Monday, May 20, 2013
Birthdays Eve
On the eve of Ella's birthday I can't help but wonder. I have allot of questions I'll simply never have the answers to. Did her birthparents know that they wouldn't be her forever parents? Did they know how much she would be loved or how incredible she would become? I will never know what they knew, but I always can hope they know those answers now.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
New adventures?
Ella is an outdoor girl. We live in a condo. This is posing a problem for me. I want a fenced yard for my princess. Unfortunately I owe slightly more than my condo is worth. This is the short story. We are now in full swings of house hunting. The condo will be kept and rented. I am freaking out. I'll either end up okay, bankrupt, or possibly dead (stress can kill you, right?). Wish us all the luck in the world. We need it. Then again look what happened last time I took a huge financial and emotional risk. I ended up the luckiest woman in the world. Can it happen again?
As a random side note, here is Ella in her "nastics" outfit!
As a random side note, here is Ella in her "nastics" outfit!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Nothing much!
I know long time, no post. Nothing much going on, only life. Ella is growing like a weed and making developmental jumps like crazy! She will be joining the 2 year old class starting next month. She is still crazy over "neighs" and being outside. We can't wait for spring to be in full force! We are trying a second round of ear piercings. She wanted them. Wish us luck!
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| Crazy baby, crazy hair! |
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| Sad baby. Can't say I didn't warn her! |
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| Post ear piercing ice cream, it's all good! |
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| First braid! |
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| St Patricks day |
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| She insisted Mom get in the picture |
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| Loves Ice Cream |
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| Reading to her kitty with her "hat" |
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| Playing a guitar she made at school |
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Are you my Daddy?
It's happening. She is 21 months old. I can't believe it's happening already! Ella for a couple of weeks has mentioned things about "Daddys" off and on. Last night at Target she pointed out a small family shopping and their Daddy. I smiled and said, "Yes, that's the Daddy." She was pleased and we went on our way. Tonight we had a fun at home movie night and I ordered pizza. When the delivery man came to the door she ran over and emphatically called him "Daddy!" Really!?! Later we were talking about someone crying on the movie we watched (Monsters Inc.) and she of course felt the need to mention "Little Mermaid" and her Daddy. She is obsessed with "mermaid" and is very intrigued by the part where he blows up her human stuff. So I cut to the chase and finally said, "Mermaid does have a Daddy, does Ella have a Daddy?" and she looked at me and smiled, "No, Mamma" and lightly patted my shoulder. Can I just say I knew this day would come, but I had NO CLUE it would come so soon. Also just to be clear Ella doesn't feel bad about not having a dad and clearly her understanding is minimal at this point, but still?!?!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
I'll want to remember...
at 19 1/2 months old that girl of mine sure cracks me up!
She is certain that King Tritan (on The Little Mermaid) is Santa, or HoHo as she calls him.
She hides or even just covers her eyes and waits quite long for you to notice she is "gone". She then starts yelling "Ella" "Hiding".
She thinks all cats are named Ollie.
Shakes her finger and says "No, no, no!" at me or anyone else she believes is naughty.
Likes to watch Yo Gabba Gabba "Gabba", and Curious George "monkey".
Responds yes to questions by saying "okay".
Still uses her eyebrows to give death glares.
Is getting better with people, but still has issues with people who aren't her caregivers.
Likes to play trucks, cooking and babies. She also likes to help take care of the real babies at school "skoo". I'm sure the teachers appreciate her wonderful help!
Can follow directions quite well, sometimes even 2-3 step directions.
Loves to read.
She is usually to busy to snuggle but lately has been more affectionate and allowed me more cuddle time.
She is certain that King Tritan (on The Little Mermaid) is Santa, or HoHo as she calls him.
She hides or even just covers her eyes and waits quite long for you to notice she is "gone". She then starts yelling "Ella" "Hiding".
She thinks all cats are named Ollie.
Shakes her finger and says "No, no, no!" at me or anyone else she believes is naughty.
Likes to watch Yo Gabba Gabba "Gabba", and Curious George "monkey".
Responds yes to questions by saying "okay".
Still uses her eyebrows to give death glares.
Is getting better with people, but still has issues with people who aren't her caregivers.
Likes to play trucks, cooking and babies. She also likes to help take care of the real babies at school "skoo". I'm sure the teachers appreciate her wonderful help!
