Behavior, Attachment and Daycare. Oh My!

For a minute there I thought my daughter had perfected whining. It was becoming her normal voice but thankfully it has become less frequent. I think the increase in hitting, acting out and whining were all related to a recent ear infection and thankfully even though she does occasionally misbehave when she's feeling well, she is for the most part a very sweet girl. Yes, she's two and behaviors like that are to be expected, but as an adopted child I am always on the look out for other reasons behind her behaviors.

I posted that video on her hitting cause I wanted to document it. We have worked on it and she rarely does it now but I'm glad I had my camera available when it happened. I wondered if all children went through a stage of hitting. She never hit me before she went into daycare so I wondered if it was a learned behavior, developmental or something else? For one, it was a good lesson to me that no matter how good of a parent I think I am, no matter how great my classroom management is as a teacher, no matter how well-behaved my preschool students were in the classroom, no matter how many times I shook my head when I saw other people's children acting up -- it all changes when you are a parent. They test you. Children test you. Period.

But I also wonder all the time how much of this is adoption related so I have been rereading articles on attachment this week. If I compare what we experienced in Ethiopia to what we are experiencing now, I would say in the most simplest of terms that she was not attached then but she is now. But I can't really be sure. Friends comment on our great attachment. But as the excerpts below indicate, a child may look attached and not actually be.

Children who are adopted after the age of 6 months are at risk for attachment problems. Normal attachment develops during the child's first two years of life. Problems with the mother-child relationship during that time, orphanage experience, or breaks in the consistent caregiver-child relationship interfere with the normal development of attachment. There are a wide range of attachment problems that result in varying degrees of emotional disturbance in the child. One thing is certain; if an infant's needs are not met consistently, in a loving, nurturing way, attachment will not occur normally. When the first-year-of-life attachment-cycle is undermined and the child’s needs are not met, and normal socializing shame is not resolved, mistrust begins to define the perspective of the child and attachment problems result. The cycle can become undermined or broken for many reasons:

· Multiple disruptions in care giving
·Post-partum depression causing an emotionally unavailable mother
· Hospitalization of the child causing separation from the parent and/or unrelieved pain
· Parents who are attachment disordered, leading to neglect, abuse (physical/sexual/verbal), or inappropriate parental responses not leading to a secure/predictable relationship
· Genetic factors
· Pervasive developmental disorders
· Caregivers whose attachment needs are not met, leading to overload and lack of awareness of the infants needs

My daughter has been with me since she was 21 months of age. But before that she had multiple care givers and lived in several different places. She lived with her biological mother for quite some time and from what I read about her story I wouldn't be surprised if her mother suffered from post-partum depression. I don't doubt for a minute that her mother loved/loves her, but the circumstances were extremely difficult and if one is considering adoption I imagine you might try to keep some emotional distance between you and your child. I can't speak for her and since my agency doesn't facilitate introductions between bio and birth families I never got the opportunity to meet her and talk to her unfortunately, so I can only speculate about the level of attachment they experienced.

After relinquishment, Almi experienced multiple care givers until I came into her life in March. I have been consistently in her life since then, but she was in an orphanage longer and she was with her mother longer. Should I really assume at this point that she is attached to me? Why would she be when in her experience I am just another caregiver. Sure, she calls me mommy and gives me hugs and sometimes cries when I leave but does she really know, really know, that I am here to stay? Thinking about changing her caregivers again by possibly putting her in a new school in the fall is stressing me out. I still haven't come to a decision about that. Sure, it's more convenient for me and it's cheaper for me but is best for her?


So how does one distinguish the difference between a child who "looks"attached and a child who really is making a healthy, secure attachment? This question becomes important for adoptive families because some adopted children will form an almost immediate dependency bond to their adoptive parents. To mistake this as secure and healthy attachment can lead to many problems down the road. just because a child calls someone "Mom" of "Dad", snuggles, cuddles, and says, "I love you," does not mean the child is attached or even attaching. Saying, "I love you," and knowing what that really feels like, can be two different things. Attachment is a process. It takes time. The key to its formation is trust, and trust becomes secure only after repeated testing. Generally attachment develops during the first two to three years of life. The child learns that he or she is loved and can love in return. The parents give love and learn that the child loves them. The child leans to trust that his needs will be met in a consistent and nurturing manner. The child learns that he "belongs" to his family and they to him. It is through these elements that a child learns to love, and how to accept love.

You can read the whole article here.

