Our Yankee Doodle Darling

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These days we find ourselves feeling like everything is brand new and old
hat at the same time! It's so hard to imagine life without Tig that we are
constantly reminding ourselves that we've only been home together 2 months!
So much has happened in this time!

Last week Tigist's green card arrived and we've begun the process of
readopting her in the US. For those of you who don't know, due to Ethiopian
bureaucracy her name will technically be Tigist Brian PatrickHarry until we
do, so we are motivated (not that they aren't great names). We also had our
first post-placement report by our social worker who seems almost as
impressed with Tig as we are. Tigist has had wonderful visits with all of
her grandparents. Since they are all going by grandma and grandpa and there
are three of each it might be a little confusing for her. Tigist's Uncle
Jim, Aunt Susan and cousins Emma and Grace are due to arrive later this week
and Aunt Trish is coming in August. So many visitors!! She also had a lovely
lunch in Seattle with a bunch of Katrinka's work pals, was the star
attraction during an "all hands" meeting at the Port, and has meet lots of
her extended family including her family of friends.

Tig is so lucky to be surrounded by so much love! Even those of you who
haven't spent time with her yet are with her constantly. Everyday Tigist
wears clothes, plays with toys, listens to music, and even eats and baths
with items that were given to her by the many, many people in her life who
love her. For all of you who showered her with these things who might be
reading this, we want you to know how deeply appreciated it is.

It's been an awesome summer so far. Just this last weekend Tigist
participated in our neighborhood's annual Fourth of July kidee parade
looking quite decked out for the occasion. We've also been going to the
Farmer's Markets in Tacoma and Puyallup and loading up on the fresh fruits,
veggies and balloon animals! Tigist has been to the Children's Museums in
Tacoma and Olympia quite a few times and is attending our library's story
time. She loves going to the park, gardening with daddy and getting wet with
the hose.

Perhaps the most significant thing of all that Tig's been doing is GROWING!
According to our home measurements she has grown an inch, gained over 4
pounds and has three new teeth with three more well on the way--all since
her arrival in the US! We have an appointment with our International
Adoption doctor next week, so we'll get the official measurements then.

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