18 months later...

Our precious girls have been in our arms for 18 months today! In the beginning time seemed to go very slow, but with each new day and finally finding our new normal, time has FLOWN!

When we received their referral we were told by the international pediatrician that they had minor malnourishment. We now believe they had pretty significant malnourishment because in the 18 months that we have had them, Chloe has gained 20 pounds and grown 7.5 inches... Hannah has gained 15.5 pounds and grown 8 inches. That is a lot of weight and many inches! They really haven't grown too much in the last few months, so most of that growing was in the first year. I remember Hannah was in 3T clothes for less than a month. I was so thankful for hand-me-downs!

First time holding Chloe.

*Precious story*... When we walked into the orphanage, Monte had the camcorder recording as I was trying to find the girls. In the footage you see all the toddlers sitting on the potties *adorable*. Then Monte finds Chloe and zooms in on her as she is pointing to Monte and getting the attention of her special Mothers saying, "Papa, Papa, Papa!" I didn't realize or remember she had done this until I watched the video for the first time (many, many months later). The tears just flowed as I watched this precious child point to her father that she has never seen in person, only pictures, and get so excited about him being there. Needless to say nothing has changed. As soon as he is through the door each night, she is right there ready for her daily hugs and kisses.

It took Hannah a LONG time to warm up. She wouldn't let us hold her at all. We were prepared for at least one of them to resist us and we just gave her space.

Our first smile from Hannah. This was probably more than an hour after we met her. The sunglasses and suckers were a big hit.

Our first picture with the girls! The special mother's had them in matching shirts. Their thoughtfulness really touched me.

I took these pictures of the girls today! They have changed so much in 18 months.

Chloe Desalech and Hannah Amarech,

I love you from the bottom of my heart. I seriously can't imagine my life without you, my princesses. You have been such a blessing to Mommy! You have overcome so much and I am so proud of both of you!

Lots and Lots of love,

Mommy