January Update

We got our update a little early this month! Here's the scoop on what our baby girl has been up to:

December and January have been very busy and exciting months here at God’s Littlest Angels.  We have had more children transition into their new lives with their forever families and have welcomed numerous visitors and volunteers who help us love the children and get projects accomplished. 

I was honored to be here at GLA throughout Christmas for all the celebrations this year.  This is the first year in my three years at GLA that I am able to give you a first hand account of the holiday festivities and I am looking forward to it!

All of the babies began their Christmas morning with a new outfit.  The cutest thing was to walk into the NICU and see all of the littlest ones dressed up in a red and white outfit.  Some us staff members took a group of the two years olds up to the balcony to unwrap and play with new toys that were send as Christmas gifts while all the babies in the smaller nurseries each received a rattle or toy to keep and play with in their crib.  The kids who received Christmas gifts from adoptive parents were brought down to the living room the day after Christmas to open their gifts under the tree.  Malozie got a new outfit on Christmas morning and she was all smiles when she was given a new toy to play with when she is in her crib.  You will find a photo of her from Christmas morning attached.  There are also a few photo day photos of her with a gift that was received from an aunt and uncle I believe.  She enjoyed the toy a lot and it is now kept in her bin of toys to play with when she is on the balcony.  I am also including some pictures of her from her birthday in December.  We hold a monthly birthday celebration for all the kids who have a birthday in that month.  She loved the doll that you sent for her.. she touched its face and examined it closely.  She also liked the phone and looking at the photo of your family in her card.  She was the first kiddo to dig into the cake for herself.  She enjoyed it a lot!    I hope you enjoy the variety of photo included in your update this month.

Malozie is gaining strength in her walking.  She is not yet completely confident but she is venturing out on her own 2 feet and can walk across the room.  She always has a brilliant smile on her face when she is praised for her new accomplishment.  She sure knows she is cute!

Only one week after our Christmas celebration it was time to celebrate the New Year as well as Haiti’s independence day, which is on January 1^st.  The highlight of the day for most Haitians as well as the kids at the Main House is a celebratory soup that is traditionally served at lunchtime.   The soup is called “soup joumou”.  It is a pumpkin soup that has meat, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage.  Everyone looks forward to this soup that is typically only served in Haitian Independence Day.

The photo day theme for this month was “celebration”. In addition to celebrating all the holidays the last few months have held, it is a true joy to celebrate each milestone the children have.  I hope I am able to accurately describe and capture these things for you until you are able to bring them home and experience these moments with them. 

You will notice this update is coming a week earlier then usual this month.  I am taking a trip home to Wisconsin for 2 weeks starting on January 25^th.  I will return to the office on February 11^th and do my best to get your February update to you by the end of the month.  Hope you enjoyed hearing a little more about Malozie’s holiday celebrations this month.

Malozie is healthy and growing:
Height: 71.5 cm
Weight: 20 lb 

And now for the best part....pictures! And we have lots of them this month! 

Look at those eyes! This picture was taken by Jenny, an adoptive Mom who went to GLA this month. Grace is a finger sucker, I think. I've seen 2 pictures of her with those fingers in her mouth. Sweet baby girl!

These were the Christmas PJs we sent to her.

This is her baby doll from Nana D. and Poppy. She is seriously checking it out!

Our family!

I think she likes it!

 

A Face to Pray For

We have prayed and prayed and talked and talked about President Martelly. We need him to pick up a pen and sign our dispensation. Since we have biological kids, our dossier requires a waiver (under the adoption law in Haiti). Crazy, I know. It doesn't make sense. The good news is they are changing the adoption laws in Haiti, but we will be under the old laws.

So, here's a picture to have in your mind. Pray that President Martelly will feel the URGE to sign our dispensation---and many more. There are many families waiting on him to sign theirs, too. These orphans need to go home to their forever families!

Also, his stage name (he's a famous singer in Haiti) is "Sweet Micky". So, use either name. God will know who you're referring to.

Wordless Wednesday

When She Comes Home

Just came across this blog post.

So much to think about as we prepare to bring Grace home. I think a lot of these ideas are right on. We will learn lots as we go, but I am a "researcher" and like to read of others' experiences.
Check this out when you have a moment. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

What a gift we received from GLA! This slide show has every picture they have taken of Grace since she arrived. Many of them were new to us. She celebrated her first birthday on Dec. 11. Oh how we pray she'll be home for her 2nd! Enjoy!