Progress...

Here are a few pictures to update you on Eli’s progress since returning home with us 7 weeks ago. As you can see, he is adjusting amazingly well! We couldn’t be more pleased with the way he has bonded with us and with his brother and sisters (and they with him!). He still becomes timid and a bit uneasy in new situations, but then again, who doesn’t?

Despite that, he eats and sleeps well, is learning English at lightening speed, sings “Dancing Queen” (complete with dance moves), participates in gymnastics class once a week, has snow skied (twice!), gone swimming, attended two birthday parties for friends, gone to his first Imax 3-D movie, started preschool and Sunday School, attended his first sleepover with his brother and friends (albeit, right next door) AND turned 4 years old! All in less than 2 months! He is amazing!

Eli Turns 4 (and Erin turns 29…again!)

Growing up, I had a tradition of celebrating my birthday with my Grandpa Ray (Edie Raye’s namesake). My grandpa passed away five years ago, but I fondly remember our celebrations together at Azteca fighting over who would get to wear the sombrero for our annual birthday picture together!

What could make my birthday better…how about now sharing it with my son! Yep. Eli and I have the same birthday!

I’ll never forget our initial referral conversation with our adoption coordinator as she explained to us what little information she had on “Eli”. She said, “He is three years old and does have a known birth date of February 22nd.” (Most children in Ethiopian adoption don’t have a “known” birth date.) Joel and I just looked at each other, tears in our eyes unable to speak. Finally, Joel, with a little laugh, managed to explain to her that that was also my birthday. Another sign. Yep. Eli was meant to be ours. I remember exactly what I was doing on 2/22/05, the day he was born. What a special gift.

We celebrated our birthdays with friends and family. We ordered Ethiopian food and dined on doro wat and injera and a car themed birthday cake, chosen by the birthday boy! It was a great celebration. Eli received wonderful gifts and had a great celebration. He sang, “Happy Birthday…” for about 10 days afterward. Now, every time he receives something new, he says, “Oh! Happy birthday!” I think he liked his birthday and I definitely enjoyed sharing the day with a loved one again. Grandpa Ray would like that too.

A shower for Eli

If I had a dime for each time I said the words, “It takes a village…” I would be one wealthy girl! My “village” of ladies surprised me (totally!) with a shower for Eli! What a GREAT surprise! We had a great time laughing and eating (and drinking) at Mazatlan, our favorite restaurant for ladies night out (or Sunday afternoon as was the case this time around).

Eli and I were spoiled and he will definitely be the best-dressed kid in the neighborhood this summer! OH MY! He got some really (I mean REALLY) cute stuff.

Mainly, it was a time to reconnect with friends and family, tell silly stories (I really did land in the stroller!), eat some good food and celebrate yet another “birth” to our family. I am so, so blessed to be surrounded by such good, quality people. Thank you to my ladies, (especially Hilary for hosting the shower and Sara for Eli’s first family vacation!) for making it a great day and for creating a story of Eli’s “baby” shower to tell him of someday. I love you guys!