A Little Taste of Home and Noodles

Hi Everybody, Micah here. Yesterday was such a busy day! My Grandma and Bubba came from Sheboygan and took me out for lunch and shopping after my nap; I had a great time, and couldn't stop talking about them. I really missed them, because last night was the first night I didn't sleep through the night - too busy rehashing the day's events! Last night I gobbled up my meal of spaghetti and meatballs...as you can see, I can do it all by myself. Had a bath and then I didn't even want to finish watching Elmo (!!!), just wanted to sleep.

I'm still doing great, but I can't wait until they all get home, because I really miss my Mommy, Daddy and big sister. Sunday is almost here!

Lots of love on this last day of 2009 and catch you later,

Micah

Eat, Play, Sleep, Repeat

Hi Everybody, Micah here. Yesterday was pretty uneventful, so I decided to take a day off from blogging. Well, we are on day 4 and I'm still doing great! Less than a week until Mommy, Daddy and Sit(ota) come home. I can't wait, and that reminds me that I need to start working on my surprise for them. I was very excited to hear that Mommy and Daddy sent an email to say that they are there safely and enjoying their time with Sitota.

I am having a great time. This morning, my "first" breakfast consisted of three waffles, among other things. I love saying waffles over and over again for Kris. I've been running around like crazy and taking 2 1/2 hour naps. I would sleep longer but Kris keeps waking me up because she says she wants me to get a good night's sleep. That hasn't been a problem either! I can't wait to tell Mommy and Daddy what a big boy I am! I no longer what to be held or rocked when I go to bed. I just say "sleep", crawl into bed, and fall right asleep (ok, I do like it when Kris rubs my back and my temple, just like Mommy told her to do)!

Hope you all are enjoying these last days of 2009. Lots of love and catch you all tomorrow,

Micah

Bouncing off the Walls

Hi Everybody, Micah here. Day 2 away from Mommy and Daddy and doing great! Got back from my trip to Sheboygan, and I was so tired that I quickly wrote this information down so Kris could post it tonight.

I had a nice time meeting my friends' family. Because of all of the rain, we couldn't go for the horse-drawn sleigh ride, but we did go jump in a bouncy castle. I might have cried when I first saw it, but, needless to say, I overcame my fear and would still be jumping if they would have let me! After, we got to feed the pygmy goats, pot-bellied pigs and the llama (they would grab my ice cream cones filled with food right out of my gloves...whole!).

I hope all of you had a great Christmas. Lots of love and catch you all tomorrow,

Micah

Merry Christmas from Micah

Hi Everyone - Micah here. As all of you probably know, my Mommy and Daddy are on their way to Ethiopia to get my big sister Sitota! I am very excited, and, of course, I miss them very much. I will be updating you all later today, but for now I'm in Sheboygan at my friends' Grandma and Grandpa's house. We decided to all come yesterday for Christmas and sleep over. Mommy and Daddy would be SO proud of me; I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night and woke up at 7 this morning -- I'm such a big boy, hehe!

Lots of love and catch you all later!

Micah

P.S. Lucky for Mommy and Daddy, they were already in Detroit and it was not their plane that had the little "incident" yesterday.

Merry Christmas!

In less than 12 hours we will be leaving for the airport to fly to Ethiopia and bring home our daughter. I am still in amazement at how this has all come together. Last year at this time I would have never thought I would be flying back to Ethiopia so soon to add to our family! Amazing!! We want to wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! See you in 2010, when we return as a family of 4! Melissa

Ready, Set, Go

Last week is kind of a blur. We spent everyday rushing to get things done so we can be ready for our trip. Spent lots of time on the phone with the travel agent, who was finally able to get us flights...but we have to leave on Christmas Day! Set up all the arrangements for the sitters (Micah and Pepe'). Called the National Visa Center several times to try to verify Sitota's Visa 37 had the correct information on it...the list goes on and on. The good news is that the list is much shorter for this week, good thing because we are leaving in 4 days!!! We also had time to get together with family this past weekend to celebrate an early Christmas. Was great to see everyone. Micah is very into opening presents this year and LOVED all his new toys :). Have a blessed Christmas and Very Happy New Year blog friends!! Melissa

Expect the Unexpected

If there is one thing we have learned throughout these adoption journeys, it is to never plan on anything. Today, for example, we got an email saying that all of our documents are filed with the Embassy and they issued us an embassy date of December 31st!!! That is 2 weeks earlier than we thought we would be leaving. We are excited, but now we have to put everything into high gear. Calling airlines, getting the sitter lined up (for Micah and Pepe'), canceling Christmas at our house (since we won't be here that day!)...the list goes on and on. We are so excited to go and get our little princess!!! Melissa

Our Daughter (take 2!)

