Back in January, we all met
Ester.
Since those early days, our
little star has brightened and flourished in the loving care of her new
family. While in Kitongo, I recorded
some of Ester’s big moments. There were
so many things to rejoice over. Here are
a few…
January 16, 2012 – Ester arrives!
This sweet girl is very uncertain about the world; she is silently
taking in everything around her.
January 17, 2012 – Already, Ester’s feisty streak is emerging. She instigated a jump rope tug-of-war with Sethi today. Ester has been outfitted with a darling new red ensemble, which Rachel picked out, thoughtfully selecting a matching headscarf. Here is my first photo of Ester, taken with her biological sister, Neema.
January 18, 2012 – We heard
Ester’s voice for the first time. She
giggled and then screamed when tickled with feathery plants. Ester made us all laugh when took the plants
from her sister and tickled back. She
also began waving at people today by flapping her arm.
January 20, 2012—Ester is absolutely beloved by everyone on
campus. One of our matrons has renamed
herself “Mama Ester.” It seems Ester has
about eight mamas and forty attentive sisters.
The young girls are particularly fond of Ester, as they finally have the
chance to be “big sisters.” There is no shortage of helpers whenever Ester
needs a bath, walk, snack, hug, backrub, smile, or entertainment.
January 22, 2012—Ester’s fourth birthday! We had a cake with candles after lunch in the
dining hall. It took a lot of
convincing, but Ester finally tried the cake…and enjoyed it. (Not that we’ve ever known her to turn down
food—yet another reason I love this girl.)
While we usually don’t celebrate individual birthdays, everyone was more
than happy to make a special exception for our little one.
January 29, 2012 – After weighing Ester, we discovered she has gained
yet another kilo! (She gained one kilo
in her first two days with us.) Sister
Rachel danced and clapped with joy over the wonderful news. In fact, it is Rachel’s fantastic cooking
that we have to thank for Ester’s growth.
February 4, 2012 – Ester’s hair is curling! We know she is getting good nutrition for
this change to occur.
February 23, 2012—Ester went to downtown Kitongo for the first time. She visited the home of two teachers, Mr.
Mawe and Mr. Zachariah and was all smiles on the way home from her big
adventure.
March 7, 2012—Ester is gaining muscle tone in her arms. Yesterday, she walked with Mama Maggie from
the dining hall to school only holding one hand. She gets tired and has to rest, but she is
really walking!
March 10, 2012—Ester climbed a mountain! Well, she made it with some assistance from Julia,
Mama Mage and Mama Anna (aka: Mama Ester), who all took turns carrying her. Please note Ester's amazing red gladiator sandals below.
March 14, 2012—Ester stood unassisted for over two minutes
today! She also walked a long distance
with Salome, during which she pointed at the cows and tried to talk.
March 22, 2012—Though Ester is beloved by all, though no one loves
her more than Sister Jackie. Jackie held
her for hours in those early days and now pushes Ester on to each new milestone,
knowing our girl is capable. Some days,
Ester comes to the office and helps Jackie balance the books.
March 28, 2012—Ester has found her voice! Her vocabulary includes mama, dada (sister),
tatu (three) and "may-ma", her name for older sister, Neema.
April 1, 2012—Ester’s first spa day. The girls selected bright blue for her tiny
fingernails and completed the look with a neon pink pedicure.
*** *** *** *** ***
I’m so honored I got to be a
part of Ester’s early days in her new home.
There are so many big
moments to come. One day, Ester will run
and play and chase her sisters around campus.
She’ll go to school and learn to read and solve math problems and
complain about homework assignments. Ester
will speak to us in at least two languages, and we’ll get to hear what she’s
thinking. She’ll play pranks and laugh
with that characteristic sparkle in her eye. Someday,
Ester won’t be the only girl sitting in church—she’ll be in the front of the
choir, singing and dancing with her sisters.
She will grow up and have a world of possibilities ahead of her.
Ester will have an amazing
life.
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