ART!

 Art by Theo

7-31-2012

I am an artist & teacher so it is slightly surprising 

that it has taken me so long to pull out the paints

with Theo. We invited our friends over for a painting

party and let the good times roll.

Friends

I love summer...

We have a standing Wednesday playdate with Max & Ally.

Today, everywhere Theo walked

he held Max & Ally's hands.

So sweet.

Happy.

This boy loves to swing.

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.