18-Month Stats

Myles had his 18-month check-up last week, and here are his stats:

Height: 34 1/8 inches (90th percentile) — I think this is way off. We had to see a different nurse, and she measured differently than our usual nurse does. At M's 12-month check-up, he was about 29 inches and in the 17th percentile. I tried to measure him at home a few weeks ago for our post-placement update, and he was around 32 inches.

Weight: 24 lbs., 4 oz. (25th percentile) - Also up from around the 17th percentile last time.

Head: Don't remember the exact measurement, but I do remember it's the 97th percentile! This is consistent from previous measurements. Lots of brain going on in there! :)

Size: 12-18 month pants, 18-month shirts (that head!), mostly 4s in shoes

I know I've mentioned here before that Myles had some significant motor skills delays when he came home, and now a year later he's almost completely caught up. We've had several pediatricians comment how smart he seems, and of course we agree!

Myles has had lots of ear infections since he's been home, and after a visit with an ENT doctor, he will be getting tubes and his adenoids removed once we're home with L. I'm not looking forward to it. Myles had a rough wake-up after his circumcision, but at least now we are prepared for that. But I also hate having to put him on really strong antibiotics every month.

M's First Haircut

I didn't realize his hair had become quite this unruly.


Getting your hair cut is fun!


Or not.


Nothing a little "Yo Gabba Gabba!" can't fix.


This feels weird.


A little brush, brush.


Tada!

I let the stylist cut his hair much shorter than I would have thought. And I have to say, short hair is so much easier! No more battles over tangles. And M's hair looked much better than the final picture after washing. I'd post a picture, but my camera batteries are dead. I'll try to this weekend.

Help with Humanitarian Aid

Some of you have asked how you can help with humanitarian aid, which we will take with us on our first trip in October. Here are two ways:

1. Donate items for us to take to our adoption agency's foster care centers. (This is where Myles spent five out of his first six months.) Some current needs are:
a. Infant clothing (new); Boys and Girls; sizes 0-2 years.
b. Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers, Extra Large Case – Sizes 1, 2, 3 and 4
c. Huggies Natural Care Wipes (Unscented); 576 count
d. Purell Hand Sanitizer NXT Refill, 1000ml
e. Toys & Activities for Older Children (Art Books, Crayons, Colored Pencils,
Markers, Manipulative Toys like Puzzles).

2. Make a donation to provide a meal for kids at a government orphanage. (This is where L has been for about four years.) Recommended gifts: 1 cow ($300-$400), 3-5 goats or sheep (about $40-$70 each), oranges and bananas for everyone (kids and caregivers) at the orphanage (about $25 total), soda for everyone (kids and caregivers) at the orphanage (about $30 total).

If you'd like to help in some way, please let Chris or me know!

What?!? A month?

A quick glance at my calendar tells me that a mere five short weeks from now we may be on a plane bound for Ethiopia. Where has the time gone? For our friends and family, here's a brief timeline of what's about to happen:

Oct. 4 - Chris's birthday and our MOWA date. This is a court date for which we don't have to appear. MOWA must issue a positive opinion on this day for us to keep our next court date.

(Oct. 9 - The day we are scheduled to leave for Ethiopia if MOWA issues a positive opinion. Yes, we will have less than five days notice if we are actually leaving this day.)

Oct. 11 - My birthday, hopefully in Ethiopia?!?

Oct. 14 - The date in which we are scheduled to appear in court in Ethiopia.

2-6 weeks after passing court - When we will return for our second trip to bring L home.

With only a little over a month until all this craziness begins, I'm beginning to panic about all that needs to be done! :) From little things like cleaning out L's closet to big things like, oh, I don't know, learning some Amharic phrases, there's so much to think about. Where did the time go, I ask?