Two in the Evening and Underneath the Moon

We are having a big family/friends birthday party for Vada this coming weekend but we wanted to celebrate Vada's birthday on the actual day as well, so we invited Justin's parents over for dinner and cupcakes and Vada was able to open a couple of birthday gifts. 

This gift was from her Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Chris and her two cousins, Asher and Fitch.

Thanks guys! She loves this fun stacking toy!

After dinner and gifts I moved her high chair onto solid flooring and we all sang Happy Birthday to her and then handed her, her very own cupcake.

We tried to get her to blow out her candle but she was more interested in eating it than she was with the silly old candles --go figure!

It took Vada a couple of minutes to figure the cupcake out.

I think at first she didnt like the way the frosting felt on her hands. There was a few times when she tried to shake it off. 

Once she got her first taste of sweetness, there was no turning back!

She somehow made sure to get most of the cupcake and frosting into her mouth or at least around it.

Yes, some cake did make it up her nose and even on her body but like a true girl, she was very careful to not mess up her hair!

There were just too many pictures that I loved of her sweet face --no pun intended, so I couldn't choose just a couple to share...

Vada's "theme" for her birthday party is rainbows but today on her actual birthday we used gold, for her golden birthday. 

These past two years have been full of blessings. Full of love and full of growth --for all of us! I look forward to every year in our future and our journey with our children. I never thought that this would be the life I would have but I would never ask for anything else because to me, this is the greatest and it is better than I could have imagined!

Mom and Dad Svatek

My foster parents came today. I love them so much! They live in Texas so I don't get to see them often enough and when I do I certainly don't want to let them go! I last saw Suzan (my foster mother) was when V had her heart repaired. She flew up and stayed at the same hotel as Justin until V was in the clear and ready to come home. Augie (my foster father) was last here at Christmas time last year! We almost missed each other this time around because Vada and I were scheduled to be in Saint Louis still. Thank God for her good health!

Vada buddied right up with her Grandpa Augie.

She also had great conversations with her Grandma Suzan.

Jasmine came home from school and had some snuggle time as well.

It was a beautifully chilly day outside but a warm one in our house full of love and family. The only thing (or person in this case) that was missing was our Rae. Unfortunately, she was at her Bio's. Next time baby girl, next time.

Not A Wordless Kind of Day

Yesterday was the official first day of summer and the day here, was beautiful!

Vada and I took our second trip (this week) to Peoria-yesterday afternoon. On Monday we met with the Cardiologist and the heart surgeon and yesterday we met with the Neurologist. From all three doctors Vada was given a clean bill of health, which was the first time for that! As long as her health remains in tip top shape we get a break from the long drives that have become like second nature for me to take. Vada is scheduled to go back in September, that's three whole months of just enjoying our girls, our family and our time together! I am so excited!

Next week, I'll set up her vaccination appointments. Ive mentioned before that I choose to get my children vaccinated but for Vada I have chose to do a prolonged vaccination schedule, basically it means that she will only get one vaccine injection a month. Luckily, I didn't have to find another pediatrician, because hers  agreed to do it the way that I wanted it to be done. Plus, I had the Peoria specialists backing me up on this one.

Here's the best part that came with the two back to back trips-Vada was taken off of all of  her restrictions! That's right..., she can be out and about! Were are going to keep her out of the church nursery however, it would be the only nursery that she would ever be in-at least at this point. Until she is up to date on her vaccines we want to take some extra precautions. Once she is up to date then she will get the chance to join her friends and play while Mommy and Daddy get to fully listen to the sermons. We will also be slowly reintroducing her into large groups but for the most part our lives have returned to normal-whatever that may be!

Oh, I almost forgot..., during the check-in part of the doctors visits Vada was weighed and measured again. Currently she is twenty-seven inches long! She grew! She also weigh's 17 pounds-11 ounces and for those of you who aren't familiar with her age, she is 15 months and 3 weeks old!

Vada has two very special friends who she has been excited to meet and now that she has recovered, she can! One friend is still in the process of recovering from her very own heart repair and the other is just ready to play!

As far as my personal doctors visits go..., well, they have just begun! This morning I went back to the ENT and we set a date to have my tonsils removed! On July 18th I am going to be saying goodbye to these bad boys who are constantly causing me problems! The doctor mentioned doing it sooner because the tonsil is still enlarged and causing some minor discomfort. Plus, I am still having a hard time fully opening my mouth. However, the process of healing from the surgery will actually interfere with some pretty important summer plans, so I asked to push it back just a bit.

Jasmine had another ball game yesterday. Vada and I got home from Peoria fifteen minutes before she had to be on the field  for practice! I was so glad that I had made it home on time to take her and I was even more grateful to be able to watch her play!

There are very few things that I don't like about watching softball. The heat and humidity are the worst and if its too hot,, then its no fun! I love this time in the season however. It's when the girls are all warmed up to the game. They are fully practiced and they know their rolls in their team. Its about this time that the games get really exciting. However, it is also close to the end of the season. Jasmine and her team played beautifully yesterday! They truly kicked some butt! I was proud of each and every girl, especially mine!

On a serious note, I thank God for the coaches that Jasmine's team has, there are three of them and each one is kind hearted. They push the girls to play their best but still allow them to enjoy the game that they are playing. That's how it should be! The team that the girls played yesterday was less fortunate and that's just...sad.

Vada was able to get a little extra time with Grandpa and Grandma during Jazzy's game as well. She of course enjoyed that time and I think it's pretty safe to say that they did too!

This has already been one full week and I am grateful to be able to say that it has also been a pretty great one-my tonsil issues aside!