Beth's new blog!

HOW amazing is the classic blue sweater in the middle picture...? Eileen, Matt's sister knitted it for Zara and she still can fit into it! We love it! thank you Eileen.

Soon we will all see each other at Greg & Renee wedding in NJ! Yipee!

http://cruisingalonglifeshighway.wordpress.com/ check it out!

this is Beth's new blog page. Beth, Matt's other sister, is brilliant and has finally begun her own blog; which, every time I read it, marvel at her creative writing-- and to top it off--am amazed she even has time to write anything at all!

She has seven beautiful and unique children- the youngest is Caleb- very close to Zara's age.

Swimming videos in Jamaica

The Rasta Chef named "Specialist" made us an all vegetarian meal after our full day of swimming in the mineral laden waters of the roaring river and fresh spring pools! His rosemary and lime tree leaves tea was the best I've ever tasted!

Aisha made it back to Holland, she had a tough journey, but she is home and starting treatment on Monday already! Her blog is listed on my favs to watch!

Here is "Fearless Zara" swimming. She even learned how to blow bubbles; which is great b/c now she can soon learn to put her face underwater!

three videos from Jamaica with Aisha and Kiara

my little rasta baby drumming with Kiara "soldier girl!"

downtown action in Montego Bay!

As a rare treat Aisha took us to a Rasta Spiritual healing center to swim in a roaring river and cool spring pools. We even walked into a deep cave and swam in the water flowing underground. It was wild! Afterwards, we had a special meal prepared by "specialist" a rasta chef in his "restaurant". Not exactly the Palm since there is no meat allowed! LOL

Sad to go, but nice to be home with the Daddy...

Montego Bay memories!

Zara Discovering Jamaica

This amazing view is from a nearby home, you can see the home is still under construction- and we were graciously allowed in to take pictures-

Kiara and Aisha looked so healthy- it is hard to believe that Aisha is fighting cancer. She was full of energy and took us on great jaunts around the city and to a rasta healing center in the savannah lands. Aisha & her budding professional photograher- her daughter Kiara-took a ton of gorgeous shots- i took these with my cell phone, so sadly not great quality- but hope you get the feel of the place!

Jamaica! NO PROBLEM MON!

Zara in Montego Bay! What a perfect visit with Aisha and Kiara!

We did so much in such a short while.

where we stayed. I loved the controlled chaos of it all!

I really loved seeing Kiara and Aisha and meeting their friend Anna and Keriss.

I loved the warm breezy nights under the mosquito net - see pic of our room! Zara slept very well in the humid air- even with numerous dogs barking, music blaring from several homes and one night we even had a crazy "preacher" man with a megaphone shouting from 1-4am!

Poca- Aisha's sister- home is painted in my favorite colors- purple being one of them! Her pool is lovely & Zara loved swimming in such warm water- doubt any of pics do it all justice!

Happy Halloween- but first Jamaica!

Zara enjoying 85 degree weather with all her friends!!! What a perfect October!

Greg and Matt after a hockey game --- Greg & Renee are getting married in

only ONE MONTH's time! WOW

Max and Zara played amongst the pumpkins the other evening- it was amazingly warm out--

Liam- the boy across the street is so excited for Zara to begin walking-

as evidence in shot above!

Lia is Zara best little girlfriend- only a few months younger! She is precious and has the cutest expressions and squeals of delight! Her mother Kara & I hang out alot since we both quit work- we started our club called MWM (moms without money) and spend alot of time

doing free things and looking for cool coupons!

5 days til we see Aisha and Kiara in Montego Bay!

Sunday Super busy day!

Here is a smattering of pics from today...Zara and Karina in Turtle park; then off to a party to see Laney!!! We haven't seen Laney since she was about 5 months old i think??? It was great to see them all! Also Ruth had come down from NYC for the Jewish holidays and we went out for Thai food at the new place just down the street!

The Munch on the road again, Historic Williamsburg and Norfolk, VA

Zara, Granny Zarr and I opted to take an overnight jaunt down to Norfolk, VA. The trip was prompted by the fact that Chrissy- our birthmother- had been on leave from GITMO, Cuba and was sent to Norfolk for 5 days.

We decided we could walk around Williamsburg, which i havent done since i was in High School, and meet up with Chrissie for a dinner and a lunch. It was actually really nice; i say "actually" because it was alot of driving for one night roundtrip and also Chrissy was so appreciative that we made the effort so it felt well worth it.

We decided to take a great tour of USS Wisconsin Battleship and i hope my mom enjoyed it! Chrissy was very attentive and was in a great mood. Funnily enough, we stayed in the identical hotel room that I had stayed in while in Kansas just over a year ago. Then to top it off, we ended up eating a Hooters (like we did one night in Kansas) -- both times under extreme duress and due to the lack of ANY other places open! Thankfully- Zara is too young to have been tainted by the experience!!! Although not so sure about my poor Mom!( her first experience)!!LOL

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!