How much time is necessary for attachment I wonder? Is 4 months enough time for an adopted child to attach? To trust? To feel secure? I like that she is independent and expressive (and yes, this includes acting out) because in my mind that means she is becoming secure. I think she knows being disciplined for hitting doesn't mean I don't love her or won't stay but rather that hitting is wrong. I really do think she loves me and trusts me, but as a natural worrier I have my doubts and without bio kids to compare her to I have only my own instincts to go on. Deep down I think going to a new school will be ok with her, especially if I keep a babysitter from her old daycare, and I will be right down the hall every day. That should help. But I don't know for sure. I am going to use my beach vacation as time to think and reflect on it. When I get back hopefully the new site will be built so I can see the physical space and meet her new teachers and if I like it, and if there is still space available, I will look at as a sign to go ahead and make the switch. Dang! This parenting thing is hard work!

Summer's MidPoint

Is summer already half over? How can that be????? Sniff. It used to linger on and on, seemingly forever, and now it just flies by. I have been busily trying to get life organized for fall and squeeze in some fun along the way. It feels like it has been very productive. Let's see how I am doing with my list...

1. Do creative things- write, publish, enter contests, draw, take photos, read books, backup photos, see Wicked on Broadway!!
Well, I have been blogging and taking photographs. Haven't read any books yet but there is still time. Don't think I can factor in Wicked this summer. Maybe in the fall.

2. Do fun & summery things - farmer's mkt., pool, park, outdoor concerts, beach, etc.
Not nearly enough but frankly I feel guilty doing this while she is in daycare. I prefer to use the time wisely and plan to do these things in August when she's with me.

3. Clean my grill and use it!
Not yet. Must get to that!

4. Decorate Almi's nursery (before it becomes a big girl room) and my bedroom
Not yet. Been focusing on the basement. Must get to that!

5. Prepare for fall - daycare, meals, daily schedule, etc.
Not yet. Sigh. This is becoming repetitive.

6. Renovate the basement to get it ready for renters
Finally! Yes, this is in full swing. What a project it has become but dare I say I do think it will be ready for renters come September?

7. Create information book or files for Almi including info. on her citizenship, readoption paperwork, insurance, health, sleeping & eating schedule, daycare/schooling, babysitters, etc.
Nope.

8. Work on Almi's babybook and Lifebook
Nope.

9. Organize house - sell/donate/consign, clean, etc.
Yes, been doing lots of this. More to do.

10. Get us both healthier -exercise, take vitamins, eat healthy see doctors/dentists, etc.
Not much progress here either.


Hmmm.. not good. I guess I haven't been that productive though to be fair the basement was/is a major undertaking. And soon we leave for the beach so when I return I can check off number two. Yeah!

Meanwhile, here are a few pics of us hanging out this summer:




And the basement/upstairs laundry room progress...

This is the new upstairs laundry room. I haven't ordered the new washer and dryer yet. This is the washing machine that I currently own which will stay in the unit for the renters. They brought it up to test the pipes. We already learned that the pipes downstairs weren't large enough when it started to leak and overflow so they temporarily installed it upstairs so they could test the pipes for the upstairs one (and so I could do laundry which I haven't been able to do for the past week). Well, it leaked too. They are not happy because it meant a major project of tearing up concrete to install new pipes. I was not happy cause it means this project won't be done in their 4 day estimate and it meant they had to tear up the new tile they had just laid down in the kitchen. I had expected delays and snafus but look at this pile of dirt in my basement!

I also am not fond of the paint color. I chose "sage" but it came out looking like mint ice cream.

Does this look like a basement that will be ready for renters in September? Don't answer that. :)

No Thank You

Toddlers?
Daycare?
Sigh.

Being an AP

There are some curious things I have discovered about adoption and becoming a parent after 40 and trading in my fun single gal life for one of diapers and sippy cups. One is that no matter how prepared you think you are, you will be caught off guard by the things people say and do. If you are in the adoption process these tidbits may help prepare you and you may be better able to handle your responses than I was:

1. You can't complain. Oh no, don't complain about being tired or overextended or short on cash or overwhelmed because, uh, you asked for this. Somehow being a parent to a biological child earns you the right to say you're tired or stressed but when you adopt somehow that disappears and instead is viewed as weakness or ingratitude. One of my childless neighbors was heading out to a party on a Friday night and I wistfully said something about what a nice thing to do on a warm summer evening (as opposed to changing my 857th diarrhea-filled diaper) and my comment was met with something to the effect of 'Well, you created this life so deal with it.' Hmmm... ok. Yes, in fact I did. And I wouldn't trade my daughter in for a guaranteed Friday night party every night for a year, but considering I have only been out three times in almost five months means that well, dammit, I miss adult company and cocktails. Of course some people don't mind hearing complaints and will be supportive, but trust me on this.. the vast majority probably don't want to hear it.


