sistermom

piiiiiiiiiiiictures

2009-06-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Well mom never updated, so here are a few pictures. See you guys in 6 daaaaays!!!

In Tuscany
Heineken Factory

Got to go behind the bar and pull my own beer

In the brewery.

They are all of random places, none of rome, because i dont want to put my friends pictures on here, so enjoy.

Ciao from Romaa

2009-05-28T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hiii everyone!!! Im am happy and safe in Rome. I am going shopping soon so if anyone who is going to the hope reunion and wants something from Rome tell me!! liiike if you collect black and white postcards (me), you collect shot glasses (everyone I know), you are Catholic and want a rosary from the Vatican (My pediatrican) or your little brother loves Manchester and you are buying him a Roma jersey to spite him (once again me) let me know!!!!!

My son

2009-05-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

Jackson doesn't get a lot of face time here. For such a handsome kid, he is notoriously camera shy and runs everytime he sees a camera. He must also find it hard to compete with the precious little girls everyone is always so interested in. I sit here, on the eve of my son's last day of his first year of school and think of how far we have come in these months. Did he tell his big sister that she is going to get fat in Italy, while we were skyping yesterday, well yes, but he also has asked me 20 times today if she is really upset and that he didn't mean it.

It has not been an easy year. It still isn't "easy" but when I think back to the beginning I know that we have come so very far.

In the beginning this poor boy was an angry, disappointed, hurt, miserable young man. He would run away on his bike at least 3 times a week. In fact he ran away on the morning of his baby sisters surgery, I had to have Miranda check Addis into the surgi center because I was driving around searching for him that rainy morning. He ran, he shouted, he cried, he pushed us both physically and emotionally away from him. He isolated himself, he didn't try at school, he was disrespectful and disobeyed me at every turn. He would glare at me with such malice and hate, that I actually hid all the knives in the house at one point. We had to turn the doors around so he couldn't lock them, had to latch the windows so he wouldn't go out of them. He would give us the silent treatment for days at a time.

He frustrated Miranda to the point of her looking to move out, because she was so miserable in her own home. More than once she said to me that I had ruined her family. I agreed at the lowest points. I honestly didn't know where to turn, counseling didn't help, positive male role models didn't have any impact at all.

And then...one day he quit running. Then one day, he gave me silent treatment for a few hours and APOLOGIZED!

At the beginning of the school year he would come home and cry that he hated school and had no friends. He sat by himself in the cafeteria, by himself on the playground, in PE.....

Now, he is the Belle of the Ball!! Here is his social calendar for the week--best friend spent the night Friday night, soccer tournament with his friends all day Saturday, Sunday movie with soccer coach, Monday swimming with his best friend and us, Tuesday soccer practice, Wednesday lunch out with best friend then a swimming party at classmates house, Thursday lunch with a different friend, and then soccer practice, Friday swimming with friends and family, Saturday basketball practice then going to play games with a soccer friend. WOW right??

We still struggle with motivation, if he tried he would likely be one of the best players in town, any age group. Now he is a great player who doesn't like to run. He does fine at school, but doesn't push himself. I am going to send him to tutoring this summer, to try and catch up a little more.

He worships his baby sister Addis and is learning to like Eyerus. She will grow on him. He loves animals. He misses his big sister like crazy, but doesn't know how to express is, so it comes across as annoying boy. She is the first thing he asks about when I pick him up from anywhere.

On Mothers day he actually said "You are a good mom, and I am happy that you picked me'!!! Tissues anyone??

He told me I am a good mom today. It was because I let him go to the swimming party, but whatever, right?? When Addis threw up tonight, he helped me clean it up and gave me the helpful hint that maybe she shouldn't eat so many grapes :)

I can honestly say I love him today, and I think I can say that he loves me. I hope that it only gets better and better from here, and I also hope that I don't forget, when I am angry with him because he didn't take out the trash, that at least I haven't had to hide my knives in months!!!

Some Pictures

2009-05-27T17:39:00.001-07:00

Hallo Amsterdam

2009-05-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

I made it to amsterdam all by myself! I did cry hysterically quite a few times yesterday, but I think I will be okay. I am actually starting to get excited. For anyone going to Ethiopia soon, I would strongly recommend KLM. I found the food and entertainment much better than Ethiopian air and I really would prefer the break between flights. Okay I will try to update when I get to Roooma!

Hello Habesha

2009-05-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Check out my hair!!!

My baaaaaby

Such a beautiful little Habesha

Oooh Addis you are hillarious

Check out MY ringlets!

Me and my girls!!

There are no pictures of Jax, because that "super cool" hair of his was about 50 little braids him and his friends had done all over his head. He had to get his head shaved and is REALLY refusing pictures.

Things with Eyerusalem and Addis are going much much better. Now they just fight like siblings. Lalu has a lot of orphanage behaviors that are of course annoying but she was in an orphanage for 3 years so we have to remember that. Overall the two get along as well as any other sisters I know. They bond over their love for, the color pink, juice, watermelon, pizza, and screaming/dancing/singing. Lalu is learning english pretty well, can almost say her abcs and can count to 4!! Addis can count to 2 and can say her abcbs and is even learning a little bit of amharic. It is safe to say we are a hit everywhere we go. It's like who can out extrovert who.

And tomorrow I rock their teensy weensy little worlds. I leave at 3:45 for Rome to study abroad for 6 weeks. Who said that minor in Italian wouldn't come handy? (MOM!) Yes be jealous, and yes everyone, and your great aunts, I will be safe and careful! I will miss everyone soo soo much but it will be good for me to get away from being "Sistermom" for a while. No waking up at 6:30 to do hair, break up fights and gather everything for day care. No being the queen of time outs. No being walked in on while taking a bath and having a fully dressed addis join me. No feeling guilty about laying down and watching tv while the girls are home. I am more than happy do all these things, but it will be fun to get away for a bit. I am going to miss the little kisses from stingy addis in the morning when she wakes me up. I am going to miss Lalu giving me a thumbs up about my cooking. No more dance offs for a while, no more seeing the girls kiss and hug after they fight. No more hearing them say watermelon. No more fingernail painting.

I will be updating while I'm gone, and will probably start a flicker or something to keep people who want to see my pictures updated. Wish me luck!!!

piiiiicture update

2009-04-12T06:18:00.001-07:00

Jackson in Ethiopia, check out his awesome hair

the three girls

fighting

Eyerus and I

My gorgeous little sister

The other gorgeous sister in my life

dyeing easter eggs!!

say cheeeeese

Party of five

2009-03-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting, you will all understand if things got a little hectic around here. I am proud to say that we are now a party of five. Yes as in my mother has 4 kids ranging in age from 20 years to 20 months. She and Jax left on monday march 16, got into Addis late late Tuesday night and picked up Eyerusalem on Wednesday. Let's just say that for all of you who have heard the horrors of toddler adoption, my mom's experience with Eyerus was that, times 13, but without any potty accidents. Incessant crying, screaming, refusing to make eye contact, attempts to escape, refusal to eat. She wouldn't let mom touch her, change her clothes, fix her hair, anything. She refused to sleep in bed with mom, and slept in a chair the whole trip, see picture below. As soon as Mom, Jax and Eyerus got home late Sunday night after 30+ hours of flight travel and 6+ hours of driving, she plopped right into my arms and fell asleep. Ouch for mom right? Well we all stayed home the next day and she slowly started coming out of her shell. Addis was like hey, who are you, why are you playing with my stuff now let's fight! Eyerus was like Hey, I hate all of you, leave me alone, give me a banana, and leave me alone. Things slowly got better, and she slowly started letting mom touch her more. I think she just bonded to me quicker because she wanted someone to have to love on, but was still mad at mom for being the person who actually took her from the orphanage. I stayed home with her on Tuesday, and she really started to show her personality. She had a few times where her "only childness" came out, but she quickly got over it and came back to loving on me. I don't have class until 2 on Wednesday so I stayed with her again, and she just really started to blossom. She was showing mom all types of affection and being really sweet and funny. She started day care on Thursday, please don't say anything about this affecting her bonding, we tried to hire a nanny and 3 fell through so she goes to the same one as Addis for half days and she told Jackson that she really likes it. She let's mom kiss and love on her now, she loves to have mom do her hair, and loves to cuddle up with me. She HATES the dogs, but is not as scared of them as she used to be. She has started to be really sweet with Addis, sharing her food, and drinks, and only fighting a little bit. That's all I have now, so I will show you all some much needed pictures. We only have a few, but we will take more this weekend.

all happy and pretty in her embassy outfit, before she realized what was really going down.

sleeping in a chaaaaair

Her first day home, she did NOT want to play with me and Addis

Hahahahah she found these after bathtime and was running around naked in them saying cheeeese cheeese

Has to be exactly like her big sister.

