We've had a crazy few weeks here, starting with Kyla coming down with her first real winter virus. She had a fever for several days and followed that up with her first ear infection. It was great fun for all of us and of course we slept well too (not!).
Here she is with an attractive runny nose but feeling better:
Luckily the illness wasn't a week later because Kyla's birthmother and her sister came for a visit. She hadn't seen Kyla since last June (at her birth!) other than the pictures we sent so she was meeting a little girl for the first time. It seemed to go well so we hope that she and Kyla maintain some sort of relationship with each other. From everything we've read, that kind of contact can be helpful for an adopted child.
In other adoption news, we might *finally* be able to have our finalization hearing sometime soon. It usually only takes about 6 months but we've had one paperwork delay after another (seemed like there were people sitting on things which was very frustrating). Most of the official papers were signed long ago but this is the paperwork and the agency telling the state of California that we are doing okay as parents, etc. The hearings are mostly ceremonial ("do you take this child..." really!) and happy. After this is complete then we will get a copy of her new birth certificate with our names and the name we've given her and all of that, so it makes it all official!
We'll have a big blog-world toast on the day of our finalization!!
It's possible that Kyla will be able to walk up to the judge on that day because she is spending lots of time in this position:
Needless to say we've been quickly making sure everything is babyproofed as this curious child explores up and down:
