December 7, 2009
Ana and Abby woke this morning to a beautiful covering of snow on our lawn and deck. Of course, it was only a dusting, but nonetheless, it was Birmingham's first (and probably last) snow of the season. This was Abby's first snow as far as we know, and she and Ana celebrated the occasion by eating the snow and throwing snowballs at one another. What a way to kick off the Christmas season. See the larger photo below for their handful of holiday cheer to each of you.
Autumn with Ana and Abby
November 25, 2009
It was a big fall for The Sewells. In September, Abby started "school," well at least that's what we call it. Two days a week she goes to Mother's Day Out at our church, and she trots into the classroom with full confidence, pulling her backpack and never looking back. She thinks if big sister goes to school, why shouldn't she. The girls celebrated their birthdays in early October. Ana turned six and Abby turned three. Ana had four celebrations in all, including an ice skating party. Abby shared one party with Ana...oh the woes of the second child. But she adores her big sister, so no worries on her part. Ana lost her first two teeth, and the tooth fairy must not have been impacted by the economic crisis. Ana was an Eskimo princess for Halloween and Abby was a bumble bee. Abby has had some ear problems. They found a cyst in her right ear when they put a tube in and she had surgery to remove it. She is an incredible patient, and faces her medical issues with courage and patience. Makes it a whole lot easier on mom and dad. The girls are getting along so well, despite their different personalities. Abby's personality is gentle, and she's the orderly one. She's become very independent and tries to do everything on her own, just like she sees big sister doing. Ana is very creative, loves the performing and fine arts. Cares nothing about order, as displayed often by the condition of her bedroom. The girls seem to appreciate their "roles" of little sister and big sister, and protect each other from the mommy monster. Ana became a Girl Scout this fall, and she loves it. She's also in Nutcraker again this year, so keep an eye out for those ballerina photos on the blog in late December when I post a Christmas update. Abby takes Baby Ballet, but she can also kick a mean soccer ball. Who knows.
It was a big fall for The Sewells. In September, Abby started "school," well at least that's what we call it. Two days a week she goes to Mother's Day Out at our church, and she trots into the classroom with full confidence, pulling her backpack and never looking back. She thinks if big sister goes to school, why shouldn't she. The girls celebrated their birthdays in early October. Ana turned six and Abby turned three. Ana had four celebrations in all, including an ice skating party. Abby shared one party with Ana...oh the woes of the second child. But she adores her big sister, so no worries on her part. Ana lost her first two teeth, and the tooth fairy must not have been impacted by the economic crisis. Ana was an Eskimo princess for Halloween and Abby was a bumble bee. Abby has had some ear problems. They found a cyst in her right ear when they put a tube in and she had surgery to remove it. She is an incredible patient, and faces her medical issues with courage and patience. Makes it a whole lot easier on mom and dad. The girls are getting along so well, despite their different personalities. Abby's personality is gentle, and she's the orderly one. She's become very independent and tries to do everything on her own, just like she sees big sister doing. Ana is very creative, loves the performing and fine arts. Cares nothing about order, as displayed often by the condition of her bedroom. The girls seem to appreciate their "roles" of little sister and big sister, and protect each other from the mommy monster. Ana became a Girl Scout this fall, and she loves it. She's also in Nutcraker again this year, so keep an eye out for those ballerina photos on the blog in late December when I post a Christmas update. Abby takes Baby Ballet, but she can also kick a mean soccer ball. Who knows.
Birthday Girls
October 1 / October 4, 2009
October is a big month in the Sewell house. All three girls (mommy included) have birthdays.
October 1 was Ana's 6th birthday, and four years on this day she became part of our family. What a glorious day. But of course, when you're six, you can't just have one day of celebration...three is more like it. Mommy, Daddy and Abby joined Ana for lunch at school today and tonight we celebrated at a favorite restaurant. Ana will have her party this weekend at the ice skating rink.
October 4 was Abby's 3rd birthday. She was just excited to be having so much cake.
October is a big month in the Sewell house. All three girls (mommy included) have birthdays.
October 1 was Ana's 6th birthday, and four years on this day she became part of our family. What a glorious day. But of course, when you're six, you can't just have one day of celebration...three is more like it. Mommy, Daddy and Abby joined Ana for lunch at school today and tonight we celebrated at a favorite restaurant. Ana will have her party this weekend at the ice skating rink.
October 4 was Abby's 3rd birthday. She was just excited to be having so much cake.
