8:02 on Monday night...She is finally down to bed. What an angel! Our day at Hospicio is indescribable. We sat and waited in the office...and in walks this tiny little girl--even more tiny than I had imagined her. Daddy grabbed her right away and sat her on his lap. As we toured her home, she reached out for myself and Dustin. We fed her, met her friends, and her caregivers. I remain speechless and my thoughts are lost in just watching her sleep. What a wonderful feeling this is. Dustin and I have not stopped smiling. We watch her every move and marvel at the little curly-haired wonder. She noticed herself in the mirror and loved what she saw. She giggled for hours and chittered "da-da-da-daddy!" She would clap when music caught her ear and when cartoons caught her eye. Hannah Montana left her speechless. She squiggled and squirmed her little body during diaper change time--it took 3 to get it done right! She spent her day running back and forth to mommy and daddy--always making sure to look across to the other to make sure they were still there and watching. She loved the phonebooks, the lipstick, and the pictures of her doggies. She kissed their faces and walked around with the corner of the picture in her mouth. She rode in the stroller for her first night out to dinner and kicked her right foot and waved her hands in excitement at everyone walking by. She already learned the sign language for "more" and "all gone!" When she got fussy, I would just stop to sing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "Twinkle Twinkle"--it caught her attention everytime--she would just stare and watch her mommy's lips.
Tomorrow there will be an entrustment ceremony back at Hospicio...there is the reading of her history, a mass, a promise speech from Dustin and I, and a blessing. What a special day...Enjoy the photos of our newest addition. Thank you for all of your prayers, thoughts, and support. We feel so lucky to share this journey with you! Love you, Alicia and Dustin
Dear Alicia, Dustin, Gma & baby Katrina,
ReplyDeleteOH, oh, ohhhhhhhhh.... I have tears rolling down my face this morning as I read the incredible news and actually see the pictures. She is REAL, she really is and now you are a family. I can only imagine everything going on. I can also see Mareta just grinning and tears flowing- WE LOVE IT! Oh dear friends, what a wonderful journey and what a special, lucky little girl. She is so sweet & I love her long eyelashes. Don't be afraid to teach her some of our favorite song, "...shake it to the R, shake it to the L..."! Thank you for sharing adding such hope to all of our hearts too:) BE SAFE and get home NOW! Chris & I can't wait to see you all! ~ Love,Anne
We were thinking and praying for you all evening...knowing that the hour had come for you to meet your little angel. I'm shaking and tears are streaming down my face as I look at the photos of my new beautiful little niece with her elated parents (even though I'm at work...I don't care!). I'm thinking of my sweet little brother, Dustin, when he was Katrina's age, and how much I loved him (and still do!) and what a great dad he will be to Katrina. I'm so proud of you guys...it takes alot of courage to do what you are doing and the reward is truly priceless. I'm so glad she's taken to you both so quickly, the photos are amazing, and I will keep following your blog for the updates as your week progresses...I love you both and I can't wait to hold my beautiful niece in my arms and tell her that Tita Diana loves her too!
ReplyDeleteYeah - Finally!! The wait was well worth it though - what a beautiful litle girl and it sounds like she is just so sweet. She probably already has her daddy wrapped around her finger :-) Well, probably her mommy too! I had to stare at the latest pictures for a while as I still have the picture of her propped against the wall in my head but now, she is walking all by herself! I can't wait to meet her - what a lucky little girl to have you both as parents!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a breath taking story! My eyes are filled with tears of joy for the both of you! Congratulations! You finally have her! What a bundle of joy! She is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy gosh! I said I couldn't believe it until I saw it. Well, thank you for sharing your most unbelievable moments with pictures and a story of joy and emotions. I believe it now! You must feel as though you are in a dream. Katrina is darling! This blog was such a wonderful idea. Congratulations on your new little girl.
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy for you guys...what a little blessing!!! Words cannot describe what you must be feeling. She is adorable - can't wait to meet her!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ash & Beck
Lish and Dustin:
ReplyDeleteKatrina looks great!! The one picture of her looking up at you tells it all. she is thinking-this IS my mom. She doesn't look that tiny to me. I see some muscle in those arms! Takes after Dustin. Kee pu the good blog when you have time.
DAD
What an absolute doll! Those tiny little features.....beautiful little eyelashes. I am just trying to take it all in. She is just soooo precious and it sounds like the first day went unbelivably well. I wish I could be at the mass and special ceremony with all of you today....it all sounds so wonderful! I still can't wait to kiss those sweet little cheeks of hers.....
ReplyDeleteLola Cheryl
Katrina is even more beautiful than her first pictures! You guys look elated and I cried along with everyone else! She's so tiny I must find out her size so I can purchase a fabulous new outfit, enjoy each new moment,can't wait to meet her!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you guys!!! You're officially parents of the most beautiful little girl. We're so proud of you for making it all this way and being so strong throughout the wait. Seeing you guys with her in the pictures is so gratifying. You finally have Katrina! You are truly blessed, and so is she. What a beautiful family you are. Peter and I are both at work, talking to eachother on the phone, and looking and reading your blog together, getting all teary-eyed! We can't wait to see more pics through the rest of your stay in Manila. We loved her when we saw those first pictures, and our love for her just grows more and more! Love you all, and we can't wait to see you in just a few more days!!!! xoxo-Tita Beka & Tito Peto.
ReplyDeleteOoh my God, Alicia and Dustin she is just perfect! The other night at 9 I was holding my little Alyssa and said "You have a new cousin now" and we clapped. As I was reading this blog early this morning and looking at the sweet picture of Katrina in her diaper, tears were rolling down my face...we FINALLY have her! This must be the single best day of your life thus far - a child just changes everything! This has been a journey for all of us, waiting along with you, hurting with your hurt and being greatful in your happiness. We are all sharing your joy from a far and can't wait to see your new little family. I have hugged my children several times today and I realize how thankful I am to have them. I am now thankful that you have your little person too. We love you!
ReplyDeleteThe pics are so beautiful! SHE is beautiful and so very precious! What joy! It's as if Katrina is looking up at Alicia and thinking, "this is my mom for real"! What a fantastic way for all of us to feel a part of the 'incrowd'! We will look so forward to her first trip down to Kenosha. Thank you for keeping us in the loop. Great 'tita' sue
ReplyDeleteTo all of our family and friends who have commented on our blog--THANK YOU! You do not know how exciting this is that we can feel all of you here w/us. Your thoughts given also brought tears to our eyes. We are so blessed to have your support--it is so special. I think you all need to know that she is taking to us well, making eye contact many times, and verrrrrry active and happy. Love you all--Alicia and Dustin
ReplyDeleteEven Brad had tears in his eyes here. So excited to meet my new little niece. Any chance you can come home now? Tell Dustin that Elle spotted that piece of luggage in one of the pictures and just laughed.
ReplyDeleteI have not cried so much in so long. I am happily crying, of course, but major tears of joy. Words can't express how I am feeling for all of you. I just keep thinking about Grandma and Bob and how they must be feeling with all of this. The pictures express it all. Even Mikey had tears in his eyes when he was looking at this. Now, we all know that is something! What a neat thing to have an entrustment ceremony with promise speeches. Anxiously awaiting reports on that. I really appreciate that you take the time to do this for us. Love, Sue and Mike
ReplyDeleteHey Alicia! Your Maple Avenue Family is thinking of you too! We can't wait to meet your little angel! Thank you for sharing this blog with us. We feel like we are on this journey with you! We will be checking back often~ not during school hours, of course:)
ReplyDeleteStay safe and enjoy every memory you are creating! We miss you and are just thrilled for you, Dustin and your whole family!
Jodi :)