Fun at the NC Zoo Park! 

Diego enjoyed climbing through the spiral....and sliding down the very steep slide (behind him). 

At the playground, giant gourds entertained our kids (and helped to wear them out for a sleepy drive home. The adults grabbed Starbuck's to keep us awake!) 

The North Carolina Zoo

Yesterday, Diego and I joined our friends, Alyssa, Avery and Rowan at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. It's about an hour and a half drive from Durham, and we spent the whole day looking at animals, playing at the zoo park, and pushing strollers up and down the hilly paths. It was great fun! We saw polar bears playing in the water and baboons galore! Diego just loves animals! While it's no San Diego Zoo, I have to say I was VERY impressed by the zoo's grounds and the animal exhibits.

Words, Words, Words

Diego's language is about to explode! He's saying or mimicing a new word a day!

To date (as of this afternoon's drive home from Home Depot):
Mama/Mom/Mommy
Papa
Aba (Abuela=Grandmother, Lauren's mother)
Ball
Cat
Hat
No
Yea
Hi
Bye-Bye
Baby
Agua (water)
Globo (balloon) - his newest word today!
Mas (more)

Re-Adoption Paperwork Filed

Yesterday was Christian's day off, so we made an appointment (finally) to submit the paperwork for Diego's readoption. This will legally change his name from Cristian Emanuel Ramers Herfindahl to Christian Diego Ramers. Also, he'll have (in addition to his foreign birth certificate) a North Carolina birth certificate. This will help us get him a social security number and eventually a passport - so we can go to cool places like England and Scotland this fall and Tanzania next February.

The process wasn't too terribly detailed. A few papers, some notarized signatures, and of course $50.00 - fees, fees, fees. We have no idea how long this official process will take. The clerk we met (Stephanie) said she'd probably waive the 90 mandatory waiting period because he is already adopted overseas, so I'm hoping that it will happen by this summer to allow enough time to get the SS# and passport. Does anyone know if an under 2 year old can travel without a passport to England?

After our big adventure, we stopped by Tyler's in downtown Durham for wheat beers, some Queso dip and hush puppies with honey butter. Yum Yum Yum. We decided, as we sat there enjoying the newly designed Tobacco campus (old Tobacco mill buildings that now house restaurants and Starbucks), that Durham is great.....it wouldn't be so bad to actually stay here for the next few years.

Future Soccer Star! 

Where in the World Is Diego?

Since February, Diego and Lauren have been traveling fools! May is a month to slow down and enjoy Durham's beautiful spring weather (before the oppressive heat descends upon us and forces us indoors). We have traveled to Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; Colleyville, TX; San Diego, CA; and the North Carolina beach. Yesterday was my first full day of no work - just playing with Diego, picking up around the house (though you wouldn't know it by the looks of it) and running a few errands. It was blissful.

Lately, Diego's favorite activity is kicking around the "ball" (his newest word). He has a soccer ball, and without a doubt has some genetic disposition towards kicking a soccer ball in a straight line (which I still cannot do). So, we take him down to the soccer field in our community, and he kicks the ball into the goal, throws his arms in the air and gleefully yells, "GOAL!" This is especially cute when he's wearing his GOAL soccer outfit. He is quick to point out that there is a ball on his shirt.

He's also grown very fond of strawberries, and has learned the sign for "please" (thanks to Leslie's housemate). And while Diego is 99% cute, the most annoying thing he does right now is say "mommy" anytime he wants something. "Mommy" does not mean the same thing as "mom" or "mama." It means, "Give me what I'm pointing to right now!" Annoying.

Diego will be 17 months old next week, and from now on when people ask me how old he is I'm going to say 1 1/2 and then when he nears 2, I'll say 2. I'm not counting in months any longer.

Incidentally, today is our anniversary: I met baby Diego in Antigua, Guatemala one year ago this evening. He was bundled up in a blanket, sleeping in the arms of our friend's daughter, Gabriela. Just recalling that precious, unforgettable moment brings tears to my eyes. I couldn't be more thankful for the immense joy this little boy has brought to my life.