Another Milestone!

So...what does 857 represent???  No, not the number of times I used the name "Kristina!" today when asking to pick something up, put something away, get down off the chair, etc...although that would be a close guess.  Give up? 

Well, it represents the number of total days we've been together as a family.  So, what's the deal?  I'm not crazy counting each and every day...for real.  But what it does stand for means that Kristina has been with us, as a family, for now the majority of her life!  It used to be that she spent the majority of her life in a hospital or orphanage but now....who-hooo, FAMILY RULES!!!

We spent the day sleeping in, making messes and trying to clean 'em up.  Kristina then spent a few hours playing outside with her friend, Kira, making a fort, swinging on the tire swing and digging up worms and "rollie pollies" (her newest favorite thing to do because "they're so cute"...).  When Kira's family invited Kristina over to swim, the girls were in their glory.  Ten minutes later, we got a knock on the door with a little girl swaddled in a towel and clutching her chin with a papertowel.

Kristina had slipped and hit her chin slicing it open.  We considered Urgent Care after seeing the wound but Dr. Daddy created some butterfly bandages and closed the wound himself.  So far, so good but we'll keep a close eye on it.

Tomorrow we wrap up the weekend by seeing The Lion King which has Kristina excited beyond belief.  Another G movie for me but hey, I wouldn't change a second over the last 857 days.  I never knew I could love so much.  Sure does put "family" into perspective and how important it is.

We love you, Kristina DeAnn!

Back then...on Day 1 as a family...

Our first morning as a family (in Moscow)...kasha (oatmeal) for breakfast!

Sportng her new jean jacket from Ekat...and the souvenier boo-boo on the forehead she somehow got at the orphanage the day before we left.

First bath.

I bought these "Angel" pj's right after we received her referral.  Now we're lucky to get her to wear anything to bed -- she loves to be "au natural."  (No.....we're not setting this example!)

And here she is now 2 years and 4 months later...

Our very own Vanna White (last night) showing off her worms and rollie pollies found in Grandpa's compost bin.

She's looking so intent at them, making sure they are still moving around.
(Take note of the KD design of hair...I couldn't do it if I tried!)

 

She was determined last night to put them outside so they, too, could go to sleep.
(Whew...I really didn't want them in the house.)

Found the perfect new home for her new critter friends.

 

Getting one more look, up close and personal.

 

Our proud artist's rendition of our family.  Definitely a keeper!
(Taken just a few short hours before the chin incident...)

 

Not sure what you can see here but it's Daddy, Mommy and Kristina (in the middle).
The dog (the one we don't have) is to the left.
Kristina and I are wearing slippers on our feet, but daddy isn't.
The "things" above my arms are my ears ("I was being silly," said K).
The dot on my belly is a baby, per K.  ((sigh))

 

Recuperating on mommy and daddy's bed watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer",
with Rapunzel and Maximus the horse keeping her company.

Our happy, little girl...even when she has an owie.