Loving Life

Now I am aware that I am biased but these boys really have to be two of the cutest, funniest, sweetest kids that ever lived.  I wanted to share some of their latest looks.  These boys are styling.  

Nati and Yared got new sunglasses this weekend.  They never wear them in the sun but they sure do make for cute pictures. 

Yared loves this hat. I had to get a shot today of his beach bum look. He was so great about posing for me. 

Of course Nati didn't want to be left out of the photo shoot. 

My good friend sent us a package today with hand knitted hats for the boys.  They LOVE hats and were squealing with happiness.  They really do look adorable in them.  

Nati

I am a bit behind on my update on Nati but here it is.  While Yared is our sweet sensitive funny little man,  Nait is just a bundle of joy and energy.  He is hilarious.  He loves to be the center of attention and often is.   He continues to make all of us laugh.  He spends his days trying to do whatever Yared is doing even if it is impossible for someone his size.  He studies everything that is going on and then attacks the situation full blast.  He is super cuddly as well which is nice.  He is also our tough kid.  He was trying to run as fast as Yared was last week and hit the floor without catching himself.  His top teeth did a number on his lip.  He cried about one minute and stopped before the bleeding had stopped.  Yared dropped a chair on his head one day and Yared cried longer and louder than Nati did.  In fact Nati, who had an enormous egg for two days, stopped crying to see what was up with Yared.  He only really lets loose on crying when he doesn't get his way.  He can produce large instantaneous tears when something doesn't go his way.  He is starting to try out words and I am sure will be speaking non stop before we know it.  If he hears ANY music, even me whistling, he will begin to dance.   He has overcome some of his fear of stuffed animals. In fact he has a bear that he loves dearly and kisses daily.  All other stuffed animals are tolerated or yelled at but Bear is his best buddy. 

These two shots capture our Nati.  In the first he shows his game face as he adjusts to a new situation and the second he lets loose with laughter and joy.  

What did you do this morning?

Well we went outside to ride the boy's bikes.  Then they found a pile of dirt from the construction about to happen in our back yard.  They had a blast digging and playing "construction".  Yared even "planted houses".  Here is a picture story of the event.  

While Nati ate dirt, Yared discovered a worm.  

He holds it up and asks, "Mommy snake?"  I tell him no it is a worm.  Of course, what does he do but smell it:).  He tells me that it smells nice.  

Then his not so gentle treatment of the worm results in the worm becoming two parts. 

 He tries to put them back together, sees that he can't and rips it apart some more.  

Finally he decides it needs smelling again.  This time he says, "Smells yucky" and throws it down.  Ah good days.  

Yared

I promised an update on the boys and so I will start with Yared.  The changes in him are dramatic.  He is so relaxed and comfortable now compared to a month ago.  Tomorrow marks 7 weeks that we have been a family.  Yared definitely had the hardest adjustment of all of us but he is a resilient little man and is now flourishing.  As predicted his sense of calm and peace gets greater with his ability to communicate.  He is now very confident with his English and telling us what he needs, wants, likes and dislikes.  He jokes with me, tells on his brother, and daily strives to talk more deeply.  Even if our Ethiopian friends or my parents speak Amharic, he won't answer them except in English.  An example of his skills.  In the car today we pass a bulldozer.  Yared says, "Mommy tractor."  Now Ben, of course, has taught him to say construction.  I say, "No Yared that is construction, a bulldozer."  He is quiet of a second and then says, "Mommy, looks like tractor."  Today he was also talking to me about airplanes and I asked him if he remembered being in the airplane to America.  He said yes and said, "Yared scared."  He hasn't quite grasped the concept of self pronouns.  He will say, "Yared, I no see it." Meaning he did not see something.  He watches a daily dose of Sesame street and now picks out letters that he recognizes.  He loves to laugh, jump, help Daddy, go to playgrounds, play in water of any sort, drive in the van, to kiss and hug those he loves, and to be praised for doing things well.   He truly is a sensitive soul and I have to be careful about even being too serious with him as he will think he is in trouble.  When we first got home with Yared he was afraid of water, all animals, swings, toe nail clippers, and shots.  Now he loves water, like animals from a distance, loves swings and yells to go higher, asks me to cut nails if they get too long and still hates shots.  Hey who doesn't  While Daddy is still number one in Yared's mind, I am a close second.  He is happiest when we are all four together doing something that is just us the family.  Here are some pictures capturing glimpses of this sweet, funny, brave little soul, that we are blessed to call OUR SON!!

