Birthday Cake Remix

I think I stole that title from Cold Stone Creamery... Yummmm.

Well, it is official, we have a 1 year old in the family! Aye has been home 8 weeks, so it felt a little odd to already be having a birthday party...because in my mind...our family is only 8 weeks old. It was a great excuse to introduce Cupcake to extended family members and friends. We are still, 'cocooning' but admittedly, we have made some exceptions to this, and we feel that Cupcake has handled the times when we have broken the cocoon extremely well. She gives clear signals when she isn't ready or comfortable with something, and we work to honor that. We have about another 4 weeks to go, and then I am going to try out the gym daycare, and other craziness. :) 

Anyway, Cupcake has grown hair, she has gotten taller, and I would venture to guess that she has gained about 3lbs., we will get the official numbers at her well-check on Tuesday. She is happy, goofy, has learned how to give big, wet sloppy kisses (love), her leg strength has come A LONG way, she is now pulling up on furniture and just tonight was showing signs that she wants to start cruising furniture. We feel so blessed to call  her our daughter, and not a day goes by that we don't think about her first mother. She bestowed upon us a precious gift, we are forever honored. 

With that...let's see some bday pics! It was, of course, a CUPCAKE themed party. I apologize for the zillion pictures. Trust me, I didn't even post 1/4 of them. I just knew my family members would want to see these particular ones!

Our attempt to get a 1yo pic...

Dressed and ready to party!!

This is my Nana. She makes my mom put the phone on speaker every day so I can learn her voice...

This is my Uncle T. He came to Ethiopia to help my daddy get me to the USA. He is wearing his Ethiopian shirt... I loved seeing him!

This is my Grampa. I have the cutest yawn in the world...

Auntie K! I stick my tongue out all.the.time.

I played a little, get the ring on the cupcake candle, and my cousins helped me cheat...love them!

I got to meet H in person. Our mommies wouldn't mind if we got married (after college with good jobs:). H didn't want my mommy to hold both of us...

Daddy helped me open all of my presents. I just wanted to play with the toys, but didn't get to until after my nap. Sigh...

There were cupcakes, of course! Thanks Auntie A for bringing them. They were yummy!!!!

I don't know what a smash cake is, but I'm not too keen on the idea.

Well, it looks like my cousins aren't going to let me get away with not checking it out, so I'll just stick one finger in...

Oh, okay... I'm supposed to eat it...

It's pretty tasty, and a little sticky...

Yum, I'm trying to see if the 30 people standing around watching want to try some. I'm good at sharing like that.

No, you guys don't want any? Okay, more for me, I guess!

These people next to me are kinda crazy, but they sure know how to throw a fun party! They've never let me get all sugared up before!

I cannot believe I'm getting away with this...

For real, I'm going to eat the whole thing...

If Uncle T tells me to keep at it, I'm going to listen...I trust that guy. People call him Dr.

Seriously, this cake is delish!

Mommy, how do you laugh and cry at the same time like that?

Most.Fun.Ever.

Can we do this every Saturday???

That's my other Auntie K. We call her the baby whisperer. I'm freshly washed from the cake. The bath tub looked like a bad crime scene though...so did the high chair...and the kitchen floor.

I love me some auntie lovin...

That's my British Uncle S...

I had cake smashed to the BACK of my dress. I'm still sneezing frosting out of my nose (seriously)...Pink frosting...

This stuff is soaking in the washing machine...along with my favorite blankie that I puked all over a few hours later. My tummy hasn't been 'right' since the cake, but I haven't fussed a bit!

Thanks for all the birthday love, everyone! We felt blessed to mark this occassion as a family, and are looking forward to many more. We couldn't have come so far without all of the love and support that we treasured pre-adoption, during-adoption and now post-adoption. We are blessed.

"Home Help Sanitation Initiative"

Makes me want to smack, "Two Slice Hilly" in the mouth. Yeah, I said it.

Yes, I realize that 'The Help' was written by a white woman and is a (fictional) book giving the perspective of black, domestic workers in the south in 1963. (Also, if you haven't read the book, you should, but the 'Home Help Sanitation Initiative' is the brain-child on crack of the Junior League President herself, Hilly Holbrook, in which she not so chalantly (not a word) suggests that black woman 'the help' be constructed bathrooms or outhouses at the homes they work in, and not use the waterclosets in the home because they 'carry different diseases.' Gahhhh!). So, as I was saying, the book is written by a white woman, and there are some critics of that. I almost don't feel like I can even get in on that discussion because, really, I'm a white woman that adopted a black child. Just seems like I should keep my mouth shut all together on the subject, because I'll come out of the discussion a loser either way...

