Our first meeting. 
Imani one year
Imani two months
Imani referral pic. just a few days old
Imani two months
Imani referral pic. just a few days oldImani Elizabeth Genet turned one year old on Sat the 11th. We really don't know her true birthdate. That is just as close as they could get. She was found on the roadside in a town called Sheshamene when she was just about 3 days old. She still had her umbilical stump so she couldn't have been very old. A police officer found her and turned her over to the orphanage. She spent the first five months of life being cared for by some amazing nannies at Wanna house in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I found out about her when she was two months old on June 11th, 2008. Her given name in Amharic is Genet. I was so happy that day. Like I had just given birth. Words do not express the happiness she brings to our whole family. God could not have picked a more perfect baby for us. We picked the name Imani because it has African roots. It is Swahili and means Faith. Elizabeth is a family name. It is my moms middle name, my great grandma's middle name and my name, Lisa, is a derivative of it. Also, my baby girl Ameliah had the middle name of Isabel which is Elizabeth in Spanish. It is special to me. I saw many pictures and even some video of Imani before I met her. Our first "meeting" was Sept 15th, 2008 and we came home together Sept 21st. She was five month old. She weighed 15 lbs and was so healthy. She did develop chicken pox 2 days after coming home. Today she is still healthy, only 2 ear infections since coming home. Imani is almost walking. She crawls everywhere and loves to eat. This is evident as she weighs 24lbs and is in 18 month clothes!
We are having a big celebration next weekend for Imani's first birthday. The road traveled, literally, to get here has been a long one. Somedays I can't believe how lucky I am to have her in my life. So, Imani, Happy Birthday from your mom who loves you more than you could imagine. I just wish the "mom" that gave birth to you could see you and know you are healthy and happy. I think about her every day and pray that she is safe and healthy. She gave me the most wonderful gift ever!
3 comments:
Happy Birthday Imani!!!! I can't believe your baby is already one and she is so beautiful and healthy! I am so glad I was able to meet your precious daughter. I love the new picture on the top of your blog. I bet you all took that for Easter.
Hey there! Happy birthday Imani! It amazes me how fast these kids change in so little time! She is just beautiful, and I love how you came up with her name...that is way neat. I know what you mean about her birthmom....I feel the same way about Ava's. I wish that there was a way that she could know how much her girl is loved and how much she changed our lives.
Your whole family is beautiful!!!!
Hi Lisa,
Beautiful pictures of the kids. Terry told me we should meet too. One of these days we are bound to cross paths. Eden looks so sweet in your header photo. I hope she is doing well. Nesradine is doing great. What a wonderful little boy. These children are such precious gifts to us. Happy Birthdya to Imani, what a lovely story.
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