Doctor Visit #1
First diagnosis is Failure to Thrive, which we assumed. Not sure if its neurological or environmental. 
Sleep is neurological so we may not be able to "fix" it as easily as we thought. 
Good news: Gastroenterology appointment in July. Possible feeding tube if she continues to not gain weight. No surprise there.
OK news: Neurology appointment won't be until September...and no waiting list available.
GREAT news: Babies Can't Wait (program for kids with special needs) will be assigning us a service coordinator within 2 weeks! AND they will come to the house for her evals and therapy!
So...one day at a time for little Lovie!
Here is a photo recap of the past couple of weeks:

Vinny turned 4!!!! After we celebrated on his actual b-day in Ethiopia, we had a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" party. 

Complete with almost every day of food!

OK, not the best perhaps, but it is caterpillar-like, right???

 Making butterfly and fingerprint caterpillar crafts with our buddies!

This was actually before the trip...Mimi's pastel for Aunt Sa!

George moved up from being a Tiger Cub to a Wolf Cub!

Here he is with "Mr. Jason" receiving his new kerchief. 

 Above: Tussahaw Young Singers

Below: Grace notes Children's Choir

Two awesome groups of singers!

Oh, yeah...that's my girl! Fierce!!

 Natan taking the big brother role VERY seriously! 

 

Goofing around...

Below: Mimi rigged a bottle holder! 

 The new trampoline!!

 The first trampoline-related injury!

George: "Well...I thought I just had snots, 

but then my hand was red, so I guess it's blood!"

Mimi rocking her new Hello kitty 2-piece!!

So...Vinny came to me, NAKED, and said, "Let's do the garden!" 

This is what resulted when I said he needed to find some gardening clothes!

Gardener AND fashionista!

 Morning coffee with Lovie by the pool! 

 Vinny FINALLY gets in the pool, and now hates to get out!!!

 

Making applesauce

Has it really been two weeks??
OK. So I am a little bit preoccupied with other, more important things! 
Lovie is settling in, we think! Hard to tell right now what she is thinking of everything, knowing she cannot see or hear. The kids LOVE her and can't keep their hands off her. Mimi has even changed a couple of diapers (wet only!), and they really are all a big help. Thank goodness, since their new goal for kids is 10! Better get crackin'!
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Had my Tussahaw young Singers concert--a rousing success, if I do say so myself! Good repertoire, GREAT singers! BIG audience! Couldn't do it without Jason, accompanist par excellence!
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Heading to Cobourg in T-minus 12 days. Kids are SUPER excited to see Great Grandma Stinny and maybe a little excited to swim in the very cool hotel pool...
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Some pictures coming soon of what we've been up to, but thought I'd post this today. This is an article written by the coordinator the HIV Program at our agency--the one who gave us Lovie's referral. SHE is the reason we said "Hell, yes!" to this adoption. I will be forever grateful to her. Enjoy the article. She is an amazing person!
http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=764&title=Limits&snid=17&snaid=58&sname=HIV%20Positive

Atlanta Airport, midnight--waiting for our luggage. 

They were awesome and we can't wait for our next big adventure!

Thank you, Nana, for this one!!!

Although none of us wanted to leave, the time came...Mimi took care of the little boys for the whole 17 hour flight home!

While I had the difficult task of minding George and Lovie...

 Lopsided picture but look at that face!!!

 Same DC hotel, only this time, a family with one more!

 FDR memorial

 MLK Jr. Monument which was AWESOME!!!

 Got to sit on FDR's lap!

 Paying homage to fellow home-schooler, Thomas Jefferson!

 Hanging with Nikol and Olivia for a few hours!

Happy Family!!!!

At Lucy Restaurant for a drink before heading to the museum...we said a "Cheers!" for Aunt Sa's birthday and then spent the rest of the time making awesome belches from super fizzy pop!!!! We know how to party!

Teaching Eshuto the fine art of playing "Go Fish"

DELICIOUS food at Yode Abyssinia...the kids ate everything, including "Kitfo" which is raw beef. Their favorite dish is now Tibs, goat meat.

 My third time seeing this--never gets old!!

 Way to go, Natan!! Enjoying his culture!!!!

 Hot and a little tired...

 Vinny never tires--danced through the whole evening!

Vinny turned four in ET--we had a little celebration!!