Two Years!

Two years ago today my sons were placed in my arms for the very first time. As is the way with all big things, it is so hard to believe that two years has passed already, and in the same breath, so hard to believe that they haven't been here forever.

Our First Moments, May 23, 2010, Addis Ababa

Last year on our one year anniversary the boys delighted in the telling of their story. They made me tell it over and over again! Then about six months ago one of the boys became very agitated when we discussed anything related to Ethiopia. He said he didn't like to talk about it, and upon further investigation, admitted that the pictures and stories about Ethiopia scared him.

"I don't want to go to Ethiopia! I don't want a new Mommy and Daddy!" he told us adamantly.

Father and Son, May 2012

We told him he was not going back. We tried to explain that our family is permanent. We told him he belongs here, with us, and that he could ask us anything, anytime.

For months following that first conversation he did ask, multiple times a day. Mostly he wanted to hear us reassure him that he was staying here with us. We followed the questions and did our best to reassure him. Even though we have had many age appropriate conversations about birth mother's and adoption, these are hard concepts for a young child to grasp. Often he asks me why I "left" him in Ethiopia, or why I "brought" him there, or how he "got there" and why I "didn't come". Sigh...oh, sweet child...if you only knew how much I wanted to come sooner...how much I wish I could have spared you that pain and every other you will have to face in this life...

Easter, April, 2012

The flood of questioning has lessened to a trickle in recent weeks. One of our anniversary traditions is to look at photos of our first weeks and months together and this morning I worried that it might be upsetting. On the contrary, though, when I asked if they wanted to see the pictures they said yes, and the child who had been expressing his fears declared happily that he is no longer scared when he looks at the pictures. Hallelujah and happy anniversary indeed!

My other son listens quietly to these conversations, taking it all in but letting nothing out. When I ask him if he has any questions he usually does, and those questions are usually about Power Rangers or video games. Our first summer together, this child was the one with all the questions and I am sure the day will come when he has them again.

The growth that has occurred on so many levels over these past two years is mind blowing to me. I'm sure the amount of development at this age is mind blowing to all parents but when you add in language, and all the other things they have learned that they didn't start learning until they were almost three simply because they weren't in this country...well, OK, I'm one of "those" parents! My children are amazing!

They are definitely full fledged American children at this point. Even though they don't watch these shows at home, they love the Transformers and the Power Rangers and have learned all their names and "moves" from the other children at school. The toddlers who hated anything with a creamy texture, especially ice cream, now can't get enough of it.  They love video games, their dogs, and friends at school and on the street. They have grown a whopping eight inches!

Dogs and video games, does it get any better?

Learning to Swim

First Day of T-ball

My smart, beautiful, sweet boys, you have blessed our lives beyond measure! I love you more than I knew a person could love another and being your mother is my favorite thing in the whole wide world. Happy Anniversary!

Mother's Day