The day we met....

One year ago today,

I walked into an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

and met my sweet baby boy.

He was a little thing, 6 months and 1 day old....

I fell for him immediately and loved on my baby boy for 10 days...

The visit included a sightseeing trip to southern and northern Ethiopia

What I saw and experienced has changed the way I view the world today.

It is safe to say my world was rocked, in the best possible way.

Today, Theo and I visited the zoo.

We saw some Colobus monkeys,

The last time I saw Colobus monkeys I was in Awassa, Ethiopia.

Theo, I promise one day you will experience

the Colobus monkeys in Awassa, just like mom.

Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July

Readoption Day

He is officially Gemechu Theodore

Theo is a busy boy, he climbed, ran, talked, & laughed 

in the courtroom during the 20 minute hearing....

Luckily, I had a few people with me to help distract and entertain-

I love that forced smile.... all we have to say is

"Theo, show me your teeth"

What's in a name?

For as long as I remember my friends and I discussed 

what would we name our babies...

Back in the day, I gave some great names to my dolls.

Puddin', Pussycat, Gwen....

My friends have lots and lots of children and they have chosen

some great names.

I had a long list of potential names when I was waiting.

And then I had a boy.

And none of the names fit.

So I decided I would wait to meet him and I was assured by many

that certainly I would know the name when I met him.

I had a short list of possibilities.

Then I met my sweet boy and still no name seemed just right.

His given name is Gemechu which translates to happy.

Quite appropriate.

One night while in Ethiopia, I was discussing names.

I mentioned that I was thinking about the name Theodore.

I liked the name, and although it was not on my short list

I kept coming back to it.

-Theodore is a family name on my mother's side

-Tewodros II often referred to the English equivalent Theodore II 

(c. 1818 – April 13, 1868) was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 until his death.

My friends Pam & Bob were in Ethiopia adopting their daughter.

Their oldest son is named Theo

They told me the meaning of the name....

Gift from God

This Thursday Theo is being re-adopted.

His name will be legally changed to Gemechu Theodore.

Happy Adoption Day Quincy!

Last weekend we helped cousin Quincy celebrate

Adoption Day.... although he entered our family back in November

He became officially official recently.

Quincy & Theo

Sweet Quincy... 

This picture is special to me

When I saw Q was wearing this polo, tears welled up in my eyes

Theo wore this polo while we were in Ethiopia.... 

time certainly flies!

Thanks Aunt Tina for the awesome pictures.

Baltimore

Today we leave Baltimore and fly home

I think we will experience withdrawal

Constant fun is hard to go without!

There were a few firsts....

What would Baltimore be without Lacrosse?

Riley was a favorite.

The stare-down!

Everyone enjoyed a little Yo Gabba Gabba

Just one of the boys

Talbot enjoyed not being the youngest for a week

My godchild and my son.

Baltimore... Part One

We have been in Baltimore for less than 2 days....
It is the first meeting for Theo and the Knott kids...
Last time I visited I had just received my court date.

To say Theo is completely and totally smitten with the 'boys'

and Charlotte is an understatement....

Theo would not let go of Colin & Rileys' hands....

Breakfast with Colin 

Talbot's Kindergarten Graduation.

Hanging out with the guys

Fun times with the Knott kids 

 makes for a tired but happy boy.