Then & Now

One year ago today we got THE call, and we saw our son for the first time! It was a long awaited moment, but worth every second of the wait and we would do it all again and wait twice as long if we had to (for those of you who know me personally, you know that's saying something...)!

So, Happy Referraliversary Reeves! We love you so much and are so lucky to get to be your parents!

November 16, 2009 - Referral Day

November 16, 2010 - Referraliversary

That's right... we're still here!

Wow, time certainly flies! We had an amazing summer full of lots of "firsts." There are many, many photos to share, but for now... here is one from our most recent adventure - Halloween!

(sorry it's not better, that's what happens when I try to get photos off my phone!)

Seriously though, isn't he the cutest dragon you have ever seen!

Nine Months... Yesterday

Reeves is 9 months old as of yesterday!

Last week he said his first word – Uh-Oh… for a while now when he drops a toy I say “uh-oh” and pick it up for him. So, last week while playing in his saucer he dropped a toy on the floor and looked at me and said “uh-oh” (without any prompting from mommy)! It is the cutest thing EVER!!! He definitely knows that it means: "oops, I dropped my toy – can you pick it up for me?" Now he says "uh-oh" everytime he drops something that he wants back.

Some of the other highs and lows we have had in the last few weeks:

• We spent a week back east visiting family – Reeves got to meet and spend time with Grandma Great Haney, Grandma Great Hinson, Granddad Great Hinson, and Aunt Marianne (back-up Nana) and Uncle Frank. Despite the fact that he did not sleep well while we were there (and therefore neither did we) he was in great spirits as usual.



• We spent our first Mother’s Day together at home (since we had just gotten home from NJ the day before) and it was wonderful! Then the following weekend Reeves and Daddy took Mommy to the Zoo to celebrate Mother’s Day. It was so much fun to walk around and see all the animals with Reeves.



• On the not so fun side… Mommy had to go back to work. It has been really hard, but it’s a little easier knowing that Daddy is home with Reeves (at least for the next 8 weeks). But, at least my job allows me to come in really early so that I can get off early and flex my schedule so that I have a day and a half off within a two week period… it’s not much, but it helps!
  

We have been together as a family of three for just over three month (three months, one week, and six days to be exact) and every moment is amazing! I am so in awe of the adoption process that brought us together as a family, it has been the most amazing journey… and we still have so much left.

So, happy 9 months little man! Mommy & Daddy love you so much and continue to realize every day how lucky we are to be your parents!!!

And because no blog update would be complete without pictures... I mean come on, I'm not stupid - I know that's why you came! :)

Reeves & Grandma Great Haney




Reeves & Aunt Marianne

Reeves & Mommy in NJ

Reeves & Daddy in NJ

Mr. Flexible

With Aunt Marianne at the Italian Market in Philidelphia

Yes that's real cheese... & I was in heaven!!!

Mommy & Reeves celebrating Mother's Day at the Zoo

Daddy & Reeves checking out the hippo's at the Zoo (I love the little grin on his face in this picture!)

Reeves and his cousin Stephen (who is exactly 11 weeks older) having a play day

Stephen is also a big part of the reason Reeves always looks so "stylin'" - he shares all his cool stuff with Reeves when he's done with it. Thanks Stephen!

Happy 8 Months Little Man!

Today Reeves is 8 months old! He now weighs 19 lbs 4 oz and is 27 1/4 inches long... he is definitely growing!!!

He has reached so many milestones since we have been home. Amongst the many accomplishments, he has started taking a role in the feeding/eating process, which definitely make it more of a challenge for mommy and daddy... but it is so worth it to see him having so much fun and taking charge!

Here are some photos from our yurting trip with some our friends and thier son this past weekend.

Hanging out with Mama

Hanging out with Daddy

Making new friends

Playing Catch-Up

Ok, so my "turning over a new leaf" didn't really work out... so, I'm trying again! We have been pretty busy - here is a little catch-up in photos.

Giving the thumbs up at the doctors office... such a trooper!

Looking suave on Easter

Hangin' out with Grandpa

with Daddy at the Tulip Festival

Mommy and Reeves at the Tulip Festival

Trying on some wooden shoes at the Tulip Festival - which is held at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm... hence the wooden shoes :)

A quick family photo from a very special spot on the Oregon Coast...

There are a lot more... but hey I gotta start somewhere! :)

Tomorrow is a big day for us... our first post-placement visit!

The "Cake Bible"

Many of you know that I LOVE to cook and bake. So, for Christmas Ben got me a cookbook called the "Cake Bible." There are 130 different dessert recipes in it. Last weekend I was looking through it, since I have yet to use it because we have been so busy with our adoption. There are so many great recipes; but I realized there are several that I would never think to make. I'm sure they are great, but they would never be the one that I would pick when I chose a recipe to make.

So, I decided to bake my way through the Cake Bible. And before you say anything... yes I realize this is like the move "Julie and Julia" and no that is not why I am doing it. In fact, I haven't even seen the movie (although, admittedly I might not have thought of it otherwise). It's really a way for us to try all the recipes, and I'm sure there will be several that we will really like that I would never have thought to make. The plan is to make one per week going in the order laid out in the book (alphabetical) to make sure no recipe gets missed. Ben has graciously agreed to rate each recipe.

In addition, the idea is to make each recipe as directed - no shortcuts (i.e. I actually have to sift the dry ingredients) or substitutions (i.e. if the recipe calls for superfine sugar, no using regular granulated sugar). I'm hoping not to have to order too many ingredients! :)

This little project (again, NOT trying to copy the move... even though I agree that it certainly seems like it) started last weekend with the Almond Cake. This is a good example of one that I would NEVER have picked out to make.

The batter was so much lighter and fluffier than any cake I had made before - could be that I actually sifted the dry ingredients and didn't cut any corners :0)

VERDICT:

Although the ingredients are a little expensive (mostly the ground almond) and somewhat obscure (unless you know what you are looking for) the cake was actually pretty easy/basic to make.

A little plain looking, but it has a wonderful texture that is light like an angel food cake but actually dense and filling like a pound cake at the same time (I realize that sounds a little odd, but it's hard to describe any other way... I guess I'm going to have to work on my descriptions). A great almond flavor, especially if you like almonds - although I'm not a big almond fan and I still really enjoyed it.

Overall, Ben gave this one a score of 7. Although I will say that my mother-in-law and aunt-in-law both raved about it. I definitely think it was worth trying, it far exceeded my expectations of an "Almond" cake.

And just because... here is a picture of Reeves first ride on a carousel.

And before you think "why isn't she on the horse with him"... they wouldn't let me. Apparently that's aginst the rules - although it seems safer to me.

Long Overdue Update

Ok, I admit - I've been a bad blogger! But, I'm turning over a new leaf, and I promise to update more often :)

So, we have been home almost a month and we are having a great time. Ben is back at work and will take the rest of his parental leave (9 more weeks) when I go back to work in mid-May. So, during the day it's pretty much just me and Reeves - and it's GREAT! He is an amazing baby, incredibly happy most of the time and always talking and laughing.

Here are a few photos:

Our First Family Photo - After Our Appointment at the US Embassy in Addis Ababa

Daddy and Reeves having story time

Daddy and Reeves doing chores

Lloyd, Mommy, and Reeves after our afternoon walk

And the best for last... Reeves is now eating "solid" food (if you can call rice/oatmeal cereal and baby food solid)

Getting ready.....

Going for it....

SUCCESS!!!