Our First Time at the Park

While the boys are at school, the girls and I get to spend some quality time together. Let me tell you, I love it! They are so funny! We visited the park behind our house today for a while, and the girls both loved the swings. Amina, however, is still not a fan of grass (either real or synthetic). She wasn't too sure about a lot of it, but it was a beautiful day! Oh, and Piper had a blast. :)

Piper showing me her jumping skills. Such a talented girl :)

Big sis helping lil sis walk around

Amina trying a new crawling style so she wouldn't have to touch the fake grass.

Piper making Amina smile by heading down the slide straight to her.

Why can't every day be a sunny, seventy degree day in September? Love it!!

While we waited....

Referral picture (12 mo. old) -April 19, 2011 Love at first sight!

May update- Always a smile on her face. :)

June update- Gaining some weight! We got to meet her soon after this when we traveled for court.

July update- An update that we really looked forward to as we waited to see if we would officially get court approval.

August update (16 mo.)- One of the pictures we would have gotten in her update if we didn't already have her in our arms!!!

Grass...yuck!

Content watching the kids swing

Getting a little more adventurous by crawling to the edge...

Snagging a leaf, but no way was she going to crawl off that blanket to give it to me!

Resigned to stay put. If it means touching that yucky grass, she is not going anywhere! :)

We have learned some things about each other these past 2 weeks. One of those things is that Amina does NOT like to touch grass. She will curl her feet up under her if she gets close. She will stand, lifting one foot in the air if she has to touch it, and if she is put on a blanket surrounded by grass....she is going to the edge of that flannel and that's where she is stoppin'!

So Much to Celebrate

So, today is September 11, 2011. This marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11, which signifies for Americans a huge loss. No explanation needed. We all remember that day too well. However, for a country in Africa, it is a day for celebration as it marks the Ethiopian New Year. A day of promise and anticipation for the upcoming year. A day that will now forever be a part of our family's traditions.

As if the day didn't hold enough meaning and reason for reflection, for our family it is also a day to remember Grandpa Al. Three years ago today, Grandpa Al "went to see the angels" as my almost 3 year old would say. He left us without warning, yet we still feel him with us. I wish he could have met Piper because my boys have such great memories of him....fishing, taking his teeth out to scare them, falling asleep everywhere and loving being at the lake. Piper arrived in this world just one month after he left it. She knows who Grandpa Al is, but she doesn't have the memories the boys do. I also wish he could have met Amina. He had always wanted a girl granddaughter, and now he has 2! Amina's referral came to us on his birthday, and I believe that he is smiling down on us now as he is watching our family grow.

Here are some pictures of how we spent our day of remembrance and celebration. I'm proud of my husband for not diving into a day of gloom, but honoring his father by being a wonderful father himself. I know that Grandpa Al would be proud.

Rope swing behing our yard specially designed by dad

Yah, I don't think Piper swinging was the best idea, but she stayed on!

Go carting in front of our house which has resulted from a purchase I wasn't too happy about, but the kids love it.

My attempt at Ethiopian cuisine (fried bananas and a potato/pepper dish)
Everyone tried the bananas (with some...okay a lot of coaxing) and actually liked them!

Get me out of this high chair!

The kids got to try some Ethiopian tea. :) This is my favorite and one thing I actually prepare well (although it's not as good as Birtukan's!) Piper and Chase loved it while Reilly gave his away!

Medical Update

I just wanted to share how lucky we are to have such a supportive and knowledgable pediatrician, developmental specialist and dietician to work with. Little Miss Amina was a brave little girl when we made it to Riley Hospital on Wednesday for a complete work up! After an appointment with 3 doctors, a 13-vial blood draw and an ultrasound of her abdomen, we were able to hear most of her results today. Although we are still battling a double ear infection, we have kicked Giardia to the wayside and are getting ready to treat some ringworm. (She also has an abcess on her BCG injection site, but it is improving daily.) We have an appointment with an ENT about her large adenoids :) and her recurring ear infections, but everything else looked really good! (Did I mention she gained almost a pound last week?!)There are a couple of things we still need to follow up with in the future, but for now, we are celebrating our little peanut's health and her blossoming personality! She is bringing us even more joy now that she is feeling better!

First Week Home

Enjoying a snack

Practicing with big brother

After a doctor appointment

Sharing with sis

I can't believe our little peanut has only been home about a week and a half...Here are a few pictures of what our week looked like! Notice how she loves her big brother, Reilly :) I'm not sure where Chase is in these pictures, but I promise he was around!

Welcoming Party

Just thought I'd share the dear family and friends that waited at our house as we drove home from Chicago to meet Amina on her first night home. Unfortunately, my dad, Linda, Kasi and her boys headed out before our neighbor stopped in to capture this picture. Soon to be six is now 6!!!! Welcome home, baby girl!