My Big Guy… Emerson.

For three little people -- who've spent every waking hour together since they were in the womb in Ethiopia -- it’s amazing to me how absolutely different each one of their personalities are.

Let’s start with my oldest (by a few minutes) … my sweet, cuddly guy – Emerson.

He loves to bat his long eyelashes (such a flirt) and give a sneaky smile, which up until a few weeks ago, was mostly pink gums. He finally has his two top teeth coming in.

He loves to eat, but he takes his time to savor it, unlike his brother and sister. He adores sweet potatoes, bananas and yogurt. A real little foodie. It’s the same story with his “ba ba.” After he’s finished with his milk, he literally cuddles with that bottle in his crib.

He doesn’t know how strong he is yet, compared to his smaller and more wiry brother Attie, who takes him down with a mere hair pull (they love to pull each other’s hair – a habit we’re trying to curb by the way!)

I thought it would be Nola Grace, but big Em has figure out how to pull himself up to stand without any assistance. He loves to stand in his crib and look out the window… and it’s the best… because he’s so proud of himself. You can tell when he flashes that big, not-so-toothy smile.

He’s more mellow than his brother and sister, although he loves to belt out an ear-piercing scream every now and again.

He’s a cuddle-bug. Not with just us, but with stuffed animals too, including his sisters little Cabbage Patch doll.

Speaking if his sister, they play so well together. They make each other giggle all the time. They play footsies in the car, and on occasion, I look back and see their little fingers intertwined.

He loves to be tickled, but hates his face being washed after he eats, and he especially hates when I try to eradicate his boogers. You would think he was being tortured.

He loves to say “EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE” (in honor of his name I am guessing) when he’s excited.

And I’m betting he’ll be the first one to walk – a real example for his younger brother and sister.

As they get older, I am also betting that he’ll be the one to play the role of “big brother” – meaning a great protector– someone who will always watch out for them.

It's so amazing to see... that even at this young age... he has such a kind and sweet soul.

He’s my big Em… and I am so very lucky to call him my son.

Addressing the Negativity

I’ve had this blog for nearly two years – and in that time – I have never received a negative comment. Well, that was until yesterday when an “anonymous” commenter (anonymous of course because they didn’t have the spine to identify themselves) left this:

"I think the kids look unhappy because you purchased them and they have a legitimate reason for being unhappy"

Needless to say, I don’t find this comment surprising, but I do find it infuriating on so many levels.

First of all, this person has no idea what our story is. About how we came to be a family. About the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding their relinquishment. They know absolutely nothing. Yet, they feel like they can just throw out that comment… anonymously of course.

I was having a conversation with my husband about it last night – and he said something that put it all in perspective for me. “We do not live in a perfect world.”

If we did – there would be no need for adoption because birth families would have everything they need to raise their children. They would have access to good health care and plenty of food and clean water – and the phrases poverty and food insecurity wouldn’t exist in our vocabulary. If this was a perfect world – there wouldn’t be an estimated 153 million orphans worldwide.

If this was a perfect world, my children would still be living with their birth mother and siblings in Ethiopia. Their birth father would still be alive and they would be thriving in their small village.

Unfortunately…. this is NOT a perfect world. It’s pretty $%*&@# up – and all we can do is our best to live the lives we were meant to. In our case, it’s raising these three amazing children to be the best possible human beings they can be. To give them every opportunity in the world to be happy and successful. To instill in them respect for themselves and others, to have faith, to love their family and friends and to embrace all cultures as well as their own.

When it all comes down to it… adoption… just like the world we live is absolutely not perfect.

But when it’s done right and ethically, and you’re able to make a personal connection with the birth family, and everyone is on the same page – there really is nothing more amazing or beautiful than adoption.

Trust me. I live it every day.

Have you ever tried to get three 1-year-olds to smile and look like they're having fun all at once? Well, in my experience, it's been nearly impossible. All I want is one, just one, good picture for a holiday card. I tried them by themselves... and then all together. Granted, the first time it was snowing, and my little guy Attie screamed the whole time. (I think the snow scared him!) And my other two were fine... although they had their serious faces on the whole time. Just check out examples, a, b and c.

So, if you get a "Happy Holiday" card with two serious faces and one screaming one... you'll know it's from us.

In the meantime, how much does life suck when you have triplets and your fairly new washing machine decides to shit the bed? Actually, that's a rhetorical question. Of course life sucks, and what makes it even worse, is that my usually understanding husband can't seem to grasp the idea of why I am so PISSED off. Don't sweat the small stuff he says... Really?! It's not small stuff when you have three babies who go through several outfits, bibs, pjs, towels, face cloths and an occasional sheet a day. Ahhhh, you've gotta love men. So clueless sometimes. (By the way, don't buy a Whirlpool!)

