A Look Back at 2008

"Little One" in 2008......

Play Time and Christmas

This month was filled with numerous activities for Little One. We had several playdates and also got in a visit to the aquarium. Little One experienced a lot of firsts this month. She showed some physical development (i.e. climbing, dancing, attempts at hopping) and also improved on her verbal skills. We noticed that she's trying harder to copy what we say and trying to sing words more clearly in songs.

1. She is wearing a Star Wars Darth Vader helmet. Mommy was amazed that she was willing to wear the helmet -- she does not usually like wearing hats.

2. When we went grocery shopping one day, the clerk gave us a free Feliz Navidad balloon. Little One kept saying "maoon" (aka: balloon). At first, Mommy & Daddy thought she was saying "mine" but we finally figured out she meant "balloon."

However, "Little One" actually has learned to say "mine" and "me." She says it sometimes when we try to take something out of her hands.

3. Little One is coloring/drawing with crayons here. She has shown improvement over the weeks. We could not see the color on the paper at first, but now, she is able to put enough strength for color to come out onto the paper.

P.S. Daddy helped color in most of this picture -- Little One just scribbles mostly.

4. This is Little One playing with Daddy's guitar. In the past, Little One would run in the opposite direction whenever she saw the guitar. Now, she says "tar" (aka: Guitar) over and over like it's her long lost love whenever she sees the guitar in the corner of the room.

5. Her baby doll has advanced to drinking from a cup here. Look at Little One feed her baby.

6. We visited a friend's house for a playdate.......
(A) Teeter-Tottering around on the swing set in the backyard.

(B) Who's coming out of this wagon first?

7. Little One's first experience playing with play-doh.....

8. Little One likes to play with cars and pretend that she's the driver....
(A) Little One is pushing a car that she got for Christmas around on the floor.

(B) When we visited another friend's house, she had a chance to sit behind the wheel of this driving console.

Our friend's husband made this console for their sons to use when playing car racing video games. The seat is actually a car seat from his Pontiac Fiero.

(C) On Christmas morning, "Little One" noticed that Santa had left this car for her. It was the first thing she saw after coming downstairs. Little One likes to get in and out, press on the horn for songs, and push the car around the room.

9. "Little One" opening Christmas presents with some help from Daddy.....

10. Little One loves to look at fish. She is looking at clown fish in this photo. Each time we take her to the aquarium, she seems to have more interest in the different exhibits. Since she is walking/running independently, we've had to clip this Monkey backpack/leash to her so that she doesn't run off too far.

11. During our most recent roadtrip, we made a stop to visit her orphanage sister. They have grown so much over the last year.

12. "Little One/Happy Girl" after having gone for a "cruise" in her car.