Sweet Ole John!!

Yesterday we were so pleased to welcome David and Audrin's little man into the world! Ole John was born at 8:30 a.m. He was 7 lbs and 20 1/2 inches in length. Audrin had a long haul delivery of her sweet little man...I will save that story for her to tell! We were all there shortly after he was born, but didn't get to see and hold Ole until visiting hours later in the afternoon. Audrin was recovering and couldn't have visitors yesterday! We so much wanted to give her our love! Needless to say, we are all so excited about this little guy who looks so much like his momma! Looking forward to many years watching him grow. I can just see Trek, Soren and Ole (the three musketeers) getting into so much trouble together! Bring it on!!!

Love,

Rhonda

Funny boy!

Here's the scenario: Mr. Trek is eating a blueberry pancake with peanut butter on it. He is pretty close to finished with it and stretches out his hand toward me. His hands are of course covered with plenty of what he is eating. He says "Icky, mommy!" Then with hand still aimed toward me he says "Here you go, you're welcome!" I laughed outloud!!! First of all, he is calling what he just spent the last 10 minutes gobbling down, icky! Second of all, why would I want it if he doesn't. Anyway, this is an-almost-two-year-old's perspective! He is a pretty amazing little man...we are in awe of his rapidly changing self. He is speaking in full sentences that we can understand. Knows the full alphabet song. He can say the "L" sound very clearly. Recently when we ask him how he is doing, he says "I'm good!" Then he will run around saying to us "How are you, I'm good!" He can count to 10 in english and spanish!
Okay, this is turning out to be quite a braggy post! I guess I want to be able to look back on this blog and remember the tidbits about him that I will quickly forget!
As we head into fall/winter, I hope I can keep this little guy entertained and learning!
We will see how that goes!

Vacation!!

Yep!! We went on a much needed vacation to Orcas Island at the end of June! We only spent a few days there, but it was exactly what we needed to unwind and celebrate. Andrew is officially done with his residency and we celebrated....it was also our 9th anniversary, so we really needed to get out of town!!

Trek had a great time exploring many rocks, sticks and the deer. There are plenty of deer on the island! A few times we came across some the were bedded down; one instance Trek saw them first and caused quite a stir as he came fairly close to them. I think it scared him a bit when they jumped up so quick and disappeared.

We all had a very relaxing time!

A year ago...

Well it is hard to believe but a year ago today we were deemed legal guardians of Bedilu Tekele by the Ethiopian courts! We remember how we could hardly sleep because Ethiopia is 10 hours ahead of us here in the States, so the court hearing would be taking place while we slept! We anxiously were checking our email for the note that everything had gone smoothly. And sure enough we were legally his parents! So very delighted and relieved we were! Oh, it is been a busy but fun year! We love you Trek!!!

Also, today we went to the pediatrician for Trek's 18 month check-up, even though he is only 17 months right now!! Every thing looked good! He is 27 lbs. (70%) and 32 inches tall (55%)! He is growing well with no complications. He was not very fond of the nurse or doctor coming too close to him (he screamed loudly). This made it difficult for the ped to listen with her stethoscope, but she seemed happy with what she could hear! It is amazing how much these little ones can remember about certain settings. I think he vividly remembers that this place is where he gets shots! And yes he got three today, screaming and holding onto me really tight. But the nurse whipped out some bubbles at the end, and all sobs were done! Now he is sleeping soundly!!! Whew, it sure is hard being a 17 month old! Did I say that I love this little man to pieces?!
Rhonda

Finally!

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted. First our computer had 50 viruses and spent some time in the computer hospital in critical condition. Then, I forgot the password to get in to this blog. So I finally am getting around to posting again!

Trek has changed so much since I last posted in Feburary! He is singing Twinkle twinkle little star, B-I-N-G-O, and part of the ABC song (up to about P). I can't keep up with all the words that he is using regularly. I am also finding myself deciphering for others what he is saying, just like other moms I know. He has also started putting one hand on each of our necks and pulling us close to each other so we can kiss (Andrew and I). When he first did this Andrew and I were in hysterics because Trek had this very serious look on his face like, "mommy and daddy really need my help so they can kiss!" Needless to say we enjoy him very much!!!!

With the nice sunny weather we had over Mother's Day weekend, we spent plenty of time outside. With this comes summer-ish clothes. So I happily outfit Trek in shorts and sandals. Now, I found some saltwater sandals at a consignment event and happily marched up to buy them for our little guy. Well, it turns out they are rather hard for Trek to run in. He gets going and pretty soon trips and falls...on his face. So two days in a row he has scraped up his nose and upper lip...he has some pretty nasty looking scabs there now! I feel so bad that I am ready to throw the sandals out the window. I know this is just the beginning of the scraps and bruises, but wow, it is hard on a mommy's heart to see our little ones in pain!

I will get some updated photos on here soon!

Febuary 2010-- Trek at 14 months old

We had a stretch of beautiful weather...so we took advantage of it! Trek got familiar with dirt and our dog Roosevelt! We took many walks so mom could get some much needed exercise!!

Oh, a small milestone, but we lowered Trek's crib down to the bottom level. I know we should have done this a long time ago, but time just flies by! On morning we woke up to hear a crash coming from Trek's room. I ran in and there he was with blood running down his face. I went into 'medical mode' and quickly whisked him in to the bathroom to get something to apply pressure with. At this point I had no idea where exactly he was bleeding from, there was blood in his eye. I was expecting the worst...luckily he just banged his right eyebrow on the side of the crib! Sometimes he tries to stand up in his crib while still asleep...this would be hard to do when fully awake! Anyway, the wound healed great, and having the crib mattress all the way down makes it so he can't fall on the side rails that easy!!! I am sure this is just the beginning of the drama and truama we are going to witness in the next few years!!!

January 2009- Trek at 13 months old...and adoption finalized!!!

Trek really enjoys his daddy! When ever Andrew comes through the door after work, Trek runs to him saying "Daddeee"! It melts Andrew's heart every time...never gets tired of it!!

Trek figured out how to climb this month...kind of scarey for mom, but very fun for him!

It was a sigh of relief to finally have the mountains of paperwork done to finalize his adoption in the States...we had a little celebration!