YEEEEEEEEEESSSS

2009-02-19T05:18:00.000-08:00

Eyerusalem Tadesse Pruitt

You have been in our hearts since July 15, 2007

583 days too long!

We are coming sweet baby!!!
Now finally, a year and a half later, I can show you her beautiful pictures!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

3rd times the charm?

2009-02-18T20:34:00.000-08:00

tomorrow's our third court date for miss eyerusalem!!! everyone send us good vibes!!!

omg I needed this today.

2009-02-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

GO HERE!!!! and here

To my betrothed...

2009-01-22T20:04:00.000-08:00

Oh sweet Noah, when will we meet again!

Bad day at the Chick-fil-A

2009-01-20T06:13:00.001-08:00

So on Saturday, Mom, Adda and I were out running errands while Jax was at basketball practice. We were needing sustenance so we went to chick-fil-a. Let me start out by saying that when we are at a restaurant Addis is "that kid". She screams, cries, fit throws, kicks, throws food, spits food, yells, hits, basically is just horrid. So we are there eating our lovely chicken sandwiches when in walks two women in their 60's. They are wearing way too much makeup and have way too much hair dye. oh yeah and one is wearing a one shouldered sweat shirt a'la Flashdance. Did I mention she wasn't wearing a bra? Yes well she wasn't. So they order their food and sit close to us. Tits McGee all the sudden notices that GASP there are two white chicks with one black baby. She motions to her friend to look at us like we are some type of circus act, all while I am obviously maintaining eye contact with her. The friend gets embarassed at turning around only to get "caught" staring at us. But Tits McGee keeps on staring and talking ferociously. We get up to leave (because we are done, not because of them) and I said to her, "Yeah she's black AND she's wearing a bra!" Okay so obviously my 18 month old sister isn't wearing a bra but I thought it was funny.
So we walk over to refill our drinks and some lady just totally cuts in front of us. Mom went ballistic. She was all Oh no you didn't, and the lady was like oh I'm sorry I didn't realize you were in line. And Mom goes Uh yeah we have our lids off, that's real nice of you. That lady totally knew we were in line and totally cut anyway! I hate line cuters. So then mom was chasing addis and the lady was like I hope you have a much better day, the woman you were with seemed very angry! HAHAH
THEEEN we walked outside and some guy is blocking me in. So I started yelling and freaking out, and of course he's like right there getting something from the car next to me. Ooops.
I'm surprised we got out there without getting my tires slashed.

Jaxy waxy

2009-01-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

A little bit of an update on that every surprising brother of mine.
Last week we had our "every 2 month" BAD meltdown. This time it concluded with me threatening to move out. We started counseling on Monday which is probably what caused the meltdown, but once it starts, it's a bitch to get over. Finally after the major familial blowout on Thursday night, things were much better Friday afternoon. Jax apologized (AND he got a big talking to by his principal about the importance of respecting me and mom). We talked things over about how important it is to respect Mom and to respect me. That I am older and even though he was the boss in Ethiopia, it's different now. He can boss Addis around but not me. I am his only big sister and he is my only brother and we have to look out for each other. Today it was like an entirely different kid. He did his chores without me asking him, and he even asked if he could help clean up with me! Things aren't perfect but hopefully we'll keep on keepin on!
I think what helps him a lot is his sports. He is amazingly amazingly good at soccer. He is on two leagues right now, one of which is one of the best in his age range in the city. They recruited him! They all say he is good enough to at least play college, maybe even professional. I have never cared about sports before but I love watching him go out there and just do something he loves and is so good at.
He is about 5'3, which means he has grown about 4 inches since July. He has gained 20 or so lbs.
As for school, well he likes it a little better now that he has friends from his soccer league in his class. I think it is still just really hard for him to have been so smart and confident in Ethiopia, and come here and pretty much know nothing. He really likes his science and ESL teachers so that is a plus. His reading has really come along, and hopefully by the beginning of next year, he will pretty much be "caught up."
Well that is about all I can think of, can you tell I spend a lot less time with Jax then Addis? He is beginning to be Mr. too cool for school, and mainly just likes to spend most of his time by himself doing weird boy things.

Check out my hair!

2009-01-13T06:10:00.000-08:00

Can't get her attention while she's watching little einsteins

her with a pony tail. so funny.

Addy is 18 months!!!

2009-01-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

Well she was yesterday! BUUUT she went and got bronchitis so I didn't get to post anything. But be prepared to updated about what you were wishing you knew about her!
She is 26.5 lbs, and 30.5 inches tall. She wears a size 6 shoe and all 2T clothes!
Her hair is finalllllllllly long enough to put into piggy-puffs. It is so so cute!
Her vocabulary is crazy. I will try to list all the words she says, and understands. Momma, Jackson, dog, puppy, baby, ball, juice, book, open, close, up, down, hair, nose, head, hat, eye, mouth, kiss, bye, hello, hi, NO, MINE, yes, uh huh, nu uh, i love you, no mom (as in let me do it!), iee- ice cream, gra- grape, appa- apple/pear, ana-banana, yo yo- yogurt,tree, bird, duck, yellow, green, red itsy bitsy, roll it up, twinkle, santa, hot. I'm sure there are a ton more, but notice that Miranda/sister are missing.
Favorite foods- pears, grapes, CHEESE, smoothies, yogurt, sweet potato fries, SOUR CREAM, beans, rice
Favorite activities- playing house- laundry, with her babies, in her kitchen. going outside is by far the favorite, when she wakes up she cries to go out, when its 8 at night she cries to go out. Harassing yellow, watching little einsteins, harassing her brother. Books, dancing, music, pretending like she knows how to read. She gets so bored here by herself. I keep telling my self that her and Eyerus are gunna have so much fun together!
Care- We are using Curly Q's shampoo and conditioner. The Shampoo about once every week, and the conditioner once or twice. She takes a bath every night and we wet her hair, then put Silken child detangler, brush it out, and then silken child leave in conditioner. Her curls are super defined now! I loveees it! For her body we use L'occitane organic african shea butter. It's not cheap but it gets her soft like nothing else. Once a week she gets all Eucerined before she goes to bed.
Fits- Well her Ethiopian name wasn't FITSum for nothing. This kid throws fits alllllll the time. She will throw herself on the floor crying, kicking screaming. She hits whoever is by her, she screams no. All over something stupid like her wanting to go outside when its raining at 9 at night! She has also been crying hysterically when I leave her at daycare. Its so sad!
Boys- She does have a boyfriend by the name of Drake at her daycare, they are super cute and always kiss each other! But don't think she is a one woman man. She was caught giving a THREE year old boy some sugar on Friday. She's keeping her options open!
Okay that's all I can think of now, but I'm sure there is more, and more and more.

2009-01-09T06:15:00.001-08:00

Nope,

MOWA didn't send in the recommendation probably because the last two days were spent celebrating Christmas.
UGH!

2009-01-07T15:23:00.001-08:00

ahhhhh two days till Eyerus' court date!

