Saturday, June 14, 2008

Pool time!







I know, I know. I have become the horrible blogger that I loathed...before I had a child. Now I have a son who is always happy and yet quite needy at the same time...so instead of checking my list of 30 or so blogs multiple times each day, I have resorted to cuddling and playing with a sweet baby boy who will laugh out loud when I simply smile at him. Seriously, every single time and it cracks me up.
When we got Mal he had the beginings of his two bottom teeth. Now they are much more prominent and he has got a nack for somehow getting your finger in his mouth and biting the crap out of it all in a swift movement. It is a gift. An extremely painful gift. His top two teeth are on their way as well- he has two big bubbles on his gums where the little suckers are trying to pop out, it looks like it must hurt so bad, but he is a trooper and doesn't seem to be bothered to badly by them. As if teething weren't enough, Malak also has 2 ear infections that the doctor can't seem to get rid of. Boo! We are on new meds now and are hoping this will do the trick. Does this sound like a pity party?? It wasn't supposed to sound like that- this is just what is happening in our oh-so exciting new found life! So I say all of that to say that this kid is da bomb!! He is so laid back and he greets everyone he meets with a huge smile. It is quite fulfilling to all the new friends and family that have been waiting to meet this boy!
We went to the pool for the first time with
Silas and Amy Bottomly and of course, it was glorious. Malak had so much fun meeting and playing with his first EBF (Ethiopian Best Friend, of course) I am sure they are pretty much best friends already. The boys were a little unsure of the water at first but got the hang of it and had a great time. Warning: Silas Bottomly is a splasher. We tried to tell him that no one likes a splasher...but he splashed nonetheless. :) Malak really just lounged in his floaty boat and smiled at me the whole time. Those two were rediculously cute in their little swim suits. The boys decided it was nap time and took a nice cool nap in the shade while the mama's got to lay out in the sun for few minutes. And this mama needs some sun. Let me tell you, I am ghostly these days and that needs to change. Ok. I am ghostly most of the time, but it was high time for a little bronzing.
Side note: I got waaaay more than a light bronzing. I am a freakin lobster. I got heat stroke. I am hideous. So glad I got that sun.

So I feel like we are adjusting to life with a child and I think Malak is geting used to this whole family and lots of attention thing. We seem to have a routine down and it feels good to feel like a normal little family! Malak is a great sleeper and is taking 2, 2 hour naps a day and then sleeps durring the night from 8-about 6:30 with two bottles durring the night. It is working pretty well for all 3 of us. Actualy, it is working great for me because my divine husband decided that he would be the one to get up with Mal durring the night. OK! So, he has really become a wonderful dad often, gong above and beyond what I ever expected of him. It is so fun to see how much he loves our sweet boy and how he takes care of him!
I think we have decided that I am going to stay home with Malak! I was going to continue nannying and bring Malak with me, but now it looks like I may be able to stay home with him and I am SO excited about that!! Money will be tighter, obviously, but it is so worth it for me and I feel like it will be great for Mal too. I know that we all have our "thing" and I have just always wanted to be a stay at home mom- so I am super excited about that!

36 comments:

mama becca said...

Hooray! Great post! I love all the pictures... and I'm so glad you're happy about staying home. It's definitely not easy at times but I think it's worth it :).
love!
becca

Amy said...

Yes, EBF's! EBFF's (Ethiopian Best Friends Forever)

Cute pictures... well all except Silas' hideous one piece tube swimsuit that proved to be a waste of money. :)

Christie said...

Yay pool time! Please tell me pool time can still happen once I come home (at my ACTUAL apartment pool rather than the one you went to!)

And how exciting about staying home! I'm sure Malak is pretty excited about that too...although Charles probably isn't!

Miss you guys!

amy-o said...

Thrilled for more pics! (Even though I was so luck to get an in-person visit yesterday!) I am so happy that you guys have found a work/no work decision that you feel good about. You never know how you will feel until you have the little one in your hands...I LOVE staying home with my Katiebug and look forward to the same with a new baby or two!

