Beautiful Baby Max

I am a very proud God-mother to Sweet Baby Max....... today I was able to capture him in all his beautiful sweetness.  

 Max is just beautiful! Don't Marcie and Dan make the prettiest babies! 

 These sweet photos are with Lily and Charlie just hours after Max was born at the hospital.

Marching forward...March 1st

 March madness....well, it has been busy here at the Rikkers and March will be no different!  Andy has been taken away from us so much with his partner out of town and the volume of surgery suddenly increased.  We have hardly seen him and that always feels very frustrating to me.  The kids miss him.

Last night we actually had some time together in the car and at a wonderful Ethiopian dinner in Madison.  We went there to meet other Ethiopian ado

ptive parents in the Madison area.  Some parents are waiting, some completing their homestudy, others have had their children home for years and others have their referral and are traveling this spring!  It was very interesting to meet these wonderful people and hear their stories knowing we all have a wonderful commonality in all of our families.  I hope to continue connecting to these families and develop relationships with them for ourselves and our daughter.  It is going to be so great for all of our kids to see families like ours!  

We took an overnight trip to Chicago leaving after school early release on Thursday and came home Friday afternoon.  The kids were so excited to be in

 the big city, and I have to admit I was to.  I just love Chicago!  We stayed on the 24th floor of a Residence Inn...we had a great suite with 2 bedrooms, kitchen and living area...for a great price too!  And of course, the highlight was the pool on the top )27th) floor!  The boys had such fun exerting all their energy.  I even got in the chilly pool!  Jack was so cute jumping off the side of the pool to me.  He was all smiles and giggles!  Then Margo came over and we went back to her yoga studio.  The kids loved the open space and used the yoga blocks to build towers, which of course were knocked over.  Jack went crazy for the train zipping by in the window and would say "Choo Choo coming"...then he shortened it to  "Choo coming".  He repeated this constantly the rest of our visit and even upon returning home!   We attempted to set them up with a video in her back living space so I could participate in the 7:30 yoga class.  But within

 a minute Jack was crying at the door and he wouldn't let me leave him.  He was tired and a little afraid of the thunderstorm that was brewing.  Andy arrived about a half hour later to relieve me and I got about 15 minutes of yoga with Margo in.  I will take what I can get!  The next morning after swimming and breakfast we were off to the Shedd aquari

um.  I love being around the sea life as much, if not more, than the kids!  It was chaotic there to say the least with some construction, a busy no school day and with Jack who was not fully rested.  Ugh.  Well, we will try again some other day and hopefully it won't be so crazy.

We enjoyed our trip to Chicago and are so glad it is such a close trip to the big city and to see Margo, who is a member of the family!

Here are some photos of basketball.  Drew was a little nervous last weekend, but this Saturday got right in there.  He did a great job with all the drills and seemed to be having so much fun!  He even got his first basket!  What a thrill!  Drew starts at 8:30 and then Juddy is at 10:30, so it is along morning keeping Jack happy.  It is fun to see how much the kids motor skills change in the two year age difference between their groups.  Juddy is having a blast and really seems invested in  learning his skills and playing b-ball!  So, that is March 1st...here at the Rikkers!

10 months waiting for our sweet girl....

These flowers have brightened our home and today I am dedicating them to our sweet girl.  We have now been on the waiting list 10 months!  This period is winding down and hopefully in a couple months I can write that we have a referral and know who our sweetie is.  But for now I know she is out there somewhere...whether she is born or not can't be known, but she is definitely out there and on our journey to us, just as we are on our journey to her.  I am also thinking of her birth family and what they might be feeling.  My heart is heavy for whatever they are going through that will bring our daughter to us.  Their loss and grief will be our gift and joy.  It is difficult to reconcile, but it is my hope that they have hope for her and that is what brings them to this decision.

In the meantime, I will continue to nest...her room is half painted and will soon be all "cotton candy" pink!  Painting her room and creating the space that we will bring her home to makes it all feel more real than ever.  We reman stagnant on her name.  I have my favorites and Andy hasn't really been able to determine a favorite yet .  I shouldn't be surprised as it wasn't any different with the boys.  Once they were born, Andy was really able to be present in the naming process.  I think he needs to be able to place the name with the child and has difficulty with that any sooner.  So, I suspect that while I love the fun of discussing names that we won't really be able to narrow it down until we see our daughter's photo.  For now I love Elodie, Olivia, Ruby. 

I think her given name in Ethiopia will likely be her middle name.  I can't imagine taking that away from her, especially if her mother named her.  I feels so important to me to carry that with her.    More to come in that department as well.  ;)

That is today... February 17th., 2009.

3!

These three beautiful candles represents the wonderful number of 3...  Marcie is expecting her #3 very, very soon.   We just celebrated with a shower where these candles light the dining room.  This little baby boy is so very loved long before he has arrived.  I wish every child had the love and nurturing surrounding them just like this little one does...the world would be nearly perfect then!

Below are my three sons... silly Jack that can't get enough of his nuk!  Judson at his first Blue and Gold Boy Scout ceremony with his pine wood derby trophy in hand.  And Drew snuggling with Jack on the couch.  

Life here is messy, noisy, full of giggles and love...

Waiting 9 months, 10 days

We have officially been waiting 9 months and 10 days today...but who's counting!  I am!  As the wait time lessens the anticipation intensifies!  She is out there somewhere and hopefully in April we will have the news of who our sweet girl is.  I can hardly wait.  The waiting thus far has been manageable.  I suspect it worsens terribly once we have the referral, with her photo and information!  Imagine!  Then we wait for the court process in Ethiopia and for our travel next summer (hopefully).  In the meantime, I feel like I have been nesting like crazy!  Decorating, painting walls and furniture, ordering the fabric and bedding for our sweet girls room and even transitioning Jack to his  big boy bedroom.  The last is not an easy task.  I am sleep deprived from his night wakings and constant escapes from his room.  This too shall pass, right?!  He is a our spirited 2 year old, but also so darn adorable and lovable!  Of course, at the moment he is napping, otherwise he would be climbing on my lap trying to touch these keys!

 

Last week President Obama was inaugurated!!  Jack and I embraced the moment together.  Check out this photo of Jack.  I was so excited that it was contagious to a 2 year old!  What wonderful hope there is in the spirit of our country.  Truly a moment to remember.  I am proud to be American and that our daughter will be coming to this country during this time of hope and change.

A Merry Christmas to you!

It is Christmas time and there is such excitement in the air at the Rikkers!  It looks like a beautiful winter wonderland outside and Santa is on his way!

We "believe" and it is really magical!  Judson told me the other day, "Mom, did you know not everyone believes in Santa?"  I said, "That's true.  How do you feel about Santa?"   Judson said, "Well, I know that even if they don't believe in Santa, that Santa ALWAYS believes in them".

Judson says he is hoping for "spy gear and a guitar" this Christmas.  Drew wants a "power ranger game and a superman talking car".  Jack, well, he doesn't really get it just yet, but I think this year he will start to understand what all the excitement is about!

We feel so very blessed with love of family and friends this Christmas.  Much love to you and yours.

Merry Christmas!!!

Snow Day!

Today was one of those beloved snow days....no school and lots of snow fun!  The boys and I had a great time sledding with our neighbors in our backyard!