Tib-alicious

2009-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Here is an easy, go to Ethiopian meal that we make for Jax frequently!
1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil
2 lbs of beef (We use sirlion) sliced into thin strips
One large onion, sliced thinly
4 garlic cloves minced
Two Jalapenos, cut into half moon shapes. We leave the seeds in because Jax likes it spicy.
2-3 Tablespoons Berebere
1 Tablespoon Mimita
1/4-1/2 cup of canned diced tomatoes

Melt the butter and oil together and add the onions and some salt. Saute for 10 or so minutes on medium heat until soft. Take onions out. Fry meat in 2-3 batches until brown like 2 minutes each batch. Add all the meat, garlic, onion and jalapenos to the pan. Add berbere and mimita and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and season to taste!!

Metcha day!

2009-01-02T19:45:00.001-08:00

Today is the day that one year ago we met both Addis and Jackson! We woke up probably at 5 in the morning so so excited! We pulled up to the orphanage and mom ran upstairs while I played with the older kids downstairs. I had this grandiose vision of her coming down with Fitsum and everything would just be perfect. Well she never came down. After about 30 minutes, I finally went up, and she was crying, Fitsum had been admitted to the hospital the day before. We both were in shock. I had met an adorable, gorgeous, sweet boy that day named Anteneh. Something about him just struck a chord with both me and mom. I even took a picture of him on a polaroid so that I could show him off. Little did I know he would be my brother!!

Going to Hope's place with Amy Sue!!

Meeting Addis Fitsum, at the hospital. She is in "her" duckie blanket. Even now when we see pictures of babies in this blanket, we say oh look, they are in Addis' hospital blanket. Look at her itsy bitsy arm!

Mommy and Addy

My love! Look at how short he is!

Finaaally

2009-01-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

The Christmas post!
We had an overall nice holiday, much much different than christmases past! Jackson had a pre and post Xmas meltdown, Mom mad grandma cry, I got mad at everyone and Addis was just.. Addis. Santa brought Jax a pay as you go red slider cell phone, just what he had been asking for every day since he could. He brought Addis a play kitchen and me a juicer! Here are the pics

One year ago today...

2009-01-01T14:35:00.001-08:00

We arrived in Ethiopia to bring home Addis!!! Here is the post from that day!
We got in very late last night, like 1030 pm. We were starving and Helen and her staff made us a very nice small meal of pasta. Everyone here at the House os so friendly! As far as I can tell, I will stay here again!
We are waiting for the word about when we will be picked up and taken to Faith House and see the babies and kids. We are not waiting patiently!!!!
Grace

I can't believe that tomorrow I will have known Addis AND Jackson for a whole year. It seems like they've been here forever, but at the same time, for such a short time. We are so lucky!!

Aw my early Xmas present!

2008-12-24T04:55:00.000-08:00

Was being woken up at 4:45! Thanks Addis!

Miss Mimic!!

2008-12-16T18:20:00.000-08:00

This is crazy Addis being a mimic. If you put your head on your hand, she does it too, if you sigh, she does it too, if you put your hands on your hips, she does too. It's so funny!

Walking in a winter wonderland!

2008-12-13T05:40:00.000-08:00

Addis is so so in love with Christmas! She loves all the lights and music and is so so cute about everything. Jackson still believes in Santa and is super cute as well!
Meeting Santa's reindeer
Movie star!!!

Aww family
First time to meet Santa!!
Freaked out by Santa!
Get me AWAY from this weird man!
My Christmas angels!
Aw my baby!

Breakdown

2008-12-10T11:58:00.001-08:00

As I was in target, hurrying to get stuff together for Addis' Christmas party, I saw the cutest little Christmas robes in Eyerusalem's size. I just burst into tears right then and there. I know my family is so so lucky to have two great kids home, but sometimes it just sucks not having her here! Last christmas I bought her a stocking, and this year I have to hang it knowing that there will be no little girl to get the presents inside. Oh I miss you sweet Eyerus!

Adorable

2008-12-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

Jax lost his first tooth since being in America and we taught him about the tooth fairy. He was so so excited to wake up and get his money. He got up at about 6 AM and screamed "Awesome", (Thanks Gina's family). He claimed to have seen her, that she did in fact look like Tinkerbell and Addis saw her too. Then he asked, "But Mom, why does she likes the teeth?" It was the funniest thing in the world. And then he tried to give me his 3$ to buy a present for Mom. I was actually going to post this a few days after the picture post, but I felt compelled to do it ASAP as Malia's Momma called me out. Jax is doing well, I think he is just having a lot of grief about the people he left behind in Ethiopia. He doesn't know how to cope and sometimes lashes out at us. We are really working hard at showing how much he can hurt us and his little fits are farer and fewer in between. He is on a basketball team and has an amazing coach who is doing a lot of one on one work with him. He is going to go get dreads or twists or something next weekend, I'm so excited! He has been being really really affectionate towards his baby sister which just over joys me. He threw a hissy fit last night, and had to come shopping with us for 3 hours and by the end had apologized and was in a great mood. It's hard work, but I love him.

Oh Fits!

2008-12-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

Do you want some sister?

A delicious appetizer of sour cream

Yum bean dip!

Uh oh bean dip hair

Caught in the act

trying to play it off

Our new puppy Yellow Jack. Yellow because that's what Addis named him, Jack because every dog is a Jack to Jackson in memory of his Ethiopian puppy. I know the last thing we probably needed is another dog, but he's sweet and we rescued him so what! This is Addis about to slap the crap out of him.

Then she felt remorseful so she went to give him a kiss, and when he tried to eat the bean dip out of her hair....

She slapped the crap out of him again!

My first fire roasted marshmallow YUMMERZ!

Please ignore all the crap lying around in our house. I swear mom spent every second of her 4 day weekend cleaning but someone (Addis) is a destructo baby that just makes a mess out of anything and everything.

thanks gina!

2008-11-30T16:47:00.000-08:00

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child- come on let's just call it even
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem-uh I've walked with Eyerusalem!
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Happy Thankgiving!!!

2008-11-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

Only one of our family members will take pictures, so here you go!

A comparison

2008-11-23T07:30:00.001-08:00

Most of you know that Addis had extreme failure to thrive when she was in Ethiopia, suffered from malnutrition, and had to be admitted into the hospital multiple times. Today I found the pictures we received from her "sick" days, and noticed how much she has grown and how great she is!
This is Addis' referral picture when she was about 1 month old and 8.5 lbs, in mid August!

This is her in October, when she was admitted into the hospital in Ethiopia. She weighed about 4 lbs when she was admitted, and this is a few days later when she has plumped up some. This isn't even her saddest picture.

Here is her first photographed laugh, in DC on her first day in America in January! She weighs about 7 lbs here.

Here is Addis now, she weighs like 26.5 lbs and is 30ish inches. She is way too smart for her own good! She has a vocab of about 30 words, loves to dance and be outside and run around. She is very spirited to say the least!
This is her riding her bad-A trike.

This is her picture from school. I love it, it's so addis! Look at the fat belly, they could have pulled her shirt down!! She looks like she is posing for a CEO picture.

2008-11-22T05:35:00.000-08:00

Happpppy Birthday Mommy!!!

Reunited and it feels so gooood

2008-11-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

Yes that is them in my ALL PINK ROOM REBECCA!

2008-11-17T05:51:00.000-08:00

Or not.

