Checking each other out!

Two cutie girls in pink!

a visit from Pink Monkey!

Little Zara had a lovely visitor yesterday, The sweetest little dog- Penny- brought her owner up to our porch to snuggle with Zara.

Actually, poor Penny was nearly smothered with love...i had to make sure Zara wouldn't pull her sparkly leash! April is new to the neighborhood and i hope she returns to visit again soon!

We went to National Harbor and even met Obama!!

Today, we did a very Sunday kind of jaunt! We drove over to the new National Harbor.... firstly to see one of Matt's biggest clients -- Gaylord Hotels. The Gaylord Hotel has been using Rock Material Handling since Jan of last year. We enjoyed a lovely brunch there inside the 13 floored glass atrium! Obama showed up and Zara said she wanted a picture with him...

It was a beautiful 80 degree day and even Amistad the tall ship- was there on display just back from Sierra Leone, Africa. Melissa joined us as well as a celebration of her exciting news, we got to hear more first hand! Tried to show some fun pics of our outing! Thanks Missy for coming!

Congratulations Missy!

Missy was finally just given her referral for her daughter!!! Her baby "S" now waits patiently for her in Hannah's Hope, Ethiopia. This news; although anticipated & expected, suprisingly came so much sooner than i thought- we are so thrilled for her!

I hope Missy won't mind me telling this- i just love the idea! As a gift, Missy was given a beautifully knitted blanket made by a dear family member. Knitted within it are the words "Baby T....."!

Missy sleeps with the blanket and now after all this time, she can mail it to "Baby S" in Ethiopia, and little "S" will "know" her when she finally arrives to bring her home!

What a perfectly brilliant gift!

Zara can't wait to meet her honorary sister-

if she can get over her infatuation of Dora- see below!

..and here is Zara having a private love affair with Dora the Explorer! don't ask!

( thank you Eileen for the chair idea- we love it!)

Videos that i have finally uploaded from this past month

This is a vid from the day we drove to Maine and we stopped off to see Eileen and Mary rose in Hillsborough New Jersey! cute vid, me thinks.

This one was taken in my room in Maine with Becs (Anthony's girlfriend). Becs was reading Zara her g'night story and as you can see...Zara especially liked her british acccent!

Zara BROKE 18 lbs... finally!

Here is our 13+month old girl slurping an oreo shake and the "Z Burger" joint today! We went there after going to the storytelling hour at our DC Public Library!

( "that library scene is a whole 'nother post") haha

She did eat about 3 french fries for lunch; i have learned to chalk that up as a success??

"that's crazy talk!?"

In honor of her one year birthday, i pulled out her Kansas City T- shirt I bought with Mary Rose while we were there.. and took a pic to mail to Chrissy! I spoke with Chrissy in Cuba tonight; its her birthday on Sept 19th. She sounded really good and is loving all the beautiful pics of Zara!

The fine print: Zara latest milestone: 30 inches long and 18 lbs and 1 oz!

Very exciting... i have to admit. Also, we were told by a Children's Hospital Physiatrist that she is progressing nicely and is strong for her age- although just not strong enough to compensate for her hypotonia. The Dr did say that her condition is super mild so she will grow out of it as she gets older and stronger. The only thing she did say is that we will have to watch the way her feet hit the ground when she begins to walk; sometimes kids like her will need added support/ brace to keep her ankles straight. Other than that all was perfect!

Exciting news to Report!

My Foxcroft School Friend Missy has moved up to number 3 on her Agency's wait list for her daughter (or daughterS!!!) from Ethiopia!!!!! When we chat, I am brought back to the memories of my feelings waiting for Zara to be born & our telephone calls to Chrissie.

Missy is getting a little nervous- which if you ask me- is a good sign!!! I always won races when i was nervous before the gun went off! So keep strong Missy!!!

Here is Missy's blog; it is far more intellectual than mine and has some true educational value!!! I was blown away by her writings regarding the Fair Coffee Trade in Ethiopia! Please check it out if you have time http://ethiopianchronicles.blogspot.com/

Also! Zara & I are suprising Kiara in Jamaica this October! Kiara is Aisha's daughter and Aisha and i went to school together in Carthage, Tunisia in 1978 (5th & 6th grades). We were able to book a trip using miles on american airlines to Montego Bay! Ai's blog is http://birdsperch.blogspot.com/

This trip is particularly exciting because Aisha is making yet another courageous trip while she is battling her cancer! Her blog is also amazing to read...more to come soon!

Renee's Shower at Galloping Hills New Jersey!

This past weekend, Zara and I had a girl's road trip!

We zipped up to Hagerstown picked up Grandma Rock, Godmother Mary Rose & Auntie Megan and drove up to Union NJ to suprise Renee for her Bridal Shower.

It was a gorgeous event, beautifully planned, and so much fun. It was great to meet Renee's mom and her family! Greg was even represented at the event as you might be able to see his picture on the cake! I was able to spend some quality time with Eileen, Beth, Christine and Mrs. Falk! It was a spectacular time and i hope Renee was suprised and

enjoyed herself as much as i did; what a blast!

Labor Day 2008

The Rock family with Renee arrived and the party started!
Guinness loves the action too, and wanted fair print in the blog - as you can see him here!
Cutie Maximus and Mark & Jill joined us too for ribs and other treats!
Zara with Granny Rock!