tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42019529986721190132024-03-12T21:41:37.969-07:00Chasing MegersaKatie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-23236808709748620602010-04-04T09:44:00.000-07:002010-04-04T10:00:21.768-07:00farewell old friendWell, this will be the last post on <strong>Chasing Jace</strong>. <div>Megersa is home and we're now a family of 4. </div><div>He's been here 3 weeks and I feel as though I'm no longer on the "adoption train ride." </div><div>We got off and now we're just hanging out in the jam-packed family theme park. :)</div><div>All kinds of fun adventures lie ahead and I'll blog all about them in our new family blog:</div><div><div><em><a href="http://fredericknesters.blogspot.com/">Box of Chocolates</a></em></div></div><div></div><div>Hope you've enjoyed being here with me. </div><div>Stay as long as you like; catch up if you need to, or...follow us to the next ride!!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456326299210857218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ktGwhUwzhED-QBE2c4Dh4468jAzOyQZs-C-lKiWOAGjI7Te_HoSYNXfZoR4qSVlwtLHJni8W66f8dyPBYGtMAyuCviA7f4z5k-rROQEoGw88tdXP_IK7cCPSsf-8R6Pnzk-U3Padp6Gb/s320/first+family+pic.jpg" /><br /><div></div>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-39176402956007221112010-03-28T18:00:00.000-07:002010-03-28T19:05:26.288-07:002+1Today we had extra time before church (I can't believe it either!!)...so I decided on an impromptu photo shoot of the boys in their Sunday best!<br />Those two are so stinkin' cute - I just can't wait for the day that Cale voluntarily plays with Megersa! :)<br /><br /><div align="center">Cale's best angle is NOT this one. :) ha ha! Megs is super excited though!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9ZutoW2bb_A7fp2Z4gXYKTAGdNd1bbKN0C87x0GxMFa3mq32sYtJgtz19FJUqCKq2tqi247LBGPv8pFzL-O0kIbW-T57U06M8fIe_P_HTR1kWu7FiJ9G_9rbGkzI4euIv-PZOn0qQXfr/s1600/boys+photo+shoot9.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453865290765296082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9ZutoW2bb_A7fp2Z4gXYKTAGdNd1bbKN0C87x0GxMFa3mq32sYtJgtz19FJUqCKq2tqi247LBGPv8pFzL-O0kIbW-T57U06M8fIe_P_HTR1kWu7FiJ9G_9rbGkzI4euIv-PZOn0qQXfr/s320/boys+photo+shoot9.JPG" /></a> Can you see the candy behind Cale's cheek? Bribery.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2Elqpov2ipEuOXUIpOnqkttqJstwa_YTZw7w4SFFbltsjJIctARDipHLtBOK5oP76DQ-BAD3V1wiMy6-Zi3US8UTx_5KwnMpwhjxSBKwCJkdvV4_DfrMI_GXL74aZE4H7wzNR4RH7W7O/s1600/boys+photo+shoot17.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453865112020562850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2Elqpov2ipEuOXUIpOnqkttqJstwa_YTZw7w4SFFbltsjJIctARDipHLtBOK5oP76DQ-BAD3V1wiMy6-Zi3US8UTx_5KwnMpwhjxSBKwCJkdvV4_DfrMI_GXL74aZE4H7wzNR4RH7W7O/s320/boys+photo+shoot17.JPG" /></a>He kept YELLING "cheese!" He would hold it out so long it often looked forced.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453864995440674530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zklk6ZemN0Gj8ou1Z_Kqow25UqwBQ7SS37sav6ED4Nz6QEHmpWdOrEBjW-ccRetX1VDpGtBCMw1NYa4wGSgZS8jFYELlgpfgmsTEWTS8A7DV3wheieMz9w5TSacupWVlt388XyUEy-hZ/s320/boys+photo+shoot16.JPG" />This one is plain cute. Megersa is fascinated by Cale.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTIYZQLN2wVpVIX_VkjR0mf4NsYj-TMzbN9ty0d9sQENQIyIfcXWbvl8-DkGpSKMjG_TbJctd43MpubU8SiIuYvCYIB4V006H8bruqyWvsSDwgZ3G6PkSVtnHFLE865elJfE5SnLv0REZ/s1600/boys+photo+shoot8.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453864839506130098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTIYZQLN2wVpVIX_VkjR0mf4NsYj-TMzbN9ty0d9sQENQIyIfcXWbvl8-DkGpSKMjG_TbJctd43MpubU8SiIuYvCYIB4V006H8bruqyWvsSDwgZ3G6PkSVtnHFLE865elJfE5SnLv0REZ/s320/boys+photo+shoot8.JPG" /></a> Do you see the little baggy of small candies next to Cale's leg? Incentive.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieM2gv-G61-92qg9DxzAomOxsWP2bX-A25Fzg_CkHyNhKs4g26W2GhGll63o1lv3tN-cVHXSYkBvGW3yXhPhS973xD4FwAf6kzOER3scgkCpRIDu2zuiTctLp36o-4Qff6cleivn4I6mFq/s1600/boys+photo+shoot7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453864741035863890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieM2gv-G61-92qg9DxzAomOxsWP2bX-A25Fzg_CkHyNhKs4g26W2GhGll63o1lv3tN-cVHXSYkBvGW3yXhPhS973xD4FwAf6kzOER3scgkCpRIDu2zuiTctLp36o-4Qff6cleivn4I6mFq/s320/boys+photo+shoot7.JPG" /></a> I WISH this picture wasn't fuzzy. It's so cute.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTwGJCvNu8mr1lH_4C9bT8PVf3pifzQ412lO2YbtIB72ZhCSSgoYhmii_K7NQJycRZbQqQYkBxekBJQLLJQR25UUt6xzw46yPK9F2vnjcBIBy0ayC36owcvLKDm6bl1pVtP984zhJ5qo6/s1600/boys+photo+shoot6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453864638059097106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTwGJCvNu8mr1lH_4C9bT8PVf3pifzQ412lO2YbtIB72ZhCSSgoYhmii_K7NQJycRZbQqQYkBxekBJQLLJQR25UUt6xzw46yPK9F2vnjcBIBy0ayC36owcvLKDm6bl1pVtP984zhJ5qo6/s320/boys+photo+shoot6.JPG" /></a> The best one, though I wish Megersa was smiling!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZitKh0M7JkN_ejBgYGZL-WPWnb6iCj9MW9cTu5fkvcy07XqhU-IMF2RJaBSoAybhU0cwqjh6M4JKgrd2MfbxtZQs5mX_j2hcgJ0rIFfUeCoUc5mEZDWBALUIukXEP5haVrU5q2N0R5arY/s1600/boys+photo+shoot3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453864541983814322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZitKh0M7JkN_ejBgYGZL-WPWnb6iCj9MW9cTu5fkvcy07XqhU-IMF2RJaBSoAybhU0cwqjh6M4JKgrd2MfbxtZQs5mX_j2hcgJ0rIFfUeCoUc5mEZDWBALUIukXEP5haVrU5q2N0R5arY/s320/boys+photo+shoot3.JPG" /></a> Cale didn't care for this positioning.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0J_Tox8BcOkyvaDRKXYY7-0xZeCHHLSgtimoC-_q01uuXOA5SpLibpnY-vd3OOs40k3fK3lW08c_37-A0jeR8fGOwm8Zod27sMAC2rVbUJ63S04gpd3XCGJF2SVfj1ywj8m6l1RijuVn/s1600/boys+photo+shoot+5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453864433442299618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0J_Tox8BcOkyvaDRKXYY7-0xZeCHHLSgtimoC-_q01uuXOA5SpLibpnY-vd3OOs40k3fK3lW08c_37-A0jeR8fGOwm8Zod27sMAC2rVbUJ63S04gpd3XCGJF2SVfj1ywj8m6l1RijuVn/s320/boys+photo+shoot+5.JPG" /></a> One of the better ones, though it's a little 'yellowy.'<br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1_eaXig5En1PY-56d4i-k_fMVzMjr4n13Hmj4q9m89Vy4SQPdKRLnWDBa4nfaf83QggY2qd5m-IdQF-vYEqd4VdfsnzQ2R1TadizYzno9TuK_dUPTS0LCnQAFJ0XXK-ZDx-a6IaA2TXN/s1600/boys+photo+shoot1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453864281671503010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1_eaXig5En1PY-56d4i-k_fMVzMjr4n13Hmj4q9m89Vy4SQPdKRLnWDBa4nfaf83QggY2qd5m-IdQF-vYEqd4VdfsnzQ2R1TadizYzno9TuK_dUPTS0LCnQAFJ0XXK-ZDx-a6IaA2TXN/s320/boys+photo+shoot1.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="left">WELL...It's been 2 weeks and 1 day since Megersa came home.</div><div>I forgot to post yesterday...or I was too busy. Probably both.</div><div>Either way though, I'd like to make a quick post to tell you more about Megersa:</div><div> </div><div><strong>1. Megersa can now sit up alone.</strong> </div><div>About a week or so after he came up I could tell that it was coming soon. His back was getting much stronger, and now I dont really have to worry about him falling over when I put him down on his butt. SOMETIMES he'll lunge for something and then fall face down, but he's usually pretty steady.</div><br /><div><strong>2. Megersa is a PIGGY!</strong> </div><div>He's<em> totally</em> chowing down these days. I think he went from 3, 6oz bottles and mushed up crackers to 3 full baby food meals (and various bottles) in such a short time, <strong><em>I'm</em></strong> still trying to catch up to his appetite! BUT, I really love making baby food. Cooking, in general, soothes me...so this process is always fun to me. Plus, I'm a huge bargain shopper, so the thought that a 1 lb bag of carrots could feed him for several meals, and only cost $.99, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy - just like when I find things on clearance for 75% off or more! I'm so proud of his weight gain. He was such a tiny little thing when I first picked him up, but he's catching up to where he probably should be faster than I can shovel the food in!</div><br /><div><strong>3. His sleep is...a work-in-progress.</strong></div><div>Tim and I weren't necessarily "blessed" with much of a sleeper in Cale, but even with that, so you'd think that we'd be used to getting up at night -but to add another "adjustment" in an infant is harder than we remembered. I guess to bottom line it - he's doing better at the night wakings than the first week. Usually it's about once a night (around 2-4) and then early morning for a bottle. Where Tim and I struggle is the early morning alarm clock. We did a pretty good job of programming Cale's body clock for a wake up after 7:30a (and sometimes even till 8:30a!!!), but we are still working on Megersa. He must be an early bird...which Tim and I are NOT. We love to stay up late...but that kicks us in the butt when we have to get up early. Ugh.</div><br /><div><strong>4. Megersa doesn't really care much for stroller rides.</strong> </div><div>I mean, sure, he's only had 3 in his life...but when he's not tired, he doesn't seem to enjoy it very much. Maybe it was because despite the cold, we decided to go for a family walk yesterday...My little man was NOT digging it! We will have to work on this one. I like carrying him in the ERGO, but before you know it, he won't fit in it anymore.</div><br /><div><strong>5. He gets CRAZY energetic when he's tired.</strong></div><div>A few days ago I started catching on to his "tired" signals. You'd NEVER think it, but when he's tired and totally ready for bed - he'll start to squeal, and giggle and move his body as if he just drank a bottle of 5 hr energy. Most people would think that he just woke up, but Nope! He is ready to go down...the sooner the better. It's so strange, isn't it? Anyway, I think I'm starting to understand what he wants more and more as the time goes on. I'm happy for that!</div><div> </div><div>We love him and love to watch his continued transition into our family.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-3480345813994223672010-03-26T17:25:00.000-07:002010-03-26T17:44:11.438-07:00boogie pickerJudging by the title, you'd probably think this post was about Cale, huh?<br />You're WRONG! <br /><strong>I'M</strong> the boogie picker. I pick my kids boogies. <br />There. I said it. :)<br /><em>It's true.</em><br />I had just been thinking that I might not be able to come up with something to post about today; when I opened the car door to get Megersa out, and spotted a stray, dried booger. <br />I HAD to get it! It's a compulsion.<br /><br /><em>So what</em> if this is a grosse post! The reason behind it is pretty. <br /><br />See, one of my biggest pet peeves is when kids walk around with crusty snot everywhere....or when their hair is all snarled up (mainly girls, of course). <br /><br />So, I pledged to Tim and myself (because clearly it's my issue), AND YOU!! that our children will NOT walk around with boogers - wet or dry - on their nose...or their cheeks...or hair...<br />I mean, seriously...<br />Have you seen those children with the dried snot on their faces, everywhere? It grosses me out!<br />YUCK!<br />I also will make sure that our girls' hair is combed...every day. I'll teach them to comb it and make sure there are no knots. <br />I will braid it tight or put it in ponytails if they can't handle having it down. (All of this will some day be more of an issue I'm sure...boys hair is pretty easy.)<br /><br />Anyway, I can't even post a picture of my kids with boogies, because I will not allow it.<br />It's SNOT an option!! (HA HA HA)<br /><br />I know Cale is more accustomed to the picking, but I sometimes think that Megersa thinks I'm coming at his nose with a tissue, or my fingernail (Yes, I DO this...it's fine. I wash my hands after) JUST to torture him.<br />But with both of them having colds, I'm CONSTANTLY picking and wiping their noses.<br /><br />Megs has come a long way though. <br />The first time I touched his nose in ET he started whimpering. <br />That poor kid had something going on with his nose the first day I picked him up. It was either dried and cracked skin - or BOOGIES!!!!!!!<br />Since then, I've scraped away the mess and realized that it <em>is</em> dried skin. <br />He also is currently battling with eczema on his cheeks.<br />It's gotten much better recently...I've been massaging his face with lotion/hydrocortisone ointment every day...several times a day. <br />He's getting better at receiving these "massages" now. <br />He certainly prefers it to the nose picking, for sure!