Oh well, we'll be coming sooner or later eyerus!
Addy and Jax didn't pass on the first try either, why should it be simple starting now?

one year, 18 weeks

2008-11-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

or 491 days since Eyerusalem's referral. Wow, what a special day tomorrow will hopefully be my little gobbez!!!

oooh gosh

2008-11-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

okay mom, I realize you are like helping out the needy and stuff, but this baby is crazy. I am so not having kids for like 10 more years. She is so abusive, I have bruises from where she has punched, kicked and gotten other things to hit me with. She wouldn't eat dinner, she wouldn't go to sleep AND she wouldn't give me any kisses today! I'm pretty sure you aren't going to be able to leave her until she is like 14.

a little late

2008-11-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

So I tried to post all these pictures a week ago and it just didn't work so here they are!
Jax climbing the rock wall

Mommy and Addy at Jackson's fall festival

Addis and her friend Zz being mischeivious

Jackson was obviously spiderman and Addis was Tinkerbell.
BTW Addis totally redeemed herself! We just woke up from a THREE hour nap, and she has eaten leftovers of my mac and cheese twice. I think we are going to go to Jackson's team's soccer game, and target today! fun fun!

omg

2008-11-08T05:10:00.000-08:00

Is there weekend daycare?
This kid went to sleep at 9, woke up every two hours, popped up at 5:30 and hasn't stopped since.

Day two of our bonding time!

2008-11-06T19:35:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh today we slept until 7:15!! It was so great, I kept like waking up to see if addis was okay and she was just snoring away. Last night I got to talk to mommy, and then again this morning. She is going to visit Eyerus tomorrow!! She said she misses all of us bad. Addis got to go to school late because we woke up so late, and they were having song time, and the second she walked in she just busted out dancing, it was the funniest thing! I went to my classes, went grocery shopping, came home and cleaned up. I took a nice long bath and shower. I went and got miss addis and we came home to make dinner. Note to Addis: next time I spend a hour making a delicious and healthy dinner for you, please don't throw it on the floor and refuse to eat a bite! I made homemade spinach macaroni and cheese and tuna croquettes. The croquettes were gross, the mac and cheese was delicious! We played around for a while, took a bath, cleaned up more, did the dishes and some laundry and then watched the office and then miss Adda conked out! I am actually enjoying having Addis all to myself. She is such a funny baby, and she is so happy and fun to be around.

Girls gone wild day one

2008-11-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

Okay so today we got up at 5:30, watched the Wiggles, Higgly Town Heroes and Baby Einsteins. Addis was sweet and fun and drank a mango smoothie with her antibiotic in it. I dropped her off at school at 8, came home and studied for a test I had at 11. After my test I came home and NAPPED! For 3 hours I just slept, no one woke me up by being loud or anything it was amazing. I went and got Adda and we went to the Dr because she has a weird rash. Turns out she has a fungus again. I think she got it from day care this time! After that we went and ate and everyone was sooo enamored by Addis. We came home, talked to Jax and took a nice long bath. Now its time to play and clean up.

About the car. Okay long story but sad and funny. So my power steering has been out for like a month but I have still just been driving because there is never a good time to just leave my car at the shop for a week. I decided that I would drop it off when we were taking Jax to the airport and then just drive Mom's car while she was gone. As we pull into the airport, Mom's car dies. She thinks its because she ran out of gas so we rent a car for the night because I had a class in an hour that I HAD to get to and plan on bringing the gas the next day when we drop mom off. We get to the airport, drop of the rental car and then try to get the gas in her car. Of course it goes everywhere, but we manage to get some in. Then it just won't turn on. So mom has an hour till boarding, and we are sitting there in the parking lot of the airport basically without a car. We can't rent one because I am not old enough so we are screwed. We call Mom's business partner's wife (from her OTHER job) and she offers to come pick me and Adda up and take me to the shop to pick up my car. By this time mom has like 15 minutes till she needs to board so she finally leaves us and Renee comes and gets us. For some reason they have 3 cars so she is letting me borrow one of them because she didn't want me driving Addis around in the broken power steering car. So THAT Rebecca is the car story. That would only happen to us, thank goodness for nice people that leave work and drive all over town for us!!

PS we only had 2 poops today. When I wrote the stuff she ate yesterday I was like oh no, now I'm gunna plug her up!!

2008-11-04T17:27:00.000-08:00

Dear mom,
we miss you bad. This sucks. Addis had 5 poopy diapers today. She wouldn't eat anything! She finally ate cheese, a banana, a smoothie and more cheese. I got her to take all her meds though. We played up/down in the bath like you said, went for a walk on her trike, and watched bee movie AGAIN. Hope we hear from you soon.

welll she's gone

2008-11-04T07:52:00.001-08:00

As most of you know, my mommy left for Ethiopia today. Why you ask? For work. The agency she works for is going to sponsor an orphanage very close to the area shown in this video. http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2008/world/ethiopia/index.html
So every time I am sad that she is gone for two weeks, I just need to suck it up. Jackson got shipped of to the Ellerbee's because even though he is being a good boy, he would have a bit of a problem listening to me for two weeks. Now before you start bitching about this affecting his bonding, he is proud to have a mom that cares about his country and knows he is coming home. Absence makes the heart grow fonder eh? And that leaves Adda, oh Adda. Yes, I will be taking care of her. Please pray for my sanity. This is the child who does karate kicks, beats me with large objects and doesn't like to sleep. YAY!!!

Now how does this thing work again?

2008-10-28T06:16:00.001-07:00

sorry for the super blurriness but if you try to get a good picture of a never stopping baby on an iphone.

6 things about Grace

2008-10-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Finally, here are my 6 things!!

1. I was born in New Mexico and miss fresh roasted green chile in the fall more than words can adequately express. Something about the smell of fire roasting green chiles signal the beginning of fall. I cannot tolerate Tex-Mex food and usually drive to New Mexico in the fall to pick up my beloved chiles. This year is a little bit crazier than years past, so I will have to settle for mail order.

2. My daughter Miranda is my best friend ever.

3. Ties into number 1--I love any spicy food, the spicier the better. I love Thai, Mexican, New Mexican, Indian, Vietnemese, and Ethiopian of course!!

4. I hate watching movies. I become unbearably bored and antsy. I have trouble sitting still for 2 hours in the dark without being able to talk or answer my phone!!! DVD's and TiVo make it a little easier, but I still am not a huge fan of movies. I much prefer reading, I can read a good book for hours at a time. Which is weird, I guess but there it is.

5. My kids are huge spoiled brats--I am not a strict disciplinarian and always think "Ahhhh, they are only young once"! It is how I was with Miranda and how I am with Addis and Jackson. I get frustrated all the time with them, and vow to "make some changes" but somehow never quite do it. Addis has turned into "that kid" in stores and restaurants. Oh well, she is only a baby once, right?

6. My 3 favorite places in the world, the places that I can return to over and over are: Santa Fe, New Mexico--I love it, love it, love it there! Rome, Italy--Duh!!!, and Ethiopia--I love everything about Ethiopia, really I do.

There you go 6 random facts. I won't tag anyone, because all my peeps have been tagged I think.
Miranda still needs to do hers!!!!!

2008-10-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog/

Go there. I might be a little biased but I think she is the prettiest princess EVER!! How exciting, and just in time to take my sisters to see it!!

omg ADDIS THE MODEL???

2008-10-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Okay so a doctors office contacted the place where we got Addis' homecoming pictures done for some pictures to use in their advertisement. GUESS WHO GOT PICKED???? Yep, Miss Addis Fitsum!! aww

oh Adda

2008-10-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

This girl can dance.
and yes that is me encouraging her to "do your booty dance"

Hard to celebrate right now...

2008-10-05T15:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday there was a tragic accident involving a great family we are blessed to have met through the adoption process. Their youngest son, only home 5 weeks from Ethiopia, was hurt very badly in a tractor accident. Please pray and keep this family in your thoughts. I was lucky enough to meet this little boy when we picked up Jackson, and I absolutely adored him. He was sweet, and silly and so mischevious. I know he will make it through with everyone's prayers.

2008-10-03T18:49:00.000-07:00

Jesus, Mary and Eyerusalem. Her papers have been filed.

As in Eyerus' papers have been filed.
As in she will have a court date.
As in she will be coming home.

oh lord.

