The New Year has already brought New Blessings, New Change in the life of Libby. She has grown over 2 1/2 inches since we brought her home and we had to start putting her in 12-18 month clothes. She's not a baby any more - BOO HOO!! Her hair is really starting to fill in and grow - though you can't really tell in pictures yet.

Libby is blossoming in every way. She's entirely outgoing and happy. She loves a crowd! She can say "Boo", "Bye-Bye", "MaMa", "DaDa" and she loves the word "NO!" HAHA!! Ask her any question and she'll say "no" in a really sweet way.

Libby is now climbing and standing on anything - even her little tricycle. She can climb off and on and to mommy's suprise she can stand on the seat with both feet and balance with her arms out to the side!! YIKES! Libby loves to babble on daddy's cell phone - actually - any cell phone. She can sit in her pretty little chair now like a big girl and she also learned how to throw a ball this month.

Libby is starting to take to table food rather than baby food, but we have a way to go in that area. She is also starting to drink out of her sippy cup - but we have some work to do there also. She is almost off of formula. By next week there will only be whole milk in her bottle. She likes soy milk but she's starting to prefer the cow's milk.

Libby loves to play and imitate and follow the leader. She can follow simple commands like "pat your head", "stomp your feet", "reach up high", "clap your hands", etc. She is really taking to sign language and can sign "more", "all done", "eat", "milk", "ball", "bye bye", "mama", and she's working on more. In fact, this month we started Libby in a Kindermusik class that is titled "Sign and Sing". While all the other babies sat in their mother's laps - Libby was walking around jibber-jabbering to each of the babies. We've got a social butterfly!

BC and Winky  - Libby's Papa Boots and Grammy - came to visit this week. They brought some goodies for her and bought more while they were here. She now has a new rain coat, new pjs, socks, blouse and bath tub toy bucket. She really enjoyed having her grandparents here.  At night she would get up on the couch and raise her head over the arm rest to see Papa in the other chair and she would say "Boo" to scare him. When he pretended to be scared she would throw herself backwards onto the couch and giggle. She could have continued that game all night! We had a blast watching her. Papa Boots and Grammy - you can come visit any time!!! Libby already misses you and so do we!

Yesterday, Libby picked up her spoon, put it in her bowl and lifted some food to her mouth for the first time. She's not a pro yet, but this is major progress. We let her try again this morning and she is loving the independence.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to join my friend Cristie Martine in representing America World Adoption at San Antonio's first annual adoption fair. Cristie did most of the work and I just got to sit and enjoy her and all the people who came that have adopted or are looking to adopt. Cristie and I enjoyed meeting all the couples who had the Spirit of Adoption. Hearing each person's story, fears, struggles, hopes and how they chose the country they are adopting from was such a blessing.

Libby is 14 months old now and looking quite like the little toddler. I can't believe the "baby stage" is just about over. This goes by way too fast!! I love every minute of this motherhood thing. My favorite time is when I pray over her before bedtime. I speak a blessing over her and then I pray for her and I feel like I'm changing the world at that moment!

Until next month!!

Cindy