New Pictures!

Isn't he beautiful!?!!!! We think so.

Do you think we look alike?

The first time my parents saw Jude's picture, they had the same reaction, "He looks like you did as a baby!" I thought this reaction was very funny. So, to end all doubt, my mom emailed me this picture of myself as a baby. My first reaction was that Jude is SO much cuter than I was. But, we do have a similar brow (I love his little brow. I think it's much easier for a boy to pull off the distinct brow). My mom says we have the same brow and lips. All I know is that he is meant to be in our family and I love him more than everything.

I apologize, although I'm a somewhat dedicated blogger, I am NOT a formatting specialist...yet.

Now they can tell I'm expecting!

Today I was in Babies R Us obsessing over strollers (you know, big vs. small and features vs. weight). I made a few BFFs there (at least in my mind) who were offering me advice, such as pros/cons, etc. Finally a brave woman asked, "Are you pregnant?"- so I cheerfully explained, "No, I'm adopting!" My new best friends happily cheered and I felt such a real part of the "almost mom" club. It's a really really fun supportive club. I was hooked.
I came home today to a package waiting for me. I LOVE packages (even when I know that inside is a book I ordered for myself). But, I hadn't ordered anything. Inside was this fabulous t-shirt. I am going to wear it every single day. After one little taste of the club, there is no turning back. I'm advertising.
The shirt was from one of my real BFFs, Christa...who is even way more supportive and fun than the Babies R Us crowd.
Oh, and yesterday when I was feeling impatient and anxious, I dyed my hair really dark. It was an impulse move. I forgot to ask the Babies R Us group how they felt about it. They are good with advice.

Shots, round one...check!

Last week we got our first round of shots...I feel proud and accomplished (it doesn't take much for me to get boastful and even a tad smug as the result of seemingly small tasks). We still haven't heard a new word or seen a new picture. I just feel so impatient. As of today it is four weeks since we received our referral for baby Jude...Keep your fingers crossed for a court date- or at least a new picture soon. For everyone it's different, but I think this is the toughest part of our journey to Jude yet. At least for me, I'm super anxious. Tommy is a bit more breezy than I am...My unrealistic dream to bring him home by Thanksgiving was gone a week or two ago, but I'm still holding out hope that he will be home by Christmas... I can't wait to have a court date to obsess over. Yes, I am still listening to Lori :) and that's why I'm posting. The next post will be much more exciting- because I will either have a date or new pictures...I just know it!

Happy to hear...

that Jude is in the care center. At the care center he is being cuddled up with and he may even get a little chunkiness to his thighs...Although no where near the cuddles he's in for (or the chunkiness) with us! I'm not sure how long he's been in the care center- truthfully, I was afraid to ask for fear he was still in the orphanage. So, I am just so happy to know for sure that he's being well taken care of.

Happy Birthday Jude!

Today Jude is 3 months old! We are just dying to hold him...We haven't heard any updates as far as possible court dates yet, but we will post as soon as we find out. I really hope to get more pictures of him soon! He is just growing up so fast :)

The night of our referral...

Holding my baby for the first time...So happy and so in love. But, now I'm just dying to really hold him.

Judah's name!

The night after we received our referral for Judah, I obviously couldn't sleep. Here is the result of my 2:00AM project.

Still just doing what Lori tells me...

I'm "IT"...

Job's I've had:
1. Substitute Teacher
2. Behaviorist
3. Dog Trainer
4. Server (this list really could go on forever...)

Places I've lived (some):
1. Los Angeles, CA
2. Nagano, Japan
3. Balboa Island, CA
4. Flagstaff, Arizona

Food I love (I have to list types, because the list of specific dishes would be too extensive, LOVE FOOD):
1. Mexican
2. Japanese
3. Thai
4. Italian

Places I'd rather be:
1. With Judah and Tommy in Ethiopia
2. With Judah and Tommy in Europe
3. With Judah and Tommy in Nagano
4. With Judah, Tommy and Nicole in Thailand

Movies I love (I am not critical of movies. Unless it's an epic, I usually like it):
1. Grease 2 (the standard by which all other movies should to be compared to...I want a C-O-O-L, R-I-D-E-R)
2. The Notebook
3. The Sound of Music
4. Notting Hill

T.V. show I love:
1. The Office
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Gilmore Girls
4. Newport Harbor (I defend this choice to Tommy by saying I watch it because lots of filming was done where I used to live, on Balboa Island, and because I need to be in the know for Bunco, but Christa knows the truth)

Books I love:
1. Anything by Lonely Planet
2. Mists of Avalon
3. There Is No Me Without You
4. Memoirs of a Geisha

All the Ethiopian adoption blogs I read have already posted this list...who to tag?...who to tag? Nicole, you're it! Finally, I'm telling you what to do! Please do it so I have a momentary false sense of power. Thanks!

Hey Jude!

Why Judah?
Here's why!
It means "the praised one"
On the ancient Ethiopian flag, is the Lion of Judah...

Judah (in Hebrew: Yehuda) is the original name of the Tribe of Judah - traditionally symbolized by a lion. The Lion of Judah is important in Judaism, Christianity, and Rastafari religions.

Besides, who doesn't LOVE the song Hey Jude by the Beatles (and I LOVE the Beatles)...most of all we just like the name...it seems strong to us, and that is the one thing we know for sure- our little one is definitely a strong one!