Away

Last week we spent a few days away at Mark's late Grandpa Earl's home. It is in the most lovely spot--close to a beautiful beach, up the hill from the train tracks, on a large wild plot of land where deer wander through at all hours, and boys (and soon girls!) can roam free. It offers opportunities for what childhood is made of: lazy days indoors and out (unfortunately I forgot my camera for most of the outdoor fun). Ashen and Torin had their first opportunity to "chase deer." At all times they were listening for train whistles so they could rush down to see it rumble past. Vacationing with kids is not a lot of work (the prep alone almost made me crazy) but we all were grateful for the chance to slow down and enjoy each other for a few days, though Grandpa Earl's absence was palpable and he was missed.

Gum

Guess who is super excited about his first very own pack of gum? This boy is a gum fanatic. Seriously, this is his currency of choice. What I can bribe him with for any number of important things. What he cries about when it falls on the ground. What he talks about a.lot. What he saves on the counter when there is something else to eat. Gum. Gum. Gum. This was his special treat on his last day of school for the summer. Gum.

When Mommy's Away...

Today Daddy is Captain of the Ship as Mommy is having a special day out on the town (and a nearby nature reserve) with her Mother. So, in just a matter of minutes, this is how the place looked:

It's a Brand New Day...I'll Be Alright

I love this girl. How she shines! She wakes up kicking her legs and flailing her legs in pure excitement for the day ahead of her and the people she gets to spend it with. We are blessed. Sweet Bereket had some anxiety her first days with us and weeks home. As a mom, I could sense it. She was also waking up scared in the night and acting very hyper-vigilant all the time. She just did not seem relaxed. People would note that she was very 'alert' and 'aware of her surroundings.' By golly, she was. Having been transitioned four times in her short life (as is typical of kids adopted from Ethiopia) she did not know where she would wake up next and who would be changing her next diaper. It's only been six weeks, but this girl is settling in. She is beginning to trust us and count on us. She is eager to be with us. I think she knows she's going to be okay.

I am really enjoying getting to know her. Here are a few words I would use to describe her: joyful, passionate, easy going, social, curious, funny, alert, affectionate, and oh so drippingly sweet.





I am gushing because I love this girl...

When I hear Joshua Radin's song, Brand New Day, I think about how much life my daughter has ahead of her. So much goodness awaits her, and I can't wait to be right beside her.

It's a brand new day
The sun is shining
It's a brand new day
For the first time
In such a long long time
I know
I'll be okay

Summer Photos

Sweet Mark read my blog and remembered the cord...so without further ado, here are a few photos from the last month. We have been thoroughly enjoying our sunny weather--seeing as we only have truly sunny weather for a couple of months each year, we embrace each day and spend most of our time outdoors. It's awesome because it feels like our cozy bungalow turns into a mansion for the summer--quadrupling our living space.

My husband made me do it...

He took our camera USB cable on a work trip so he could charge his Blackberry...and accidentally left it at work. So, all my photos for the last couple weeks are stuck in my camera, not on this blog. Hang in there, I'm determined to get it back soon!

Though I'm sans photos, I can still provide a quick update. First off, all is well in our household. I know many of you have been holding your breath for us and thinking about us amidst our transition. We've been home over six weeks now, and I'm very happy to report that we are all settling in very well and I hope most of the growing pains have past. I feel great and am sleeping so much better, and am managing well day to day, even taking the kids out by myself most days--mostly to parks and beaches, and our favorite fruit stand where the boys always stroll away with a pint of their favorite berries.

Bereket is adjusting really well. This topic deserves one all to itself, so I'll save the details for later, but she is charming, sweet, passionate and very determined. She is also very kissable.

It's 6:45pm and I hear gleeful noises coming from the bath, and the babe is sound asleep. I have a few moments to myself before jammies and books. Moments to myself are treasured now days, but I thought I'd update you all who have been so supportive to me in recent months.

Stay tuned later this week for photos!

Faces of Beauty

3

Attentive
Silly
Helpful
Eager
Nearly perfect

He has been home sweet home for three years tomorrow. 07.07.07. I cannot express how lucky I feel to be his mom.

Self Care

This week, I had rare opportunities to do a little pampering of myself, something I rarely ever do. I feel so refreshed, and not even guilty for leaving my little ones for an hour here and an hour there. I know there are many who think that a newly adopted child should not be left without one of their parents for the first six months for attachment, and I respect that and limit the time I'm away when Bereket is awake. However, for me, I know that it is as good for my kids as it is for me--when mama is happy, the kids are happy. I've seen that over and over again.

Here are some of the "self-care" things I did this week:

-Mani/Pedi
-Hair salon
-Happy Hour with Mark and friends
-Talked with friends on the phone
-Had visits from friends and visited a friend
-Made an appointment with Merry Maids to have my house cleaned this week (enter sigh of relief)

How this was possible:
-Had help from grandparents on two different days
-Had help from a wonderful new babysitter
-Mark took the boys on a bus ride and to the aquarium so B and I could have special time with Cami and her family

Coming off of a couple of difficult weeks, this week was a breath of fresh air. The pendulum swung in the other direction in terms of self-care (I have never had a pedicure and hair appt. in the same week! In fact, I don't think I've had a pedicure in two years!), and I hope will settle into a nice balance in the coming weeks. I have not done a very good job of taking care of me while parenting my two boys. I know I need to be more intentional, especially now that we have three kids and life is even more demanding.

Mark is also encouraged by my self-care and is thinking of doing a little himself. I think his will look more like this:And I'm very excited for him. These blog posts encouraged us to think about taking some preemptive action on the "restorative sabbatical" idea. Mark works very hard, both professionally and at home. He works and works and rarely complains. He doesn't rest often enough, and needs someone to make him take a fun break. Call Mark if you want to go on a hike!

We're headed to a family 4th of July BBQ this afternoon. It feels like self-care to make a potato salad. Isn't that ridiculous? I love cooking and haven't done much at all since coming home a month ago, so it feels so good to make something. I'm weird.

Happy 4th!