Happy Birthday Baby...

How a year goes by....

Five years of waiting....

Six months of paperwork....

Two sets of government regulations.....

Countless stacks of paperwork....

AND THEN

Twenty Four hours on a plane....

Five visits to the Embassy....

One early decision to come home....

Three of us heading home....

AND THEN

Six months she crawled and learned to really laugh....

Seven months she could stand on her own, clap and found her fake laugh....

Eight months her feet hit the ground running as does her tongue: Mama and Dada come first....

Nine months she gave up her bottle for drinks with straws and talking is what she does best....

Ten months brings hysterics and giggles daily. She even laughs at her shots....

Eleven months; there is finally a tooth and she barks at dogs as they pass by....

Twelve months; it's here and she's growing like a weed. Time sure does fly by; here's to you little Ms. G!



Here's some other random pictures from the last little bit....

Where to start....

Lots has happened since my last post, LOTS!

1. Grace was sealed to Dallan and I for time and all eternity in the Sacramento Temple on Aug. 1. On August second, Dallan gave her the sweetest blessing ever and we were very blessed to have so many of our friends and family come to support our new little family. Afterwards we had brunch and it was perfectly delicious; all in all it was more than we've ever dreamed of.

2. Also on Aug. 1, Morgan and I threw a baby shower for our sister Chelsea. It was beautiful if I do say so myself! Chelsea got a lot of stuff that she needed and the most beautiful crib ensemble ever! LOVED IT!!!

3. I started back to school! School is cool, school is cool.... I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit. It's good to be back and I feel more motivated than I ever have. There is something about doing it for Grace that is keeping me on track.


4. We found out Dallan will be deploying again to Iraq. Sometime in mid-December we'll send him off for a six month tour in the sandbox. It's gonna stink and we're gonna miss him like crazy, but we're so thankful for his service and the benefits it brings into our lives.

5. Chelsea had her baby! The most beautiful little Guad-a-pean ever! (Her dad is Guatemalan and Chelsea's claiming her European heritage, hence guad-a-pean). She was 7 pounds of perfection. Morgan, Grace and I trekked down two days after she was born and had one of the best weekends ever! The family was together for the first time in many, many, MANY moons. .

6. Grace has learned to feed herself and is talking up a storm. My favorite word: Shoes. I've never been so proud! She also says: momma, daddy, kitty, God (this is actually dog...), shoe, fish, please, hi, baba, papa and tub. Now, if only she could get some teeth....

7. I finally attempted brushing her hair! What a difference this is from anything I've ever known! Hahaha....I only got through half before there was a complete breakdown. G has SO much hair! It took us about two hours to brush what we did and so she is sporting a new style for a bit.

8. We are buying a house. We're looking for the long term so it's been interesting looking. We love to house shop; we're just feeling overwhelmed by so many options. Hopefully we will close on something before Dallan deploys so I can move in when our lease is up here in Concord.

9. The holidays are a comin'! It's been so different with a little one; normally I could really care less about Halloween but this year is just so different. We've got her costume (she's going to be a bumble bee) and we took a trip to the pumpkin patch. It's been amazing to do this stuff; I'm more thankful than I've ever been



10. Life is super good and amazing. We've been talking a lot about "this time last year"...Grace wasn't even a thought last year and next month she'll celebrate her first birthday! It's crazy to think how different life can be from one year to the next!

Gracie Gets Going

Gracie's feet have hit the ground and she is off for adventures! Dallan and I spent a lot of time pre-g talking about what age to adopt. We wanted a baby so we could experience all that comes along with babies, well we feel cheated somehow! Hahahaha...we are so stinkin' proud but I feel like she is way too young and little to be walking already! And, she already knows all about my shoes and purses! So glad we got a baby so I could have a toddler going on 16!

We are missing Dallan like crazy but he comes home this week so we are super excited. G has been putting on weight to her pediatricians delight and growing too. She is trying to cut some teeth but they've yet to pop up. She's moving further away from her bottle and wants as much grown up food as she can beg off people. She's been spending lots of time in the pool and she's so comfortable there that she has managed to fall asleep twice while floating in her chair. She is giggling more and more and "talking" all the time.

