Little by little this second adoption paperwork is coming together. We got one out of four sets of police and child abuse reports. We reviewed the final draft of the home study and now we're waiting for it to be approved. This is progress! 

It's funny how different this adoption feels already. I've heard it said that every adoption is different, just as every birth is different. During the last adoption, each step was exciting, but totally scary. This time we aren't as scared and nervous. Of course there are things that we worry about and find ourselves praying that God will take care of our baby girl. We pray for her so much already. Hopefully she's not born yet. We ask God to protect her and keep her healthy. We trust that He is already preparing her. We know He's getting us ready too. Joseph needs a sibling. He isn't used to interacting with children much, but he enjoys it when he does. He sees babies everywhere and does the sign for baby. He blows kisses at babies. He needs a baby sister!! :) 

Speaking of taking steps, here's a video of Joseph walking in a new mall we went to.

Joseph walks from Tim and Jeni Saltzman on Vimeo.

Read more...

slowly, slowly

Things are moving slowly, slowly with the second adoption. At least it feels that way. The Home Study first draft is finished, we have a few things to add before it's finalized and can be sent in. We're still waiting on some police reports to come back. We also have to take one more online parenting class. Really, it's not too much more. 

Joseph is growing right before our eyes. He's walking (I'll upload video when I can) and doing more "big boy" things. This last week he is being weaned from the bottle. It's been hard, poor guy. 

Enjoy the video below of Joseph playing with his stacking rings. 

Untitled from Tim and Jeni Saltzman on Vimeo.

Read more...

Second Home Visit done!

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while. We were in the States until the 18th and then the Social Worker came on the 20th. So we had to unpack and clean up to prepare for his visit...all the while dealing with jet lag! We made it through, though. Everything went well. This is one more step behind us. One more step closer to having our baby girl!!!!! 

We have some more revisions to make on the Home Study as well before we can submit the final copy. We're also waiting on our police clearances to come through before our Dossier will be ready to send to Ethiopia. Once it's in Ethiopia we've been told that we'll have to wait 4 to 6 months. The waiting list for a baby girl is longer than for baby boys. So, we're prepared to wait until June before getting a referral. 

In the mean time we're enjoying our little boy. Here's a video of Joseph helping us clean up before the Social Worker came visit: (I still need to figure out how to put better quality videos on blogger.) 

Joseph Cleaning from Tim and Jeni Saltzman on Vimeo.

Read more...

filling out paperwork, packing, cleaning

Well tomorrow we are traveling to the States!! This week we have been working extra hard to get all the paperwork done that we can so that we can mail it while we're in the States. So, this is where we have been spending a lot of time, especially during naps. When I saw the chiropractor the other day he asked, "have you been spending a lot of time doing computer work?" Yes, yes I have!! ;) 

Occasionally we get out for a little walk/ride in the hallways!! :) We're also packing and cleaning. Our place has to be ready for our Home Visit the day after we get back, so we're trying to get everything done!! eek!!! It'll feel weird to sit on a plane for 15 hours (that's just the first flight) when we finally get to the airport. 

We have a friend who will watch Joseph for a few hours tonight so that we can get everything done. We're so thankful!! It was cute, she said that she was not only glad to do it, but she appreciated the opportunity to be with Jojo!! :) He's very loved!! 

Read more...

Home Visit Scheduled!

It looks like we've scheduled the Home Visit for October 20th! We're glad that it's before November!! Earlier this week we thought it might be on October 1st, but then the social worker rescheduled. We're going to be traveling to the States for my brother's wedding. We leave October 2nd and get back October 18th. So, when we see Randy, we'll be dealing with jet lag. Since he travels all over the world, he should understand. 

In other news, Joseph got a hair cut this week. The wedding is October 11th, so it should be just the right length by then. I hate cutting those curls off, but they were getting out of control. Here's the before and after pics:

Read more...

circumcision and update

This week has been busy. Joseph got circumcised and came through like a champ! He's still healing, but he's doing so well. We're thankful that it went so well. 

We learned that all of our paperwork is going to expire and so we have to do EVERYTHING all over again! UGH!!! We thought we'd have our paperwork to Ethiopia by now and so it wouldn't be an issue, but things have just gotten pushed back. Really, it's okay. We know that God's timing is best for our little girl to join our family. So, we've been working on renewing our medicals, reference letters, etc... 

The social worker is going to come do our home visit to update our home study in November. It seems so far away, but these weeks are going by so fast. Joseph sure has been keeping us busy. He's just been so much fun! 

Here's a couple of pics of Joseph before his little surgery:

Read more...

Happy New Year!!!!!

Three days ago it was the New Year in Ethiopia. They are seven years behind us and so they're in 2001 now! :) Ethiopia is just a funny little country. They have 13 months (the 13th month is only one week long). While we were there we saw posters that said Ethiopia is the only country with 13 months of sun!!! 

The day before New Year's my Ethiopian friends who work at the Ladies Club stopped me and said, "Happy New Year! Tomorrow is New Year for your baby!" I was confused. :) Then I remembered that Ethiopia's New Year is September 11th. Today I brought them a card with Joseph's picture to wish them a Happy New Year. When I gave it to Mary she kissed it and smiled big! She said, "Please come to my house for coffee!" I will visit her soon...I'm excited for Joseph to be able to be around Ethiopians! 

Read more...

Happy First Birthday, Joseph!!

Joseph's first birthday was two days ago. Last night we had a party for him! We had a fun time watching him enjoy the frosting! It's hard to believe he's already one. He's growing up fast. Here's a few pictures from the party, enjoy! 

Read more...