The Doctors Kit Worked – No More Tears

Every time I took Welansa to the doctor’s office she would cry as soon as the doctor walked into the exam room. Thank God we don’t have to go that often. I actually thought I had a super baby. However, I was informed by the doctor that because she is not in daycare she is less susceptible to ear infections and colds.

My friend gave me a play doctor’s kit that included amongst other things a stethoscope, thermometer, needle, and band-aids. And no the needle was not sharp. Two weeks before the visit we started playing with the kit. I demonstrated how Dr. Sheppard would examine her chest and back with the stethoscope and allowed her to practice on me. We also took the kit to the doctor’s office. She looked so cute walking into the office.

Well it worked. When Dr. Sheppard walked into the exam room she was apprehensive at first but she did not cry !!!!The doctor’s kit REALLY worked or maybe my girl is getting older.

Our 1st All White Party in the Hamptons

Welansa and I attended our first party in the Hamptons. It started at 3pm so Welansa was able to accompany me. The food, music, and company were fabulous.

The weekends are reserved for me and my girl. Rarely are we apart on the weekends. During the week I average about 3 ½ hours a day with her. There is no way in the world I am leaving my girl on the weekends.

My girl knows when it is Saturday or Sunday. Saturday morning she woke up and said “mommy I want pancakes”. I only make pancakes on the weekends and when we visit my mother on the weekends she starts to climb up in my arms, which does not happen during the week. The funny part is, Monday through Friday when I drop her off at my mom’s she gives my mother her news paper, kisses me three times (the Ethiopian way), says “I love you”, closes the door, and yells upstairs to her Auntie. Rarely does she shed a tear.



The party was hosted by Huey sisters.



Welansa is so friendly. Of course she found a playmate.



Me and the Birthday Girl.



Me and My Girl.

Rain Rage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

According to the New York Times Rain Rage does exist.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/nyregion/20rain.html

Today is June 26th and it has rain 22-23 days in New York. At this point I have lost track. It is driving me crazy!!!! I love being outdoors and miss taking Welansa to the park after work. We made it to the park yesterday. But guess what? It is raining again today!!!!! She has added some new words to her vocabulary (wet, umbrella, cloudy, rainy) so I guess there is some good in this.



Welansa is still in good spirits and lovin her green rain boots.

Family

My uncle, aunt, and cousin are moving back to Tulsa, Oklahoma. I knew their relocation to New York was a temporary move. I loved having them live only ten minutes from my house. They were so supportive during my adoption process and have supported me in my journey as a single mom. They practically purchased every big-ticket item on my baby registrary. I remember feeling loved but overwhelmed.

My aunt reminded me that it was my turn and that she was so proud of me. My uncle was the father I needed. He put together the complicated stroller I had to have. My aunt always encouraged me to listen to others but in the end do what was right me for because Welansa is MY child. My cousin taught me a valuable in lesson in learning to appreciate life and my good health.

We all met at my sister’s house yesterday and another cousin joined in on the fun. It was her first time meeting Welansa. My aunt was running late and I started to feel annoyed because I needed to go home and clean. My inner voice reminded me that spending time with family is a gift. The house cleaning could wait. It is possible that these same family members may never be together again, so enjoy the moment be present and forget about mopping the floor tonight. It is guaranteed to be there when you get home.

Welansa was nice enough to sing some songs for us and kept us laughing with her ever increasing vocabulary (oh goodness, no problem, what’s up, and excuse me auntie Flo Flo).
I will take Welensa to visit my family in Tulsa, OK sometime next year. I was joking with my family when I said I have no idea what we are going to do there. They assured me that there are lots of things to do. Don’t let the name fool you. My inner voice also reminded me to teach Welansa that no matter where she is, she can have a great time if she chooses. Furthermore, spending time with family is always fun and that right there is enough in itself.

My New Intern Is So Cute !!!!!!!

The new intern is so easy on the eyes. He is 6 feet, has a great build, beautiful skin, smart, charming, funny, articulate, well dressed, athletic, a quick learner, well educated, and loves children. On the other hand he is extremely talkative, obnoxious and loud at times, thinks he knows everything, conceited and forgetful.

The new intern will be working for me for the next three weeks and then he will be doing an internship at Goldman Sachs, which he thinks is a waste of time. Did I mention the new intern is also young and still has a lot to learn?

We have great conversations about life and his experiences of being a young man in today's society. I have even consulted him about my parenting style.

I have to admit I love this young man and I will miss him when his internship ends. But it's hard not to be in love with him when the intern is your 15 year old NEPHEW.

Gotcha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Happy Father’s Day to my brother John, the man who taught me my first lessons in being a mom. Before I submitted my application to the adoption agency, I knew my brother would be my travel companion. He is understanding, supportive, funny, and a great teacher. Everything you need in a companion when you are traveling 6976 miles to meet your daughter for the first time. It was my brother who sat by my side when Welansa was placed in my arms and my life changed forever.

My brother is the father of five boys. That’s right five boys and no girls. With the support of his wife he is raising five fine young men. He can cook a great meal, clean, change diapers, help with homework and much more. I have learned some valuable lessons from my brother in my short span of being a mom and some are more memorable and funny than others.

The first lesson I learned was in burping. Apparently I was not hitting Welansa on her back hard enough. I guess I was afraid I would break her. My brother made sure to remind me daily to hit a little harder.

The second lesson I learned was the proper way to use an aspirator. I knew what the device was for. But what end goes in the nose? Just kidding. But I did learn it would not work if you don’t place it securely up the nose.

The third lesson I learned was in clothing. I was running low on clean undershirts so I decided to skip putting an undershirt on Welansa one night. When my brother realized she did not have an undershirt on I was advised “babies should have an undershirt on at all times”. Really ?? I thought it was the pamper that should be worn at all times.

The final lesson I learned was with feeding. I was very happy Welansa liked water because lots of babies don't. However, I was reminded by the baby nurse (my brother of course) not to give her too much water. Seriously 2 oz. of water is not a lot. Or was it??

I am ever so grateful for the lessons learned. But more importantly for the teacher who took the time to travel with me and support me during one of the most important journey in my life.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY JOHN !!!

Blog Stalker No More. I Have Joined in on the Fun

I was apprehensive about starting a blog because writing was never my favorite subject. However, I am going to give the blogging thing a try. I figure the more I write the better I will get. Furthermore, being a single mom has limited the amount of time I have to connect with family and friends. I hope this blog will answer the most common questions these days:

"How is Welansa?"
"How is it being a single mom?"
"How do you do it all?"
"When can I see some new pictures?"

I have a section on the blog called "Let's Learn Amharic". I am learning Amharic for two reasons. REDEMPTION (I took Spanish in Junior High School and no matter how hard I tried I could barely pass the class) and to preserve Welansa's Ethiopian culture. I will try to update the words weekly.

I also have a section on the blog called "What's on My Bookshelf". I read all types of books. However, lately I have been drawn to books about Ethiopia and adoption. I like learning about Ethiopian history and the people, while enjoying an interesting story line.


Well that was my first post. That wasn't too bad. I might learn to like this.