<br /><br />Anyway. That's my boogie picking post.<br />Does anyone else have this strange quality that is attached to their mothering style, or lifestyle?<br />I know even if I didn't have kids...I'd be happy to say, that I am usually 100% boogie free. :)Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-20114945524541377932010-03-25T10:46:00.001-07:002010-03-25T11:59:54.565-07:00me...alone?GUESS WHAT? <div><div>I'm going out tonight! Alone!!</div><div>Can you believe it? </div><br /><div>Sure, it's only to a MOPS meeting....but I can hardly contain my excitement!</div><div>Dont get me wrong, I love all the testosterone that fills the bodies of the boys/men in my life very much, but sometimes it makes me forget I'm a girl. </div><div>A "WOMEN!" (chuckle, chuckle) </div><div>Basically, it's hard to remember that I'm more than just a Mom. </div><div>I change diapers, feed children and clean all day. </div><div>I haven't taken care of myself as much recently....girly-wise anyway. Poor Tim. </div><div>((I'll try and step it up for ya, baby!))</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452646848110174722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9d26buuxwFOfzYkdP-BSStPNUsjCOEoweyCEaQzPsDYtnI6gHzbF4e2LFy1OMPfOksMI9m8NMQs2lv96U00m9WE2xZGpML4zNtIQVUOMV-hoJZZlBtsWh__N_Iq-GIoBbxAo1DoGQWnwE/s320/crazy+hair+katie.jpg" /> Sure, I get the occasional shower and shave...but tonight I'll take time to wear: <div>MAKEUP (when you're home alone with 2 boys without a car, why bother?)</div><div>CLOTHES (that aren't sweats, or shouldn't end up with boogers or spit up on them!)</div><div>NICE HAIR (I've had no time to straighten my hair - so it lays limp, or goes hog wild.)</div><div>PERFUME (this will, of course, be just for fun!)</div><div>Yay! </div><div>And you know what? Since the meeting isn't until 7pm, I won't feel antsy to get back by bedtime, because I certainly won't make it in time....so, I'm off the hook. :)</div><div>Hopefully I'll get to know some other moms...and maybe I'll even hit a store on the way back!</div><div>Although, if I know myself...I'll get all hyped up about this night out, and though I love to be alone, after a few hours, I'll be like...humph...I miss my boys. </div><div><div>It always happens. </div><div>They're messy, stinky and LOUD...but I couldn't live without them. Even Tim. :)</div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>And just because I can hardly contain my laughter, I HAVE to post this picture a family friend sent to Tim. This picture was taken while I was in ET and Cale was being babysat so Tim could work. </div><div>Looks like I'm not COMPLETELY alone with wanting to dress up and look "pretty." </div><div>A hahahahahahahaha!!!! </div><div>Blackmail...pure blackmail. :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452647140061344322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi7qHcRyXrhbjxkoQezKtGGfkR0iEAMc_QeMORioSl8Q-oXRop88CmtJ7GhsqPpg9PhF0ECHutHiTF4S2yq7blD9zayVPESM3FkFmAnx8Stpvkf0DMhEM4LGD8NxQT_LVztR-A4SYMO3J/s320/blackmail+for+Cale.jpg" /></div><div> </div></div>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-4702719581478365542010-03-24T20:06:00.000-07:002010-03-24T20:30:51.283-07:00The poop.To say that Megersa's diarrhea is gone is quite the understatement. Check out these pics:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452403035422855986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SKNpSBYiqLqgv32bxx9pCtKWZye7x_DM5nzGiznIhjaUNVEjXG4DB8wJpYwY3KfuNxJbJti3qACE6eZppXcgE4YiIJqed4pGKvgU_iYDIstRFVZJqHW9Q1Pyy-lrl05H4qzWWem4C3ay/s320/DSCN0905.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452402932426296978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDTyvpnGJhKmA-IG1V7HMazKpti5H0iqtax5pZl1uUIJNPQQKTw0wqWwl_mO_07WebRzsX9OavJn0AXzK5qfAVH_5jscbuVEpNwJ9_udHx7pAMcUPcp-pMAy0RYzZuV9NRI77IQ7JlHLR/s320/DSCN0904.JPG" /><br /><p>And the video: (Observe the effort he puts behind the push...I thought his head was gonna explode!!)</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx0o3gWdPyrtDw8kyygbrfzor6LELQ3gkL7l43RhA9S5og1552Y490eYwdzmvyRmAka2NcVIrVG4cX2xmTxwA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>And to answer your question - "Yes, it's okay to be scared after watching this." :)</p><p>Thank goodness for solid food!! Remember when I said he eats like a horse?</p><p>Well...what goes in, must come out. I feel like I'm up to my elbows in diapers again. JUST when I thought I was nearing the end of it for awhile....Cale picked up where Megersa left off. He's trying to make it to the potty....but, lets just say we'll give him a 'B' for effort. Not an A, because I heard him state the other day "I have a diaper on"...and then I caught him as he proceeded to start pushing. Thankfully we got him to the potty, but I was NOT pleased with his uncaring attitude toward his mother that would need to clean up yet another poopy mess!</p><p>And just because I decided to take the time to post videos, I'll upload one of Cale too! Don't worry, it's not recent. I think he's about 8 or 9 months in this one (I know, I know...he's a CHUNK):</p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwEH-1J7X0ZQfKu02-XeuV4UinWS7TeHTIMsutTmEFMGI_Jz8toq4SAysUi2ENg_DYB9VZ-pe56IkW6wFKiqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />(Sorry it's sideways...sometimes I forget I'm taking a video with a camera.)Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-23440868327327516362010-03-23T11:51:00.000-07:002010-03-23T17:24:06.775-07:00Where are we now?I've concluded the posts about the trip.<br />So where are we now? What are we up to? <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451926723090121314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFToaUxwhE5YUdXR3Y1QCpPSPTOOLBcTJhdxXPosEoFSx5tVM2x_LVHT3uSbHMPciXkjyF3IY_efJpAcIChFihjq8yt7Z6s80hgCIS4vS74Jn__JMwgYPJ9kdQjsacCjqB0Zc33wr6Xt-Q/s320/the+men+in+my+life!.jpg" /> Well, we're adjusting to being a family of 4. <div><div><div><div><div><div>I feel like I've heard the statement that 'going from 1 child to 2 children is harder than any other addition' in your family. And, I'm starting to feel it. </div><div>Nap times are often scattered and I don't shower until the late afternoon most days. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451925159109034034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c8kkZN5nH9H2vDB6ERKdRvXHDlZiQQrK2YfQLxZL_EyyIbmGFdWZ_KR0XCq6uTfeYlhjy8dfik-yZOSK3dcKlYXQn6J5ALc5kJpW_jZbyAH-m-itqo7M0CbOmQtreW3apEAW0eeqRLEz/s320/brothers.jpg" /> Megersa is becoming more and more vocal with his needs, which is a GOOD thing (that means he's starting to trust us) but its making me feel like I'm ignoring Cale more and more. </div><div>I know that this is silliness, and that every family that goes from 3 to 4 feels something to this exent...but having it be MY experience this time...it's just that - what I'm experiencing.<br /><div>I'm still figuring out how to parent Megersa. I know this sounds crazy...but my parenting style feels shaken - at least from the way I parented Cale (as a baby anyway). <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451926470046245330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L6sa0qzQoJrfOeLqP9zu1WjKmxMLJd4aGy1rgpHnq6CBWLjkqjVq1kecbfiJ0gV5jLPHj3CMgp3vt7QEN2vULzf9FTLsFEh1LQOmk1byPdoqOb_HN-738wmTCzSERBpJcx3FW_f1QwRs/s320/mommy+%26+megs.jpg" />See, I KNEW Cale from the moment of birth...even the 9 months before that...so when he came home, I felt more prepared.<br /><div>I'm still trying to win Megersa over, so it's a bit different. And not always easy (don't let his adorableness fool you - he can, and WILL turn on the pitiful water works when he wants something! :).</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451926036407565842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPtleS4CMmU44p1l4k5rBSd-KcuMdEJMX7gjqV6u8UlHbNuwtrULD6qnY_5V2D0kXE59F6uJpNTH06aqSZ3dLdrzRQ9MJeZddWVhehTht83-3NnLXQCDWxdoayc2feJsFBVf5f2pFx54w/s320/in+the+exersaucer+on+deck!.jpg" /> Maybe I'm too hard on myself. Maybe I'm too hard on Megs....maybe I'm just used to having a toddler who can talk, and understand what I mean when I say "hang on" (while I change him) or "calm down" (when I'm getting his food ready)- someone that understands my soothing techniques.......</div><div>We are all adjusting. We are sleep deprived and the house is a mess...but there is JOY.</div><div>Some days I feel overwhelmed...and I wonder what I got myself into, but then other times it all feels like a dream. Did we really adopt? </div><div>Was this baby born in Ethiopia? In AFRICA?</div><div>I mean, what a story for him to tell someday!</div><div>My 'topper' experience is always "I've had brain surgery" but how many people do you know that can say they were born in Africa? That they've experienced more tradegy, transition, and change in their first 7 months of life than most people do in their lifetime?</div><div>Life isn't bad by any means...just slower AND quicker, if that makes sense. Each day seems prolonged before I get a break to myself, but because I'm running around changing this diaper, feeding this one, I'll turn around, the day is done and I got NOTHING accomplished. </div><div></div><div>It's not all bad. I dont want this post to get anyone down. </div><div>Megersa has been doing wonderfully! We've only had a few more throwing up episodes, and his poo is SOLID now - yay!! He's eating like a HORSE! I swear he's gained a couple pounds already...he's starting to get rolls on his legs! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451929226993519506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBwJKylUdhlWTMPEQ4d6-qjD51x-y2s6adJXdtCrAa_ky36Irr7-I9emPgieCypPZyakLjx6331haD2j1il4uXojELElgzRBqCZE4lvScvOPblMiBfyaFm7oZ6lMwCsy3QX-Vv1Rj6jgi/s320/trying+to+sit+up!.jpg" /></div>He's getting stronger and stronger by the day, and he LOVES watching his crazy big brother run around all day. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451925393364747954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmgslXRDgTAMWittRbJMixDHffd74saOQMC3beOroFGu03-JQhDwL694MFS90ETnkeL_YRUDeNpW4ZXoHSt2RqyYauJy4NVAJEAVgbY6alW0afVliaZGcxXPz9FnAwPrHneRRv9IRYM6K/s320/getting+stronger!.jpg" />But, if wearing my heart on my sleeve here, I have to say that I wish I were back in Illinois, surrounded by my close friends. I do not regret being in Maryland, and I'm sure that in time, I will form close bonds and this will certainly feel like home.<br /><div>I LOVE being back on the East coast, I love our new house...the fact that there are several play grounds nearby, and that we have a community pool that opens in a month! </div><div>I like our new church and the people I've met...but I miss my girlfriends very much. </div><div>I'm itchy to settle back in to play dates and girl nights. </div><div>But things have certainly changed in the past month!</div><div>I'm SO glad that I unpacked completely before I left, otherwise those things wouldn't have exited their boxes...I'm sure of it.</div><div>I want to keep posting as often as I can. I enjoy the outlet, because I don't as tied to the cyber part of the adoption world right now. I dont feel the need to be on the computer checking my email 1000 times a day for updates on stuff now, so that sort of odd 'excitment' is gone...but so much has taken it's place.</div><div>We do hope to adopt a little girl soon. (And when I say soon, I mean relatively-speaking of course...the wait for a baby girl is getting longer by the minute. I think they're up to 15 months now for a referral?) If we started the process now, we'd have her home in 2 years at best!</div><div>But, I think we'll get adjusted here first... :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451928677152301362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSxjxgt-CFWgoNr9wZVtG2gMTKwAEx_1qKVuIRMlQfQofFbgSLIB3HqGSjceWjKQCMCwgjqeKDUOAAQ903HT8i99yKougWyBvXogB5YxazeY30cE80JIu4elLatZyQoC0p-SIP738pRMz/s320/tummy+time!.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-91635814100823134352010-03-22T06:37:00.000-07:002010-03-22T18:09:52.545-07:00THE TRIP - Day 5 and homecoming<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez91Mw612L1eYtVV1kTOrv3_NDnqZlB0O2yDgblRP-CXhVHAg-cn_z2kXwYx6GcWh1cuvjK7uoj8ky3s9qUeLBRdLOoOsYvsJUO-kMuZmkWis4EzPLwXtQTx-ygIYvRjxfjsdebF8mowk/s1600-h/IMG00378.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451467437949911922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez91Mw612L1eYtVV1kTOrv3_NDnqZlB0O2yDgblRP-CXhVHAg-cn_z2kXwYx6GcWh1cuvjK7uoj8ky3s9qUeLBRdLOoOsYvsJUO-kMuZmkWis4EzPLwXtQTx-ygIYvRjxfjsdebF8mowk/s320/IMG00378.jpg" /></a><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Alrighty!! We're at the end of the Ethiopia trip log.