Watoto Children's Choir

Tonight we attended a performance by the Watoto Children's Choir of Uganda, Africa.  What an amazing group of children!  They sang and danced for us as well as told their individual stories.  All the children have lost their parents in some fashion (mostly AIDS).  Maya enjoyed every minute of it.  She danced and sang along.  It is a good thing we purchased a cd!  We also sat by a family from Uganda that now lives in Fargo!  I highly recommend visiting their website and see a performance if they are in your neighborhood.  I know they are busy touring all over the US right now and the concert dates are on their website.  We are so glad to have seen them perform and the free will offering goes to improve their lives.  What a great way to spend your evening!

 

http://www.watoto.com/

Maya has grown!

Maya had her second doctor's appt this morning.  She is now 16 lbs 10 oz.  Maya went from the 10th percentile to the 45th percentile for weight.  Height is another story as she hasn't grown much longer (about an inch).  However, they didn't focus on her height at this appt but plan to at her 9th month check-up.  The doctor did seem very pleased on her weight gain as well as her development.  Maya sits up very well and is scooting herself backwards.  We know she wants to crawl but just hasn't figure out how to yet.  I'm sure the day will be coming soon!

Family Update

We are still having a blast being parents. Maya is such a sweet little girl.  It is hard to imagine life before her. 

On October 4, we had our first placement visit with our local social worker.  We are lucky to complete a post placement report once a year for the next 18 years.  The first year we have two or three reports to complete with the assistance of our local social worker.  The next 17 years will be completed by us.  We have a wonderful social worker who made the visit very informal and easy. 

The weekend of October 6, my brother and his family visited for the weekend.  It was also NDSU homecoming.  Maya got all dressed up with NDSU gear including an NDSU rattle.  In the morning we visited my sorority house and watched the parade.  Afterwards we headed home so Maya could get a quick nap in and get some food before the big NDSU homecoming football game.  This was Maya's first game and she did GREAT!  Maya was very playful and happy the first half of the game.  During the second half, she slept on daddy's lap. 

 

Random Updates:

Toby is adjusting extremely well with Maya being around.  He seems to think that Maya's toys are now his toys (see picture below).  We always considered Toby one of our kids but...we now need to watch him to ensure he isn't chewing on the wrong toys!  The good news is Maya doesn't seem to mind.

 

The other day I wore a headband in my hair (the brown one Maya is wearing in the picture below).  For most of the day, Maya would stare at my headband and would also try to grab it when she could.  I finally took it off and let her wear it which she did proudly.  The next day I bought her a few of her own and boy is she happy!  She just loves her headbands.

Daycare Update:

This morning we visited daycare.  We got to see the room Maya will be in and got to meet some of her teachers.  I have been okay up to today about going back to work and taking her to daycare.  I am now bummed and very sad.  It will be a hard day for me to go back to work and not be with her all day.  Can anyone really take as good of care as mom and dad?  I know they will take excellent care of her but it doesn't make it easier.

Maya Making Noise

http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=3e7fc2149596bba4109d21

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Traditional Dancing from Ethiopia

While in Ethiopia, we spent an evening at the Crown Hotel for a traditional dinner and dancing. Below is a video of the dancing - it is pretty amazing how they can move their bodies, you might get a headache from just watching... :)

A big shout out to Steve and Danae who put this video together.

Maya's first photo shoot

We had photos taken earlier this week and as mentioned she did amazing. For a sneak peek, check out the photographer's blog - it is the Oct 1st entry but you won't miss her. Isn't she absolutely beautiful!!!

http://www.areavoices.com/blessings/

Busy Week & Weekend

Maya is an amazing traveler.  She basically slept the entire trip to and from to visit her grandma and great-grandma.  We left last Tuesday am for my mom's and stayed two nights.  We did break up the drive by stopping at my sister's for a few hours each way.  Maya enjoyed getting out the car and playing for awhile.  I was also able to feed her so it worked out for both of us.  Maya did get to spend time with her Grandma Julie and Great-Grandma Clara.  She also got to meet a few other people. 

This past weekend Dave's family came to meet Maya.  Dave's family had a celebration/shower for us yesterday.  They did such an amazing job planning and decorating.  We had a wonderful time visiting and got some great photos.  Maya was a charmer and everyone fell in love.  How could you not love Maya?  She is so sweet, playful, and has the most amazing smile.  Dave's family also watched the video that our adoption agency made.  The video talked about Ethiopia as a country and then focused on Maya.  Our agency is the only agency that we know of that puts together a video like this and we are so glad to have shared it with our family.  We really feel is helps our family understand the country and the outstanding care the care center gives to all the children.  We hope we can share it with more people down the road.

This morning Maya got professional photos taken.  As always, she did amazing.  We think we got some great photos and more than likely we have too many to choose from.  I am so excited to see them.  Hopefully we have a good photo for our Christmas cards :)