9 months! April 2, 2010

I have not been posting on here because 1. it rarely works and 2. it takes way too long to upload pics.  But, I sort of miss the blogging, so I’ll try again.

Vera turned 9 months this week!  Her personality is really developing.  She does not hesitate to let us know what she likes and does not like.  Likes: holding her baba herself, being held when Mommy comes home from school, splashing on her tummy in the bath, books that she can chew, chewing/licking just about anything, showing off her amazing smile, FOOD–anything it seems!  Dislikes: having her diaper changed, going to sleep by herself, having her face cleaned/wiped, being still!  She is So Much Fun.  Shannon said the other day that he thought 6 months was the perfect age, but now it’s changed to 9 months.

I am now a working mama and like it!  It’s nice to have interaction with students and adults again.  I’m only part-time, so it really works out great.  Bingzhao the ayi (nanny) is so sweet and they both love each other, so that makes leaving so much easier than it could have been.  Plus, I come home to a clean house in time for lunch, and my baby gets really excited and reaches for me!  That is a wonderful feeling.

Vera is not crawling but is still mobile.  She rolls and scoots around and has just started getting up on her knees, but not for long.  Her favorite moves include a very dramatic full-arm wave, pounding the floor when music is playing, and kicking those legs.

Here is our latest family photo from when my parents were here (more about that later if I every get back on).  This picture is also featured on our agency’s new website, with our testimonial: http://www.adoptionguides.org/.

Going on our first date!

October 15 March 6, 2010

One of our first glimpses

Working again! March 1, 2010

This is the day I got my tooth!

I just checked WordPress without a proxy, and lo and behold, it is working!  A few milestones, and then on to the pictures.

February 17–first tooth!  Bottom left front. So cute! No more as of yet.

February 18–definitely sitting up on her own.

February 28–8 months bio age/ 6 weeks family age.

Gran Jan and Pop get here in less than a week–hurray!  We can’t wait!

Hello!!

For some reason Daddy likes to pull my pants real high!

Sitting up!

New words and new Ayi February 12, 2010

I was inspired to update today after reading a fellow blogger comment on how the blog is a special way to document the life of her child. Even though I cannot post pictures, I can still tell stories.

Yesterday, February 11th, Vera began saying “DADADADADA.” Of course Shannon believes she is clearly telling the world she loves him the most. Hmmm… I just wish the darn “M” sound weren’t so difficult! Her favorite words are “Baaaaaaaaaaaaa” and now “Dadadada”. She also loves “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” and “Abba” so I guess she is already praising the Lord. Obviously smart and devoted already.

I posted today on our agency’s loop about her not napping and yet what is she doing right now? Napping in the morning! And it’s been over an hour. I guess I can’t expect her to be perfectly trained already. She is still figuring out how things work around here.

Our “Ayi” (nanny/cleaner) started this week. While I’m off work she is only coming twice a week to clean and do laundry (I am so lucky!) and little by little I’ll start letting her take care of V. But not yet. The first day she picked her up unprompted twice before I couldn’t take it anymore. Every part of me cringes when someone else holds her (besides Shannon, of course). Those who have not adopted cannot be expected to understand, but she has only known us coming up on four weeks. Before that, lots and lots of people held her and of course she was just fine. She is still learning who we are, and I want her to trust us and know us as fully as possible before the whole world gets to. I make no apologies for that, and it is my fault that I did not make that clear to the Ayi when we had our first meeting with the translator. Oh yeah, she speaks pretty much zero English, which is a challenge. So, upon the second pick-up I called friend J to explain to her in Chinese the situation. I asked J to make it clear that I am happy she is so loving towards Vera, but Mommy has to be the one to hold her for a few more weeks. J said that BZ (the Ayi) understood perfectly, so that was a relief. So the second day she came (yesterday) they did some playing on the floor but no holding. I was okay with that. I still have 5+ weeks left, and I am not ready to relinquish her yet!

Yesterday when Shannon came home we took a walk through the park. On the way home Shannon was holding Vera and she was looking at me and laughing almost the whole way–at least 15 minutes. So cute! She has a great belly laugh and we’re starting to see more of her personality each day. We’re pretty sure she is a social butterfly. Tomorrow she has a baby play date with about 5 other babies and we’re going to do footprints. I’ll try to update on how that turns out.

