The First Time We Held You

My dear little Bereket,
One year ago today I saw you for the first time. I held you. Daddy and I passed you back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. We had waited three years to meet you. Three years that seemed like a lifetime.

Jason kisses his daughter for the first time

I still remember what it felt like standing at the bottom of the stairs at the Hilawe Foundation where you lived.  Once your nannies were ready, we would climb up to the 3rd floor and there you would be! My stomach was racing! Would you cry when you saw me? (Yes, you did!) Would you smile? (Not even for a second!).  Did you want to bop us with the plastic bowling pin you fiercely held in your hand? (I think so!) But you were loved.  More than you'll ever know. You always will be.

Just look at that face!

It broke our hearts that we couldn't get you to smile that day, but we understood. We were just two of the many strange faces you'd seen in and out of the care center during your time there. You didn't know yet that we'd be back for you, that we'd hop the very first plane we could once all the paperwork was approved. We looked  at this first family photo so many times as we waited those three anxious months to be able bring you home. And once we were allowed to return to Ethiopia in early October, you were ready to smile for us! Nothing would ever be able to separate the three of us ever again!



First family photo  July 27, 2011 Addis Ababa



With All Her Heart

Afternoon nap time is one of my favorite times of the day. Bereket puts my hands on each side of her face and then wraps her arms tightly around my neck. When our noses are about an inch apart, she smiles contently until she finally drifts off to sleep.  The peace and near perfection of these moments are bliss.

Today as I watched my baby's sleepy smile, I thought about how undiluted my toddler's emotions are. When she is content, I am filled with her peace. When she is joyful, it overflows everywhere.  When she is sad or angry, that overflows, too (with gusto and volume!) But it is real.

Letting out All that Joy!

Someday she will learn to sensor her emotions like we adults try so hard to do. And as a teen, she may never want to tell me what she is thinking or feeling. But for now, bring on all that love, Little B! And together, we'll get through the tough moments, too!

A moment of Mommy bliss at a recent outdoor wedding.

And Everything in between

He is the man that taught me that yes, I really can climb a mountain.

Switzerland, September 2010

And he is the man who taught our daughter to shrill the word "stinky" at the top of her lungs (followed by a hilarious giggle) every time she sees feet, socks or gets her diaper changed...and some other cool stuff like how to make a snowball and how Sunday afternoons are perfect for watching football and taking a nap on the couch.

And he is everything in between.

Mazatlan, March 20012

Jason, thank you for taking on the greatest adventure of our lives in international adoption and for being such an amazing father to our little girl. You are everything to us! Happy First Fathers Day!

Addis Ababa, October 2011