My favoite age

Nataga just turned two and turned into even more of a cutie in doing so (which I didn't think was possible). I know a lot of mom's will say that "every age is their favorite". Not so for me. I remember him screaming constantly at six months for about a week until we figured out his teeth were coming in... I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed by him at times b/c I had never been around kids that small for long periods of time. Don't get me wrong, I liked his younger age, and you learn what to do with your child as time goes by. That age just came with a lot of uncertainty and a LOT of learning on my part! He was a lot of fun and was a GREAT baby. However, THIS age is for sure my favorite. I LOVE to hear the things he does and says. Tonight we went walking b/c it cooled down to 80 degrees!!! There were sirens that passed by while we walked and Nati imitated them. It was so funny and I have to say he does a mean firetruck impression. People walking by were also getting a kick out of it. He loudly copied the noises and even had the changing siren noises the trucks make. We were wishing we had a video camera!!! He loves ducks and called a few over to our area earlier in our walk! Also while we were driving home he copied the turn signal noise. He is really good at mimicking noises.

Then when David was putting him to sleep they were joking around making different noises and Nati tells David "You're so cute". I know he hears us tell him that all of the time. It was so funny to hear him repeat it! I have very much enjoyed an insight to his thoughts. It's interesting to hear what is in that head of his. He is such a little smarty and a joy. I constantly thank God for him and find myself thinking how lucky we are to have such a great child! His name means "gift of God" and that is what he is! I can't imagine not having him. Adoption is the best!

He always finds a way to make me smile!

Yesterday I sat down for a snack and was eating raw broccoli. Anything that we eat Nataga likes to try, also. So, seconds after I take a bite Nati is standing right in front of me begging (he had already had his snack). He is very picky about texture and knowing he wouldn't eat it, I gave him a piece of broccoli. He puts it in his mouth and runs off playing. I was shocked b/c I was sure he wouldn't eat it. Thirty minutes later we are playing with his cars when I notice he has an unusually puffy cheek. Confused about what could be in his mouth I ask him to give me whatever is in his mouth. He pulls out the piece of broccoli and tells it "bye, bye", smiling big and waving.

Growing like a weed!!!

Nataga had his two year old check up yesterday! Everything looked great!
We were really excited b/c he has finely grown out of the 5th percentile.
He is now:
35th for height
14th for weight

Speaking of growing:
Nataga outgrew his cow bath towel and got a bunny one for his birthday. He was so excited. It is funny what kids enjoy getting! :)

The Birthday Boy!

Nataga is now 2 years old!!!

Nothing like a birthday cake!

Especially when it is finger-licking-G O O D!

We are blessed by this little boy daily. Happy Birthday Nati!

Family pictures

My sister took these for me! I love them. I have been meaning to post them for a while but we've been SO busy. Scroll down for 4 more posts that I posted today!

Ethiopian Lunch

A couple of weeks back we had a Gladney Family Association Ethiopia lunch. All of the kids and families from the area that were/had adopted from Ethiopia got together. Nati found a couple of new friends. :)

Growing up so quick

Next week Nataga will be 2 years old! I cannot believe how quickly time flies! The biggest area I've seen change in, is his speech. Some of the words that he used to say I'll really miss. It is fun to hear him mature in his speech, though. Recently he went from Mommy (monkey), to Monk, and now he can say Monkey. His Element changed to Elephant, Nuck is now duck, etc. He is learning his alphabet also.

Enkutatas, Happy New Year!

September 11^th marks the new year celebration, Enkutatas, in Ethiopia! As the close to the rainy season draws near, Ethiopians enjoy celebrating the spring-like arrival of their new year. It is also the Feast of St. John the Baptist. The day is called Enkutatas meaning the "gift of jewels." When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her back by replenishing her treasury with enku or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since these early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside. After dark on New Year's Eve people light fires outside their houses.

The main religious celebration takes place at the 14th-century Kostete Yohannes church in the city of Gaynt within the Gondar Region. Three days of prayers, psalms, and hymns, sermons, and massive colorful processions mark the advent of the New Year. Closer to Addis Ababa, the Raguel Church, on top of the Entoto Mountain north of the city, has the largest and most spectacular religious celebration. But Enkutatas is not exclusively a religious holiday, and the little girls singing and dancing in pretty new dresses among the flowers in the fields convey the message of springtime and renewed life. Today's Enkutatas is also the season for exchanging formal New Year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated in lieu of the traditional bouquet of flowers.

When meeting friends and neighbors on the new year, Amharic speakers share the greeting, “Enquan laddis amet aderesachuh,” or, “wishing you all a happy new year.”