We've been trying to stay busy while Dallan is gone so we took a trip with Auntie Morgan to San Diego so that G could meet Auntie Chelsea and Auntie Taryn and McKenna. We had tons of fun playing at Sea World, the beach, the Del Mar fair and everything else!

After San Diego, we turned around and hopped another flight to San Antonio to see Dallan and had another busy weekend. We saw tons and we all have a love for San Antonio now.

Basically, we're having an awesome summer!

Happy Father's Day

Dallan is in Texas on this, his first father's day. Luckily we figured out how to get skype going on his computer so he could see Gracie and vice versa. She was so excited to see him finally after just hearing his voice for the last week.

Since Dallan was gone, Grace and I trekked up to Roseville to celebrate my father; a man unlike any other. He is seriously the best man I've ever known. When Morgan and I asked him what he wanted to do today, he told us he wanted to take Grace to the zoo, so that's what we did! She was great all afternoon. I'm not sure that she noticed the animals but loved all the other kids and the wooden posts that Grandpa helped her stand on (she did notice the monkeys and really liked them). Her favorite part of the day was when Grandpa shared his ice cream cone! Here are some pics from the day:







Special note to my husband: It's been worth waiting the five years to see you with Gracie; you are an AMAZING daddy. I can't imagine doing this with anyone else.

Not just surviving but totally thriving...

It seems hard to believe that a month ago we were just arriving in Ghana. That six months ago we felt as if we'd never meet our daughter. That eight months ago adoption was on our minds, just not at the forefront of reality. That a year ago Dallan was just coming home from Iraq. A LOT has changed!

Grace has been amazing! I could seriously brag about her all day! I'm so grateful for such a wonderful little girl who lets mommy sleep through the night and be as social as ever! She is everything and so much more than we could've ever hoped for.

Dallan left on Sunday (June 14) for six weeks in San Antonio with the Air Force. He switched from the Marine Corps in January and maintained his rank but has no experience in his new job so they sent him off for some tech school. He had a rough start getting out there but seems to be okay now a few days in. There is another gentleman that was prior service and is older than Dallan and then the rest of the class are new guys, straight out of boot camp. Gracie and I are hoping we'll be able to visit Dallan while he is there but we'll see how things shape up. Before he left, Dallan went to Build a Bear to make Gracie a bear (it's actually a bunny...) that had his voice in it so that she could here and remember his voice while he is gone. She's very cute with the bunny; she totally lights up and knows it's here Daddy. Last night he called and when I put him on speaker phone she lit up and was kissing my phone; she's such a daddy's girl - we wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm sure the next six weeks will pass before us in the blink of an eye; I will try to update but it's so much more fun to hang with my girl than be on the computer!

Starting Forever

We are home! We are home! We are home!

After 25 hours of travel, three airports and one good night's rest, the Livingston clan is up and moving.

Grace was amazing on both flights; she shocked us and surprised all the skeptics on both flights by being quiet and a great source of entertainment. Dallan and I couldn't believe our luck as she traveled the friendly skies like a consummate pro.

We're so grateful for every one's love and support and we can't wait to see you all!

Ways We Know Grace was Prepared For Our Family...

1. She snores like Daddy.
2. She sleeps with her right leg up at an angle like Mommy.
3. She's stubborn like...well, like everyone on both sides.
4. She has Grandma Livingston's smile.
5. She is a leech when she sleeps like Auntie Morgan.
6. She loves music like Auntie Kaitlan.
7. She loves her dye dye like Auntie Chelsea.
8. She has a peg leg crawl like cousin Kenna.
9. Her laugh is deep like Grandpa D's.
10. To relax, she plays with Daddy's ears, just like mommy does.
11. She mimics all of daddy's noises.
12. She likes to sing like Auntie Janielle.
13. She likes anything technical like Daddy and Grandpa Livingston and Uncle Kenyon.

I'm sure there are many others but we can't think of anymore! Gracie kept us up last night with a night terror and then restless sleep so while she is happy as a clam today, Dallan and I are dragging our feet and dreaming of home!

We went to the embassy this morning to actually pick up the visa/passport for Grace. They gave us an 8am appointment for which we were on time. Too bad they didn't see us until 11!!! Thankfully Grace is AMAZING in public and she waits patiently (one thing she definitely didn't get from me!). Dallan got her to fall asleep which was even better.