HERE is just one of the articles that I've recently read on all that is wrong with, "The Help." Also, I recently listened to THIS in which Viola Davis remarks on her experience deciding to play one of the main characters. What I can't help but think... at least we are having these discussions amongst friends, movie companions, in the media, book clubs, etc. Sure, the book got some things wrong and skipped right over details that were reportedly major problems for domestic workers in the civil-rights era, including sexual harassment.exploitation from their male employers. Yet, until I read this book (and watched the movie), I never considered THE FEAR that these amazing women struggled with every day. Fear of retribution, fear of their own safety and fear for their children, fear of falling in love with the white children in their charge, and teaching them, and then being employed by them. I could go on. I didn't live in the civil rights era, and I never sat down for 400+pages to really think through what life must have been like for a black, domestic worker. Now, I have at least one piece of the puzzle, even if it is from a fictional book, and it spurred me to read the criticisms and add in other pieces of the puzzle. So, I guess I lied...I chimed in... for me, as a white woman, with a black child, I think I got some things out of reading this book about black women written by a white woman. AND I CRIED AT THE MOVIE. It was GOOD. I just want to spend an afternoon with Mae Mobley!!!! I want to be BFF's with Minnie... and I already have a friend that might as well change her name to Celia Foote. I might just start calling her that...

So, did you read the book or see the movie? Let me know your thoughts. You can even tell me if you think I'm an idiot. Just do it nicely. You can even use my method when I have to give someone not so kind news (usually work related). Compliment me, then give me constructive criticism, then compliment me again. This way, I'm so confused, I don't realize that you really think I'm an idiot, but I can consider the criticism. 

**Thanks to the ladies that went with me to the movie! I've been wanting to see it since it came out!!!!!

One Year Ago,

We woke up early as we had to head out early to get our fingerprints done for our USCIS application. We also awoke to the news that we had been blessed with 2 new nieces. They were both born at 1 lb. 6 oz. and 12 inches long. I remember the joy and fear being so intertwined in my heart and mind it was palpable. We made the 6 hour trek the very next day to meet these beauties. Thinking back on all that transpired during the 2 days of Breley's miraculous life makes it difficult to breathe, even a year later (how one small child changes lives of so many in such a short time may very well always boggle my mind). Kailey, when I think of you, I think of all that is amazing about this world. You make our lives brighter, just by being in them. Thank you.

I wrote these letters to our nieces after meeting them for the first time. Reading them a year later, makes me very sad, and yet hopeful. Hard to describe...


Dearest Angel Kailey,

I was able to see you today, but the NICU staff was providing you with the amazing medical attention that you deserve. I already know how strong you are, because it was difficult for me to watch, but you were most definitely handling it like a champion. I must say, you are an awesome sight even from afar. We love you "to the moon and back." You have been blessed with two sisters, and that is a bond that will guide and support you all of your life. Your big sister, Mya will without a doubt be there for advice, love and protection throughout your life. It is safe to say that she will forever be an incredible role model for both you and Breley. I picture you and Breley having the type of twin bond where you giggle as little girls together over things that only the two of you understand, and having a language together that is all your own. You have been blessed with such incredible parents, and in turn, they have been blessed with you. May you always know that you have aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins that wrap you in prayer along with your sisters and parents because we care so deeply for you. Continue the good fight, strong little one. Now that I've seen you in person, I am not sure how we all got along without the precious miracle that is you and your sister for all of these years. May you feel the love, faithfulness, strength and peace we have all been praying for from God. All my love.
Auntie L


To Precious Breley,

There were so many things I wanted to tell you when I first met you, but you took my breath away, and I couldn't get my mind and mouth to speak the words. All I could utter were the words, I love you, and maybe that was enough. Maybe in that tiny beating heart of yours, you already know how amazing you are. I could see the love in your mom and dad's eyes as they spoke of you. Such a lucky little girl to be born into such an amazing family. I keep thinking about how years from now, we will get to tell you about all of the people far and wide that prayed for your health and safety. What a beautiful gift that is, much as you are such a blessing from God. I have one sister in this world, and she is quite possibly my best friend. I was lucky enough to get such an amazing and strong sister-in-law as your mom. God has blessed you with 2 sisters, and that is a bond that cannot be adequately described with words. I have watched your big sister, Mya grow up in the last 6 years, and have no doubt that she is an incredible, little girl. She will always be there for you and provide you with advice, love and protection. Never forget that. I just need you to know that we continue to wrap you in prayer, so that God can continue his divine work in your life and provide you with the strength and peace that you need. All my love, dearest Breley.