While Marisol has taken lots of steps on her own since mid May, as of this week she is finally really walking. The dog's not too happy with this new development (just as soon as he was starting to get used to her, she goes and does something different).
David, Betty, and their two grandchildren
Betty and Alex
Betty and Alex
Marisol and Alex
Betty, Marisol, and Alex
This past week Marisol had her first check up here in the United States. So far everything looks good and the results we've gotten back look normal. She had to get caught up on vaccinations and have a TB test and have seven tubes of blood drawn for various tests. It was a rough morning, but she handled it all as well as can be expected for a 17 month old (as of yesterday, she's 17 months!). The band-aids lasted until bath time that night.
Marisol is getting more comfortable at the YMCA pool, too. She isn't ready to stray too far away from me, but she'll scoot off the edge of the pool into the water and she'll stay on the steps without clinging to me.
Getting comfortable with other little kids at church might be a struggle. She seems to like her personal space and panic if other little kids get in her way.
Talking on the Telephone (We cut the really short cord off this toy. I guess the toy maker was afraid kids would get the cord caught around their necks so they made the cord less than a foot long so Marisol had to hold the whole phone up in order to pretend to talk)
Playing With Grandpa David
Grandpa Is A Lot of Fun
Wearing a Newspaper Hat 
Even Mom Got A Hat
Ready For Church
Okay, so this post is really more for my parents than anyone else. When they were in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago, they bought Mari this little car. She mostly has just played with the horn and keyboard because she isn't strong enough to push herself on it, but just a couple days ago she started to walk behind it and use it to keep her balance! She goes all over the house and round and round the island in the kitchen. She's also started to take a few steps by herself, but Joe or I have to be really close by in case she falls. Hopefully she's be walking before too long!
About one week down, and so far everything is going well. Marisol is sleeping all night, eating very well, and getting along with her new dog, Manfred. Manfred is adjusting, but I think it's harder for him than for Marisol. Every time she gets near him, she thumps him on the nose and says "Bop."
And just one week home and Marisol isn't even the newest family member anymore! Joe's brother Tim and his wife Christy welcomed David Alexander yesterday afternoon. Joe's parents got to meet their two grandchildren for the first time less than one week apart! Christy and baby Alex are healthy and doing well. Mari got to meet her new cousin yesterday, but she was more interested in the Cheerios, so we may have to try for a picture this weekend.
Not Sure About This Yet.
Well, Maybe. . .
Yeah, He's Okay.
Best Buddies.
Grandpa Paul and Marisol
Grandma Minnie, Grandpa Paul, and Marisol
