We absolutely adore our social worker from our agency. From the first time I spoke with her on the phone last fall, I knew that she was someone that I could count on. This initial perspective has rang true for the past year. She has helped to guide us, support us, and celebrates our family in a sensitive and caring way. No wonder why I don't get all freaked out about her visits.

This wasn't always the case, of course. The first time she came out I cleaned for almost 2 weeks, always thinking and noticing something that could be improved. That morning I went out to buy a huge variety of drinks and snacks to tempt her with. As I recall, she had a glass of water. Chris and I immediately... more

Adjustment - Agegnehu has exceeded all of our expectations for adjustment into our family and into the general public. He is a very pleasant boy and is generally happy unless he is tired or hungry. Everyone enjoys being around him.

Attachment - Agegnehu is very attached to all of his family members and recognizes them readily. He is also becoming familiar with other, extended family members. Upon visual or auditory contact with dad, mom or sister, he becomes very animated in physical and verbal cues, including smiles and happy sounds. He also makes movements to be picked up and held by these individuals. He will crawl rapidly towards them and pull himself up on their legs. He... more

I'm done! I finally finished this last night after everyone was asleep. I remember thinking about doing placement reports while I was filling out my dossier. When the actual time came around, I balked. After filling out all of the other applications and forms, why did I have a block regarding this one? Maybe I'm just out of practice? Maybe back then it was just a dream and now my baby is a reality? To help me out, I used the template provided by my agency. It seems a little mechanical to me, not like my usual style of writing, but I can live with that. Due to translating and such, they like to keep the wordings somewhat simple to help with that. I'd better get used to... more

Actually, he is almost 10 months, but he's 3 months to us. We celebrated our homecoming anniversary with our very first family vacation to the beach. If you take away getting there and coming back, the trip was amazing. If you do add in the travel time, it kind of averages out to worthwhile but not happening again anytime soon.

The Ethiopian government requires post placement letters from parents at 3 months, 6 months, one year and yearly after that until the child turns 18. Along with specific photo requirements, they want to hear about his... more

According to a study that is quoted at www.lifescript.com, a first time father's age has a correlation to the health outcome of his baby, if the man is over 40 years old.

According to research published in a recent issue of the journal Epidemiology, babies born to middle-aged dads are more likely to experience weakened health than babies born to men in their 20s. Danish researchers looked at data from more than 70,000 live births between 1980 and 1996. Their results indicated that first-time fathers between 45-49 years of age were more likely to have infants who suffered from weakened heart rate and respiration, poor reflexes, and... more

This week was a rough one. Hormones and stress don't mix too well in my life and this week was a rough blend of both. My moods are normally pretty uneven, but on weeks like this they give new meaning to peaks and valleys. Anything that seems like it might work, is worth trying for the sake of my soul and the sake of my little family.

Tuesday morning already started out crazy, then a tiny little phone conversation threw me over the edge. Nothing bad, nothing really at all, just an interaction that I overreacted to, which is not at all uncommon for me in hormonal times like these. In the magazine that I was reading, there was a blurb about How to Break Out of a Bad Mood. I pounced... more

I just learned of an adoptive family who received news this morning that their baby had died in another country. They are devastated. I am devastated. Any type of loss like this arouses such strong emotions, but even more so for people who have lost children of their own. They have asked for anyone that has had a type of similar situation share their wisdom. I am wondering if I have any for them. At the least, just to say how sorry I am. And that may be my best.

As soon as I read about this, I immediately started to cry. Bec was sleeping and taking his morning nap. I left the computer to check on him, kiss him and say a prayer that he made it home safe and healthy.

I... more

We were driving back from a Little League tournament today and on the freeway we drove by my dad's old property. I started thinking about what we were doing a year ago, today on the Fourth of July...

We had just found out that my dad had lethal cancer and had only 3 months to live. We were all rallied at his ranch with all of the livestock, ponds, pastures and pens for various animals. He has many brothers and sisters, many children and many grandchildren. With his diagnosis, we had been having weekly, or bi-weekly barbecues as he wanted people around him at all times.

He... more

Today is the one month mark for bringing home Becken! Chris and I were talking last night and saying that it seems like he has been here forever, but also like we just picked him up. We said the same things when we had brought Ivy home from the hospital. These two get along so well. They hold hands in the car while they are in their car seats. It is so cute. Ivy has really taken to her role as big sis and is such a huge help. Bec just loves her. He looks for her and when his eyes rest on her they just light up and he gets excited. When Chris comes home from work Bec about jumps out of my arms to get to him. We are up to two feedings of cereal a day.... more

I stole the title of this post from Ivy. To steal the phrase from Adoptive Families, I have a thumbs down to go to Reuters and Moviefone for posting this article.

The article states "The new baby joins the couple's adopted children Maddox and Zahara, rounding out a family People magazine has already dubbed 'the most beautiful in the world'."

Granted, I am a new mom in the adoption circle, but this segregation of children has always bothered me. Actually, it doesn't bother me any more that I now have my... more