Sports

Jake plays tennis five nights a week. Liam has soccer practice three nights a week, a game last weekend and a tournament this weekend. Simon starts soccer soon. All the boys in this house are antsy for golf season to begin.

Sports, sports, sports!

Sylvie-Aganoti... ...maybe she'll be into ballet. Or science. Or gardening. Or acting. Or reading books.

Or sports!

Let me guess...

...black beans.

After my second Dr. appointment for relentless ringworm, I take Sylvie-Aganoti to lunch at a Mexican restaurant. As I order, the burrito-guy says with a smirk on his face, "Let me guess... ...black beans."

Maybe because I am wearing a black shirt and vest.

Maybe because I look like someone who likes black beans.

Maybe because I am holding an Ethiopian baby.

Maybe this guy is a complete ass.

Maybe not.

Three months ago I would have thought the burrito-guy was quirky and nothing more. I find with Sylvie-Aganoti in my arms the world looks a bit different. People's comments sound different.

Surprised and trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, I say, "No thank you, pinto beans." Retrospectively, I could have asked, "Why would you guess black beans?". I wonder what he would have said?

If he was making a racially-charged comment, what was his purpose? Did he think it was funny? Did he intend to be nasty? This three-second incident has stuck with me for hours. I keep thinking about how this will feel for S.A. when she is old enough to realize the hang-ups some people have with ethnicity and non-traditional families.

I am hopeful that the burrito-guy did not mean anything by his comment. Though, sadly, my gut says otherwise. I wish I could turn back the clock and handle things differently.

Maybe I would stick a bean up his nose...

Keep on keeping on...

A picture of our sweetie pie eating lunch...

It has been too long since my last post. Sylvie-Aganoti is growing like a weed. She is close to double in weight from our first day together in Ethiopia. She is still a picky, picky eater. No thanks on the fruits and veggies! We've visited a pediatric dentist. Her teeth are in great shape and reaffirm her given age. SA's birthdate truly looks like June 10th 2007. She continues to have intestional issues and we may be looking at surgery. Her growth, combined with the severe malnutrition she experienced in her first year of life, has weakened her muscles. Details aside, an operation will ensure that everything is in place and working as it should. It is very scary to think of surgery without any knowledge of her past medical history. Another interesting component of adopting internationally.

This weekend we had the pleasure of meeting a family from Ethiopia. They are living in Missoula as the wife, Waganesh, completes her Master's Degree. They have a 13-month old son. It was such a treat to visit with them about Ethiopia and adoption. Waganesh used to be involved in international adoption; specifically, reuniting adoptive families with birth families. She has offered to help us find SA's birth-mother. What a blessing it is to get to know them.