Rowan Family Tree

We are parents! to TWINS!

Oct. 24th | Posted by 71 comments

Amazing, astounding news…

We are parents!

To two lovely 2+ year old little girls.

 

Never in our wildest dreams did we dream of two girls – much less 2 year old twins! Daddy is a little shocked – Mommy is overwhelmed.

We received an email from our agency Thursday afternoon and had to suffer through 7 more hours apart before both of us were home together at 8:30pm to open the email and see our daughters for the first time. 13 months, 20 days and 6 more hours… and worth every minute. We are incredibly excited and thrilled.

Thank you for celebrating with us! We will post more video / info when we can!

Nicky & Jrock

 

FAQs

When do you travel to Ethiopia to pick them up?

There is a court process for them to legally become our kids (2-8 weeks) and then an immigration/citizenship process (1-4 months). THEN, we will be able to fly to Ethiopia and pick them up.  So we are guessing now – February or March? But only a guess. 

So this is for sure now?

Well – 95% for sure.  There is a possibility that the court process may not go through, but that has only happened to one family of the dozens we know. So we are optimistic. 

Are you changing their names?

Yes and no.  We will be keeping their beautiful Ethiopian names as middle names.  We’re selecting new first names over the next while.

Are you prepared?

Heck no! We weren’t sure about ages or genders, so our kids room looks like some kind of explosion zone.  We don’t know if they will be in cribs or beds, for example, so we’ll have to get another of one or the other… but the nesting is definitely one of the most pleasurable things about becoming new parents, right? 

Why did you put 2+ years as their age?

Their birth date is exactly the same date they came into the Ethiopian orphanage, so we are making an educated guess that they made an educated guess about their ages.  But they are probably between 2-3 years old…   Currently one girl is 20 lbs and 33.5 inches; the other girl is 21 lbs and 34 inches.

Are they identical twins?

We don’t know! They sure look alike.  But we could also immediately tell them apart, so…? J 

 

Some inspiration…

 

from Nelson Mandela

“Children are the rock on which our future will be built.”

 

from Kahlil Gibran – a Lebanese poet

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

71 comments Add a comment

  1. Laura

    CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO!!!

    When are we celebrating and planning our trip together to pick up all four of our girls?

    TWINS! This is so exciting! So glad you got to hear the news before the weekend, I was starting to stress when I didn’t hear anything.

    I’m e-mailing you!

    Laura


  2. Karen

    I just congratulated you by email, but it’s just not enough! I had to come to your blog and do the same!

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

    Oh shoot, I’m crying those happy tears again. So thrilled for you!

    Karen

    PS. For your guessing at clothing sizes and shopping pleasures… Elsha is 34 inches currently at age 2years, 2months old and is wearing mostly size 2′s. However, she’s also 29lbs :)


  3. Nicky

    My Okanagan peeps were the first congrats – thanks peeps!


  4. Kari

    I will join the ranks of e-mailers and posters. We are so thrilled for you both. I wish a speedy rest of the process and that before you know it you will each be holding a beautiful little girl in your arms. Nothing beats a sweet little girl, but maybe I am biased. Congrats!!!
    -Kari


  5. Alicia

    CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO ON YOUR TWO THAT ARE TWO!!! AMAZING!! What a joyous day!

    I have 25 month old twin girl niece (identical) and they are 25 and 26lbs. Sofia is 17 months (been home for 5 months) and is 27lbs. Just a little FYI. Sofia was 19lbs when we met her.

    I can’t wait to hear their names, yours and the Ethiopian ones. I hope that you have a very speedy court date and that they are in your arms, where they belong, quickly!

    All my best,
    Alicia


  6. Shannon

    Congratulations Mommy and Daddy!!!! I am so excited for you guys. I hope time flies for you so you can hold your little girls in your arms soon.

    Shannon


  7. Melissa

    AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I’m so excited for you! Twins?! Wow! I laughed outloud and burst into tears when I read that. Overwhelming for sure but so exciting. So awesome. Wow. Congratulations. So sweet. You guys are going to do just fine. Congrats. Looking forward to seeing where the next many months take you all.


