Happy 9 Months

The last 2 weeks with you have been such a blessing. We have prayed and prayed for you and loved you from afar. Your Dad and I are learning so many things about you each and every day. You are so smiley!!! (Just like your brother) You smile at everyone, even people you have never met. It is as if you wait for people to look at you so that you can flash your smile. I remember very clearly the first time I heard your laugh. It was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. We were playing buzzy, buzzy bee on the day we first met.

You make the cutest little cooing noises and you have such a dainty, girly voice. Even your cry is girly and quiet. Dressing you up in girly clothes is very fun and I love the thick curls you have on your head. This morning your dad dressed you and even he couldn't resist putting a bow in your hair. He loves having a daughter just as much as I do...so watch out, I think you are going to be a little princess.

You are sitting up. You are scooting to where you want to go on your stomach. You get up on all fours but you don't crawl, you just rock back and forth. You have begun pulling yourself to your knees. Banging objects together is great fun as well as anything that resembles a rattle.

I know you have been around other babies all of your life but now you have a brother. Your relationship has been mostly good (only a little rocky when you are tired). You both take a real interest in one another and you like to smile and scoot over to him. We have several pictures of you two holding hands - it is just adorable. The two of you are warming up to one another more and more each day.

Your interest in food is a little to be desired but there is definitely time for that. We were told at your orphanage that you were eating rice cereal, but so far you have wanted little to do with it or any other food for that matter. Your most common response is to purse your lips and turn your nose up --sometimes you actually shake your head back and forth as if telling us "no." (But it is so cute). We sit down as a family for meals, so we will continue to offer you food. You will occasionally eat baby cereal puffs. BUT, forget anything that comes at your mouth on a spoon or on our finger. Don't worry, you will get there.
Your absolute favorite thing is your bottle - you love it!

You are adjusting to life here in the U.S. So many things have changed for you in your little life over the last couple weeks. We are trying our best to help you to adjust and adapt as easily as possible. We love you so much and want only the best for you.

We are so glad you are with us...we love that we are family forever!

Happy 11 Months

This is what happens when you try and get your 11 month old to be still.
I won't post the other attempted shots - they all look the same as this one.

Dear Little Man,

You are getting so big. One of my favorite things about watching you grow is seeing your personality emerge. You are becoming your own little person more and more each day. You continue to be such a happy baby.

Your mobility has increased ten-fold this month. You are crawling at the speed of light and love to go in circles around the living room floor. I love to walk around the corner and play hide and seek with you - because you always come find me...and fast too!

Drinking smoothie through a straw

Still liking the pink egg

We had some firsts this month.
First step, the day before you turned 11 months.
First word, "uh-oh." You LOVE to say this...when you drop something, when you fall down, and sometimes just because you want to.
First haircut/trim.
I know these are just the first of many firsts for you, but it is exciting and we can't wait to see what comes next for you.

Oh and first time you met your sister too, you already seem to love her. At least you have taken a great interest in her. You are a good son and we know you will be a great brother too.

We love you and look forward to seeing how you entertain us this month with your smiles, laughter, new words, and more firsts.

Family of Four

We are home at last. Mark, Hannah, and I arrived home on Saturday evening after a VERY long flying adventure that had us on 3 continents in about 25 hours. We happily reunited with Jack and introduced little brother and little sister to one another. My parents are here helping out (a big thank you to them) until tomorrow afternoon.

The trip went well and we had a wonderful time learning, seeing, and experiencing Ethiopia. We have many thoughts/emotions/pictures to share and we will over the next couple weeks.

But first we have a few updates for the blog over the next couple of days...little man is 11 months today and tomorrow Hannah is 9 months! Love you two - your dad and I are so blessed!

p.s. - we were hoping to update the blog while we were gone, but could not access blogger.

On the eve...

Last night Mark and I gathered with some friends for dessert and prayer. I fully intended to take pictures and got so wrapped up in conversations with friends that it didn't happen. I did get two pictures though...

Mark playing with some of the kiddos

Our friend DJ and Jack

Thanks to our friends David and Tanya for hosting. And thanks to our friends who came and to all of our friends who couldn't come but have supported us through this process. Mark and I have been through situations in life where we did not openly discuss how we were/felt about things and it helped us realize the importance of letting others be a part of our lives. The support, encouragement, and prayers offered to us by those around us have been so helpful and we feel truly blessed by those who are in our lives. ~~ Last night the dessert was plentiful and very yummy. The conversations were real and up-lifting and we walked away excited and encouraged about our upcoming trip...tomorrow!!!

TONIGHT...
We finished up our last bit of packing. We loved on our little boy. We ate dinner for the last time as family of 3. And then Mark made my favorite drink, a BBC, and we watched last night's episode of LOST.

Preparations

Yesterday we received confirmation for our embassy date next Monday in ET. We have been making last minute preparations. We are mostly packed, just a few little items left to take care of before we leave...in 2 days!!!!

Mark and I had some alone time on Sunday night, we went on a date and it was nice to spend intentional time together out of the house. Also, we know it might be awhile before we get to do that again - so it was extra special.

Now we are just packing the last few things, finishing up another round of baby food for the freezer, and making sure the house is clean before we leave, and of course making the most of our last few days as a family of 3! (I have more to say about this...will post on this before we leave)

Girl Power

(Look at the cute little hand cookies in the Back Right)

Kelly and Me.

Last weekend my friend Kelly and I had a joint baby shower. She is due with baby Wyn very soon and Hannah will be joining us this week!! Both of us already have boys and are excited to be joining the world of all things cute and girly. Thanks to all my friends who helped with the shower and for coming to celebrate!

Dolls...


and sparkly crocs...

I can't wait to have a little girl!!

We also got some donations to take over to Ethiopia: formula, lotion, and disposable cameras.

St Paddy's

We didn't really do much to celebrate St Patricks Day. I wore some green and I tried to dress Jack in something green. However, by outfit # 3 for the day for Jack - I gave up. We did have green food though and that added a little excitement.

Breakfast for Dinner
(Green French Toast)

Mint Oreo Truffles

Here's how to make your own mint oreo truffles; it is super easy. I used a food processor to grind the oreos. Then mixed the oreos with a package of cream cheese which made a huge goopy mess. I then made them into little balls and stuck them in the freezer for a few minutes to let them harden. I covered them in melted milk choclate. Finally, I used white chocolate that I colored green to drizzle on the top.

Like I said, they are very easy. But don't say I didn't warn you, it is very hard to say no to these sinful little chocolate balls.