Shower #2 is in the books!

Well, we had our second baby/adoption shower last night at my mom and dad's. It was so fun to see all the family on my mom's side. We haven't seen them for a while since this wasn't their year for Christmas.

We had wonderful food prepared by my Auntie Gail and my mom. You can't go wrong with Sloppy Joes! Yummy!

And everyone was very generous and kind with their gifts. The big hit of the night was, of course, Isaya's. He got his first bike! A big boy bike, with knobby tires, pegs, handle-bar breaks, helmet, and training wheels. You should have seen his face when they brought it down! And then when he sat on it....in the basement....for like and hour....while dad held the bike up!

But thanks to all for your time and gifts. They are greatly appreciated by us!

I know...I know...

Alright, enough already!! Yes, yes, yes. I am a very bad person. I am so sorry for disappointing each and everyone one of you these past 20 days. NO UPDATES! How dare me!

Well, here you go. (and I will be showing Emilee how to log in and post, so that should keep this blog going more than once a month!)

We have now been home 6 weeks..SIX WEEKS! Wow! Does time fly by. Yesterday, we attended a class that we were supposed to attend BEFORE we left called "Before I Joined Your Family", where we learn about how our child might react to the adoption. It definitely brought us back to our time in Ethiopia, and we were able to see the growth in both boys, as they have gone through their greiving process and trust establishment with us. While it was hard for 2.5-3 weeks, and we were often trying different techniques to try and curb tantrums and negative behaviors, it was the continuous love and fun that we gave that helped each child quickly turn the corner.

Isayas is doing great. In fact, our girls definitely have more "blow-ups" and tantrums than does Isayas. Isayas' personality is really shining now. He is always full of smiles and energy.

Some favorite Isayas moments from the past week:
1. Isayas got a ton of cars for Christmas, so we saved a couple for later, knowing that there were going to be some destruction derbys and he would lose a couple. Well, that only took 2 weeks. So we gave him a remote control car that he graciously got from Emilee's cousins for a welcome home gift. I went to get it in the basement without him knowing (he was hanging out in the kitchen). With the batteries in and the car working, I quietly slipped up the stairs, set the car down, and "guided" it across the kitchen floor. And boy did Isayas run over to that car. It was moving by itself!! He would pick it up, and then put it down, at which time I would make it run away from him! He couldn't believe it! This went on for another 5 minutes and then I showed him how to work the thing. When we were done with our lesson, he ran over to me, wrapped his arms around my legs, and said, "So much, so much!!" He didn't quite now how to put the full sentence together yet, but I completely understood.
2. Another great moment was he transitioned to the his own room without a huge tantrum! Emilee has been napping him in his room for the past week, trying to wean him from ours. I was getting Isayas ready for bed in his bedroom, and I decided to see what would happen if I put him to bed in there. Well, he wasn't real happy about it, saying and pointing "Eska", which we think means "over there", meaning our bedroom. I ignored it and proceeded to read him his 2 books. The whole time, he was interested in the books, but had a face that looked like he just ate some dirt. When I was done, I patted the pillow and said, "Alga (bed)" and proceeded to lay down. HIs face lit up and he jumped up and snuggled next to me. He of course thought I was going to be his bed buddy, but after about 20-25 minutes, I got up and went downstairs. He slept great that night and has ever since. Yeah!

Some favorite Joshua moments from recent memory:
1. I think it's hilarious when Josh is on his tummy, and he gets real excited. He just starts thrashing his arms, legs and head up and down. He basically looks like he's having a seizure, but he's having the time of his life.
2. After a couple of restless nights, he has a tooth popping through on the bottom! Yeah!
3. Whenever Joshua laughs. Joshua Molla loves to smile, but pure laughter is rare. When he does get into that mood, I try to make it last as long as I can by acting like a fool. It's a wonderful laugh and his face just beams radiant with joy.

Some favorite Chloe moments from the past month:
1. Chloe made some plane tickets for me, her, and Maya so that we could go to Kenya. She had Emilee spell everything out for her so it was authentic! She was the pilot and took us to Kenya for a safari. It was great!
2. Taking her to school/picking her up from school. I love it. Being able to talk to her about her day is so wonderful.

Some favorite Maya moments from January:
1. Maya's had a rough month, with sickness and aching molars. But there was one morning when I woke up and she was in our bed, in the middle. She was lightly stroking the back of my head and shoulders, just loving me up. What a way to start the day!
2. Anything that Maya says that you actually understand. Maya is the funniest little girl I have ever met. The things she says and puts together is hilarious. I need to write them down so I remember them, but there were too many to count this month.

Em and I are doing well. I've been busy at work, so Em and her mom have been doing the brunt of the work at home. Schedules are now all set for each of the kids. We are going to start weaning Vicki from us, which is going to be tough! She is so valuable to us, and she is a blast to have over! If only we could have her stay forever....hmmm.

Anyway, this is getting long. There will be more this week, I promise. We need to get ready for the boys' first shower at my mom and dads. That should be a blast, but we'll see how Isayas does with all those people.

MInnesota Fun!

Well, it has been a while since I've last updated the blog. My apologies. With the New Year break and then back to work, I've been either too busy or too tired. Whew! I'm exhausted already after these 3 sentences!

We've now been home a little over 3 weeks and everything is starting to feel "normal." What I mean by that is that Em and I are starting to get some semblance of structure and schedule in the house. We now know when to expect to get up in the morning (7:38am, when Maya and Isayas both wake up, even though they are in different rooms!), when to go to bed at night (Joshua is last at 9:17pm), and when to get some rest and relaxation (between 2:12pm and 2:15pm).

Isayas is doing very well, with his temperment now back to normal for a 3.5 year old. We rarely have any more nasty tantrums, now there's the normal screaming and crying ones. We can handle that!

Molla is getting so big! He is beginning to look more and more like a linebacker, as he loves to drink his new formula. He's only put on a pound or so, but they must all be in his cheeks.

Maya seems to be getting her molars, as she is having a rough week. She isn't eating much and she is quite cranky, but seems to do well with Children's Tylenol in her. Poor thing.

Chloe is doing great and is loving preschool! She had a break there for a week and half, but she is back at it, learning like crazy! This past week she learned about dinosaurs! Cool!

Work is going well for me, and I am getting back into the flow of things. My project right now is in Minnetonka, so it's a nice drive for me with little to no traffic. Everyone is really nice there and it's a fun environment to work in.

Emilee is also doing well. She is amazing, taking care of the kids, the bills, the doctor appointments, the cooking....what a woman! I am so proud of her!

I just want to add, that Emilee could not function without her mom, Vicki. She is in the pic with Joshua and the boy superheroes, which she picked up when Isayas kept playing with Polly Pockets. The pic of Isayas having a tea party, that is a keeper. I believe he only sat still that long because Maya's finger had been stuck in the cream container for three minutes. That was alot of fun.
Just wanted to add a personal thanks to my mom (and my dad, for sharing), this would be much harder without your help and your presence.