You've gotta love this face

Mati had his first trip to Rita's for a gelati. It was a bit cold for his liking!

Two months

Mathios has been with us for two months! I honestly am having a hard time believing that because it feels like he's been a part of us forever. But then I have moments that remind me that he lived without us for the first 14 months of his life. It's apparent to me when I am putting away laundry and make a of stack of clothes that he's outgrown. But those first pajamas that he wore aren't tiny little newborn ones, they are a 9 month sleeper. It's at the forefront of my mind when I go to a birthday party and remember that Mati celebrated his first birthday without us. I think of his life before us when I'm checking out the teeth he's cutting but see the four he had when we picked him up and not knowing when he got them or which was his first one.

There's a lot we don't know about him and where he's been, but we know that he belongs with us We know that he's a perfect fit for our family. We know that he has an amazing sense of humor and loves to make us laugh and smile. I know that he just learned how to give kisses last week and he's very proud of himself when he shares his slobbery kisses with you. I know that he is walking now and can stand up from the ground without pulling himself up on anything. I know that he loves music and dances at any opportunity. I know that he loves to chew on toys and likes to walk around with a wooden peg in his mouth (so safe, I know!). I know that he loves to cuddle with his mama and get his head rubbed as he's settling down to sleep. I know his cries and his smiles and his laughs. I know when he's tired and when he's hungry and when he just needs a hug.

And most importantly, I know he's mine.

--kate--

Brother and sister

Can you even stand it?!! I can't! Mati loves to hold Haven's hand in the car. Last night he fussed at her until she gave her hand to him and then cried when she took it away. He loves his big sister! And there's no doubt she loves him- almost too much sometimes!

We are so blessed by these sweet kids!

And they're off!

Today we had the privilege of sending off our wonderful friends, Phil and Amber, to Ethiopia to bring their son Silas home! Follow along on their journey here. We got to meet their little guy when we went to get Mati and he is an absolute joy. We can't wait to reunite these two sweet boys!

One month home...plus a few days

One month home with this sweet boy. Mati is a happy guy for the most part unless he's not feeling well and then nobody's happy! Unfortunately he's not been feeling great lately, but hopefully we're on the upswing. We had a follow-up appointment at the International Adoption Clinic this week and went over all the labwork we had done when we first got home. Nothing too interesting to report other then the fact that Mati did indeed have chicken pox. We thought he must have because he has several scars on his face and back, but we were assured that he didn't. His bloodwork proves otherwise. One less vaccination to get! Once again, we were so pleased with the care we've received at the IAC and would highly recommend them to anyone adopting.

We've learned a lot about Mati in the last month. Here's just a few things...

Loves: bananas, applesauce, cheese, milk, goldfish, peas, waving hi, "talking" to Cale on the phone,
Dislikes: cantaloupe, getting told "no", when Haven walks away after playing with him,

And guess who started walking??!!! He took his first steps last Saturday and has taken a few more each day. Definitely not proficient, but it's amazing how far he's come in just one month. Our boy is growing up!

Officially official

Yesterday we headed out early to go to our local county courthouse to re-adopt Mathios. It turns out that this is probably the simplest thing we've had to do for our entire adoption! We filled out a few forms, wrote them a check and a few signatures, stamps and seals later it was done. Mati's legal name is now Mathios Jon Kumalo Zeune and it was accomplished exactly one month from when we first met!



Unfortunately this is just the first part of a long succession of paperwork that awaits us. We still need birth certificates, citizenship paperwork and a social security number. But one thing at a time! And we'll take this small victory and celebrate that he is ours (again!)!

Three weeks home

I have thoroughly enjoyed following along with other adoptive families and their journey to bring their kids home. From the paper pregnancy, referral, court dates and travel...especially the travel and hearing about meeting their kids for the first time. But then people come home and they quit updating. I never understood that! Don't they know that I'm still interested and want to know how their doing?!



And then I adopted a little boy and came home and quit updating. I fear that the lack of updating makes it appear that we are not doing well; that our adjustment has been rough and we're frazzled and crazy. None of that is really the case! Is life busier? You bet it is, but in the best possible way! We have adjusted very well to being a family of four and Haven is pretty much the best big sister their is. She loves Mati like nobody's business. The other day he was fussing about something and she came up to him and said, "You miss your other mommy, don't you buddy? It's okay. You've got the Zeunes now and we'll be your family forever! We love you!" She is too much!



Mathios is just a great baby. He's been sick the last week or so and has not been his usual good natured self, but even not feeling good, he is a sweet boy! He continues to eat like a champ and in his first three weeks home has gained 1.5 lbs. He loves fruits and vegetables and will cry if someone is eating a banana and not sharing with him! He loves the pool, walks in the stroller and climbing up the stairs. He calls Kate mama and is picking up sign language quickly. He is also a big "talker" and sits in his high chair jabbering away during the entire meal. I think he's trying to keep up with his equally talkative sister!



We hope to put some new pictures up soon. We've had a camera malfunction and hope to get that taken care of this week sometime. We do have some up on another site so if you're interested in seeing them comment on this post and we'll send you the link.