<br />Last stop: Plane ride.<br />This one's gonna be a doosy!<br />Where did I leave off?<br /></span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451458838149981602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva7biJva3STF9Epd8lvkMpvrr9I1vVxXEB60nqZp9mZK8eQTxLQEqNK6gXOlb45pHpkbNGu4AYx5PHvgECkl-W0jD9lzF9obzayIxhbltRYLLUTLwMHHuVu1S3KaUL1wt3yTiqs_vbiYL/s320/IMG00375.jpg" /><br /><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Oh yes...we we're both sick...Megersa and I. I had taken anti-diarrheal with minimal help from it, and Megersa was going on kisses and hugs.<br />I have to tell you that as we waited for the taxi I was DREADING the trip home.<br />We scheduled our driver to come super early (5:30p) for a flight that didn't leave until 10:15p. We wanted to get there and get in line to request a bassinet in the bulkhead seating.<br />Megersa slept in the carrier on the way over. We shared a shuttle bus with another AAI family leaving with their daughter Tigist, age 8. It was fun to talk with them and it was good to have people to spend time with in the airport as we waited to board.<br />We got to the airport and were able to quickly check-in and then walk through security. We saw that we would be the first ones in line to check our bags. We had an airport attendant tell us that the check-in counter didn't even open until 6:30p but we decided to stay and wait anyway. We were taking no chances with the bassinet. I was feeling pretty poorly at this point. I had been to the bathroom and back several times...and Megs diapers kept filling up.<br />When we got to the counter we requested a bassinet seat and she told me I could have one, but that Mom and I wouldn't be able to get seats together. She said that Mom would be in the seat in the same aisle, but not right next to me. She said she could get us seats together, but they wouldn't be bassinet...so she asked us to decide. After a small discussion, we decided it would be best to take the bassinet seat and then just try and switch seats with whoever was assigned a seat next to me.<br />After checking in we still had several hours before our flight took off, so the consensus from everyone else was to get dinner. I passed on it...but sat there groaning and moaning in pain. My stomach was killing me!<br />Kristy (Tigist's mom) offered me a diarrheal antibiotic she got from her doc. She said it would kill the bacteria I had in my system...and she also offered me some tums. I took them gladly, but they didn't really work for me.<br />They all ordered food and I sat in silence. I was really wanting to just get on the plane and get home. I was glad Tim's mom was with me. I think it would have been BRUTAL to have to go alone. After dinner Mom exchanged our birr back into dollars and we headed toward our gate.<br />Mom told me that there was a rumor going around that there was no bathroom at our gate. I was NOT thinking I would be able to sit there for the last hour without a bathroom, so I was reluctant to go through the last security point.<br />But...there's something about being at "the gate" even if you aren't called to board for awhile, isn't there? It FEELS like it's gonna happen soon.<br />So, I held my breath, and we walked through toward the gate. Turns out there WERE bathrooms just outside the gate...so we waited until the last 1/2 hour to get in line to get our bags xrayed again.<br />THIS was were it got worse.<br />We sat outside the gate. I was feeling bad.<br />I kept visualizing getting off the plane. Seeing Tim. Seeing Cale. I miss them SO much...especially Cale. (I had only ever been away from him for one night.)<br />I wanted to fast forward the next 20 hours. Mom was very concerned for me and asked me if I was okay. But all I could say was "this is the kinda sick that you just want to curl up on the couch and hold your belly."<br />Then I started crying.<br />Not bawling, nothing hysterical...just pitiful.<br />I closed my eyes and hot, wet, painful tears came out.<br />I could tell she was watching, and judging by her 'sniffling' she started crying too.<br />This all happened while I was feeding Megersa, so I just held him a little tighter.<br />I didn't want to think that this was a mistake...even mentally. I was SO happy to have this baby in my arms finally...but at the exact moment in time it was REALLY hard to have him in my arms, taking care of him as I was falling apart.<br />I gave Megersa a bottle and he seemed to be getting sleepy. I thought it would be a good idea to give him some infant tylenol...maybe to help his tummy and to help him sleep?<br />WRONG.<br />It helped him BARF! And not just a little bit - it kept coming and coming...ALL the formula that we had been giving him over the past few DAYS came up (okay...maybe not THAT much...but it was a TON!). I was really concerned for him. He seemed to choke on the puke as it came out.<br />He threw up on himself, his clothes, my carrier, and my jacket sleeve.<br />I quickly ran to the bathroom with him to try and clean him up...change his diaper (oh, bonus - he poops when he throws up!), and change his clothes. Mom came in to help as I tried my best to wash my sleeve and clean off the ERGO.<br />Once this was cleaned up, I just felt myself "suck it up" - I needed to take care of my baby. There was no time for myself right now.<br />We packed away the pukey stuff and got in line to get to the gate.<br />For whatever reason we had to send our carry-ons through security again. This was when I noticed HOW MANY adoptive families were going to be on this flight.<br />Soooo many babies and toddlers. I was glad we reserved a bassinet, no matter where we ended up sitting.<br />The security guard wasn't allowing liquids to pass through - even ones bought in the airport...but the family ahead of us told the guard that the water was "for the baby - for his bottle," so they allowed 1 bottle of water.<br />She had 2 bottles in hand, so she put one down and passed through.<br />I thought - HEY! We didn't buy any water to take, so let's just grab this one!<br />We told the guard the same thing, so he allowed it.<br />Then we waited some more.<br />We got seats toward the back of the gate and I noticed that WHOA! THis flight was gonna be PACKED. Jam packed.<br />And it was.<br />We had a green sticker on our boarding pass, so we were able to board first.<br />We found our seats and I was suppose to be sitting in the middle of the middle of the aisle. Mom was to be on the side, near the aisle. She was also seated in the bulkhead, by what looked like a spot for a bassinet.<br />We asked the stewardess if this was a spot for a bassinet and she said yes. I switched with Mom because at least I wouldn't be shoved in the middle with Megs.<br />We stuck to our plan and when the person who was suppose to sit down next to me came, we asked the steward if she could switch with Mom.<br />The man told us that she needed special assistance and couldn't sit in the middle...but they asked the man who was in the aisle middle row to move over and she said in his seat.<br />Mom came to sit with me. PRAISE GOD!<br />Seriously, it made the trip SO much better to know that I could count on her help. I told her too. I said to her that I'd really need her help this trip. I was feeling really bad.<br />As the plane filled up we discussed how annoyed we were that there was no baby sitting in the row bassinet seat while family after family went toward the back with their babies (and no bassinet). After awhile though, seats were moved around, and a man came up to sit there with his young toddler.<br />So, we sat and chatted until we took off.<br />The bassinets were not allowed to be attached until we were way in the air and the seat belt sign was off. Megs was a champ. I'm pretty sure he fell asleep in Mom's arms and when we were finally up high enough, we were able to transfer him to the bassinet.<br />He slept REALLY well when he WAS asleep. Briefly waking up from time to time, but nothing a little butt pat couldn't fix.<br />It was annoying that the lights would come on from time to time and BRIGHT as day in our eyes as we tried to sleep.<br />Thankfully though, we were able to get some sleep. I'm not sure how the families who didn't get a bassinet did it...but I know for myself, I can't fully fall asleep if I'm holding a baby. I'd be too afraid to loosen my grip and then have him fall.<br />Well...the flight was LONG. Megs woke up and we fed him more bottle. He vomited again. EVERYWHERE. We changed him. We were down 2 outifts now, 2 airplane blankets, 1 baby blanket, my jacket again (this time nothing could save it), and another diaper.<br />Not sure where we are with the diaper change count...but I'll tell you - when we got OFF the plane we used up all 5 outfits and 11 diapers, and messed through 5 airplane blankets...and the bassinet. YIKES!<br />Well, I dont feel like I should hash out the airplane ride any more than that.<br />God blessed us with some sleep when we could. And when Megs wasn't barfing or having diarrhea, he was smiling or sleeping.<br />I counted down each hour and could feel myself getting smellier and smellier.<br />If I started thinking about Cale and Tim and how we were getting closer, my stomach would act up again (it had settled some after some sleep). I focused on where we were and what task was at hand...but I wanted Tim to bring some pedialyte, more clothes for me and the kind of bottles Megs liked. I sent him probably like 12 texts from the air, but none went through.<br />Reading them back through, they sounded like I was a hysterical mess....<br />Good thing they DIDN'T go through.<br />Anyway, throughout the ride, Mom and I chatted a bit, but for the most part, our eyes were closed in sleep...or at least in the attempt for sleep.<br />The meals they served on the plane were correct with the time in Ethiopia...but it was REALLY bizarre to be fed beef & noodles when it was only 6am Eastern time and the sun was rising.<br />I passed on the first 2 meals on the plane, asking only for crackers...but by morning time, my stomach was so empty that I thought I might try something more solid....I think I did try that beef. Only a few peices...and it stayed down!<br />Well...................after all that (and more), we landed.<br />PRAISE THE LORD!!<br />We were ushered off the plane (after all the first class and Cloud 9 people, of course) into a shuttle bus. EVERYONE had to get on that shuttle, and it was hot.<br />Hot, and stinky.<br />Megs pooed on another outfit when we were landing, but we had none left, so I wrapped him in the dirty outfit, and an airplane blanket. We sat on that shuttle for over 20 minutes.<br />I was very concerned with Megs. He was feeling really sweaty, and I couldn't imagine how much longer we'd have to wait until we could change his diaper.<br />After what seemed like WAY TOO LONG, the doors to the shuttle opened. We were taken off that shuttle and asked to get on another.<br />People were WAY grumpy, talking about how they're gonna miss their connections, and how this is crazy, etc, etc.<br />I told Mom we should hang back and used the bench seating on the 1st shuttle to change Megs. Culturally acceptable or not...this kid needed to be cleaned up.<br />I snapped his outfit shut and strapped him in the ERGO. We were both so dirty, how much worse could it be............. (just wait...)<br />Luckily, because we were last to get on the new shuttle, we were first to get off of it!<br />We were the first in the immigration line!<br />The man that passed us through was pretty dang grumpy.<br />"Oh gee...adoption Saturday is today?" he said.<br />WHOA! What an nice guy.<br />He explained how the Friday night and Saturday night flights were packed with adoptive families and that it made the morning too busy.<br />Suck it up man! </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Mom chatted with him as he went through our paperwork. I felt Megersa's head. It was clammy. He looked as though he was trying to fall asleep (the way he kept rubbing his head against my chest)...but he was restless. Mom thought he must just be too hot from being in the ERGO and all the excitment, but I was hesistant to believe that was the only reason.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >We passed through the line without a hitch and then entered International baggage claim. We searched through the bags on the conveyor belt and the ones already pulled off...but our bags were not there. A man told us that these were the bags for people with connecting flights and that our bags would come out after, on another conveyor belt. