Saya is Officially a Neima

Yesterday was our court date for Saya's finalization at the Denver court. It was a rough start as it was an early morning hearing at 8am. To get to Denver with baby in tow by 8 means we have to leave the house at 6 thirty and then find parking and get through court security by 7:45am. Saya had a blow out and mommy had a tummy ache but we still made it. We met our social worker Donna Class and our agency's executive director Tracey along with Elisabeth. Our families finally got to meet our agency staff and were thrilled as they were all so nice. After taking a ton of pictures we headed off to the courtroom.

Here we are taking pictures in the hallway before our hearing. We picked out a purple dress for Saya. Doesn't she look cute?

We were the first family to get called in and it was a bit scary and nerve racking but we all sat down. The judge asked mom and dad to sit in the hot seats and I turned to my mother not realizing he was talking to me. Oops! He asked Jeff and I a series of questions about us adopting Saya, her health and development and made sure we were good for her. Donna vouched for us and so did Elisabeth and the hearing was then over. We took some pictures with the judge so we can show them to Saya when she is older.

After the hearing we went out to the hallway to speak to Elisabeth about filing for citizenship and whatnot. Saya also received a teddy bear from Adoption Alliance, she seemed to like the tags on it.

Even Linda Donovan was at the courts to support us. We're so lucky to have such a great agency supporting us in adopting Saya.

We headed out to the front of the courthouse to take a few more pictures. The sun was shining in our faces so it was a bit tough but we tried. Saya had a long day and was tired so we let her sleep in the stroller.

After the courthouse, we headed off to eat a little breakfast/brunch. We thought it was much later but it was still about 9am since we had such an early start. We found this breakfast place called Snooze and had a bit to eat there. Saya was a bit cranky as she was starving and wanted to eat.

So we did a bit more eating later in the evening to celebrate Saya's finalization.

Saya in the Laundry Basket

I was thinking of something new to play with and I thought it might be fun to pull Saya in the laundry basket. She seemed to have enjoyed it.

Saya's New Shades

Today we went to Hanna Andersson to pick up some sunglasses for baby. She tries to take it off all the time but I hope once we are in the sun, she'll keep them on.

Interested in Mommy's Hat

Just got back from a morning walk and Saya wanted to play with my hat.

Pool Time

This time the water was a bit too cold but next time we'll do better. We got Saya a pop up pool and shade to protect her from the sun. She seemed to have enjoyed it but we were a bit nervous as we didn't have her swim diapers on her.  I hope they arrive tomorrow.  Next time warmer water and swim diapers.  The dogs loved the new pool too. I hope they can enjoy it soon too.

It's a starfish! See Ryder eagerly waiting to get in.

Wow! Ryder looks like giant in this picture. He was a good boy just watching Saya play. We took her out of the pool shortly after as the water was cold.

Just Diapers and Hai Hain

Saya is enjoying her new senbeis that we got her. I think they are veggie and apple flavor.  It was a bit hot out so she decided to go shirtless.  Doesn't she look like she has suspenders on?

Saya in Shorts

I got Saya a pair of Circo shorts from Target the other day. She seems to like it, so we put her in it for our morning walk today. Here she is all in pink.

She was a bit annoyed by her hat.

Can't see her face.

We finally got a smile:)

It's Hot Out! Baby in Diapers and Bib

We got back from Target and baby was hot so I left her in her diapers and bib. She seemed to have enjoyed it.

Saya's Poster Finally on Our Wall

Remember Saya's announcement? We decided to blow it up to a poster size and hang it on our wall. We finally did it and it looks great. We tell Saya that it's her picture on the wall but she doesn't understand yet.

Enjoying the Playground

Here we are trying out the slide for the first time. Not sure what Saya thought of but we had a good time.

Happy 9 Month Birthday

Saya turned 9 months old yesterday. I know we're a tad bit late on the celebration but with the dogs going to the vet, it was a bit chaotic. Today was a much better day to celebrat anyways. I baked her a cupcakes and made them into the number 9. Jeff and I ate a couple beforehand since had extra.

Crawling Under

Saya seems to like to crawl under things now. She love to crawl under the jumperoo and the exersaucer upstairs.

Pack'n Play

We finally clceaned up the Pack'n Play and lowered the mattress so Saya can safely play inside.

New Outfit

Here she is in her new summer outfit for our outing to the liquor store. Doesn't she look cute.

Laughing with Daddy

That's Not Weather... That's War!

Those innocent vegetables never stood a chance. The birds had no place to hide. And those flowers... well let's not go there.



Well if you didn't guess already, it was indeed a hail storm that blew through the neighborhood. I'd say it was about 1/2" on average. Doesn't sound big, but when it comes down like someone winning the jackpot at a pachinko parlor, for 5 minutes straight, it does some damage.

It's interesting seeing the flood that starts to come down the street during a hail storm. It's intense! Looks like foam, but it's not... all hail and some melted water. It was 85 degrees that day after all.

All that remains of some of the veggies are 1" sticks coming out of the ground. Tops of trees look like winter. At least it grows back and the hail wasn't large enough to damage the roof, siding, or deck... They do have baseball size hail out on the plains you know.

Swing Time!

I took Saya on a walk today and stopped by the swing sets. I had no idea the swing seats were so big. She sank into them a bit but she still enjoyed mom swinging her.

So Proud!

Today Saya made it over to the dog bed. She was so proud I had to take a picture.

3rd Post Placement Interview Complete

 The third and final post placement interview occured yesterday. Our social worker came and asked us how we were doing with Saya. Everything went well and now all we have is our court date. Yeah!

Off to the Vacuum Cleaner!

Here she goes!

Saya is Pulling Up

Saya is now trying to pull herself up wherever she can. Today it was on her book and other times she tries on the couch and the stairs. I wonder if she is interested in walking soon.

Sekai no Hatemade ItteQ

Saya watching ItteQ with daddy. We hope that she will enjoy Japanese programs as much as we do.

No Toys for Saya

Now that Saya is crawling she likes anything but her toys. She tries to grab baby wipes, Baby Bjorn, dog toys and other things you just don't want her to get to.  Here she is about to chew on the Bjorn.

Now off to something else that may be interesting.

Cutie Pie!

I love this picture of Saya in her outfit so I had to post.

Bathtime!

Saya's hair is growing so now we can give her new hairdos in the tub. What do you think?

Let's Get This Garden Started

The garden is now well on it's way to getting started now that the weather is into the 70s and 80s and the danger of frost is gone. We will even get apples on both trees this year because there wasn't an early frost or huge wind that killed the blossoms.

Here are our raspberries and the fabulous trellis we built!

Can't forget about the blackberries. Those are good eats.

And our two apple trees that Jeff is going to try bagging this year so we can have organic apples. If you're not familiar with bagging, it involves zip-loc bags and no pesticides to keep the moths (worms) away.

A shot of our veggie berm which should start to have more and more growth as the season goes on.

And the Mint that comes back every year no matter how we forget to water it. Thanks Mint! Also gotta have the rosemary, basil, sage, and cilantro.

Hopefully we'll have more pictures up during the year as things start getting big!