2. You may not get a baby shower. I didn't. I have good friends and a loving, supportive family and they mentioned throwing me one but I never got a baby shower from friends or family. My job threw me one which was really, really nice but it did sting that no one close to me did. I think with a pregnancy everyone knows the arrival date and age of the child so it makes planning a shower a lot easier. They know they have until X date to get it done. With an adoption there is no definitive end date on the calendar so they think there will always be time and then suddenly you are a parent and it's out of their minds.

3. You will get a lot of unsolicited opinions and questions and comments. I have heard an earful and I didn't do a special needs adoption, adopt transracially, adopt out of birth order or adopt siblings. I know these groups of people probably get way more comments and opinions than I do but I still get comments all. the. time. Some don't bother me because I have said or thought some of those same things before I adopted. Others are valid. Some cut to the bone.

* How much did you pay for her?
* Why did her parents give her up?
* How do you know she was really relinquished ethically?
* Why didn't you just adopt right here in DC?
* You should adopt a baby to avoid (insert ailment, attachment issue, personality trait here)
* Why doesn't she talk as much as other kids her age?
* Couldn't you have biological children?
* Why didn't you get married and have kids? ...often followed by: What's wrong with you?
* She is so lucky.
* Why would I adopt when I can have my own?
* I'm not a fan of adoption.
* No one will date you with a child.
* Are you going to tell her she is adopted?
* Do you love her?

4. When you first become a parent, a lot people will disappear. Maybe they are giving you time to bond, maybe they think you don't want company or don't think you can get out, maybe they don't understand you in this new role, maybe they don't like/know how to relate to kids. You can't really blame them when they were used to you being like this:

I used to be fun, the life of the party, up for anything and people were used to that. Expect to feel rejected or lonely at first until people can wrap their minds around you now being a parent and forgive them for taking the time they need to figure out how to now relate to you.


5. You will be warmed by the kind things people say.
* Your daughter will be a blessing to you. Adoption is such a blessing and, yes, it may be hard now but you will be blessed beyond measure in your life together.
* You take care of your daughter now and raise her right as I know you are and she will be with you forever.
* You may not share biology but your child will share your likes and dislikes, your personality, you mannerisms, your beliefs, etc. and those things are just as important in bonding with your child as eye color.
* I am absolutely in love with your daughter!!
* You are a great mom.
* You two have a great bond.
* She is so happy. Good job!


6. People will do things to surprise you.
* offer great advice
* offer to babysit
* send gifts in the mail (even strangers!)
* offer to clean your house
* be a shoulder to cry on or allow you to complain
* prepare dishes of food
* pray for you and your child

Getting into a new role in life takes getting used to, not just for the one who assumed the new role but also for those around him or her. My road to single parenting was full of twists and turns and bumps and even after she arrived there were many rocky times as we adjusted to the newness of it all. Thanks to all of you who helped make it easier for me and to all of you who are making it easier for other new adoptive parents out there! Although we may be too tired to tell you, we appreciate it!

Fun in the Pool

My little daredevil loves water--splashing in it on her highchair, pouring sippy cups of it over her head, taking baths--so I knew she would love going to a pool. The first time we went I was alone with her so I couldn't capture it on film. This was her second time.

We met a friend of mine at a public pool that was recently renovated and it was pretty nice.. and free for DC residents. She had a great time!! I, much less so. That girl likes to try to push me away and squirm out of my arms, run on a slippery deck and jump off the side of the pool. She has no fear. I tried to register her for a Mommy and Me swim class at the pool in my neighborhood but the spring classes were full and the summer class were cancelled. Next summer will probably be better anyway when she will be better at taking direction. Meanwhile, I can't wait to take her to the beach!! I predict she is going to LOVE it!


P.S. Can I just mention they use that term 'diaper' very loosely for the swim diaper, don't they? OK, so it doesn't swell up but shouldn't it contain the contents? Yuck!!

Discipline

If you recall, this year instead of making resolutions, I chose to focus on a word and set my goals and create change based on that word. I chose the word discipline. As it's about halfway through the year, it is high time to revisit things and see how I've fared.

