A cute picture from Elijah's birthday

Here's a picture of Mommy and son on his first b-day...

Okay, some wisdom we had to learn the hard way

Well, we learned something the hard way the last couple of weeks. As many of you know, adoption isn't a cheap thing. We had to put some of the adoption on credit as we didn't have that much cash in-house. So we were super-excited to be able to file our tax return and pay most of that off. We talked to the person that is helping us prepare out taxes. I usually do them, but with the adoption I'd rather have someone help me with them. Our tax preparer asked for Elijah's social security #, ATIN# or ITIN # which is needed to claim the Adoption Tax Credit. Oops....Brutal, Amanda and I both completely forgot to get his SS# after we received Elijah's permanent residence card. So I went last week to the social security office and filed for his new SS#. Needless to say this will push back the tax return at least a month if not more. We found all the info on a packet we had received from our agency. With all the paperwork we had, it just got buried and we never read it. So, don't forget to file for a SS# after you get the permanent residence card.

Also something funny, when we were in Ethiopia, they gave Elijah the name Abereham David Duda as his name on some of the documents. The permanent residence card we have from the federal gov't has the same name on it. So that is how he will be filed until we complete re-adoption here in Wisconsin when we can change his name to what we use.

Elijah discovering our video camera for the first time...

Well, Elijah was being silly on this riding fire engine thing he has. He was making goofy noises and whooping it up. Soon as I got the video camera it all stopped, as he decided to watch Daddy videoing him. I turned the view screen towards him so he could see himself...check it out...

Elijah bowling with Harvest Bible Chapel Milwaukee Dec. 29, 2007

So Elijah came with on our bowling outing with our church on Dec. 29th 2007. He was getting pretty bored, so we got a nice 8lb ball and let him rip. We were both pretty excited as he knocked down a pin.

What a cheeser

His first time with a bowling ball, wish we had bumpers...

This is Daddy and Elijah waiting for the one pin to fall...Good job little guy...First pin down before he's one year old....

Elijah's First Christmas pics...

Okay, sorry about the long wait...kept forgetting to bring the pics in so I could post them. We had a GREAT Christmas with the little guy. He got way too much stuff, more than he can even play with. I'll just throw a bunch of pics up with comments. I also have some 1st b-day pics which will be the next post.

Hey, move it, I'm trying to drive!!!

Okay Gavin, you play with that cool Transformer, I'll play with this wrapping paper bow.

Extreme Closeup!!!

Elijah loves baths, he usually eats the bubbles...yuk!!

This is the first day in his new roadster that Papa and Mimi got him..

I'm so beautiful I will kiss myself...*laugh*

Elijah always cracks himself up looking in mirrors...

Happy Thankgiving, a whole bunch of Elijah pics

Well, I'm finally going to post a bunch of Elijah pics. I know I keep saying this, but we have the funniest little guy. He laughs at everything. That is such a huge blessing when you're kinda crabby or grumpy. I can't believe it's been 2 1/2 months since we've been home already. He is picking up so much new stuff every week. He can totally go from crawling to sitting up by himself now (last Thursday). He is starting to imitate things that we do. Amanda is working on teaching him some sign-language. Wish I had a sponge-like brain like him. Anyways, here are the pics...Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Praise the Lord for everything you have, he always makes sure we have a meal to eat, shelter, and clothes on our back.
So here he is with one of his first crackers a couple of weeks ago. Before this everything was mushy food...mmmm...saltines

This is yesterday after the Packer game, Amanda took a pic of him upside down

This is before demolition of the tower...

His first look at a Christmas tree and lights, Amanda wanted it up early...

Another pic of his first Christmas tree experience

Elijah in mouse ears with his Buzz Lightyear phone...He was extremely tired by this time as you can see.

Here Elijah is feeding Dixie his cracker. Dixie is doing pretty good on Elijah's leavin's

Our friend Carla's kids, Zena (8 yo) and Fonose` (almost 10) who she adopted from Ethiopia. They came over Saturday night to hang-out with Elijah and us. They are so much fun and are great with Elijah. Amanda and I met the girls about 3 months after Carla adopted them and it was a huge reason we chose to adopt from Ethiopia.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, will post some fun video clips soon

Finally an update

Okay, so I will really try hard to update this at least once a week from now on. Elijah Abraham has been the best child a parent could hope for. He is funny, silly, happy, and just makes me and others smile all the time. The Lord has gifted this child with bringing joy to those around him. I pray that he continues on this and that he grows up to know Jesus Christ as his Lord, Savior, and best friend.

Elijah learned to crawl last week. He has been frustrated because he couldn't get to different things in the room. Finally he started pushing hard with his legs and can now pretty quickly get to anything. He is eating ers now, regular applesauce, mashed bananas, and anything else we can get down him. This kid can chow-down on food. I have to pick-up a second and third job to pay for the food. *smile* Anyways, here's a pic of Elijah getting ready to go on a trip, though it might be a couple of years before we can go, Lord willing.


He's ready to meet Mickey

One of our first good family pics, Praise God for us being a family, still doesn't seem real sometimes.