The View

Yesterday Sherri Shepherd from the "View" stated on air:"Oh, those poor babies. People used to get Chinese babies, now everyone gets African babies. It's a Louis Vuitton bag."

Where do I start in addressing such a sick and ignorant comment??? Thankfully I do not waste my time watching this ridiculous show.

A recap to what was said: http://www.watching theview.com/ the-view- september- 27th-recap- all-hot-topics/#more-850):

To write the show and complain click here: http://abc.go. com/daytime/ theview/ask

Zane, 7 mos.

We've been home for nearly one month with Zane and we are actually beginning to fall into a routine. His sleep is improving and we are having some success with solid food. I think he has gained nearly 3 lbs since arriving home - must be all the queso! Zane continues to be an easy baby (aside from our sleep deprivation). He is all smiles, very cuddly and pretty mellow. Bonding and attachment seem to be going well so far. He shows a preference for mommy and daddy and has started to reach his arms to us to be held. Zane loves to play. Lily and Claire can easily get him laughing. They still refer to him as "baby Zane." He is such a sweet little guy - just content to roll around on my lap and check out his surroundings.

New Year's +1

Yesterday Ethiopia celebrated as the country passed into its new millennium. Based on the Ethiopian calendar (the Julian calendar), yesterday was September 12, 2000, the 1st day of their new millennium.

While in Ethiopia we were at dinner one evening. The waitress asked about Zane's age. When we told her, she said, "oh, a millennium baby!" I knew about the differences in our calendars but I had not yet put that together with Zane's birthdate. We were glad she pointed it out to us.

NPR has featured a couple stories this week on Ethiopia and the celebration. If you want to learn more:

News & Notes: Ethiopia Welcomes New Millennium: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14324801

Morning Edition, Ancient Ethiopian Culture Crosses Millennium: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14341783

Why Adopt From Ethiopia?

One in ten children die before their first birthday • One in six children die before their fifth birthday • 44% of the population of Ethiopia is under 15 years old • 60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition • The median age in Ethiopia is 17.8 years • 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS (6th highest in the world) • 720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS alone, and there are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia. • Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa • In the 90s the population (3%) grew faster than food production (2.2%) • Drought struck the country from 2000-2002 (first year no crops, second year no seeds, third year no animals) • Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school. 88% will never attend secondary school. • Coffee prices (Ethiopia’s only major export) fell 40-60% from 1998-2002. • Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000. • In 1993, after 30 long years of war, Eritrea broke from Ethiopia and became an independent nation leaving Ethiopia landlocked without any major seafaring ports.

First Week Home

Our first week back home has all of us settling into our expanded family. Zane appears to be adjusting to his new family and home like a champ thus far. He smiles a ton, is very ticklish and loves to splash in the bathtub. He is sleeping soundly although waking 2-3 times a night to feed. We are not ready to break that habit yet though as it allows us more time to bond with him and for him to see us as primary caretakers meeting his needs/attending to his cries. Plus the extra calories are helping to catch him up in the growth department. His pediatrician has judged Zane to be in good health. He is certainly small for his age compared to the Western European growth chart and his motor skills lag somewhat --- but nothing that a few extra bottles and lots of tummy time can't address!

L&C have been great with "baby Zane" as they call him. They've been helpful to retrieve diapers, pick out his clothes, feed him his bottle and sing lullaby songs to him. Zane seems quite taken with his sisters. I asked L&C what we should dress Zane as for Halloween and they replied "a princess!" I reminded them that princesses are girls but that he could be a prince. They thought that was ok as long as he wore "a pretty crown." The girls are working their way through the typical growing pains a new baby in the family brings. But I'm very proud of how tender they have been with Zane. Instead they take out their frustrations on mommy and that, I can deal with.



Aside from sleep deprivation, Chris and I are adjusting well. Thankfully Chris is between deadlines at work and is able to go in a bit later and come home a bit earlier. One huge blessing we are enjoying - being spoiled rotten by our sweet neighbors who are keeping us well fed! We are actually going to sneak out tomorrow night after the kids' bedtimes and catch a movie thanks to my sister, Courtney!

I can honestly say I am in love with our Zane. I adored him from the moment I laid eyes on his photo. And getting him in my arms greatly increased my feelings for him. But it is now beginning to really feel just like it does with L&C. Adoption is magical that way. It's like God breaths His sweet breath upon it, cementing this beautiful parent/child bond between two complete strangers.