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >We stationed ourselves by the bag entry of the new belt, and Megs started coughing...then gagging, then vomiting. In the ERGO, facing me. I was afraid he would choke, so I quickly pulled him out of it and faced him forward so that the rest could land on the floor. </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >This all happened frantically, but not ONE person looked my way. No one offered help (even if they didn't mean it)...nothing. It was like the twighlight zone.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >I suppose most people couldn't be bothered by anyone else and were just glad to finally be off the plane, but still..............</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Our bags hadn't come out yet, so I couldn't change Megersa or myself.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >I went over to the side of the room and stripped off his clothes and tried my best to clean him up with some wipes I asked another adoptive mom for because I was out. I tried as best I could to wipe off my shirt. </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Finally, we saw our bags!! YAY!! Mom got them on our cart and I got them off just as quickly so I could rummage through them and get us some clean clothes. Well...Megersa's outfit was clean. I brought a ton for him...but I had to put on the outfit I wore the day before...which wasn't clean, but at least it wasn't puked on!</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >So I changed in the bathroom,f we and we packed away the pukey stuff and put it on the cart. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >One LAST line to get in.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >I could hardly stand waiting one more second. I knew that Cale and Tim were on the other side of the doors, but they felt like a world apart. I had been keeping in contact with Tim since we landed, and as soon as I heard Cale's voice...my stomach started back up with nervous excitement. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Cale kept asking "Mommy? Where are you?" And it was PAINFUL to be stuck going through line after line...I just wanted us to all be together already!</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >So, the security guard checked our passports, our tickets, our baby, then asked if we had a connecting flight. "No."</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >So, right through those double doors.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Mom had the cart, and I was holding Megs in my arms. I think I RAN through the doors.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >When the opened automatically I saw Cale in Tim's arms. They were both waving at me and yelling "Mommy!!"</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >I stepped up the pace and ran round the corner to them....thrust Megersa in Tim's arms and gave him a kiss. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >I was able to capture the glimpse of Tim meeting his son for the first time and it was sweet. Tim was as forgetful as I was at how small babies ACTUALLY can be!</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Then I scooped up Cale! I think I kissed him a million times telling him "Mommy MISSED you!" "Mommy LOVES you!!" It felt surreal for us all to be together.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >I bawled like a baby as I looked in his face and squeezed his body.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >How much had he grown in a week? He was talking to me! He knew I was his Mommy!</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >We were all together. A family of four...FINALLY! </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >I saw Tim's mom and noticed she was crying too. The time was so intimate that I felt bad leaving her out...but she was able to enjoy our reunion.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >No pictures or video from it. No one else came to the airport, which was fine. Not EVERYTHING needs to be public, ya know?</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >But, as Cale and I walked hand in hand toward our car and he told me about his week and the new things he learned....I thought back over to the verses that God showed me at the beginning of my week in Ethiopia:</span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Psalm 108:1 - <strong><sup>1</sup></strong>O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. <sup id="en-KJV-15746" class="versenum"><strong>3</strong></sup>I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. <sup id="en-KJV-15747" class="versenum"><strong>4</strong></sup>For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. <sup id="en-KJV-15748" class="versenum"><strong>5</strong></sup>Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" ></span> </p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Different translations may have slightly different wording on that beginning verse, but I like the King James. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >Perhaps David is talking about something else entirely when he was "my heart is fixed" but the first day that I met Megersa and I was able to hold him in my arms, and I knew that shortly our family would be together - this verse rang true for me.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >My heart is fixed, Lord - and I will give praise!</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" >God has taught me so much through this journey and truthfully, now is only the beginning. As we transition to a family of 4, the Lord has been opening my eyes to new things. This entire process was orchestrated by him and FOR Him. I am thankful that we were and are able to experience it.</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" > </span></p><br /><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';" ></p></span><br /><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" ></span></p>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-72445277347614086152010-03-20T13:25:00.000-07:002010-03-20T14:37:16.642-07:00THE TRIP - Day 4, 5aOkay...I want to start off by saying that Megersa has been home for 1 week! <br />I can't believe it's been so long already! He's fit into our family like a jello mold made specifically for him. He's doing EXCELLENT. He's eating like a champ, attaching to me really well...enjoying his brother and Daddy and sleeping better each night!<br />He's a gift from God, for sure. Thank you Jesus for his precious boy.<br />Thank you for teaching us to reach out to you and follow your lead in life.<br /><br />And now to the trip. Thursday, March 11, 2010, Ethiopia.<br />On Thursday we woke up and got showered, then decided to go downstairs to eat some breakfast at the Kings Hotel. If you're reading this and you're planning on staying there...I'd recommend skipping breakfast. And that's quite a statement to make considering it's part of the hotel fee. It was GROSSE! <br />Food that was suppose to be cold, was warm. Food that was suppose to be hot, was cold. It was nasty. I won't waste the rest of my time going into it. Yuck.<br />So...after breakfast (which I got, but didn't eat), we walked to Layla. We stopped at Kaldi's again so I could get a mocha frappuchino. It wasn't the same as Amanda's, but it was still good!<br />When we got to Layla, I was so happy to see my boy was up and had LOTS of smiles for me! I picked him up and noticed he was soaking wet. I changed his clothes and strapped him into the ERGO. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUczK9QpqNwn6HY9SXq-av7txZRYcP8BYdWbj9A-G7biQq2To7hQ1zmwUCrl-C9GaMVK__k9-E6xyfuq1Q22KIywSPOReaY_jYda5spabUBh54i3MaXid5quZdkUhl7G5qHqIQVz2OmsaI/s1600-h/ERGO+baby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUczK9QpqNwn6HY9SXq-av7txZRYcP8BYdWbj9A-G7biQq2To7hQ1zmwUCrl-C9GaMVK__k9-E6xyfuq1Q22KIywSPOReaY_jYda5spabUBh54i3MaXid5quZdkUhl7G5qHqIQVz2OmsaI/s320/ERGO+baby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450823608248961746" /></a> He, of course, fell asleep minutes after I strapped him in, so I decided to walk around with him, taking more pictures until we could meet up with Amanda. She told us about her night with Tsehaye and I was so happy they were making such great progress! We decided to go to the Ritmo early that day. We walked over there and hung out. I'm pretty sure that we just ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (that they had at the Ritmo for free) for lunch. I planned to give Megersa a bath, but they still didn't have water. Oh well. We just hung out. We were thinking of watching a movie...but the electricity was also out. Oh well. I wish I had written down specifics of that day, but I dont think there were many. I know that we just spent time together and for dinner we called Jemal to get a pizza from the Hilton hotel. We split the cost with Amanda and Joe (the other adoptive Dad that was at the Ritmo) and had an Ethiopian style American pizza. NOT at all what you would eat here, but still, it looked like home. Thursday was when I noticed 2 things. Megersa was staring to play with my hair/earrings when I gave him a bottle (which I took as a GREAT sign!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3H7Aum5qH_87__Dol4q1VKi_ArofcWRyPYr9tw3EEDpptw486EmtHtwPM8QYS6powCOQpXjR__WqLLX6fQDvUwHwSA4UxGqV8TwD1wN6jDpQ0pWYJVcaC77vHxoeMug_UDwM6-03ftrs/s1600-h/drinking+a+bottle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3H7Aum5qH_87__Dol4q1VKi_ArofcWRyPYr9tw3EEDpptw486EmtHtwPM8QYS6powCOQpXjR__WqLLX6fQDvUwHwSA4UxGqV8TwD1wN6jDpQ0pWYJVcaC77vHxoeMug_UDwM6-03ftrs/s320/drinking+a+bottle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450824339221094146" /></a>...but also that Megersa really wasn't taking much of the bottle. It seemed like he barely drank anything and had VERY few wet diapers. All I was changing was diarrhea. And it was A LOT! I seemed concerned about it...but I didn't know how much they really fed him before. I think on his chart it said something about 3 - 6oz bottles, but by the time we returned to Layla to drop him off, I think all he had taken for me was 11 oz or something like that. <br />I was certainly concerned for that, the diarrhea and the lack of wet diapers. <br />When I dropped him off that night I was sad. I had used the last diaper I brought so he was dirty and the clothes I changed him from were dirty, so I left him in the outfit I brought for him (if you're going there but staying at a hotel...I'd suggest keeping the outfit your child had on in the morning, and putting it back on at night - you won't see the outfit you brought again). <br />Anyway, when I walked into his baby room, ALL the babies were upset. Most were crying and I could tell the nannies were overwhelmed. I mentioned to him that he was dirty, they nodded and then motioned for me to put him on the floor. <br />It didn't feel right. I scooped him back up and told them I'd be right back. <br />I told Mom how I was feeling and we were lucky enough to be able to catch the nurse as she was walking around. I explained to her that he wasn't really drinking much for me, didn't have many wet diapers and that he had diarrhea. As best I could tell she understood and then she said something to me. It took both Mom and I several minutes for us to understand that she said "isolation." <br />HUH?<br />We followed her to Megersa's old baby room where 5 other babies were. They weren't the tiny babies that are normally in the room. She said that they all had diarrhea. 2 of the babies in there were from Megersa's room. Perhaps with the cloth diapers that were being washed out by hand...this germ had been passed. <br />When I dropped him off he looked alright, but I felt super sad. <br />I walked back out into the room where we decided to wait for our taxi. We still had 15 minutes before the driver got there. Mom asked me if I wanted to pick up any of the babies for a little while and I said that if I was gonna hold anyone, it'd be Megersa. So she told me to go get him.<br />When I walked back in the room he was crying. I scooped him up and talked to the nurse again. She saw me trying to feed him again and then told me that he didn't like the bottle I had brought. <br />I brought the Playtex drop-ins for easy clean-up. With no access to clean water, I thought these would be best...but the nurse said that the babies don't drink well from any other type of bottle than the standard ones they have there. She gave me one of their bottles to use, and also said that she'd give him some pedialyte to make sure he wasn't dehydrated. <br />That made me feel better, but the concern for him put me in a huge funk.