Happy Halloween!

Today, the City of Milwaukee had Trick or Treat from 1pm-4pm. Sofia and I went to visit friends and she went to their neighbor for her first Trick or Treating experience. She likes wearing her cat costume, but has no interest in the candy. That's good for her mother. yum yum.



I posted a very short video of "Sofie the Kitten" running on our porch in the October 30th blog.

My Little Kitten

Tonight, our neighborhood had Trick or Treat from 5pm-8pm. Sofia and I gave out all of our candy before 7pm! There was actually a line of Trick or Treaters at our door at times! Sofia seemed to enjoy playing in the candy bowl, and didn't mind being in her costume.

Apples and Pumpkins

Until today, Sofia, our Apple Baby, has eaten apples in small pieces. As I ate mine this afternoon, I asked her if she wanted a bite. She took hold of the whole thing and started eating.






Tonight, we went to Sofie's first pumpkin carving party. What fun it is to be with friends and see the works of Halloween art they created.

Let the Halloween Celebrations Begin!!

While visiting friends in Watertown, Sofia had her first taste of pizza. At first, she was not a fan, but after several tries, she did eat it..........



and liked it so much, we gave her the whole thing!!!

One Year Ago

A year ago today, I went to the Kazakhstan court and adopted Sofia!! It was 16 degrees and the heat was not on in the courthouse. It was okay, because my adrenaline was keeping me warm. Today, we celebrate our wonderful new addition to the Zachari family!

First Jump in a Pile of Leaves

I'm 19 Months Old!!!

Ten Months Together

Today we celebrate 10 months together. Sofia is growing quickly. She is 33 1/4 inches tall, and weighs 25 pounds. Ten months ago, the caregivers at Sofia's orphanage told me that she will be tall and thin. I think they are right. She also has very big feet. The footsie pajamas that she wears are too small.... in the feet, so she moved up a size.... Hmmm, perhaps she will be a great swimmer, or at least a great grape squisher.

Tooth Alert: For the past month, her molars have been growing through. Sofie's fourth molar is almost totally out. Her eye teeth are about to pop. Ouch.

Sofie loves going outside. (Thankfully, we've had gorgeous fall weather!) She now gets her shoes and walks to the door to let me know that she wants to go out. She has a daily routine of walking down the block, and touching the stop sign pole before heading to the park. The swing is her favorite. The higher, the better....as you can see in the pictures above.

Sofia is saying more each day. Yesterday, she began finishing "Ready, Set, _____" She actually says "Doe" instead of "Go"..cute.

We attend music class every Tuesday. There are 12 other 12-24 month olds in her class. It's quite adorable to watch them. She gets homework each week. This week we practice soft and loud when we sing the weekly homework song. Fun times.

Happy Birthday Tante Morrie!!

Its Our Metcha Day!!!!

October 6, 2009




October 6, 2010



One year ago today, I met Sofia. I'll never forget the moment our eyes met. The director of the orphanage brought her in. I saw her cute little face and dark brown eyes and fell in love. She was wearing a pink sweater under a Blue Jean jumper. (I later learned that all the little girls being presented for adoption wear the same outfit. It was much cuter than the orphanage tights she wore on all the other days.). It worked for me. She was adorable....and still is. She was 6 1/2 months old then. What a difference a year makes!


Today, we celebrated our special day and my oma's 94th birthday! We had much to celebrate.