The Belly

My brother Nathan was remarking this past weekend that Gideon seems to be "comfortable" in the belly region. So I thought it might be funny to break out the fully monty. Enjoy the picture. He enjoyed posing for it!

First Taste of Cottage Cheese

Gideon with Cousins Samuel, Ava, and Otto

Gideon Hanging Out with Cousins Samuel and Otto

Gideon's "Christmas" in February

As we missed Christmas with my family this year, we were able to open the presents my brother Nathan's family had for us during our visit to Dubuque recently. Enjoy the pictures of Gideon's first Christmas with the extended family!

Gideon with Grandpa T

Gideon with Grandma T at her office

Gideon Chillen In The Chair Kathee Did When She Was His Age

Gideon and Mom

The Big Walk

I posted the picture of Gideon sitting in our hiking back pack recently. I thought it a bit dumb not to have him in it while I'm carrying him, so here goes. We just took the mile+ hike and had a great time. Kathee, Gideon, Riely, Solomon, and I. What fun!

What Would Morning Devos Be Without Gideon

So I've taken to doing my morning devotions in the kitchen, as I have all my bird feeders set up outside the window (so when I'm thinking, etc, I can also watch my birds). So, as Kathee is upstairs getting ready, Gideon is in his exersaucer next to me (if you've seen our kitchen you know it's a tight fit). Well, here is another video of the kid during devos!

The Boy Tries Out Self-Feeding

And on the 8th Day...HE SITS!!!

Well, from Thursday through Saturday night of this week past, Kathee, Gideon, and I spent time in North Liberty, Iowa, at my brother Aaron and family's house. And low and behold, Gideon started sitting on his own. Maybe it was the incredibly plush carpeting, or maybe the draw to "hold his own" with his cousins. Either way, he's doing a great job sitting, and has only had a few episodes of launching himself backwards only to find that his head hurts when it hits the pillow. Our little one grows so quickly, and we so love him.
Tonight as Kathee and I were reading Scripture and praying, he was chirping like crazy. Not sure if he's imitating us or trying to get our attention. But we believe it's good for him to see Mom and Dad reading Scripture and praying together. How great will that day be when he can join us.

Gideon Hanging Out With Cousin Miriam!

Self Play With The Dogs Keeping Watch

So now that Gideon can sit up on his own, we have him on the dining room floor more. We put some toys in front of him this afternoon and noted that both dogs seemed to come up, lie down beside, and just watched what he was doing. Enjoy the video.

Gideon's First Walk

Today was just too nice to be stuck inside. So after we got home from church, and after a good nap, and after his 3pm meal, we loaded him up in the hiking backpack we bought last year for him and headed out. We walked the regular route (about a mile) and took the dogs with us today. We had an absolutely fabulous time. Kathee said his head was bobbing this way and that "taking it all in." Whenever he'd make eye contact with Kathee he'd just start giggling. What a delightful walk with our son!

We Had Riely Made Into a Throw, What Do You Think?

Show Us Your Chompers!

Gideon "Moving" the Table

Gideon and I were having fun the other day. I pushed the table up very close to him and he began trying to push the table away. However, the table weighs more than he does, so it didn't work really well. However, I started moving the table with feet, so with my help and pretty much all of Gideon's strength, he moved the table back and forth to his heart's content.
As we were playing, I thought of how that's what the Father does with us. He gives us opportunities to do things with Him and sees if we will jump at the opportunity. Then, once we join in, He takes the strength we have, adds His in, and then completes the thing.
I still laugh when I see this video as Gideon drops his head and really pushes. What an amazing joy he is in our family!

Legally Introducing Gideon Markos Terwilleger

Well, we had to show up in juvenile court this morning at 8:30am, for Gideon's re-adoption. This was done to have the United States recognize Gideon's Ethiopian adoption, as well as, making Gideon a US citizen, and to legally change his name from Markos Isaac Terwilleger to Gideon Markos Terwilleger. For those of you a bit confused, when he was adopted in Ethiopia, his name was changed from Markos Addisu (the first name of his biological father). At the Ethiopia adoption his name was legally changed to Markos Isaac Terwilleger. Then today part of the adoption was to change his name to Gideon Markos Terwilleger.
We showed up at the juvenile court in Rock Island. Upon walking through the door the man running the metal detectors said, "ah, you are here for the adoption hearing, you don't need to go through the detectors." Upon getting ready to go through the doors he reminded me that I needed take my stocking cap off before going into the court room. We entered the room to find our lawyer and Gideon's guardian ad litem (the lawyer representing Gideon's "best interest."). We had to signed a ton of paperwork for certified stuff. At 8:40am the judge walked in, we stood up upon his entrance and were then told, "this court room is more relaxed, feel free to sit." He named the court case number, said we were there today to make Markos our biological child, that his former parents no longer have rights or responsibilities, and asked if we are going to be his biological parents. We said yes. He asked the two lawyers if they had questions, neither did. He signed the decree and that was it. It took less than 5 minutes.
So Gideon will now receive an American birth certificate in the mail, and after that we can apply for a social security number.
What a great day!