A couple of weeks ago we had the Smiley family reunion in Holland, MI. It was so much fun! The kids had limitless attention and got to play in the sand and the lake. Eden did a pretty good job with the potty, although she did have a couple of accidents (sorry, Heidi!). She really loved being held while jumping in the waves. She also enjoyed a long boat ride. She still talks about “Boat, Rywie, boat”. Andy was a trooper and napped on the go and in a pack-n-play on the beach. He had his own special shaded resort built by Uncle Billy. It was so nice that even perfect strangers came over to check out Andy’s accommodations. We’ve posted several pictures from the trip and will post more as others send their pictures to us.

Today we ventured to the Indiana State Fair. We got there a little before 4 and it was pretty empty. We zipped through a few kiddie rides and then headed on to the food. We ate an early dinner and then checked out the pigs. Eden was able to pet one of the little piglets that wasn’t scrambling for food (watching those piglets rush to their mother to eat kind of reminded me of Andy…) and then cried when we left. Fortunately, we were able to quickly find an open horse barn where she visited with several horses. THEN she got to go on a pony ride. It was really cute and she was very excited, but cried and screamed when Ben took her off of the pony. For $5 per ride she wasn’t getting endulged. However, just around the corner from the pony ride was the ELEPHANT RIDE!! Eden and I both rode the elephant, which is 36 years old. She also wanted more rides on the elephant, but at $12 per ride I’m not sure she should even have had a first!

After that Eden and Ben played on a swing set and watched the parade while Andy and I visited the Lactation Station. It was the highlight of Andy’s trip to the fair. Eden ate half of a bowl of baked ziti and part of an elephant ear, ice cream, applesauce, and some apple dumpling. Then we headed back to the car which took forever because the place was packed! It was sort of a cranky ending to the fair. Can anyone explain why people think it is acceptable to stop directly in the middle of the walkway to talk? It makes me crazy! I had to fight the urge to just run the double stroller right into them. Anyway, we got home and put both kids to bed. They were so tired that it didn’t take long.

Those are both great things but the most exciting thing that happened recently occurred yesterday. Andy rolled over for the first time! We were outside and he was very interested in the grass. I scooted him away from the grass so that he wouldn’t eat it and then ZOOM! He rolled right over onto his belly in the grass. We’ll post the video soon.

The summer continues to pass quickly for us!  We have been busy with play dates and Ben recently traveled to Brazil for a conference while the kids and I spent that time in West Lafayette.

Eden is now completely potty trained during the day.  She tells us when she needs to go and has only had one accident so far.  She has been wearing diapers during her naps and at bedtime but that’s changing tonight!  This afternoon during her nap time she discovered that she can climb out of her crib.  I think she was quite surprised to find herself on the floor, but not nearly as surprised as I was.  She then spent the afternoon begging to be put back in her crib wanting to try it again.  Ben and I had been debating when to move her to a big girl bed and I was hoping to hold out until she turned 2, but tonight is the night.  She is in a toddler bed and she’s going without a diaper.  We’re probably crazy, but she has been waking up very early in the morning to go to the bathroom and we just decided that we would give it a try tonight.  Her potty is in her room so if she needs to go, we hope she will get up and go by herself.

Andy is sleeping through the night now without waking for his pacifier.  He has figured out how to put it back into his mouth so he doesn’t need us during the night.  Last week he officially moved into 9 month clothes (at only 5 months old!).  It’s hard to believe how quickly he is growing and learning.  He still hasn’t rolled over but gets very frustrated when he’s on the floor attempting to roll.

The kids got a little swing set for the back yard.  Andy likes the swing and Eden likes the slide and Mommy and Daddy like them being contained and entertained so everyone is happy!  We went to the zoo today and Eden was able to feed the twigas!  She loved it!  We also saw the dolphin show and both kids were completely fascinated.  There are new pictures and a video up for your viewing pleasure!