He continues to be in love with bikes and daily rides his up and down our pathway:). 

He is not a big sweet tooth but has discovered a love affair with cupcakes.  He was enjoying one here. 
He also continues to adore Nati and take care of him.  This is a shot of Yared helping Nati while I vacuum.  Nati is terrified of the vacuum.  
Yes, he still smells everything.  He will walk in somewhere and tell me, "Mommy smells nice." He especially likes the smell of pizza and soap.  
He loves to be like Daddy and to be silly. Here he is doing both.  

Falling in love

There are times I look into my sons' brown eyes and I feel so much love I am not sure what to do with it.  I knew this would happen but the last week it felt so deep.  I just want to hug and kiss on them all the time.  Luckily for me the boys are super affectionate.  They love to be hugged and kissed.   I still have days that are long and I find challenging but most of the time I am loving this new role of mom.   I think I am adjusting to less sleep, less deep conversation, more Sesame Street, more poop talk, no weekends and no personal time.  I forget to wear deodorant or make up but I now remember snacks, extra diapers and water everywhere we go. That is an update on me:).   I promise an update on the boys this week.  But here are two pictures of our adorable sons. 

Mother's Day

Wow!!  This day has a lot of meanings for me now.  First, it is a day to remember my mom.  She is amazing.  I love her so much and I can't imagine life without her.  I think she is so incredible that they should write books about the adventures she has lived.  I love her energy, passion, love, and just the fun she adds to my life.  She is my mom, my friend, my prayer partner, my hero and someone I am eternally grateful to have in my life. 

Then I got married and gained a GREAT mother-in-law.  She is also energetic, loving and kind.  She has always made me feel so much a part of the family.  I know many have a hard time with their mother-in-laws but not me.  Here is a picture of the two lovely mom's in my life. 

This day also has huge significance to me as now I am a mom.  WOW I can't believe that.  Two little boys look at me and call me Mommy and Mama.  I count being their mom as a huge honor and privilege.  I know I have so much to learn about being a mom but they are being patient with me while I learn.  This is an amazing adventure that we are on together and it gets better every week. Here I am as a mini-van mom!!

Finally today makes me think of the boy's birthmother.  It is hard to remember that the joy I feel is because someone else felt incredible pain.  I think of her today and honor her bringing two beautiful boys into the world.  I know she loved them and that is why she chose adoption for them.  There is no way to imagine her sacrifice, but I will make sure she is not forgotten. She will always be a part of our family and a part of our prayers.  

Lunch time with the boys.

This was a video from our lunch time.  They were cracking me up so I ran and got the video camera.  It shows you how fun these boys are and how great their English is.  It is so fun being able to communicate with them and they with me.  This is definitely why I wanted to be a mom.  I fall into bed exhausted every night and wake up tired every morning.  However, it is all worth it to be able to talk, laugh and play with them.  Sorry for my crazy giggle.  It is hard to video and not sound annoying in the background:). 

Many Firsts

There are just so many firsts for our beautiful boys.  Some I have mentioned some I haven't.  Here are a few.  

First Sprinkler fun.  Dad has as much as fun as the boys.  Nati does love it, he was just spluttering in this picture. 

First haircut... we are treating a scalp issue with them and we can't see it when their hair is too long.  I love Yared's hair longer but I think Nati looks great with short hair.  

Yared inspecting Nati's new hair cut. 

First bikes which continue to delight them every day. 

We have already been to three Birthday parties so these are shots of their first parties and cupcakes:).  

First water bottle of his own.  He was very excited!!

This is not a first for Nati but I thought I would throw it in as it is a funny picture- he is VERY afraid of animals both stuffed and real.  Although if he isn't tired he is excited to see them at first.  This is his fear face when seeing a dog and how we love on him but do find his extreme reaction slightly amusing.