4th of July weekend

Jeff is on call on the 4th, so we are celebrating our holiday early. I had gone to a fundraising auction and purchased a Disney package. Part of the package was a night at one of the resorts--so we are enjoying the Yacht Club. I think it is my favorite resort. The rooms are spacious and the pool is spectacular.

Here is our room:






And...we have a balcony where the kids can watch the boats go by....note Lili's hand putting a sticker on the back of Henri's head. She is so funny!







The view from our room:





The balcony is fabulous. It's a great place for Henri and Lili to play.








Eating their afternoon snack...







Henri thought pulling the puffs through the grates of the table--might be a more efficient way to eat.






We spent the afternoon in the pool. We floated the lazy river--swam to the waterfalls. Here is Henri showing off his skills.






He loves to swim.






He spent hours jumping in, swimming to the edge, and jumping again. No wonder they fell right asleep.






Henri has realized if he puts his face down--he swims faster. He even opens his eyes. It freaks me out--but he loves it.






My little swimmer.






After swimming, we shared a sundae. Henri called it a cupcake. :)






Our exhausted toots.







We'll post more....happy 4th!



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Potty

Our little Henri is big into the potty. For the past three months or so...he has been sitting on the potty at night, and then Lili hands him toilet paper--he shoves it in the toilet, jumps off, and we flush. No action really happening--we've just been practicing for the big debut.

This past week, Henri jumped on the potty, and we heard a new sound. Success! We Skyped with Grandma to tell her all about out.

This morning, Henri woke up and said, "potty" which I figured would be just an opportunity to play with toilet paper--but again--success! We know this is a long process and we are just getting started--but we are proud of our boy.

Here he is...I caught him reading on the pot....classic.



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Laundry robots

Every so often, the kids decide it is a great idea to put their laundry baskets on their heads and chase each other through the house. I should probably be disturbed, but it is so funny. They look like little robots. Last week--Lili started the fun by grabbing Henri's basket. Then, we migrated to her room, so Henri could be a robot, too. Here are a few pics:

Trying to fit both in the closet--they love to hide. Just a little difficult with a laundry basket on their head.



"Hi" from Henri...



Now the fun is really beginning. The dance-off!



A smiling Henri...



Lili watching her big brother...



Henri was thinking it might be time to try and hide in the closet--without the laundry baskets.



Lili-bot....



Ok...more posts coming...stay tuned.




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Happy Birthday Auntie Ta-Ta!

It's Auntie Ta-Ta's special day. Here is a note from Henrik and Lili. Hope you have a great night.

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One year ago this month....

We were traveling back to Ethiopia to bring home our sweet baby girl, Lilja. It's hard to believe she has been home for a year. In some ways...it feels like just yesterday...and then when I look at these pictures of that little peanut...it seems like ages ago. She has been such an amazing blessing to our family.

When we first told people we were adopting a second child...I think most thought we were absolutely crazy. And honestly, five months after bringing Henri home...I thought we might be a little crazy, too...but we knew in our hearts little Lili was meant for our family, and we thank our lucky stars every day for our sweet little Lili.

Here we are...one year ago...in the airport...waiting to bring you back to the states. You were so tiny...now you weigh almost 23 lbs...and you are only 2-3 inches shorter than your brother! Since January of this year...you have grown almost four inches...the doctor couldn't believe it. She made you get re-measured....but four inches it is. :)

One of our first photos as with both parents. We were heading out to celebrate your adoption with other families who adopted. You were wearing your cousin, Emma's, hat and coat....and were swimming in it! You were still very shy and a little scared. You did not like loud noises, or loud voices, and you did not want to sleep, unless you were touching us. So sweet.... 

One of your first baths at the hotel. You could easily squeeze into the sink...with room to spare!

We just said goodbye to Hywot, your caregiver...she also took care of your brother, Henri. She made sure you had lots of love...until we arrived to bring you home. You were still a bit overwhelmed with everything that was going on...and a little scared to be leaving the transition home...

Here is one of the first photos we ever saw of you. I thought you were the most beautiful baby girl in the whole world, and couldn't believe that you were going to grow up in our family. This is still one of my favorite pictures....you are so beautiful, so honest, so our baby, Lili.

Lili's eyes...I love now, when you point out the various parts of your face....when you say "eyes" you blink your eyes fifty times. Your big, beautiful, eyes! We are so happy to have you in our family...and can't wait to see what else those eyes bring....

Happy one-year home in America, Baby Lilja! Our sweet, scared, quiet little Lili...has now turned into our fun-loving, always laughing, life of the party! You win everyone over with your sweet spirit, gentle disposition, and your smiling, friendly ways. And...you love to make everyone laugh. We love you! 

Cheers to many, many more years as a family together....

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all! It's been a tough past few days at our house-hold. Unfortunately, first Lili, now Henri...have contracted a virus that is common in daycares. It's called hand, foot, and mouth disease...sounds awful...and basically is. Both kids have been lethargic, not eating much, ran fevers, and then...completely broke out in a rash all over their body...and in their mouth. Lili is on the mend...she's almost completely back to her crazy self. :) Henri...he's in the thick of it...he was so out of it this morning. It's awful.

Despite the hoof disease...we treated our #1 to a Daddy Day celebration. Or..."Daaaaa-Diiiii" as Lili would say. :)

We started the morning off early...and went to Daddy's favorite place, Downtown Disney, for a little treat to eat. The kids are past the contagious part of the virus...but we thought it might be best to steer clear of the crowds:

Here are the toots...poor little Henri's eyes. Just still not feeling great. :(

We had an early lunch at the T-Rex Cafe...here is sissy with her daddy....

And me with Henri....we are in the Ice Cave...so that is why we are blue. :)

Sissy is getting so big...she was drinking with a straw!

Lunch was pretty quick...I think Henri ate 1/2 of a banana and maybe drank a little juice. Poor little fellow. But don't worry....Lili at the rest of their lunch. :)

Now...everyone is enjoying a little nap...and Mommy is trying to catch up on some long-past due blogging! :) More to come...

All aboard!

Henri is big into transportation: cars, buses, fire engines, airplanes, and trains. Here he is singing his choo-choo train song. He loves to sing!

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