The last thing I remember upon going to bed last night was being snuggled up next to my dear husband.  A tradition now  resurrected only after have left the on-going desert heat.  As I began waking this morning, I rolled to my side and suddenly, right in my ear, was the breath of my love.  I giggled a bit to myself and let myself enjoy the silly moment of rythmic breathing punctuated periodically by soft stuffy nose snores.  As I was letting myself drift back into my own dreams, I heard the gentle footsteps of my little love.  My reaction...oh no. This is going to be trouble. 

Now this might seem mean initially, however, the side note here is that D. has been quite challenging regarding bedtime as of late.  He has been procrastinating bedtime, trying to sleep w/us or talk us into sleeping with him.  Last night had been particulary exhausting.

However, something unexpected happened.  Instead of coming to mama's side of the bed...the bathroom light went on. Hmm. That's not a typical D. move.  Meanwhile the relaxed breathing continued next to me.  Then another strange thing happened.  The shower started. Ok. Time to open your eyes.  I turned my head  gently and discovered that it was not my dear husband next to me but my sweet boy, nestled perfectly in between us and taking up 80% of my pillow. More internal giggling.  As J.D. exited the bathroom, I waved him over and pointed to our precious treasure.  "When did this happen?" I asked.  "While I was taking my shower I guess." He replied. "Nope, he was here when you got out of bed."  We both smiled and laughed a bit.  Stealth Diego.

I remained in bed enjoying my unexpected and angelic snugglefest...until he rolled over---onto my face.  There was no denying I was now awake.  Time to get up and use my time alone to...blog of course!

Don't forget to click on the photos tab to see our "year in review".  Looks to be a snowy cold V-day here for us! Brrr...all the better to snuggle w/my guys--and probably the cats if D. is being sweet.  Despite the chilly weather, we are enjoying the fun that snow brings.  There is nothing more hypnotic than a quiet snowfall.  I love it.  I can also be mesmerized when the snowflakes are so tiny yet look just like all of those crazy cut outs we did in grade school.  God is truly amazing in His creation.  May this year bring you joy abundantly!  Blessings...

Nia Vardalos recently became a mom thru adoption.  Here is a link to her reflection of the journey thru and purpose of adoption.  Many of her thoughts I have said myself.  I know that we are exactly the family that God wanted us to be!   I am so thankful that His plans are my plans.  Oh, gotta go my little man is calling now... read and enjoy!   http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20277865,00.html

Diego is two pics: http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4f546b784f446b794e6e77794d444d304d446b314e673d3d0d0a&sb=1

So now is our time to brag about how amazing our little Diego is! He has been a "sign"-aholic since June of last year. In Dec of 08 he started combining his words and signs.  Now sometimes if we give him a blank stare as he says something to us verbally...he looks at us patiently and does the sign like duh come on guys! He often combines 2 word sentences and occasionally wows us w/a three word sentence. Since initially writing this a couple of months ago...he has started trying to ask for things saying/signing "May, I up?" It's so cool to watch him put concepts into practice! His understanding of complex directions and explanations is amazing.

Funny things he says... Buh-Blow for 007 our cat. Me Me for excuse me. Eee-peen for airplane. Heart for vitamin. (???) His most used Spanish word is "juevo" (aka egg) For "love you" he says "Ma-mo" (his version of Te amo which he says to an English or Spanish initiation). He also recently made up a sign for carwash (which sounds like hogwash when he speaks it). He pretends or talks about carwashes pretty much all day long.

He knows 2 shapes...circles and hearts. He's testing out colors but always gets orange correct. He's really starting to pick up counting in English & Spanish. The other morning he counted as he scooped blueberries for a smoothie. I was working in the background and he correctly took himself up to 6 as he counted his scoops! He's also starting to get into ABC's in English & Sign.

