Week Two-We are all still here :)

Literally-we are still hear, moving, crying, laughing, having fits (yep both M and Mom), singing, reading and everything else you would expect. This week starts our 3rd week as a family of four. We have been so blessed with friends and support networks that keep us moving-it is amazing that just when I feel low-someone calls for a visit/coffee break or a well needed playdate.

People will ask--so how is it going? At times I am unsure how to respond-really we are doing well considering all that has happened in the last three weeks-from Isaiah meeting me again...after 10 months of uncertainity, movement and wait-to the trip back and now being implanted in a new family (that doesn't speak his tribal language) all is really going well. To be honest, there are moments that if you peaked in on us, it would look like Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan-just with a little Ethiopian boy-but once he get something it is quite amazing.

The picture above says it all-after 2 1/2 weeks of being with this crazy women from Austin MN, the one who pushes me to use my words, and is not as cool as my new dad-he finally "cuddled" with me. I had Rob run soooo fast to get this picture taken-just in case the next cuddle didn't come for weeks...well the cuddles keep coming and more smiles my way.

Next week's post--trying preschool :)

Thanks all!

the cabeens

One Week Into a Family of Four....

One week ago from right....NOW!

Hi All! Or should I say greetings from controlled chaos :) I can't believe we have been a family of four for exactly one week. Yup one week ago I was carrying a very antsy 5 year old (who had only really met me 3 days before that) through customs of Minneapolis Airport into the very eager waiting arms of big brother and Daddy!

Our week has had laughter, tears, brotherly 'love', sleep, sickness, changing of the sheets, hugs, kisses and our first 'love you's'. I am currently writing this as M has figured out that a mom who has 3-4 new books on her kindle and has no need to move from the foot of the bed=just give in and take the nap.

It has certainly been an adjustment for all of us-I hope to have pictures from the trip up this weekend, but here are a few of the lessons learned from the trenches.

1. You no longer have a schedule :) gone are the days of getting up and being pretty independent and a family of an active/social bunch. Our days are scheduled around-playtime, snack time, learning basic words and an occasional trip in the macina (or car). For the type A driven mom, this one has been the biggest adjustment for me-Rob is enjoying the fact we can actually 'enjoy' our new house. I am learning to love sweatpants and running tops as replacement wardrobe from the suits of my former life (no worries...I return back to work in late Jan/early Feb).

2. Life is marked by little moments. If you have had children you remember the first smile/first words/first steps. Well with a 5 year old we celebrate-first piece of cake, first night with a dry bed, first english words, first time he says "mom" and looks at me (granted he wanted me to ride the trike next to him, but sooo worth it),

3. We are learning to appreciate the little things. Yesterday I celebrated going to target...by myself. After 2 straight weeks of being attached to a little one, it is easy to forget to take the 20-30 minutes a day to re-energize (or just go by the economy size toilet paper that we needed). Folding laundry without 2 boys eager to mess it back up, or just the early am coffee by the fireplace before anyone is awake...ahhhh.

For those of you nearer to us (or those farther away eager to visit).

*call ahead, now we don't have a lot of plans, however nap and occasional run to HyVee does have us out of the house. We also try to limit to one vistor a day and it does only last about an hour*

***exception--Kenny is always ready and willing for friend play dates! His adjustment to sharing attention and missing his buddies is something that anyone can support!

*the tough one....No Touching. We are really trying to establish our roles and Mom and Dad-and ironically just because we have the papers that say so....Minalachew will need months to adjust to this reality (we have had a year and half) he has had two weeks. Now you would think saying no hugs, kisses, picking up, holding, etc would be easy---but be warned....we have a cute one on our hands-he easily runs up to anyone and lifts his arms like "hold me" and it is like resisting an awesome hot fudge sundae to say no...but we really appreciate your support on this one. And please don't be offended if we step in/or insert ourselves in the line of an incoming hug/kiss. We are doing all we can to help him associate those special treats for mom and dad (and brother) specifically first...then later on others.

***exception--Kenny again, if you feel the urge when here to hug someone (or something) grab Kenny...or Rob is always good for hug as well :)

Well the first 7 days have been a new type of roller coaster-this one we don't want to get off though.

Happy New Year!

We are home!!! This ornament sits in a beautiful plant in our house that is our pretend tree for the year.

The flights went amazing-in Addis he fell asleep in the airport and then a very nice man from Toronto helped me on the plane with him (hint flying solo with 5 year old who has just really met you 2 days prior could become an Olympic event). Once on the plane to Amsterdam he did very well--one flight attendant got to know him quite well during turbulence when he needed to go to the bathroom and the pilot would not let passengers out of their seat....well she certainly helped a ton (plus he was soo cute, she kept giving him extra snacks). While in Amsterdam I had coffee with another CHSFS dad while M slept (fyi like clockwork he would fall asleep either right as boarding or leaving a plane-and those walkways are long!). We also experienced our first escalator, once-twice-three-twelve times (hint he really knows the word "more mommiee" quite well after that one).

On the plane to Minnesota he fell asleep for the first 4 hours!! At that point I really realized how much we had been constantly together, and how much I enjoyed a few moments to read (the passenger next to me let me borrow a New Yorker), or eat something by myself. Once back up we watched Cars II and Smurfs--in slow motion, fast forward, reverse, Chinese and maybe even in Dutch (hint first remote and own tv connected to it-at some point I just gave in that we would be hitting the call button every 10 minutes).

The entry into Minnesota was far less stressful then Washington DC-we were first in our line-got through and baggage within 20 minutes....then the elevator down to meet the family.

Thanks to amazing girlfriends-Rob made it there in tact and we have a ton of beautiful pictures from it. Tears all around and the next part of our journey starts (I promise to blog more on this-but I am sensing I have about 10 more minutes of free time before the boys (Rob and M) are up.

I hope you all have an amazing weekend celebrating the birth of Jesus~ I know our family we always hold this season extra special to our heart.