August 16, 2008
So, I’ve received a couple emails suggesting that in ADDITION to being overwhelmingly interested in how my family and I fought with each other across Ethiopia, they are hoping for an update on how we are all adjusting since being home. I concur. Here’s a brief battle station update.
Siyum is eating like a CHAMP. It’s almost like when you feed a goldfish, how you must actually ration the food because the goldfish will just eat and eat and eat until they explode. It is not unlike feeding a Siyum. The child can eat. It’s fabulous, we do a little protein dance with every morsel knowing all the goodness that’s being ingested into his cute little self. GIANT PUBLIC THANK YOU to Tarah, Superwoman Extraordinaire, who brought us over Injera and Wot the other day and was able to send Siyum to cloud nine for a good 3 days while he INHALED every scrumptious bite of the familiar Ethiopian dish. It was a wonderful gift. Three cheers for Tarah.
Siyum is sleeping like a champ as well, typically 14 hours a night. NO JOKE. But Jamie? How is it even possible to sleep for 14 hours straight? Oh. Oh, it’s entirely possible. Plus a nap on top of THAT. I think he might be growing? We could be wrong. Thoughts on this?
Siyum ADORES his sister DeeDee. They are two peas in a pod and crack each other up hourly. It’s been a smorgasbord of giggles around this place. Giggles and poop. The other morning, Delaney climbed into Siyum’s crib as he was waking up at ELEVEN THIRTY IN THE MORNING (ah, sweet victory) and the two of them laid in the crib together laughing and playing games for a good solid hour before they made any attempt to start the day. They were perfectly happy laying there giggling with their stankmouth morning breath all up in each other’s faces. It was really quite cute.
Siyum’s health is surprisingly fabulous. NO GIARDIA! Woohoo! We were ALL prepared to go to battle with worms and gross things in his poop and are blissfully happy with just the regular kid turds he ejects. Who knew we’d be so happy about poop. His bloodwork indicates he is low on vitamin D and Iron, which is no surprise and should be remedied over time with our friends, The Flintstones. All in all, the boy is a wonder.
Emotion-wise, he’s freakishly good. The only time he has cried has been when he woke up the first couple nights and thought he was alone in the room, when he fell off the toilet and when the nurse brought out the needles. All three experiences left PERMANENT deep scars on my heart, poor little dude. It’s the saddest thing because he tries SO HARD not to cry, he only quietly lets it out as a whimper but the tears just stream down his face. Like a knife through my heart, man, it’s rough.
Cute-wise, he is still really really really cute.
And so there’s the update on Little Man. The update on US: We are exhausted and often leave the house without diapers and wipes, we’ve been on vacation from diaper land for so long, it’s funny and a little crappy (no pun intended) to be back.
Mike is working a lot and loves telling people he is a MALE Nurse. Or Murse.
And I am working quite a bit as well, leaving us to do the work-schedule-balance-dance everyday. It’s worked out pretty well, one of us is always with the kids. Plural. Kids.
Good news is that I love my new job. And that’s a wrap! Ethiopia Trip Day 3 coming soon! More train wreck of a family vacation coming your way!
Posted by Jamie @ 3:40 pm • Siyum, adoption schmaloption
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August 16th, 2008 at 4:06 pm, Jo Says:
I’m thrilled to hear everyone is doing so well! We’ve gone the opposite extreme and take 15 diapers and 960 wet wipes with us wherever we go…I can’t wait for the day when we forget both an my purse weighs less than 20 pounds. I love that the two siblings played in the crib together for an hour, how adorable that must’ve been. Congrats!
August 16th, 2008 at 4:31 pm, kris Says:
My nephew, in his best “wish it had been me” voice, always says, “You lucker dog”.
And so I say to you and that perfect new little dude in your life (poo and all)- you lucker dog.
I so can’t wait to have just one. Kid, that is.
August 16th, 2008 at 5:10 pm, Jess Says:
I am so glad this is all going so well! I already told you this, but I really think that you guys are fantastic parents with fabulous attitudes, and that definitely has to help this adjustment period for everyone. Also OH MY GOD YOU HAVE KIDS.
August 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm, kristine Says:
This post made me cry it made me so happy especially the crib story. How wonderful.
The eating? Could be a boy thing. Since he was two our son has needed 2 - 3 very serious breakfasts before going to day care or school. Yikes. And at almost 6 it hasn’t slowed down. Now if Siyum could give Quinn a lesson or two on how to sleep past 6 AM I would be very appreciative.
kristine
August 16th, 2008 at 10:59 pm, Tarah Says:
I am so glad that Siyum liked the injera.
What did Delaney think??
So, what the heck is the fame 15???? I recognize all the clubs and bars. Hmmm. By the way, you and Erica both look HOT! Wow.
