What a Day.

Shadley's Law of Parenting:

The day after you decide to stay up really late, your kids will wake at the crack of dawn, throwing up.


Yes, that's the kind of day we've had around here. The girls both were up in the night but the barf-o-rama didn't start until about 6am. Eden first, multiple times...by noon she was asleep in her bed, and didn't wake until nearly 3pm when she ate something and immediately lost it again. Elly acted quite normal all morning except when she ran to the bathroom and "redecorated" the walls if you know what i mean. Now she is conked out on the chair. Poor babies. Esias woke this morning at 9:30am after being up late, went back down to nap at 2:30pm and is still sleeping. Something is attacking my babies, I tell you!

Plus, we were suppose to go down to SW IA this weekend for the 4th, but it looks like we are going to stay around home now. My uncle on my dad's side is not doing well (cancer) and my family is going down to KS to be with him. So we're praying for healing for Uncle Rick, in whatever form the Lord chooses, and for peace for his 5 grown kids and grandkids- Ty, Cody, Star, Dillon and Tia, and for Aunt Deb. We love you guys! Hang in there.

Esias Tesfaye is TWO!

The birthday boy partied hard yesterday! Grammy, Papa, sissies, and a few aunts and uncles and cousins were on hand to celebrate with on his b'day eve. We did a little bbq, the slip-n-slide, cake, and presents. I think the boy had a great time. He was a little freaked out by his cupcake. Not sure what that was about, but oh well. The rest of us enjoyed them!

A little reading with Great Grandma before the party!

Building giant overpasses...Esias is a genius you know.

Mommy made cupcakes.

A little slip-n-slide action.

It was so humid it fogged up the lens.

BBQ!

Presents! Esias understood what to do with presents for the first time! This tractor and trailer from Uncle Darin and Aunt Katy was a BIG hit.

Intensely checking out his new rescue vehicles.

Horsies!

And what birthday party doesn't end with a little dancing?

Funniness.

Today was Esias' Birthday! While I wait for birthday pics to upload, I will share this with you:

Tonight as Dan was putting the girls to bed, instead of reading them a book, he told them our love story. He used "the boy" and "the girl" for the characters. As Dan came to the part where we decided to "take a break" but then started missing each other, Elly got teary and said, "Oh no. Here come the waterslides."

Recent Happenings--Painting, Haircuts, and More.

Summer vacay is in full swing here, and by full swing, I mean Eden is bored out of her gourd. We've tried to curb the boredom with some craft time. Esias LOVES watercolors. Yum.

Check out my budding artists.

I have no idea what she was doing-- this is pretty typical behavior from my middle child.

Esias is still lining up his cars. He lines them up on the back of the couch, the floor, in the windowsill, no matter where, they are lined up! He's started sorting them a little by size even.

Speaking of lining things up, Esias got the mother of all haircuts. My sister usually cuts his hair but was out of town. I wanted him looking sharp for his b'day party Saturday, so I called around and found a stylist who felt comfortable with a squirmy boy with tight curls...I guess I should have been more clear about how short I wanted it. I told her I wanted a "fade" and she read that as "almost bald." Oh well, he will feel good in this hot weather and it will be much easier to clean. He's a totally messy eater and he plays in the dirt all the time. So, as we wait for it to grow, we can enjoy being able to literally hose him off and call it good.

Here we are enjoying some of our friends the Nielsen's family videos.

He doesn't seem to mind his new haircut! He did sit still pretty well, if you're wondering. Though I don't think I'll stray from Aunt Brynnie's haircuts again soon!

Father's Day Gift for Daddy

So just when we thought he'd call us "uh" forever, Esias surprised Dan by calling him "da da" on Father's Day!

We knew he could say it if he wanted to...but we weren't sure he knew that the sound "da" went with the man. But on Sunday, he said it! Way to go Buddy!!

We have a game we play in the van in order to focus everyone (read: Elly) to getting their buckles fastened, where we all yell, "Beat Dad! Beat Dad!" and try to buckle up before daddy gets his buckles fastened. Esias, always a willing participant, will chime in, "di-ee di-ee." So we knew the "duh" sound was there. It is so cute to hear him say "beat Dad" too, if we ever get it on video, I will post it. Cause I know you all are dying to see it! ;)

Happy Father's Day!

To the Fathers in my life and my kids' lives, THANK YOU!

Grandpa Lee, Papa, Grandpa Dave, Great Grandpa Lloyd, Gentle Grandpa Walt...and DADDY...we love you and Happy Father's Day! Your job is not an easy one! Thanks for all you do!

Now, to single out my hubs for a second. This is how he is an amazing dad:

He wakes up in the night with the kids. Almost every single night. Because he knows lack of sleep affects my vertigo. It's sweet to me, and it's sweet time for him to nurture the kids.