  8. Dianne

    Oh wow!! How wonderful!! A million congratulations to you both! Two daughters! What an incredible gift! I hope everything moves swiftly and you are with them before you know it!

    Dianne


  9. Nicky

    Thanks to all you late-night BCers!!!!


  10. Gina

    Congratulations!!!! I’m SO thrilled for you! They are beautiful girls! They look very much like S right now, and she’s currently 31 months and 29 lbs. Can’t remember her height. We’re in Hawaii on a holiday and I couldn’t resist responding to your fabulous news! Have fun planning their room and let me know if you have any questions about 2-3 year olds! They’re a handful! And sooo special. Such brilliance at this age. Yay!!

    Gina


  11. Kim

    Oh my goodness! Congratulations! You both must be over the moon! I am so happy for you. I just read your news on the yahoo board (yah for good news in BC today!) and am so absolutely thrilled for you. I can’t wait to follow along on the next exciting step of your journey and am hoping to be not to far behind you guys.
    I can’t wait to hear more details!
    There will be a big smile on my face and my heart for you and your girls tonight as my head hits the pillow.
    Again enjoy the bliss and try to get some sleep tonight!


  12. JourneytoFamily

    Congratulations! What wonderful news! A double blessing!!!


  13. Danielle

    CONGRATULATIONS ROWAN FAMILY!!!! Wow, TWINS!!! You’ve had such a long wait but totally worth it after seeing those faces I’m sure!! Enjoy the post-referral high!! I am excited to hear the names you’ve chosen!


  14. CinnamonOpus

    Wonderful, fantastic, magical news! I know I already emailed you, but we’re just thrilled for you two! They’re so beautiful, and the adventure of being parents to two little girls is just beginning. Enjoy this day, this weekend, the first step on that parenthood journey — because it’s a day you’re never ever going to forget.

    I can’t tell you how happy we are for you!


  15. Mal's Mama

    I’ve already said it on the forum, but WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!
    Btw, I did a 3 month study on twins in University- one way to tell is hair texture. If their hair differs in ANY way, they’re fraternal :)


  16. Janice

    Congratulations!! I am happy for you guys and was so excited to read the post.


  17. Carolyn

    Hey there- I can’t believe it!!!!! Twins- you are sooo lucky! Adam and I are thrilled for you both- Congratulations you are now a proud mommy and daddy!

    Carolyn


  18. Julie

    WOW! Congratulations! That is so exciting!!


  19. Eileen

    Congratulations!! Twin girls – you are twice blessed. I hope your time to travel goes quickly.

    Enjoy staring at their pictures
    Eileen


  20. Jaclyn

    CONGRATULATIONS!!! Twin girls….ahhh!! that is the most wonderful news!!


  21. june

    Aaah!!!! Yay! Congratulations! I hope getting their room ready makes the next part of the wait fly by. Start with a fun shopping spree for cute girls clothes!!

    june


  22. Ramona

    I’m not sure if I’ve commented on your blog before… but I check it often to see if you’ve gotten your news yet… and here it is!! Congratulations! Wow- 2 precious little girls. What a gift what a celebration!
    Ramona


  23. Rana

    Wow!!!! Congratulations Nicky and Jrock!!!! TWIN GIRLS -YAHOOOOOOOOOO!

    You guys waited a really long time for this – all the best as your prepare to bring your daughters home!

    Can’t wait to hear more about the referral moment.

    Hugs,

    Rana


  24. Mary Catherine

    So, so happy for you! I have been reading your blog and I’m so happy and relieved for you:) Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the bliss of seeing those little faces!!!!


  25. Sherri

    Yippee!!!!!!!!!! We are SO happy for you!!!!!!

    Sherri


  26. Natalie

    CONGRATULATIONS TWINS…. that is amazing. I can’t even imagine what you both must be feeling right now. I can’t wait to hear more and see more after the court dates. Here’s to a speedy court date and visa processing.
    Natalie


  27. Jody

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :) :)

    Hopefully things will progress from here very quickly.

    Pink, Pink and more pink, sometimes purple, will fill your home. Have fun!!


  28. Tammy

    Absolutely incredible, congratulations!


