Happy Day

Elizabeth dressed up for school this morning. We decided not to go out and buy something, but to use a costume she already had. She chose to be a "hula girl".

I decided to go ahead and put Josiah in a costume this morning, too, since Elizabeth was in one. You don't get too many hand-me-downs that work from sister to brother, but I'm so glad this one did! Seriously, he is just really cute! ;-)

Did you catch the tail? Love it!

Two Months...

...ago today, we met our son! It was not a long meeting, and though we already loved him, we did not all warm up to each other right away. But it was the start of him opening his little heart to us.

This is his ultimate pouting pose. I am so glad we see less and less of this all the time!

Today...

was a better day! Tonight was better, too. I made a determined effort to be more patient with him as he fell asleep. And it doesn't hurt that we were shopping and got home later than normal, so bedtime was later. He didn't have as much energy to fight to stay awake. :-)

P.S. Will you please pray for us as we are considering a possibly pretty big change for our family? Right now it seems right, but we want to be following God's plan and not our own. I promise I'll share more later.

What did I do?

So, I'm not sure if I messed up or what.

I wrote about going to Delaware last week with Elizabeth and Josiah while David stayed home. Josiah has adjusted so well in most areas, and since we were going with my parents who we had seen the past few days, I thought it'd be no problem. He did so well in the car, and even sleeping in the hotel with Elizabeth and myself. The trip was great!

It's been since we returned home that he's been different. Both of my kids are more of "mama's babies", but he's been even more so since we've been back. He's not been running to kiss and play with David like he was. Bedtime is the one are we kind of struggled with before, but it seems a lot more of a struggle these past few days. Last night he was up past 11pm with me, and just didn't rest as easily when he did fall asleep. Before, when David put him to sleep, he would fuss, but fall asleep pretty quickly. Since we've been back, he's been full out screaming and fighting sleep as long as possible. (He does not have these responses when lying down for naps.)

I'm not sure if the trip just kind of threw him for a few days, or if this is related to attachment--brought on by our night away or just because he is at that stage now. I'm wondering even more than I was before if something happened during bedtime in Ethiopia.

The kids and I were going to spend some time with my mom after her surgery in a few weeks, but I'm really not sure that's a good idea now, especially since David won't be there for the entire time. I'm just not sure what to do. Anyone have advice about bedtime or the trip?

It's Finally Fall!

It's finally starting to feel like fall around here! I love the cooler temperatures and the leaves changing. We've had a busy week!

Early Sunday morning, my parents came flew into the area and met our family at church. We came home and had lasagna for lunch. Dad and David worked on fixing the Saturn (we're returning it to them after a few years of use). The rest of us baked EASY yummy pumpkin cake--seriously just a can of pumpkin, cake mix, and one egg-- and watched Nancy Drew. Then Mom and Dad headed over to Dover, DE as Dad was on a business trip there.

Monday, Elizabeth had school. We decided to go check out the new coffee shop for hot chocolate and chai latte.

Tuesday, Mom and Dad came back after work. We had dinner, and Dad did some more work on the car. Dad headed back to Dover again, but Mom stayed to hang out with us for a few days.

Wednesday was Elizabeth's field trip to the pumpkin patch! The kids learned about how pumpkins grow and how bees make honey. They also visited a petting farm, picked pumpkins, went on a hay ride, and had fun on rope swings in the barn. We spent the rest of the day shopping and then meeting up with one of Mom's friends.

Thursday, we spent the morning around the house. Then my mom stayed with Elizabeth as David and I took Josiah to his Dr.'s appointment. He did better during the examination part. He whimpered a bit, but no crying. However, this was the appointment where we had to do bloodwork. Thankfully, we could have the blood drawn in the office instead of needing to go to a lab. Unfortunately, the nurse had trouble finding good veins. Our poor little man ended up having to tapped twice in the hand (and the still didn't get ALL they needed), his toe pricked, a flu shot. He screamed like never before, and looked completely insulted each time they finished. He has not discovered the "magic" of band-aids yet, so he wanted them off as soon as they were put on. I can't wait until we start immunizations! (Rolling eyes)

~~After all this, the kids, Mom, and I packed up and drove over to Dover to meet Dad. Our trip took about two hours longer than it should have...apparently the Saturn isn't totally fixed. We arrived in time to get ready for bed.