2008-09-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

our busy weekend

2008-09-28T11:28:00.001-07:00

First, Addis got some new boots.

Theeen we had soccer practice.

Then on Saturday, Jackson got to go flying with his ESL teacher in her cutest little airplane!!!

And then he had a soccer game where he scored 3 POINTS!! They won 4-1 against a team that was playing unfair and I was really proud of them!!

Then, Mommy, Addis and I went to an adoptive families pizza party where Adda basically reeked havoc on everyone and everything there.

ANND finally i uploaded these pictures from Jackson's first day at school and my birthday.

Dear Addis,

2008-09-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

You know I love you more than anything, but some things need to be discussed. I really really wish you would stop playing in the dog water, drinking the dog water, throwing dog food in the dog water, eating dog food, all together I just wish you would stay away from Sadie's sustenance area. I wish you would please not throw my shoes in the toilet, nor throw glass object on the floor on purpose and go "uh oh". When we are trying to go down for a nap, and you are really really fighting sleep, it is so NOT okay to punch me, pull my hair, beat me with your bottle/pacifer, or poke me in the eye. Also when we are out in public, please refrain from running up to me, pulling up my shirt, and beating on my fat belly like it is a drum... that is more of an at home game. In the rare occasion that you have to go in time out for repeatedly hitting me and/or mom, it ISN'T funny to mock my counting to 30 by going "un du la lalalala" and so on. Also could you please stop grabbing my phone and calling ex best friends and boy friends, and mom's phone and calling her ex-business partners... kinda awkward. I really like your new found fondness of books, buuuut, it kinda hurts my feelings when I am reading you a book, and you run off and make mom read you another one. Oooh almost forgot! When you are standing on the back of your little rocking chair, it is probably NOT a good idea to rock back and forth, while dancing, and drinking your sippy, and talking to us. Just some food for thought.
Love,
Your big sis Anana

a new chapter

2008-09-21T16:23:00.001-07:00

in our crazy little story.

After the horrible freak out last week (see post below), we all had some major talks around this house. Jackson, who always feels like he is being attacked when we try to have family talks said he wanted to go back to Ethiopia. Mom, who is going back to Ethiopia in a month or so for work, said okay fine, calling his bluff. He admitted that he didn't want to leave, he didn't know why he acted the way he did. I think seeing me hysterically crying, for like, hours, really helped him to understand how much his "little games" have been hurting us. I told him that I loved him, but I couldn't keep living like this, that I was scared to come out of my room because of him being so mean and it wasn't fair. I feel like he hasn't been helping enough around the house, and that he treats our family kind of like a guest house. The next day, he was up at 7, dressed and ready to go. He has consistently helped out more, in cleaning, doing his homework on time, not whining about his obligations, and helping with addis. His ESL teacher said he has become really motivated. On saturday, I was really really excited about this cheesy, apple picking festival that I wanted to go to. Well Jackson really didn't want to go, and complained the whole time. Granted there were no other 10 year old boys there, but I really wanted to go as a family. I told him that he hurt my feelings by asking every 5 minutes if we could leave, and basically not sucking it up and doing something because I wanted to do it. He said he was sorry, and then helped me do the dishes. WE ACTUALLY HAD A NON VIOLENT, NON SCREAMING FIGHT! After that, he had his first soccer game, where he scored the only 2 goals!!! Sadly, his team lost, but whatever my brother did so well! As someone very smart once told us, maybe you just have to hit rock bottom to start climbing up... or something like that. I think we are going to start family counseling, because I think there are definitely jealousy issues on both of our parts, and it would be good to talk about our problems in a constructive environment. And I really really hope that is the end of the chapter "I want to strangle my brother," in our family book.

horrible day

2008-09-15T08:09:00.001-07:00

I have been crying all day. This morning Jackson was intentionally doing things to hurt me. He intentionally disobeyed me, told me no when I asked for help, was so hateful and worst of all was really mean to Addis. I don't know why he is doing this. I didn't do anything, and for him to be mean to me, whatever it happens all the time, but to be mean to Addis, I don't know, that just breaks my heart. I am so sad and tired. I know everyone says to give it time, it will get better, but how do you make it through when someone is intentionally mean and just doesn't like you. ALL the time. It is so tiring to be belittled and treated horribly all day every day... When is it a personality problem, not an older child adoption problem?

yaaaay

2008-09-12T05:38:00.000-07:00

no school, no work, no nothing!! It has rained 9 inches in the past 24 hours, and is super flooded here so we get to have a fun family day!!!

What happened to being a complacent baby?

2008-09-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

I am baby sitting Adda while mom is at work because she can't go to day care today, what with the puss and blood coming out of her ears. We have been by ourselves for oh.. about 25 minutes and she has already gone into time out once. For pulling out the computer cord twice, then proceeding to hit me with it. Oh joy

My baby had surgery!!

2008-09-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

Today Addis had tubes put in her ears. She has had the same ear infection for about 3 months even after having been on 5 different antibiotics. She has had probably 10 ear infections since she came home. So today she got her ears poked! This is her before, happy as could be, with everyone saying how cute she was.

This obviously isn't her after, but when she "woke" up from her anesthesia, we were reminded of our first night together. In an Ethiopian hospital. With a baby who slept 20 minutes THE WHOLE NIGHT. And screamed for bloody murder, inconsolably the rest of the time. This is a picture from that night, only she was about 5 inches and 19 lbs smaller therefore not nearly as hard to handle as today.

She has already been running around, eating yummy food and being pampered even more than usual.

Why we don't homeschool

2008-09-08T08:29:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of the recent conversations my lovely mother and I have had recently, I'm pretty sure you can guess why we are not a homeschooling family. PS, we are both actually pretty smart...

Mom-"We have 20 boxes of 24 crayons each so that is like... 60,000 crayons!!!"

Me- "Omg I feel so bad, I cut Addis' nail down to the wick"
Mom- "You mean quick?"
Me- "Uhh no I am pretty sure I mean wick mom!"

Mom while helping Jackson with his homework- "A castaway is a person who hides in the plane to get a free ride to America."
Me- "Uhh that's a stowaway"

Me- "Well if it is in 4 days then that means it is a week from tomorrow right?"

Yesterday

2008-09-08T04:50:00.000-07:00

Was the perfect day. If I could bottle it up for the days I want to lock either of my siblings in a closet I would. No fights no arguing no nothing. It was just lovely. That is why I wanted a brother and sister. Not to be overwhelmed and depressed, but to listen to music and eat breakfast burritos together.

First Parent Teacher Conference

2008-08-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

So today Mom had her first parent teacher conference because one of the kids got caught beating another kid up. Care to guess?

Yep, it was Ms. Addis Fitsum.

She has become "increasingly violent" at school and was caught "standing over and pummeling Ashton today." Aww my little prize fighter!!

Hahah

2008-08-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

The only thing that gets more looks than dropping off your 1 year old Ethiopian sister at Parent's day out? Taking her with you when you walk your 4th grade Ethiopian brother to his classroom.

2008-08-24T18:21:00.000-07:00

iiiiits one week till my biiirthday!

Happy referral day Adda!

2008-08-21T05:09:00.000-07:00

I think I have located a baby girl thet can be referred to you to be Eyerusalem's little sister and I will try to attach her info to you!

The new baby's name is Fitsum and her birth date is July 10, 2007.

Today last year, we first got word of a little baby named Fitsum. Thank you Shimiless for giving our family the funniest, silliest, smartest, craziest little kid I have ever met!!

2008-08-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

Jackson?

2008-08-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

So since Anteneh came home he has been toying with the idea of changing his name. He really really liked the name Jackson but one of his best friends just happened to change his name to Jackson. Well last week Anteneh was finally like okay I am Jackson. Which is really confusing because our dog is named Jack. But anyways we might have a Jackson instead of an Anteneh because his friend is now Benjamin. Even though I am all for him keeping his name, it is SO annoying when people say it wrong, like even his teachers at day camp didn't care to pronounce Anteneh properly. And he is so shy about his English that he will never tell someone they are saying his name wrong. Well that's really all that happened this weekend. Lots of back to school shopping, Addis has been a terror playing with razor blades and broke glass.