There is nothing standing in our way to boarding that plane and coming home. This process is finally wrapping itself up and we couldn't be happier. We'll see you all when we get home!

Visiting Grace's humble beginning

I swore to myself I wouldn't be one of those all important, I'm going to rescue this baby kind of mothers. Well, yesterday after seeing the orphanage where Grace has spent the last six months had me saying, without skipping a beat, "we really are saving her and giving her a better life."

First, to get there we drove through the "dump" which was doubling as a football field for the local kids. We then drove through a series of stall's that Dallan said reminded him of the scenes from the slums in Slumdog Millionaire. It was hot and dirty. We wanted to make a donation to the orphanage so Percy drove us around to all these separate stalls to buy the necessary stuff; baby food, sugar and rice. When we got back on the road to the orphanage, the paved road quickly turned to a dirt one and Percy kept warning us "not to worry about the bumpy road." As we were creeping along we saw roosters and chickens and crumbled down buildings. We even saw a baby goat that decided the middle of the road is the best place to nap. There were shanty shacks and some clothes blowing from a dryer line. We saw a woman who yelled "Esther" upon seeing the car. When we pulled up, I was floored. There were about eight women sitting in what little shade could be found and a bevy of kids running around. Percy bought some granola bars for these older kids and they scurried to get them and scurried away to eat them. When we got out of the car the women went crazy for Grace. Percy took her to give her to the Reverends (Juliet; the one who cared for Grace)sister and the first woman that we saw when driving in came running over; she was a larger woman with scary drawn on eyebrows and purple lipstick and she scared the crap out of Grace! She just screamed and screamed so I took her back and she nestled up to my chest and fell asleep. We took a tour of the compound and saw the old church, which is a wooden hall of a building, and the church they are trying to build (this one of cement blocks is bigger and will be better built). We also saw where the mothers slept with the babies. After the tour, Dallan carried the rice and stuff to the women and since Grace was sleeping we left. Juliet wasn't there because she was working at her "store" so we went back to where we had bought the supplies and waited for her to return. Grace was still sleeping when she got there but woke up shortly after so they could say goodbye. I cried when Juliet hugged me; thankful for all that she had done and all she continues to do. The last few times we've seen her she has been so supportive and helpful and as a first time parents with no outside help, she's been such a blessing to Dallan and I. Anyways, I'm glad everything went okay with the VISA because I know I wouldn't have been able to leave Grace once I saw that place. I feel even more blessed to be returning home to the life I live; we are so very lucky.

Pictures: me holding grace as we drive (there are no child seats here), Julliett, me, Grace and Dalla, the sign marking the orphanage, the road to the orphanage and the church at the orphanage

We're Coming Home as a Threesome

We're just returning from the embassy and THE dreaded chance that we could be leaving without Grace....and we're not! WOO FREAKIN' HOO!!!! They approved her VISA with no problems and told us we could pick it up on Friday and board our flight home on Saturday evening. I think the gentleman that was helping us was so charmed by little Gracie that he wanted to do anything he could to make us happy! Thank goodness she is such a doll! After all this time, waiting and praying, hoping and begging, crying and laughing we will be united in our home in less than a week. Thanks for all your prayers; we felt them strongly.

In addition to the appointment there was the stress of meeting Linda, Grace's birth mother. It's hard to explain these emotions; we weren't so worried about her wanting Grace back or anything (and legally she'd have no ground to stand on even if she did) we just didn't want to rub it in her face. I imagined it would be devastating to see another woman loving on your daughter. Linda was very quiet and kept her distance. All she said to us was "she looks like you guys. She's very happy." I guess I couldn't ask for anything more. Linda asked to take a picture and we snapped some too and then she handed Grace back. I hugged her and said thank you and then she left. It was over before it even started.

Here are some pictures of Grace with her birth mother Linda and the three of us with Linda.