On a positive note, Thanksgiving was really fun (and exhausting). The triplets were like little celebs being toted from house to house -- and when they weren't on the road  making appearances,  people were flocking to Ken's parents house to meet them. They were so good too. They never minded being picked up, hugged and kissed by strangers, and the best part, they always reached for Ken and I afterward. They really were pretty great. Just one of the things I am so thankful for this holiday season -- the amazing transition they've made.

I'm also incredibly thankful for....
Finally being a mom to not one, not two, but three amazing kiddos.
My amazing husband.
My loving and supportive family and friends.
And I'm especially thankful for their birth family. Without the selflessness and love of their birth mother -- who made a plan for them the moment they were born -- not only wouldn't they be here with us, they might not be alive.

She made that plan on the day they were born...  and I am so grateful and honored we were chosen to be apart of it.

Wordless Wednesday

Sibling love!

Catching My Breath

Some days just seem to slip by. I wake up with the best intentions of doing all kinds of things like updating this blog, writing an article I promised to do, send out adoption announcements, go to yoga… but no matter how much time there is - there never seems to be quite enough.

I guess that’s what happens when you have three kiddos.

You know the saying… “Being a mom is the hardest job you’ll ever have” – and it’s so damn true. Holy **** – this stuff is hard. Rewarding and amazing – YES – but really hard. And honestly, this mom thing should come with a hefty salary!

Fortunately for all of us, we have a pretty solid routine. The three of them sleep through the night (I’m talking 12 hours) and they take two naps a day. The nap thing is so nice – and just enough time to fold some laundry and take a shower. I am never taking for granted again the joys of taking a long, hot shower. It’s a rarity with three 1-year-olds. And forget about blowing out my hair. Please people. That maybe happens once a week, which brings me to my new mom hair. It’s called a pony tail with one of those thin black elastic headbands that I usually reserve for working out. And my favorite new outfit – Lululemon yoga pants and whatever clean shirt I can find. Thank GOD for Lululemon. Their pants are not only comfortable, but they also make your ass look its best possible self. (Just be warned, they are quite pricey, so check out their sale stuff online or at an outlet.)

But despite my new “mom” hair style, the 7-day yoga pant regimen, and occasional bags under my eyes (I desperately need a facial, a haircut and some highlights to cover protruding grays) – this whole mom thing is pretty special. Like my husband says, when you pick them up and they wrap their chubby arms around your neck and squeeze you with their little legs, it makes it all worth it. Worth all the craziness, the three of them screaming at the same time, the non-stop loads of laundry and lack of adult time. It really is all worth it – especially when they are sound asleep upstairs, healthy and happy, and we get to have a glass of wine or two… and just for a moment … catch our breath.

Getting Used to My New Normal

The kids have been home for 11 days.... and it blows my mind how much my life - our lives - have changed in this short time frame. They have been, for the most part, absolutely amazing. I can't believe how they have handled this transition.

On October 6th, we carried them on a plane (with the help of their two brave aunts) and flew them to the other side of the world -- to a place completely new and utterly different. If I was them, I would've been freaking out.

There was minimal crying on the plane. I am telling you little angels. Although after 20 + hours  on Ethiopian Air's new Dreamliner (which is not that dreamy!) we finally made it to Dulles Airport where they all decided to  have a meltdown in the security line. Screaming bloody murder at the top of their lungs. You can't blame them. Me, Ken, Aimee (my sister) and Wendy (Ken's sister) all started to have a slight meltdown at that point as well. Sleep deprivation can do some crazy things to your body and mind. We were all laughing and crying at the same time!

Fast-forward to today - I am still sleep deprived. I haven't taken a shower since Tuesday and I barely managed to peel off my barf-soaked Red Sox shirt (thanks to Nola Grace) and jeans before crawling into bed last night.

But I wouldn't change one minute or one second of my new normal. It's everything I've been dreaming about and more. After all, who wouldn't be happy to wake up to these little face every morning.

p.s. more to come on our trip, the birth family visit and a must-have packing list for people traveling to pick up their kiddos in Ethiopia. 

Attie my wild man. (although he looks pretty tame here!)

Emerson my big guy!

Nola Grace my sweet pea.

Tardy Wordless Wednesday (Because that's all I have time for right now!)

I have so much to write about. Our trip to Ethiopia to pick up these little beauties was amazing... life changing. But until I have time to get my thoughts on paper... here's a little look into my afternoons. Nap time from 1 - 3PM.