Halloween

The neighbors thought I was pretty cute!
Helping Dad pass out candy!

I love my big cousin Conar!

And my big cousin Anna!

Leah's first Halloween was a hit. We had two funeral to attend today, which although sad, were two of the nicest services we have ever been too. Leah stayed with "Nana" Rozanne and when we came home from Uncle Dick's funeral Anna and Conary came with us and helped dress Leah in her costume. We then walked over to Rick and Lucienne's where Leah got to see almost the entire family after the funeral. She did trick or treat at 2 neighbors and a few other neighbors came here to see her! Reverse trick or treating!

Fall sports

Chasing Kade at the game...
Yeah they scored!

Austin and Leah!

Our hobby of following Leah's big cousin's fall sports continues. Austin's varsity soccer team (he's captain!) made the playoffs and won the quaterfinal game we went to Wednesday afternoon. Here are some pictures of a very bundled up Leah braving the cold to cheer him on.

Playing

Sophie must be reading a really funny part!
On the road again!

Tea anyone?

If only my feet would touch the floor!

Leah has gotten so much better about playing and entertaining herself just in the past week. The difference is unreal. She loves to either "read" books, play in her kitchen, play with her car or organize her little figurines and people on the 2 shelves that are "hers" on our living room bookshelf. Here are a few pictures and a video. We are just so impressed because at first she had no interest in toys or playing nor did she have the skill as she was not exposed to toys or much play at Bal Asha.

A future chef?

All Grown Up!

Leah has a great sense of humor and tends to crack herself up, as this picture shows. It was taken at Cascade park where Leah and I went for a picnic after picking up our Coffee pot sandwich the other day! Uncle Matt was quite jealous of our lunch. Leah of course ate most of the vegetables out of my sandwich.
Yesterday Leah got her h1n1 vaccine and was a trooper about it- it was the nasal spray so it was pretty easy on her. On our way back from the clinic we stopped at Reny's to do some shopping. One of the clerks gave her a balloon and she loved it- which reminded me we better get her some for her birthday on Sunday.
This morning was her last day of the "baby" story time at the Library- she will be 2 and will join the toddler group next week! She also FINALLY appears to be out growing some clothes, we just asked Grammie Carla to pick up some 12 month onesies at Carters! Yeah! Double digit sizing! We are sad that she is growing up way too fast!
Over the weekend Leah had her first "daycare" experience- we left her in the daycare at Gold's Gym while we worked out. She did fine once we left, but she did not want us to leave. It did make us feel blessed that for now she does get to stay at home with me.
Finally, it appears our bad news did not end. We just heard that Andrew's "Uncle Bob", Bob Andrew's,who is not really his Uncle, but is a close Harmon family friend has a rare form of cancer. So, our prayers go out to the whole Andrews clan. We are thinking of all of you.

Diwali

Look at all the girls! Notice Olivia wore her chinese dress but she decided Indian dresses were even prettier!

Dancing with Sudi and the other big girls!

Leah, Sudi and Christin (Aishu's older sister)

Leah's boyfriends "aka the Jagger boys" were there as well!

Family picture... notice how tired someone is...

Saying good night to Aishu...

What a wonderful night! We are so thrilled that we were invited to the Diwali Celebration in Orono tonight. Everyone was so friendly, we met a lot of new people and got to catch up with other friends. The food was unreal, the music was wonderful and it was a very special event. Leah wore her Salwar Kameez outfit for the first time, or at least the top, her pants wouldn't stay up! We are already looking forward to the Holi Festival in March!

Do Bad Things Happen in 3's?

The past week or so we have been hit with 3 items of bad news from people we love. The first news came in that our friend Matt's Dad, Sam Kelley (also known as Will's grandfather), was diagnosed with the same cancer that Andrew's dad had. So our thoughts have been with all of the Kelleys. Sam is a wonderful man and if anyone has the "fighting spirit" to rid themselves of that awful disease it will be him.

This past Friday night right after we had gone to bed we got a phone call that our dear friend Ben's Dad , Dick Greenlaw, (also known as Brent's grandfather) had passed away from a sudden, massive heart attack. Ben and I both grew up in Lincoln and Dick "Mr. Greenlaw" was my high school principal and was so much more than that. He played a hand in raising about every kid in Lincoln in the 19 years he was the principal there. Our love goes out to the entire family.