  29. Kim Arpin-Ricci

    Congrats! I am so excited for you both. What an amazing ending to a long wait. Enjoy the next few months preparing for your precious twins to come home. I hope that this next stage goes quickly.
    Blessings
    Kim


  30. Nathalie

    I had to run over here to and congratulate!!!!!!!!
    I’m hoping they will be good friends of Abby!!
    By the way, she’s 29lbs and about 90cm (at 3.5 years), she hasn’t actually grown anything since referral in April?!

    Anyways, sooooo happy for you both!!!!
    nathalie


  31. Rhonda

    HOLY CRAP!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Isn’t it the best feeling when you see those little faces pop up :) Twins, you’re going to busy, and it’s going to be great!!!!

    Rhonda


  32. Courtney

    Hooray!!!!! Congrats Nicky and JRock, what fabulous news!!!! I’m thrilled for you and I hope that the process to go and get your girls is lightening fast!


  33. Jenny

    Rob and I are very thrilled for your guys!!!!You are going to have so much fun shopping x2! I will be stalking your blog from here on in for sure! Amazing news!!

    Jenny


  34. Karen (in sk)

    Congratulations!!! I’m am SO VERY HAPPY for you! How VERY EXCITING!

    Praying you don’t have to wait too long to bring them home!

    Blessings,
    karen (in sk)


  35. shauna

    Wow! That was worth waiting for, eh? TWIN GIRLS! Amazing…

    Congratulations, Nicky and Jrock! Hope you will have them in your arms soon.

    Can’t wait to meet you all at Naramata!

    Shauna


  36. sandi

    Congrats you guys that was a very long haul!!!!!!!!


  37. Karen

    Congratulations!!! I am all teary, excited, and happy for your family. May this last part of the journey to your girls pass swiftly.

    Savour this moment!

    Al the best,
    Karen


  38. patricia tredrea

    I am so excited to hear your wonderful news. I am so thrilled for you two! Twin girls, how huge a blessing is that. Worth the wait, I’m sure. Jenny Adachi’s Mum


  39. Ricki

    Yahoo yippee! Twin girls! Congrats yet again! Enjoy your first weekend of being parents!!!! The referral high is an amazing feeling so soak it all in while you can!!
    We are so happy for you…you definately waited longer than expected but oh how worth it!!!!
    Ricki


  40. Michelle

    OH I’m sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy for you! YAYAYAY!! That is soo exciting and I wish you all the best!! What wonderful, STUPENDOUS news. And twins. That is wonderful. I’m cheering up a storm, that’s for sure! You’ve waited a long time! Twins! Icing on the cake for sure!

    ME

    P.S. Can you see I’m excited! That could mean that we’re next! LOL!!


  41. Cara

    Wonderful news. Congratulations. Best wishes as you prepare your home for these two little ones.


  42. Jillian

    What wonderful news! Twins! Congratulations! I hope you are both enjoying these once-in-a-lifetime moments of excitement. What a thrill!


  43. Paula and Michael

    Congratulations on your referral of twin girls! We’ve been following your blog for a while. So happy for both of you.
    Sincerely,
    The Stokes Family
    New Brunswick
    Waiting for a referral from Ethiopia


  44. Historica

    Wow ! Congratulation ! I read your blog since this summer and I am so hapy for your referral.


  45. Lorie

    Congratulations!!!!!!!! Teins..How very exciting!


  46. Lorie

    ooops…I mean TWINS!!


  47. Ricki

    Oh and I just wanted to remind you that I “predicted” 2 year old twins….’cept I said a boy and a girl…but hey pretty close?!?!?!?!


  48. Shelley

    Fantastic news!!!! I can only imagine how thrilled you both must be. Best wishes for an amazingly fast process until they are in your arms forever!!


  49. Barb

    Oh wow!!! Congratualtions!!

    I tell ya’ … I left the computer for a few hours and the whole world changes. You, Jrock and the pups must be so excited! What a way to spend the weekend!!!

    Our girls will be close in age, so we can swap stories and ideas over the years! What a thrill.

    Congratulations to all of you! Enjoy a wonderful weekend.

    This referral could not have come to two more patient, ready and expectant parents. You will be such wonderful parents to these two beautiful girls!