Friday, we spent driving around Delaware. My family used to live there when I was in elementary school. We took Elizabeth to see our old house, school, and church. We met Dad for lunch, and then headed down to the beach. It was only about 55 degrees. Elizabeth was so excited on the way down, but when we arrived, she was not so into it. We only ended up staying about twenty minutes. But we walked in the sand, found some rocks, saw horseshoe crabs, and took some pictures. I got Elizabeth to touch the water...it was SOOO cold! The kids and I headed home. The kids slept most of the way! Mom and Dad headed up to Pennsylvania to see Grandma and Grandpa Smith.

Today, we're all taking a sick day...we've been feeling kind of icky all week. Hopefully just colds. David took some medicine and is asleep. Elizabeth is watching t.v. Josiah is playing but a bit cranky. Hopefully a day of rest will be just what we need.

Please Pray!

Now is probably not the best time to write this, but please bear with me, as my emotions are just all over the place. But, I am asking you dear friends and family to pray with us!

Just as we were coming home from Ethiopia, several families with our agency received referrals for precious little boys. They were more than overjoyed! They prepared to bring new members of their family home. Unfortunately these babies have been very ill, and have been in and out of the hospital.

Around two weeks ago, one of these angels went to be with his Heavenly Father. That was heart breaking for the family, as well as our adoption community. Praise God, the family trusts God with their decisions, and they have received a referral for another son. It is a joyous and painful time for them.

Now we have learned that two boys were again in the hospital, and that another sweet baby went to his Eternal Home.

Please pray for these families who have lost their sons. Even without meeting them and holding them, the boys are their sons in their hearts! Both families also have young children at home. Pray that God would comfort them and hold them as they grieve. Pray that they would know God's will and follow it.

Please also pray for the boys still in the hospital and the transition home. Pray for their healing and strength. Pray for the families waiting for them. This is so very scary...especially being on the other side of the world!

Pray for the caretakers and staff who are there with the children. They do have such hearts for these precious little ones!

Bedtime Prayer

Last night Elizabeth said this prayer:

Dear God,
If you choose, give us a brother or sister
'Cause there are so many kids
But not too many!
Amen

I asked her to expand on this (some snippets from our conversation):

M: What do you mean not too many?
E: Well, not too many kids because we don't have enough room.
M: How many is too many?
E: (Thinking for a minute) Well, there are three beds in Josiah's room, so three boys including Josiah. And I have three pillows, two girls can sleep on my bed and one can pull out the mattress under my bed. So Six! Three boys and Three girls!
M: How are they all going to join our family?...Through adoption or being born into our family?
E: You can have more babies?
M: You were born from my body. Mommies can have more than one baby.
E: Okay, so some born in our family, and we'll adopt some.
M: Would it be okay if some are older?
E: Like 7, 8, or 10? Can a 10 year old stay in my room?
M: Where will they be adopted from?
E: Wherever God chooses.

Got Milk?

We were told in Ethiopia that Josiah drank milk, but we have not ever been able to get him to like it. We have tried warm milk, chocolate, and such. He hasn't really wanted any of it. We figured he'll get his dairy through yogurt and such.

Then the other day, he wanted David's cup--which had milk. He started drinking it, and then wanted even more! So since then, he has been drinking plain white milk each day. Maybe he just had to lose some of the memory of the taste of milk he was used to??

Child conversations

Today we went to a 3rd Birthday party for a friend. Happy Birthday, Alex!!! It was Josiah's first b-day party invitation. I was looking forward to seeing him try the cake, but he never did. And it was YUMMY cake, too! Oh well...more for Mommy!

While some of the kids were playing, I overhead this conversation:

Elizabeth: Does anyone want to meet my brother? (She said this every time he came back.)
Girl: [Sounding a bit surprised] That's your brother?
E: Yep
Girl: Why is he brown?
E: [With just enough sass] 'Cause that's the way God made him!

That's My Girl! I had tears in my eyes--both from laughing and from being a proud Mommy :-)

More Pics

Just adding some more pictures from the photo session, cause they make me smile :-D Josiah has that monkey somewhere in just about every picture with him...too funny!

Bedtime

Josiah's been doing so well in most things, but has a hard time settling down to go to sleep. David or I have been lying down, alternating nights, with him until he falls asleep. Often it's an hour or more until he is out. He also gets very upset if he even thinks we are leaving. A couple of times I have had to step out for a couple minutes...I talk with him and explain that mommy has to leave, but I will be back. He nods as though he understands, but after a minute, he starts crying and screaming.

However, last night, we had a REALLY good night! I stayed with him, but had to leave for a few minutes. I explained again, he nodded, and I stepped out. He was quiet the whole time, and even still cheerful when I returned! AND he was asleep within 20 minutes! Hopefully, this is progress that will continue!

