Visit to San Francisco - Meeting Meirambek!!

My friends, Terri & Jim, just brought home their adopted son, Jonah Meirambek, from Kazakhstan a couple of weeks ago. They've been working for the past 5 or 6 months to get him home. Lots of trials and tribulations, ups and downs over this period of time - a truly emotional roller coaster - along with much bureaucracy wrapped all around it. They prevailed and welcomed home their son!!

Family Picture!!

Of course, I had to come meet this new addition to the family and take some pictures for them!! They didn't know I was planning to take pictures until I showed up but I brought the camera just in case we had time/inclination to do so. Here are a few more of our favorites! There are many more really wonderful pictures - they are so happy!!

The weekend was really just about visiting with him and them! Baby time.... We didn't really do a whole lot else which was just fine and fun! Weather started becoming kind of wet/cool on Saturday evening and as we speak, I'm sitting at the airport with a 3 hour delay to get out because of weather - rain/wind. So..... I had a fabulous time!!

The one place we did manage to go on Saturday was to their local farmer's market which was incredible - see my pictures below - and to get a manicure/pedicure!! I was just amazed at all the wonderful produce at the farmer's market. Wish we had something like this in Houston - I'd be there!!

It was so wonderful meeting you Meirambek!! You are so happy and a joy to be around! Your smiles just light up the room and you are learning to clap and work those fingers to pick up all sorts of things around you. Crawling is quite close.... but you certainly know how to scoot very quickly to what you want!! It was so fun spending the weekend with you!

Terri & Jim - you all are wonderful parents!! This child is well loved and so lucky to have parents like the two of you. There is much to learn as you settle into your new roles and many wonderful experiences to come as he grows. Parents love to give advice and there are many, many pieces of information that could be imparted, but the most important one is to nurture your own relationship as a couple during this time as well. Don't let that go by the wayside as you take on your parenting role. It's very easy to let that slide. Make time for "date night" and reconnecting with each other often. Even set it as a firm date of the week. Get a standing babysitter and go somewhere - dinner, coffee, wine - for time alone together. Happy families and happy children are built on happy marriages!

Thank you so much for allowing me to visit and have fun with you all. I hope to be able to come out again soon! Love to you all!!

Mary-Austin