He is a serious participant in household chores. There is no chore beneath him. He is the main do-er of laundry and happily sticks his hand down in the garbage disposal to retrieve sippy cup valves that I always let fall in there.

He is an encourager. He tells the girls and me that he loves us-- multiple times per day. He lifts us up. He's not a drainer, he's a filler-upper.

When he gets home from work, most days he goes immediately to his knees to greet the little ones. Then in front of them, he makes a big deal of me. He kisses me and asks me how I am. I am so glad that my kids see that every day.

He rarely complains.

He knows his kids well. Even though he can't figure out whose clothes are whose. (I'm just glad he's attempting to put away laundry!)

He enjoys the outdoors and has inspired that love in his kids.

He loves God and loves reading the Bible to the kids. Even when I laugh at him for reading things way over their heads, I know that his influence is making a difference.

He tucks the kids in at night so sweetly and can always be coerced into that last drink of water.

He convinced me that my greatest joy would be glorifying God by following a call to adopt. As you know from reading this blog, that boy brings me so. much. joy. I would have been too scared. But Dan wasn't. He was ready to jump, but only holding my hand. He waited patiently for me to accept the call as well and we took the plunge side by side. So grateful for that. I can't imagine not being the parents of Esias. He is an extraordinary gift!

He can fix anything and everything and is every bit the hero in my girls' eyes. As soon as Esias can appreciate him, I am sure he'll emulate everything Dan does as well.

Dan, we love you! I can't imagine this parenting thing with anyone else. Thanks for all you do for me and the kiddos!

Not Much to Report.

Not much new going on here...just crazy amounts of food being consumed, growth that is off the charts, learning new words every day...and that's just Dan! (heee hee hee)

Eden is enjoying her summer vacation and reminding us each day that she is now a "second grader!" She LOVES VBS and asked me today why it is only one week long and can't be for a few months. I think the volunteers might die. I didn't tell her that though.

Elly is telling anyone who will listen that she is going to do "homeschool" next year. I am still wondering what i got myself into, but I am pretty sure she is not ready to be in all-day school yet.

Esias is my amazing little man. He can understand everything we say, and I mean everything. Today he wanted my diet Coke can and I said just very nonchalantly, "No honey, this is ouchie. If you want a drink, your drink is in the kitchen." I didn't stress anything or point or say "milk" or "cup" or sign to him at all. He walked off and came back a minute later with his cup. He also says "Yeah" or "a" to answer questions. He is trying to say mom but it comes out as "Nuh" but I will totally take it!

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

--from Rent

We like to measure a year in POUNDS around here! :)

Here is a month-by-month look at our son, Esias Tesfaye Grimes...home forever on June 9, 2010!

June 2009- weighed 14lbs when we came home, already scooting but not crawling or sitting up yet

July 2009- learned to sit without help

August 2009- crawling

September 2009- his first surgery

October 2009, started walking

November 2009- started the tube feeding at 19 lbs

December 2009- First Christmas with Mom and Dad! Got the PEG tube.

January 2010-

February 2010

March 2010- got the Mic-Key button feeding tube

April 2010- first sucker :) Thanks Daddy!

May 2010- starting to make word sounds and can drink out of a cup!

BIG BOY! June 2010- runs, climbs, throws, kicks! Says 4-5 words and has 10-15 signs!

Esias, it has been a priveledge to be your mom! I love you more than I can explain. The fact that you are mine humbles me and makes me immensely grateful to the Lord! You are a precious piece of Creation and you inspire me every day with your spunk and fire. I love you Baby Boy!

Photo Recap

This past week has been crazy-- I finished up daycare for the summer, Elly graduated preschool and started Blastball, Eden had a game, we had Esias' one year post placement visit with the SW from Bethany...and we put a new roof on our house! Phew. Lots going on around here. Eden doesn't get out until Monday, though I am not sure they are learning all that much since she's brought home her art folder, her spelling journal, and about everything else! Ok so here's the recap in pictures.

Elly just being Elly.

Here's our little slugger...she's a lefty, just like Papa wants. She learn how to slap one day.

Esias climbing the dugout fence.

You'd sleep with your sippy cup too, if your parents were stingy with the liquids!

Elly started Blastball this year...she's not a fan.

She did try to humor the coach. But the fun ended after about 1.5 innings...she started wallering around on our blanket and never made it back out on the field.

Elly Lyn's last day of preschool!

Lining up with her preschool-mates.

Bella, Elly, Christian, Anna, and Molly

Elly with her certificate.

During the roofing the kids spent a lot of time inside watching movies so that they were not in the way of the guys.

Esias LOVES his cars...and he still lines them up like this~

This is what happens if one is not "perfect."

Ah, that's better.

My boy! Right after his one year post placement visit! It went off without a hitch, she says she sees no problems and he is great!

Wow, it's too bad he's not cute.