Future. Love. Paradise.

Liv Tunsitu.

This is Liv Tunsitu. She is a sweet angel, and I got to spend a few hours with her last week. As soon as her mom dropped her off, I plopped her on the couch and asked her what she wanted to do. She slowly turned her head, lifted her hand and waved hello to the 8x1o pictures of M&m that we have on our wall. She had to say hello to them before anything else.

Although it was bright and sunny, I had a hard time getting LT to go outside and enjoy the day. She wanted to get some reading done instead.

Turgenev? Really? Come on LT pick something lighter, it is the summer...

Faulkner? Really? The kid likes the classics. I insisted she pick something lighter...

She told me it was time for an Amharic lesson. She is quite the taskmaster...


"Woosha!"

She made sure Ted's nasal passages were clear, and I finally convinced her to relax in the hammock with me...

We both like bracelets.



We went back inside for tea.


Last week someone said that they thought LT looked a little bit like this man. I didn't really see it until this happened...

Day-O! Day-Ay-Ay-Ay-O!!!


LT came home just over two months ago. She was quiet, and a little bit withdrawn. For the first couple of weeks, I never heard her make a peep. One day, I hopped into her mom's car and heard some exuberant chirping coming from the back seat. LT had found her voice.

Amy, LT's mom, lives five minutes away from me. I wish that I had met her 13 years ago when we first moved here. Amy is a remarkable person. LT seemed just a little bit wounded when she got here. In less than three months, Amy has fully embraced her daughter, and given her the love and encouragement that she so desperately needed.

Amy has not only given LT her voice, she has taught her how to sing...

She has buoyed her spirit, and she has taught the wee LT how to stand on her own two feet, and see herself for who she really is...


a beautiful, resilient, remarkable little girl.


We love you LT, and can't wait for you to meet M&m. They will be so lucky to have you as a neighbor, and as a friend.

Future. Love. Paradise.

Mimi.

I had the privilege of spending the last two days with Mimi. It is impossible to describe Mimi in one blog post. Luckily, she has her own blog, and occasionally her mom puts up a video or two.

I heart Mimi. She is all personality. She needs her own show.

She helped me in the garden...


Can't this Dino go any faster?

We had long, leisurely lunches...


and spent lots of time with her favorite horse...


She asked Moses to clean her stroller...

And she stole a binky...

There is no one like Mimi. She has an infectious spirit, and a tender little heart. Throughout the day, in between ninety minute dance parties (I napped when she napped), she would unexpectedly stroke my hair, or plant a tiny kiss on my cheek. She is so full of love and joy that it is virtually impossible to feel sad when she is around.

I showed her the 8x10 pics we printed up of M&m. She said their names so beautifully, in her sweet little voice.

I can't wait for them to meet her.

Future. Love. Paradise.

Tye.

I got to spend a few hours with Ms. Tye. She is just as cuddly and loving as the day she came home. I call her the Cuddle Bug. My friend Heather said she is the closest thing to a jelly doughnut that she has ever seen. That describes her perfectly- she is a sweet, roly poly jelly doughnut, full of love and goodness.

She celebrated the news of her playmates M & m...


She rocked out on her drum for Teddy and Moses. Between sets, she gave both dogs kisses and then bonked Teddy on the head with the plastic drumstick. Teddy had mixed feelings about her from then on, but Moses wouldn't stop kissing her.


All of the activity made Ms. Tye quite sleepy.


She started doing the tired drunk walk she does when she is ready for bed. I put her in the Ergo.


She eventually fell asleep, but occasionally would wake up and give me a big smile, and bat her eyelashes at me. She is crazy cute.

I can't wait to introduce her to M & m.

Next week I get to hang out with another friend of mine...


Any guesses ?

Down, but not Out...

Sick! I have been sick since we last spoke. I think that was why I was so depressed, I was getting sick. Until I am better, here are some pics from my week. Highlights include an unexpected visit from my dad, and the second Valentine's Day Babysitting of Pip and Squeak. Enjoy.

Future. Love. Paradise.

Aliyah.

I got to spend my entire Thursday with Aliyah. We had a great time. She really likes the 'Hobbit' fence that Steven made.

She also likes Moses,



Reading the New Yorker,

and napping,

I think she may be my new best friend.

Don't Tell Steven...

I had a date last night. Do you see the way he is gazing at me lovingly from the Ergo carrier?



It was all a ruse. Little dude had other plans....

I should have paid more attention to his shirt.

Little dude invited these ladies to our date...

Flirty McFlirterson...
Dude has got some moves...



Moses was suspicious from the start...

Watch him as he 'pretends to help Pip pick her next crayon'...


Pip started getting suspicious...

When he drooled all over her drawing, it was pretty much over...

We kicked him to the curb, and settled in for some girl time...

We talked about boys, and how silly they can be.

Two pizzas, three cookies, two plums, and six Leo Lionni stories later, we felt much better.

So Marley, you broke my heart...



Yeah You! Don't look so surprised! You know you did.


Serves me right for hanging out with you while Steven is away.

Future. Love. Paradise.

Saturday with Pip and Squeak.

Adventures in Babysitting- Valentine’s Day Edition.

Part III - Where’s your Baby?

FLASHBACK. INTERIOR. Ethiopian Restaurant. Evening. January. Dinner is winding down. Injera is soaked. Hands are greasy.

Pip: Do you have a baby?

Me: Nope. Not yet. We are adopting two babies.

Pip: Oh. Where are they?

Me: Where do you think?

Pip: EEETTTIOPIA?

Me: That’s right.

Pip: Oh.



This Valentine’s Day…

Pip: Where is your baby?

[Me thinking: Please contact my program representative at CHSFS.]

Me: Where do you think?

Pip: Huh?

Me: Where do you think? What country?

Pip: EEEEEETTTTTTTiopia?

Me: That’s right.

Pip: When will your baby be here?

[Me thinking: Please contact my program representative at CHSFS.]

Me: Probably in about a year.

Pip: Oh good, THEN we can be friends.

I think Pip is going to kick my ass to the curb if I show up to see her again without a playmate more appropriate in age, size, and energy level. I’m working on it Pip. I am working on it.