Getting cuter and sweeter every day

The kids are changing so incredibly quickly. Zari, who we got at 9 pounds, is now 12.5 pounds and looks like a totally different baby! He is smiling and babbling a lot now, and he does tummy time to practice holding his head up. He also likes to practice sitting up and standing up with our help. Teanna has quickly learned the rules of the house like no going up the stairs and no throwing toys. She now gets up every morning and says "good morning!". Her favorite things to do are patty cake and ring around the rosie. She says please and thank you, "hi Zari!" and "peekaboo!". We have also discovered new favorite foods- hummus and yogurt! When we give her hummus on a cracker she will lick the cracker clean and then ask for more hummus. They are both so adorable and sweet, we are in love with our instant family!


A funny face from our Zari man


Teanna looking oh so sweet (and yes the braids are back- not by our doing!)


Smiley guy


Teanna LOVES Dada


Z rockin' the plaid shorts

A couple more pics!

"uhhh... John? I think you left a baby in the sink again!"


Zari already starting to plump up!


Teanna being adorable


Priest Zari in his gown

Picture time

Two tired kiddos


T.T. ready to hit the beach


John with his hands full


Can you spot the baby in this picture? It's like Where's Waldo!


Here he is!


Tired Caitlin with two cuties

Crazy hair lady

It has been two weeks since I have updated, think I've been busy??? : )

About a week after Teanna moved in, I left for work and got a picture text message from John that looked like this:



The braids were ready to come out, so he spent an hour picking away at them, and this is what we got!

Needless to say, I was afraid! I don't even know how to do my own hair, and I didn't want to make a spectacle walking around town with a little girl who looks like Don King!

The next morning, I gave her a bath and while her hair was still wet I attempted two pigtails. It actually came out pretty cute, and I was pretty impressed with myself.



Since then, we have added the single bun and the four puffs to our repetoire. It really isn't hard to do. The only hard part is getting this very active toddler to sit and let us do it.



I have also had some days when her hair is just washed and it looks really cute natural:




So this is just a plug for those who are afraid to do AA hair! Do not be afraid! We have heard that a lot of foster and adoptive parents who only accept white children state that they are afraid to do AA hair. John and I say, if we can do it, anyone can!

2 under 2

We had a wonderful first week alone with Zari and then added his big sis Teanna! She is definitely bringing the action. She is starting to talk and keeps us entertained with the things she comes out with (most recently, pointing upstairs and shouting "TO BED!" when Zari was crying). The two of them are a handful but we are trying to get into a routine that will work for everyone. They are both good sleepers, which helps a lot.

Also, Zari gained a pound in the last week! That makes a total of 3 pounds gained in the last 3 weeks! This little guy will not be little for long ; )


Trying to catch Zari's smiles on camera is tough


Little sweetie


Catching some zzzzzs wherever we can


I think we already put another chin on him!


Teanna is reunited with her brother!


The little mommy