Adopted Mommy

With all the craziness during the weekends this time of year, we both agreed that it would be okay to just have Dina take the kids this time to the mall for pictures with Santa during the week. Usually we will wait until the weekend so Jeff can be a part of that. It was much easier than the weekend crowds. We were able to walk right up to Santa and take our time with pictures. It was difficult getting both kids to smile at the same time, but they still turned out cute! David's first time seeing Santa went well-we've seen kids SCREAM! We're pretty lucky both kids don't mind that since we like these photo opportunities! :)

Well...Dina's intentions were good, but she didn't make it out to the Early Bird sales this year. But, oh well! The ads out there really didn't have anything that caught her attention. And, now having 2 kids, she couldn't just expect Jeff to take care of both of them on his own until she got home. We're still learning how to balance all that out! :) Thanksgiving, on the other hand, was wonderful! Dinner was cooked by Dina's dad and step mother. We decided to take this opportunity to have our family photo taken for the holiday cards we'll be mailing out soon! This certainly was a wonderful day spent together! On a different note, Jeff's brother, Joey, called us from New Jersey yesterday. He is almost done with boot camp for the Coast Guard. For the Thanksgiving holiday, he was on liberty and was able to to contact family. It was wonderful to hear his voice, which sounds much more mature and articulate. He's looking forward to graduation o

Well, it's official! We have a son! He came home for good yesterday, just in time for Turkey Day! :) We have known about him for awhile, but there have been many issues that prolonged his homecoming. There have been numerous visits the last month. Our first meeting was October 26 th ! When the adoption is finalized, his name will be changed to David Allen William Graves (in honor of both of our fathers). David was born in Stockton on April 20 th and is 7 months old now! He weighs 19 pounds as of his 6 month check up. He is definitely a big boy! He is an easy going baby and has made wonderful strides since we have met him. The only worry is watching Katarina at the same time. She is not jealous at all, but she just requires attention. She loves to help with feedings and changing. We're not sure if she understands the permanence just yet (she does call him "brother"), but so far it's been easier than we thought it would be. We'll see..... Mor

Dina's former co-worker had recently asked if she could do a photo shoot of Katarina. She wanted to try out a new lens her husband bought her. So, of course, Mommy said yes since she LOVES pictures so much. There were too many cute ones to even post. The pictures just turned out adorable. Just letting Katarina play in the front yard for a bit allowed for great photos! It was so much fun (and nice to catch up with a friend for "adult" conversation).

Katarina looked ADORABLE in her Chinese costume her Nino bought her in the city awhile back. Whenever he goes, he finds outfits in her size. Mommy gets after Nino since Katarina is NOT Chinese....she's Filipino!! :) Her Uncle David and Aunt Lacey were sweet enough to invite us all over for trick-or-treating in their new neighborhood in Lodi. This was our first time at their new home! Once it got dark, we walked around and Katarina said, "Trick or Treat" and thanked everyone who gave her candy. One house gave her a full size candy bar (for Mommy) because she is just so darn cute! Other kids were only given the fun size bars! Katarina would NOT let go over her pumpkin bucket filled with candy. It was really heavy for her towards the end, but she didn't want Mommy or Daddy to carry it for her! Once we got back to David and Lacey's house, she wanted to go through her candy right then and there! She was a little peeved Mommy only let her have one piece, bu