lunch with Aiden

Mommy and Linda set up a very fun playdate at lunch today. We went to our favorite, the Blue Heron. We had our usual fun time. And, there was a little puppy hanging out that we got to play with too. Mommy was very careful to make sure that I asked before I petted the puppy and I was very gentle. We had such a fun time...I really love puppies! I kept running around the grass saying 'puppy, puppy'. What a fun day!

Sibling Love!!!

I love to give Shei Shei kisses. And, Shei Shei is always happy to see me. She follows me with her eyes whenever I am in the room and she is always laughing and smiling at me. I'm so happy to have such good company and a really fun playmate. She's actually already fun to hang out with, but when she gets a little older she's going to be even better!

Growing Up

I am a big boy.

29 pounds

34 inches tall.

And, happy as a clam!

Happy 22nd to me!

Friday was my 22nd month birthday. I am 22 months old!! Geez Louise!
We couldn't celebrate on Friday because we were driving to Lushoto. So, Mommy took me to lunch today at the Blue Heron for Avocado bread, Passion Fruit juice and some vanilla ice cream. For dinner tonight, she made me one of my favorite dishes, lentils with zucchini, red pepper, tomato, garlic, ginger and egg. YUMMY!!! Tomorrow we will weigh and measure me...stay tuned.

Lushoto

We went out of town this weekend, so sorry for not being able to post. We left on Friday right after Mommy got out of work and immediately headed on the road. The trip was supposed to originally be me, Mommy, Shei Shei, Uncle Gogo, Linda, Kyle, Aiden, Arif, Suchi, and Priya. Unfortunately, Linda's Dad wasn't feeling well, so Linda, Kyle and Aiden decided to stay a bit closer to home. So, Aiden didn't get to come with this weekend. Bummer!
The rest of us got in two cars and started our caravan toward the Usambara Mountains on the road from Arusha to Dar es Salaam. We got to the base of the mountain in about 4.5 hours. Then, we had to drive way way up into the mountains to get to the town of Lushoto and to the Muller's Lodge where we were staying. We ended up getting to the lodge very late in the evening.
The next day everyone went on a big hike. Mommy and Shei Shei and I stayed behind though...Mommy knew that it would be too much for Shei Shei and I to be on people's backs for these big steep climbs. And, there are no railings, so it isn't the safest for little kids. Instead, we played around the lodge and spent time together and then we drove up to meet the hikers for lunch.
All in all it was a pretty fun weekend. There was a lot of time to read, and some time for hikes, and time to sit outdoors and breathe the very cold fresh air. It is so beautiful up there! Mommy thought it was a lot of work, but I was glad we went.
I was SUPER DUPER glad when we came home. As soon as we pulled onto the small road that goes to our house on Sunday evening, I started to clap and sing, "appy appy...Twiga Twiga....appy appy" As soon as we got home I wanted to give Twiga a big kiss and hug. And, I spent the evening while Mommy and Uncle Gogo unpacked the car going through each one of my toys and organizing them all. Don't tell Mommy, but I was really just trying to be sure that no one had stolen any of them!

Visiting Panga

Mommy took me to visit Mr. Panga during lunch time today. I don't really understand why. We had to wait for quite a while in the reception area and then he finally came out of his office and looked very surprised to see us. Mommy explained that he had told us to come back a month after the adoption finalized so he could check in on us, and so here we were. I don't think anyone has actually ever come back to visit him, because he looked absolutely shocked. And, he had no idea what to do with me. He looked me over and then told Mommy it was fine, he had seen me and we could go. And...that was that. VERY strange man!

Whatever, as long as I've got my Elella, life is fine and good and happy (or Appy as I would say).

Third Times a Charm

Today at lunch Mommy took me for my third haircut. The first two haircuts were rough. At the first one, both Mommy and I cried. At the second one, Mommy had figured out how to hold it together but I cried and cried (don't judge....its really scary to have them come at you with that razor thing and then it starts buzzing and making that awful noise. You would cry too, if it happened to you!).

Well, this time, I did not cry. I was a big, brave boy and now I have a brand new haircut and I am a dapper looking boy, if I do say so myself!

I love Clara Shei

giving Mommy a run for her money

the last three days, I've been on a role. First, baby group, then 4th of July bbq. Mommy was thinking that it was just the excitement of it all. Today, she planned a quiet day at home. I wanted to let her know....it's not the excitement of social events, I've just decided to hit my terrible twos a bit early. Ha!


Well, sort of....she decided if I was hitting my terrible twos early, she'd be putting me to bed early. HMM!

4th of July

Wow! I have never gotten to celebrate 4th of July before, but let me tell you, if this is what the country that I'm going to become a citizen is like.....I wanna join RIGHT NOW!
We had a little bbq today for some friends to come over and celebrate American Independence today. Mommy was hosting. What makes that so fun is that she doesn't have time to constantly be monitoring my every move....especially with Shei Shei around. That means...FREEDOM....particularly fitting on this day of celebrating American FREEDOM. I got to run amok throughout the compound. I played a LOT with Aiden and Nema. My friends, Elias and Gabriel came to party as well.

I also learned how much I love corn today. I love it so much that I went around to every plate in or out of a person's hand that I could find. And, I swiped the corn right off of their plate and ate it. I ate a LOT of corn on the cob today. Mommy seemed mortified when she figured out what I had been up to. But, it's no different than swiping the milk bottle out of the hungry kids hands at the orphanage....you snooze, you loose!

Thanks to everyone for coming to our 4th of July celebration and thanks to America for becoming independent....I can't wait to meet you!

Painting with Scissors....

I'm trying to drive Mommy crazy...

...and it seems to be working. But, oh the fun I had making mischief with my friends this afternoon!