Spoiled by the Neighbors

our neighbors bought a new ice cream machine and they invited Mia over for their first batch. It was really tasty and Mia enjoyed it ALOT as you can see! We can't wait for the the next batch. Thank You Nina and Mike!!!

SWIMMING LESSON GRADUATION!

Mia just completed her 2 week swimming class. Parents are unable to stay during the lessons, so on her final day, parents are invited to see the progress of each child. Mia is now able to go to the bottom of the pool and get a stick. She is not strong enough to get down herself, but with a little push she gets to the bottom, retrieves the stick (sometime 2 at a time) and turns and swims up. She listens to the instructor and all the kids sit on the edge of the pool and await their turn to swim to her. She can swim a small amount to the instructor and knows to turn back to the wall. She received a small penant with a picture on it of her jumping off the edge. Now that we have observed their techniques, we will definately keep it up. Mia is not afraid to get her face wet and enjoys the pool. Her instructor said she and another child did very well! We will sign her up for more classes to keep up with it. We are so proud of her!

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Summer is in full gear!!!!

McKenzie, Tami, Mia and Natalie relaxing at

"The Cove" at Sebastian River State Park

Grandaddy and Mia strolling thru as

the tide started coming in.

Cookie Break after some swimming in the pool.

Like my goggles??

Mia having Fun in the Sun

We are home and are ready to celebrate Mike's 1st Father's Day! The kids on vacation made this craft for all the Father's and included Mike. Our vacation was great and Mia had so much fun playing with everyone, going out on the boat, and hanging out in the pool. When we arrived home our neighbors were outside and commented on how tan Mia looked. Believe me it was hard work applying and re-applying sunscreen a couple times a day. Someone in our group had a really fancy camera and took some amazing shots of Mia out on the sand bar. He is going to mail me a CD with the pictures burned on them. I will post when they arrive.

On another note, Friday the 15th we celebrated Mia being on our lives exactly the time she was without us. We were joined as a family when Mia was 10 months old and she is now 20 months. Our Family Day was August 15, 2006.

ANOTHER MILESTONE!!!!

Stephanie came to visit us and we went out on the boat. Mia loves Stephanie and she giggles and laughs with her. We are so proud of her graduating in the top 10% of high school. She leaves for college soon and we will miss her so much. She will only be about a half hour drive away. So she won't be that far away!!

Beach Bum

I just can't put the camera down !!!

We are finally in Marco Island with Mia! We thought she would join us last year, but we didn't travel til August. Mia had her first boat ride and really enjoyed it. She ran all over the sand bar collecting shells. When we got on the boat she started to sing, "Row Row Row your Boat" it was so funny and everyone joined in to sing. We are having such a wonderful time and Mia is sleeping well. She was so pooped out yesterday that she fell asleep just before getting back. Mike was a little concerned about how she would react to the boat and all the bumps and she most definately has sea legs. It has been so nice for the "Marco Family" to finally meet Mia, they adore her.

MISO CUTE !!

I just had to share this! Aunt Joey (my best friend) sent Mia this t-shirt. It is so cute and looks adorable on Mia. She loves anything that shimmers and goes up to it and says OOOOOHHHH! I am not sure if you can see but this sushi has rhinestones on it! Thank you Aunt Joey : ) you are always so thoughtful!

Good Morning Daddy,

I have a BIG kiss for you

Stephanie is college bound and we wouldn't miss her graduation party for anything. We headed South for a relaxing (sorta) and fun weekend. Mia was such a trooper :) her schedule was totally off and she went along with all the hoopla. She is a little party animal. As we speak, she is passed out in her crib and we are home. Mia attended her first Marlins Game and she had a great time. I was prepared to leave early if she got fussy, because after all, the game was at 1:00 and it was hot out. Mia did great, clapping and dancing and watching all the commotion on the jumbo tron. We decided to stay at a hotel this time and make a mini vacation out of this holiday weekend and it went well. The pool at the hotel was great and Mia enjoyed the waterfall.

A weekend of FUN!!

Half of the Semkow clan came for a visit yesterday and the kids had fun playing in Mia's little interactive pool/slide. We can't wait for their home to finally finish so they can be here permanently.

Mother's Day was real special and I had the pleasure of sharing it with my Mom of course and my best friend Joey with her husband and 2 children. The kids had a great time swimming and playing. Mike treating me very well and made sure my first Mother's Day was great! My father in-law came to visit for a couple of days and he and Mike took me to breakfast in the morning. After my special day I took time to reflect on how much our life has changed with Mia in it, and I wish there was a way I could let her birth mother know that she is very loved and is well taken care of.

For those who are still waiting and feel like it is taking forever, I can empathize, I thought my Mother's Day would never come.

Our Big Girl Using A Fork!!

Is is so nice to not have to almost give Mia a bath after her meals. She truly enjoys her meals and before she mastered the fork and spoon, you could see her enjoyment all over her face. Now she concentrates on her piece of food and pokes it. When she puts it in her mouth, she says MMMMMM. I have to say this kid is not a picky eater, she eats anything from Stone Crabs to peanut butter. When we go to the grocery store now, she points and names the fruits and screams BREAD when we go thru the bakery.

This is the face that makes my heart melt!

For those of you who have had the pleasure of experiencing Mia and her personality, you know what I am talking about. Mia just turned 19 months old and next month she will be with us for 10 months, exactly the age she was when we were joined as a family of three. These past months have been a joy! She loves to hold hands with Mike and I and play Ring Around The Rosie and giggles when we fall down . She loves music and screams with excitement when we drive past a playground. As Mother's Day nears, I think back to all those years thinking about what it would be like, and I finally am having that chance to celebrate with my daughter..