Winter fun

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ... Okay, I guess we'll call it winter fun, since Thanksgivings past have seen the white stuff in massive quantity (mostly as my leaves are still falling, making for a soggy thaw cleanup just before Christmas). Josie's been doing the family thing, first with her oldest cousin Ashley (photo above) and all the family, then Thanksgiving with everyone local. Both extremely nice times for both of us.

Other photos above: fashion fun, basket fun, shoe fun and a glimpse of "Baby."

"Momma ... pup, pup!!!"

btw, this is NOT the potty seat : )


For a while now, Josie has been "telling" me when she has a poopy diaper - "Momma, pup, pup!" along with a crotch grab. Her new potty seat was well received, although more as a novelty than a useful object. Which is okay with me - I'm not trying to hurry her along. She needs a few more words and a little more self-control before we end our diaper dependency : )

Last night was our second night actually "using" the new potty seat and we had success right away - although Josie was quite surprised that something other than a "pup" came out first (I know, Val, TMI). I was WAY more excited than she, and we called Grammy to fill her in - Josie "telling" in pantomime, which would've been a cool video.

As fun as that was for me, I thought I'd update on what Josie really enjoys:

dancing - she still LOVES music;
feeding "Baby" and putting her to bed (there's still just the one Baby (capital B) ... the other four babies have been "napping" in Josie's room for a week or two);
putting on shoes (anyone's);
"talking" on a phone (pretend or real);
chasing kitty cats;
hugging stuffed animals (and MacKenzie when she can catch her - but not Gracie, who stays far, far away);
playing with her Fisher Price "Little People" (has quite the village of people, animals and vehicles);
sorting shapes;
coloring;
reading books;
setting the table in her play kitchen
playing "dress up" and going bye-bye with her purse
wandering around the yard looking at leaves, rocks, bugs, and searching for the neighbors' dogs ("bow wows")

Yes, we're quickly approaching the Terrible Twos, but she's a sweet, smart, loving, well-balanced and funny little girl. I marvel at her personality and beauty every day. What more could any parent ask?

As we come up on our first "one-year" marker (when we met on Dec. 9, 2008) I find I can't imagine life without her anymore. When I first started this blog, I quoted another wise adoptive parent, "Keep your eyes on the prize." Well the prize I got is way more than I could ever have imagined : )

More fall fun with leaves and apples

As you can see, Josie's having a great time with the warm fall weather we're having. No snow yet, and it should be in the 50s until at least Thanksgiving : )


Pictures of Josie and her activities:
- playing in the leaves;
- eating dinner (look at that action with the fork and spoon!) and carmel apples (than you, Melissa!);
- "Harvest" party at daycare (her costume was an MSU cheerleader. She didn't get to go trick-or-treating because she had the flu);
- brushing her teeth (this is her favorite thing to do, aside from feeding the cats)
- playing the piano (lots of talent already : )
- riding the "bike" at Grammy & Bampa's house
- reading books
- getting a haircut with Alexis
- trying on hats and coats
- playing on her slide and with toys
- The Running of the Wild Thing, parts 2 & 3
(Some of the photos are screen captures from videos, and kind of low resolution, but I couldn't pass them up).

All in all, a very fun fall season for Ms. Josie. I'll update more later ...

Fall Fun