Adopted Mommy

It has been such a joy to be able to experience the many milestones babies/toddlers have during their early years. Katarina has been on target (if not advanced) on many of them. Dina has always been a stickler from day on about brushing Katarina's baby teeth. All of sudden, though, Katarina does NOT want Mommy brushing her teeth for her. She knows she's a "big" girl and insists on using the toothbrush on her own. I know that the "What to Expect the Toddler Years" book says this is about the age where toddlers start to learn how to use the toothbrush on their own, but it's just one more thing Mommy & Daddy won't have to do for her! It's making Dina a little sad how quickly time flies and how much the princess has grown up since they've brought her home!

As part of the adoption requirements through the county, beds and dressers must be available for children according to their age. We knew this as we picked out Katarina's furniture and bedding. When we decided to get the second nursery ready last year before Katarina came home, it was once again filled with decision making! That was the fun part! Keep in mind this was pre - Katarina ! So, the licensing agent comes to our home to do an inspection and sees that now we have room for 2 babies (maybe we'd get twins we thought). That all gets approved and noted. Dina felt this urge to paint the 2 nd nursery like Katarina's room was done. During her spring break of 2006, she took time to paint what would be the "boy" nursery. The odd part was that the second day back at work after Dina's spring break was over, the call came in about Katarina ! It's a good thing that the paint job was done, because there was NO way that would ever get completed! For months now

We had the best time at the Seascape resort! Katarina had a blast at the pool and beach. It was nice not having to worry about where to be at certain times. We just did whatever we wanted and had a relaxing time. :) Jeff was able to go golfing and Dina did a 6 mile Wharf to Wharf run during the trip. It trailed from the Santa Cruz beach board walk to Capitola! Her time was 1:36 (so she didn't exactly RUN the entire time). We are now home safe and sound and back to reality! This is one place we look forward to returning to!

Well, our first session of swim lessons is now over. It was unusually cool this time of year to be in the pool. A lot of the kids, including Katarina, had their moments and did NOT like the cold water. But, overall Katarina did very well. She is a great kicker and can actually move both her hands and kick at the same time for a little while. The only thing she needs to work on is blowing bubbles in the water instead of drinking it! Next week starts our last sessions for the summer. Should be lots of fun, again!

We were invited to join our friends to the Stockton Port's baseball game on Sunday, July 8th. For the grass area called "Home Run Field" tickets were only $1 each, so we decided it would be a cheap way to see if Katarina could handle a sports event. Plus, being on the grass area allowed the kids to run around close by to us. It was so hot, but it cooled down later in the game. Katarina did well, but we didn't get to watch much of the game since we were making sure she was okay. :) Maybe when she gets older...

Mommy signed Katarina up for swim lessons at Lincoln Pool in Manteca! It was a huge success and we had a blast! Katarnia tried to blow blubbles in the water, but she ended up drinking the water! She had a great time and we're looking forward to more time in the pool.

Katarina helped celebrate her cousin Brianna's 2nd birthday! The weather was just gorgeous for a BBQ picnic at Micke Grove Park! Trying to play with the racket! Eating birthday cake while sitting on Daddy's belly! Comfy! All the Rabara cousin babies! Katarina (21 months), Macy (4 months) and Brianna (2 years)!

It was very hot this year! The new ballpark (Field of Dreams) across the freeway from our home was having a huge event all day. We wanted to go, but we're glad we didn't! It was just too hot to take Katarina out. But, we did enjoy our quiet day at home and Katarina (as you can see from the pictures above) was able to cool off in her little pool for a little bit. Since the fireworks were so close, we were able to see them from our street (it was difficult finding the right spot between all the two story houses). This was the first year Katarina stayed up that late and watched the fireworks show with us. She watched Daddy set off the ones he and her Nino bought too. Daddy had a little too much fun with that!

Since Katarina has come into our home, we have been to many places with her. Usually people just tell us how cute she is. There have been a couple of times, especially when one of us is by ourselves with her, where strangers have asked what nationality the other parent is. Last year after one of the three baby showers we had, Dina took Katarina shopping at BabiesRUs to use the gift cards given to us. An elderly couple was behind her and and the gentleman made the statement, "Dad must have dark hair" after studying Katarina carefully at 9 months old. Dina responded with, "Actually, she's adopted! You're the first one to ever mention that." Another situation occurred again at the same store at a different time. Jeff was with Katarina down a separate isle from Dina and a woman came up to him and asked if I was the mother (she apparently knew we were together). He quickly told her, "Shh...this child is with my first wife." However witty that was, Dina