Happy

2008-08-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

Today I am Happy! Anteneh was up and ready to go to school when I got up (a first!!) He helped me get Addy ready and was playing with her while I got all her school stuff together. Last night he emptied the dishwasher UNSOLICITED!! We went out and ate, and Addis was acting horrible, and he kept giving her bites of his food to keep her placated. It was really sweet to see him actually care about Addis. I think that maybe seeing Josh and his other friends made him homesick but also made him compare how we live to how they live. Like that Josh has a dad and a brother while Anteneh only has girls in the house. Josh's mom's car has a tv in it ( as i was told 4 times) while mine doesn't. It must be so so strange to just randomly come into a family.

2008-08-14T05:11:00.000-07:00

This morning is going much much better! Anteneh was up at 6:45 when I got up and he gave me a hug. He is listening to his new Amharic cd we got at the orthodox church in St. Louis. The song on the slideshow below is on the cd. Now that I am not just livid towards him, I can acknowledge how sad and homesick seeing all of his friends must have made him. He can go back to Ethiopia, but he will never GO back. And all these kids that banded together as family will NEVER be that close again. Maybe they will see each other a few times a year and get to call once a week. I am really trying to be more understanding of his feelings today which is a lot easier when he is more understanding of mine.

better for now

2008-08-13T16:39:00.001-07:00

Thank you everyone who has had such nice words for us. It really does help to know that you aren't the only one who wants to just scream out of sheer frustration sometimes. Today Mom and I had a lot of heart to heart about how miserable and depressed I was feeling today. I cried a lot, I screamed even more and now have a migraine from hell. Mom was crying when she picked up Anteneh and I think it finally hit him that he is making us miserable with his stupid acting out. He came home and started cleaning up and apologized to me. We will see how long this lasts but I think things are okay for at least a day or two. Now on to the pictures.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

update

2008-08-13T06:33:00.001-07:00

I will do a st. louis update later but for now I just wanted to let everyone know that we are having a really really hard time with Anteneh. Please don't let this scare you, I think Anteneh is having a MUCH more difficult transition than the majority of other kids. Not to say we have it the hardest or anything but after visiting with Shimiless, it seems he is REALLY acting out, being very very disrespectful and all together a horrible kid. I just don't know what to do. I am really tired. Tired of being treated like a servant who is nothing more than a stupid joke. Tired of being treated like crap. I am tired of getting up at 7 to wake him up only to be ignored the rest of the day. I know we have only been home 5.5 weeks but I think things are getting worse rather than better. I am constantly ready to snap and mom and I got in a huge fight last night over nothing. School starts in two weeks and something has to change.
Please realize this is my venue to vent my frustrations. Don't think that because you are adopting an older child this will happen to you. Even if your child is at the same orphanage Anteneh came from, chances are their transition will be a lot easier. Our problems are stemming from Anteneh's ideals that he is the cutest thing in the world, everyone should give him presents, clean up after him and he should have free reign of the household.

St. Louis

2008-08-07T19:48:00.001-07:00

Here we coooooooomeee

2008-08-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

ahhh two weeks without a pout and tonight, we got one! Not quite sure what about? the movie? not liking dinner? whatever it was, he apologized, ate his dinner (3 hours later than us, and he liked it) and wasn't too much of a pain this time. Here's to a pout 3 weeks from now! BTW, Karen, there was NO shoulder shrug.

And to the movies we went

2008-08-02T15:49:00.000-07:00

Guess who is sick again? hmmm ADDIS! So instead of going shopping, out to eat and all together fun family saturday time, Mom decided that I should go see a movie with Anteneh. We decided to go see the Mummy returns movie because 1. it has jet li, anteneh's favorite, 2. it has sword fights, anteneh's 2nd favorite and 3. I liked the first 2. So when we get there I bought him a coke and candy bar even though I am against buying that overpriced crap. We went early to get the best seats for his first theater experience. And sat there. And sat some more. And then some more. The kid would not talk to me. AT ALL. During the previews for the new James Bond movie, which has a lot of the same components that makes a movie an Anteneh favorite, I said I would take him to see it and he said maybe. During the entire movie, I was being all lovey, trying to explain some things that might have confused him, and over all just being a nice sister. He finally admitted that he didn't want me to go with him. He wanted mom. Which is great that he is bonding to her, he loves her, she IS his mother. But good god boy, I was not about to stay home with the monster child when she a 102 fever. No thanks. I guess my point is, I was not expecting to be isolated by my brother who is jealous of my sister. And that I am sure I looked like a loser/pedophile trying to hold hands and whisper to a preteen that looks nothing like me. that is all for now, I am off to play with the baby who NEVER isolates me, if anything she favors me in things like naps, extreme beatings and hugs.

pictures because I am too lazy to post anything else

2008-07-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

today's quote

2008-07-28T06:03:00.001-07:00

me- "anteneh does your tooth still hurt, do you want to still go to the dr.?"
Teneh- "Well, today I am busy busy, doctor tomorrow okay?"
how cute is he???

Things are looking up here

2008-07-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since posting. Its just that so much happens every day that when I finally have time to post I am overwhelmed. Anteneh is doing really really well. He hasn't thrown a fit since Sunday!!! Just a few little early morning pouts about stupid things like not being able to wear soccer shoes to camp but typical stuff for kids his age. He started day camp at addis' school and he loves it. He gets so excited about going and gets so worn out it's better for us that he isn't just bored sitting around. He is getting more comfortable around us, and we are really starting to actually have fun as a family. We also got a puppy because Anteneh had to leave his childhood dog Jack back in Ethiopia. The new Jack is about 8 weeks old, a pain in the you know what. He came to us pretty much house broken but now just likes to go on the floor for fun. He eats EVERYTHING in sight but oh well, he'll grow out of it. His mom was a great pyrenees (sp?) and i think his daddy was a german shepherd or something. He and addis are hilarious together. She likes to beat the crap out of him and pull his tail, and he just takes it. okay so we have some pictures. Mostly of my walking little angel in her adoooorable texas tech shirt. We went to the mall today and got anteneh his first pair of abercrombie jeans, he was apprehensive then tried them on and was like oh yeah i look good. and he did! So so cute. He is so skinny with the cutest little butt!! I will take a picture of him in his new clothes later but he is watching Mortal Combat right now and can't be bothered. Please excuse the mess, snot, scratches, slobber etc.

today is the day

2008-07-18T10:31:00.001-07:00

that I may very well lose my friggin mind

today's pout

2008-07-16T15:33:00.001-07:00

only lasted 2 hours and ended in anteneh apologizing to mom. YAY progress!!

ahh the overnight pout

2008-07-15T10:39:00.001-07:00

How fun you are

Edit:
Here's the story, Monday was great, perfect. Anteneh even said "Monday good, Sunday not so Good," then the crap hit the fan. He was eating an apple and teasing Addis with it. Mom said 4 times to stop and he wouldn't. He became indignant threw the apple on the floor and ran to try to leave on his bike. Mom went after him and grabbed him because last time he ran off we couldn't find him so he isn't allowed to leave the house during his pouting fits. He was fighting her, Addis was screaming and I was just trying to wash the dishes to keep the peace. Then I took Addis, and Anteneh made 3 or 4 more attempts to flee (Damn you 3 exits in our house). We told him he could go to the basement, to his room, to mom's room but he just couldn't go outside because it's not safe. She tried "time-in" and literally was having to drag him into her room. Then he locked her out. She was like oh hell no and he left and finally we were like okay you can leave and I opened the garage door, let him get about two steps out and got in my car to follow him. I don't care if he is mad and "hates us" at that moment, I just keep imagining him running away and getting kidnapped or hit by a car or something horrible like that. I followed him for about 5 minutes then he got tired of it and went back inside. He ran into his room, Mom was freaking out and starts calling every "adoption expert" (aka other older children adopters), and ethiopians we know. Finally someone hooks us up with a random Ethiopian lady who starts talking to him. At first he won't listen but then he realizes she's speaking in Amharic and talks to her. She basically told him that we love him and it's okay to be mad but you can't leave the house because there are people who want to hurt you. Then he continued pouting, doing things to annoy us, being loud while addis was asleep and the such. Finally when I was going to bed I asked him if he wanted to sleep with me and I got the shoulder shrug (oh I HATE the shoulder shrug) and he came and slept with me. He woke up in the same pissy mood wouldn't talk or look at mom. I had a horrible migraine so I took some meds, slept it off and when I woke up he was fine. Hungry but fine.