A Day of Rest

Last Sunday we were still too confused about where we were and what was going on to wander out and try to find church services. Plus, I was feeling pretty yucky and slept a major part of the day. This week was different though. We feel like we know Grace's schedule pretty well and felt she would do fine with the three hour block of church. Plus the girl loves people so we figured it would be great. We tracked down the ward and called a cab. There are four wards in the Accra area; we picked the one with the time that most suited us (and is the most similar to our home ward...) and luckily, we ended up in the chapel on temple grounds. The Accra temple is a smaller one but the whole complex is quite large. There is the two story, two chapel building, the temple and a housing unit much like a small apartment complex. It was beautiful. We wish we would've brought our camera but we didn't think of it but that's okay; we're gonna go back and take some pictures. These Saints were amazing and I feel like I could go on forever about it but I won't because we have an early morning with the Embassy for THE visit. As if we aren't worried enough about that, Grace's birth mother will be coming with us. I'm hoping I can sleep, even just a little bit. I'll update when we get back and hopefully it's all good news. Send us your prayers, we are definitely going to need them tomorrow!

Lazy Friday

Well after running around all week, we decided it was time to take up the suggestion to venture over to the Golden Tulip and lounge around by the pool. We called up Percy and he said he'd be down around 11. We ran out of formula so we started by going to the Koala market to buy some more and we needed two more pictures of Grace for her VISA so we did this too. After our errands were run we headed into Accra to find the pool. It was nice to see something different than we've been seeing for the last week. The Golden Tulip is a much nicer (and therefore much more expensive) hotel. We made our way through the lobby, down the bar area and out to the pool. We found two lounge chairs in the shade and set up shop. We were a little worried that Grace wouldn't like the pool because bath time isn't always great, but she LOVED it. Even after she got all prune-y she wouldn't let us take her out. She eventually needed a bottle and a nap. While Grace slept poolside Dallan and I ate (a good ol' cheeseburger!!!) and chatted about the week we'd had and the one to come. When Grace woke up, she wanted right back into the pool so we swam some more. I'm so glad she likes the water cause we are going to live in the pool this summer. All in all we were poolside about 6 1/2 hours.

Out and About in Osu

Thursday. Seven days in. Nine more to go....

Today we ran around all morning with Edward as Percy was in court for another family. He was supposed to be here at 8 but didn't show until almost 9. This late thing is driving Dallan and I crazy!!! Anyways, the point of our errands was twofold. One, we had to get head shots for Grace's visa. This had to be done before the second part; the medical exam. We were told that we should ask for a medical waiver from the remaining immunizations. Edward said we may have to fight for this but if we were insistent they would accommodate us. So, we arrived and climbed 5 flights of stairs (thank you fit 2 the core; this would've been impossible not that long ago...) to sit and wait. Then they called us over and sent us down two flights to the clinic. There we sat and waited and were sent one flight up to see the Doctor. He checked Grace's lungs, heart, belly and hip placement. He said she looked great and was such a good girl. Then he sent us back up to the top floor. There we waited and they sent us across the hall. After that we were all done. No problems and with the medical waiver signed, sealed and ready for delivery to the consulate. Through it all, Grace was AMAZING! She played and laughed and caused not a single problem. We're really lucky to have this little girl!

What's A Dye Dye?

A couple people have asked so here you go....

When I was a little girl my younger sister Chelsea always had with her an old cloth diaper. It was her security blanket. She'd hold it and rub it against her cheek as she sucked one of her fingers. For whatever reason, we always called it her dye dye. Gracie has picked up the same thing, using the burp rags we've brought (these look just like Chelsea's old cloth diaper but they are surgical rags that we were given and they are AWESOME!!!). It's funny how Grace would mimic her auntie chelsea....

Answered Prayers

Yesterday was our appointment at the Embassy so we could file our I600 form. Basically this form informs allows us to claim an orphan as a relative. That's fancy for "hello governments of Ghana and the United States, Dallan and Kirsten Livingston want to make Grace ours forever." When we got to the appointment there was some confusion as to the forms but it was resolved quickly. Dallan and I had to wait in this shoebox size room for a woman to ask us questions we didn't expect. At the end of it, I asked how long the process takes. (The department conducts a search of all documents submitted to make sure they are valid and legal). The woman informed us it would take no longer than 30 days. This morning we got a call saying Percy was at the front desk. We had expected him later in the day so we could go the the Golden Tulip, another hotel here with a pool. Dallan went down to meet him and see what was going on. Percy said the embassy had called him requesting that Dallan return the phone call at his earliest convenience. Dallan called back and what did they have to say? Everything had been approved! Thirty days turned into about 12 hours! They told Dallan they had a packet of paperwork for him to come pick up. So, instead of spending the afternoon lounging in the Tulip's pool we were back at the embassy waiting for our names to be called. Grace was once again, AMAZING at the embassy. Easy and charming. When we were finally called to the window, the lady said "Livingston Family"; finally Dallan and I have a family!

