1st Gotcha Day!

On Wednesday, August 13th 2007, Taylor was placed into our arms as our forever daughter for the first time. On this day, Taylor was taken out of the baby house in Astana, Kazakhstan! In many ways, it seems as though it was only yesterday that we became a forever family. It is so hard to believe that it has been a year! Over the past year we have witnessed so many wonderful things and have never felt more blessed than we do now.

When we met Taylor, she was very tiny. But now she is a walking, talking, destructive machine! She has grown in so many ways, both in physical and mental means. She has such a vocabulary, and it still amazes us when she will walk into a room and actually point something out. Take yesterday for example, I broke my toe over the weekend so it is taped to another toe, and in walks Taylor, sees it and points while saying "Oh, Crap." I mean, she is astounding! Now, that was not something that we meant to teach her, but instead of saying something "else" we have been saying that. She picks up everything. We are even spelling things now and she just repeats the letters! Her height and weight is still small for her age, but hey she is following her chart!

Our lives have changed for the better and I cannot think of a better blessing. We are more patient (yep, had to learn that real quick!), and are always looking forward to life. Taylor makes us smile all the time, and we are truly happier because of her.

Now I know that this post sounds very cheesy, and I am getting emotional just thinking about the past year, but this is probably one of the best posts. Because Taylor is home with us, and this past year has meant so much, I cannot help but cry a little tear of happiness.

For Gotcha Day we celebrated both on the 13th with Taylor, myself, my sister Stacey and our friend Chris. We went for ice cream, played in the water, and made Taylor feel special all day. Tony had to work and had a meeting in the evening, so we celebrated with him on the 14th. We had a cake from Milford Bakery which had the Kazakhstan flag with "Happy Gotcha Day Taylor" on the side. Tony also brought home a flower made of cupcakes. We had cake, and all played for the evening. They were both wonderful days! Taylor had the expression of happiness on her face all day!

Happy 1st Gotcha Day Taylor! We love you very much!

Summer Fun and Firsts!

This has been an exciting summer so far. Not only have we been able to enjoy the "children's entertainment" again, but Taylor has been having a blast! Taylor has finally met her Uncle Chris, Aunt Jessica and Uncle Nicky, and loves them very much. Nicky came to stay with us a couple weekends, and Taylor really enjoyed his company!



We travelled to Tony parents a few times, and Taylor finally was able to ride the wave runner. We found a life vest just perfect for her tiny body! She really did enjoy it and screamed when Tony took her off. Apparently she was not ready to be done!



We went up north to Tawas last week and Taylor was really able to enjoy some swimming. Tony took her out into the deep part and they swam for a bit. They looked so happy! Taylor was able to see "Bushka" and ever since all I have heard is "Booka?!" While we were up there, the Iosco Country far was going on so we were able to take Taylor and see all the animals she has been reading about for so long! However, once we got there and she saw how big they were, she was a little intimidated! She really enjoyed the baby cow, that is until it came up next to her and moo-ed! She was able to see ducks, chickens, roosters, rabbits, sheep, cows, pigs and horses! It was great! My mom, "Bushka," put the swing up inside the cabin and Taylor loved it. She laughed the whole time!







We have been spending a lot of time at the Indian Springs Splash and Play which is about 10 minutes from our house. It is a great place to go! Taylor loves to play in the sprays, although she is not brave enough to venture into the middle where the kids control the water! I don't blame her... I have been sprayed too many times! She tries to drink the sprays, and on Sunday she was unaware that sitting on the jets even while they are not on, will get you soaked! She sat on one and a second later it turned on! She stood up going "oooohhh, oooooooooooooohh!"





Now, here is the big news! Taylor has officially received her first haircut! On Sunday, August 8th, we took her to Carnival Cuts where she screamed the whole time but got a very nice haircut! She had just the bangs trimmed (that was enough!), so now she looks great! No more hair in her face!

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