Memorial Day

This morning, we took in our city's Memorial Day parade -- Anya Rashi's first one, of course -- and then it was home for an annual tradition. Each year, our family plants a vegetable garden and flowers during Memorial Day weekend. We want to do something life-giving on the weekend we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

This year, we are also remembering those on active duty, especially Joe, a friend from church. A link to his blog, Sandbox Adventures, is listed on the right-hand side of our blog. He's a thoughtful writer, and an incredible follower of Christ. One of our favorite posts is titled "This Sesame Street is brought to you by the letter 'Y'." We hope you'll read his blog and join us in praying for him, his wife Katy, and their family.

On our homefront, we are hearing lots of new words from Anya Rashi (or at least sounds that we know how to interpret as words!). A quick lexicon:
Ya-ya = Anya (no sounds for Rashi yet)
Hoooo = what an owl says
Oh doh = oh dear
mymymy = Oh my, oh my, oh my!
Wow! = wow!
Baba = bottle
Ssssss = what a snake says
dah = dog
Oa-ah = what a lion or tiger says
Ah dah = All done
Wawa = water or sippy cup
Moo = what a cow says
Yah = yes
She also holds one finger to her lips and says "shhhh" if we say someone is sleeping.

The other funny thing lately has been Nathan's ideas for Halloween costumes for his baby sister. Keep in mind that his career plans right now include becoming a "bee farmer" . . . he thinks Anya Rashi should be either A.) a bee larva, or B.) a princess. Not two things that typically go together, but there you have it. :o) I'd better get to work on my larva designs!

Future gymnast? Rock climber? Who knows?

Our little girl continues to amaze us. In the past two weeks, she has been very busy practicing new skills, such as taking marker caps off and trying madly to clip her own highchair "seat belt" and car seat harness.

She also figured out how to open the front door! I watched her for about ten minutes as she worked with great concentration. She experimented with pulling the lever and pushing on the door, then gradually figured out how to do both at the same time. Success at last -- she made it out onto the front porch, with Mama quickly scooping her up before she got to the steps!

She is very adventurous at the park, figuring out ways to climb onto and off of play equipment that was never intended for a 17-month-old! It never fails -- every time we're at the park, other parents always comment on how fast she is, and how busy. They almost always say "I hope she takes a long nap, so you have time to sit still!" Maybe gymnastics or rock climbing are in her future . . .

Or boxing. She has learned the fine art of smacking at her brothers when she's frustrated with them. Where do kids learn these things?! The funniest thing is watching how indignant Aaron and Nathan are when she does it. We've had some hilarious conversations with them about how they used to bite, hit, etc. when they were little (they can barely believe us, of course).

Anya Rashi is also working on her first-year molars. Her top right molar is halfway through, and we can see the bottom two below the surface. We're hoping they don't take too long to come through, since there have been a few (okay, more than a few!) nights with wake-ups and tears this past week. Funny how easily we get used to a good night's sleep, and how quickly we miss it when we're not getting it. :o)

Today marks five months home. The time has really flown by, and it's hard to remember that she was once much more hesitant and reserved with us. Now, she's a little whirlwind who freely offers hugs, kisses, and a content head resting on our shoulders -- she is just as confident as can be in so many ways.

May 1

This week held a special anniversary for us -- May 1 last year was the day we saw the first picture of our daughter. We all gathered on the living room couch after a call from Tami at Dillon International, with the computer in the middle of the huddle.

With great anticipation, we opened up the photo of a gorgeous four-month-old girl named Rashi. She had caramel skin and deep black eyes, and our breath caught in our throats as we thought, "This is the tiny person God chose for our family."

We are so blessed to be the family who got to welcome her home -- and love her for the rest of our lives.