Fun in the Sun

We just got back from a week in Maine with our friends Crista and Bryan and their baby girl Laila. There were so many awesome "firsts" during the week: Teanna going in the ocean, Zari swimming in the pool, both kids going to restaurants and trying new foods. Teanna discovered the joys of seafood! She loved lobster and calamari. Zari also had some new foods as he is now eating baby oatmeal and baby food. They are both growing so quickly. Now that we are back from vacation Teanna is missing her "Uncle Bry" and the rest of the Cauley crew.


Teanna "reading" to Laila and Zari


The first picture we have of all four of us!


Teanna and I (with identical facial expressions) at Billy's Clam Shack


John, Crista, Zari, and Laila


Big Z beachin' it up


All of us on Ogunquit beach


Walking Marginal Way


John building sand castles with T


Zari snoozing in the beach tent


Beach Plum farm


Teanna and I on the deck before dinner


Zari and I at dinner


Playing tug of war on the beach


Best buddies hanging out by the pool


Mommy, Daddy, and Teanna taking a dip


Zari having a big boy bath

Zari: Then and Now

Yesterday marked Zari turning 6 months old, and being with us for 8 weeks. We can not believe how much he has changed! When we got him he weighed 9 pounds, he now weighs 14. He was like a newborn when we got him, could barely hold his head and and didn't do much of anything. Now he rolls over, grabs things, kicks, babbles, puts things in his mouth, chews on his hands, smiles, and laughs. We are so proud of all the progess he has made.


Zari when he was skinny


Our chubby man now


Me and Zari in April


Me and Zari in June (his first time at the beach!)


Little Z tummy time


Big Z in the high chair

John and I love this baby so much!

Busy times

It has been a crazy last couple of weeks. John's brother was in town for his sister's wedding so we had a whole week of fun family time. We finally got to meet our niece Julianna! She and Zari were too cute together. Teanna loves John's father- he blows bubbles with her, and now when she sees him she requests "bubbles?" She also likes to sit in my lap when I go on facebook and when she sees a picture of John she shouts "Dada!" Both kids have definitely settled in here now and they are just so happy and fun to be around.

John and I call Zari "the President" and we like to make him talk in outrageous voices while we wave his fist around dramatically. We also dub each other things like "Secretary of Pacifiers" and "Secretary of Puke" and have him yell at the us when we don't perform our jobs to his satisfaction.

We have tons of new pictures so I will have to do my best to narrow it down!


Teanna and I had a girls' day at the beach... she had an awesome time dumping sand onto the blanket!


I love my chocolate muffin!


Teanna with her Mets hat


Big Z napping on the couch


Teanna "holding" Zari


"Hey guys, who wants to hit up the golf course?"


Cousins!


"Aw come on, no cameras around my fat rolls!"


Teanna wearing Crista's sweatshirt


T with her braids out

We also got some professional pictures taken of the kids... I am hoping to figure out a way to post them! They were like little models hamming it up for the camera!

Getting cuter and sweeter every day

The kids are changing so incredibly quickly. Zari, who we got at 9 pounds, is now 12.5 pounds and looks like a totally different baby! He is smiling and babbling a lot now, and he does tummy time to practice holding his head up. He also likes to practice sitting up and standing up with our help. Teanna has quickly learned the rules of the house like no going up the stairs and no throwing toys. She now gets up every morning and says "good morning!". Her favorite things to do are patty cake and ring around the rosie. She says please and thank you, "hi Zari!" and "peekaboo!". We have also discovered new favorite foods- hummus and yogurt! When we give her hummus on a cracker she will lick the cracker clean and then ask for more hummus. They are both so adorable and sweet, we are in love with our instant family!


A funny face from our Zari man


Teanna looking oh so sweet (and yes the braids are back- not by our doing!)


Smiley guy


Teanna LOVES Dada


Z rockin' the plaid shorts

A couple more pics!

"uhhh... John? I think you left a baby in the sink again!"


Zari already starting to plump up!


Teanna being adorable


Priest Zari in his gown

Picture time

Two tired kiddos


T.T. ready to hit the beach


John with his hands full


Can you spot the baby in this picture? It's like Where's Waldo!


Here he is!


Tired Caitlin with two cuties

Crazy hair lady

It has been two weeks since I have updated, think I've been busy??? : )

About a week after Teanna moved in, I left for work and got a picture text message from John that looked like this:



The braids were ready to come out, so he spent an hour picking away at them, and this is what we got!

Needless to say, I was afraid! I don't even know how to do my own hair, and I didn't want to make a spectacle walking around town with a little girl who looks like Don King!

The next morning, I gave her a bath and while her hair was still wet I attempted two pigtails. It actually came out pretty cute, and I was pretty impressed with myself.



Since then, we have added the single bun and the four puffs to our repetoire. It really isn't hard to do. The only hard part is getting this very active toddler to sit and let us do it.



I have also had some days when her hair is just washed and it looks really cute natural:




So this is just a plug for those who are afraid to do AA hair! Do not be afraid! We have heard that a lot of foster and adoptive parents who only accept white children state that they are afraid to do AA hair. John and I say, if we can do it, anyone can!