Wednesday, May 6, 2009

almost at the 2 month mark





I have been a horrible blogger these past 8 weeks. Life has exploded all over me like cake in the face. Wonderful, delicious, messy cake in the face. We have had the ups and downs that I did and didn't expect. Our transition to a family of four has been scary, amazing, and ever changing. Cecily, our quiet and reserved little girl who used to whisper and just smile when spoken to has turned into the little diva we all knew she was! We went for several weeks begging her to speak. We even had to limit her most favorite activity, television, because she wouldn't respond when spoken to. We weren't sure if it was shyness or stubbornness but she stopped using even the words she initially said freely. So, after an evening of limited tv, the vocab usage improved. There is nothing like asking someone a series of yes/no questions and having them roll their eyes at you for 2 weeks straight!! In the past 3-4 weeks we have seen such changes that I can't even grasp until I think back on how things were in the first weeks. She can express most any thought in English as well as tell us MANY odd stories from her time in Ethiopia. You have to wonder how much is true and if all is true...yikes. She seems to understand nearly everything we say. We still have the occasional language barrier...mostly when you are asking her to go to bed or turn off the tv! Typical 9 year old I hear! She LOVES Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody! Anything Disney channel or black and white shows. We have to limit tv and that is our most difficult task. In the evening we play outside until nearly dark then she gets her tv time before/after bath. That usually results in an ultra short bathtime!!!!

School is going great. Her teacher said that she has made a few friends and does well socializing. Her ESL teacher raves about her determination and how quickly she is picking things up. We are very pleased with school and she loves going. It is so scary taking her there and just leaving her not knowing what she is dealing with all day. I know that is normal but I worried about if she would tell them that she needs to go to the bathroom or if she would understand what was expected. I guess she is doing just fine.

She does really well with Ian. She gets a little frustrated with him at times and we have to intervene in their sibling fights. We try to make her room hers and keep him out as much as possible. Ian wants whatever she has, wants to be where she is, and do whatever she does. It can grow tiresome on a 9 year old.

We are on our first vacation as a family this week. This is the vacation that I dreamed of for years while we were growing our family. Last year we didn't really have vacation since we were in limbo about her travel date. This year we decided on Cancun for our first getaway, but due to many issues including passports and swine flu we decided Florida may be the better option. It has been amazing. Watching their little faces when they saw the ocean for the first time and played in the sand. We went to Busch Gardens and my fearless little girl rode the most daunting of roller coasters without any hesitation! It is perfection...everything I had hoped.

Life is continuing to change for us in many ways. We will welcome a third child into our home sometime in July! Yep...one last little Clevinger!

20 comments:

Ryane said...

Beautiful family!

Leah Reeves said...

Thanks for the update! I just love the picture of the three of you, so cute.

Congrats on child number 3, wow a family of 2 to a family of 5 in two short years!!!!!!wonderful.

keep the posts coming......

Leah

Jocelyn said...

Sounds like you guys are adjusting well!! I love that she is a typical 9 year old:-) Glad you guys are having fun on your trip!!

Dan, Misty & Ashar said...

Congrats! That is such incredible news. Wow! Your family has grown so wonderfully and so quickly! So happy for you guys!

Robin said...

Wow....what incredible pictures and post!

And...you look amazing!

Squeeker is 9; Pickles 26 months -- oh, the sibling rivalry is awful, especially in the car. I can totally relate!

veggiemom said...

Love the pics!!! Glad she's finally starting to talk.

coffeemom said...

Love the update!! You look stunning, btw! And your kids? well, they too are stunning. Love hearing how things are, all of it, the good the hard..I"m taking notes. don't stop posting when y ou can, we love them! M

Christina said...

So glad to hear that everything is going well, and congratulations on #3!

Erica said...

Oh they are beautiful!! Congratulations on your newest addition! How exciting!

Farmboy and Buttercup said...

Hey, congrats on making it this far in the adjusting. And you are adding another one, how cool is that???

Also, thanks so much for the comment on our blog. Yes, you DO get it. I read way back on your blog, and it is so encouraging to know that even though there can be SO many discouraging waits along the way, our kids really do come home.

Oh, and I am with you on one of your posts. I have taken a big step back from blogging myself. It is just too hard right now. But, when others comment (like you) I just have to do some reading.

Take care!

kathy Martin said...

SO glad to get an update! You have a beautiful family! And Congrats on #3!
Kathy
Guatemala's Gift

Renee said...

Lindsey!
So glad to hear that things are going well, I've missed you! Call me when you have a few extra minutes. Do you think you're going to make it to Memphis in July?
XO,
Renee

The Redman's said...

Thanks for the update! Your kiddos are just too cute... and the first picture of Ian is priceless!!

Congrats of baby #3... what a full house of love you will have.

Mrs. C in NC said...

Hey, I think we have a family a bit like yours! We traveled to Ethiopia in September of 2008 and became the proud parents of Mihret and Tsion, and we are adding a third child in late June. We didn't expect to go from zero to three kids in nine months, but it has just happened that way. Mihret is our son (14 years old today!) and Tsion is our 10 year old daughter. Their little brother, Ezra Tsegaye, is due on June 22. His middle name is in honor of Mihret and Tsion's Ethiopian father's name.

I have followed your blog for some time now, and I'm thrilled to hear that your children are doing so well.

Sincerely,
Sarah C.
Raleigh, NC

Rebecca said...

You already have a beautiful family...how exciting to make it that much more beautiful by adding a third!! Congrats on the pregnancy!

The pictures of the kiddos are great! Glad to hear everyone is adjusting well!

Angie said...

Congratulations to you guys on all fronts! Love to find your blog and read your updates. Hope your vacation rocks!

Jen said...

Congratulations on everything! You have a beautiful family!

Leah Reeves said...

Lindsey,

Great new header picture!

We are getting started with the adoption process again, for Rwanda. We would like to adopt a child between 5-9 years of age. I would love to email with you about adopting a school aged child, advice would be great......but I understand if you are to busy.

Blessings,

Leah
rwandaadopt@yahoo.com

Lori S said...

I had lots of fun reading this post...it all sounds so familiar!!! I love that Faven is able to relate so much to us about why Diborah does the things she does. We can learn so much about Ethiopia from them!!
Also, glad Cecily is coming out of her shell....I think I told you that not talking was NEVER one of Faven's problems! (o:
Sounds like everyone is adjusting well just in time to bring in another element of excitement!! Congratulations!

A Team said...

I am blown away!
The picture of you guys (at the top of your blog) is GORGEOUS!

AND YOU ARE PREGNANT??????
I gasped when I saw your belly.
You have such beautiful children.. Your daughter... OH MY. I remember seeing pictures of your son when we were waiting and hoping our son would be that beautiful.
YOU GUYS ARE ULTRA BLESSED!
Tracie :-)
tnateam.blogspot.com