it was a battle

but Ashlynn Olivia beat the flu virus.  After a few really heartbreaking days she started to turn around.  I was so thankful to have the Swedish clinic here in Addis Ababa which has a US trained pediatrician on rotation (and cost a fortune in Swedish Crown).  He warned me about the third day of the fever being the worst and he was right.  Luckily she started to turn around and it didn't turn bacterial in her chest or ears.

She was feeling a bit better two days ago but still wasn't smiling.

Yesterday, she ate real meals and was playing without clinging to me.  Then came the smiles we were missing. 

Ashlynn is clapping!  It melts my heart every time I see her do this when music starts to play or just on her own.  She's practicing! When we praise her, she's thoroughly happy with herself.  I love this girl and I love how her big sisters are her biggest fans!

rain, rain go away and a bonus variety show

Wishful thinking on my part.  The rainy season continues through much of September in Ethiopia so we have a bit of a wait until the rain actually does go away.  In the mean time we are trying to be creative with indoor activities, play dates, crafts and taking advantage of the sun when it does peak through the clouds.

I blessed the rains down in Africa

Yesterday we had bit of sun for two hours and the girls had spent the early morning hours getting inspired by The Muppet Show season one (the original which is totally awesome and hilarious).  Adelaide and Arabella decided to put on a variety show for me, Teklu and Eneye.  They set the stage, had costumes, props and  short acts.  I sat there watching, amazed that these two clever little girls were mine.  Moments like that, when your kids amaze you, make it all worth it.  Here are a few videos (the grandparents are going to love this).  The first one is multiple acts, the second is the "Fairy Lost Princess" act and the third is Addie solo. I apologize for my poor video skills, I was holding Ashlynn for much of the performance.