Well, to be honest, not that well. Mainly because I completely forgot about it! In fact, I knew my word wasn't authenticity but I couldn't remember what word I had chosen. Professionally I am still completely inauthentic, but personally I am doing pretty well. But that's not my word. My word is discipline and disciplined I am not. Yeah, I've lost ten pounds, found a better job, spend less money, started a basement renovation project, etc. but that had little to do with my own discipline. It's called having a child. Having a kid forced me to become disciplined in ways I couldn't have imagined and I find myself making better choices and being more productive than ever because I know my time is limited and, well, because you just have to. However, there are still two areas where I need to be disciplined:

* my health (so I have the energy to enjoy life more)
* organization (so my limited time is better spent)

In actuality, I could be more disciplined about ten other things but these are the two I am focusing on for the rest of 2010. Now check out some photos of my basement. Oy vey! They are down there now drilling away. I can't wait to show you the finished product!

Someone was underfoot while I was moving things out of the workers' way so I had to put her in the ERGO. She loved being in it so we ended up going for a walk afterwards. An hour walk with an extra 33 pounds in high heat and humidity is no joke!

Wow! I can't believe this big project I'm having done. I feel so grown up!

That's a lot of mess! (I look huge here... please just focus on the baby)

While eating lunch the loud noises got scary and my pumpkin needed out of the highchair and into mama's arms!


Putting baby in the carrier. :)

Monkey Bread

I love lazy Saturdays. No alarm clock. No rushing around the house to get to daycare or work. Usually I have to rush her out the door with some Cheerios and a sippy cup full of rice milk but on Saturdays I have time to prepare a hot breakfast. My little helper was there to watch all the steps.


Can I tell you how much I love having her in the learning tower? It was such a great purchase! Here it is last fall all lonely without a child in it. :)


My coworkers turned me onto Monkey Bread. Yum-my!!! I substituted Sucranat for the brown sugar and Earth Balance for the butter in an effort to create some sort of healthier version but this is one baked good where you really oughtta follow the recipe as instructed. Sacrificing the taste just wasn't worth the 25 calories we may have saved. We ate my version--it wasn't bad-- and it was easy to resist eating the whole thing which is a definite plus, but the real McCoy is delicious!! Honestly, if it weren't a zillion calories per heavenly slice, I would probably make it every weekend.


While we were waiting for it to bake, we had a conversation.

Wheelin' and Dealin'

My mom sent me money for a new car seat. The old one I got for free from some insurance company for attending a presentation on child safety. It was fully functional but I wanted a top of the line one, especially since I drive an older model car. Here she is in the old car seat. She had no problem with it. LOL


But I headed to Buy Buy Baby to get her new one. I wanted top of the line safety features and the one I chose cost about $375. Very expensive, but when it comes to safety it's hard to justify scrimping and saving. I still felt a bit overwhelmed by the price since, though, especially since I do most of my shopping in thrift stores nowadays so I decided to get the price down as best I could.

First, I took some items I had gotten from my baby shower back since they were geared for a much younger child. That got me a store credit of about $100. Then I brought along a 20% off coupon Buy Buy Baby had mailed to my house. There were a whole bunch of brands and high priced items they said it couldn't be used for and I was sure Britax would be one of them but it was not! Score! Another $75 off. Then with the combined baby shower gift cards and end of the year gift cards, my $450 purchase (carseat, car window shades and her bike birthday gift) was only $55! Now that's a bahgin!

Look what I saw when the old carseat was taken out. Ew. LOL


Here she is the first time in her new carseat. I asked her if she liked it and she said yes. :)


Riding in true comfort, as a princess should.

Now What?

My new job has on-site day care. That site is still being built and isn't ready to show but I made an appointment today to meet the director and visit their other site. I was not impressed.

Here are the pros and cons of each. I have a couple of weeks to make a decision. Help!

NEW DAYCARE

Pros:
* in my building (I can peek in on her at any time and maybe we can have lunch together?)
* $180 a month cheaper (I pay $1,000/mo. now--well, plus $45 biweekly summer camp surcharge-- but it drops to $780 when she turns 26 months, next month. The new daycare will be $600/mo. so it's significantly less than I pay now and will be $180 cheaper than my current place will be in the fall.)

