Here he is ...

This is the post you all have been waiting for ...

and I have been "patiently" waiting to send.

We have been APPROVED by the Ethiopian court to be Silas' adoptive parents. We received our MOWA letter today.

He is ours!!!

.... now we just wait a few more months (4-5 months) until everything gets in order to bring him home.

So ....
without further delay ...
we would like to introduce you to ...

Silas Timothy Abay Brandt

Silas at 11 months (when he was admitted to care center)

(after 15 days in the hospital)

Silas at 14 months

Silas at 15 months (standing)

Silas at 17 months (he got our package)

On October 29th, we got to go to the care center in Addis to meet our son for the 1st time. What a glorious day!

First meeting with our baby boy!!!

Daddy's son :)

First family picture with our son (but missing his sister Kiera)

We were able to take him back to the guest house with us for a night. We had a great time getting to know his personality and seeing him smile.

Playing in the mirror at the guest house.

Peek a boo

Playing on the bed while daddy read a story
(ended up sleeping here with mommy, because I kept trying to crawl out of the bassinet during the night)

Look at that smile :)

Fell asleep in mommy's arms on the way back to the care center. 

Daddy's turn for the sleeping snuggle. 

Back at the care center before saying goodbye.

The nannies Tried to get him to sleep as we were saying goodbye 

He was stubborn, finished the bottle, stood up and reached out for us, so his nanny strapped him to her back so he would relax and sleep. 

We miss him so much already. Please continue to pray for us that these next few months go fast and we are ready when the call comes.

The Brandts,
Joel, Mandy, Kiera and Silas