~Laura~ said...

yay for a NEW post. Sounds like you guys are adjusting well. Sorry about the ear infection. Those suck. We just got tubes because CT was getting EI's so often. The jury is still out on how I feel about the tubes.

I'm so glad you guys were able to work it out so you could stay home. :)

Emailing you back now. :)

LISA said...

Finally, a post!!!LOL!!!
I'm going to be a SAHM too.It will definetly be different!Lov'n the pics!

Jesi Q said...

Love the pictures... isn't the pool fun with little ones?! I love seeing them play in the water for the first time! What cuties!

As for the stay at home mom thing... we just decided the same thing for me and I'm still thrilled and shocked! Congratulations!

los cazadores said...

I love those pics!!! You guys are too cute. Craig can definitely give you guys tips on the spickets, anytime. :) Oh and Craig's Dad brought us those barrels, but they are just like the ones on the link I sent you at craigslist.

Cindy

Lindsey & Cortney said...

Pool time is wonderful!! We all take good naps after splashing in the sun and water all day! I am so glad that you are going to get to stay at home with Malak! Being home with Ian certainly makes it hard to go back to work the next day=(
Keep up the having fun!
Lindsey

Jennifer said...

Good-ness!!! He is so darn cute! But you still haven't told us...is he squishy????

Brandi said...

Hey, at least if you don't post often, when you do they are GREAT ones! What sweet pictures! I love how Malak's looking at his daddy while daddy looks at the camera. . he is so taken with you guys! I love it! Love the EBF. . .too cute! And, it opens it up to have so many bf's! LBF (Liberian Best Friend), EBF. .the list goes on!

Brandi

Blog Shmog said...

Very cute pictures. He has such a sweet little face. :)
Joy

Amber said...

It's exciting that you have the option to stay at home. That is amazing! Sounds like you and Amy had a good time. Mal sounds like such a great kid!

tabitha jane said...

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR LITTLE BOY!!!!!

as far as stubborn ear infections go, i was just reading an article (in my massage therapy journal - i am a massage therapist) about how craniosacral therapy can help stop like 93% of ear infections without antibiotics. most ear infections are caused by a spasm in the muscle that controls the drainage of the inner ear canal - then fluid builds up cause it can;t get out and harmful bacteria multiply that the body can't drain out . . . you can kill the bacteria off, but if the muscle spasm remains, the ear still will not drain and they will come back. craniosacral therapy is a verrrrry non-invasive gentle form of body work that can relax the muscles in the head using pressure from the fingers that is equal to about the weight of a nickle. you might ask your chiropractor about it . . . or just look for a craniosacral therapist who is willing to take children . . . or completely ignore my ranting as a fanatic who you don't even really know . . . :)

sorry for the long post. congrats again!

Shala said...

Tara,

It was so wonderful to see you and Eric again, and to meet Malak.

Question for you. I know this is a little bit away, but I was wondering, if you are staying at home and needing/wanting to bring in a bit of extra income, would you be interested in watching my little one (next year when she comes home) for a couple days a week? Something to think and pray about.

Blessings,
Shala
www.shalabartleyethiopianadoption.blogspot.com

Gina said...

Yay, yay, yay that you get to stay home with Malak! You will love it, and you won't even care that you're broke! It's totally worth it!! I LOVE the pic of you and Malak together (at home maybe?), super cute!!

Drew said...

haha, I love his little feet poking out! I can't wait to make him laugh!

wouldnt it be sad if I was the only person he didnt think was funny??

Stacie said...

Cute, cute boys! I want to come to the pool too!! Micah is a splasher too so Malak would have to steer clear of Silas & Mic. :)
Yay that you get to stay home! I loved being home all the time (and am still home most of the time). It's not for everyone, but I loved it and you will too! :)

Around the World said...

