We're Home
July 21, 2008  |  August 19, 2008  |  September 21, 2008  |  November 1, 2008  |  November 28, 2008

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 It is truly hard to believe that we have been home one whole month with our sweet baby girl ! Ella has transformed over the last four weeks. She started out being so clingy with me (mommy) when we came home and now she's everyone's girl...especially Daddy ! She has two brothers who think she's the grandest thing since X-box 360 and they help do everything for her. They have been very protective and loving with her. It's a constant smooch on the cheek and bear hug for Ella when they're around ! We had somewhat of a difficult time getting Ella to eat baby food as this was something she had never had before. She still makes horrible faces when we try feeding her pureed foods...and generally prefers to eat table food. She adores biscuits and gravy and chicken and dumplins and lives for hot and spicy cajun dirty rice. A true southern gal I tell ya' !! She had her first doctor's appointment the 22nd of July and our pediatrician was so pleased with how healthy she is. All of her blood work came back good and she now weighs 21 pounds 3 ounces ! She was also in the 90th percentile in height. Dr. Gendron continually commented on how blessed we were to have such a healthy and beautiful little lady. Cole said when we left..."Did he not think we knew that ?" (hee! ) Ella's most favorite activity right now would have to be taking a bath! She loves the water and I have to really watch her close because she tries to dip her head under the water if you're not looking closely ! Ella also loves listening to teeny tots nursery rhymes, music, looking at picture books, playing outside with our cat; Ivy, watching the cows across the field, and watching Elvis and Oscar, our sheep (from a distance). She is giving high-five (Daddy taught her that...) and sugar (southern for kisses..) and makes the da-da sound and has said 'cat' one time ! I think I scared her when I squealed and clapped so she wont say it again. She also says something...(the same something) everytime we walk to the barn and she sees the sheep. We're not sure if what she's saying is spanish for 'sheep' or spanish for 'oh crap' ! She's still not sure what the heck they are and wants so badly to pet them or touch them...and then the minute she does...she's wishing she hadn't. They have a very lound 'Baaaa' ! She started staying with her baby sitter, Miss Gay, about two weeks ago when Mommy went back to work and has done so well! She really enjoys playing with the other little boy that Gay keeps. My first day back at the hospital consisted of not getting alot done as I kept my cell phone hot calling and checking on her ...which I had really promised myself early that morning I wouldn't do...but lost control. It was okay though...cause ya' see...Miss Gay was also the wonderful sitter that kept Carter and Cole when they were small..so she was totally prepared for my OCD phone calls on my first day away from her ! I know we say this every time...but we just feel blessed beyond words to have this precious child. Our adoption co-ordinator here in the states as well as our facilitator in Guatemala were both so helpful and efficient in keeping our process on track as much as they possibly could and we are forever grateful to both Miss Kelly Carmody (www.bbinternationaladoption.com) and Miss Claudia for helping unite us with our precious daughter. We contine to pray for the many children still caught in the middle of changing adoption laws ..that they will make their way home to their families soon. Until next month our friends.... ~Wendel, Rachel, Carter, Cole and Ella Rose

Our precious girl The Burke trio "Bye bye boys!"

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