<br />Our plan was to go see the traditional Ethiopian dancing and eat the food...meet Anna at 8pm, but I didn't feel like going. <br />Mom coaxed me into it, and I realized that it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and I owed it to Megersa to experience his culture.<br />I'm glad I went. We really enjoyed watching the dancing and it was fun to hang out with Anna and her roommate Eden (pronounced Ay-den). I even ate the food!!<br />I enjoyed the hand washing ceremony and how they layed out the food...it was very neat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGSjzDwC_xpn_G1cAa0W1qAiBN2u9p3P5SdfbSLwY0SEj5ylUdLIBnMCGrGZD7FGJAx_hTmdyOZwnTi9Re3r3m5v-JsnOlVY9JQVJ6unkEhrgqBtOvt71reo6arlDPbze8l695KyZiiSY/s1600-h/traditional+ET+dancing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGSjzDwC_xpn_G1cAa0W1qAiBN2u9p3P5SdfbSLwY0SEj5ylUdLIBnMCGrGZD7FGJAx_hTmdyOZwnTi9Re3r3m5v-JsnOlVY9JQVJ6unkEhrgqBtOvt71reo6arlDPbze8l695KyZiiSY/s320/traditional+ET+dancing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450824816084648626" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwBDYKH4EvlSOADWcX9McPdJx5d-2cEAELMW2_VriOc-phQwXanvo6tnl3_Lnzq1FkFM4HmnZ211kmWdrAdBV5XkYsNAY0_YPkPHE7D-0pWcRrfCcFI8ORLrL0xCp0jkg-gRlYAyIFshi/s1600-h/katie,+dingy,+anna,+eden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwBDYKH4EvlSOADWcX9McPdJx5d-2cEAELMW2_VriOc-phQwXanvo6tnl3_Lnzq1FkFM4HmnZ211kmWdrAdBV5XkYsNAY0_YPkPHE7D-0pWcRrfCcFI8ORLrL0xCp0jkg-gRlYAyIFshi/s320/katie,+dingy,+anna,+eden.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450825111079875314" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqMM0wJJ6nW6HsgiMFRIt-5rZ118xoPlAXtqV1kav1xj7_ll8IQG9sv0_fSNFLPJdz5KbBTVJdrVm8rm1YLvhLcNzUd-4rEW-SMRaM78ZOJX-cT23tl7rnFN9gaExb7s-HDzknpbV35Od/s1600-h/the+food.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqMM0wJJ6nW6HsgiMFRIt-5rZ118xoPlAXtqV1kav1xj7_ll8IQG9sv0_fSNFLPJdz5KbBTVJdrVm8rm1YLvhLcNzUd-4rEW-SMRaM78ZOJX-cT23tl7rnFN9gaExb7s-HDzknpbV35Od/s320/the+food.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450825390127720258" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkys96U-M7TopI47cTnRYDhqdle7_S-RzmdVnsWtw7VD_HtraFvnOikc24QC8PK1z61hHNyQ9bCX51TzEj2vclHAOAI2VtHwReIC49qmlaLHYZOK-msm9IFRNk77cGYQn_DOVYKO1Qsp6/s1600-h/mom+nester+eating+injera.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkys96U-M7TopI47cTnRYDhqdle7_S-RzmdVnsWtw7VD_HtraFvnOikc24QC8PK1z61hHNyQ9bCX51TzEj2vclHAOAI2VtHwReIC49qmlaLHYZOK-msm9IFRNk77cGYQn_DOVYKO1Qsp6/s320/mom+nester+eating+injera.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450825570668498290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacavJhDko6RdLTzJdFhniuWquAu_d6wWYg-p7VFIlyvpsCEbUlf6aJcWiMvUji-5jTodyVM9wGEtZNjxCUeek4ZLMfuwjV22Zb5vPgu1d38YPE-5Z2xg_LmeZyP0SWAauG81NgXH-nIM3/s1600-h/I+ate+it!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacavJhDko6RdLTzJdFhniuWquAu_d6wWYg-p7VFIlyvpsCEbUlf6aJcWiMvUji-5jTodyVM9wGEtZNjxCUeek4ZLMfuwjV22Zb5vPgu1d38YPE-5Z2xg_LmeZyP0SWAauG81NgXH-nIM3/s320/I+ate+it!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450825720923620834" /></a><br />I didn't really enjoy later on that night. I got sick. Not sure if it was from Megersa or from the food...but it wasn't any good. And, if you'd believe this - Immodium AD was the ONLY drug I needed that I didn't bring. Luckily I was able to sleep that night, after carefully going through my belongings and trying to pack what was dirty, what was clean, what was needed for my carry-on for the plane, for the diaper bag that day, and extra stuff to replenish the bag for the night.<br /><br />Okay, let's try and get as much done of Friday as possible.<br />Woke up early to get finished packing, then went downstairs to meet our driver to pick us up. Mom checked us out and I know she paid more than we should have. Since we moved from a "suite" room to a standard room with 2 beds, it should have been more around 50 US than 60...but I guess Mom paid the full amount (though I specifically told her NOT to be taken for a ride!! :)...oh well. She also asked what she should pay the "porter" (which is the guy who carries luggage up and down - in case you didn't know! :) and the ladies who cleaned the room. <br />Needless to say, I was cleaned out after paying for that! LOL!<br />BUT...we did enjoy our stay there for the most part. <br />Mom went downstairs for breakfast which I SKIPPED! I still was feeling very yucky and I didn't want to repeat the breakfast experience there.<br />We went to Layla and when I walked into Megersa's room I saw one of the nannies pick him up. He looked at me with snot covered all over his face and cried. I like to think he was crying because he wanted me, so I'll leave it at that!<br />He did perk up when I held him close, cleaned off his face and arms, and changed his clothes. I strapped him in, despite feeling ill myself and we began our day. We had much planned for our last day. <br />Luckily I was able to get my hands on some liquid anti-diarrheal for me. It worked a little bit and I was able to withstand our shopping trip. In the car, as we drove around, we took many scenery shots. It'd be hard to really remember ET without them.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9mQy_JTc7SGxhp5O3V77I0Oq2w02ptGhF2WHNAq5mAE4U-it6bqhjsnzwyDwPYkC6wr0NU_TzIDp-AnaTyxe3XS6NTXfrJyzGgXckGRH4PRyhmskoXro6XDXROHW_eWzLHPzosqvivxm/s1600-h/ET+scenery1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9mQy_JTc7SGxhp5O3V77I0Oq2w02ptGhF2WHNAq5mAE4U-it6bqhjsnzwyDwPYkC6wr0NU_TzIDp-AnaTyxe3XS6NTXfrJyzGgXckGRH4PRyhmskoXro6XDXROHW_eWzLHPzosqvivxm/s320/ET+scenery1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450830998797826402" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3s5mclmIxjPSRCudHF-R7eY-Th4iHaCGwwmh3X6HZ2KGMrwZEZwZsw2hijABuTNaiseBAcpwknhi4dfBxPh92RI5HpsAdPbCXYBL4WWR59KcSuZUFP7d2o28SXT32-yZJs-O4twBxxyD/s1600-h/ET+scenery2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3s5mclmIxjPSRCudHF-R7eY-Th4iHaCGwwmh3X6HZ2KGMrwZEZwZsw2hijABuTNaiseBAcpwknhi4dfBxPh92RI5HpsAdPbCXYBL4WWR59KcSuZUFP7d2o28SXT32-yZJs-O4twBxxyD/s320/ET+scenery2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450831281445620338" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V5iEm9HJxWVuCJhDyh508xFSfT1ZXX26vkAZPmWxhpM2TRu_M5vpXB_qUlvgbRR9fAfMpL7AiqWL8ANnP5n_ol1ifQQzIRaeRiBrGoqqVdEt0WklXO8URD6p2M6vyVGbTDKTumOTaQ-Z/s1600-h/ET+scenery3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V5iEm9HJxWVuCJhDyh508xFSfT1ZXX26vkAZPmWxhpM2TRu_M5vpXB_qUlvgbRR9fAfMpL7AiqWL8ANnP5n_ol1ifQQzIRaeRiBrGoqqVdEt0WklXO8URD6p2M6vyVGbTDKTumOTaQ-Z/s320/ET+scenery3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450831402966716722" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzUX3lu_rJWuH-ob9p_mjsHCTXOk5LQUimh9Tsz7DZ1Vq4MDDacJJEwVwzClOWhKP1c1XAHKqtBg4JfErMmyaICyIxfzEPFT_8zw0WYMjny5StFt03BDrs9LclFYarbTDXvLu06uqvxHE/s1600-h/traffic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzUX3lu_rJWuH-ob9p_mjsHCTXOk5LQUimh9Tsz7DZ1Vq4MDDacJJEwVwzClOWhKP1c1XAHKqtBg4JfErMmyaICyIxfzEPFT_8zw0WYMjny5StFt03BDrs9LclFYarbTDXvLu06uqvxHE/s320/traffic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450831547565673666" /></a><br />We were going to the places we found out we were able to bring our children. We got a taxi driver to take us to a basket weaving shop (though you aren't allowed to take your children there - I stayed in the car), the leprocacy hospital gift shop - where I got some BEAUTIFUL blankets, and a table runner...and then to the silk factory called Sab....sab something. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0fb29oeUKal-xL8AX7GNHuzt67FuNr9c6La6KEJ_O2LkcSdGKmplqA5FGhSyJJAYuIF-VWc8PTe2l8N3aVNjVW45DTRZC1k8gosEc5XDwagpZSTcZVMSLb86E2B13zddkM3oh_nfHS7O/s1600-h/silk+factory.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0fb29oeUKal-xL8AX7GNHuzt67FuNr9c6La6KEJ_O2LkcSdGKmplqA5FGhSyJJAYuIF-VWc8PTe2l8N3aVNjVW45DTRZC1k8gosEc5XDwagpZSTcZVMSLb86E2B13zddkM3oh_nfHS7O/s320/silk+factory.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450831726480357010" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kG_nGk8pxMq860N9LE4Abr2xLbmV8hJ9xzNWTcsTZBDsHcyc7j8SsWFyqOUEktSnkGT38gu4pH9eMCe7z7wP0GN_zU16ASLRBwqHq4tJR3DVhbGDe-J6cf83fOqusAIlB1DBUC7t7Ozn/s1600-h/slept+through+day+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kG_nGk8pxMq860N9LE4Abr2xLbmV8hJ9xzNWTcsTZBDsHcyc7j8SsWFyqOUEktSnkGT38gu4pH9eMCe7z7wP0GN_zU16ASLRBwqHq4tJR3DVhbGDe-J6cf83fOqusAIlB1DBUC7t7Ozn/s320/slept+through+day+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450831970582211634" /></a><br />See...it's getting too far away from the trip to remember! Ugh!<br />Well, it WAS beautiful there with wonderful flowers and green leafy trees, but the prices on the scarfs and necklaces were WAY out of our range. My money was dwindling and I was ready to head back. We decided to stop outside the Caribou restaurant to order take out. <br />This...took forever. Megersa finally woke up (after almost 3 hours alseep in the ERGO) and we hung out in the taxi.<br />Why? Well, I guess it's not 'cultural' to take children out in public, and with the 'taboos' of American families coming to take away Ethiopian children, our agency advices us to keep a low profile from public places. The above mentioned places are very touristy and are enclosed compounds...so they're okay.<br />In ET fast food isn't really fast. We waited in the car for what seemed like FOREVER. My stomach was still hurting so I only ordered soup (which I didn't eat) and it was HOT.<br />I guess I've failed so far to mention how darn hot it is in ET. This of course, comes from someone who always seems hot...so weather in the upper 70s was hard to take with a warm body strapped to you...and having the runs. (there, I said it!)<br />Amanda and Mom finally came out with their food, and we went back to the Ritmo. <br />I ate some of Amanda's french fries and passed on the soup. I think someone else ate it. The other adoptive family, Joe & Lisa came back from swimming at the Hilton with their kids hungry...so they helped us eat our food.<br />I think this was around 2p or so, ET time. <br />The goodbye party at Layla was scheduled for 3pm. Mom walked over to take some pictures. I got on the internet at the Ritmo and it felt SO good to update Tim on what was going on. I was starting to feel homesick. <br />I walked over with Amanda to see the ceremony.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuvytUiLPdxl99B0qV40nOFTiaEzkobz-NjVE0hEl9sauwV0k1b_W40wjO1nNbBbonJ098VXUjSjrSFelXDiLDYMeu1v-3IJVcSinr6DBPxKbKwyxwvHIymMig-mMtrO-Qi33yusFpN8Q/s1600-h/goodbye+ceremony1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuvytUiLPdxl99B0qV40nOFTiaEzkobz-NjVE0hEl9sauwV0k1b_W40wjO1nNbBbonJ098VXUjSjrSFelXDiLDYMeu1v-3IJVcSinr6DBPxKbKwyxwvHIymMig-mMtrO-Qi33yusFpN8Q/s320/goodbye+ceremony1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450832700845328978" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-Om7Q-jSQrEBLYdtdUiT0z9lcneSGu3S9uw4IFqX_ToWHs4fVpGYb9Kb_M5rdvB0xeAaKzegtNbCXfjghb8fotz0J8fz9HPpKxvHiIaFJ1viS3v5kfa1Spywyh5tYZ9gYRBmhVGZmVLT/s1600-h/goodbye+ceremony.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-Om7Q-jSQrEBLYdtdUiT0z9lcneSGu3S9uw4IFqX_ToWHs4fVpGYb9Kb_M5rdvB0xeAaKzegtNbCXfjghb8fotz0J8fz9HPpKxvHiIaFJ1viS3v5kfa1Spywyh5tYZ9gYRBmhVGZmVLT/s320/goodbye+ceremony.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450832492633276418" /></a><br />We got there early and I took Megs to his old room to tell his nannies goodbye. They said, Megersa...America? I said "Yes...today." Then I snapped pictures with all the nannies that were there.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2vvMxewCVTpnW4h83USZhSkqc0Zp-X6NTAF_MA0GX-v6bdKsWx-hf7ovrzyY_TxtHe4mG9ZktF29tswNQKiq_pChDU-eSSr5sNYZIxEwVgFkniZhgTiRmJ7hd2njnyqXAG3XJ5sntj_K/s1600-h/Megs+%26+nanny1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2vvMxewCVTpnW4h83USZhSkqc0Zp-X6NTAF_MA0GX-v6bdKsWx-hf7ovrzyY_TxtHe4mG9ZktF29tswNQKiq_pChDU-eSSr5sNYZIxEwVgFkniZhgTiRmJ7hd2njnyqXAG3XJ5sntj_K/s320/Megs+%26+nanny1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450832254150650466" /></a> <br />They were so sweet to get him to smile and love on him for the last time.<br />This seemed surreal to me. <br />I was taking him from the only faces he could remember.<br />He was still sick. I was sick. And I knew an 18 hour plane ride awaited me.<br />Despite all that was going on in my head and both of our stomachs...he remained the sweetest baby you could imagine.