Baby Ethiopia

Celebrating our first "Gotcha Day."

This was the first picture we saw of Maleia Mekdes. She was 3 months old.

November 3, 2008- Gotcha Day!

Maleia's crib was on the far left with the pink bedding.

Saying good-bye to where Maleia had spent the last 4 /12 months.  

Fast forward a year!
Here are all the kiddos making a cake to celebrate Maleia's "Gotcha Day" tonight!

I guess you can say she helped!

Ellie frosting the cake for her sister.

The finished product! We used M&M's to spell out "Gotcha" because they are Maleia's favorite kind of candy. It's been hot here so our "h" and "a" were sliding! 

Celebrating at Disneyland on one of Maleia's favorite rides!

 

I think she's really trying to read her sign!

 

This would have to be one of my favorite pictures.  

 

  Blow!

 

She finally gets to eat her cake!

 

Maleia will receive an Ethiopian gift each year on her "Gotcha Day." This dress is her first one! Originally we were going to do it on her birthday, but it seems to be a little more special to receive it on this day.  

 

We ended the evening with some dancing to some Ahmaric music!

 

Ellie is gooooooooooood!

Happy to be dancing in Mommy's arms!

 

God brought these three together to be siblings, to protect one another, to love on another, and to be friends with each other. As each day passes and I see them growing closer, my heart jumps for joy. I feel blessed.

Halloween!

    Where does the time go? I blink and another month goes by! Maleia is 19 months old and is PURE joy. She is sooooooooo smart and incredibly verbal! She is already putting sentences together. Her favorites are "No like that!" and "I love you!" Yesterday she said, "Come on (took my hand), Boz..tv...couch...family room." She tattles too! Ellie and Calen are still surprised that when I come around the corner knowing exactly what happened. It's like a little bird told me! She doesn't have a problem communicating her wishes or feelings!  

   Maleia is interested in EVERYTHING. If her brother and sister want to do it, then she is right behind them. It amazes me that I can already explain things to her. When we were at a carnival she wanted to go on a ride with Calen. We waited in line with him, but once we got near the front I told her that she was too little, but that she could choose another ride. No tantrum. No endless pointing at the ride or grunting. She watched Calen go on the ride and then told me "Jump." She wanted to do the jump house.  

   Her personality is just fun. That's the only way to describe it. She loves to be silly. She loves to dance, paint, swing, play in the sand, use stamps. play with playdoh, and read books. She is content to be an observer and when she feels comfortable she is able to jump right in with the other kids.  

   Maleia is a good eater, but doesn't really want to eat anything until late morning. We still are using the bottle because that snuggle and eye contact time is so wonderful. We'll be working on some sleeping issues in a few weeks. Right now she starts off in her crib and then wakes up around 2:00 AM to snuggle and go back to sleep in our bed. Brendan and I have now been extremely sleep deprived for a year. Hee.  

   Halloween was wonderful with her. Last year we were on a plane on October 31st. I remember being so incredibly emotional. All of the feelings were overwhelming. It was so strange to be so scared, so joyful, so anxious, so sad all at the same time. Now, here she is...we went to the pumpkin patch half a dozen times and partied like only Cosgroves can. :)  

   

Checking out every piece of candy.

With Grandma

 

Halloween night

My two fairies and my pirate!!