Looking back on how much my Guatemalan sweeties have changed!

It's hard to believe how much the kids have changed since we received their referals! Not only has their faces and growing bodies changed, but their personalities have changed as well.
Caleb has been home since he was 6 months old, and he turned 2 in August. I can't find one of his referal pictures on this computer, so I will just have to share an early favorite! I have to admit that Caleb has been our biggest challenge. He has always been a bit demanding, and he has been very verbal! (Ok, so he screams and cries-A LOT!!) Thankfully, he is at last growing out of this a bit! He used to scream at people in the store if they looked at him. Now, he smiles and says"Hi" repeatedly until they speak to him. He actually hugged a stranger in the store the other day! She was very friendly-grandmother of many-and we talked casually, while standing in the isles of Walmart. Caleb just loved her!
Instead of screaming madly at the top of his lungs and crying miserably when he wakes in the morning, he sings out "Momma", or "Daddy", and plays in his bed till we get him! He says "Love ya" when he goes to bed, and our hearts burst with joy!
Oh, if only you knew how far this one has come!!(Some of you do!)

Here is his early picture;


Here he is now:



Sofia came home next, at 6 months, and she will be 1 year old at the end of this month! It is hard to believe that Sofia was ever NOT a part of our family! She is so easy going and laid back! She has always been passive, and she would just set back and let the days go by, and let the Caleb, and Maya step all over her! Well, recently, she has let her personality out, and when they are pestering her, she sqeals! I now see that I don't have anything to worry about with her-she is going to take care of herself! She is a very busy baby-ALWAYS into everything! One look your way, and her face lights up! She is very smiley and giggly! Funny one this one! Huggable and oh, so loveable!!

Here she is in her referal picture-the first picture we ever saw of her:


Here she is now:


Now, Miss Maya, has been home the shortest amount of time, but only a month behind Miss Sofia! This little stinker(Ok, she is an angel) has charmed her way right into everyone's hearts! She reminds us the most of Hannah! So full of life, and spirit! Always smiling, ALWAYS talking!! ;o) Oh, she is going to steal a few boys hearts when she is older! She loves to run and play, and LOVES to be outside and play! She is just one happy little gir full of "ugs" (hugs) and kisses!! Her language has started to explode, and every day she comes up to me and says something in English that blows me away! It seems like she has been with us forever, too!

Here is Maya in the first picture we ever saw of her:


Here she is now:


And even though Miss Hannah is not from Guatemala, and has been with us all her life, I didn't want to leave her out. She is a great big sister, who has had to go from being a single child to the oldest of four in just a few short years of her life! She has shown what an amazing spirit and love she has, as she has adjusted wonderfully! Yeah, sure, there are days she is ready to ship them back to Guatemala, but I know she love them! This little chick is full of life, laughter, and silliness! She is 9 going on 16, which of course makes for some fun times around here, as we always remind her of her actual age! LIfe is a trip with Miss Hannah, and we wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Here is my Little Miss Independent: