has it really been a year!?!?

One year ago today, on November 29, 2012 we received the call we had literally been waiting YEARS for. Has it really been a year since we first saw this sweet little face?!?!? Unbelievable. What a wonderful, crazy, surreal, joyful day that was!!! One we will never ever forget. What a blessing our Evangeline Meaza has been to our family! Read the details of our referral HERE and HERE, and go to the "adoption" tab to see the videos of our journey to Evie.

officially ours twice

She was officially ours in Ethiopia and as of this morning, she's officially ours in the United States as well! We completed Evie's re-adoption and name change this morning. Her new US birth certificate will read Evangeline Meaza Cox with Jason and I listed as her parents. We had to swear to love and take care of her for the rest of her life. The judge even gave her a bunny rabbit which she loved. She is ours twice-over and we are thrilled to be done with the very last step!

evie's first week at home

I am still working on getting more pictures from the airport and trip and when I do I will back date them so keep checking! Meanwhile, Miss Evie has already spent a whole week at home! In some ways I can't believe it's been a week already and in some ways it's been long, especially with not being able to go many places. For the most part things are going really well and she is a very sweet baby. She went to her first doctor's appointment this week as well as a walk and trip to the park. She also rode with Daddy to Judah's graduation and sneakily watched from upstairs. No one even knew she was there, and then Daddy took her home immediately after. Other than that, she has been at home. Attachment and bonding is going well. She is very friendly, which everyone LOVES but which is not good for attachment in that she would go to anybody. I think that is already getting better. We have not let anyone else hold her yet. A few days ago she started having some sleeping issues which we are still fighting...this has been the hardest part so far. I am tired and the hectic schedule with 3 kids already seems to be a lot more than two! Jason is abandoning me on Monday to go back to work. I'm a little nervous about getting the other two to school & back and scheduling all of that around her naps. Yikes. I know I'll figure it out in time. God is good and we still can't believe that she's home with us! Here are pictures of her first week at home!

Her very first morning at home she took a nap in the Moby and played with toys on the floor.

This was the first time I put her in her crib in her room. She sometimes naps in there but is sleeping in our room at night.

 And one time she napped in a laundry basket. :-)

Her two big brothers adore her! Judah is handling the change really well!

We had a little trouble figuring out what she liked to eat but that is going much better. Here she is eating her Ethiopian cereal for breakfast one morning.

Oh my word, she is SO cute and I'm having fun dressing her in cute outfits!

She really likes the jumper if you can't tell by those big smiles!

Jason loves the Beatles and I bought this outfit on sale a LONG time ago when we were waiting. I was so thrilled that it's not too small!

She is handling the "Little Sister" role very well!

The girl also loves her baths! I'll have to take a picture of that soon.

Evie, we have loved getting to know you this week! We love you and are so glad you're home!

evangeline turns one

evangeline meaza, you turned one year old today.

you have been home for 5 days and we love you to pieces.

this is the very first picture we ever saw of you.

you were 6 months old.

here you are today on your first birthday at HOME in your traditional ethiopian dress.

you are a doll baby and we absolutely adore you.

 your smile lights up a room and makes my heart burst with joy!

we used the airport balloons, sang happy birthday to you and let you chow down on a cupcake. we are having a very small party for you in a few weeks.

it looks like you're saying, "i'm one"

 

 you did NOT like the cupcake. too sweet!

 

 evie, we are so blessed and honored to call you our daughter. we are praising God for your little life and that He brought you home in time to celebrate your birthday. you make us so proud and fill our lives and our hearts with joy. happy birthday baby girl. we love you so much!

airport homecoming {bringing evie home}

So, I'd had a long time to think about our airport party homecoming. I had watched so many others do this and could not wait for our turn. It was amazing! So many sweet friends and family came out to welcome Evie home and see her for the first time. I will never forget it!

The big brothers, waiting.

I was able to get through security to meet Jason right off the plane. Everyone waiting could see me through the glass. I was REALLY nervous and anxious.

Everyone's first glimpse of Evie through the glass.

Here she comes!!!

Judah's first time meeting his baby sister.

I love this of Jason and his brother behind us.

The grandmas' first look at their new granddaughter.

She just loved the attention and laughed & smiled at everyone! I think we have a ham on our hands!

Introducing Evie to friends and family

 

 

Her paparazzi :-)

Part of our Welcome Home crew. Some had already left.

Thank you to everyone that came and made it so special for us!

Elijah was SO happy to see her again and never left her side for a second!

"I was worth the wait". Yes you were sweet girl.

Reaching for Mommy. That made me so happy.

Our first family of five photo.

Grangoat got her an American flag pin to symbolize her new citizenship.

My three kids together at last.

Headed home to start our life as a family of five.

This is only the beginning of her story...