gotcha day

 The day has arrived, March 13. One year ago today we landed in Ethiopia and visited Crew at the orphanage but this time we were able to take him back to the hotel with us making him a forever member of our family.  What a wonderful and at times difficult year it has been.  Crew is such a wonderful addition to our family that I can't imagine our lives without him and I know our kids would agree.

This year we have seen Crew:
1. Go from crawling and pulling up on furniture to walking independently/running.
2.  Get his first tooth and now he has 8 plus two more coming in.
3.  Say his first word "Daddy."
4. Accept us as his family and this house as his home plus some Grandparents and aunts/uncles into his life.
5. Go from 7 feedings of 8 ounce bottles of formula to eating solid foods and drinking whole milk from a sippy cup.
6.  Sleep through the night (for the most part).
7. Dance to music.
8. Love playing with his siblings.
9. Enjoy climbing up and down the stairs safely.
10. Go to St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Rockford, and Disney World.
11. Feed himself with a spoon even if messy most of the time and sit in a highchair even if he screams at times.

I have also seen what a loving big brother and big sister, Parker and Hayley can be.  Parker is a very sensitive brother and loves Crew a lot.  Crew still cries when left with babysitters and the other night Crew was crying. I came upstairs to check on him and Parker was holding him standing up.  The next day Parker said to me "mom you should have come to get Crew sooner because my arms are hurting."  Poor Parker had sore muscles from holding Crew so long.  Hayley has also gone from seeing Crew as a competitor to a friend and play mate.

Here are some pictures from today.  Crew is teething so I couldn't get one without his hands in his mouth but here are the three kids together.

Crew enjoying our celebration at Culver's.  He really does love ice cream and could probably eat it at every meal.  A boy after his mom's heart.

Here are two activities that Crew really enjoys.  Crew is very good at riding his bike and other ride on toys that are feet powered.  He is a little short for a few but can stand in his tip toes and still move it some how.

Crew also loves this dog and a pig that is similar.  He loves toys that make noises and have piece you put in and take out.

Here are some pictures from the original Gotcha Day.  Oh how he has changed in a year.

Crew and us having a nap at the orphanage before we went back to our hotel.

 The nannies saying good bye to Crew before we left.  We thank God for the care they took of Crew for us before we were able to take him home.

 Crew sleeping in his stroller/crib at the hotel the first night together.

Crew looking very sad at the hotel when we realized how much his life just changed.  He cried for three plus hours before falling asleep for about eleven hours for the night.  I think his little body just shut down from the stress.  

The kiddos

I thought I would try to post a few pictures of our kids activities and play.

Parker: 

Every Saturday night you will find us at Game Time Gym at either 5, 6, or 7 p.m. to route on Parker as he plays basketball.  These are pictures from Parker's first time in organized basketball.  He is really enjoying it.  It is a Kindergarten/first grade league so he is coming out on the small size but Parker is starting to understand the game more so he is able to position himself better in order to get the ball.  Parker has a great shot but needs to be more aggressive.  He hasn't hung out with his Dad long enough while he played in sports.  He could learn a thing or two about aggressiveness in sports.

Hayley: 

Hayley was in a Christmas dance recital in December.  She preformed on the stage at Central Catholic with six of her classmates.  She did a great job on stage.  Doing her best to follow the dance routine her teacher taught her. This pictures below is at her dance recital.  She would not move any closer to Santa Clause even with Santa and my prompting.  

Here is Hayley and Crew enjoying the box that my mom's Christmas tree came out of.  Hayley and Crew have really bonded in the fast six months.  It is so fun to see them play and enjoy each other.

Hayley has started to become interested in everything Disney princess.  She has not seen any of the movies because we are afraid that the "bad" characters are too scary for her but she enjoys the books.  That is what she is holding in her hand.  Probably our trip to Disney World helped spark this interest as well.

Crew:

Crew is a very sweet boy who is starting to explore more and enjoy playing with toys.  He loves to wear hats during play and so I have several pictures of him in different hats.  He was running around in a pointed princess hat today but was too fast for me to take a picture of him.  

Here is Crew playing at his new train table he got for Christmas.  He is trying to figure out how this "Cranky" the crane works.