Then and now

It's now been a little over a year since I first learned that a certain little Ethiopian girl named Mekdelawit would likely be my daughter. It was Christmas Eve 2007 when I received her referral and what a great Christmas it was, looking at her picture over and over again with my family and friends, and thinking forward to Christmas 2008 when she'd be with me. (Read my post about it here.) Back then it seemed somewhat unreal to me, that this little girl would be part of me, but now I can't imagine my life without her.

Here are some pictures of her then at 10 months, and now at 22 months.

THEN...

AND NOW...

(on Christmas morning looking at what Santa left for her under the tree)

First Haircut

Layla got her first haircut today (thanks to Aunt Sue!). Here she is showing off how good it looks. She's also pretty excited about our Christmas tree, my first one ever as an adult. (Bah, humbug!)

Saying goodbye to Mishi

Today I lost my dear friend of 17 years, my beloved dog Mishi. I am so thankful that she graced my life for so long with her love, devotion, and gentle spirit. But during the last 5 months, I’ve been keenly aware of the contrast in my life… As my life was brightened immensely by the sheer joy that comes from having Layla in it, it was also darkened by watching my sweet Mishi’s health deteriorate until she was only a shell of her former self (the pictures above show her in her youth). The positive life force in Layla was in stark contrast to the diminishing life in Mishi. I had both ends of the spectrum in my life: the beginning and the end of life. Each moment I celebrated life with Layla through love and laughter, I was also aware of my poor Mishi who started to suffer more and more with her health. Although she still played with her toys and shoes occasionally, her joy for life was being overcome by the pain and stress on her body.

Finally, today I made that most difficult decision to allow Mishi to be at peace forever. I was with her when she went, and it was a peaceful passing. She is now free of physical pain and can live on in my memories and in the doggie afterlife, where she is probably running through fields, beating up on other dogs, and carrying shoes around, in other words, celebrating life.

I miss Mishi terribly, but am happy that she is not in pain any more. Mishi was infinitely gentle and patient with Layla, even during past phases when Layla tormented her. In the end, Layla grew to love, respect, and show compassion for Mishi, and especially enjoyed hugging and kissing her, and giving her doggie cookies. There is a huge void in our lives, but Mishi is now in a better place. Here is a picture from back in June, when Layla and Mishi were still getting to know each other.

In celebration of Mishi’s life, here is a video of her from a few years ago when she could still enjoy the simple things in life. This is how I want to remember her always. (I know it's a little dark, but you should be able to see her wagging her tail and carrying the shoe around.)

While I'm celebrating life, here is a video of my other beloved dog Newt, who I lost in March. (Read about Newt here.) This is how I want her to live on in my memories.

May they rest in peace, along with all the other pure creatures and people who have graced my life.

My first Halloween

For my first Halloween, I celebrated for two days! I went trick or treating with Kelsie, had fun at the fall festival at day care, and handed out candy and went trick or treating again at my house. Although I don't completely understand the event, I think I like it! My favorite parts were putting my hands inside a pumpkin at day care, playing with Kelsie, eating Kit Kats, playing with my neighbor Rick, and handing candy out to all the other kids. So many people commented on my cuteness over just these two days that I won't be surprised if I am a complete snob when I grow up and become the next Halle Berry.

Party girl

Here are some pictures from cousin Jadyn's birthday party last weekend.

I love to play outside with my cousins.

Cousin Jadyn, adorable birthday girl.

Grammy and me.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful (even when blurry).

Uncle Mike, I think I love you!

To cousin Quinn... Oh no you DIDN'T just push me!!

Multiple personalities

Layla is back to her sweet and happy self, although still bossy and demanding in a cute way. I have concluded that her nastiness since she started in daycare is mostly due to not feeling well. She has been sick non-stop, and was just diagnosed again with fluid in her ears and also a sore throat. This current illness started about 5 days after she was done with her last round of antibiotics. This is her 4th time being treated for ear infections since she's been home. We meet with the pediatrician next week to determine next steps (low dose antibiotic for longer term, allergy meds, or ENT consult).

What a joy to have my sweet little girl back. She is so loving and funny and smart!

Below are some pictures of Layla during happy, healthy times playing outside, and inside throwing a football, while watching football. (She gets excited over everything football related.) I'm also including one picture of her typical evil personality coming out during the most recent ear infection discovery phase, just to give you a taste of what she was like during those few days. Poor thing must have been so uncomfortable.

Sweet and happy Layla:

Layla's alternate personality:

Layla's in love

I was hoping to wait at least another 10 or 15 years to say this, but Layla has a boyfriend and she's in love. His name is Bryan and he loves her, too. I guess if my little girl is going to fall in love with a man, I'm happy it's Bryan and not some loser. At least she has good taste.

Praying for Samuel

Please say a prayer and send all the good thoughts that can be mustered to Samuel Phillipson and his family. Samuel is a precious, 3-1/2 little boy brought home with his brother from Ethiopia just 5 weeks ago. He was in a terrible accident over the weekend; here is the accounting from the Phillipson's blog:

Samuel was injured today in an accident involving the tractor. He was airlifted from the park behind our house to Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. We need prayers.

Currently he is still in surgery and will need many, many more. He has lost one leg below-the-knee and the other they are trying to save to the ankle. One arm is broken near the shoulder but the elbow is more critical - open fractures with tissue damage/missing.

His pelvis is also fractured on one side. His buttocks and back are injured and he needs a colostomy. If he continues to do well in surgery tonight that will be performed now.

His vitals are good. He was awake up until surgery where we were able to kiss him.

Please lift him up. He's such a precious, vivacious, mischievous guy.

I met little Samuel at Hope's Place when I was in Ethiopia. Such a gentle and sweet boy. My heart goes out to him and his family... Words cannot express.