The packet is to obtain Grace's visa/passport. We also have to have an interview with one of the consular officers. This only happens on Mondays and Tuesdays. So, instead of leaving Accra on Saturday the 16th, we've extended the trip a week to do this interview and, if God willing, come home on the 23rd WITH GRACE IN TOW. That's right, no more second trips, no more waiting. The Livingston's will all be united under the same roof by months end!

So, do us a favor and keep us in your prayers. There is always a chance something could go wrong with the Visa and/or the interview. Just send us some good thoughts for a speedy trip home!

Pictured: Snuggling with Daddy in bed, sleeping with my best friend, with mommy on our way to the embassy, after the embassy playing with my dye dye.

Monday, Monday

This is long, so if you just want the two second recap, read right above the pics.


Dallan and I were so tired of being cooped up in our hotel room. I think Gracie was too. We were all just stir crazy after being there from Saturday afternoon on. Granted there was some great bonding time so I can't complain one bit...

So anyways, we woke up on Monday morning and got everything going. We wanted to take a walk into town but the woman at the front desk said that sometimes people move much slower on Mondays so we should maybe wait. So we did. We played, got Grace fed (we brought along some rice cereal to introduce her to it and she had this. It was pretty funny. Any time Dallan would try to wipe the stuff off her chin/cheek/lips she'd just keep trying to eat and it would get everywhere!) and put her down. Then Dallan and I played some cards and packed up and got ready to go. We left about 11:45 when she was up and had eaten. We used our Moby wrap and got her tied to me while Dallan carried the backpack with wipes/food/diapers/toy etc, etc, etc. (you know all the crap you never use but can't live without!).

As soon as the door to the hotel was open we were smacked in the face by the heat. I knew at that second this was going to be a very bad idea instead! Hahahaha. Had I not been so stir crazy I would have turned right back around.

We set off for the market that we'd gone to on Saturday, thinking it wasn't very far of a walk but we were so wrong. It was that the distance was long (maybe 1.5 miles in each way) but that it was so hot and I had Gracie strapped to me. She's not that heavy at all but the extra material on my chest/back made me sweat even more. People definitely stared at us but I was surprised by the lack of comments. I guess I'd just prepared myself for many questions but there was only one in our entire walk, "Is that how you carry babies in your country?" I said yes and she said "cool". Lots of people commented on how beautiful Grace is and how cute her little pierced ears are. They loved her hat and her little socks. One lady told us what a cute family we were.

So anyways, we kept walking and walking and walking and finally we were there. We needed to get some dish soap. Random I know but necessary none the less. I was overwhelmed by the smells as we walked. It's something I can quite explain. The heat of course doesn't help in any way. People were out and about, selling their wares and chatting with anyone that would stop.

While were walking taxis would honk at us to see if we wanted a ride. If I used the burp cloth to wipe my face they took it as a sign to pull over so we'd have to explain when we got to the car. On the way back a car pulled over and stopped but it didn't look like a taxi and when we got there we saw that it was Juliet, Grace's caretaker at the orphanage. She was out with her husband and daughter. She wanted to kiss Grace so we did and we chatted for a bit. She said we must be good "mummy and daddies" since Grace seemed so perfectly content with us. It made my heart sing.

On the way back I was exhausted and so dirty! I couldn't wait to get back to the hotel and strip everything off, which is exactly what we did as soon as the door was closed. Every piece of my clothing was dripping. So were Dallan's. And Grace? Not a single thing wet other than her diaper!

We took it easy for the remainder of the afternoon and met with Percy at about 6 to go over all the documents for our embassy appointment today. All in all, it was a good day!

So basically here it is: What you can walk at home is IMPOSSIBLE in this heat. People think our daughter is the most beautiful. I sweat a lot, but Grace didn't get one bead of sweat! Dresses are actually easier and let a breeze in.

In the pictures: Gracie with Jeffery the Giraffe, eating rice cereal for the first time, trying to stand up herself, lounging in hat after walk with daddy's glasses.