He is quite a charismatic little guy. He has such a twinkle in his eye and is becoming more adept at his pretending. Dogs are his principle players cats are a close second. Although he often pretends he is a cat. He makes friends wherever he goes...but is not always sure what to do with "playmates." He is definitely at his point of testing limits. We have to repeat no a lot and he has had some unfortunate experiences w/time out. Overall he remains a very loving and pleasant child...and quite obedient (we will not complain!)

Our biggest recent event was putting him in a "big boy" bed as of his birthday. He gets us up earlier now-- not a parental fave. haha We had fun with this rite of passage. Leif made him a quilt to match his room (see the pics page for that) and we took pictures and both put him to bed. He has only had a couple of times where he has been out of bed disobediently...We say "Success!" He loves his bed.

Recently, I woke up to a "creature" at my feet. I, Leif, wondered...kid or cat? After a few moments I decided...kid. So I was waiting for the crawl up to cuddle. As Diego got up to the bed on all fours, J.D. seeminly passed out, suddenly flies to the ready extends his arm w/a bone pillow and "THWAP" firmly pegs Diego! Puzzled and blind without his contacts in, J.D. stares at the motionless "cat" as I begin to laugh hysterically and Diego, stunned, remains motionless. "J.D., you just hit our child!" Amazingly Diego did not cry at all but crawled into my arms as J.D. plead his apologies...and was immediately forgiven.

He is currently potty-training.  The nice thing about this is that he's virtually doing it himself.  We have been really relaxed about the whole thing and have been letting him lead us.  We have all been very happy w/the experience thus far.  He's been toying w/it for the past few weeks but really getting into it the last couple.  This morning I've let him run around "neck-ed" and while I was sitting here typing he ran in and out of the b/room several times...then he ran to me "MOM,MOM!"  Sure enough he had taken care of business!

Well, Diego started walking ~6 days after he turned one!  On April Fool's day actually.  Fooled you mom and dad!  He had a complete blast at his bday party which we held at the park on the perfect AZ spring day.  15 kiddos and their parents plus other friends and family were in attendance.  Festivities included the chicken dance, hokey pokey and of course a pinata!  Diego had his first massive sugar attack w/a chocolate cupcake that was decorated by his Colorado Cousins.  Diego absolutely loved loved loved having the big boy cousins around and wandered the house looking for them after the weekend was over.

We were able to take a family trip out the East Coast and were able to get in some quick but fun visits with the Burney side of the family.  We had some time at the beach and in GA.  The best part was that we were able to see and spend some time w/each person in J.D.'s fam.  We're so thankful for that!  It was fun to see Diego really start developing those important relationships.  He certainly loves being the center of attention! 

We also saw him really developing his communication skills on the trip as he was going sign language crazy; signing "more" "food" & "please" constantly (although more actually meant...I WANT).  He waves bye and blows kisses...if you're a really special person you get a kiss on the lips!  He also now signs "cracker" "milk" "all done" and "help".  He has also started combining signs like "more please" & "eat milk".

He is in what we call a "sponge" stage...soaking up all kinds of learning from sounds to gestures and understanding language.  It's scary how much he understands and how much he feigns understanding!   He is into his gross motor skills and will walk/push/climb all day and he cannot understand why we like to take breaks for nap time!?

What about us???  Well, if we thought he was fun before he is even more so now.  And, more challenging as he asserts his will more frequently!  However his smiles and silliness, curiosity and loving ways make it easy to forget...maybe not so much for the cats though! haha   He reamins an easy kiddo and a joy to parent.  The biggest challenge is balancing what needs to get done with all of the new things he just pulled out to play with.  Now even more so in this crazy heat!  J.D. is trying to finish up studying for his CFP exam in July and Leif is trying to manage while the study flurry reigns on.  However, J.D. is man of the hour...if he is around then Mama is chopped liver.  It is so neat to see their special relationship grow and flourish.  And it certainly makes a great treat after all of those intense study sessions!

