Letters from home

Dear baby Jude,

You have made this Easter holiday even more special!!  It is always a privilege to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, but this year was extra special as we participated in the Easter egg hunt and the Easter bunny tradition. You weren’t really sure what to make of all the excitement, but it was fun for Mom and Dad…well mostly Mom. Easter was also extra special this year, as we got to spend time with the Eskews. Up until today, you had only met Austin, but today you met the rest of your cousins, along with Aunt Melanie and Uncle Andy. You loved tapping cousin Andrew on the head for some reason, and you loved having Rachel chase you around.  As usual, you were a little hesitant to let anyone hold you, or to let Mom and Dad out of your sight, but overall you seemed to enjoy the visit. It was a great day with lots of love and family.  What better way to celebrate!

 

 

Dear baby Jude,

This week, we were able to spend some time with a few more of your family members!  You met your Aunt Amy, and Uncle Kevin, and your cousins Hannah-Kate and Kevin-Michael.  You watched your cousins like a hawk, and enjoyed all the toys that they shared with you.  They brought you some super cute clothes, that you will grow into over the next few months (and years). It was so nice to spend time with them, and to introduce you to yet more people who are so in love with you. You still have so many friends who want to meet you and give you hugs and kisses.  Thanks for being such a trooper buddy.  

Dear Jude,

It has been over one month now since we arrived back in the US.  While, in some ways, it feels like it has been much longer, in other ways it feels like just yesterday that we got home.  We speak less and less Spanish, and have gotten back into our American routines.  We have long forgotten how desperately we desired to get back home, and we have once again become way too busy. We are trying hard to take time to reflect on how blessed we are and how much richer our lives are because of you.  Days like today remind us how fun the small things can be.  We spent some park time with Ma-Maw and Pa-Paw, just swinging and playing in the sand. It was the most fun part of the week.  It is always such a pleasure to watch your smiling face. We all love you so much, baby Jude.

Dear Jude,

We spent this weekend in Greenville, getting our house ready to sell, and spending special time with the Dixons.  You got to spend some special Grammy and Grandaddy time, while Mom and Dad cleaned, and then you had a special visit from Papa (your Great-grandfather), and Jo.  You also had a special visit from Great Aunt Gwen. Everyone was so excited to meet you, and thought you were just as awesome as we do.  You smiled for most of the day, except of course when we wanted you to smile for the camera. This is such a difference in your personality. You have had such a serious face most of the time we have known you. It is so exciting to see you becoming more confident, and happy. We love that sweet smile.

Dear Jude,

Today is the first day in a few weeks, that we have been able to hang out in our pyjamas and enjoy a few moments like all of those lazy days in Nicaragua. I have started back to work, and am on call this weekend, forcing us to stay home and enjoy all the awesome new toys we got last weekend at our baby shower.  You are enjoying your new car, and your stuffed animals, and all the other toys. Mom is enjoying all the precious new clothes, and is getting them ready for you to wear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are loving all these moments with you, Jude. Every day is a new experience, and we love watching your reactions and your faces as you learn. You are constantly looking around in observation and anticipation.  You are responding so well to English, and are learning new things everyday.  You still do not talk to us, but it is obvious that you know so much more than we even give you credit for.  Someday soon you will be able to respond to us with words, instead of just funny faces. And, for all of you who have blessed us with awesome gifts since we have been home…from the bottom of our hearts…

Dear Jude,

It was quite obvious when we met you that you had previously had your haircut. You had lots of uneven strands that hung down in awkward directions. Several times, in Nicaragua, we were tempted to try and even it out ourselves. However, we resisted until we got home.  Yesterday was the day to finally get your haircut. We were a little nervous about how you would react, and had all kinds of snacks ready to distract you.  Once again, though, you proved to be such a laid back little fellow, and you just sat there and looked in the mirror. You were so cute, and of course we saved a few “locks” to always remember the first haircut that we witnessed.  You look so handsome, and so much older, with your new ‘do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying a cookie after your new haircut:

