Amo and Gabriel Photo-shoot
Life As We Grow It
An encouragement to change your perception about adoption
Author Archives: Nick
A Long-awaited Return…
It has been nearly a year since my last post. The good news is that I am getting back in the saddle and I am starting to write again. I have been away from the blog for no small reason. If you have read our story you may remember in Part 2 I spoke about holding out for our God-promised son, Gabriel. Well it is with great joy that I tell you that he has arrived! On 23 May 2013, Liezl gave birth to our little Gabe. He weighed in at a serious 4.5kg and was 55cm long.
Now this blog is about Amo and tells her story. It would, however, be wrong not to speak a bit about Gabe too because Amo has become a willing mini-mom and a doting big sister. Gabriel is now a part of her story and she a part of his. Liezl recently took the two of them for a little photo-shoot, follow the link below to see the results. You’ll understand why I am a very proud dad.
Adopting Amo: Countering or Counting On Culture
Noah and Amo – cousins who absolutely adore each other.
With this post I divert from Amo’s story to answer some questions from one of my readers. Big thanks to Katy Roberts who addressed some important issues – issues I have been mulling over for a while now. While I have formed some conclusions, I feel like they are not quite mature. So give me a bit of grace here, I am happy to discuss and debate in the comments. Here is Katy’s comment from a few months back:
Continue reading
Adopting Amo – Part 8: Unexpected Heartache
Amo accessorising at lunch
Before I get into the story, I should explain something. During the parenting training we were told a bit about how government views family situations. If the biological parents of a child are willing to make an effort in rectifying their circumstances in order to get a child back, government will favour reconciliation with the biological family over placing the child in foster care or adoption. Continue reading
Adopting Amo – Part 7: Meet Amo
Those lips… With her soon-to-be Dian-Nana. December 2009
On October 24, 2009, we volunteered at the home for the first time. It was a Saturday morning and we were excited but nervous. As usual, Liezl was more eager than apprehensive while I was the opposite. Ultimately, I think we evened each other out and we were able to deal with visit appropriately. Continue reading
Adopting Amo – Part 6: Train the Parents in the Way They Should Go…
With Uncle Don, playing with stacking thingies. Day out at Monte – December 2009.
As I mentioned in my last post, there was now a process to be followed. Being fairly ignorant of adoption processes in general, we were quite surprised by some of these things. We appreciate them now and believe they are necessary but it was weird at first. Read on and tell me what you think. Continue reading
Adopting Amo – Poll: Do you think…
In my articles so far, I have raised the question of cross-cultural adoption and how I’ve felt about it. Now I’d like to hear what you have to say. Be honest and submit your answer below. It’s completely anonymous so no-one, including me, will know what you’ve said. If you have more to say, you are most welcome to share your thoughts below the poll.
Prev: Adopting Amo – Part 5: We’re Keen, but Pick ‘n Pay is All Out of Orphans
Next: Adopting Amo – Part 6: Train the Parents in the Way they Should Go…
Adopting Amo – Part 5: We’re Keen, but Pick ‘n Pay is All Out of Orphans
One of our outings was to the Monte Bird Show. She was obviously amazed.
Having made a commitment to adopt, it was time to get the ball rolling. I must be honest and say that my involvement at this stage was mostly an advisory one – Liezl was the one doing the real investigation. She would do all the hard work and discuss the options and implications with me. It proved to be a frustrating task for her. Continue reading
Adopting Amo – Part 4: Counting the Cost
Christmas Day 2009 - 14 months old. This little fairy dress barely fits her dollies now, let alone her.
In my last post, I gave you an idea of the choice one has when adopting a child. Questions of gender, age and race, as well as others, have to be considered when walking this road. When you realise the weight of these choices, you need to take an honest look at what you think you are and are not able to handle. Continue reading
Adopting Amo – Part 3: Not Everything is Black and White
Day out from the home at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. Mmmm, yoghurt.
If you’re sharp, you’ll have realised by now that we said yes to adoption. As with any decision, once it is made you actually have to start doing something about it. It was no good sitting on the couch, waiting for the stork to bring us a child. It was time to act. Continue reading
Life As We Grow It 