African Adventures

I just had to share some of the many pictures from our first days with Sanele and Dema. We continued to use their birth names for a while. We did not want to change everything about their world right away. Slowly, we started calling them both names. After a while, Isaiah decided that is what he wanted to be called. We still call them Sanele and Dema at times.

I feel a little stressed when I look at these pictures because those first days were really difficult. It was hard to be away from Lauren, Abby, and Sam with no idea of when we would return.

My body was in a lot of pain from carrying both of them around most of the time. I was not used to it. I also was not sleeping very well. I was always nervous about Isaiah waking up and feeling afraid.

We had to deal with language issues. I began immediately teaching them both how to communicate in sign language. That was a lifesaver. It gave us a common language to communicate with.

We did a lot of waiting on paperwork to be completed with no end in sight or idea of when things would progress. Sitting in government and dr. offices also took its toll on us. We would go for days without any progress, and then it was like the Amazing Race trying to complete several things in one day because the opportunities had opened up.

Isaiah's whole word had changed, and he didn't know how to respond at times. He was violent at times. Dealing with that was very challenging. It was obvious from the beginning that he was one strong-willed little guy.

Laila honestly settled in really easily to being our daughter. It was like she felt safe at last. Within a couple of days of taking custody of her, she attached to me. When we were out in public, some of the African women would try to take her from me to hold her. She would have nothing to do with that. She only wanted me to hold her. That was surprising and encouraging.

I have no regrets, I just don't want to candycoat how hard things were at times. Despite the difficulties, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. It truly has made me into a different person, a better person. These two little people have changed my life. I can't imagine it any other way now.

He has the most adorable little smile, and let me tell you, he knows how to use it!

Laila's scrunchy face entertained many in those early days.

I love clean babies fresh from the bathtub.

Big Daddy and Little man

Brothers

Isaiah wearing Rick's glasses.

This picture sums up the exhaustion we dealt with.

Irresistible

Having Cody with us was such a blessing in so many ways.

Bathing Beauty

Laila doing another trick. She would put the whole binky in her mouth!

We would not have survived without Jumbo and Kriek.