Feeling Good!

I am so happy to report that we are ALL feeling better. That was one contagious little virus. Ruth completed the illnesses by getting an ear infection that turned into an infection of the lymph nodes. It is good to see her happy and feeling good again.
We had our first post-adoption placement visit last week. It went well! Ruth continues to thrive and be a happy little girl.
Here are a few recent photos. There are always more photos of the little ones since the older one are at school!!

Look who is 8...

Happy Birthday to our sweet Heidi! We can't believe you are already 8 years old. You are such a sweet girl with a big heart, and we love you very much.
For her birthday Heidi went to American Girl with her sister, Isabelle! She also decided to eat at Applebee's and had her usual (Mac and Cheese).
It was a great day!

Ruth continues to do great! She went to the OT this week since she was unable to eat solids. We have a little bit of work to do with her, but she is already eating graham crackers. Wow!!! The reason she had issues with eating is because she had been on the bottle for so long she never learned how to move her tongue. She only sucked back and forth like a baby will do with a bottle. So we were taught how to stimulate the tongue to go side to side and to start weaning her off the bottle. She has been a great sport, and we feel so blessed that she is our daughter.

First Day of Preschool and more

Isabelle had her first day of preschool this year. She is in the 4 year old room. She said she had a great time, but couldn't do math yet. I said that was ok - that is why we go to school. She is so funny!

Devin came home from school sick, and Riley is recovering from his Labor Day weekend illness! I am hoping it doesn't work itself around the whole family.

Ruth is doing great. We have seen a lot of improvement in her attitude and behavior in the short time she has been home. She can keep up with the rest of the kids and is trying new things all the time! We are very proud of her.

She is Home!

Chris arrived home Saturday evening with Ruth. He said she did a great job on the trip! Thank you Chris for traveling and taking such great care of our little girl. You are an awesome husband and father.

She was greeted at the airport by Mommy, Ethan, Devin, Heidi, Isabelle, Riley, Grandpa and Grandma M, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kim and several of our friends!!! It was such a blessing to have so many people that we love and care about be a part of our big day!!!!
Ruth looked so much bigger than I expected getting off the plane. She clung to Chris for a while, but finally came to me. By the time we left the airport, she was running around and smiling.
She is getting more comfortable everyday. She is very sweet! However, she does have the temper many reported. She likes to scratch and hit, but we are working on it.


Our main focus right now is to get her comfortable in her new surrounding, but we have already made an OT/PT app't for her at our local children's hospital. She will only take a bottle or eat baby food. She is 2.5 years old. She doesn't seem to know what to do with solid foods. We know that they had a tough time with her eating in Ethiopia, too. So it isn't a huge surprise.
She will also go to the International Adoption Clinic for an appointment in the next few weeks.
We are so glad that she is home. We feel like she is perfect for our family. She is also a good sleeper - Woo Hoo!