Life is resuming at home now - although I have to admit it’s hard being at the house so much, and not having the dogs running about. But the girls are making slow but steady progress with the dogs (the dogs now can run about on the floor as long as the girls are perched on the table or counter) and I’m trying to encourage some more independent play so I get a few moments to myself. (So far, under 15 minutes a day :-S but I’m working on it.)
Anyway, we’ve had somevisitors… We went tot he beach today with a friend, my godparents stopped by for some peach cobbler on their way through town, and my oldest friend (my godparent’s daughter) is in town from Australia, where she’s lived the last 6/7 years, with her two little girls in tow.Â
We’re had ice cream three times this week - the girls love it, but I’d better cut it down if I want to keep off the pounds I lost in Ethiopia! And we’re been going to the parks, the beach, shopping, etc.
 
I managed to sort out some photos from our trip tonight (notice the midnight posting time) so hopefully I will get around to sharing some in a couple of days. I’ll leave you with my favorite picture of the week:
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:27 am
Oh my gosh that is CUTE CUTE CUTE!!! Love it!! Your girls are absolutely adorable and I am so happy that you are all reunited finally!
Isabelle
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 am
Keep the updates coming . . . I love hearing about you and the girls and seeing the adorable pictures (especially that last one!)
k
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 am
The girls are just beautiful!! My son was also terrified of dogs when he arrived from Ethiopia, it took a while but he will now pet small dogs. Just this a.m. a beautiful Labrador walked past us and I stopped to pet him but he was too rambuctious and Abe didn’t dare go near him.
Have fun with your new family, time flies quickly…3 years ago I was exactly where you are….now my son is going into 2nd grade and has gained 10 kgs and a full 25 cm since he arrived (he’s almost 7 yrs old).
big hugs from an ex-pat Canadian
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:51 am
That last picture is the CUTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN! Your daughters are just beautiful. Looks like you guys are doing a great job!
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:34 am
Oh my gosh!! They are just so cute! Glad to hear you guys are settling in.
Mary
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:45 am
That is a great photo!! I love it! What’s in S’s mouth?
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:55 am
Welcome home!
Just a heads up, the animal thing does happen. We had 2 full weeks of high pitched screaming if our dog even dared walk in the same room as S. 2 weeks after that they were best friends and playing on the floor together.
As for the free play, I hope you have more luck than we did. But with twins is likely to come about faster. Having them play by themselves in the same room as you is a good start and just start popping out of the room for a few minutes. It takes time for them to learn trust that you will always come back. Even my friends with bio kids, our kids age, complain that they kids want their attention while they are playing. “Watch me! Watch this! Mumma LOOK!” is the big line in our house right now.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:14 am
It’s a shrivelled up balloon in her mouth… yum yum…
I sure hope that the dog thing wil settle itself out - it’s really annoying!
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:30 am
So glad things are going well and you’re getting into a family routine. The girls are just so precious. It’s great to know that they’re forever home, safe and sound. Thanks for sharing the pictures and little blurbs of what home life is like now.
Alysia
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 am
I think your favourite photo this week just became my favourite too. Adorable!!
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:53 am
So glad to hear that all are safe and sound at home, that travel went well, and the girls are settling in. You’ve had a long journey from start to finish, but well worth it!
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 am
That is SO stinkin’ cute! Seriously!
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:44 am
I predict that pretty soon the dogs will be begging you to put them up on the counters! Darling girls, and very cute photos.
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
‘Nicky’, that last picture is unbelievable. In the best possible way. How are they so incredibly adorable?! They also look happy and friendly and adaptable. Can’t wait to meet them.
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
TOOO cute. Keep the photos coming!!!!! I LOVE them. It is like vitamins for my eyes!!!!
L
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
More beautiful pics! Love them! Glad to know things are moving along well. Selam had a really hard time focusing on any one thing for awhile so your girls might be doing the same. I found it so tiring - her moving from thing to thing and wanting me to do it all with her. We had to make a big effort to get her to focus longer on something and then she seemed to learn to play and gradually learnt how to play on her own as well.
Anyways, I love to see your new posts.
Natasha
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Oh. My. Goodness. That photo is ridiculously cute! I can’t think of anything else to say that does anything approaching justice to that cuteness.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Great to hear all is well, and you are home! If you need some tips on how to encourage them to do real play……play without adult interaction……just email me. I’m happy to help.
Heather in Edmonton
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Oh my gosh, they are so precious, they both look like such little characters! LOVE the picture and so glad to hear everyone is home and doing well!
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 pm
I have to say, I have been having a seriously crap evening, and that last photo really made me smile. Thanks
Claire
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:27 am
That? Is a most excellent picture. Also, one to put aside for their weddings.
So happy to hear you guys are all settling in to life as a family so well!!
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
That is really one of the cutest pictures I have ever seen! Where did you get the costumes?
I haven’t had the problem of non-independant play because mine have been playing with the other five but I’m sure with time and a bit of work on your part, that will come along. Before you know it, they’ll be off exploring in the backyard or living room and they’ll have found playmates in the dogs.
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Ah, I’ve been collecting odd stuff for the tickle trunk for a while! The horse costume (with non-functioning zipper) came from SK - the hat and dress are old costumes of mine, etc…
September 4th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I think that’s my new favourite picture of the week too! They are so adorable.
September 7th, 2009 at 10:12 am
bliss…ice cream and dress-up!! could they get any cutter?!
hmmm, the dog thing…I’ve heard that that can be a pretty common fear for kids growing up in less developed countries. I guess having dogs running wild in the streets can strike a very real and justified fear into them. I know a women who grew up in Iran who is still petrified of dogs(65 years later) because of trauma from “wild” dogs running around villages. hopefully they will learn to love your pups very soon…I can just picture them all dressed up cuddled between Sugar and Spice.