730 Days: Elise is TWO!!!

Life is moving along way too quickly. Today marks two years since Elise entered this world and completed our family. Over the past year we have watched this girl blossom. Her vibrant personality has really come into focus. Elise is intelligent, hilarious, and cool. She seems to be a bit of an introvert, but once you crack this girl open you will be blessed with humor and affection. She has such a fun loving spirit, brave and willing to give most things a try. She is independent and strong willed, traits that will serve her well throughout her life.

This girl is a mix of brave, she'll always jump off of whatever, and fearful, bugs and shadows! She has the most expressive face on the planet, I am sure. She loves rainbows and pink and her big sister (parroting most everything that Cordelia does). She is creative and driven, this sweet daughter of ours. She adores her grandparents, uncles, aunts, parents, animals, friends---this girl has a big heart!

I cannot believe that it has been two years (almost to the minute as I am typing) that we met her for the first time. I will never forget meeting my baby girl, furious with the indignity of birth. What a day that was, full of love. Read about her birth,  first year and birthday, etc. by clicking the links.

Join me as I look back over this past year with our spirited little lady.


July 2013


August 2013


September 2013


October 2013


November 2013


December 2013


January 2014


February 2014


March 2014


April 2014


May 2014


June 2014







July 2014, today

Happy birthday Elise! You are so very loved.

Today is TWO-DAY!!!

Two years ago today we met Cordelia for the first time, face to face (read here). The first amazing year passed quickly as we settled into life as a family...life in general for Cordelia. Click here to see a photo review of year one. Just like that we were celebrating her very first birthday (read here). Now another year has come and gone. The little baby that was placed into my arms a mere 730 days ago has grown into a spirited little lady.

Now she is a tiny little kid, learning the ropes of childhood. Last week I tried to put a hat on her and she said, "No Mama, [that] hat is for babies." I am not sure why she thought that, but obviously she no longer believes herself to be a baby. I am so happy to embrace this wonderful period of her life, full of new adventure and lots (LOTS) of talking as she narrates every episode of her life.

Still, how wonderful it is to look back on this amazing year with Cordelia. Watch as she turns from a baby into a toddler in just one year...


September 2010: Photo from Cordelia's first birthday.


October 2010: Halloween


November 2010: She is wearing a dress that my mother made for me when I was a baby.


December 2010: Christmas dress


January 2011: Learning to color---kind of


February 2011: Valentine


March 2011: The infamous blue coat makes a debut


April 2011: Morning at a hotel in Durango.


May 2011: Enjoying her new home...begins to wear buckets.


June 2011: Silly and sweet girl


July 2011: Sense of style begins to emerge.


August 2011: Visit to North Carolina to visit Uncle Ben and Sara.


September 2011: Pirate girl

So, here we are! Two years old. I still cannot believe what an amazing gift she is in our lives. I am filled with gratitude that I get to mother this amazing, brilliant, hilarious, sweet sweet girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORDELIA!!!