Introducing...

... another Armenian angel, our bright and beautiful new daughter, Anjella.

Ella, as she will be called, is 6 years old and doing remarkably well thus far.  She has been with us since October 8 and we could not have wished for a smoother transition.  We are so blessed to have this lovely girl in our family.  She is a wonderful daughter and big sister.

IAC 293 & 294 Results

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 293 which was held on September 11, 2014:

1) Irish dossier from August 2010 referred a female child aged 3 years and 2 months

2) Italian dossier from February 2012 referred a male child aged 4 years and 7 months with features in health status

3) US dossier from September 2012 referred a female child aged 2 years and 3 months with features in health status

4) Italian dossier from September 2012 referred a male child aged 7 years and 11 months

5) US dossier from December 2012 referred a female child aged 2 years and 10 months with features in health status

6) Italian dossier from June 2013 referred a waiting child (#2436) with a profile on the MOJ site

7) US dossier from October 2013 referred a waiting child (#1248) with a profile on the MOJ site

8) Italian dossier from November 2013 referred a twin brother and sister, aged 8 years and 8 months, with features in health status

9) US dossier from May 2014 referred a waiting child (#2361) with a profile on the MOJ site

10) US dossier from August 2014 referred a waiting child (#2002) with a profile on the MOJ site

11) US dossier from August 2014 referred three waiting children (#2241 & #2424 & #2484) with profiles on the MOJ site

12) US dossier from September 2014 referred a waiting child (#2104) with a profile on the MOJ site

13)  US dossier from September 2014 referred a waiting child (#2400) with a profile on the MOJ site

14)  US dossier from September 2014 referred a waiting child (#2315) with a profile on the MOJ site

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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 294 which was held on September 19, 2014:

1) German dossier from September 2010 referred a female child aged 2 years and 10 months

2) German dossier from October 2010 referred a male child aged 2 years and 3 months

3) Italian dossier from November 2010 referred a male child aged 5 years and 9 months

4) German dossier from November 2010 referred a female child aged 4 years and 8 months

5) Spanish dossier from November 2010 referred a male child aged 4 years and 6 months

6) US dossier from March 2011 referred a male child aged 1 year and 4 months with features in health status

7) Italian dossier from February 2012 referred two sisters aged 4 years and 2 months & 7 years and 1 month with a family history

8) Italian dossier from August 2012 referred a female child aged 7 years and 10 months with features in health status

9) Dutch dossier from September 2012 referred a male child aged 4 years and 6 months with features in health status

10) Italian dossier from March 2013 referred a female child aged 8 years and 8 months

11) Italian dossier from April 2014 referred a male child aged 9 years and 6 months

12) Italian dossier from May 2014 referred three siblings, male and female, 4 years and 11 months, 5 years and 11 months & 7 years and 5 months

13) US dossier from September 2014 referred a waiting child (#2313) with a profile on the MOJ site

14) US dossier from September 2014 referred a waiting child (#2286) with a profile on the MOJ site

15) US dossier from September 2014 referred three waiting children (#2251 & #2252 & #2253) with profiles on the MOJ site

A Rose By Any Other Name

Naming is a hotly debated matter in the adoption community with some seeing the value in keeping a child's birth name, others believing that they have a right to re-name their children, and many trying to find a middle ground between both.

Craig and I gave the issue a lot of thought with all three of our adoptions and have come to different conclusions in each case.  We always waited to meet our children before we made a decision and, out of respect to their biological families and their birth countries, always referred to them by their birth names until they were legally ours.

In Rex's case, his birth name, while a very popular boys' name in Armenia, is a common female first name here in the US which we thought my cause some confusion and teasing.  In addition, it was obvious to us that Rex did not respond to his birth name as we heard him called by it countless times during our registration trip and he showed now reaction.  Given these two factors, we felt comfortable changing his name to Rex which is a family name for us, as is his middle name.  And we have found over time that his name fits him very well.  He is the little king of this family.

Emilia's birth name was a very traditional Slavic name.  Craig and I both thought it beautiful and were using a sweet and very American nickname based on it for our girl while we waited to bring her home.  We were quite tempted to keep the name, but we didn't know at the time if she had been named by her birth family or hospital staff and the name itself held a negative association for us with an American celebrity.  Plus, after meeting her, we realized she, too, did not respond to her birth name.  After Emilia arrived in the US, we had a Bulgarian translator for our initial medical appointments and she tried every single nickname that someone could be called based on her birth name and Emilia showed no reaction.  This made us feel confident that we had made the right decision in giving Emilia a new first and middle name, honoring beloved members of our family.