New pics are on display enjoy...  Much love

p.s. don't get confused by the early Diego pics thrown in...I just couldn't resist looking at the changes...there are more updated pics after them

Well month nine started w/the Croup.  That is one childhood sickness we do not need to experience again.  Of course it also happened over the New Year holiday so the timing was perfectly horrible in terms of getting in to the Dr?it was also the first week I returned back to work.

While we were waiting to see the Doctor, Diego looked across the room and started waving at a lady sitting in the waiting room.  We also made friends w/a  biker dude.  Nothing like a cute face to pave a road thru differences.  2 more teeth this month this; time on top.  A middle and a side tooth.  The huge news?he learned to crawl one night right before bed.  So cute b/c he just scoots around like a choo choo train and looks so petite b/c he?s no longer stretched out flat.  He also has a great little lion roar and when he sees the cats he roars and starts after them.  They move to higher ground pretty quickly.   Not only is he crawling but he is pulling himself up to stand and can cruise along.  This happened w/in the same day as the crawling.  He also wants us to ?walk? him around everywhere.  He is actually quite good w/his footsteps it?s just his balance that keeps him from doing it all alone!!!! We?re in trouble.  His roar is so funny b/c if you initiate he will go back and forth with you for quite some time.  I also see him using that as an expression for when he gets frustrated.  His problem solving skills are really developing and he is beginning to enter the object permanence stage?he also wants to eat everything we eat?so another motivation to stay on our best behavior!   Diego has also started initiating more ?play? with us.  The other day in the hall he was crawling away and I said ?Where are you going?? he sat up, looked at me got a michievous look and set off crawling faster?I said ?I?m gonna get you!? and he tried crawling faster but got so excited that he became uncoordinated and ended up not going anywhere.

We are happy to report that we have suffered thru our first experience (because I am not naïve enough to think it is the last) with separation anxiety.  I think it was only about a month but wow, when it is happening for every nap and bedtime?we thought it was never-ending.  Thanks for all the prayers! 

His transition continues to go well and he is such a happy, smiley, talkative (in Diego language of course) baby.  We are soaking up every moment. 

Month eight!  It wasn?t as active as I expected but I think it is the calm before the storm.  Diego did not learn to crawl in month 8 but he is very efficient w/going backwards, and rolling down onto his belly, sitting himself up and looking at where he is then doing the routine all over again and seeing where he ends up.  His 2 new teeth are about ½ way in.  He enjoys playing and babbling and especially enjoys when Papi, aka J.D., comes home each day.  The most difficult thing about this past month is that Diego began fully experiencing separation anxiety.  The pros are that he started on the early side and typically, this occurs w/children who have good attachment!  Obviously this is important b/c it is related to his connection with us.   It kills us that the only time he really cries is when he goes to bed but we are all learning together.   At Christmas he enjoyed the ribbons and paper mostly quietly sitting among everything playing while we decorated him w/bows and stickers.  His big accomplishment this month was starting to clap.  He is also pretty good at bobbing and swaying to music.  Somehow while playing we also discovered that if we put our hands out flat he will grab them and stand up.

I did attempt an update 2 wks ago.  Of course during the little window of time I had available I managed to write and update which as soon as I posted timed out and then Diego woke up...all written words gone into the void...note to self: next time write in word paste over to blog.

Diego has grown in leaps and bounds in the past month.  Yes, it has actually been a month since we went down to Guatemala for our first "family vacation."   Diego seems to be enjoying all of the focused attention.  Although admittedly, we are certainly enjoying giving it to him!  With such attention his capabilities in maneuvering in his world are improving daily.  We are constantly amazed at how quickly he is growing and changing.  Everything he does is cute...well except for a few things, we'll leave that to your imagination. 