Can follow directions quite well, sometimes even 2-3 step directions.
Loves to read.
She is usually to busy to snuggle but lately has been more affectionate and allowed me more cuddle time.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Liberated
Congress Extends Adoption Tax Credit
January 2, 2013 – Alexandria, VA – Late Tuesday night, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act which will become law upon President Obama’s signature. Amongst the provisions of this Act was an extension of the adoption tax credit.
...
Complete details of implementation are still to be seen, but the bill permanently extends the adoption tax credit which is set at $10,000, but may once again be scaled for inflation, potentially bringing it to near the 2012 amount of $12,650. Families with incomes under $150,000 will receive the full credit and it will gradually phase out for higher incomes.
“Congress is to be commended for remembering children and families as a priority. The adoption tax credit is an important layer of support for families who adopt. The credit helps ensure children find their way to safe, stable, loving, and permanent families” says Megan Lindsey of National Council For Adoption. “We are grateful to Congress, the Obama administration, and our many partnering advocates in the Save the Adoption Tax Credit Working Group for their tireless efforts on behalf of this important credit.”
For those of you who don't know adoption is EXPENSIVE. Ella's adoption cost me more than my brand new SUV, and about half of my years gross income. Recently adoption costs have been skyrocketing, and I have been trying to resolve to myself that Ella will be an only child even though my original intention was that I would adopt a sister down the road. I simply can't afford to live the lifestyle I am comfortable with paying for another adoption and another child. Today this may have changed. Backtrack to Ella's adoption, I got her just under the wire to receive a tax rebate of 13k. Her adoption was finalized on December 19, 2011. If that had happened even 2 weeks later I would have lost that money making adoption really quite out of my reach especially for a second time. Now it appears as there will likely be a permanent tax incentive making adoptions financially "reachable" for families that may have not been able to otherwise. It also means that if I so choose I could pursue another adoption. I feel liberated in that I will have a choice. I may not choose to actually do it, but it will be an option.
All of this being said, who knows what will happen in domestic adoptions in the next couple of years. Russia closing may change the dynamics substantially, but as of now this new development has brought me peace in the fact that I will have a choice and not that a choice will automatically be made for me.
And because I know everyone is here for pictures here are some from Christmas
January 2, 2013 – Alexandria, VA – Late Tuesday night, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act which will become law upon President Obama’s signature. Amongst the provisions of this Act was an extension of the adoption tax credit.
...
Complete details of implementation are still to be seen, but the bill permanently extends the adoption tax credit which is set at $10,000, but may once again be scaled for inflation, potentially bringing it to near the 2012 amount of $12,650. Families with incomes under $150,000 will receive the full credit and it will gradually phase out for higher incomes.
“Congress is to be commended for remembering children and families as a priority. The adoption tax credit is an important layer of support for families who adopt. The credit helps ensure children find their way to safe, stable, loving, and permanent families” says Megan Lindsey of National Council For Adoption. “We are grateful to Congress, the Obama administration, and our many partnering advocates in the Save the Adoption Tax Credit Working Group for their tireless efforts on behalf of this important credit.”
For those of you who don't know adoption is EXPENSIVE. Ella's adoption cost me more than my brand new SUV, and about half of my years gross income. Recently adoption costs have been skyrocketing, and I have been trying to resolve to myself that Ella will be an only child even though my original intention was that I would adopt a sister down the road. I simply can't afford to live the lifestyle I am comfortable with paying for another adoption and another child. Today this may have changed. Backtrack to Ella's adoption, I got her just under the wire to receive a tax rebate of 13k. Her adoption was finalized on December 19, 2011. If that had happened even 2 weeks later I would have lost that money making adoption really quite out of my reach especially for a second time. Now it appears as there will likely be a permanent tax incentive making adoptions financially "reachable" for families that may have not been able to otherwise. It also means that if I so choose I could pursue another adoption. I feel liberated in that I will have a choice. I may not choose to actually do it, but it will be an option.
All of this being said, who knows what will happen in domestic adoptions in the next couple of years. Russia closing may change the dynamics substantially, but as of now this new development has brought me peace in the fact that I will have a choice and not that a choice will automatically be made for me.
And because I know everyone is here for pictures here are some from Christmas
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