Sedona!

Happy Spring everyone! it snowed this week in Flagstaff...I guess Flagstaff doesn't know it 's spring yet. Zamara and I headed down to Sedona with Michael and Kyla Garrison and their little girl Kate, one of Zamara's friends. We had a good morning and afternoon walking around and enjoying the sunshine. Daddy had to work so he couldn't join us. I love the picture of the 2 girls in front of the fountain back to back. Kyla mentioned that whenever they sit next to each other she thinks of the song "Ebony and Ivory". I do too!!! So cute!

Happy Easter!

We had a fun Easter weekend. Craig worked most of the weekend so it was mainly Zizi and I hanging out together. We had a lot of fun! Friday morning we went to Stroller Strides for class and then an egg hunt. There was a professional photographer there getting pictures. She took the amazing picture of Zizi in the hat. Later in the day we took a bath and then made it to the Good Friday Service at our church.

Saturday was pretty boring with the exception of making lemon scones (yum!) and macaroni neclaces. Zizi was the chef and did a great job with both projects!

On Sunday we made it to church (with only 2 morning meltdowns over clothing and what I can only imagine was a tantrum because I put the strawberries on the wrong part of her plate), went to brunch with the Garrisons, and then had an egg hunt and dinner at our house with the Garrisons and Grayums.

Overall it was a fun Easter. This year Zamara realized there was candy inside the eggs and we had to make an effort to keep it out of her hands...she still found some and we had a hard time getting her to sleep after all the sugar.

The "paci" fairly is coming on Wednesday and taking all of Zamara's pacis to babies all over the world who need them. She does not need them since she is now a "big girl", which she enjoys reminding me of at least a few times a day. HOWEVER, this girl is addicted to her pacis. She tells me she dreams about them at night. To help ease the blow the Paci Fairly will also be leaving her with some new springtime jammies as a gift (Daddy messed up this morning and mentioned that "mommy and daddy were going to shop for her new jammies today". To his credit he did try to recover by saying that we were shopping with the Paci Fairy). Hopefully that fact has slipped her memory. We have been talking about it for a while, but I don't think she really understands that she will no longer have pacis to sleep with. We are praying for a smooth transition but we are expecting a few sleepless nights as she adjusts to not having them.

We hope everyone had a great Easter. We look forward to talking to you all soon.

blessing, Laura

First Prayers and Easter Eggs

Every night at dinner we pray for the meal. If we forget, Zamara will always remind us half way through dinner. Over the last few months she has been learning to pray by repeating what we say. We usually keep it simple and to the point.

Tonight we prayed and she repeated us as usual. Half way through dinner she said she wanted to pray again. So we stopped eating and folded our hands and she said her very first prayer all by herself!!!

"Dear Jesus, thank you for dinner. Amen"

It was soooo cute. Craig and I both got tears in our eyes.

After dinner we colored Easter eggs. It was a very fun night!

Have a great Easter everyone!

The Ducommuns

ZiZi's 2nd Birthday Party

More Pictures to choose from

Here are 5 more pictures to choose from. Check out the post below this one for 5 more photos.

Pictures...which one do you like?

Today a photographer was going to come over and take some family pictures for ZiZi's 2nd birthday. She called this morning to say that she was sick and didn't want to spread germs, so we had to reschedule. Since we already had things set-up we decided to take some of our own.

They aren't professional, but we would love your feedback. Which one(s) do you like?

Zamara is turning 2!

Hi all! Zamara's birthday is just around the corner (3-8-08) and we have been trying to figure out a good time for a party. March is shaping up to be a crazy month for the Ducommuns so we will let you know a date as soon as we can figure one out.

Friends and family have been contacting us about what ZiZi might like for her birthday. After much deliberation we have decided to do something different for her birthday.

After Zamara was found at the church in Addis Ababa, she was taken to an orphanage called Kids Care. She was only there for about 2 months before being moved to our agencies Transitional Home. We were blessed to get to visit Kids Care when we traveled to Ethiopia to pick ZiZi up. It is such an amazing facility. We were completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of children they are taking care of. We went into room after room filled with children. As you can see by the pictures, the facility is a lot different than what we are used to seeing here in the States, but I can tell you that they do their very best with very little. It is clean and well run. The nannies love on the kids and it shows. Zamara was very well taken care of while she was there.

Both Craig and I feel like we need to give back to this orphanage. We contacted our adoption agency in Ethiopia and were able to get a list of items they could use. So in lieu of gifts for Zamara, we would like to put together a box to send to Kids Care. Below is a list of items they need:

Donation Items You may send for Orphanages and Transitional Home

1. Paper Towels
2. Children’s clothing (new or slightly used); Boys and Girls; sizes 0-8 years. Clothing needs include day clothes (especially pants), pajamas, underwear, and shoes.
3. Diapers size for up to 30 pounds
4. Toys to stimulate babies such as colorful objects, rattles, etc. that are appropriate for babies up to 2 years
5. Unscented baby wipes
6. Powder formula with DHA/RHA
7. Lactose free formula
8. A + D Original Ointment, Diaper Rash and All-Purpose Skincare Formula;
9. Hand Sanitizer
10. Pens (to use as gifts at appointments, etc.)
11. Candles
12. Children’s Notebooks
13. Underwear for older children

Medications/Medical items:

· Multivitamins

o Tri-vi-sol (o to 6 months)

o Poly-vi-sol (6 months to 2 years)

o Chewable multi-vitamin (2 years to 9 years)

o Adult multivitamin (9 years plus)

· Tylenol (acetaminophen)

o Infants

o Children's

o Suppository

· Syringes for giving medicines (5mL)

· Plastic and Latex disposable gloves

· Baby nose saline spray

· Neosporin

· mouth and nose masks

· Benadryl liquid/elixir

· Permetherin for scabies

· Lice kits

· Toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss

We know this is a long list and we are not expecting to send everything. In addition, we will have to ship internationally we would like to try to keep the box a reasonable size and weight. We would love it if you would like to help us collect some of these items.

As we mentioned above we will be having a party for Zizi and we have a few gifts we will be giving her. She really doesn't need a whole lot (she has a ton of toys and clothes already). If you would still like to get her a small gift it would be welcomed, but not expected.

We are excited to be able to help Kids Care and to teach Zamara about giving back to those in need. Please let us know if you have any questions about the donations.

Check back soon for confirmed birthday party date and time. For those of you in the Flagstaff area, we will be sending out birthday invitations.

blessings,

Craig, Laura, and Zizi