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxRjzJW_OOOCDLBjcen7YH1Sci-tegXM82ZVl3usWfgWM2HJxUPlUiPjXWkmdIn133A4sf0okWXnla635Fu-fF2sCfrzv-kn-0qMhx7kBGdp9Rk0J95ayIWgXRM7htHmqjmDP2BSTpo4O/s1600-h/waiting+for+the+taxi+to+the+airport.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxRjzJW_OOOCDLBjcen7YH1Sci-tegXM82ZVl3usWfgWM2HJxUPlUiPjXWkmdIn133A4sf0okWXnla635Fu-fF2sCfrzv-kn-0qMhx7kBGdp9Rk0J95ayIWgXRM7htHmqjmDP2BSTpo4O/s320/waiting+for+the+taxi+to+the+airport.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450833099629544658" /></a>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-72848289852218149962010-03-19T05:48:00.000-07:002010-03-19T12:37:32.766-07:00THE TRIP - Day 3Okay, this might be a bit tricky. Not just physically as I try to juggle holding Megersa, feeding him a bottle while typing...but because it seems as though it was forever ago that Ethiopia happened.<br />Actually, sometimes it feels like yesterday, sometimes, like forever ago.<br />But, I'll try to recap things perfectly:<br /><br />So, we're headed out shopping. We had our lunch at Kaldi's right? <br />Okay. We all piled in the small taxi car and Anna led the way (by telling the driver where to go). Our first stop: a nice shop, located in a nicer area. Anna said that the prices were more than the other places, but they were fixed. No haggling.<br />The shop was filled with many beautiful things. All kinds of scarfs, blankets, pillows, clothing, wood things...I mean, great looking stuff!<br />I bought a pretty green scarf (though to be completely honest, I wish I hadn't paid that price because where we went next, we could get things WAY WAY cheaper) for 170 birr...about $15. Mom got a scarf there too I think, but no one else got anything. A bit pricey.<br />We went next to Churchill St. Now HERE is where you get the bargains...and haggle.<br />Thank goodness Anna knows Amharic (for the most part) and could try and haggle for us. She did tell us they didn't budge as much for her as they would for an Ethiopian, but she was able to help us out a bit. Without her help though, things were still dirt cheap. <br />Lets see if I can remember all the things I purchased on Churchill St:<br />1 colorful scarf (60 birr)<br />1 Ethiopian hat (60 birr)<br />2 traditional Ethiopian outfits - for Cale & Megs (70 birr each)<br />1 traditional Ethiopian shirt - for Tim (70 birr)<br />2 hand woven/crafted animal toys for Megersa (25 birr each)<br />1 necklace (40 birr)<br />1 purse with small matching scarf (80 birr)<br />1 hand drum toy - for Cale (20 birr)<br />1 beaded bracelet (10 birr)<br /><br />Gosh, I THINK that's it! We brought in some good loot! It was a little crazy with everyone trying to get us to purchase things. We'd buy something, and then they'd guessture for us to go into the back where they had other things. It was hard to say "no" but we had to! What was ALSO hard was trying to conceal the big wad of birr we had... It was also hard to avoid the beggars. <br />I mean, I know there are beggars everywhere, but it still pains me to see them. <br />We walked up and down the streets and went in countless amount of 'shops' - but we weren't done yet! <br />I felt tired and ready to see Megersa again, but when would we get this experience again?? Probably never (or until we adopt again).<br />Anna took us to where she works. She works with women who are HIV positive...and instead of them leading destitute lives...they make and sell jewelry. It's WAY cheap, and REALLY beautiful. I think their speciality is making jewelry with coffee beans as the accessory because I saw tons of bracelets and necklaces (even earrings) with coffee beans as the beads. A cool idea, but not exactly my taste. I was TOTALLY digging the beaded necklaces and earings. I bought 2 necklaces there for 70 birr each and then 2 pairs of earrings (30 birr each).<br />Her shop was REALLY neat. With each item purchased, they would attach a "card" with the person who made it and how old they were...a little bit about their story. It was such an awesome thing to see. The Lord is really blessing this ministry!<br />After her jewelry shop, we were done shopping. It seemed as though we were out of money (though I did have quite a bit left), and Amanda and I were itching to get our hands back on our kids!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPesaKL29sVFT2lsx8YyUCjOMG67okAZPhuaX8fXrsSzpquakb27GhK4jhd51oa__CmhJgKB6gLdhh0LwBubYGg2PQUo-8YZG13WttKSsIZKJ92VIC0wX-VqsxBD02ATvB88h3lBxjOwWH/s1600-h/the+layla+compound.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPesaKL29sVFT2lsx8YyUCjOMG67okAZPhuaX8fXrsSzpquakb27GhK4jhd51oa__CmhJgKB6gLdhh0LwBubYGg2PQUo-8YZG13WttKSsIZKJ92VIC0wX-VqsxBD02ATvB88h3lBxjOwWH/s320/the+layla+compound.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450430559920811314" /></a><br />When we came back to Layla (treasures in hand) I walked into the baby room, and the nannies informed me that Megersa was sleeping. I picked him up anyway. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxyNciZRJgNbKBD8CIF9O_6mrnUk3V2aJ45SIG7HEOvAJIgAby1lhF9CBsvofPC_yKNtPM9LROMJ2Q8Erv6XA4x3H2rspG0zcJEqzpmjHvsn94YiRECBPXRncVsEEywv1AaF7L9EFXqLO/s1600-h/Meg's+crib.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxyNciZRJgNbKBD8CIF9O_6mrnUk3V2aJ45SIG7HEOvAJIgAby1lhF9CBsvofPC_yKNtPM9LROMJ2Q8Erv6XA4x3H2rspG0zcJEqzpmjHvsn94YiRECBPXRncVsEEywv1AaF7L9EFXqLO/s320/Meg's+crib.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450430180157002322" /></a><br />I figured I didn't care, and would just hold him while he slept.<br />But he woke up. I went out into the little "lobby" area, and started to get a bottle ready...but one of the nannies came out with a bowl/spoon/bib in hand and said "Megersa? Snack!" He looked at the nanny and grinned. I could tell he recognizes most of them and is oh, so generous with his smiles!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUytmgnAFcdkGaBEyzEYOoM6iM2IfyAZ2CgxQYsdNz9l770ztidBCTUpg3sGgX9I_Bf9FMfWtHQggpSeqIIS5IYRQviXpPjZLyOD025UBpvQCsXmHl1N9Mp3WTaJsNnoQrlxyJRrlN6u7/s1600-h/all+smiles!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUytmgnAFcdkGaBEyzEYOoM6iM2IfyAZ2CgxQYsdNz9l770ztidBCTUpg3sGgX9I_Bf9FMfWtHQggpSeqIIS5IYRQviXpPjZLyOD025UBpvQCsXmHl1N9Mp3WTaJsNnoQrlxyJRrlN6u7/s320/all+smiles!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450430025505533026" /></a><br />She handed me the stuff and walked back into the room. <br />When I looked into the bowl I saw what looked like crackers - graham crackers (or a variation of it) crushed up in water. I thought...wait? Is this the "cerelac" they are talking about? Cookies?<br />I couldn't imagine that he was eating cookies as his other form of nourishment...and that he was eating from a thin metal adult spoon. But he did.<br />Not a lot. He didn't seem to really want it. <br />Mom went in to the baby room and asked if there was anyone who needed feeding.<br />They handed her Minalush and a bowl, spoon and bib.<br />Minalush did NOT want to eat for my MIL....or maybe just in general. She's a skinny little thing too...and she just took one bite, but wouldn't swallow it.<br />Mom waited for awhile and tried to coax her into taking another bite, but she didn't. When one of the nannies came out, Mom tried to explain to her that she didn't seem hungry; but the nannies motioned for her to keep shoveling it in. They said something to Minalush in Amharic and it got a smile out of her - then they took the spoon, and gave her more while her mouth was open. Maybe she just recognized the nanny...because I'm not sure if she ate more for mom.<br />Megersa ate probably half of it, and then I decided to give him a bottle. He was fine after that. <br />It was nearing dinner time, and we decided that we'd walk back to the Ritmo with Amanda and Tsehaye. We were told by the group of volunteers at Layla (who were staying at Ritmo) that they had extra lasangna made and we were welcome to join them.<br />So, I strapped Megs in the carrier, and we went to the guest house. <br />It's really nice there. Very homey. The walk there is 1/2 on pavement, and 1/2 gravel (which is a bit tricky when you've got bags, you're wearing flip flops, and you're carrying a baby on your chest). We got to see Amanda's room, and I looked around the compound a bit. It's enclosed by gate and guarded 24/7, which is very nice. <br />Why didn't we opt to stay there? Well, several reasons:<br />I wanted to be able to sleep. It's a sweet place there, but it is kinda loud with all of the people and excitement there. Amanda said she can hear the "call to prayer" at 5am. There are rolling power outages there which wouldn't allow me to use my fan at night. <br />The bonus would have been to have Megersa with me...but then we wouldn't have been able to go out at night.<br />Secondly, I wanted a SHOWER! 3 days in a row they didn't have hot water - or much running water at all. They were collecting some cold water to be able to flush down poop...but even then, the bathrooms were getting pretty dang nasty with all the pee. Oh, and you're not allowed to flush the toilet paper there. I think it's kinda icky, though I understand that people dont really use toilet paper in 3rd world countries, so the plumbing system can't handle it.<br />It WAS great to visit though. <br />The lasangna was okay. The food there is of course, not what we are used to, but it was nice to have "home cook" style dinner. We stayed and chatted with the high school volunteers (Susan PD brought a group of teenagers who were volunteering for a week) and the other adoptive family that was there. <br />When it was time to leave, we packed everyone back up, and went back to the Ritmo. <br />Amanda intended to let Tsehaye stay at the Ritmo, but T didn't want to stay. That was a HUGE step in the right direction for them!! Yay!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpUP5NZ2bwn14mfFMBOMZRPwLjIvlYnv71imOztefSmdwFlCilOVsWmb3Tt8i47CxEyC1OFzyiBtYyfml2uKuK8z5Y_R8NXCuagavI2aDyoorkQcjTi8Ar_S1KUEBjcOGhI3cPAFeJoes/s1600-h/Amanda+%26+Tsehaye.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpUP5NZ2bwn14mfFMBOMZRPwLjIvlYnv71imOztefSmdwFlCilOVsWmb3Tt8i47CxEyC1OFzyiBtYyfml2uKuK8z5Y_R8NXCuagavI2aDyoorkQcjTi8Ar_S1KUEBjcOGhI3cPAFeJoes/s320/Amanda+%26+Tsehaye.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450431329937512514" /></a><br />We dropped of Megersa, then walked back to the King's Hotel. <br />Tim called that night and I was telling him what we bought and where we went...but he cut me off and said "I dont care about that, how is Megersa?" I guess I would have been mad, but I WAS totally rambling on!! :)<br />Wednesday night was PACKED with excitement, so it was very easy to swallow 2 tylenol pm, and a melatonin, and head to bed. <br />I slept great.Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-31387073044432260162010-03-18T10:45:00.000-07:002010-03-18T12:32:03.092-07:00THE TRIP - Day 2-3Man, SO much has been happening the past few days now that we're home, I gotta haul hiney here to finish up about the trip:<br /><br /><strong>8pm Wed, ET time, 3/10/10</strong><br />It's been really long since I journaled! <br /><em>Here is what's been going on - <br />After getting off the plane we went to the visa line. We were probably one of the 7 people in line (the last ones, but still!). Took about 20-30 minutes to get through. Not bad at all! Then we went to immigration and got our ET stamps (yay!). Didn't take long either! Then a guy volunteered to grab our bags for us. So "mom" said it was okay. We exchaged our money to birr. 13.36 birr to 1 US dollar. We exchanged about $600 - which was A LOT of birr! I guess the guy saw us with the gignatic amount of money we had and he expected more than the 20 birr we gave him as a tip. This is what we were told to tip though. <br />I mean, yeah, that's cheap - but all he did was take our bags from the coveyer belt to the cart! I didn't want to get a guy; I would have done it myself. Oh well. Anyway, he put up a stink about it and I didn't care. I just ignored him, but Mom kept saying "No, this is what we were told to give." THEN she asked another lady! :) haha. This ET lady said "Yes, it's fine. - 5 birr per bag." <br />HA! <br />She even said he should have brought our bags to the xray (which he didn't). We waited in that line for awhile, because our donation tub had zip ties, and it took FOREVER for someone to come over and cut through the zip ties & "ok" them. We waited with another AAI couple (Joe & Lisa) adopting 4 1/2 year old boy/girl twins...they also had donations with zip ties. When someone finally came over to cut through them, the men asked Lisa what the pads were. I thought it was very funny and told her she should demonstrate them! :) haha.