For everyone else:
You know how with jet lag and a new kiddo most people look tired?? Not Mike and Jamie! Nope! They look all cute and perky with only a 10 minute notice of arrival. Not very fair.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:00 am, Missy Says:
i’ve found your blog to be inspiring, enchanting and downright hilarious. we’re in the early stages of adopting from ethiopia, so it’s so fun to read your story.
August 17th, 2008 at 4:46 am, maureen Says:
Jamie Soooo happy to hear how great your little guy is doing!! And can’t wait to hear more about the train wreck!!!
August 17th, 2008 at 7:21 am, Tami Says:
congrats on being home and I’m glad the trip went so well. I think I’m going to follow suit to get the Starbucks grant fyi…
August 17th, 2008 at 12:26 pm, Michelle Says:
I have really been enjoying reading your blog and have been a lurker for awhile.
I have passed along an award to thank you.
August 17th, 2008 at 2:21 pm, Mozi Esme's Mommy Says:
Sounds like things are going amazingly well, other than a little lack of sleep! Wonderful!
August 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm, emily Says:
Not a big fan of the secret…….if I call you will you tell me?? Look like fun.
I may have to read the additional adventures of your family vaca when we get back. We leave on Thursday. Any last minute tips??
August 18th, 2008 at 12:12 am, Stacy Says:
wow, he sounds like a magical toddler. I am glad the transition is going well! Your last post cracked me the heck up … I want to read it over and over …
August 18th, 2008 at 9:21 am, 3carnations Says:
I’m glad things are going so well - Congratulations!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm, haze Says:
WHOA. What’s going on here? You are WAY too HOT to be a mama
Love the update - Siyum is a champ, that’s quite clear. Congratulations on such a great transition. I’m sure it will continue because ya’ll are such AWESOME, DESERVING PEOPLE. I would wish you all the best, but apparently you already have it
August 19th, 2008 at 7:38 am, Betina Says:
I am happy little Siyum is doing so well!
About the diaper thing, I finally bought an extra box of wipes and wrote “CAR WIPES” on it. It always stays in the car, along with a stash of about 5 diapers under the front seat. If I use a diaper when I am out I just run into the house and get another to replace it with as soon as I get home.
Does this friend of yours actually make injera and wat herself? WOW!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:01 am, Andrea Says:
Jamie,
Seriously, how stinkin cute is he? He could be on Americas Next Top Baby Model.
This calls for a play date (with drinks of course)!
Welcome home!!
Andrea
August 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm, Anna@BlueCollarAdoption Says:
No fair, you actually get to sleep? Maybe its just part of the honeymoon phase
So glad the kiddos are getting along and no one is sick…
August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm, Maggie Says:
I am so happy to hear that Siyum is adjusting well and eating like a champ… good for him. It’s wonderful that Delaney has stepped into her role as doting big sis so easily. You guys are an amazing family!
August 20th, 2008 at 11:46 am, Michelle Says:
It’s awesome how well everyone is adjusting!
August 20th, 2008 at 12:48 pm, Meghan Says:
yeah! Good to hear you are adjusting to life at home again! I returned last week from my 2 weeks and am missing Ethiopia in a profound way. Intense, indeed. Siyum is beautiful - many congrats to your family!
August 20th, 2008 at 2:31 pm, becca albertson Says:
I’m so glad you all are doing well!!! Can’t wait to hear more about your trip. Life-changing, intense. That’s what it was for us. Have fun settling in as a mama of two!!!
love
becca
(oh- and loved the mystery website… wha???)
August 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm, sari Says:
I’m so glad that everything is going so well! That makes me so happy.
You need to update your sidebar photos, my friend!
I was talking to a woman this morning that was adopting a baby girl from Guatamala, she’s in the same boat as you were, not knowing how long the wait is going to be and getting sick of it. I was going to tell her “oh, I have a friend that just got her baby boy she’s been waiting for” but you know, she seems to be one of those people who would just give me that straight faced look of “What the hell” when I got to the part about how you were my blog friend so I just shut up. But I did think of y’all.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:24 pm, sari Says:
PS Loved “Murse”!
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 am, Stacy Says:
Need more details… What is the Susan Parr story? What are the details of meeting him? What does he like to do? What are his hobbies…… More blog entries!!! =) Enquiring minds and all that.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:04 pm, jen Says:
I’m just catching up after a lag reading your blog since you left! Wow, love the travel photos and stories. Total crack up! It reminds me of our travel. And, you didn’t tell the Susan Parr story. We used her too. Marginal. Would love to hear your horror as, gulp, we’re getting ready to start the process for child #2! At some point we, too, will be up to our eyes in 2. I hear it’s more than twice the work
Everyone’s first month home reallllly varies. Don’t use it as a gauge for the future. It usually changes once they settle in and start to trust. And, since he’s an “older child”, it may take longer than that. He sure is handsome and you are all one wonderful family to have each other. I think having a sibling waiting really helps. We’re holding on to that too! Take care!