Two Months Home

February 5th marked our two month anniversary home as a family. It's amazing to me how far Grace has come in that time. When I met Grace for the first time in Ethiopia, she was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen but she clearly was not at the physical level of an eight month old. In fact, when I set her on the floor to see if she could sit up, she flopped over like a rag doll. I tried to stand her up on my legs but she couldn't bare any weight. Fast forward to now and she is leaps and bounds ahead of where she was. She can sit up on her own, roll over, scootch herself around the living room floor on her back, clap her hands,give high fives and shakes her head "no" for fun. When we went back to the international pediatrician at the end of January, they were amazed at how far she had progressed. In December they said she tested at the average age of a five month old and at the appointment in January she measured at at least a nine month level and higher in some areas.

The only concern we still have is her weight, and they aren't as concerned about that as they were since she seems to be gaining at a good rate. She is now slightly over 13 pounds and she's still not on the growth chart yet but at this rate, she should make it onto it at about 14 months. They're pleased that she's gaining and they really helped to put my mind at ease. I was becoming a basket case over her being so small and they really helped to calm me down. We still need to get her weight up but we're not in crisis mode. That really helped to relax me and they were able to give me some good tips on what I can do to make the feedings not so stressful. And because of those tips, the baby food is going much better. She will now eat, pears, peaches or bananas twice a day and I only have to tickle her to get the first bite in. After that she remembers that she likes the taste and she opens her mouth. I have become much calmer during feedings and I think she can sense that. I also switched her bottles because it seemed like she was having a lot of gas and that seems to be working better too. I think that she just hasn't learned that eating can be a pleasant experience. She was on a feeding tube for quite some time in Ethiopia so I think that has had an effect on her. As the doctor said, she eats to live, she doesn't live to eat. Hopefully, we'll get this worked out but it will take some time.

I started planning her baptism. It will be in the middle of March and it will be a small affair with very close family and friends. It will be at the church my dad and step-mom attend and were married in so I'm excited about that. I wanted this to be a celebration that included both her American and Ethiopian cultures. So instead of the typical white christening gown, she will wear a traditional off-white Ethiopian dress that I bought while over there. It has a few small, vibrant colored crosses on it and a head scarf to go with it. I want this to be one of many occasions where we can celebrate her Ethiopian heritage along with her American heritage.

So I go back to work on Tuesday. As much as I love my job and the people I work with, I know it will be hard to leave her. I did a practice run yesterday where I left Grace with my sister for 3 1/2 hours. Not so Grace could get used to it, but so I could. I didn't cry and I only checked in once. I'm going to try another run tomorrow. I know that she is in the best possible hands with my sister Kate so that certainly helps with my anxiety but I'd be a liar if I didn't say it will be difficult to be away from her all day.

All in all, we're doing great. We will spend our first valentines day together this weekend and I got to buy my first daughter card which was exciting. She continues to be the joy of my life and I thank my lucky stars that I get to be her mom.

Since we've been home two months I thought I would post some pictures of what she looked like the first day I met her in Ethiopia and how she looks now.


Our first meeting on November 28th.



November 29th

February 6th at home

Yesterday sitting for the first time on the push toy Santa brought her.

Today eating peaches.