<br />Anyway, after we got through Xray, we met the AAI driver, Jemal. He said he'd take us all, but as we walked to the parking lot, he said his car was small & couldn't fit us all. Joe & Lisa went to Ritmo with another man & Mom and I went in another taxi with Jemal to the King's Hotel. It cost 100 birr to ride there. <br />The Kings Hotel is basic. They initially put us in a suite room, but it only had one bed, so I said, "No, sorry...we asked for 2 beds."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g5WG60viVtJ2jTwvZ6flurVW7QvAOY8uF3dKUcVn15fxKGAhLmKkhwcdaCIe-NfaLPMxkR-PqFW7jwIupoWxHIqlGdBfpl1ET-F_OqRNozDVmAH1fBiq7szCL1XJLp6uTRwcsuo-oqZS/s1600-h/Kings+hotel+-+twin+beds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g5WG60viVtJ2jTwvZ6flurVW7QvAOY8uF3dKUcVn15fxKGAhLmKkhwcdaCIe-NfaLPMxkR-PqFW7jwIupoWxHIqlGdBfpl1ET-F_OqRNozDVmAH1fBiq7szCL1XJLp6uTRwcsuo-oqZS/s320/Kings+hotel+-+twin+beds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450054470710223282" /></a><br />Now we have a smaller, less fancy room, but it gets the job done. A hot shower. 2 beds that are surprisiginly comfy. A toilet, big towels and it's generally quiet. The window in the bathroom stays open (it's their ventilation system here)...so at night it does get cooler, but def not bad. The windows & curtains are sheer, so we change in the bathroom. <br />The TV's broken & you can hear the cars going by, beeping at each other, but my convertor works, so the fan gets to stay on ALL night!!<br />When we got in and somewhat unpacked, we decided we'd take a 2 hour nap...and then shower, THEN go to layla to meet Megersa.<br />At first, even though I was dead tired, I couldn't relax my mind or drown out the outside noise (which is MUCH louder during the day) but I kept praying & I did eventually fall asleep. <br />I probably slept 1-1 1/2 hours. Then we showered and got a taxi to Layla. We were both feeling loopy and we were tired from dragging around that dumb tub, so we decided we'd haul it there and leave it. <br />As soon as we walked in Layla, we were met by Jessica (Gail's assistant who works for AAI) and she said, "Hi! Are you Megersa's mommy? Are you ready to meet him?" <br />WHOA! <br />I quickly saw Amanda Cadman and gave her a hug, then handed her the video camera. Mom got the camera and followed me in. Jessica went over, grabbed Megersa (who was belly down on the floor with his buddies)...then said "Megersa - Here is your mommy!" She handed him to me, and honestly - I was prepared for him to not make eye contact or arch his back or something, but I got a smile out of him, THEN he just nuzzeld into me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui8lZ_KxSRkv73X251pB6A69-bMkxCm8cPFdwpAtV2YBrGKq80QfJhA8_-o5Q9St7OM5K36Jl_jcrDgEtNGm4VdJ8AiVkA7YRuhwTImnXnuxbU7ugrqoOe_0CLAfkOX8q3LGuaEh1CE-H/s1600-h/meeting+Megs+for+the+first+time!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui8lZ_KxSRkv73X251pB6A69-bMkxCm8cPFdwpAtV2YBrGKq80QfJhA8_-o5Q9St7OM5K36Jl_jcrDgEtNGm4VdJ8AiVkA7YRuhwTImnXnuxbU7ugrqoOe_0CLAfkOX8q3LGuaEh1CE-H/s320/meeting+Megs+for+the+first+time!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450050056357696514" /></a>BLISS.<br />I REALLY couldn't have dreamed of it going so smoothly! He is a beautiful baby. I got so many smiles and giggles out of him in the next few hours. He seemed totally content to be with me! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5radhM-Wr0giG_8F4UD0eOGxOdZ6ZqnyOlS40wP4xZovUTqpY817nCW4gn5FNsz3c5ICsCmXK9zTVI8Y1FNrU1CAnODOC_Uhp1uQvE1HU7-aoyzxFaiSZu-yDts9uIeUczL8oJtbxr-xF/s1600-h/he's+ticklish!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5radhM-Wr0giG_8F4UD0eOGxOdZ6ZqnyOlS40wP4xZovUTqpY817nCW4gn5FNsz3c5ICsCmXK9zTVI8Y1FNrU1CAnODOC_Uhp1uQvE1HU7-aoyzxFaiSZu-yDts9uIeUczL8oJtbxr-xF/s320/he's+ticklish!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450050538287720914" /></a>I changed his clothes (The size 3-6 clothes that I put on his are still a little big and the size 2 diapers are tightened as far as they will go - he's a SKINNY, long baby!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwYt7MNycZeVgmzflNiW5JURHUG_9ULn-mWbyWC6YFS20gKJmAAFs6rVQ2OfOvysX4l7JIN0sHNI-pqeCBWptqiUL0MIYW0JZcQoNs1L1dUsuskPPhm6gTSbZ3-BB5B_Xagd_2XbmGYU_/s1600-h/naked+boy!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwYt7MNycZeVgmzflNiW5JURHUG_9ULn-mWbyWC6YFS20gKJmAAFs6rVQ2OfOvysX4l7JIN0sHNI-pqeCBWptqiUL0MIYW0JZcQoNs1L1dUsuskPPhm6gTSbZ3-BB5B_Xagd_2XbmGYU_/s320/naked+boy!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450051083628094818" /></a><br />I went around with my camera (and him) to take pics of all the other babies. The nannies are SO sweet. They kept asking me "Megersa's mommy?" and then they wanted to grab him to get a picture with him. I could tell they really love all the babies. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkDcg94JS69a-VNaq0_6Bk0UboF1EvhUMMCbH8586BFQa1qcnmo8a35eDXCARIOO2fECSfPYh9ZA36-0SELMA6YkCpwUgMtWzfVNw8YPRa3mzZX9OUeBXkcgLd3s9MdzSUIpBqEtz3Ty_/s1600-h/smooches!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkDcg94JS69a-VNaq0_6Bk0UboF1EvhUMMCbH8586BFQa1qcnmo8a35eDXCARIOO2fECSfPYh9ZA36-0SELMA6YkCpwUgMtWzfVNw8YPRa3mzZX9OUeBXkcgLd3s9MdzSUIpBqEtz3Ty_/s320/smooches!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450051875403823810" /></a>I fed him a bottle, and just walked around with him, inside and outside.<br />Ivy gave us a tour of the compound and Megs fell asleep in my arms. I forgot my ERGO (if you can believe that!) and had to hold him, but it was soooo sweet!<br />After about 30 minutes I switched with Mom and she held him until he woke up. <br />By the way, the nannies think it's great that she's the grandma. <br />He took more bottle and then we played a little more, but it was about 6:45p, so we left. We were meeting Anna Faulker - a Cedarville grad that live in ET - at Kaldis (ET starbucks that also has some American style food) for dinner.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9TDuS444yeaqGliyLassPGoG2waWG-yltbTIH2LpaHLY5WQP1qRAIrcDoLUXsBtr3pKJ3G4dsDvCK3c8HlZA3ZTNtPHs2PbDKxUSoFY7vxRsco7Ar5IV0OFgrQjDE957pduqQlPAQuj6/s1600-h/Katie+%26+Amanda+%40+Kaldis,+day+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9TDuS444yeaqGliyLassPGoG2waWG-yltbTIH2LpaHLY5WQP1qRAIrcDoLUXsBtr3pKJ3G4dsDvCK3c8HlZA3ZTNtPHs2PbDKxUSoFY7vxRsco7Ar5IV0OFgrQjDE957pduqQlPAQuj6/s320/Katie+%26+Amanda+%40+Kaldis,+day+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450052426045726514" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVCs-8Hu-IAU6-R2yAuwlW_9H9QGpAJ5wFmFz7dmSxb_EWfasS_17jo7h8xRAz5sjkDvI3_YRQY08-gg8k6z0F8uYgusxP97pZR4BmsgHv66Bomos8nUzuqDALTxlJWlgpwiECLJsxBdN/s1600-h/Mom+Nester+%26+Anna+Faulker+%40+Kaldis,+day+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVCs-8Hu-IAU6-R2yAuwlW_9H9QGpAJ5wFmFz7dmSxb_EWfasS_17jo7h8xRAz5sjkDvI3_YRQY08-gg8k6z0F8uYgusxP97pZR4BmsgHv66Bomos8nUzuqDALTxlJWlgpwiECLJsxBdN/s320/Mom+Nester+%26+Anna+Faulker+%40+Kaldis,+day+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450052808321413810" /></a><br />Amanda came too. She's GREAT! I ordered some sort of chicken club salad (which it wasn't...so I didn't eat it) and fries (yum!) and a chocolate milkshake. Double yum! <br />It was good to meet Anna and she said she'd love to take us shopping on Wednesday after lunch!<br />Leaving Megs wasn't as hard as I thought. That sounds bad, but he's still getting used to me, so I want the transition to be as smooth as possible. And, I want to experience ET while I'm here. <br />He watched me leave, and I looked at him to see if he was upset, but he wasn't. He knows his crib. He's familiar with the sounds, sights and smells of his room, and his world will be rocked soon enough...so I didn't mind.<br />He will sleep well and see me the next day. <br />I was totally okay with it...plus it was fun going out with the girls at night. <br />The walk to and from the King's Hotel takes about 15 minutes...some of it is uphill and that's not fun with a giant diaper bag and shopping stuff, but it's good for me. At night it makes me more nervous. But that's my nature. <br />When I can't understand the language, it puts me even more "on guard" - but the Lord has been SO good to us. No sickness, not really feeling jet-lag, EXCELLENT, AMAZING, ADORABLE little boy; and safety. <br />When we got home, we putzed around waiting for Tim and Dad to call. <br />It was great to hear Tim's voice. <br />He was SO happy to hear about Megersa! We chatted for awhile and I felt good knowing he was keeping Cale busy. After that, I got my bed ready, took 2 tylenol PM, put the fan on, covered my face and fell asleep.</em><br /><strong>7 am, Thursday, March 11</strong><br /><em>Backtracking here to yesterday morning. Hopefully I can get caught up - there's just SO much to remember! <br />Okay, so our first night here - I slept okay. Woke up 2-3 times in the early night. Was feeling "awake" at about 2-3am, so I decided to take a melatonin. Slept AWESOME after. The alarm actually had to wake me up at 7 am. Decided to hit snooze and fell right back asleep for 15 more minutes. <br />But then we got up, and ready for Embassy.<br />Ivy was having a shuttle bus pick us up and another AAI couple who are staying here at 8:15am. Since I showered late yesterday afternoon, I didn't wash my hair again and to my surprise, the flat iron worked! (Surprised because the day before the blow dryer wouldn't.)<br />I decided even with that to pull my hair back in a ponytail and wear a headband. Cute! :) I sorta dressed up for Embassy - though it's not required. <br />It just FEELS like an important event. <br />We got ready and went downstairs at about 7:55a. We went into the Kings restaurant, but decided we didn't really have enough time for a sit-down breakfast. I ate a B-bar and a fruit roll anyway.<br />We were then greeted by the other AAI fam in the foyer and chatted about AAI.<br />Not long after, Susan PD came in (who is AWESOME, btw) and said "Okay, let's go!"<br />I was second-to-last out the door, but could spot Megersa on Ivy's lap right away. <br />I sat toward the back and grabbed him to sit with me. Once he was in my arms, he seemed sorta wiggly and restless. I put more hydrocortisone on his cheeks (he's got BAD eczema) - but when I touched his cheeks, he was opening his mouth, so I put a binky in and he fell asleep in seconds. THEY dressed him in a long-sleeved red onesie underneath a blue and pink polo with khacki pants and red socks. <br />I'm glad he looked like a boy! <br />The first day I met him, I had to laugh at the onesie he was wearing - "all american girl"...and was hoping that he would be dressed more gender appropriate for Embassy.<br />We drove over as he slept and when we got out, I put him in the ERGO (I remember he slept for another 10 minutes, but when he woke up he seemed content to just observe and was generally happy in the ERGO.) <br />I decided to get him out of it in the waiting room. There was a small area for toys for toddlers/young school-aged children and a bunch of chairs - it was very full! <br />He still seemed squirmy and I thought he might be hungry. I got the bottle out and as soon as he saw it, he started wimpering. Poor baby! I went as quickly as I could but he was starting to get impatient. Never cried, but looked so pitiful!<br />I had Mom hold him. I'm not great at bottles yet..not much experience - the bottle, the drop-in, the nipple, add the formula & water, shake, screw it on. not hard stuff, but torturous I'm sure to a hungry baby! <br />He was JAZZED after his bottle. Smily and cooing at the other Ethiopians. There were about 4-5 families from AAI and several from different agencies. We just waitied our turn as we chatted. I went to the bathroom, then came back and put him back in the ERGO (to get ready). We waited probably about 45 minutes overall before our turn. When they called us up (actually, Gail came and got us) we had to walk upstairs. <br />It was about as anti-climactic as you can imagine. There was another waiting room upstairs, but I was told to walk to the open window with Gail standing beside me. <br />The American women behind the glass was friendly enough, though I thought it was so bizarre to have the entire thing (except the very bottom) covered in thick-walled plastic. Like at a bank. What's with the security?<br />Hm. I could barely hear her questions. I can't reember them all, but something like this:<br />Are you the person on these forms? Yes.<br />Is this the child you were waiting for? Yes.<br />Is this the child that was referred to you? Yes.