Sunday, March 29, 2009

GOTCHA WEEK!

We didn't have just one GOTCHA Day celebration. We had a whole GOTCHA week. Here is Jakob getting ready to go celebrate in his Ethiopian Outfit.Friday Night we went to GoJo's in GR. It is an Ethiopian Resturant. We first went there before we left to get Jakob. We went with Ted & Jill to celebrate the Gotcha day of Josie & Zuri with the rest of the gang.Here is the gang minus the 2 babies. They are sitting with Sammy the owner of the resturant. Jakob really didn't like us taking this picture.Picking out the food is fun. Luckily it is all in English here.Here is what we ate. There is all different kinds of Wat on the injera; with some Salad in the middle. It is very good and very spicy. The injera is what you use to eat it with. No silverware.Zuri loved the injera. She remembers eating it in Ethiopia.Here is Josie and I.Jakob loved the injera to. It will be fun to take him back there as he gets older.On Saturday we had a party for Jakob. The cake is a symbol of their flag. I made it myself (well with my mom's help). Here are some things from Ethiopia that we had on display. The outfit, is the outfit from the orphanage that we took him home in. Here is our special baby. He is growing up to be such a little boy. Words can not express how thankful we are to have Jakob from Ethiopia. The bonding and the love that has taken place over the past year is amazing. Jakob you have a special place in many peoples hearts. We love you very much. We are looking forward to all the adventures of this upcoming year.
Love Ya
Daddy, Mommy & Ethan

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

A Night with the Reeves!

This past weekend the Reeves came over to hang out. Here are some fun pictures of the night. Jakob sure likes to wrestle with them.





Enjoy!

Lots of Love,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Today and Forever

1 Year Ago today we picked up Jakob from the Orhphanage to live with us forever. What a delight it has been.
Jakob we love you!!
Love, Mom, Dad & Ethan

Sunday, March 22, 2009

1 YEAR AGO!

1 Year ago yesterday we met Jakob for the 1st time.
1 Year ago today we were traveling to Alaba to see the area where Jakob was found.
1 Year ago from Tuesday we took Jakob from the Orphanage to live with us forever.
Here are some pictures from Ethiopia and this month.
This picture was taken from friends that traveled before us to Ethiopia.
Here is the 1st time we met Jakob. Here is Jakob just last week trying to eat.Here is Jakob sitting with dad by the table enjoying his sippie cup with a can cooler. He wants to be just like dad. As most of you know we traveled with another couple from Zeeland; Ted & Jill. We have become great friends with them. They adopted 2 daughters. Here is their daughter Josie when we picked her up. Her is Josie Saturday night when we had dinner with them.
Here is Zuri in Ethiopia.Here is Zuri on Saturday night. All of the kids are doing so well and growing great.

We can't believe that it has been a year already. It seems like we were just in Ethiopia.

What a great year!

All our Love,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Doctor Says...

JAKOB
Weight: 31 lbs 11 ozs
Height: 34"
Jakob is in the 97 % for weight and the 90% for height. He is doing great. He doesn't need to
go back for 6 months. Jakob got 1 shot.

ETHAN
Weight: 9 lbs 8 ozs
Height: 21 1/2 "
Ethan is in the 10% for height and weight. He also is doing great. He has to stay on his Zantac
for a few more months but we are seeing improvements with it. He goes back in 2 months for
a check up and more shots. Ethan got 3 shots.

It was an adventure taking both boys today, but we survived.

A year ago tonight we were packing our bags to fly out tomorrow to Ethiopia. It is amazing where time has gone. We are so thankful for both of the boys and that they are very healthy.
All our love,
Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Jakob's 18 Month Pictures at the Park!

I have been waiting to get Jakob's 18 month pictures and yesterday at the park was the perfect day. We made it a picture day. Enjoy.
Jakob is starting to show Ethan more attention. He wants to hold him often. So yesterday I let him. In the big bean bag he held him.

It didn't last long.
Ethan is really getting big. Can't wait to take him to the doctor on Wednesday.
Here are the 18 month pictures of Jakob.
Jakob loves to look at his reflection and follow his shadow. This is our reflection in the side of my truck. The picture turned out too cool to not include it. See his hand on the left side. He is reaching for his reflection.
Hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather the past couple of days. It really makes us think that spring is on the way.
Gotta Go,
Love,
Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Monday, March 9, 2009

Ethan almost 8 weeks old!

On Thursday Ethan will be 8 weeks old. He is definately growing. He is eating better and sleeping better as well. Each week we see improvements. He is sleeping in his own crib and doesn't like taking a bath.
He has hair just like Rick's. It is very soft and goes everywhere. It looks like a tornado from the back. Jakob is still working on some teeth and loves the camera.
Overall we are doing great. Can't wait till we can play outside.
Lots of Love,
Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Jakob is 18 Months Old Today!

We hope that everyone had a great week. We had a very fun week as the weather was a bit warmer. Here are some pictures of what we did. Last Sunday we went to Grandpa & Grandma M, we had lunch and there were about 15 dear in the back yard. They were very cool.I played outside 3 days this week. I love it. Here I was playing shy with the neighbor boys.I love to climb up the deck stairs.On Friday my Mom's cousin Becky came over and brought her daughter Hanna. We played in my playroom it was so fun. I can't wait till she comes again. She lives in Ohio, so we don't see her very often. She was 18 months old yesterday.

Today is my 1/2 birthday. Can you believe 6 more months and I will be 2? Mom says I act like I am 2 already.
Mom also says we will post more pictures of Ethan tomorrow.
The end of this month, we get to celebrate my coming to America. March 30 I will have lived with my forever family for 1 year. Mom says it seems like just yesterday we were in Ethiopia.
Have a great night.
All our love,
Jakob (Dad, Mom & Ethan too)