Dear Jude,

We have had quite a busy week, since our return from Nicaragua.  The weekend we arrived in Charleston, we

were greeted by Ma-Maw Brown and uncle Austin.  They could not wait to meet you, and were so impressed

with your cuteness.  As with all strangers, you were a little apprehensive about letting Ma-Maw hold you, but

you did warm up eventually.  We were able to enjoy a few great meals together, and get some good photos of

you together.  We look forward to seeing Ma-Maw and Pa-Paw again next weekend, as they come down to

help us celebrate a baby shower!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also spent our first few days back trying to find a

daycare for you.  We dropped you off for a few hours

each day to let you adjust. So far, you aren’t a fan, but

we are hoping that things get better, as you get used to your new routine.  You have been such a trooper

this week, adjusting amazingly to so many new things.  Hopefully soon, we will all be settled into our new

lives here, as a family of three.

Dear baby Jude,

Before leaving for Charleston yesterday afternoon, we got to spend some extra special time with Grammy, Grandaddy and EY before they went to work.  We are all aware that it will take you a little time to get used to all of these new faces, but your extended family members are all eager for you to recognize them, and to let them hold you and give you hugs.  While you constantly looked for Mom or Dad, and cried if we left the room, you did get brave a few times, and let Grammy and EY hold you.  Apparently, it takes you a little longer to warm up to men, but that’s ok.  In your own time, you will learn to love these folks as much as your mom and dad already do.  These people are certainly ready to spoil you with all kinds of things that you will never convince your parents to give you.

So, even though you were a little nervous, you did great yesterday. And, we were all so excited for you guys to spend some time together. We captured a few special moments from the morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was only the first of many special visits, buddy. You will see lots more of your Dixon family, and you still have LOTS of people who love you, and can’t wait to meet you!  How exciting!

Dear baby Jude,

We are home!!  You have been such a trooper over the past few days.  We flew into Greenville-Spartanburg airport at 11pm last night, February 22, 2012.  After a long and frustrating airport experience in Managua, and a 3 hour flight from Nicaragua to Atlanta, during which you only cried about 20 minutes upon descent, you still had a smile on your face.  You were so happy to finally be moving around, and you enjoyed pushing your stroller around the airport while we waited on our second flight.

“Cinco” for being a US citizen once landing in Atlanta:

 

On the second flight, which was only about 30 minutes, you played the whole time. At 10:00pm, this was your latest bedtime ever!  We had to do a quick wardrobe change to account for the drop in temperature, but otherwise, the transition couldn’t have gone any smoother.  Grammy, Granddaddy, and Aunt EY were waiting on us when we got to the airport, and were so thrilled to finally meet you.  We couldn’t believe you were still awake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a quick hello, and goodbye, to the Dixons, we finally got you in the bed in Greenville, about midnight.  Today, (after having to wake you up at 9am!!!!), we headed to Charleston, SC, where we now live.  We were very nervous about how you would react to riding in a car seat. Until this point, you had never been required to be strapped in.  We should have known, however, that you would adjust just as well to this change, as you have to everything so far. You spent most of the ride like this…..

….asleep, with the dogs panting in your ear, and wedged in between all the luggage.  When you were awake, however, you seemed to be enjoying yourself:

We arrived in Charleston around 4pm this afternoon.  We will spend the next few days trying to get settled, meeting more family, and getting you adjusted to daycare. You have been so sweet through all these changes, and sleeping in 3 different beds over the past 3 days. Thank you, baby Jude, and welcome home!

Dear baby Jude,

We were, indeed, able to pick up your travel Visa this morning. Your dad headed to the US Embassy at 7:15, while I packed up all our belongings, in faith.  We were beside ourselves with excitement, yet it was somewhat bittersweet. Over the past 2 months, we have gotten to know some pretty fabulous people, whom we consider our Nicaraguan family.  Last night, they showered us with a farewell party, and you with some awesome gifts.  Not only will we make sure that you never forget your “aunties and uncles” across the sea, but now you have some reminders of them here with you.

We are so grateful to these folks, who took us in as strangers, and blessed us beyond belief. We are thankful for the bonds of friendship, even though we are now miles apart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodbye for now, Colonia Becklin!  Thanks for everything!!