Kindergarten Girl
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Ana started kindergarten yesterday; thus, a new chapter of our lives began. Our nightowl who hates to wake up in the morning began the day at 6 a.m., bright-eyed and excited about her new adventure. She rose to the occasion, picking out her own clothes, deciding what to have for lunch and making sure her backpack was filled correctly. It was as though she grew up overnight, and a new level of responsibility and maturity shone through. We are so proud of our kindergarten girl. Ana said her first day was "awesome;" she loves her new teacher, Mrs. Keenan; she said she made "lots of new friends," and her classroom has a tree house in it...what could be better. Today, she got to hold Mrs. Keenan's guinea pig.
Ana started kindergarten yesterday; thus, a new chapter of our lives began. Our nightowl who hates to wake up in the morning began the day at 6 a.m., bright-eyed and excited about her new adventure. She rose to the occasion, picking out her own clothes, deciding what to have for lunch and making sure her backpack was filled correctly. It was as though she grew up overnight, and a new level of responsibility and maturity shone through. We are so proud of our kindergarten girl. Ana said her first day was "awesome;" she loves her new teacher, Mrs. Keenan; she said she made "lots of new friends," and her classroom has a tree house in it...what could be better. Today, she got to hold Mrs. Keenan's guinea pig.
Ana's Special Day
August 2, 2009
Today was Ana's Special Day -- four years ago today we met Ana for the first time in the orphanage in Astrakhan, Russia. We will never forget that day or the first time we set eyes on her or held her in our arms. We celebrate this day as her "special day," since she actually became ours on October 1, 2005, which was her 2nd birthday. We didn't want her to miss out on having a separate special day in remembrance of her adoption; therefore, we celebrate on the first day we met her.
She was so excited today. Grandma and Poppy, Uncle John and Aunt Na Na, cousins Hayley and Hunter, and our neighbors, the Gentile family, came over to celebrate and have cake.
In reality, we kicked off the special weekend by taking the girls to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" playing at a community theatre in Birmingham. Ana loved it and got to meet Joseph in person. Actually, Abby enjoyed it too and sat through the two hours without a problem, bouncing to the lively music. Ana says Joseph is her new favorite singer...we love those biblical singers.
Today was Ana's Special Day -- four years ago today we met Ana for the first time in the orphanage in Astrakhan, Russia. We will never forget that day or the first time we set eyes on her or held her in our arms. We celebrate this day as her "special day," since she actually became ours on October 1, 2005, which was her 2nd birthday. We didn't want her to miss out on having a separate special day in remembrance of her adoption; therefore, we celebrate on the first day we met her.
She was so excited today. Grandma and Poppy, Uncle John and Aunt Na Na, cousins Hayley and Hunter, and our neighbors, the Gentile family, came over to celebrate and have cake.
In reality, we kicked off the special weekend by taking the girls to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" playing at a community theatre in Birmingham. Ana loved it and got to meet Joseph in person. Actually, Abby enjoyed it too and sat through the two hours without a problem, bouncing to the lively music. Ana says Joseph is her new favorite singer...we love those biblical singers.
It has been a Great Summer!
July 30, 2009
It has been a great summer, and since school begins in August in Alabama, it's quickly coming to a close. Ana spent much of June going to a variety of camps, including vacation bible school, drama camp at a local university (she felt like big stuff) and butterfly camp at a botanical gardens. This gave Abby and mommy lots of bonding time in the mornings, though we couldn't wait for Ana to arrive home in the afternoon with stories of her daily adventures.
In mid June, Abby was Baptized and looked precious in the same beautiful dress that Ana wore three years earlier.
Abby is doing great. She is picking up so many words. People love when she says "please" and "thank you" (although the "thank you" sounds more like "Ab-by"). Her favorite word has got to be ANA. Abby will begin Mother's Day Out two mornings a week in September at our church, and we think the socializing with other children will be great. (The break for mommy will be nice too, although her gentle, sweet personality makes her easy to be around 24 hours a day.)
Ana begins kindergarten on August 12 in a new school. She is very excited and can't wait to learn to read. She loves books and loves when we read to her. Of course, she is most excited about her new school clothes and purple backpack. I'll let you know how she likes the long school days, a big change from half-day preschool.
It has been a great summer, and since school begins in August in Alabama, it's quickly coming to a close. Ana spent much of June going to a variety of camps, including vacation bible school, drama camp at a local university (she felt like big stuff) and butterfly camp at a botanical gardens. This gave Abby and mommy lots of bonding time in the mornings, though we couldn't wait for Ana to arrive home in the afternoon with stories of her daily adventures.
In mid June, Abby was Baptized and looked precious in the same beautiful dress that Ana wore three years earlier.
Abby is doing great. She is picking up so many words. People love when she says "please" and "thank you" (although the "thank you" sounds more like "Ab-by"). Her favorite word has got to be ANA. Abby will begin Mother's Day Out two mornings a week in September at our church, and we think the socializing with other children will be great. (The break for mommy will be nice too, although her gentle, sweet personality makes her easy to be around 24 hours a day.)