THEEEEN the basically same thing happened last night but with a dinner roll and our dog. He was teasing her with it and mom told him no he ran away wouldn't eat dinner kept shoulder shrugging at us. Finally about 3 hours into it he came into mom's room and apologized so yay it didn't last all day!

Birthday Pictures!!

2008-07-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

YAY I LOVE BIRTHDAY DINNERS

The infamous "Ethiopian pouting" we keep hearing about

OMG a cash register!

For me??

oooh that's what you do with it.

omg omg this is sooo good

it took 3 q-tips and a shower/bath to clean up this ear.

Happy Birthday Angel

2008-07-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

Happy first birthday to Miss Addis Fitsum Tesfaye Pruitt. You are everything I ever wanted in a little sister. You are the meanest, funniest, loudest, weirdest person I have ever met. I love you as much as anything in this world. I hope that your family in Ethiopia knows how much you mean to us and how we treasure every single day with you. My life would not have been complete without you.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We are home

2008-07-09T07:43:00.001-07:00

We are home finally and have been adjusting for the last few days. I will try to give a play by play on how our trip went.
Addis was sooo bored on the flight over, but she did pretty well, and on Tuesday? we went with some other hope families back to the orphanage. The second they opened the gate, we saw Anteneh, wearing a shirt we had sent, and he was just waving and smiling from ear to ear. I of course started crying, gave him a hug and a kiss then got mobbed by other kids. He took Addis and said, Hi mom, hi miranda, hi Addis, in the cutest little voice in the world. We gave him his big present, a camera and he just followed mom around taking pictures of the kids. He was excited to go, I don't think it really hit him that he was leaving forever. That night he prayed for about 10 minutes before bed and gave us all kisses. All four of us woke up at about 3 in the morning from jetlag and excitment. He started doing sit-ups and playing with the ipod. We finally went to back to sleep, and he was up and ready to go at 6.
That day we went with Brian and Andy and a friend we met at the New flower, to the Weaver's market, while Mom did business things. He was really excited to buy Mom a few scarves, and we had a great big lunch that he really liked. When mom finally came home at like 7 he had gotten so nervous and was really excited to see her. We moved to Shimiless' apartment that night.
I think the next few days we went to the orphanage, shopping for the orphanage, visited a sick friend and things like that.
Around day 4 was when the attitude problems started. Apparently in Ethiopia, if a kid wants something, and is told no, then they just pout until they get it. Well let me tell you, this kid can pout. No you can't have a 4th coke, he didn't talk to us all day. No we can't go play video games at the carnival, Mom has to work, he wouldn't come out of the room. It didn't help that his family kept constantly coming to visit, and it was so obvious that it just broke his little heart. I can not even comprehend leaving your country, family, friends, food, language, everything behind to go basically with some strangers to America.
It was obvious that going back to the orphanage was hard on him, so a lot of the time I stayed behind with him while mom went and worked. He went to another orphanage, Bethel, while I stayed with Addis. This was around the time that Addis got food poisoning and my cold/flu got really bad. We moved back to the New Flower so that we would have a car if something bad happened to her. She had to go to the hospital (where the owner recognized us--so nice!) 4 times over the course of 2 days. I had to be moved to another room because my coughing kept everyone awake.
During this time, Anteneh's family is still coming to visit, which is just devestating him, and they invite us over to the house he was raised in. I was literally coughing up a lung and the rainy season had started so I stayed behind, but my family, and a friend from the New Flower went. It was very very hard on Anteneh. He saw his childhood room, his childhood dog, pictures of his parents, and grandma. He also went to his Uncle's house.
Our friend who is very ill and close to all four of us was becoming even sicker before our eyes, which was obviously hurting Teneh as well. We went to visit everyday, and it was hard on all of us.
Lots of hugs and kisses and help from everyone, Ayele our favorite driver, Genanew, the staff at the New flower, helped us to try to comfort him.
All of the kids at Hope's place are just beautiful! They are all so happy and well cared for it is amazing. The staff truly does love these kids. Every single person remembered Addis, and were so happy to see how she has grown and how beautiful she is. She is walking now, it's horrible, she is into everything. All of the older kids were so sweet and friendly. The babies are all very very well cared for and the toddlers seem very happy.
Now that we are home, Anteneh's personality and english usage have come alive. He is hilarious, and constantly making all of us laugh. He taught himself to ride a bike in ONE DAY! He seems to be the only Ethiopian older kid who does not have food issues. He eats burritos, broccoli rice casserole, quiche, and tons of fruit. The only problems we have right now is that he chews with his mouth open and doesn't understand that when Addis is napping, he has to be quiet. Other than that he is doing really really well. Even though we both read older child adoption books, we thought that because we had met Anteneh, and he was such a sweet kid, we wouldn't have any of the problems like other people. Well we did, and it was really hard, and we are going to still have more obstacles to overcome. But as of right now, I can defintely say, it's worth it.

Update from Miss Miranda...

2008-07-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I got an email from Mir about an hour ago. Here's what she had to say...."Addis had a terrible stomach bug and had to go to the hospital. She is 100% better now and loves being here(ET). I (Mir) have a cold that will not go away and the internet has been down for days. All the kids look healthy and are happy." This is the funny part...."Everyone keeps saying that Addis looks Somalian-like"....that's our Addis!! That's it....they'll be home in a few days...exhausted, I'm sure, but with Anteneh in tow.

Upadate....

2008-07-02T04:50:00.001-07:00

Well, one of the Hopers heard from Grace VERY early yesterday morning. Talked for exactly 7 minutes, I do believe. Apparently Addis got really sick....they think it may have been food poisining. She was at or in (I'm not exactly sure) the hospital for about a day and a half. She is doing much better now. Internet and phone service is really bad, so they're having a hard time with that. Said that they're spending as much time as possible visiting with the other kids and knowing Grace and Miranda, I'm sure that's true. I did see a pic of them from one of the traveling fathers that just got home and they looked great. Grace was holding Addis and Mir, of course, was completely surrounded by kids. That's about it. They're due home this weekend, Saturday, so we'll know more then. Godspeed Pruitts!!!

They're there and have Anteneh!

2008-06-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

Quick update. Went something like this....
"Flight was awful"....hmmm....Addis, I bet. :) Grace did mention that Addis is feeling a little better.
"Anteneh is really sweet and loves Addis"....so awesome!
"He (Anteneh) has a soft, little voice"....good thing....maybe it will even things out with Addis being so, ahem, vocal.
That's about all. She said that all the Hope kids look great and I know that is a huge sigh of relief to all the waiting parents. Grace had to run....they were off to "play with Anteneh."......awwww.....

No update yet, but Hello!

