Random rant-i-ness

I am going to say something. Please, please don't take it out of context and please don't judge based on your own family values (and don't get me started on that term!).

Parenting alone is hard.

I KNEW it would be difficult. Of COURSE I knew that. I still chose it and I still love it. But, some days are hard... some days are REALLY hard.

There are the things I expected like little time to myself, reduced social life, lack of sleep, the "daddy" issue, and ... well, I could go on and on about the things that I had prepared myself for.

The one thing that I didn't prepare for? I'm doing this alone.

I know, it sounds stupid, right? Of course I knew I was doing it alone, but did you know I was doing this ALONE?

The decision-making that happens as a parent... Where will they go to day care? Where will the go to the doctor? Is that doctor meeting our needs? Do we need to be re-evaluated by early intervention? Does... well, you get the point.

I have not one person to discuss these things with who has the same vested interest in my child. Not one. I'm not stupid enough to believe that all of this would be completely better with a partner. I was married before. I know that sometimes they're more trouble than they're worth, wink. I do have my mom (love you) and friends (love you, too) and save-my-sanity-single-momma-friends (you KNOW how I love you) but when it boils down to it... it's just me.

One single momma friend is going through some school decision stuff right now (hello, you) and it has got me thinking... all of that is headed my way.

It just gets harder, doesn't it? Thank goodness for the support I have, but wow... this stuff is so much harder than not getting any sleep.

Bathtub Barbershop

We've got a little problem of fuzzies over here. Also, some uneven spots, especially over his (former) bald spot on the back of his perfect little (read= GIGANTIC) noggin.

I looked around trying to find a kid-friendly haircutting spot, but decided that since Abel would likely freak, it would be too traumatic for both of us. Grandma and Grandpa were in town for the weekend and could offer the moral support, so we had our first 'Bathtub Barbershop' appointment.

Yep, didn't you know? I am now also a barber. And a damn good one!

Before- Abel: 50% cheeks/50% hair

Before

Fuzzy pic of LONG hair

Chopping with my Grandma-assist

Tell me I don't look like a professional!

Sweet baby curls...

After

Loving his new look.

Walk-ins welcome.

Boy, oh boy.

He's a gorgeous boy.
Some days he just takes my breath away.

Sappy Sunday

This week I've been thinking....

1. How did we get here? and

2. How did I get so lucky?

Seriously... how did we get here? Two people from halfway around the world ended up a family? When I think about all the things that lined up to bring the two of us together, it kind of blows my mind. I struggle with the whole 'meant to be' philosophy in adoption. No, I don't think it was meant to be that Abel's birth parents couldn't parent him so that I could. But, do I think there was something divine about our coming together given the situations on both sides of our world? Most definitely.

I am so stinking lucky. I get to live with THIS kid. He's freaking hilarious, and just a little cute! Lots of personality and full of love. This little rascal who had me so worried last year, fretting over his weight, fretting over court dates...what was I NOT fretting over? He is now demanding 'ssssssaaahh (pizza) for dinner (fresh, no leftovers accepted!) and shooting hoops requiring a high five and applause after every slam dunk. Oh, and booty shakin' to Shakira. He is a trip.

And I am, well, I am just plain lucky.

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Sappy Sunday: Valentine

Hugs, kisses, slobbery smooches.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sorry, girls...you have a lot of competition.

Here he is checking out valentines from his day care ladies.

Update and the stats

Abel is now 15 months old. Anybody who can tell me how that happened, please let me know! We just celebrated nine months together.

He is growing and changing everyday. We went for his well-baby appointment today and here are his stats:

Weight: 55th percentile

Height: 90th percentile

I am soooo proud of this boy who is just growin' and growin' and growin'! He is losing his big baby-belly and becoming long and lean. Is this the same shrimpy little man who was not even on the WHO growth charts when he was 4 months old?? I am beaming!

Abel is bright, clever, and ACTIVE. Strangers still come up to me and comment on my 'busy' baby. Wouldn't have it any other way. He is tons of fun. He's learning more words every day and is quite the prankster. He really cracks himself up and has a belly laugh that would defy even the biggest sourpuss to not bust out laughing.

He loves music and lives to dance. He will walk over to the 1P0d, point and do a little dance letting me know it's dance party time. His grandma and grandpa gave him a set of rhythm instruments for Christmas and he already needs replacements. He's recently rediscovered his basketball hoop and loves to make baskets, cheering himself on.

We are moving into a new apartment soon and thank goodness... this big boy (and all his stuff!) needs some more room. :)

I am still adjusting to parenting the toddler, and might I say... 'spirited' toddler. (All books recommendations encouraged!) He certainly knows what he wants and gets frustrated when I don't understand. Even so, his 'tantrums' are short-lived and he usually goes back to his baseline easy-going self quickly. He's had some sleep issues spring up again which started around the time he got a yucky cold, so we're still working on that. I so enjoy being Abel's momma. He really is a joy to be around and I'm lucky to get to be around that cuteness and love every day.

Star-spangled Sappy Sunday

Some might have thought I was brought to tears by the word-fumbling on Christina's part, but no. There was a different reason for the tears.

My boy, this newest little US citizen, was so incredibly engaged in the anthem on the 'Bowl tonight that he didn't move from the screen, only breaking his silence to applaud wildly at the 'rockets red glare'.

I don't know why it struck me so, but I couldn't hold back the tears. I know he has never heard that song before (at least I don't think they frequent that one at day care). The absolute joy in his face was so precious.

I started thinking about his little life has changed so dramatically in the past nine months. About his citizenship and what he has lost...daily interactions with his birth culture, language, food, on and on and on and on...

I love that he loved that song. And I love that he loves his habesha music.

I hope he continues to be proud of being an American AND an Ethiopian.