Ana begins kindergarten on August 12 in a new school. She is very excited and can't wait to learn to read. She loves books and loves when we read to her. Of course, she is most excited about her new school clothes and purple backpack. I'll let you know how she likes the long school days, a big change from half-day preschool.
Springtime update with Ana and Abby
June 2, 2009
It's been two and a half months since we last posted on the blog. Safe to assume we've just been living life to the fullest with two adorable and energetic girls. So much has gone on these past two months, so I'll try to summarize the highlights below and capture some of the joy with the photos that follow.
The quiet and reserved child we met on March 2 has blossomed into a happy, confident, affectionate and independent little girl. It is actually unbelieveable how full of life and friendly she has become. She is smart as a whip, and picks up everything after the first try. She is very independent and has to do everything herself. She absolutely adores Ana and emulates her all day long. In fact, Abby thinks she is five, and pitches a fit if she can't do all the things that big sister does. She is very structured and likes order, so much so that she can't stand having food on her hands and picks up anything she sees on the floor. (Mommy has her tidying up the house as often as possible.) She is such an easy child and so happy. She loves to sing and dance, goes to sleep like clockwork each evening and sleeps through the night. Wakes up with a huge smile on her face. She is tender and affectionate, and loves to kiss (way to mommy's heart). She is so cute when she says her prayers before going to sleep and when she reaches out to hold hands as we say grace before meals. She truly is a little China doll.
Abby passed all her medical tests and has been pretty healthy, besides for a slight case of broncitis and an ear infection. She had tubes put in her ears, which will alleviate the fluid buildup common among cleft patients.
She adjusted into our home and family from the start. She loves her grandparents and cousins Hayley and Hunter, like she's known them forever. (Actually, we feel like she's been a part of our family forever, not just two months. Amazing how God works.)
Ana's had a big couple of months herself. She graduated from 4K in May and will begin kindergarten in August. Ana was also a beautiful doll in her spring dance recital, as you can see from the photos. But her most important achievement is becoming a great big sister. She and Abby get along so well, and they love taking bubble baths together and dancing on the living room coffee table.
Abby recently made her first trip to the beach. We weren't sure how she'd like the sand, since she doesn't like dirt on her hands. But she had no problem with sand in her hair, as you can see. She even jumped off the side of the pool into daddy's arms and swam to mommy. Maybe she'll follow her sister's footsteps and become an ace swimmer.
I'll try to post more often so you can continue to share in our wonderful journey with Ana and Abby.
It's been two and a half months since we last posted on the blog. Safe to assume we've just been living life to the fullest with two adorable and energetic girls. So much has gone on these past two months, so I'll try to summarize the highlights below and capture some of the joy with the photos that follow.
The quiet and reserved child we met on March 2 has blossomed into a happy, confident, affectionate and independent little girl. It is actually unbelieveable how full of life and friendly she has become. She is smart as a whip, and picks up everything after the first try. She is very independent and has to do everything herself. She absolutely adores Ana and emulates her all day long. In fact, Abby thinks she is five, and pitches a fit if she can't do all the things that big sister does. She is very structured and likes order, so much so that she can't stand having food on her hands and picks up anything she sees on the floor. (Mommy has her tidying up the house as often as possible.) She is such an easy child and so happy. She loves to sing and dance, goes to sleep like clockwork each evening and sleeps through the night. Wakes up with a huge smile on her face. She is tender and affectionate, and loves to kiss (way to mommy's heart). She is so cute when she says her prayers before going to sleep and when she reaches out to hold hands as we say grace before meals. She truly is a little China doll.
Abby passed all her medical tests and has been pretty healthy, besides for a slight case of broncitis and an ear infection. She had tubes put in her ears, which will alleviate the fluid buildup common among cleft patients.
She adjusted into our home and family from the start. She loves her grandparents and cousins Hayley and Hunter, like she's known them forever. (Actually, we feel like she's been a part of our family forever, not just two months. Amazing how God works.)
Ana's had a big couple of months herself. She graduated from 4K in May and will begin kindergarten in August. Ana was also a beautiful doll in her spring dance recital, as you can see from the photos. But her most important achievement is becoming a great big sister. She and Abby get along so well, and they love taking bubble baths together and dancing on the living room coffee table.
Abby recently made her first trip to the beach. We weren't sure how she'd like the sand, since she doesn't like dirt on her hands. But she had no problem with sand in her hair, as you can see. She even jumped off the side of the pool into daddy's arms and swam to mommy. Maybe she'll follow her sister's footsteps and become an ace swimmer.
I'll try to post more often so you can continue to share in our wonderful journey with Ana and Abby.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)