    We are celebrating here for you as well!

    Barb


  50. Claire

    How wonderful!!!!!! I know you have waited a very long time! I am so happy for you both!!!
    We would love to see pics if you are emailing!

    Dimitri and Claire
    (starting homestudy..maybe this week!)


  51. Andrea

    I sent you an email, but also wanted to post a huge congrats! A


  52. Alicia

    I am still beyond thrilled for you two. AMAZING News!! I think I feel extra excited about your girls because of my identical twin 2 year old nieces…. OOOH, I’m still giddy for you. I am now going to have a glass of wine and toast your good news!!


  53. Karen

    Hi there.

    I posted congratulations on the Yahoo group, but it’s impossible to go overboard with the good wishes when the news is this amazing! So many people have been following your journey and I’ve certainly admired how well you’ve handled the long wait. I know YOU probably don’t think you were handling it too well at times. :)

    I love reading about your adventures with your hubby and your dogs, but things are about to get even more fun!

    Congratulations again. You’re going to be wonderful parents to those precious little girls.

    Karen T.
    Mom to Eric from Ethiopia, 17 months


  54. haze

    YAAY!!! This is so wonderful!! TWINS!! TWINS!! TWINS!!

    I am so happy for you both. After all these months of waiting, now you finally know who your children are. I can’t wait to follow along these next steps. CONGRATULATIONS!


  55. Natasha Salaash

    Oh Nicky I am just so happy for you. It is crazy actually how happy I am!!! You have waited so long and have been so patient. I can’t wait to hear more. Have fun planning! By the way, I love Gibran.
    Natasha


  56. Rebecca

    Congrats!! Thanks so much for blogging your experience, I have loved reading it.

    Rebecca
    Northern BC
    Planning on starting the process to adopt from Ethiopia


  57. Tracey

    Oh my goodness, I just logged on to the CAFAC board and read your good news. You must be “over-the-moon” excited!!! Congratulations Mommy and Daddy! Now the fun stuff begins!
    yay!!


  58. Chantal Andreas

    Congrats! How very exciting!!! So glad to here of this wonderful new!!!! Take care on the journey ahead! Blessings:)


  59. Laura

    There are no words to describe what you both must be feeling. What an amazing moment…take it all in. Laura


  60. Debbie

    congratulations……I remember when we first met….you were just begining. I am so happy for you.
    Blessings
    Debbie


  61. Jen

    Wow, that is amazing news! I can’t wait for my turn. Enjoy all the preparation and celebrating. It has been a long time coming and you deserve it!
    Can’t wait to hear more about your journey.
    Congratulations!
    Jen


  62. Donna 'littleone'

    Congratulations! Twin girls, what a wonderful gift! So worth the long wait. Here is hoping for a speedy travel date and I would loe to sneak a peak if you are sharing.


  63. rebecca

    Congratulations you guys! Can’t wait to see the cute girls!!


  64. Habesha Child

    Wow – congratulations! How thrilling!


  65. Stephanie

    Congratulations!!! Enjoy memorizing their beautiful faces!!

    Steph :-)


  66. Barbara

    Wow, look what happens when i go off the board for a couple of days! I’m last to the party! Congratulations! Wishing you a speedy courtdate.


  67. Sharla

    I have been gone all weekend and when I got back, I checked the Yahoo board and when I saw “It’s twins”, I thought…”oh I so hope that post was started by ‘Nicky’” and almost woke my kids with a happy scream when I saw that it was. Congratulations you guys…so happy for you!


  68. Alicia

    Congratulations!! This is soo wonderful!!! I can’t wait to follow along the rest of your journey! I hope that you have a super speedy court date! CONGRATS!!
    Alicia & John


  69. tkynde

    Fantastic news Nicky and Jrock! I’m very, very happy for the four of you! You ARE wonderful parents!!! May you always be as happy as you are today! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Enjoy every moment of this wonderful and amazing journey!!!

    Clinks,
    T


  70. me

    Congrats on the babies! The video you made was very touching. I noticed that you mentioned you were changing the names of the girls…I was wondering why you’re doing that? Are you planning to give them ‘white’ names or Ethiopian names?


Add a Comment





reset all fields