Court Date? Not Yet...

So, we're still waiting for our court date. Our agency continues to estimate a 2-3 month wait period for this from time of referral, and we are headed toward the three month mark. In the meantime, Maya asks regularly if "Baby L comin'?". She proclaims all that she will share with Baby L: "Share blanket with Baby L...share supper with Baby L...share pillow with Baby L...etc". She feeds part of her snack to the picture of Baby L that hangs on our fridge. When the real deal arrives, will it be this congenial? Only time will tell!

Melkam Gena!

January 7th is the day of Ethiopian Christmas! Here's a look into what's going on:

Another Update!

We just received another update today from our Gladney caseworker, Robin. It was written by in-country staff: "What a happy little girl! I visited with her as she sat contently in her Bumbo, waving her arms and cooing. She’s pretty gregarious and when I tried to look away to put something away in my bag, she immediately began vocalizing and grunting, trying to get me to turn back around. She likes a good face-to-face conversation and good eye contact. I also think she raised her eyebrows at me at least a couple of times—inadvertently, perhaps—but she’s still a charmer!"

We showed Maya the new picture. She recognized her little sister immediately and stated, "Aww. How cute!". She then took a container of PlayDough and pretended to talk and play with Baby L while Baby L's picture stayed on the screen of the laptop. Maya is fantastic with her virtual little sister.

Updates!

Yes, I realize we haven't posted anything since November 11, 2010. Yes, I realize we haven't shared any of the updates on Baby L that we've gotten since we received our referral. I also now realize that the holiday season casts a spell over a two year old that gives her a reserve of energy not seen at any other time throughout the year. Accomplishing many things during this time, including blog updates, was only wishful thinking. But now, we're back on track! We've continued to do all that needs to be done to maintain up to date paperwork. As a matter of fact, today we received our fingerprinting appointment for immigration (needs to be updated after one year if the adoption is not yet complete): January 19th. By the time we complete this set of computerized fingerprints, the government will have a total of 7 sets of computerized prints for each of us through both adoptions. Repetetive? Seemingly so. Necessary? Yes. Do we have a choice? No. Off we'll go...

Since our referral, we've received two updates on Baby L. In the first, the in-country staff describe Baby L as "What a doll! L is such a happy, smiley little lady. She laughed easily when I gave her a little tickle on her ribs and grinned with a big, wide, gummy smile. She makes good eye contact and is such a delight. Previously, when I had gone to her room to visit her, she was asleep. She’s quite the sleeper. So when you put it all together, she seems to be a pretty easy-going, happy little girl. What a delight!".

The second was comprised of a fantastic picture (which I am able to post once we pass court), a developmental chart (she seems to be right on target) and her measurements at the time: Head circumference: 40.9 cm = 16.1 in, Weight: 5.4 kg = 11.9 lbs, Height: 61 cm = 24 in. She looks healthy and happy!

Maya is excited! How often we hear, "Baby L comin'!" She has big plans for her little sister, whether Baby L is game or not.

Aside from updating our fingerprints, we continue to wait for our assigned court date. It appears that court dates are now being scheduled for other families with our agency into the beginning of March. It's hard telling when we'll be assigned, so we just patiently wait.

We'll leave you with a look into our Christmas holiday. It was 9pm and Maya was still going strong!