Picture Day!

Today was a bit crazy. We had quite a bit of yelling and pushing this morning... And then I thought it would be great to cut Josiah's nap short to go get pictures taken. We did get a few good shots. We also had a visit from the little green eyed monster... FUN FUN!

He's so cute!

Awww...

ACHHHHHH!

So over this...

Home One Month!

WOW!!! Today marks one month since Josiah has been home in the U.S. It has been so amazing to see the changes in our little man already!

He does much less pouting, and gives so many more smiles.

He comes up to us for random kisses and hugs.

He repeats many words after us and has amazing me with his understanding already.

Three of his four eye teeth have surfaced, and the last is just about there.

The only way I could get a picture of his teeth was to tickle him! :-)

The are some of his favorites so far...

Food: chicken nuggets, turkey lunch meat, french fries, pasta with tomato sauce, yogurt, bagels with cream cheese. No ice cream yet, but Daddy's working on that.


Toys: Monkey (the one he threw away from him in Ethiopia), Dora music player, shake n' go car, play kitchen dishes and food, learning puppy, Mommy's phone and camera



Activities: "talking" on the phone, dancing, going for car rides, teasing the cat

Sweet Siblings...

This is how I found the kids this morning...

Josiah had a rough time falling asleep last nights, and Elizabeth was of course awake, too. She wanted to sleep on the trundle. One of the times Josiah got upset, he crawled down to the trundle next to her. She crawled up to his bed so he would follow her back up, and then would stay in his bed like Mommy had told him.

Elizabeth logic

Elizabeth: When we move, can we move on the other side of the bridge?
Mommy: Why do you want to move on the other side of the bridge?
Elizabeth: I've never lived on the other side of the bridge.
Daddy: Mommy and Daddy lived across the bridge before.
Elizabeth: But I've never lived on the other side of the bridge with you. And Josiah's never lived on the other side of the bridge.
Mommy: Honey, Josiah lived on the other side of the world!
Elizabeth: But he's never lived on the other side of the bridge!

True enough!

(No, we are not planning on moving...it was just part of a conversation we were having.)

Big Boy and Big Sister

Josiah has decided that he is now sleeping in his big boy bed. Tuesday, I put him down for a nap in his bed because David was sick and sleeping in our room. (Josiah has a tendancy to be VERY noisy for about five minutes, and then he's out.) I stayed with him until he fell asleep...with no noise, and then went to get him as soon as he woke up. Wednesday, I decided we'd try again. He didn't fall asleep quite as quickly, and Elizabeth was not happy about being left out. So we pulled out his trundle, and Elizabeth stayed in with us. Well, that night he started screaming as soon as we went toward my bedroom, but was fine with lying down in his room. Elizabeth again did not want to be left out, so she came in and wanted to be a helper. She said she wanted to sleep on the trundle and make sure he didn't fall out of his bed, and would be there for when he woke up. It was great!...other than Elizabeth deciding it was her job to wake him up. :-p Last night, he wouldn't even consider going into our room. He and daddy curled up in Josiah's bed, and he was out! It's nice to have our room back, but kind of sad not to see his face waking up right next to me in the morning.

Here's our big boy on his bed. I also added a couple of shots of his room since I realized I haven't posted those before. (Haven't figured out what's going in the red, yellow, and green frames yet, but we wanted to include Ethiopia colors!)

Also, Josiah has finally started to like the bathtub! He even came running last night when we started running the bath water. He and Elizabeth were having a grand time playing when he kind of tipped over onto his side. I thought he would scream, but he laughed and started lying on his belly like he was swimming! He did this many time during the rest of the bath, and even when getting water in his face, laughed the whole time!!! Who knew he'd turn out to be a water baby?

Figured I can't keep giving bath updates without posting a bath pic. ;-)

Today is a better day

David and I are feeling a lot better today! We're still pretty tired and sore, but definitely feeling better than yesterday. Elizabeth said yesterday that her stomach and head hurt, but she's been eating fine today. So hopefully we are in the clear. (I did keep her home from school today, just in case.) Josiah is his energetic happy self, even while his four eye teeth are about to pop through any second. We missed his physical yesterday, so we'll have to make another appointment.

Another praise--David found out that he received a promotion with his employer! Yeah, David!!! I'm very proud of him! Hopefully, that will help down the road if we decide to make a change. It also means a pay raise...which is always nice. We have to finish paying off this adoption before we can save for the next, right? ;-)