Dedication and All Better!

Over the weekend Isaac finally got rid of the nasty RSV that had taken him over recently. His breathing is completely normal, his cough is gone, and he is back to eating like it's his job. Now that he is back to good health, we decided it was time to start him on baby food. The meal of choice was squash, and he did really well with it and seemed to enjoy it much better than rice and oatmeal.

Right before he got sick he had his infant dedication at River Bluff Fellowship Church in Springfield where we have been attending since last summer. It is the perfect church home for our family and the pastor there, Scott Watson, is an absolutely wonderful man. Isaac was a pretty handsome little man in his khaki pants and blue shirt; he didn't wear the hat to church.


Tomorrow it's off to daycare and Miss Becki's house, where Isaac hasn't been in two weeks because of the winter weather and his illness. I'm sure she has missed him and he has missed watching the big kids play. It looks like things are back to normal around here. We continue to pray that the adoption agency and orphanage are able to secure the proper paperwork for Tenaye, but we know everything is in God's hands and it is his timing as to when she comes home.

Snuggle Bug

Unfortunately, the RSV bug has bitten Isaac. He has been really sick for the last week. Instead of enjoying our snow days we spent time at the doctor's office and hospital having chest x-rays, a breathing treatment, and a nasal swab. All signs point to RSV. Yuck! So he has spent a majority of the past few days snuggled up on mommy or daddy's lap. Poor little boy has no appetite (he has lost a pound in the last 7-10 days), has a terrible cough, and is really congested. Thankfully his fever is gone and he isn't struggling to breathe like he was last week. Hopefully he has turned a corner and is on the road to recovery.

Here are some pictures we have captured over the last few weeks. Our little guy is really changing! He can sit on his own for long stretches of time, has two bottom teeth, and is really starting to talk our ears off! He has the cutest, sweetest laugh I have ever heard. (We are trying to figure out how to put video on the blog, so stay tuned!)

Isaac enjoying the warm weather and fresh air over the weekend.

Reading at 8 months! He is a genius!

Ummm, oatmeal....

Playing Hungry, Hungry Hippos with Cousin Kyle

What a Difference...

...a lot of love and nutrition makes.

Isaac was born May 16, 2008, and arrived in the US on September 17 as a 4 month old. This picture was taken after being in our home for less than a week.
















Now fast forward another 4 months to January 17, 2009 and take a look at our 8 month old baby boy.

















These two pictures say a thousand words. What a blessing he has been to all of us. Isaac has now been in our family for the same amount of time he was in Ethiopia and in the orphanage. Within the past 10 days he has gotten his first and second tooth...his hair is getting long and curly...he's getting pretty good at using a spoon for his rice cereal. He's just a little (not so little now) miracle.

Right now our friend Kristen from Michigan is spending time with her new daugher Buzunesh in Addis Ababa. Later this week our friends the Dunns from Joplin will be traveling to meet their daughter Tarikwa. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers for safe travels and for their new, wonderful lives together as a family.

Bigger Than Gizmo

Isaac is now officially bigger than the cat! For those of you who know Gizmo, you know she isn't a petite cat by any means. Isaac got his flu shot booster today (just a little flinch, no tears for our brave boy) and now weighs 13.4 lbs. He completely skipped over the 11's and 12's! It is amazing what a lot of love and good nutrition will do. Here is a funny picture that we took the other day. Both Gizmo and Isaac are napping on my lap. Very cute!




Look at that huge belly and meaty thighs! Unfortunately, I think I am matching Isaac pound for pound on the weight gain. It is back to Jazzercise for me to try and get those jeans fitting like they should. We wish all of you a healthy, happy 2009!

Christmas Picture-Palooza

Isaac had a great 1st Christmas. It started on Dec. 21st at my aunt and uncle's house and continued throughout the week, ending Dec. 27th at Jason's aunt and uncle's. I know that Isaac doesn't get the whole concept of presents, Santa, and all of that, but we had fun opening his presents for him! Santa brought Isaac an excer-saucer. He loves it! He is getting good a moving himself around the different toys. He also got lots of other toys and books that he will have fun with over the next several months.

He also had fun with all of his cousins. I love watching them interact with each other. It won't be long until they are running around creating chaos together.

Back to Blogging

So it has been ages since we have updated the blog! Sorry about that. Right after Thanksgiving Isaac got sick with what we think was rotovirus...yuck! It was a long 12 days of a very bad tummy bug. He was nice enough to share with both Jason and I along with several extended family members, luckily our illnesses didn't last as long as his did. It took Isaac a good two weeks to finally get back to his normal self. This was the first time since coming home that he has really been sick and man was it a good one!
We have been busy getting ready for Isaac's first Christmas. Between his getting sick and us going out of town the last 2 weekends, the Christmas decorating has been slow going around here. We do have a tree up, but it only has one ornament on it! Oh well, there are presents that are wrapped and under the tree so I do feel like we have gotten something accomplished!
Isaac is doing great. He weighs over 11 pounds and is 23 inches long. He is now wearing sizes 0-3 month clothes. Last week he turned 7 months old so he still has some catching up to do! He is really close to rolling over from back to tummy and is getting really good with his upper body control. He is a chatter box these days too! He loves "talking" to all of his toys. He also has a good belly laugh, but only Daddy gets the really loud chuckles for now. I guess Mommy just isn't that funny!
Last weekend we went to KC to visit family. He got lots of lovin' from his cousins. It is so cute to see them all together. It won't be long before they are running and playing together.
Jason graduated with his Master's in Administration degree this past week. We are both glad that this semester if finally over. Between papers and projects, along with everything else going on, it has been VERY busy! Way to go Jason, Isaac and I are both so proud of you :)
We are looking forward to our first Christmas together as a family of three. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

New Pictures

A new slide show of pictures from the last month or so. Look how our boy has grown!!