Introducing Neha Ahnu Erickson

Adoption day! Hip hip hooray!

Today you will take the full name of Neha Ahnu Erickson.

Neha, your name given to you at the orphanage. The one and only true possession you left one life with to embrace another. The meaning being -rain;One loves and is loved, the cherished beauty

(strange combination, but crazily appropriate)

Ahnu, derived from Celtic mythology, from the goddess of balance and well-being.  The deity could accurately be discribed as an ancient version of Mother Earth. 

Also a similar sounding version of A New... A new beginning

Strangely the name of our local agency , A New Adoption Agency

And hello, it sounds fabulous, at least we think so.

Erickson, a Swedish name.  Our family name. Now your family name. 

We love you Neha, we see strides in you everyday. You have finally, not without massive frustration, mastered your colors. You are the most loving, thoughtful, and hard working girl in the house.

You are not without drama. You don't fall down completely unannounced as much as you used to but we did just get over a busted chin from trying to do the "running man" with a flashlight in your hands. 

You adore your dad and want to be attached to him at all times possible. You spend hours hunting snails and roley poleys (I have no idea how to spell that).

You still stash things, and hoard a little. You have almost conquered English, however, now you know enough to get you in trouble.  (talking back, saying people have huge bellies, they dont smell good, and they don't look pretty) Foreigners, I swear.. 

Lastly, I'm pretty sure this "adoption day" day was a complete anomaly for you.  (I will elaborate on this another time, this is what Neha's middle name should be, Anomoly)  You werent sure what is was about, why we got fancy and sat down in a starge place, hugged a weird guy and went out for Mexican food to celebrate. Cant say I blame you.  You went to bed overstimulated and we didn't kiss goodnight.  

I'm happy to say that its behind us now.  The bullshit paperwork, the post placement visits by a social worker, and hopefully the confusion for our dear sweet Neha as to where she fits in.  I know it's hypothetical, finalization,  three pieces of paper.  However, she can now get citizenship, she will have a New Mexico foriegn born birth certificate, and she will have her place in this world. Legally, loved, and more privledged to be able to go after her dreams of being a doctor(according to her).  She does, like most almost five year olds I know need constant reality checks.  How to be in this world.  Lessons in greed, wastefulness, and overall life.  

But shine she does, most of the time.  Lights up strangers hesitations, walks with confidence (no longer a "polio walk" as we called it when we first met her). She loves hers sisters, and is crazy about all of her dogs. She has been missing India we can tell, but it doesn't effect us negatively.  She has a new found love for Bollywood movies, the color orange rocks her world, and "sprinkled eggs" and broccoli is a typical meal request.  I can't wait to see where life takes you, you have already been so far.  If I forget to tell you this sometimes, please know, mommy is so proud of you!