Their first grandchildren! (Sugar / Spice)
A week or so in pictures. We’ve laid pretty low - the girls are figuring out the dogs and cats… They’ve started chasing the kitty, so that’s - er - progress, I think.
We had some visitors for their Bday (which was actually in August; they are Leos - Ambasas! - their favorite animal). My parents came for an overnight and Uncle B dropped by for the evening. Two comments - one is that simple birthdays are great. They made their own cake, and then chose their fav food (pizza and pasta respectively) and then we had a simple meal with one present after. Perfect. No meltdowns, just grins!
The other thing I should mention - Uncle B (my bro who is a loveable guy) was hear like 5 minutes and Sugar called him Daddy in Amharic. Hummm… We also found that she especially was too glommy with our cousins from Australia as well (the adult male) and have decided that we have to put a few rules down.
So if you see us - no picking up the kids! A kiss or hug hello for family (if the girls want) but after that no hugging or holding or picking up or cuddling. Poor Gramma - she was used to doing all this and we put the rule down for everyone. (Yes, I saw you pick them up a couple of times Mom, but you also tried real hard not to 
You are being a trouper! ) I think Uncle B and Grampa found it easier.(I heard B correcting Gramma once - good uncle!) Anyway, the rule applies to everyone, sorry! What looks like super gregarious kids at three looks a lot different when they are teens and indescrimitately showing affection to everyone. Much better to address it now. And make sure they have no doubt who their parents are.
It is HARD! to get a good family picture! This one we are all at least smiling. Dusk playing on the deck...
Both the girls are pretty firmly attached to me - and Spice is pretty attached to Jrock… but Sugar will drop him for any other interesting guy (and Spice will “flirt”.) Time will help, but we especially have to watch them with other men (like Uncle B, who will have a relationship with them eventually, but at first meeting was a stranger, for all intensive purposes.)
Another attempt at a family photo. I love Spice's squished face and Sugar's cheeky grin!
We started going out with friend a bit later in the week, but you’ll have to wait for the next batch to see the pics. We’re off to my Rotary meeting tomorrow for breakfast… should be fun. I’ll quit Rotary for a bit now that I’m home, and rejoin again then I have some time.
We took the girls to Jrock’s work today and it was fun showing off the girls; they are, after all, lovely and funny little kids. People tell us everyday “they are so beautiful!” and we simply reply “yes, they are! aren’t they!”
Our Aussie cousins and the girls use chalk and bubbles as body paint
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Getting a little more confident with Maggie
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Colouring out on the deck - Spice is especially good at this!
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Our lovely "Lady" Maggie - she is being so patient and awesome with the girls
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Spice and Daddy telling secrets
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We bought a painting in Ethiopia and here we are having it framed.
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The family (+Grandpa) at the girls
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The cake they made themselves - Vanilla and Spice cakes! serious!
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Spice opening Nona's card. Notice their traditional Ethio dresses they wanted to wear for cake.
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Sugar opening her dinky cars - their only presents. They were delighted!
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Examining Maggie - they want tatoos like the one in her ear. I said no.
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Gramma and Grandpa eating brekkie with Sugar
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Spice sleeping with a kitty - big step!
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Eating breakfast. They love having their own napkins to wipe their face, clean up and fold. These are clean girls.
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Getting distracted by the dogs outside... at least they enjoy looking at them now.
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September 9th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Good for you for setting those boundaries. I’m sure it’s hard on everyone, but it sounds like it’s the right thing to do!
Their hair looks awesome! Did you do it?
Mary
September 9th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
You betcha -
I’m finally getting a little faster ! They’ve had the 2 puffs for a week now, so tomorrow is a ponytail and braids with beads. We work it out ahad of time to avoid confusion / disapointment…
September 10th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Looks like a fantastic birthday!
The rules are hard but needed and I am sure everyone understands. It’s cant be easy on the grandparents but it wont last forever either.
I am happy to hear the girls are also starting to find friends in the pets as well! Soon they will be best buddies!
September 10th, 2009 at 10:25 am
I am really enjoying reading the trials of first time parents. It brings back lots of memories. In time, they will all seem like good memories
but…could you please explain to me the need for the ‘no pick up rule? I do not understand the whole boundary issue…
September 10th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Happy Birthday Sugar and Spice! I was also examining their “do” - nice job Mamma! We’re back in town (Vernon) and we’d love to visit when you’re ready. And good for setting those boundaries early on.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:33 am
I like that you kept the birthday celebration small. It just seems more special that way!! I would love the see the Ethiopian painting once it is framed!!!
I always look forward to reading your blog.
L
September 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Good for you! It’s so hard to step back and put restrictions on things . . . especially with close family and friends. However, you know it’s the best thing for the girls and you’re sticking to your guns. Way to go. It will be so worth it in the end.
I love the pics - family photos will never be the same!
k
September 10th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I love the family photos! You all look so happy…
I think it must be so hard to put boundaries in place. It’s great that you have family who understand and respect your wishes.
Heidi
P.S. I agree with Mary. Great job on the hair. You’re girls are just too cute!
September 10th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
All of the pictures and stories of your girls are wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
On a side note, you look absolutely amazing Nicky! Your hair is fabulous, and you seem to just glow and shine in every picture for the last few weeks!
September 10th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Hmmm… the no pick-up rule - well, that’s worth another post, so I’ll write it sometime soon. The Cole’s notes is that these girls like many children from institutions have floated from caregiver to caregiver… with anyone who is paid to meet their need. They have no sense of permanency and what it is to have parents (one set of caregivers for the rest of their lives.) So we limit the interaction with adults on nurturing things (feeding, diapering for babies, cuddling and hugs) until they get the sense that those things will come from their parents, forever. It’s called cultivating attachment. It’s also about not running to anyone who looks remotely friend or moves and seeking comfort (appropriate or not) with them. You can imagine especially as they get older how that can go really wrong.
anyway, that’s the Cole’s notes.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Thanks for the explanation
Your family looks beautiful and we hope to meet up with you when we come south for our annual winery tour. Keep on keepin’ on!
September 10th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I have been following your blog for some time now-and always look forward to it.
Your girls are beautiful and your puppy is pretty cute too (I have a cockerspaniel too). I love the picture of them holding up her ears.
Congratulations on your forever family! I also agree with the other post and you look like you are glowing–motherhood agrees with you!
You offer such a light for the rest of us still on the trail to make it there. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
Bev
September 10th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Ok, so a few people have said nice things about the way I look - so thank you.
could have something to do with the 13 lbs I lost in Ethiopia! lol all that luggin 60lbs (2 girls) around and eating with them on my lap. Plus no sweets…