SHE MELTS MY HEART!

This is Anika. And I am missing her right now. In fact my heart aches sometimes for her. For her and her twin sister Anya. It's a long story. A painful story. One that might never be told here on my blog. But I love this girl with all my heart.

In short, I started watching Anika and Anya when they were 4 months old. We had them at our home sometimes 10 days in a row from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm and they spent many nights in our home too. These two sweet girls became part of our family. Anya was more petite, had a very cute little face and was definitely what people dared to say "the cuter of the two." But Anika here....she was a little rounder, had big brown round eyes and was quiet and behind Anya in every milestone. Anya was very independent and a little doll, but Anika....Anika was a cuddler, Anika needed me and Anika loved Dave. We wanted so desperately to adopt them both and make them really part of our family, but their mommy decided to move...move far away...it really was for the best....what was best for the three of them....at least if she wasn't going to let us adopt them. They were 16 months old when we drove them down south and kissed them good-bye.

This past summer Anika's mommy came back to Napa to pick up her older son who lives here with his dad and step -mom for a summer visit. We got to keep Anika for 3 weeks while mommy, brother and Anya (who acted older and would be a better playmate to a 4 year old brother) went back down south. We were thrilled. We had so much fun with Anika. It was so fun to have a 20 month old around. My favorite memory while she was here was when we were driving in the car. Kaia often sings in the car. Blake rarely...unless one of his favorites came on. Well if Kaia and Blake were both singing...Anika HAD to join them. It was the cutest thing ever.

It was really a special time for us to be able to give Anika some much needed one-on-one time. She was doted on, dressed in the "cute clothes" (which of course I purchased the night before I found out she was coming), and really enjoyed getting all the attention. Here are a few of our favorite pictures.....Who says she isn't the cute one?!

I probably should have posted something about the elections today. Something about this historical day....but this was what was on my mind....this baby. Sorry. But I have a feeling you will get enough of it from everyone else blog! Happy Wednesday....now go be a responsible citizen and take all your campaigning signs down and clean up this town. {Just a little pet peeve of mine...that and old garage sale signs.}