Bubbles

 Bubbles in the backyard are always so magical . . . especially when bigger siblings help the littles :)

Atlanta

The first weekend of April, Addy, Tesfaye, and I took a special trip to Atlanta, Georgia. 

A first airplane ride for Addy, and a special visit with her first mommy and family.  We are so thankful for Addy's first family and we are so glad for our girl to have them in her life - Addy is loved by so many (and we love them!). 

This trip was greatly anticipated.  It was only a short visit, but it was such a rich weekend.  Such a blessing! 

A fancy muscle car, gorgeous warm weather, spring blooms, Atlanta traffic, Ethiopian food, and a hotel stay - we spent our Saturday in downtown Atlanta.  We visited Centennial Olympic Park and road the SkyView (and witnessed a wedding proposal!), and then met Addy's family at the Children's Museum. 

Addy played and played with family - two peas in a pod - and held hands on our way to dinner near the World of Coke Museum, where they played and played some more.  Giggles and tickles, pictures and hugs, and then tuckering out.  Such wonderful memories created.

Naps in the hotel and then a night out at the Braves ballgame, cheering and Tomahawk chopping with the crowd.  Krispy Kreme donuts and Mass at the gorgeous downtown Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (built in 1898) before our flight back north. 

I am so thankful for this weekend.  I thoroughly enjoyed my special time with Addy and Tesfaye, but mostly I am thankful for Addy having the opportunity to visit with her family.  It was a wonderful weekend. 

(Addy is ready to go back to "Lanta" - "I stay at hotel in Lanta, we fly a plane in Lanta.")

Dukes' Words

Our little heartthrob has been in our world and a part of our lives for NINE MONTHS!

Dukes is such a joy to us all.  His incredible giggle, sturdy run, expressive eyes and snotty nose; his chatting and singing, and fistful eating; his dancing and mimicking, and silly faces . . . we marvel at this beautiful boy - and oh my goodness he's so cute!

Dukes is 23 months old.  Next month we get to celebrate his birthday!

Dukes' latest feat (besides the big boy haircut) . . . TALKING!!!!

He's always been incredibly vocal, mimicking vocal patterns, and has great understanding of language, but hasn't had any "words."  He now has words!!!   

wap (lap)

nigh-nigh

sings "baa-baa black sheep"

mama

dada

die (diaper)

no

up

sings "old madonald had a farm"

poop

my (mine)

bah (ball) - also his word for tv sports

ba ba fie (butterfly)

ya-esh (yes)

dink (drink)

book

tuck (truck) - his word for all cars

look

For 9 months I couldn't bring myself to trimming his gorgeous curls - his long mop of hair was just too amazing.  I kept his locks well-conditioned and styled, and occasionally trimmed up the sides, but just let the top grow.  It wasn't until we got some sweet advice from his first mama to "cut the hair and clean up the sides," that I was able to admit that he was probably overdue for a full haircut - oops!  

Trimming 3 inches of hair made Dukes look so much older!  (I had to leave some curls on top ;)

Easter - Cascarones

8 dozen eggs, dyed and filled with confetti - all smashed atop heads, sprinkling blessings for Easter.

(We went through 8 dozen eggs in less than 10 minutes!)