February 12, 2010

Mu Shu

When Ash came into our lives almost two years ago he was announced to us first electronically via an email with photos that had traveled from Addis Ababa, and second via a white envelope containing some life details and more pictures shipped from St. Louis via the USPS. Those first two meetings, or introductions you might call them, were our first real glimpses of our first son. He was officially delivered into our arms less than two months later. Two months that began with his transition from his first mother to his extended Ethiopian family at the transition home, and ended with his transition to to his forever family and 24 hours of flights from Ethiopia to Dubai to New York.

Now nearly two years later the family grows again with the addition of a little one, who if were up to Ash we would name Mu Shu (or Moo Shoo, he's been a bit sketchy with the spelling details). This time the announcement came first via some pink lines on a plastic stick, then second by a woman in a white coat who insisted the lima bean shaped smudge on the screen would eventually sprout a head and various appendages. This time the culmination of several months of waiting will be capped with a visit to the birthing center and the arrival of a sister for Ash.

And two years from now when Ash is cuddling his baby sister or teaching her to eat her first cheerios or running to daddy yelling "DADDY! LENI (Helena) BROKE MY TRAIN!" we'll reminisce about both of their truly unique beginnings to life. Each very special, each very unique, each sure to continue to brighten and challenge and amaze us in ways we'd never thought possible. We're pregnant with child #2, potty training child #1, planning an escape to Ecuador and the Galapagos in a couple months, and currently visiting the frozen tundra of MN to spend some quality time with all the grandmas and papas and aunts and uncles and cousins and cats. It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it.

And without further adieu, I introduce you to the newest McGregor who will be making her official debut sometime near the end of July/beginning of August, and with greater than 50% certainty (but not quite 100% yet) will arrive with the gender to match the name Helena (Leni) Addis McGregor.

24 comments:

Heather said...

Congratulations!

kn said...

Yay! Congratulations! How wonderful he's going to have a baby lima bean (for now...)

What a lovely time of year for birthday parties too!

Enjoy your trip!

Kelly said...

Wow, congratulations! So exciting... And, FWIW, I think the name Mu Shu is pretty great. ;) She might tire of it eventually, though.

one + one said...

Congratulations! What exciting news for your family!!

Carol McG said...

Congratulations; you'll have your hands full with two, but it will be twice as rewarding. Ash will be big enough to be a lot of help (if he chooses to help, that is).
I'm sure mom is smiling down from heaven with your news! Love, Carol

Amanda said...

Congratulations!!! :) I'm so happy for you and your family.

I can't wait to see pictures of little Ash with Leni!

Missy said...

How exciting!! Congratulations!!! I bet Ash will be the best big brother!!!

Sandi said...

Congratulations!

Rebecca said...

I couldn't get the videos to work...but how exciting is this news?!? Congrats. Ash is going to be a fantastic big brother - and Helena a fabulous little sister.

Ms. Fricknfrack said...

Omg! What fabulous news and awesome delivery! Over the moon for the three of you! Ash is going to be an amazing big brother!!

Mazel tov!!!!!!

Unknown said...

How fantastic!! Many congrats to all of you!

Annie said...

JO, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and Mike, and Ash, too, of course :) What wonderful news :)

Lucy said...

Hi and congratulations! I discovered you're blog some time ago, but I'm still quite new in this world of blogging. I'm a "waiting" mum and to read you're blog, see the smile of you're kid and you're great photos makes time pass a litle quiker, specially in "bad days". Congratulations again to all the family!!!!

Lucy

Jill said...

OMG!!! Congrats! How exciting! Love the name - hope the gender matches :). I canNOT wait to see Ash with a baby sibling; he is going to be such an awesome big brother.

The only sad part....you will probably not be coming to the Heritage Camp again (it's the end of July). Unless you want me to deliver Leni!!!???

Congrats! I am so so so freaking happy for you.

Gretchen said...

Beautiful, fantastic, AMAZING NEWS!! Jo- I'm so darn happy for you!! Congrats, congrats, congrats!!

Gretchen said...

Oh- and by all accounts, she looks gorgeous! ;-)

gigglechirp said...

Congratulations!!!! love the name!

Good wishes for a comfortable and peaceful pregnancy.

thrilled for you all -
Jenni

Julie said...

OH MY GOSH!!! I totally missed this. Your blog has not been updating on my blogger roll!!! WOW!!!!! Congratulations!!!!! Very, very, VERY exciting!

Sam's mom said...

boy oh boy, or more accurately girl oh girl Jo: I get busy at work for 2 weeks and miss the biggest news on the planet.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy for you guys. This is amazing. And to have Ash for a big brother? What could be better than that?

QB said...

Sorry to be so late to the party, and WOW! CONGRATULATIONS! So fantastic. You take care of that baby in there, okay? WTF! I guess we both know now that people say the craziest shit imaginable, all the time. If there were an Olympic medal for awesomeness, you'd get gold.

QB said...

Oh, and I went to Ecuador and the Galapagos islands in 1995. It was 15 years ago, so probably don't remember anything terribly helpful. I can't remember the name of the relatively small sailboat captain who skippered us around the islands, or the name of the boat, but I'll bet I found it in the Lonely Planet Guide. I do remember riding on the roof of a train through el nariz del diabolo when we went from Quito to Cuenca to Guayaquil. It was pretty sweet - except when the train hit a horse. I hope you have a wonderful trip. You won't be able to help it. The Galapagos are unreal.

Lori said...

How did I miss this?! Congratulations you guys!

Cloverland Farm said...

yep, i absolutely missed seeing this. congratulations!!!!!!!!!

msl said...

I literally just saw this - talk about late to the party!! A huge, huge congratulations on your newest McGregor!!!