On Monday morning we were awoken to more bad news. Andrew's Uncle Dick, (also known as Jacob, Whitney, Conary, Austin, Anna, etc..grandfather) had passed away from a sudden massive heart attack as well. We were and still are in disbelief. Uncle Dick was larger than life and we both adored him. We are so happy that Leah got to meet her Great Uncle Dick at the end of the summer. He was smitten by her for sure. We will miss him SO much. Leah did her part to cheer up the Moores and went over for a visit Monday afternoon while I went to Probate Court to do more paperwork towards finalizing her adoption.

With all of that said, I guess that is why we have no new weekly photo updates. Our minds have been too preoccupied. Leah is doing great. She had a flu shot last week and we found out she gained almost a pound in the past month so we are thrilled by that. She is talking up a storm, each day when we drive by the cows she says "Hi Cows, Moo". She also asks, "what's that" constantly and LOVES to make Bella mind, "down bella". She now knows what a cat says, what a bee says, what a dog says, a duck and oh in the spirit of Halloween a ghost.

Today she had a playdate with Feleke from Ethiopia. We met Feleke's parents in waiting parents adoption support group so that was a neat full circle moment. He is one of the most charming and adorable 3 year olds I have ever met. As I got out of my car he said "you drive a Volvo"? Apparently he knows the makes and models of all cars. Another adorable comment he said was "Mom is Leah from Africa, because her face looks English"!

This weekend Leah has been invited to a Halloween Party and a Diwali party so stay tuned for pictures! We are so excited about the Diwali celebration.

Rain with a chance of snow?

It's a pretty yucky fall day here today but I decided if we wimp out now we will be inside all winter... so with a lot of layers on and with double socks so her size 5 rainboots stayed on her feet we ventured outside this morning...

I should have gotten video of it... she was definetly aware that she had a different kind of shoe on than she had worn before but quickly got the idea that in these "special boots" she could play in the puddles all she wanted too!

Oh and again with the rainy day we had time to try out a new hairdo- her first "pony"!

Maize Maze

Jake pulling all the "pumpkins"!
Ben's turn... I think Andrew and Russ got out of wagon pulling duty all afternoon!

Maggie punching her card...

On Monday we went to the Corn Maze or the "Maize Maze" as Maggie's Uncle called it. We went with a lot of friends and Leah had a great time trying to keep up with the other kids longer legs! It sure tired her out though, she went to bed at 6:30pm and slept til 8am!!!

5 Months

5 months ago Leah was placed in our arms.... the best and fastest 5 months of our lives... Fall continues to keep us busy with wonderful activities... Daddy is home and we are glad to have him back although we kept busy with him gone...

Friday night the 3 of us went to the Member's preview of the new exhibit at the Children's museum and then to Taste of India for dinner. Leah got preferential treatment and the owners took her to give her candied fennel and mango ice cream! Saturday afternoon we went to Acadia and took a walk on the carriage trails and had popovers at the Jordan Pond House. Sunday we went to camp and had a ride in Papa's new "toy"- a Jeep Wrangler.

Guest Speaker

No pictures but wanted to tell everyone that this morning Leah was the guest speaker in the Infant and Toddler Development class at Hampden Academy. We were invited in by my former co-worker and Leah had a blast. It was great seeing a bunch of my former students and all of my old work pals. However, being a public speaker sure does tire out my baby girl... when we got home Leah had a nap that lasted over 3 hours! No excuses for me not to have time to clean the house today!
Daddy is at Epcot tonight for "work" ... he just texted me with disappointment that there is no "India Pavilion" there!

October is here...

And with that comes hunting season! Daddy, Papa, Uncle Matt and a bunch of other guys have been bird hunting in the Allagash for a few days so Leah and Mommy had some girl time. Luckily Michelle had a soccer game in Hampden on Friday afternoon so she and Megan came to spend the night! Michelle helped me organize and clean Leah's closet and bureau which was a HUGE help while Megan entertained Leah. I know many of you would find it hard to believe but Leah might have a lot of clothes!

This past week Leah had 2 babysitting experiences. On Monday night Andrew and I went out for an early dinner to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary and Leah went to the Michauds. Leah loves Anna and had a blast. Saturday night Andrew came home early from hunting and at the last minute we decided to go out for a late dinner with a bunch of friends so we put Leah to bed and had Whitney come babysit. It is really such a blessing to have family so close to watch her, it makes it much easier, but even then we drove home fast from dinner Monday night as I had a hard time being away from her during her waking hours!

Andrew leaves in the morning for Orlando for work so Leah and Mommy are home alone again- but we seem to have a lot planned for the week so the time should fly by! He was already missing her tonight once she went to bed.

Here are some pictures of another "photo shoot" we had. My parents reminded me that they had very few pics of all 3 of their granddaughters together so Saturday morning we did a few outside shots!