At the care center Vera ate only formula. She has now expanded her repertoire to: cereal, bananas, sweet potatoes, apples, taro, and carrots. Taro is her favorite–I guess she likes China already! Today we will try squash. I’d like to do something green, but am afraid of the pesticides…perhaps I will try to find the organic store I’ve heard about but have not searched out yet.

That’s the latest! As you can tell, she is pretty much brilliant and destined for greatness. We are so lucky!

ps. Still sleeping!

Home 9 days. Together 16 days. In love. February 2, 2010

We are home and Vera Mariam is an angel. Seriously. She sleeps–a lot, when she’s supposed to–she eats, she smiles, she laughs, she seems to know we’re hers forever and ever and we. are. in. love.

I have many reflections on motherhood and Ethiopia to post at some point, but first an update on the blog situation. It is possible that this blog or the one on blogger will survive, if we are able to get a proxy server. If not, I do not think I will keep it up as it is super annoying to get to right now (using a chimbo proxy) and I am unable to post pictures. I currently have a Shutterfly (or Shutterbug, as Shannon likes to call it) site where I am updating pictures and videos almost daily! We’ll see how long that last. If there is anyone who reads this blog and is not a stalker and would like access to that site, just send me an email or comment on this blog and I’ll add you!

Right now I hear the little munchkin giggling to herself in her crib–that’s how she wakes up! Is this a dream?

Gotcha Day! January 19, 2010

(This is Lana, Lindsay’s sister posting for her while they are in Ethiopia-don’t know when she’ll be able to get back online and post-but wanted to share the news!)

Vera was placed in Lindsay and Shannon’s arms on Sunday, around 3pm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Lindsay says that as cute as she is in pictures, she’s even better in real life.  We’ve only talked briefly, but they were feeding her, and getting used to a baby!  We are all so excited and so happy for Lindsay and Shannon.  Welcome to our family sweet Vera.  We love you!

1 Day and we’re off to Africa… January 15, 2010

Sad news: It seems this blog is now blocked, too. That means no more pictures, which may mean the end to this blog. Perhaps the blog was doomed for death anyway, once we get Vera M. That seems to be what happens to many blogs post pick-up. I was really hoping to get to post pictures of her, though. Maybe there will be a way, or maybe this is only temporary. We shall see.

I am finished with school until March 22nd. That is strange! I guess it hasn’t hit me yet. I came home early to pack. So far I’m still sorting, though. There is so much stuff! We have received some very generous donations.

Last night I put together little baggies for the kids in Addis while watching A.I. 43 little baggies now sit on my living room floor, filled with crayons, little pads of paper, pencils, erasers, and stickers. I hope the kids enjoy them.

Tonight is seriously our last night at home without a baby…besides Stringer Bell. I hope we’re ready!

3 Days: American Idol and last-minute shopping trip January 13, 2010

So.  Tired.   Already.

It’s hard to be working right now.  It would have been nice to have had a few days pre-travel, but what do you do.

Tomorrow I go see the pediatrician to get some meds, ask questions, and set Vera M’s first appointment.  This has been on the list for a while, so it will be good to check off.

2 hour shopping trip after school–last minute baby stuff, fun things for the kids in Addis, etc.  I don’t know why it took so long.

Right now I am relaxing with the first night of A.I., spring onion saltines, and some vino tinto.

Did I mention we leave in 3 days???  Craziness!

Look at those chubby legs!

And it begins: 4 days until we leave January 12, 2010

Yes, I’ve waited until the one hand to begin this countdown.  It’s actually hard to believe.  Who knew this last part would go so quickly?  Our vacation was key to this, and since we started school on Monday, it’s moving even quicker.  I’m actually starting to get a bit nervous.  Okay–more than a bit.

Confession: I have not begun packing.  I am still taking donations.  I have zero idea of the weight so far.  Is this bad?  It can’t be good.

Strange as it sounds, I’ve been a teensy bit pre-nostalgic about the end of the era of just Lindsay and Shannon.  As much as I CAN’T WAIT for this beauty to be in my arms, nothing will ever be the same.  But–it will be better.

Speaking of everything changing, this is what everyone in the world wants to tell us!  “Oh, get ready” THEY tell us.  “Just wait.”  What do they think we’ve been doing for over a YEAR!!  Lots and lots of that.  But it’s ALMOST OVER.

This is what she drinks! And that's part of her face! We're coming pretty girl!

Some favorite Phuket pics January 11, 2010

Relaxing in our bungalow

Archie and Shannon celebrating NYE

Another beautiful sunset

Last night at the Tamarind in Chalong

Our favorite place

Until next time!