Wow! Time flies when you have two babies! It seems like just yesterday that Andy was born and he’s already 5 months. He is more fun every day. He loves it when Ben blows in his face (we’re concerned about Andy’s sense of smell…) and bouncing on our knees. He likes playing peek-a-boo and watching the ceiling fans. He still hasn’t rolled all the way over, but he can sit up!! He does pretty well but after about a minute or so starts to slump forward until he’s kissing his feet.

Speaking of which, Andy has found his feet! He loves holding them while he lays in his crib and has sucked on his toes a couple of times. We’re surprised that he can get his toes in his mouth around that big belly! Andy is doing much better with his cereal which he eats each night during dinner. We put him on the scale at home with Ben and estimate that Andy now weighs between 18-19 lbs.

Andy turned 4 months old on Sunday! Its crazy to think its been that long since he was born! He is 17 lbs 8 oz and 26 1/4 inches long so still up over 95th percentile in both! Last month he was off the charts in height, so we were thinking he was going to be a basketball player. Now it seems we’re going to have to settle on him being a professional football player instead. He’s been eating so much we started him on cereal to supplement his meals. So far I think only 5% of it is staying in his mouth, so its looking like its a long-term project for him.

Andy seems to be picking and choosing which milestones he hits. He’s completely surpassed rolling over and is almost sitting up by himself. He’s only thinking about reaching for things that are in front of him, but he’s been happily sleeping through the night for almost 2 months! He isn’t saying much apart from squeaking and squealing, but I think thats because his sister won’t let him!

It seems like it has been a long time since we last wrote and certainly a lot has happened since the last post. A few of the highlights…

• Andy started using a Bumbo.  It has already made a difference in his ability to control his body and head.  He now sits in his swing in the upright position.  He can’t stay that way for too long because his head tends to flop when he gets tired, but it’s a good start!  It’s amazing how quickly he is growing and changing.

• Eden is getting more and more independent and verbal.  She talks constantly (to her baby doll when no one else is listening!) and wants to be involved in everything we do.  We know that she understands more than she can communicate and has started expressing her frustration by hitting.  This has led to several visits to the ‘time out chair’.

• We continue to get updates and good news from our US lawyer and our Kenyan lawyer.

• We have done some travel in Indiana and out.  We’ve been to the lake and took the kids out on a boat.  We’ve been to West Lafayette and played at Tropicanoe Cove and this past weekend Ben, Andy and I traveled to St. Louis for a wedding.

If you’re interested in the details, keep reading!

THE ADOPTION

In order for Eden to be recognized by the US as our adopted child, we must have a local adoption completed in Kenya, and we must have joint residency and custody for 24 months.  Originally, we thought that the 24 months would all have to be spent abroad and that we would have to appear in court on September 2, 2010.  Recently we have been told that our time here in the US will count towards the 24 months!  This is great news because it means that even with the maximum time in Kenya, we would only be there for 1 year instead of 2.  Also, we are looking into acquiring an extension on Eden’s travel visa.  Our Kenyan lawyer, Were, is going to request that the magistrate grant us an extension until April or so.  This would allow Eden to complete her treatment for latent TB and would give Andy a chance to get all of his immunizations for the first year.

TRAVEL

We’ve been very fortunate to have several opportunities for me and the kids to cool down in a pool this summer.  We’ve been to Tropicanoe Cove (with the help of Colin and Heidi) and have spent some time at neighborhood pools with friends.  Most recently Ben, Andy and I traveled to St. Louis for a wedding.  The family took a vote and decided that Eden would have more fun (and so would everyone at the wedding) if Eden stayed behind with Dida, Papa and Uncle Colin.  Andy was a trooper and slept almost the entire time in the car.  He swam in the pool and then posed for pictures at the Arch.

We are having a fun and busy summer and are so thankful to have time together.  We hope that you are able to find some time to relax and reflect on the blessings in your life!