner, she will offer "bites" of whatever she is having to not only Patrick and I, but anyone who happens to be sitting in the general vicinity. I guess what is so funny about that is how many people answer her back, "No thank you!" or better yet, "What are we having?"

Striking a pose has also become popular. If she is cranky and we ask where the happy girl went, we get the cheesy, toothy grin; if we introduce her to someone new, she swings her shoulder forward, tucks her chin down and gives a shy seductive glance from under those doe-like lashes. There is not a shy bone is this kid's body, so I am rather uncertain where she gets this stuff!

Most noticeable is her language skills and vocabulary. Devi has her "pleases", "thank yous" and "you're welcomes" down pat. She can count to ten, but seems to like saying the number five best with an occasional ten thrown in for good measure. Until yesterday, talking on the phone consisted of listening only, even though she has been quite aware of whom she was speaking with. When daddy called yesterday, something was different. The conversation floored me and went something like this...

daddy: Hi Devi.
DD: Hi daddy.
daddy: Were you a good girl today?
DD: uh-huh
daddy: How was your day?
DD: good
daddy: I love you, Devi.
DD: I love you, daddy.

I was blown away, and so was daddy. He came home beaming that he had had a phone call from one of his girls, as he likes to call us. Cayenne our dog, is also female so he is rather out numbered.

Tonight we had another first. Daddy was watching Devi while I prepared dinner. She took off for the open front door (actually our back door which is very confusing and not worth explaining here) anyway, he told her to stop and wait for him, which is the routine as there are a few stairs with no hand rail to help you maneuver. She stopped, turned and said, "Why?" I burst out laughing in the kitchen. If the questioning is starting at 20 months, this girl is going to have us totally worn down by the time the tough questions start.

Getting her groove on to Michael Bublé

Did someone say breakfast?

Devi hanging with Montana cousins Jordan and Olivia

Lovin' on Niece...Niece. Our friend Denise.

The last few shots were at Freedom Fair, our local 4th of July celebration. Devi didn't make it to the fireworks, but with all that puppy kissing, funny-faces and posing, she was exhausted. Maybe next year!

Devi meeting our friends from California, Chris and Roly, whom we met on a Windjammer barefoot cruise in the Grenadines. Put people on a small sailboat for a week and they become long life friends :) They introduced Devi to the world of Disney princesses...thanks guys!!

Heading to the Proctor farmer's market

The market is one of our favorite spot to listen to local talent and have a fresh scone with coffee on Saturday mornings...although, Devi prefers apple juice. We count down the days until the raspberries come into season. Yum.

Playing superhero with Devi. You guessed it. Her superhero quality...she flies!

Dizzy Twirling!

Patrick's girls!!

I love my papa!!