Monday, October 10, 2011

One Year a Family!!!

10/10/10:
10/10/11:

What a difference a year makes! I can't believe an entire year has already gone by since that amazing day when a terrified, confused little girl was first placed in my arms and I became a Mama. How far we've come! Caitlin has grown and changed so much since that day- both inside and out. This year has been both a blessing and a challenge, and I am so thankful for every day of it!

Caitlin has grown 4 inches and gained 6 pounds since we met her. Eating continues to be one of her favorite pastimes, and although she has grown more picky in the things she will eat, she still eats a remarkably healthy diet. Her favorite food (the food that she will usually request, at any time of the day- even for breakfast!) is still chicken soup, but other favorites include squash, brussels sprouts, spinach, yogurt, and pineapple.

She talks non-stop, from the time she wakes up until she goes to sleep- and even sometimes in her sleep! Speech therapy is going very well and she is even trying to put mini-sentences together on her own now. And she is trying to sing more and more; her favorite songs are "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and the "ABCs," but she has also been trying lately to sing along with our favorite CDs in the car and her favorite songs at church.

Caitlin knows all her colors (even silver and gold) and shapes (even octagon- or "apple-gone," as Caitlin calls it!), can count to 12, recognises all the letters, and knows about as many animals as I know- even random ones like "meerkat" and "anemone". Caitlin loves animals so we make frequent trips to the zoo and aquarium! Her doctors, speech therapist, and even strangers we meet out and about are constantly remarking to me about how smart she is. She is extremely observant, and amazes me with the things she picks up.

She is also quite a "girly-girl!" She loves all things pretty, including dresses, flowers, jewelry, bows, etc. She asks for me to braid her hair almost every morning now, and is not satisfied until I put the finishing touch in- the bow. Once her outfit is complete, she will stand in front of the mirror and admire herself- she's not at all modest in her self-confidence!

Caitlin and I celebrated our "Family-versary" today with a trip up to the Wild Animal Park. Paul is out of town, but we will celebrate again with him this weekend. Here are a few pictures from our day:



Here are some more pictures from the past month:
Trip to the park:




After church one Sunday:

Aquarium trip:


Stopping to smell the roses:

Playing dress-up in her ladybug costume:



Little artist (playing at the mall):

Trip to the International Museum, posing with the lucky cats:

Driving Bert and Ernie:

At the Air and Space Museum:

(Sitting in the Captain's chair of a mock aircraft carrier):

Walking along the beach:


Having fun at the Science Museum:


Getting a haircut:

Playing at the Children's Hospital after an appointment:


Trip to the pumpkin patch:


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