Name Game

This little post is mainly so that I will remember....

It has taken no time at all to come up with a wide variety of nicknames for our sweet girl. Here are a few that you might hear called out in our home:

Ellie Belly

Ellie Tsion

Belly Girl

Tsion-y

Baby Girl

Elis-a-beth (Kenny is not a big fan of this nickname; I toyed around with named her Elisabeth and calling her Ellie for short but he just couldn't see how that worked.)

Kramer (When she rips out her bow or wakes up the middle part of her hair stands straight up like Kramer's did on Seinfeld. Cracks. Us. Up.)

Ellie Tsion Kramer Wade (This is Garrett's creation)

Bells

Bellsy

Ells-a-bells

Ell

Ells

Tsiony-Baloney

Adoption Tax Credit to Expire???

I saw this over at our friend's blog:

Did you realize that the Federal tax credit for adoption (of up to $12,500) is set to expire in December 2010? The tax credit is a huge help to families…helping make a very expensive undertaking a bit more affordable. Many of us already back have benefited from it, and others who are waiting to go are counting on it!

Fortunately, there is a bill before Congress that will prevent it from expiring and will actually make it permanent. If you will, can you take a moment to write your Congressman or woman? Encourage your representatives to sign The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213. Find out how to contact them here.

Please, please, please, stop what you are doing right now and take the 5 minutes to go make a difference for so many families and children all around the world!

Guess Who Got Some New Specs?

A few weeks ago Garrett's eye doctor came in town from Connecticut (yay for us - we didn't have to make the trip up north this year). We were so excited to learn that his eyes have "grown up" so much over the past year.... his depth perception used to be functioning at a 30% and now it is at 90%! AND, AND his astigmatism is completely gone! I was amazed as I watched Garrett go through over an hour of testing (the same as last year); I vividly remember how weak and clumsy he looked last year as he went through the testing. This year he appeared so strong and confident. It's amazing how much of a difference one year and some magical glasses can make!

Today the new specs came in the mail - doesn't he look handsome? I think so!

Two Months

We've been home from Ethiopia for about two months now, and I honestly cannot remember the time Ellie wasn't home. Well, okay, when I take both kids to the grocery store, I remember then how much easier it was with just one! But really, life with both of our kiddos is so sweet. Hectic, yes. Trying at times, yes. But overall, we are head-over-heels-madly-in-love with the TWO precious children God has given us the honor to parent.

Here are a few fun pictures from the past few weeks:

You Likey?

Do you like my new blog header? It was created by none other than our oh-so-fabulous friend, Janet. Go take a peek at her fabulous site and blog!

Caught in the Act of a Little Sibling Sweetness

Yesterday afternoon while I was cooking dinner, I put Ellie in her high chair with some fruit, and Garrett was off somewhere playing. The next thing I knew I heard shrieks of laughter coming from both of the kids. Garrett had come into the kitchen and was tickling and kissing on his sister. While our days ARE sprinkled with sibling love, it is very rare that my 4 1/2 year old, non-napper boy is in a really sweet, affectionate mood so late in the day. So, I ran to grab my camera....proof for Daddy that the big brother really does love the little sister in the evenings.

The last two pictures were some other fun moments from the afternoon....Garrett tickled about something and Ellie chasing me saying her latest and greatest phrase "DEESE!" (cheese) when she sees the camera.

A little playing with Brandon, Jess and Jordyn

On Sunday we met up with Brandon, Jess and Jordyn for a little play time, and the kiddos had so much fun! The "big kids" (Garrett and Jordyn) ran and chased and squealed and hollered until they were wiped out while Ellie tried her best to keep up or do her own thing! It was wonderful to see ya'll B family!