For months I have been asking that little girl of mine what her name is. She has been able to tell me the names of the most random folks, but she has always referred to herself as “me” in photos or when looking at herself in the mirror. I’ve been eager to hear what she will refer to herself as…does she identify more with Sosi or with Noemi? We started introducing her as Noemi once we accepted her referral back in April '09, but Donovan and me, along with some close friends and family, call her Sosi to this day (ok, so sometimes we call her Noemi, too). She was “Sosi” exclusively for over 6 months while in the care of our agency in Ethiopia. I was beginning to think that we confused the gageebuzz out of her and that she’d still be calling herself "me" in Kindergarten.
You know where this is going, right? Of course you do.
A few weeks ago, while at the beach, Noemi referred to herself as Noemi and has ever since….“Nomi-nomi” to be more precise. And so, I am committed to trying to call her Noemi in public and reserving Sosi for our endearing family nickname.
Here is the video that Donovan shot moments after I ran to him yelling to get the camera-- that she had just said her name for the first time. She's still feeling it out in the video, but she is now sticking with Nomi-Nomi. I'll take it. It's the cutest.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
365 Days
365 days of…
soft curls twirly-whirly around my index finger
the sway of my hips as I rock you before sleep
“I love you, baby” in your ear
Somewhere Over the Rainbow with the bottle
lotion on your knees
that “v” you get on your forehead when you cry
staring at your toes in disbelief of how feakin’ cute they are
praying for strength for the both of us
365 days of knowing you.
I woke up August 24th in Ethiopia. We had flown in late the night before and barely slept as we anticipated meeting you. I walked onto the balcony of our hotel room to see Addis for the first time in the light. The sky had recently cleared from rain. All seemed fresh and green and clear and bright. Until I witnessed a dog get hit by a car. He howled, then whimpered for a few minutes before he went limp and died. Men and women walked to work along the bustling, muddy road; children played and walked to school. All passing by the dog. I watched this scene play out and witnessed for the first time how Ethiopia can be a tough place. There simply are not enough resources for all of its people, let alone that unfortunate dog. I cried a nervous nauseating cry. For the suffering that couldn’t be missed moments after waking and for the joy of preparing to meet you. I applied and reapplied my Burt's Bees lip balm, all to keep my hands busy as they shook. I couldn’t help but to think about how big and dense the leaves were on the tree across the street. How beautiful it all was as I ate my Luna bar. And whether or not we had charged the batteries for our cameras.
the view from our balcony that first morning
in the van, on our way to meet you
This was the hour before we met you. That day was bitter-sweet. Donovan and I sum it up by saying that it was the best and worst day of our life…holding our precious and incredibly ill daughter for the first time. It was our beginning. I am more blessed for the lengths that we have had to trod this year to make you wholly ours...and your cuteness continues to overwhelm me and make me crazy in the head. Tonight we celebrated by toasting our pizza with you and a tall glass of wine without you after you fell asleep.
365 days of wine.
Here is the picture of Cuteness herself: THEN...
and NOW...
My wonder girl has pizazz. 365 days of pizazz.
lotion on your knees
that “v” you get on your forehead when you cry
staring at your toes in disbelief of how feakin’ cute they are
praying for strength for the both of us
365 days of knowing you.
I woke up August 24th in Ethiopia. We had flown in late the night before and barely slept as we anticipated meeting you. I walked onto the balcony of our hotel room to see Addis for the first time in the light. The sky had recently cleared from rain. All seemed fresh and green and clear and bright. Until I witnessed a dog get hit by a car. He howled, then whimpered for a few minutes before he went limp and died. Men and women walked to work along the bustling, muddy road; children played and walked to school. All passing by the dog. I watched this scene play out and witnessed for the first time how Ethiopia can be a tough place. There simply are not enough resources for all of its people, let alone that unfortunate dog. I cried a nervous nauseating cry. For the suffering that couldn’t be missed moments after waking and for the joy of preparing to meet you. I applied and reapplied my Burt's Bees lip balm, all to keep my hands busy as they shook. I couldn’t help but to think about how big and dense the leaves were on the tree across the street. How beautiful it all was as I ate my Luna bar. And whether or not we had charged the batteries for our cameras.
the view from our balcony that first morning
in the van, on our way to meet you365 days of wine.
Here is the picture of Cuteness herself: THEN...
and NOW...