I've added a photo (courtesy of Julie Gumm) to this blog that links to an informational site on Samuel's progress.

I'm one of those parents

I'm one of those parents who thinks my child is the prettiest, smartest, and funniest child of all children ever. Only in my case, I'm right! ;)

I'm shamelessly posting these adorable pictures of Layla taken at her cousins' birthday party last weekend. Oh, and I captured the birthday boys, too. Happy birthday Sean and Christian!

Don't make her mad!

As I was saying in my last post, Layla is the sweetest, cutest, and most loving child... except for when she's crying, screaming, throwing things, and showcasing her tiredness and neediness.

Did I mention that she LOVES books? She reads them on her own, or will hand them to me, then sit in my lap for me to read them to her. She also loves watching TV, even if it's the news or a football game, although her favorite is Blue's Clues. Once while watching a Steelers game, she actually mimicked the ref by making the hand motions for a false start. She's very perceptive and nothing gets by her.

Oh yea, she is learning sign language at daycare. She knows eat, please, and more, and uses the signs for these words just as if they were spoken words.

She also dances like crazy still. I've got to get some video!

Here are some of the many sides of Layla.

The girl has attitude

I've been reprimanded for not updating my blog so here I am. It's not that I'm too busy to post. On the contrary, I have plenty of time while she's sleeping or playing. I just never know what to write, and I have no cute recent pictures of her. I'll take a stab at an update, though.

Layla has grown like a weed. When we were in Ethiopia, I had her in size 3.5 shoes and she was swimming in them. Well, she was just measured the other day and now wears a size 5! Big girl! She also officially grew out of some of her 12 month shirts. Can't wait to get new measurements on her. Unfortunately, she has had a cough or runny nose or both almost non-stop since she started daycare over a month ago. I am on my second cold-like thing in the same period of time. Oh, the joys of daycare. Which doesn't mean that I'm displeased with her daycare. Au contraire, they are wonderful and I couldn't be happier!

Layla is also talking a lot. Her vocabulary includes: doggie, kitty, hi, bye, Layla, Kelsie, bird, bunny, Blue's Clues (with corresponding hand motion), mommy, mama, and much more. Now, they may not sound like the actual word she's attempting, but it's clear what she's trying to say. Example, bird is "birr" and bunny is "buh." Other things are very clear, like mommy and mama, which sometime come out as "bobby" and "baba," and sometimes "mommy" and "mama." Her understanding of the English language is incredible for only being here for 4 months.

I don't know if it's the lack of a proper sleep schedule, the transition to daycare, the constant sickness, the teething (she now has her canines!), or a combination thereof, but lately she's not been a very nice person. Of course, she is still cute and sweet when she wants to be. However, when she is tired or not getting her way, she can be quite whiney and b*&%$y. She often whines "Mam, Mam" when she can't do something on her own that she wants to do so I come and help her. She gets sooo mad when I don't let her do something that she wants to do. And she wants to do absolutely everything I do. I have to say that I admire her spunk and spirit and determination, I'd rather have her that way than not wanting to do anything on her own. However, I am hoping that this whineyness will pass and I will get my sweet daughter back again full-time.

Lots of cute things too, as she grows up so quickly. She hugs really well, gives kisses, is happy at daycare and plays with the other kids, says her own name very cutely ("alala"), points her finger and reprimands me when she wants me to stop interfering with her current mission (okay, that one is only gonna be cute one or two more times, then I'll file it with "whiney"), and I almost forgot... I thought she looked cute in summer clothes, but man does she look beautiful in her new fall clothes!

I have started back at exercise class to lose my "baby weight." Since I eat differently now (i.e., more meals, more complete meals, Layla's food she doesn't eat, some modest treats that I never kept in the house before) and haven't been working out, I did gain several pounds.

Here is a relatively recent picture of Layla playing with stickers and watching TV (her favorite pastime). Check out that attitude written all over her face.

Pictures from Ethiopia

Elena's friend - and my ET travel buddy - Gwen sent me some of her pictures from our trip to Ethiopia. This is the very first time I met Layla.

Both Layla and I fell asleep in the Ethiopia Airlines office at the Hilton, where we went later that night to "confirm" our return flight to the U.S. I had gone for two nights without sleep, and Layla had missed her nap that day. We were both pooped!

Gwen also got some great pictures of Ethiopian scenery. I only had eyes for Layla (Mekdelawit at the time) during the whole trip, so while I have tons of pictures of her, I have very few of the scenery. Thanks for all the great pictures, Gwen!

Some highlights from the last week

Layla and I went with Tina, Paul and Aiden to the animal park in Donegal last weekend. (Happy birthday, Tina - we had a great time spending it with you!) It was a successful day in every regard except that I have a hard time seeing animals in cages. Layla called all the furry animals "doggie" and seemed to have a good time feeding the ducks and petting the pygmy goats. She and Aiden totally hit it off and spent much of the day staring into each other's eyes. Aiden even taught Layla a trick with her mouth, which she's been doing ever since. I think Aiden could be her future husband. He's 10 months younger than her so she can be the older woman!


I've gone from having a beautiful, joyful, humorous, and oh so fun Layla all to myself every waking hour... to spending only a few hours with an exhausted, cranky, whiny, and not so fun Layla in the evenings. She hasn't completely adjusted to her new sleeping schedule, and never naps for very long at day care. The staff there get to see her at her best all day; one day last week they wrote on her daily report: "Layla is a very happy child and is a joy to have here."

Tonight after her normal bout of whining and crying after day care, Layla got in a good mood and discovered YouTube. She danced her heart out to her favorite songs and then decided she had to be just like me and actually use the computer.