He now rolls over from either side front to back, back to front w/ no problem all over the carpet, bed (scary), or wherever he finds himself.  He scoots across the floor on his belly albeit backwards.  All of his drooling has indeed been indicative of a new tooth which is just barely peeking out next to one of his existing bottom teeth. He can pick up a cheerio and has proven that if given enough time he will get them in his mouth.  He eats a variety of about 10 different fruits and veggies including some 'chunkier' versions. He is responding to his name and is connecting other typical noises together...such as when the he hears the door to the kitchen shut and noise he looks for J.D. to come in and when he hears  a cat meow he looks around for the cat.
He is still a jumpaholic...in fact he is asleep in his jumper right now.
 
As far as his bonding w/ us we are pleased w/ how comfortable he feels with us and in the past few days have noticed that he is now laying against us when we hold him face toward us and is wanting to be held and is starting to truly reach out for us to pick him up.  These are great signs and we are so pleased that he is transitioning so well.  For the most part we have not ventured into outside social settings and will continue to be hermits for a little longer as we foster that security and connection as mom and dad.
 
His laughs and general cooing or babbling times are so fun...it makes up for all those stinky diapers!   He has found that screaming for joy is indeed joy filling so often in the evenings he is quite content rolling around the carpet and screaming/squealing. 
 
We often sit in awe marveling at how cute he is and seeing little sneak previews of his own personal silliness.

Now that Diego is home we will send updates once a month.  We might update in between but he is keeping us quite busy so we're only committing to once a month!   Thank you again for all of your love and support and prayers...

The new pics are under as the Guatapeep Grows.  He is soooo cute...sorry I couldn't help myself!

Home again, home again with a cute kid!  We touched down in Dallas on Sunday afternoon...after passing thru customs our Guatapeep became an official U.S. Citizen!  On our flights he slept at least 2 hours and hardly made a peep; a born traveler.  He's really enjoying his new environment especially watching the cats and the ceiling fans.  The cats were not thrilled at first but are getting more curious about their new family member.  Even to the point of coming up on the couch or bed that he is awake on and checking him out. 007 was the first to accept him but Moneypenny has come the closest to check him out.

Last night the lack of sleep hit me as I fell asleep at the computer trying to upload the new pictures.  I also encountered a new uploading problem so I again apologize for the pictures not arriving yesterday.  I hope to have them uploaded by tomorrow...but I have learned w/me attempting to navigate these technical issues not to hold my breath.  I'll send an email out when they've been uploaded. If you are not getting email updates for the website and would like to let me know so I can send you a site invite.

Now, time for his nap...and yes...ours!  Much love...

We walked into a small room the size of a kleenex box...dimly lit...where a man behind the counter w/salt and pepper hair and a monotone voice said...passports please.  After a pause of 20 seconds he mumbled "I approve your request for international adoption".  The whole experience took less than 1 minute.  We walked out and then waited for our "real" interview where we raise our right hands and swear that the information we are about to provide is true and accurate.  This official was much more interesting and gregarious.  I guess I would be monotone too if I had to sit in a kleenex box all day and look at the same paperwork w/different names.
 
Diego slept thru most of the adventure.  Which was good b/c the other 15-20 children waiting w/us provided enough noise and entertainment.
 
Now that we are official we have taken the opportunity to go out and explore more of Guatemala.  We ate at our favorite restraunt w/some new friends for our celebration of the big day and ate Lasagna Maya...mmmm Que bueno! We managed another fun outing to another Guatemalan barbeque place also quite yummy...I belive the dishes of the evening were "Typical Dish" & "Mr. Paco".  There was a frightfully wonderful halloween party put on by some of the girls at the Westin and many of us had brought costumes for our children.  It was quite a sight to behold!  Diego was such a trooper he did not have the most comfortable costume but it was cute...pics by Monday I promise!  We also had a visit to Antigua and today to the Zoo.  Now we are wrapping up at the pool and sad to be leaving (real responsibilities coming soon) but excited to be heading home for our own beds and familiar surroundings. 

Thank you for all of your prayers and words of excitement!  We will see some of you soon and some of you later...Blessings