It's funny what grows attractively noticeable in the people we love. Bereket's mustachio, Sira's animated eyebrows, Tsega's curly face. The plump on a knocked knee, the wiggle of a butt, the peaks on a head of curls in profile (see Bereket above), the way a belly button folds (I'm talking babies here, clearly not all good stuff on many of us adults). Sometimes when sorting through pictures suddenly there is one that grabs me; somehow the camera has captured specific features or expressions so differently than the rest. Features that usually rest subtly in the background that suddenly pop to the surface. It's as if the face metamorphoses moment to moment. The picture below is a brilliant example. Bereket's classic Ethiopian features are filling his face during this fleeting moment. . . something perhaps only a parent perceives (Jerry noticed too before I said anything). Oh Bereket, you are gorgeous sweet baby.
When our adoption case passed the Ethiopian courts we received scanned copies of the triplets' new birth certificates, complete with close head shots of each child stapled to each certificate in the upper left hand corner. The pictures failed to flatter. Mind you up to now we had only seen three not so clear pictures of the boys and didn't have a good idea what they looked like (not that we cared, of course, but the face of your baby--or his toes, knees, and butt for that matter--is something one likes to carry in the heart). When looking at Bereket's, after wondering how a pair of eyes could get so big, I thought, Does this baby have a moustache? I would have believed it if you told me yes. I think I had gone delirious at this point in my impatience to get the boys home.
Bereket's upper lip shadow (no hair) is still noticeable, but I almost forgot about it until a few recent pictures reminded me. Isn't it adorable?
It is striking when the sun is set just right and backlights my boys' hair lighting it afire.
And maybe you noticed something different about Sira above (and hopefully you failed to notice the horrible food stains the Hoosier cabinet normally hides). His mouth is firmly shut. I think the hang mouth and collar drool are fading.
Recently the pediatrician pointed out my boys' slight over bites. I already noticed how cute their straight upper teeth slightly protrude (I added "straight" so I don't get bad binky (=bad mama) comments), and I know grandpa (OK, "Poppie") has a special memory of Bereket's little smile and protruding teeth charming his socks off during a long car ride while in California last fall. I have to get a picture, but we have this little toy vacuum and the smile and teeth on it, I swear, models Bereket's.
And who can't love Tsega's lost wild child posture and expression that often frequents this blog. Somehow this picture captures his spirit. Always on the edge away from the crowd, in his own style, figuring out the world, hardly fearful.
Clearly this post's purpose is not to brag and point out the obvious: hey, look, by Jah these are beautiful boys! It's about love, man.
10 comments:
love this blog...it is good to stop and reflect on the wonderfully unique children God has created and blessed us with! Thanks for sharing. emily
Man, Cindy--all of a sudden your boys seem all grown up. I know we'll look back in a couple years and realize they are still babies (yeah!), but seriously, they have lost so much of their chubbiness and "not quite stable" selves. They are big boys. Thanks for sharing your reflections.
They are so, so beautiful!
It's also amazing to see the fleeting similarities among the ET-adopted kids. Our son has certain expressions that remind me of one of your three (usually Bereket), though he doesn't really look like any of them. The resemblance is there for a moment and then it's gone...
Gorgeous. Beautiful. Cute, cute, cute they are!
I go through a similar process when looking at pics of my kiddos. One who came into my life through birth...two that came into my life by happenstance...and a niece that stole my heart. There is an amazing transformation that the heart undergoes when one becomes a mom! And there are moments when it is nothing short of intoxicating!
I love watching these boys! Mine is only 6 months and I feel like I'm getting a peek into a couple of years.
Your boys are just absolutely beautiful.
Shawn in Boulder
Oh Cindy, so eloquently put. I've expierenced the exact same wonderment and love when I've encounted delighted little folds, thigh chub and belly buttons on my girls.
My girls aren't ET, but they have those big doey eyes like your boys do.
They certainly are beautiful boys. Thanks for the perspective today.
Cindy, I have been looking at pics of your boys for years now, and suddenly they just seem so big! Man are they growing up fast!
I love that you stop to capture the moments and reflect on the love that these sweet boys have brought to you. You are an awesome mom!
Your boys are all unique and beautiful. It is interesting the way that we, as parents can pick things out in our childrens features and expressions that we fall so in love with when perhaps others wouldn't notice these tiny things. Lovely post.
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