My wonder girl has pizazz. 365 days of pizazz.Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Shanty Life
Yes, we are back. Back from vacations and weeks away from the computer (sweet relief). Someday I will not return to this landlocked county of farmland...I will simply strut from the ocean back to my shoddy cottage, shake off my flip flops and de-sand my bag of magazines and seltzer. I'll steam the crabs I caught earlier that morning and lay out some newspaper for picking those suckers on the deck overlooking the bay. One can dream.
So this is one of those posts where I realize that recounting the enormous list of details from the last few weeks, though exciting for us, may present as a snoozer to you. And so, I'll present you with a photo montage of the whirlwind known as July/August, 2010. Noemi did great with all of the fanfair. We had some setbacks along the way, which were to be expected, frankly. Not really setbacks, I suppose, just reminders that she still is quite vulnerable. The last few weeks entailed the most stimulation and upset of routine since she has been home, so we knew that it would really be stretching her. And she did great overall. Thank goodness for the buffer days of nothingness between events. And for the nauseating cheer of "Barney" when the going gets tough.
Exhibit A: Mekonen Oren
Need I say more? This handsome little guy captured Sosi's heart back in Ethiopia and continues to woo her with his charm to this day. So great to sneak in a visit with them while they were on the East Coast. We are forever bonded with this family after being in ET with them...we joke that it was like them being in the labor and delivery room with us--they have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Let the wedding plans commence!
Exhibit B: A visit from my Messiah College roommate and sista, Donna
Talk about food for the soul--oh, how I miss her. She's the friend who will just always be. Constancy in friendship is a gift, and I am blessed to have her in my life. I live on the East Coast, she lives on the West Coast. sigh. It was the first time she met Noemi face-to-face and I think the smitten feelings were mutual. Noemi has affectionately mentioned Don-Don everyday since she left.
Exhibit C: Ocean City, New Jersey with The Witmer side of the family for our annual week at the shore
Cotton candy eaters, wave rompers, jellyfish catchers, moat diggers and campy boardwalk ride riders, unite! Noemi couldn't get enough of the non-stop action of living with her fantastico cousins for the week--built in playmates--and her doting aunties, uncles and grandma. I wouldn't say that the Thomas the Tank Engine ride became an official obsession, but "Pama" was certainly a favorite. She woke up more than one morning saying "beeeee" (beach) while her eyes were still half closed. See? She, too, is dreaming of before-mentioned shanty on the sand.
We heart summer here in the Witmer household. Keep it coming. We're (ok, I am) mighty stubborn about letting it go.
So this is one of those posts where I realize that recounting the enormous list of details from the last few weeks, though exciting for us, may present as a snoozer to you. And so, I'll present you with a photo montage of the whirlwind known as July/August, 2010. Noemi did great with all of the fanfair. We had some setbacks along the way, which were to be expected, frankly. Not really setbacks, I suppose, just reminders that she still is quite vulnerable. The last few weeks entailed the most stimulation and upset of routine since she has been home, so we knew that it would really be stretching her. And she did great overall. Thank goodness for the buffer days of nothingness between events. And for the nauseating cheer of "Barney" when the going gets tough.
Exhibit A: Mekonen Oren
Need I say more? This handsome little guy captured Sosi's heart back in Ethiopia and continues to woo her with his charm to this day. So great to sneak in a visit with them while they were on the East Coast. We are forever bonded with this family after being in ET with them...we joke that it was like them being in the labor and delivery room with us--they have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Let the wedding plans commence!
Exhibit B: A visit from my Messiah College roommate and sista, Donna
Talk about food for the soul--oh, how I miss her. She's the friend who will just always be. Constancy in friendship is a gift, and I am blessed to have her in my life. I live on the East Coast, she lives on the West Coast. sigh. It was the first time she met Noemi face-to-face and I think the smitten feelings were mutual. Noemi has affectionately mentioned Don-Don everyday since she left.
Exhibit C: Ocean City, New Jersey with The Witmer side of the family for our annual week at the shore
Cotton candy eaters, wave rompers, jellyfish catchers, moat diggers and campy boardwalk ride riders, unite! Noemi couldn't get enough of the non-stop action of living with her fantastico cousins for the week--built in playmates--and her doting aunties, uncles and grandma. I wouldn't say that the Thomas the Tank Engine ride became an official obsession, but "Pama" was certainly a favorite. She woke up more than one morning saying "beeeee" (beach) while her eyes were still half closed. See? She, too, is dreaming of before-mentioned shanty on the sand.
We heart summer here in the Witmer household. Keep it coming. We're (ok, I am) mighty stubborn about letting it go.
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