Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Some great things about our sons

They remembered us. When they saw us, they came toward us with their arms up for hugs.

They claimed us. When other kids were around, they sat on our laps. They gently pushed others away. We're theirs.

So far they mostly understand our Amharic and we mostly understand them.

They liked seeing themselves on the videocamera.

When they were playing, they were a team. They took turns. They held things for each other.

They were curious about their new pull-back cars and their talking photo album. They figured out how to best balance things on the cars, and how to record their own voices on the photo album.

They said they liked our dogs. So far the only names they've learned from the photo album are the dogs' names. D even kissed their pictures. He liked Buki's tiliq milas - big tongue.

They each had a turn leading prayers and they both did a great job.

They put stickers all over Tabb's face.

D covered our faces in the photo album with stickers, then asked us where our faces were. Comedy gold.

A played demolition derby with me for almost an hour.

D looked at the photo album with Tabb for almost an hour.

D LOVES the photo album, especially the picture of the house and the car. At snack time he shoved his bread in his mouth all at once so he could finish and come back to the photo album.

When we did something D liked, he patted us on the shoulder.

A likes soccer.

A showed us where everything belonged when it was clean-up time.

They gave us kisses and accepted kisses.

They're cute as all get out.

A took lots of photos with Tabb's camera.

They stopped when it was time to stop, and didn't touch when I told them not to touch (I know this will change once they begin to test limits, but it's great to know they can do it).

They were sad when it was time for us to leave, but understood when we said we would come back.

When I told A to give a toy to a little boy who was crying, he didn't want to, but he did it.

When it was time for everyone to go in for a bath, D snuck back out to be with us.

They laugh when we tickle them.

They are full of smiles and hugs.

We are so happy to be with them.

22 comments:

  1. They sound amazing! So happy for you all!

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  2. Silas is excited to meet them! Caleb says he's exciteder than Janko. I'm even more exciteder! Caleb says Poop.

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  3. so amazing. sweet boys. So happy for you guys!

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  4. Claiming is a good thing. It's a good step on the attachment path. (Did I already suggest to you to start attachment games now?) Can't wait for more photos!

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  5. I love this! Congratulations!

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  6. All four of you will hang on to these details for a lifetime. A and E can still remember remarkable details about the day we were reunited again and they LOVE to hear about it over and over again. So happy for all of you!

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  7. I can feel the excitement in your words!

    Truly precious moments...

    --Mary Beth
    http://selam-ubuntu.blogspot.com/

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  8. Congradulation, I am very happy for you and the boys.

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  9. Konjo! This is so wonderful, so beautiful, so joyful. Warmest congratulations. Hooray!!

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  10. Congrats! I remember that claiming. I also learned you don't sit in the middle of the blanket where tons of kids can climb on you when they come outside. It really upsets the one "claiming" you ... Enjoy!

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  11. Sounds like you're all having a fabulous time. Savor every minute!!

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  12. Amazing! I love all of this update, and I love the pride and happiness in your words.

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  13. So wonderful; now I'm happy crying. :)

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  14. Hanging on every word. I remember the craziness of the big kid house! How many kids are there?

    I am so happy to hear things are off to a good start! Best wishes to you and your family!

    Post pictures when you can!!

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  15. Oh I can't believe I just missed you all. I miss my girl, But I love this post so very much.

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  16. This is amazing!!! I'm so glad it's going well. Thinking of you all.

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  17. I enjoyed the pictures you took during your travel to Burji land. Were you able to learn a thing or two about your boys village or their extended relatives for future reference? I am a naturalized citizen living in San Diego and happen to be from a Burji tribe. You can contact me if interested ychonde@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Yohannes - Wonderful!!! I am so happy you contacted us!

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    2. Great. Please do not hesitate to contact me.

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  18. Some great things about their parents: two of the most conscious-prior-to-adoption parents I have ever encountered, patient, working hard to learn Amharic, keeping us all in the loop, clearly in love, in love but trying to learn who their kids are... I hope I am still able to follow this journey years from now.

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    1. Awww... thank you! We're trying. We're not where we want to be, neither language-wise nor parenting-skill-wise, but we're trying.

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