Its Official!

Today was Tek's big day in court to finalize the adoption in the U.S.

On our way to the courthouse.

Giving a cheesy smile as we wait for our lawyer.

In the Judge's chamber. It was very informal. So anti-climactic after every thing we did for this adoption. But then again, nothing could top the day we met Tek, so why try?

From the left: Our judge, lawyer, and his assistant.

Afterwards in the elevator.

Tek got a teddy bear from the judge. He picked it out... he picked the pink one. :)

Our group...
Thank you Brad for taking all of the pictures for us.
Thank you Cody for representing our Savannah Family.
Thank you Blair Grandparents for coming all this way for Tek's big day.

I can't believe its officially done! So much work. Well... almost done. The U.S. government still wants more of our money and a little more paperwork to get his official proof of citizenship. But that is nothing compared to all that we have done. What a relief this is! So I know the next question everyone wants to ask... When is Tek getting a brother or sister? Let me just tell all of you now so that you can stop asking.... don't ask again for at least three years! I want to enjoy this time with Tek and take a break from all the paperwork.

Congratulations Teketel Andrew Blair!
You are officially a Blair...
You are officially an American...
And I am officially the proudest mother ever.

Our Savannah Christmas

I don't have much time, I still have to pack for my ski trip, but I thought I would post some pictures to hold you over.

Christmas Eve... 75 degrees

Christmas Morning!

Christmas Day SHOULD NOT be near 80 degrees. It did not feel like Christmas at all, except that "The Christmas Story" was on TBS all day long. Did you know that they show that movie all day on Christmas? :) (Sorry Cody... couldn't resist.)

I will update on Monday or Tuesday. Also, Tek's courtdate to finalize the adoption is on Tuesday, December (November-- right? inside joke) 30th at 9am. He is nearly a U.S. citizen! Don't worry we will take lots of pictures. I am a little disappointed that none of our family will be here for that event, but The Tharpes & The Taylors (our Savannah family) are missing work to be there for us. Thanks guys!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Cheriebear is 52 Today!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Cheryl!

I Love You!
-Your FAVORITE grandson, Tek


A Tribute to My Mother....

Happy Birthday Mom!

Love,
Kah-Kah-Kah-Katie,
Andy,
&
Tek

I am officially "Ma Ma"!!!

Today I picked Tek up from daycare.  When Ms. Whitney said "look who's here", Tek turned around and his face lit up. Then he screamed (yes screamed!) "MaMa!!" and ran to me. Now many may say, well he is 13 months old... he should do this. But you see my son is very stubborn (he must get that from his dad.) We know that he has the ability to say "MaMa" but he refuses to say it. He will babble "DaDa" all day long. Even if you say "Say MaMa" he will respond by saying "DaDa." Drives me crazy! But today he has proven that not only can he say "MaMa" he knows exactly who "MaMa" is! I am on cloud nine!

Videos to get Auntie Amy off my back! :)

The first video shows Tek's new dance/fit. You see the stomping of the feet can mean that he is either really happy or really mad. Sometimes the face is very similar too. We try to ignore it when he throws a fit, but its so darn funny!

The second one shows off his walking skills. But its kind of dark. We don't have much light anywhere other than our kitchen anytime after 5pm. I will try to get a better one this weekend outside. 

Okay Amy, are you satisfied? I am so incredibly tired and I stayed up 2 hours longer than I wanted to, so you better be happy!

Be back soon.

The past week in pictures...

Tek & Mom at church.

The cutest boy ever! And he even leaves the hat on.

Reading Christmas books... just like cousin Jagger. 

Dougey and Me!

Tek putting his shoes in the dishwasher. I guess he thought they were dirty.

My office Holiday Party that was yesterday. I am exhausted! This party consumed my life for quite some time. But it was wonderful!

Some good looking boys. 

Andy doing his "Office" impression.

Tek loves my kisses.

Tek's first visit with Santa

One cool dude.

