Watch Us Grow! Gracie, Aly, and Jacks

This page is for updates on Gracie, Jacks, and Aly. The Mitchell family (Lee, Clancy, and Jacks) and the Smith family (Andy, Kim, and Aly) traveled with us on both trips. The Mitchell's used CSS like us and the Smith's used Childrens Hope Intenational. We are all so blessed to have happy and healthy children!

Aly's Update from her Mommy, Kim-- I'll just tell you what Aly's up to these days. When we brought her home on 7/25, she could barely turn over by herself. She sat unsupported 8/26, crawled 8/30, stood up 10/24 and was walking by 10/29. Aly's hair is finally starting to come in and she's working on her 5th and 6th teeth now. No words other than "mama" and "dah-dah". Waves hi, but hasn't figured out that it works for bye as well.

Gracie's Update: When she came home with us, she was sitting up (mostly), eating well, and babbling. She learned to sit up without falling within a couple of days of being home. She crawled at 9 months, and started pulling up at about the same time. She can stand alone and is cruising while holding on to everything! Gracie has 6 teeth, more hair, and "ham hocks" (she came with those from the orphanage) for thighs. She squeals with delight at bathtime and says "momma, dada, baba (bottle), um bah (food), and Michael claims "pretty" but I have not heard that yet. She waves hello and bye bye, and also does "so big". She loves and adores her big sister Caroline, even imitates her. She has had one slight cold and is getting over an ear infection, but still has only woken us up ONE night in the last 4 months. She sleeps a good 11-12 hours a night and has not met a food she did not like! she loves music, Baby Einstein, and putting things in her mouth. She is such a joy!

Aly....the fashion diva at 10 months

Kim, Andy, & Aly Smith from Tennessee

Caroline & Gracie, Thanksgiving 2003

sweet, innocent Jacks.....NOT

Jack's Update--Jacks started walking all over the place about two weeks ago when he was 15 months. He loves to dance and clap his hands to music. He is still sleeping 12 hours a night and has never gotten us up once in the middle of the night. He loves going to Ole Miss football games and hangin' in the Grove on campus. He eats anything we put in front of him. He's 30 pounds now. We think he's going to be a defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers. He says "na-na" (for me), "da-da", "ta-da" (for touchdown), and "Da" for our dog, Dallas. He recognizes many words: Cheerios, Gigi (my mom), truck, video, juice, telephone, etc. He is in 24 month clothes now...he was wearing 12 month clothes when we got him in Russia (albeit, they were a little snug). We have three pieces of "art" he has completed for us in daycare on our refrigerator. We think he's a genius, and he's the light of our lives. His personality is very laid-back. He laughs and smiles all the time. We could not have hoped for more.

Jacks at home in Mississippi

Jacks at home , Fall 2003

Jacks in the dirt, his favorite place!