Cons:
* director seemed to lack knowledge of child development and education (He said that 2 year olds learn all their numbers, letters and sounds and by three they can write their name and read. I asked what curriculum they used to teach these skills and he said, "There are all sorts of curriculums [sic] out there like Creative Curriculum... but we just kind of do our thing." Huh?! Then I said, "Well, my daughter is a second language learner and such an academic curriculum may not be developmentally appropriate for her. Do you differentiate and if so, how?" And his response: "No, we don't differentiate. Don't worry your child will be able to do it." Wrong answer.)
* too academic, not enough play (saw three year olds doing worksheets)
* they watch videos once a week (why??)
* saw a kid being dragged in by his mother (he clearly did not want to be there)

Unknowns:
* Will the fact that it's in a school setting in a very involved neighborhood and community make a difference in what or how they are taught at the new site? I can't imagine the school community and neighborhood families putting up with a uncreative, worksheet-driven, fly by the seat of your pants curriculum. But they won the bid to be in my building so maybe whoever made the decision to bring them onsite was impressed with something.
* What will the classroom set up be like? There are only going to be two rooms allotted for the daycare for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. I know the two year old classroom will have 12 children. I am assuming the 3 and 4 year old classrooms will also have as many kids. That is sounding very crowded and chaotic but then again, that's what my current daycare is like as well and it seems to work.
* If I am ultimately unhappy with her care, will expressing my concerns create a rift with my new colleagues? This concerns me. The daycare is right down the hall from the Kindergarten classrooms. We all need to get along. Will expressing my concerns about my child's happiness be met with understanding or will it create problems?
*I don't feel terribly comfortable changing her caregivers again. She has had a lot of change in her short little life and although she may be fine, I don't think it's beneficial.
* And most importantly, will she be happy and I stress-free? I am starting a new job and I can't have her unhappy or me worrying about her daycare be on my list.


CURRENT DAYCARE

Pros:
* she seems happy and likes to go each day
* they don't seem to stress academics until age 4 (or at least at Naomi's age they learn through play)
* I believe the staff to be knowledgeable about child development and loving

Cons:
* they feed her junk food
* they blare music
* it's $200/mo. more
* it's not on-site (it's 5 minutes away from work, adding ten minutes to my commute)

The biggest issue is the new site isn't built yet so I can't see her actual classroom or speak to her teachers directly, so it's hard to know if she or I will be happy with it. The problem with waiting til September, though, is it will most likely be full. Basically I need to decide in the next couple of weeks where I want her to be without having full information. And where ever I choose, she will most likely have to stay the following year as well as both places will likely be at capacity next year.

Any comments or suggestions would be very helpful! Thanks.

First School Performance

Naomi had her first school performance last month. It was so cute!! It was blazing hot and, yeah, some kid is crying the whole time and then she gets completely blocked by some other kid who stood right in my frame but you get the gist. Toddlers! Grrr. :) Frankly, she seemed a little baffled by the whole experience but, oh, did she look cute! In 6 months it's going to be great to see her perform cause she is one outgoing kid! Here's a short clip:




After performing she tried watermelon for the first time (loved it!)



And played on the swings.


Ate more food.


And hugged the doggie her Godmother gave her as a present.


Fun, fun, fun!!!

Daycare

I am very satisfied with Almi's daycare set up. She seems really happy there and well taken care of and it turned out to even be the cheapest one I found! At $1,000/month you can't exactly call it cheap, but around here that's a downright bargain. It's also very diverse, which is a nice plus. I have even met an AP there who is looking at Ethiopia for her next adoption. It's a happy place.

Almi only has three more weeks there until I take her out for her summer vacation. She may return in the fall (if she doesn't get into the one in my building) but if that happens I will be okay with that. Aside from the blaring music they play and the fact they give her dairy, I have no complaints. ;-)

Here's her little hook. Aw...


And her finishing her Cheerios one morning when I dropped her off.


And the greeting I get each day when I pick her up. How could this not make me happy?

Summer Plans 2010

There are so many things I want to do this summer! I decided to make an official list and post it in my house and check things off as they get accomplished. In the effort to not drive myself crazy or to feel like a complete failure, I am limiting myself to ten items. Yeah, ok, they're a pretty hefty ten and some are more long term, but here's what I have come up with:

1. Do creative things- write, publish, enter contests, draw, take photos, read books, backup photos, see Wicked on Broadway!!
2. Do fun & summery things - farmer's mkt., pool, park, outdoor concerts, beach, etc.
3. Clean my grill and use it!
4. Decorate Almi's nursery (before it becomes a big girl room) and my bedroom
5. Prepare for fall - daycare, meals, daily schedule, etc.
6. Renovate the basement to get it ready for renters
7. Create information book or files for Almi including info. on her citizenship, readoption paperwork, insurance, health, sleeping & eating schedule, daycare/schooling, babysitters, etc.
8. Work on Almi's babybook and Lifebook
9. Organize house - sell/donate/consign, clean, etc.
10. Get us both healthier -exercise, take vitamins, eat healthy see doctors/dentists, etc.

We're already 3 weeks into summer and I have already:

* entered a photography contest
* blogged several times
* taken her to the pool and park and dined al fresco
* gotten estimates for the basement and secured the loan
* almost got Almi's insurance snafus straightened out (um, didn't know that was an acronym!)
* consigned all her outgrown clothes

Not bad if I say so myself! For someone who is a major procrastinator, it's pretty darn impressive. All it took was the hell of the end of the school year to make me understand how critical it is to be organized by fall. She's only in daycare til the end of July so I am working feverishly to get done the things that will be next to impossible with a toddler hanging from my leg. So far, so good! Will post updates with the title SP 2010. Hope to be able to report that I have completed everything on the list because before we know it, summer will be over...!

(I know, I know. I am the Queen of lists. And the Queen of not getting items crossed off my lists. And the Queen of forgetting that fact and creating more lists. I know this. But, I never had a kid before and never understood true exhaustion, lack of time and chaos so I am sure this time will be different. Have faith!)

My Smart Girl

4th of July, part 2

The other reason our 4th was so fun was because it was a real celebration of Almi's birthday. She turned two on June 7th but I was way too tired with work to celebrate it properly. Lame, I know. Hopefully next year I'll be better organized. I felt badly about it, so when I realized family would be in town for my cousin's wife's brother's wedding, I decided we should make it a joint celebration of the holiday and Almi's birthday. That helped my parents and sister decide to fly in from Pennsylvania. The weather was gorgeous, I was well-rested and Almi was happy, happy, happy and tantrum-free. What more could you ask for? What a great day.

First we sang happy birthday to her:



Then she tasted birthday cake for the first time.


She looooved it as you can see! I've never seen someone eat a slice of cake that fast. LOL



After cake she opened presents.

Thanks, family, for all the wonderful presents for my little pumpkin! Then I went to the car where I had hidden her gift from me in the trunk: a bike! She was so excited.. even though she wasn't sure how to get on! No worries, mommy helped her! :)


It was a great day. Then, just as we were getting ready to go, their neighbors started their own personal fireworks. She wasn't scared by the noise at all and pointed, fascinated, at the beautiful display. It was a great ending to a fun day!!

4th of July, part 1

I remember last year's 4th of July clearly. In a nutshell I was so ready to have my daughter home and celebrate by having a big bbq. Click here to check it out. Thanks to my wonderful cousins for hosting and family for participating, it was a dream come true! A lot of my family was in town for a wedding, including my cousin Charles from California (the one who traveled with me to Ethiopia) so I thought it would be fun to also make it a birthday party for Naomi. It was such a fun time!!!

First we went shopping for food to prepare. I made a spinach salad with candied pecans, Gorgonzola cheese and dried cranberries. Yummy. My mom made a pasta salad. I bought some watermelon and purchased a sheet cake to decorate for her birthday.


After shopping we went and picked up Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sue from the hotel.



We went home and we prepared food and I decorated the cake. My little girl loves doggies so I used her favorite stuffed dog that she sleeps with every night as inspiration for her birthday cake.


I wanted to do a whole doggie themed party with doggie decorations and favors and a cake shaped like a dog but, alas, there is only so much time in the day and only so much energy I can muster. Maybe when I become a stay at home mom in my future? ;-) I was afraid to do the spots on its face cause I was worried she wouldn't recognize it. It wasn't the best but I think it turned out pretty cute.

Then we drove out to Baltimore and had a blast with family! My cousin's house is so gorgeous and when they finish putting in the pool and tennis courts I know where we'll be spending all our time! heehee

Almi flew balloons with her cousin, R...

And colored with her cousin, A.

She tried on sunglasses...

And danced!

Go, Almi! It's your birthday!

We ate a ton of food. My cousins Joey and Yvonne prepared chicken, burgers, hot dogs, tossed salad, potato salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, etc. and I plenty of desserts!! Just what I was hoping for-- but clearly the best part of all was just having fun hanging out with family.


Almi had a great time! She was so happy!

Hope you had a great 4th of July holiday as well!