We got word today that we DID pass court in Ethiopia!!! We will travel soon to go and bring our little girl home. Here is a picture of Sitota Eden Troedel to bring a smile to your face!!! Melissa

Has it really been a year already????

Today we celebrate Micah's 1 year famiversary!!! For those of you who are not familiar with that adoption term, it means that one year ago today is the first time our baby boy was placed in our arms. I can not believe that it has been a year...where did the time go?!?!?! Our baby boy has grown into a little man already. When we first saw him he could barely sit up by himself, had not had anything to eat other than formula, had no teeth and only said Ba-ba. Now he runs circles around us, eats us out of house and home, still a little slow on the teeth thing but is only missing 4, and says over 127 words!!!

We had a wonderful family day together, thanks to Scott getting a snow day! We started by heading outside in the snow and "helping" dad clear off the 9.5 inches of snow. After playing outside for awhile, we headed in to decorate our Famiversary cookies...YUMMY! The afternoon had more time for outside fun...this time mommy got to pull Micah around on his sled, LOVED IT! We had pizza for lunch per Micah's request and he wanted to go to 'Donalds for a hamburger and apples for dinner. Here is a pic from our first meeting and also some from today! Enjoy - Melissa

First Snow Fun

Today we woke up to a blanket of white snow on the ground. Micah was too little last year to get out and enjoy the snow, but he was so wanting to get outside today. This afternoon, armed with boots and snow pants, we headed to his friends Emily and Grace to enjoy some fun in the snow. He was so cute trying to walk straight in his boots and bulky pants. He has been obsessed with lawnmowers all summer, and the snow did not stop him. He got out the mower and mowed his way through the snow.

After playing outside we went in for cookies and hot cocoa. This was his first taste of hot cocoa and to make it more special he drank it from his first attempt at a big boy cup. He LOVED the cocoa and did not let a drop fall. He was so proud! I am usually not a snow person, but I could not help but have a good time playing with my baby boy!!

Santa Land!

All Micah has talked about lately is Santa. I had been planning on bringing him by my parents today to go to Santa Land, where I used to visit Santa when I was little! In anticipation of the Big visit, Micah drew him a picture and was practicing his smiles and what he would say to Santa. He had me write down what he wanted from Santa : Pizza, Pans and Glue ( for crafts, not eating or sniffing or whatever those naughty kids do with it!!!).

So today we headed down, letter in one hand and camera in the other. He liked looking at Santa's Elk (aka reindeer), the worker elf's, and loved talking with Bruce the Spruce the talking Christmas tree. We stood in line for about 35 minutes and then it was finally Micah's turn....he got one look at Santa and started screaming, crying and clinging to me yelling "ALL DONE!". When Santa would ask him a question he would answer in between crying...managed to get a picture of me on Santa's lap and Micah on my lap saying "Cheese" in between crys :) When he was asked if he liked seeing Santa he said..."YEAH!". That says it all!! Enjoy these pictures of pre-Santa sighting! Melissa

Journey to Bethlehem

We had a fun family night tonight. We started by going to see a live nativity at one of the local churches. The program was called: Journey to Bethlehem. You were led on a guided tour leading to Bethlehem. On the way we met the Angel, the Wise men and Shepherds. We then went through the village where the people offered us bread, fruit and drink. We watched the people of the village make candles, bake bread, spin on the pottery wheel, and do needlework. We were included in the census and there was no room in the inn, so we were led to the stable where we were able to meet Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. Micah LOVED it, he kept saying, "Baby Jesus!". After the journey, we went to a local pizza place. Our credit union gave us free coupon, can't beat that. We ended the night with a drive around town looking at lights. Micah loves when we can find a Santa. Enjoy the pictures of our journey to baby Jesus. - Melissa

More of the Photo Shoot!

Photo Shoots

Recently Micah has become obsessed with pictures. He does funny smiles and says cheese whenever he sees a camera. He also likes to take pictures and I must admit, this kid has talent! Below are some he took over the last few days, as well as a few cute ones of the little man :) Enjoy - Melissa