Tek & Wyatt chilling with Santa

The after party crew. We do some mean karaoke. 

Birthday Week Continued...

This week I received so many gifts! My birthday is going on forever! So I thought I might feature a few...

A photo key chain from Duane, Tracy, & the kids.
I haven't loaded any pics yet (I have to wait to fix my computer to get all MY photos... Andy doesn't have any cool photos on his computer.)

This one was SUCH a surprise! Uncle Jeff & Aunt Lynn sent this digital camera to us so that we had a small camera (with video!) to take with us everywhere. It already has come in handy. I videotaped Tek walking, but well I am not telling what stupid thing I did to prevent me from posting it on this blog... but I will try to post a video tomorrow.
What a wonderful surprise! Thank you so much!

Amanda & Kris got me this book to help me get moving on my list. Amanda remembered how much I wanted the book we got Cody for his birthday, so she rewarded my self-control (I really almost didn't give him the book I wanted it so badly!)

Liza & Kurtis got me a goat! :) Through Oxfam: A hardy goat is the gift of sustainability, which means fertilizer and food for families—especially those living in areas that cannot support less durable critters.
Liza... you know me so well!

Cody & Nicki got me this pair of red TOMS. (They picked the exact pair I have been wanting!) Red is my favorite color. And the ironic thing is that Liza got Tek a pair for his birthday (she just gave them to me this weekend)... just in time for Christmas pictures! (And Cody, because I love the shoes so much I will unshun you for the time being... even if you think Bono is unoriginal. Very disturbing.)

Thank you also to Penny for the gift card. Brad, D, & Wyatt for the Starbucks coffee and drinks! ;) Linda & Craig for the adorable pajamas. Tom & Terry for the shoes (that's what I bought with the birthday money.) Mom & John for the dress. (I will post pictures of it later.) Jason & Renee got me earings. Danette for the itunes gift card. Man! I was spoiled this year!

Andy got me tickets to see Moving Out! and we will be using the Ruth Chris gift card the men in my work life (all the guys I assist at the office) got me. Andy is very excited about that, he's been very jealous that I have eaten there and he has not. We will be doing that this Sunday.

Thank you to everyone for my wonderful gifts. I am overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness.

And now a few pictures of Tek...

His new bear crawl.

Trying to escape.

Loving the camera!

P.S. Tania... I will call you tomorrow! Sorry I have been so busy and I don't want to call a new mom late. :) I hope you are enjoying being a mother of two, I can't wait to see Elliot!

P.P.S. I use a lot of !! and I always notice later and go back and change them. As I change them I am always thinking about the Seinfield episode where Elaine is freaking out at her guy because he uses too many exclamation points. Great episode.

Birthday Weekend in Raleigh

This weekend I spent in Raleigh with my good friend, Liza. Andy was so kind as to keep Tek this weekend (Thank you Penny for helping!)

Liza lives in Williamsburg, VA so we decided to meet in Raleigh for a weekend of Christmas shopping. We got a great hotel downtown (for cheap!) and spent Saturday & Sunday shopping. It was great! Here are a few pictures from our trip.

The most comfortable bed ever! And we slept in until 9:30!
I haven't slept in that late since May!

Whatcha looking for Liza? I don't think I am ready for this jelly!

Too bad its only me that we can see in that window!

Can you tell its only 20 degrees??!! The Ohio is OFFICALLY out of me! I HATE the cold!

The COLDEST cannon in the world. I am surprised we weren't frozen to it.

The moment I learned I have a "type." Its Liza! :) Thank you Liza for that...

Liza: I had a blast, not to mention I learned so much! I hope that we can convince Andy that skiing is necessary, not just desired. Maybe I will see you soon. Thanks for being a great friend, I truly could not ask for a better friend than you. Give my love to Kurtis and apologize that we never sent the picture. And I know you can't hear the song I have with this blog at work... so check it out at home... its now your theme song!

By the way... Happy Shunday... I mean Monday.