Philly trip

Family picture. Danya was so tired at this point we had to take what we could get as far as eye openness.
Danya and I stylin on wedding day.

Traditionally, a Pakistani wedding is three days long. On the first day the guests usually wear yellow or green. This is Danya and my sister's son Haris dressed and ready to party on day one.

We had a great time at my cousin's wedding in Philly. Danya was mostly smiles but would get very tired at the end of the day from all the running around. This picture was taken while she was still full of energy and in comfortable clothes.

Langa

My mother had this beautiful Langa (formal Pakistani outfit) made for Danya to wear at my cousin's wedding in Philadelphia. We are leaving tomorrow and I thought I would have Danya do a practice run before I pack it in case she could not handle it and needed just a plain dress as a back up. I thought she did well and she looked so cute, like she was floating in it. I didn't put the top on for fear she would drop something on it.

Practice walking in a langa

Walking video

Poor Raja

This is Danya's 100 lb. teddy bear named Raja. We got him about a year and a half before Danya and he has adjusted so well to her being around... even though she has a tendency to torture him.
She was insisting that he wear her old pony tail holders.

She waits until my back is turned and then always offers him whatever she is eating.

Adoption is finalized!

Today Danya's adoption was finalized by the US courts.

Pakistan only grants guardianship so we had to have follow up visits by our social worker and then had to file for adoption here in Nevada. We are so excited to not have to deal with any more adoption paperwork. We are so blessed today!

Walking, finally

She makes the funniest concentration faces.

Its hard to get walking shots. I am really going to have to figure out how to upload video.

Danya finally started walking on her own! She had been walking just across the room if we called out to her now she is chasing the dog, running into rooms and closing the door... keeping us on our toes.

Swimming

Lounging poolside.
Time to re-apply the sun screen.

She splashed and kicked liked she had been doing this all her life.

This weekend Danya had her first swimming experience. She had a blast we had a hard time taking her home she loved being in the water so much.

Helmet head

She is scheduled to stop wearing it next week and it has made great improvements. She now has an almost perfectly round noggin.
Danya has had to wear this helmet for the past two months because of the way she slept her head was getting too flat in the back. She really didn't mind it but it was the reason we had to get her hair cut short.

When her hair was long

The crawling pro.
Danya and I at a birthday party.

She is such a little poser.

I miss her pigtails.

Danya's first Little Rock visit

My sister, Wardah, holding her baby boy Haaris who is 4 months old in this picture. Next to her is my youngest sister Aisha.

My wonderful beautiful mama holding Danya. She is so happy to be a grandmother.

First time sitting up

This was the first time Danya was able to sit up for more then just a few seconds, we were so excited. She was a few days shy of 5 months old.

My time in Pakistan

August 1, 2005 -Last day in Pakistan. After three months it is finally time to go home.

The amazing Mrs. Edhi, myself and Danya. As Nadeem is taking this picture she whispers in my ear that Danya looks just like her Dad.

Nadeem visits us for a few weeks in mid June. I was so bummed when we were not able to fly back with him but we had alot more paperwork to do.

Getting bigger. Danya loved to play in this little toy.

My wonderful sister in law and I enjoying a scorching hot day in the park with Danya.

The day after I arrived in Pakistan. Danya was a week and a half old. She was sooooo tiny but I just loved to hold her.

First Pictures

This was the first time we laid eyes on our beautiful princess. I remember feeling infinitely thankful that God chose us to be her parents.

A Bit of History

August 2005 - We are all set up to adopt from a country called Azerbaijan. After lots of research and filling out of forms our initial application is accepted and we begin the mountain of paperwork.
As things begin to move forward my heart is still not at peace with the idea that we will not be able to adopt from Pakistan. We had concluded this based on a few phone calls and some research done by my father when he was visiting Pakistan a few months ago.

October 2005 – A massive earthquake hits Pakistan. So much devastation.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9626146/
This is my country and something in my heart is begging me to look into adoption from Pakistan again.
During some research online I find an online group of people dedicated to adoption from Pakistan. I post my situation and receive great feedback answers to my question… its just what we needed. After a few days of thinking about and praying about our decision we call up our initial agency and tell them we would like to withdraw from the Azerbaijan program.

November 2005 – My wonderful father in law takes our application to the Edhi foundation. Please read more about them by clicking on the following links:
http://www.edhifoundation.com/edhi-foundation-services.asp
http://www.feminist.com/news/vaw33.html

April 18th 2005 – Our phone rings at 2:00 AM, its my father in law saying that the Edhi foundation has a little girl for us. We name her Danya which means gift of God and Zoha which means light.