You Can't Judge...

...a child by their picture!  This is what we were saying 4 years ago when we received the first glimpse of what our daughter may look like.  As I sat at the computer with Jon directly behind me, it seemed forever for the photo -- which was sent that afternoon from our Adoption Agency -- to load.  Loading.  Loading.  Loading.  Then we saw her!

Our first glimps of our Russian Angel, July 23, 2008
Age 18 months, approximately

There was silence.  A good silence --- so many thoughts racing through our heads.  We remarked that she had white hair like Jon did when he was little and that she looked healthy (hey, there's 10 fingers) -- albeit not a smile to be seen, a distant stare and a brow which appeared to be a tad furrowed.  Was she mad?  Confused about why someone was taking her photo?  The accompanying laundry list of "medical issues" made us pause (one reason I was up all night Googling every medical term provided to us), but something felt....right.  Really right.  Divine intervention?  I'd like to think so --- we have some special angels in Heaven who were looking down upon us.

Four Years Later

There is no distant stare - unless she's looking deep into our eyes as if reading into our soul, and Kristina is always smiling for a camera - unless it's one of the countless nights I creep into her room to capture a moment of her peacefully slumbering.  And those medical issues?  Yeah, she did and still does have a hemangioma on her back (birthmark) -- but otherwise, "she's sdrong as bool" as I would say in my best Russian accent.

So here she is, at the age of 5 1/2:  she loves to be in front of the camera and I always seem to have it on me -- thus, I'll share.

We love you, Kristina DeAnn!!  xoxox

My big girl "signing in" at school.

Our little bathtub scuba diver!

My personal pedicurist - who took a juice break in the middle of my session and then had the nerve to charge me $40 per toe!
Yes, I left a good tip...

Such a girly-girl.
Loves to get her nails done when Mommy gets her hair done.

One of Kristina's favorite dresses...which is now a top.
I think it's a size 3T and Kristina wears a 5/6!

Kristina loves to take her baby (and reindeer) out.  We went to "Donalds" this evening for an ice cream to commemorate the day we were matched.

"It's ok, baby -- mommy's here."
Just an example of the tender, loving little girl
we are so blessed to call our daughter.