These pics are awesome!! I noticed on a post you left of someone's blog that you subscribe to a google thing that lets you track visitors...can you tell me how to find something like that??

THANKS!

LESLEY

Julie said...

You have no idea who I am - found your blog in a roundabout way. I am living vicariously through you since my husband and I would love to one day adopt from Ethiopia! We are actually going to Addis in August because we're praying about moving and serving there long-term. Malak is lovely and I am very happy for your family!

Julie

Anonymous said...

Y'all seem to be doing so well. He is such a cutie. I really enjoyed traveling with your family in Ethiopia. I miss it already. I have a great picture of you and Eric. My email address is ellenenright81@yahoo.com. If you email me your email address I'll send you that picture.
-Ellen

los cazadores said...

I got your announcement - LOVE the pic of Malak in his tie! Thank you, its adorable. I'll add it to my fridge pics, next to Pacey. :)

Cindy

Eric and Cheryl said...

Love, Love the pool pictures! I really love "all" the pictures of your family with Malak. I'm sorry you have had a rough start with sickness etc...I hope it will be getting better for you soon. I hear you may be coming to visit in August? I can't wait to meet that sweet boy of yours!

Rachel said...

Tara,
Glad you checked out my blog. I'm having fun with it.
Malak looks like such a doll. And he looks very easy going as you describe. I can't believe your husband is the one to get up with him at night! You've got a keeper! The pool pics are soooo cute. It's making me wish we had a pool--and warm enough weather to enjoy it more than a handful of days each summer.
We've known Ben and Kelly for about 10 years now. We went to OC with them and Shawn and Ben were roommates all through college. They were also each other's best men. It is definitely a small world.
Rachel

Susan and Chad said...

Oh T & E, he's dreamy...

Amanda said...

It looks like you hit the jackpot with those two!! i love the new pictures!! does he like the water? i can't wait for Flor to get here, so I can take her swimming!!

obligato said...

love the little white feet...

so happy u are home!

Hannah said...

Wow your son is seriously the most beautiful child I have seen (next to my children of course) Congratulations on bring your son home.

I am also a stay at home mom and it is so worth it. If you ever have time drop by my blog and leave me a note, I would love to find out more about Ethiopian adoption, IF I can adopt again that is where my heart is.

Thank you and God bless.

Hannah

Holli said...

ok so you said it first I am loathing you.....:) not really just need more on ET, what you did etc. :)
from an annoying pre-adoptive parent!:)

Kaydub said...

I gotta say, it was SO great to spend Mal's first few days with you three. I enjoy the stories, but to have actually observed what a great dad Eric is (that pic of the two Silvestri men is a perfect depiction!), and to have experienced the boy's unending smile personally was a blessing, Tara! Thanks for taking such good care of my grandboy.

Anonymous said...

I saw in an older post that you were planning on using G Diapers. How is that going? Would you recommend it? I am really interested in using them, but thought I would ask someone that is using them first.
Thanks!
Alice

Sam said...

can you email me the pattern for those doll? i am trying to make it up and i cant get the head right!
samsamh79@gmail.com

mama becca said...

I'm going to threaten to stop blogging again if you don't do an update soon :).

A Team said...

I started staying home 7 years ago and we have made less and less each year and gained more and more people... (My husband left his "career" to go into ministry.. and then we started a church plant)... ALL THAT TO SAY... IT IS WORTH IT! SO WORTH IT!!! I have loved spending time with them. It is a hard adjustment at first but you will love it in the months and years to come.
I have enjoyed each milestone and each YUMMY moment with my babies. This morning my daughter crawled in bed and said "hey mommy... do you know I think you are beautiful?" THAT IS PRICELESS!
Excited for you!
ta

Anonymous said...

Hi Eric, Tara and Malak,
Patty, Zoi and I are very excited for you all -- what a blessing little people are! Zoi can't wait to meet Malak and wonders why you have to live so far away!

Blessings to you all.

Sarah and Tim said...

How awesome that you're able to get together with Amy and Silas.