Hi Ninak

Enat:

the word used for 'mother' in Amharic, one of the primary languages in Ethiopia

While I was in Ethiopia, I had the amazing privledge of meeting Anna's birth mom. She is an incredible young woman who very much loved her daughter. Since arriving home, a picture of Anna's 'Enat' has been sitting on her dresser. This week, I took that picture down from the dresser for Anna to look at and hold. I 'introduced' Anna to her Enat, 'who lives in Ethiopia and loves her very much'. Tonight, as we were getting ready for bed, Anna said, "Hi Ninak!" It took me just a second to realize what she was talking about.....the picture of her Enat that was nestled among her things. Oh, my sweet girl, you have left your mommy speechless!

Proud Mommy

Today's local paper ran a sweet article about Anna, adoption, and the amazing care she has received at her therapy school. The article was to raise awareness about the work of the Rehab Center, a United Way Agency, during the local United Way campaign. You can click here to read the story. I'm so proud of my little gal!

Have a great week!

Anna and Walter

A few weeks ago, we headed to Maine for a long weekend to visit family and enjoy the fall colors. And my sweet girl had her first encounter with a Lobster!

She wasn't so sure about this funny looking thing.

"Uh, no thank you, mom. I don't think I'll be having one of those for supper."

For now, I think Anna will stick with the Lobster her Aunt Ellen gave her. She loves her Lobster- he goes with us most places! However, due to her inability to say "L" and "B" sounds, "lobster" comes out sounding more like "Walter". I guess that will be his name.

Thanks "Doe" and "Elda" for a great weekend!! We love you!!

Halloween Recap

We hope you all had a fun Halloween! If you've followed my blog of long, it should be no huge surprise that my post is a bit late. Oh well....better late than never?!

Anna enjoyed her first Halloween- or at least riding in the wagon. Her mom enjoyed dressing her up! She was just so so so yummy in her costume. We started at the Fall Family Frenzy at our church on Friday night. Anna's grandparents, her Uncle David and cousins joined us for the fun. It was a great night. First folks we run into: our friends the Harpers with their son Will, who is also from Ethiopia. Isn't he handsome?!
Anna and her cousins getting ready for some FUN! She wasn't so sure about that big pointy hat... As usual, Anna loved hanging out with her Bill! On Sunday night, our pumpkin friend, Roxie dropped by for a quick kiss....She and her mom brought Anna a fantastic book. Thanks, friends!
Finally, we made peace with the pumpkin.

"Hmmmm, could I BE any cuter?"

We had a fun holiday and already have a costume for next year (thanks to the after Halloween sale at Target!!). We hope you had fun, too. I can't believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Enjoy your week!

Halloween Seak Peek....

Stay tuned....more soon!

The (not so) Great Pumpkin.....

Fall is here and Halloween is getting close, so we headed to the pumpkin patch, held at a local church, to find a pumpkin for our porch. Anna loved riding in the wagon.....at least at first......

"Uh, mom, what are you doing? What are are these things?"

And then......

As long as that pumpkin was in that wagon with her, she was unhappy! We tried to get near the pumpkin again tonight and I got the same reaction. Who knew a pumpkin could be so scary??!! Mabye she'll warm up to it over time.....or mabye she'll enjoy it more next year.

Check this out!

Anna's got a new 'do'......I got in her first two pigtails tonight! You can barely see the little sprouts on top of her head, but they're there. My little gal is getting to be a big girl!

And now for her newest skill......

Pushing up on her arms......

turns into hands and knees.......and then......

TaDa! My super star is sitting up!

She's so big!

She'll be on the move soon....the PT in me is thrilled; the mommy in me is a little freaked out!

Have a great Wednesday!