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.