Vegas, Baby! (babystyle...)

Las Vegas has always been a great getaway for JD and me. Within a 4-hour drive, we used to stay in nice, romantic hotels, indulge in 1 (or 2...) delicious buffets, spend hours mindlessly at the slots or stand at the craps table overanalyzing the strategies of folks who have had too much to drink or have too much money that they don't know what to do with it. Sometimes we'd find ourselves out until 4:30am thinking it was only approaching midnight!

The game we played most in Las Vegas this trip....

Hide and Seek!!!

Well --- those days are over, way over. This last week, we had a blast in Vegas but it didn't even resemble our previous stays in the least. We stayed in a really nice condo on the strip but about 4 miles south of the chaos of traffic and overstimulating lights. In fact, the light-blocking draperies let this Deary Clan sleep in until 10:30am on two mornings!! Yes, our wee Kristina was certainly meant to be in our family and is a terrific sleeper (once she actually falls asleep).

Kristina with her usual "bed-head" after waking up in the morning...

Monday was JD's birthday and we spent it relaxing around the pool. The resort had 3 swimming pools and we ended up swimming 4 of the 6 days there. Even in the 100+ heat, the sunscreen paid off and our towhead blonde didn't burn. Whew... But everyone knew her at the resort as "Fearless". Kristina refuses to wear floaties but insists on standing on the edge of the pool, bending her elbows and pumping her arms a few times before throwing herself into the water -- bellyflop style! She'd come up from under the water laughing saying "more, more". She gave JD and me a workout....as well as some heart palpitations.

Papa's best birthday gift....ever!

Jumping off the side of the pool! Now you see her....

...now you don't!!

On Wednesday, we had fun meeting some friends for dinner. Joselle and Drew live in Vegas with their 3-year old triplets. As Aspen, Dominic and Ryan sat there so quietly like angels, our Kristina was a wiggle-worm with the occassional high-pitched "AAAHHHH" which recently she learned from other kids. She still doesn't understand the concept of "inside voices".

Joselle with her three kids Dominic, Aspen and Ryan.

On Thursday, we went to Child's Play and met another friend, Missey, and her 3-year old daughter, Alyse. Drew showed up with the three kids in tow and all the kids had a blast. It's like a huge backyard playground yet indoors with slides, rockwalls, mini-basketball court, etc. It served its purpose: gave Kristina an outlet for all her energy (which made for a good nap later on!) and gave us adults time to talk.

Burning off some toddler energy! Missey and her daughter, Alyse, and Kristina holding Alyse's friend, Madie's, hand.

Later that night, we went downtown to see the "Fremont Street Experience" which is a music and light show covering 4 street blocks and projected onto a canopy over the street. At first, we were wondering if this might be too over-stimulating for Kristina. When the show started, the lights suddenly went out and then a huge clap of thunder sounded. My heart sank "uh, oh -- maybe this wasn't such a hot idea" but then the music started (Queen's "We Will Rock You") and before you knew it, Kristina was bopping her head, pumping her arms and dancing to the music. I held her close, danced with her and she loved it.

On Friday, my friend and co-worker, Karina, stopped by to say "hi" before going to dinner with friends. Karina speaks Russian so Kristina got her fill of some Russian and used the time to show off her cuteness.

Karina stopped by for some wine, cheese, crackers and to see a little girl show off!

We ventured home Saturday and then capped off the week by traveling to Oceanside (just north of San Diego) Sunday to visit a friend (and former co-worker at Cedars). Our Vegas chauffer (JD) stayed home to rest while Kristina and I hung out with Sauchuen, Dawn, Andrea, and Jim. For a 2 y.o., Kristina did quite well. Andrea's house is still in one piece so mission "visit friends" was successful. Great day with lots of laughs, good food, and wonderful company.

Spending the day with Dawn, Sauchuen and Andrea in Oceanside.

Las Vegas will probably be our last vacation for awhile but for a little girl who never ventured off the orphanage property prior to May, she sure has racked up some mileage between going to Florida, the Caribbean on a cruise, and now Las Vegas. Normally, I would really be worried that so much travel would hinder our attachment by not providing the continuity of being "home" and in the "secure environment." But, in fact, I think Kristina is attaching really, really well.

Tomorrow is her first day at "school." She officially starts Tuesday for a 1/2 day but Monday I will drop her off for 1 1/2 hours just to get used to the environment. Right now, Kristina will cry "mama" over and over again if I'm in the shower or another room so this should be real interesting. I'm sure I'll be posting tomorrow night how her first day went. If she doesn't cry, I'll be surprised. What I do know for certain is: I will cry. Once I turn my back on her and walk away, it will be the first time leaving her with non-family since we left her back in Orphanage #6. Aw, geez --- I'm already starting to tear up......