2008-06-23T23:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, everyone......you're in for a real treat for the next few days. I am Rebecca, a fellow Hopie, and I am the "someone" that is going to be updating the Pruitt blog.
I haven't heard anything from the Pruitt gals yet....I'm sure they're still up in the air. I've spent the day thinking alot about them. Alternating between being really nervous for them and laughing, thinking about Mir and Grace trying to keep Miss Addis busy on that plane. Eek!!
I have to say that I am so happy for all of them. Grace, for getting a son. Miranda, a little brother. Addis, a big brother. Most of all, Anteneh for getting the 3 of them. I mean, can you imagine.....living in the same house as those three ladies?!?! Lord have mercy!!
Speaking of Ateneh....what will he think of all of this? What will he do with his life? Find the cure for cancer? Adopt 100 little Ethiopians? What? I know that it will be something great, something extraordinary. I've been there. I've met him. I've looked into his eyes and seen that he was destined for greatness. There is something about him that is truly special. Everyone that has met him has said the exact same thing.
Well, I will sign off now for the Pruitt 3, soon to be 4!!
As soon as I hear something, I will post......go Pruitt's!!!!

bye bye

2008-06-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

We are leaving the LBK today to go to Dallas then leave for DC and Ethiopia tomorrow!! Wish us luck, and we will have someone updating for us while we are in Addis. We love you so so so much Anteneh, Wednesday can't get here soon enough!!!

2008-06-21T14:00:00.001-07:00

Don't worry, I have contracted pink eye from some brat at Addis' day care.

WE ARE COMING

2008-06-20T12:36:00.001-07:00

Aww a rare moment of peace and quiet

2008-06-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

This past week Addis has been... NAUGHTY. We had to leave dinner early yesterday because she was throwing such a hissy, on Monday she made her self throw up at lunch because she wasn't getting enough attention, she has been hitting and punching, sleeping 4 hours a night, just all over being not a very sweet girl. BUT I did get this super cute picture of her cuddling her doll, well she was sleeping and I put the doll there but whatever I love it. Notice the pillow, that is her new thing.

A weekend of Illness

2008-06-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

Poor miss addis. She started "school" aka daycare for half days last week because she was just way too bored to spend all day here at home. And she loves it, she is in a really small class, with all kids over a year old because she is so advanced. But because she is a paci-thief, she caught some super strong crazy virus on Thursday. She was a little snotty on thursday night and kinda out of it on Friday but by Friday night she was so so congested and feverish it was horrible. She slept like 2 hours. She went to the doctor on Saturday, and had a horrible ear and sinus infection. We just hung out here all day and then that night her fever went up to 104.5!!! I was so scared, and at like 3 it finally broke and she slept until 6. Poor mom, I got to take naps and she didn't at all! She is back to normal now, just in time to go to Ethiopia, omg in a week we will be on a plane to Dulles, then a few more hours and on a 15 hour flight with the queen of mean Addis Fitsum Tesfaye. Im scared!

oh dear lord

2008-06-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

we leave in 15 days. ANTENEH here we come!!! We are so not ready though.

Announcements

2008-06-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

Remember that really really cute announcement I posted about 3 months ago of Addis all naked and wrapped up in a scarf? Well we finally went and got them, just in time to get Teneh's done!! I am really trying to motivate myself to send them out before we leave to go to Ethiopia. If you want one, and want to help me, then please email my mom at graceapruitt@yahoo.com with your address. THANKS!!

no no no no no

2008-06-01T17:13:00.001-07:00

Addis' new favorite phrase is no no no no. She says this when she is doing something naughty and gets told no or when she is pointing to someone's nose. She also says uh-oh, ball, mama, addis, hi, hey. Any time she sees anything really cute (baby or animal) she goes "oooooh" I guess I am always oohing and ahhing over her so she has mastered her mimicking. She knows when things are hot and says oouch hot. I am going to try to get some video of her new crab walk, "snapping", talking, and overall cuteness!!

YAY

2008-05-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

WE ARE GOOOOING TO ETHIOPIA ON JUNE 23RD TO BRING HOME MY BROTHER!!!

Play time with scarf

2008-05-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

Addis was making us laugh so hard today while we played with her ethiopian scarf. Also take a look at those ginormous chomps of hers!!

My unbelievably nutty mobile sister

2008-05-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

Someone is pulling up, standing by themselves for a few seconds oh and CRAWLING!! YAY! I don't think that unless you live with this baby 24/7 you can begin to understand how funny and crazy she is but here are some pictures of her that crack me up.
We looked over and saw her trying to break out of her high chair. I think if we had left her for a few more minutes she could have gotten her other leg out.

Now to her in a yellow jumper, omg Beyonce has nothing on my sister. She was NOT wanting to take a picture though. One is of her in her new favorite position, downward facing dog, which usually results in her falling on her rump.

And lastly is a shout-out to Aunt Lisa. First Addis falling after trying to stand with one hand on my bed. Then first Addis says "Look Aunt Lisa, I'm rockin my shorts!!!" with an intimidation face, and then a smiley one.

omg omg omg

2008-05-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems like someone officially has a brother!!!! OMG OMG I am beyond ecstatic. I am FINALLY posting his picture, please beware, we have a future heartbreaker on hand. I am going to have to beat away the girls with a stick! He is so so handsome, so sweet and so excited to come to Texas to be with us! We are hopefully planning on leaving around the 20th of June.
Introducing Mr. Anteneh L. Pruitt

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Bye Bye Ri-Ri

2008-05-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

Well we have to take Riley back to the Shelter today. Last night she attacked our other dog over some food. It was horrible. They fought from the kitchen all the way to Mom's room. Riley would NOT let go of Sadie. Sadie is the most alpha dog i have ever seen and she kept submitting and trying to keep the fight away from us, but Riley kept going back and would not let go of her head, ears, face, and feet. Finally we separated them and Riley has been outside ever since. They are both pretty cut up and Riley was bleeding everywhere. Both of them got some pain pills and they look fine. Riley will be going back. I am so dissapointed in her. Now she will have to die in that shelter. No one is going to adopt an 11 year old pitt mix with scars on her. Poor thing.

Happy Mommy Day

2008-05-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

Dear mommy,
Thanks for being the best mom ever. I hope this mother's day rocks because you are officially a mother of two, pretty much a mother of 3, and possibly a mother of 4. Thanks for being my everything, and giving me my other everything, Addy. She is already so much like you, and I love you both so much. I am so proud of you for following your heart to bring Anteneh home. And he called you Mom!!! Thanks for letting me boss you around when I think I know better at how to raise Addis, and thanks for not yelling at me when I accidently sent Addy's medical profile to the entire Ethiopia Adopt forum in October. Thanks for buying me my dream car for my 18th birthday even though you said it was impractical, and not being mad now that I want something else because well... my car is impractical. Thanks for letting me take long naps when you get 5 hours of sleep. Thanks for forgiving me when I yell at you because I'm mad, being abused by Addis, want you to get off the phone/computer, or am hungry. Thanks for letting me be me and always being supportive. Thanks for giving me a kick in the ass when I was missing too much school this semester. And not being mad when I made a c in accounting. Thanks for making fun of people with me, but knowing better than to make fun of me. Thanks for letting me get a new dog, even though it was probably a stupid idea. Thanks for not saying anything when I claim to be on a diet, and then order a huge bacon sandwich. Thanks for trying to learn about our family's ethiopian culture. Thanks for buying me 100$ worth of spices and letting me take the credit when I make ethiopian food. Thanks for letting me take the credit for pretty much everything. Thanks for never using my favorite spoon and buying me a new favorite coffee mug after mine broke. Thanks for being honest with me about Eyerusalem, and treating me like an adult. Thanks for all the sacrifices and sucky crap you have gone through to give me a good life. Thanks for putting up with me. Thanks for knowing when I need a hug. Thanks for being you. Thanks for giving me my sister, my brother,and my other sister. Thanks for everything mommy.
Mir

Addy picture time

2008-05-09T07:25:00.001-07:00

Riding her new fav toy.
Budding fashionista or tired of her pj's?
see we do love pictures!