Making a name choice for Big Sis has been much harder than it was for Rex and Emilia.  Sis is older and she responds to her name.  In fact, she strongly identifies with it.  It is a lovely name and we much prefer her birth country's pronunciation of it over the American version.  This pronunciation also lends itself to a nickname that has been on our short list for girl names for years, despite its recent surge in popularity.  And, the nickname is a family name for us to boot.  Therefore, we decided to keep Big Sister's birth name, with an unusual American spelling that will hopefully reflect its proper pronunciation.  We will use a nickname that can stand alone.  And for a middle name, like Rex and Emilia, she will be given a family name.  We just haven't decided which one yet.

I know that our children may question our choices in naming them as they grow up.  I questioned my parents and that was without an adoption factor involved.  I am prepared for them to tell me they hate their names and make decisions about what they want to be called.  They may even opt to change their names officially and while this will be hard for me to accept, I know it's their right.  But I simply want our children to know that we did not take the issue of naming them lightly and that we thoughtfully, carefully considered what would be best for each of them within the realm of our understanding at the time of their adoptions.

And no matter what the future holds in this regard, as a mother to my children I am with Shakespeare, "What's in a name? that which we call a rose / By another other name would smell as sweet."

Southpaw Makes Us Drool

Some people get excited when their J. Crew, Pottery Barn or TravelSmith catalogs arrive in the mail.  Our family, well, we get all drooly when Southpaw sends us their glossy pages.  We love everything we have ever purchased from Southpaw, so we sit down and look through the catalog over and over, dreaming of all the cool OT and sensory stuff we would like to have in our home to enjoy.  We'll take one of each, please and thank you.

Here's what we're currently googly-eyeing on the Martini wish list:

The 3-in-1 small barrel swing

The small rocker board

The 10-foot resistance tunnel

There's always Christmas or next year, right?

Almond Olive Oil Cake

Several weeks ago after a couple of semi-aimless clicks on the computer - you know how it goes - I came across this recipe for Almond Olive Oil Cake.  Normally I would be freaked out by the idea of baking sweets with olive oil, but this cake had two of my favorite ingredients/flavors, almond and lemon, and looked super delicious and moist in the picture.  So, I kept the link open and let it taunt me for a while.  Finally, I decided to make the cake and it was fantastic with a fragrant and flavorful base and a crunchy topping.

I baked it on a Saturday afternoon and I am not ashamed to say that by Sunday night it had vanished into thin air... or more likely into an extra pound around our middles.

Emilia Is 5

Emilia's fifth birthday has come and gone.  We celebrated small this year with just the four of us because there's a lot going on in our lives right now and we need to keep the things in our control as low key as possible.  Nonetheless, Emilia had a great birthday and enjoyed spending time with her family.

Emilia and I had a quiet day at home.   She was in a playful mood.

We went for a walk and Emilia took her birthday present, an umbrella, with her. She also received a pretty pair of rain boots from Miss Rie which have been a popular fashion choice since.

After Craig and Rex got home, we went out to dinner at a small local diner.  It was probably the best meal we have had at a restaurant as a family since the kids came home in 2011.

Emilia knew that back at home, she had birthday cupcakes waiting for her.  Even though they were gluten and dairy free, they were really delicious. The homemade ganache is key.

In her own words,
"I a mess."

Happy birthday, sweet girl.  Now you are five.  

You are so wonderful and bless us every single day with your hugs, kisses and love, 

your laughter, sense of humor and wit, 

your caring and compassion, especially for your big brother, 

your spontaneous and uninhibited dances 

and your adorable singing that brings tears to daddy’s and my eyes in the car sometimes.  

We cherish that instead of I love you, you often say, “Twinkle, twinkle” 

to let us know how you feel when you squeeze us tight, 
press your cheek to ours, or rub noses with us.  

You amaze us with the surprising and remarkable ways you see the world around you, 

with how much you know even if you don’t always have the words to express it, 

and with the happiness you bring to everyone you meet.  

You are a gift and a treasure.  We love you.

She Doesn't Know...

... how much she is loved from thousands of miles away

... what life will be as a daughter, big sister, niece, cousin and granddaughter

... that there are a home, a room, a bed, lots of clothes, and toys waiting for her

... that many people have been generous in helping cover the cost of her adoption

... that we have worked diligently for twelve months to make her our child

... that we have been watching videos of her many times over

... that I hum a song I heard her sing every single day

... that many of us are working, advocating, and praying for her best friend "L"

... that her little sister knows how to say her name and recognizes her face

... that we will come to pick her up very soon