Sitting UP

Isaac has learned something knew this past week. He can now officially sit and play, without his parents having to wait 10 seconds for him to fall over. He LOVES his new found "independence" and smiles very proudly as he reaches and plays from his new perspective on life. Mommy is also glad he has found something that will entertain him for longer stretches of time. His muscle strength has improved immensely over the past 5 weeks; especially in his core and legs. He's growing up so fast! I knew this would be the case; and prepared myself for his "quick" development and growth. But it is funny. . . some days I look at him and he looks SO grown up. Other days I catch myself thinking how tiny and vulnerable he looks. It may have something to do with what he is wearing, or what he is busy doing (or not doing, such as sleeping). We can't help falling more and more in love with this wee one. He is such a complete joy and delight to parent and love.

Passion-Heart and Burden for Ethiopia

Last night Eric and I came across a wonderful documentary on public TV called "A Walk to Beautiful". It has added, yet another tear to my bucket labeled My-Heart-and-Passion-for-Ethiopia. God has continued to place these magnificent people on my heart and mind. Wonderful little reminders that He has begun something that is not yet finished. . .

I also had to google obstetric fistula, after watching the show, because it is something we (pregnant or expecting women) in the US never need to worry about.

The woman's story documented in the show reminded me immediately of the woman in the Bible who reached out in GREAT faith to simply touch Jesus' robe, in order to receive healing from a devastating life of being an outcast - due to continual bleeding. Jesus had such compassion on this woman. . . and it is contagious to the spirit in me. Join me in praying for, and lifting up these fellow women, who know hardship all too well.

Learning. . .

Isaac in his borrowed exersaucer. He loves it!! Thanks Jaime.

Working on that leg strength and making up for lost ground.

Visiting Grandpa Martin and Shadow in his workshop and office.

Tummy time curiousities.


Our family is learning so much. . .

Isaac is learning about his new home, environment, country, Mommy and Daddy, AND lots of other new faces.

Mommy and Daddy are learning ALL about Isaac! We are observing, in awe and wonder, everything he does!

*Isaac has a ticklish back, feet and tummy!

*He LOVES peek-a-boo!

*Isaac's favorite position to fall asleep is when he is cradled in our arms, while being rocked. Except when it is too hot. Then he prefers his back.

*He LOVES rice cereal, peas, bananas, and prunes (His Daddy says "Yuck!").

*Isaac can't stand seeing his bottle and NOT being permitted to drink it.

*He also has trouble excepting when it is empty. . . .

*Our little boy is able to roll over and spin himself around. Mom found him under one of the living room chairs, when he had started out on his blanket, in the middle of the floor.

*He is GREAT at laughing, smiling and giggling. Dad and Mom will do just about anything, over and over again, if and when it makes him laugh. Our house sounds pretty loonie at times!

*He enjoys listening to books or stories while being rocked to sleep.

*Isaac was born with a thumb (well, two) and he intends to make good use of it! For now it is his way of comforting himself. Hopefully he will need it less and less as he adjusts and finds comfort in understanding the fullness of "HOME".

More to come. . .

Pictures from our trip.

This is the guest house we stayed in.

Here is a group photo of the families sharing the guest house with us. Notice most of the children are around the age of two years old. This made for a very energetic house.

Isaac playing with a little girl in the playroom.

More photos anyone?

I know some of you are dying to see some pictures of this little guy.

He is adjusting even better than we could have imagined.

What a delightful personality!

Finally home!

We are here - Finally.

I'm sure many of you have heard the we ran into so many delays and missed flights in our journey to Ethiopia.  About the only thing that went well for us was the fact that our luggage somehow ended up in the same place we did.  I thought for certain that we would never see those bags again.  

Nevertheless, we are here and so happy to have baby Isaac with us.  He has been a real delight.  Always smiling and talking to us in the typical 7 month old jibber jabber.  It is easy to see why his nannies were so sad to see him leave the orphanage with us.  

I have just two prayer requests to ask of you: 

The first is that Isaac will learn to drink from a bottle.  In the orphanage they fed all of the infants from small cups.  We've tried all day to get him to take a bottle, but he will have no part of it.  He would rather go hungry than drink from a bottle.  

The second request is for our health.  Isaac has a stuffy nose, Eric has a sore throat, and everyone is concerned about food and digestive issues.

Our Internet connection is a dial up connection and rather sporadic.  When we get home we will have lots of pictures and videos to share with all of you.