<br />What happened to the child's parents? He was abandonded.<br />Who found him? I said a police officer and social worker. But Gail corrected me saying it was an individual walking and a PO.<br />Is your husband here? No.<br />Have you met the child before or after you passed court? After.<br />Do you know this adoption is final? Yes.<br />You know you must re-adopt him according to your state laws? Yes.<br />And there may have been one or two other simple questions, but nothing intense. Easy peasy. <br />She told me we'd get his passport on Friday morning and Gail handed me a red file with all his doctors reports and other paper (haven't opened it yet). Then we walked back downstairs.<br />Megs seemed kinda stinky, so I changed his diaper (and his outfit) and then we played in the little play area.<br />He really enjoys rolling around - moving in general. I was surprised the first day I saw him that he likes to be "wrestled with" or tossed around - totally makes him giggle!<br />He's also very used to being on the floor, so it makes sense.<br />I think when I hold him a lot, he gets really wiggly and starts to shake his body (partly also because he lacks back/neck/leg strength). <br />Even still - he was as happy as a clam.<br />Probably about 15-20 minutes later we left with our group. I had Megersa in the ERGO and he fell asleep again in the car. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps2JCgYeY0NzGL36MoXv7qfq6cLHOrTgkkkf7WNK20h9bKG_ZWoHGZnj-fGwNLKyy2wH2e2To6gr-6lGKDXrR8vCs1GNpFsG1XW9Z81qRVyFEM9fG_9G4cVUfmBRyMowGOT6AB4i40ftB/s1600-h/Embassy,+3.10.10+-+PASSED!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps2JCgYeY0NzGL36MoXv7qfq6cLHOrTgkkkf7WNK20h9bKG_ZWoHGZnj-fGwNLKyy2wH2e2To6gr-6lGKDXrR8vCs1GNpFsG1XW9Z81qRVyFEM9fG_9G4cVUfmBRyMowGOT6AB4i40ftB/s320/Embassy,+3.10.10+-+PASSED!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450053209231191970" /></a> He slept the whole ride, then about an hour after that when we arrived at Layla. I decided to take more pics of the babies and toddlers. They're always readily available for pics! <br />The toddlers kinda just play around all day and it's the cutest thing to see them all eating in their cloth high chairs - feet dangling! :)<br />On Tuesday I heard some little one in one of the baby rooms that was empty. It was filled with broken or unused cribs. I peeked in there and there were these little hands and feet on the floor, and a voice, kinda wimpering. I quickly went to one of the nannies and guestered for her to come to the room. She said "no babies in this room." I nodded my head, but still pointed for her to look. She seemed shocked as she saw the scared little toddler come out from behind the cribs!<br />Seemed as though she and the other nannies were asking questions (maybe pointing fingers, who knows! :) He's fine though.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu123wM81WoGyWAV0Jn-Q3pXYGCAJ0X13gbQidQ_QvYcVVwEB9Ay5fWSg4G1F09qu6-DVhu1913ojt89wGE4Y_DvYcuedmtsdkIJ43K6VF071GIBifW1hkxOjuqNLJRwwxUVT4KJeN-WWI/s1600-h/asleep,+after+embassy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu123wM81WoGyWAV0Jn-Q3pXYGCAJ0X13gbQidQ_QvYcVVwEB9Ay5fWSg4G1F09qu6-DVhu1913ojt89wGE4Y_DvYcuedmtsdkIJ43K6VF071GIBifW1hkxOjuqNLJRwwxUVT4KJeN-WWI/s320/asleep,+after+embassy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450053853992502098" /></a>Okay, so, I gave Megersa some more bottle when he woke up. He doesn't eat much. Maybe a couple oz at a time. He's a slow eater too - which is fine with me. I've been offering him a bottle a lot. I want him to know I am Mommy and can give him food and comfort. <br />We played a little then at about 1pm, I gave him to the nannies so we could go out shopping.<br />We were meeting up with Anna Faulker and Amanda Cadman. She was going to take us to some good places and help us haggle.<br />She was running late, so we walked to Kaldi's again and ate some quick lunch. This time I took no chances and ordered the french toast Anna had the night before. It looked good. I also had a chocolate shake again. Yum. Amanda got a carmel mocha frap which I fully intend to get before I leave on Friday! <br />After lunch, we went with Anna and her taxi driver to the shops.</em><br /><br />And if you can believe...that's all I journaled by hand while in Ethiopia. I will try my best to remember the specific details from that point on! <br />Until tomorrow...Thanks for reading!Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-10261361010500406582010-03-17T05:04:00.000-07:002010-03-17T07:02:43.723-07:00THE TRIP - Day 2, Part 1Because we lost 8 hours going to Addis, we're gonna skip right till Day 2. <br />We left on Monday morning, but after a 15 hour flight, we arrived Tuesday morning.<br /><br /><strong>9:17am - Addis Ababa 3.9.10</strong><em><br />Where did the night go? Well, we had about 3 1/2 hours of dark & qiet. I SHOULD have taken the sleeping pill. I probably fell asleep for 2 hours, or just under - but I bet if I had taken the drugs, I'd have slept much longer! Oh well. My stomach woke me up too. We just ate breakfast like an hour ago. I'd rate ET air food between a 4 and a 5 (out of 10) - not inedible, but not really good. At least it wasn't putrid! :) <br />Anyway, I thought i'd write some final thoughts about our 1st flight before we get off the plane (I believe we've begun the descent - touching down in 30 minutes or so.) I very much enjoyed the big tv screens that cycled through the current time in ET, ETA, time in the zome we were in (at that point) and then there was this cute little animated plane that showed where we started and relatively where we were - surrpounding countries and all). <br />The people were nice. Directly in from of us is another adoptive mother (different agency) who brought 4 friends. Nice & informative. The Ethiopian lady who sat behind us slept the entire way - or so it seemed. Probably 70% of the trip though. Good for her! She must have taken this trip before. Stewardess - nice. Bathrooms were messy most of the time, but not really smelly (so that's a pro). <br />Plane, comfty- but probably could have been brutal if it was full. The fact that the movies started all at once and were on different channels would have been good - if I was awake for the start of them. But I REALLY could have done without being woken up with a "fresh citrusy towel." I was trying to sleep and would have prefered not to be woken up to wash my face with an orange! :)<br />Overall though, it was way better than I had envisioned and I have to thank God (and all those who are praying) for safety and sanity on this long flight.<br />Looks like we probably won't make it for Meg's nap (ETA 9:42a) - It'll probably be 10 before we're off the plane and then we have to get the transit visa, go through immigration and get our bags...have them xrayed then take a shuttle to our hotel. Mentally we're preparing for at least 2 hours for that to happen. I think when we call Gail, we'll ask to meet her at Layla at 3 or so. <br />A nap in a bed and a shower sound divine to me!<br />"Mom" just reminded/informed me it was 1:40a our time. Lucky Tim is sleepibg. Jealous!! :)<br />Speakibg of him - he may have been right about me over-packing! I packed, but did not use these things from my carry on - (though it doesn't mean I won't in ET):<br />my book, my magazine, my snacks - and I brought a bunch (I only ate 1/2 box junior mints and chewed 2 peices of gum). Didn't use the money blet, PSP, DS, crossword puzzle book (though in my defnse I thought it was a word jumble) my extra shirt & undies (though I WOULD pack them again) - & the throw away heating pads.<br />Things I did use - earphones, deoterant, toothbrush & toothpaste, water, gum, & notebook! My hat (my hair is looking bad!) pillow from home, eyelash curler, hand sanitizer (the bathrooms were not equipt with them & some of them didn't have soap!), lotion, tissues and chapstick. </em><br /><strong>We MADE IT!</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoZj0xFcjdB1WsQG6dhaVcoTHfxa4X6LzTb995DCNdcngDorp4ogEpneF_w6q4yCb6Thr6lv4PPoA425OJFZxngoaNtfxS8JddWEXuIBPWumo6gC7DU-WL0lpUTixi7rIEAOy5GODCpu2/s1600-h/we+made+it!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoZj0xFcjdB1WsQG6dhaVcoTHfxa4X6LzTb995DCNdcngDorp4ogEpneF_w6q4yCb6Thr6lv4PPoA425OJFZxngoaNtfxS8JddWEXuIBPWumo6gC7DU-WL0lpUTixi7rIEAOy5GODCpu2/s320/we+made+it!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449601947289108706" /></a><strong>BOLE airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvylvNBlu2QXaTlClvtOAqavcPjzHStOGIUeZI4vBLL47gwSLUmeOl3mNPj1yIUL25OPEYqDdEVbpMWcSqs4uRCH1g95ODNuOSoCogk_R5EvP9VpfPQQcsmnBaC7JxHbDs4EJMq7s7ZPLH/s1600-h/BOLE+airport.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvylvNBlu2QXaTlClvtOAqavcPjzHStOGIUeZI4vBLL47gwSLUmeOl3mNPj1yIUL25OPEYqDdEVbpMWcSqs4uRCH1g95ODNuOSoCogk_R5EvP9VpfPQQcsmnBaC7JxHbDs4EJMq7s7ZPLH/s320/BOLE+airport.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449602544223941266" /></a>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-34076440136161092532010-03-16T09:54:00.000-07:002010-03-16T10:34:44.219-07:00THE TRIP - Day 1, Parts 2-4Okay, both boys are in their rooms. Megersa fell asleep in minutes, and Cale...well, he's still banging around up there - but sleep is coming. :)<br />I'll try my best to type fast, because I'm EXHAUSTED as well! <br />This middle-of-the-night baby jet lag stuff is for the birds. <br />Tim is at work, so if I dont nap while they do, I'm done for!<br /><br />So, lets just dig into the journal:<br /><br /><em>3.8.10 4pm, Eastern Time</em><br /><strong>Got on the plane. Took off around 10:50am I think. The flight isn't too full, so hopefully we can spread out a little bit! I see many empty seats! We're both pretty tired from getting up so early, so we're gonna plan to try and sleep right away.<br />WOW - it's dark! I've been napping, or trying to for probably 2 hours. I'm not sure if I'm really getting any sleep, but I know I'm groggy. I was sitting in the 2 window seats initially, but my legs are so cramped, I switched with Tim's mom. She got a nap in the 3 middle seats - laying down. not sure if she was able to sleep in the 2 though. I can't imagine us being cramped in the 2 seats, side by side. <br />Thank you Jesus for the extra leg room!!<br />Looks like we're about 3 hours from our touch down in Rome. It's dark, dark, dark! Makes me want to keep sleeping or TRY to. But Nana and I are going to play some cards.</strong><br /><br /><em>3.8.10 6pm, Eastern Time</em><br /><strong>Feeling it. Dreading the rest. JUST when I decided to lay back down, the lights came on - and stayed on. I tried to keep laying down, blanket on my face & all, but no dice. Then the carts came down. Too bad the food wasn't good. Some sort of tuna (with celery! :( and a 'stamp' of roast beef, then some waldorf salad - with celery. <br />No thanks! I asked for something else. RAW FISH! (okay, it wasn't raw, but the skin was still attached!!!!), and some fruit. So I ate the small fruit cup and passed on the rest. Supposedly after we take back off (after landing in rome) we'll have breakfast. I'm not really hungry, just thirsty for water. But if I continue drinking I'll pee for the, oh, 4-5th time! ha ha. It is me, so it's to be expected.<br />Oooh! THe lights went out again. Maybe I'll go to the bathroom, then try again to sleep. TRY! We are suppose to get to Rome in 2 hours. So ALMOST 1/2 done with the trip!!</strong><br /><br /><em>3.8.10 8pm, Eastern time...I think.</em><br /><strong>Rome! We made it to Rome - safe and sound!<br />Haven't slept since I last wrote. "Nana" and I talked. Discussed Renee & Seth, Jon & Adele, us, them, David & Amber, etc. I had to yawn several time, but I think holding off and sleeping as close to arrival as possible will help. I'm debating taking a tylenol PM. I'm pretty hungry, so if I sleep through breakfast, I'll be really hungry - more worrisome still, If I take the sleeping pill and CANT sleep, I'll be "dead in the water!" UGH! What should I do, Tim? :) I miss TIm. I wish he were here with me. I also really miss my Cale, though I'm super glad he's not on this flight! 5 hours left though, which is great! <br />Initially I thought 7 hours, then subtracted to 6, but the voice "from above" :) said 5 hours, 10 minutes for this last flight! WAHOO!! I think once we get there, and get through customs & immigration, we'll decide on our plan of attack. ie: going directly to meet Megersa, or going to the hotel, to nap, shower and get ready - THEN spending the rest of the day at Layla. If we get there and he's napping, I'd hate for them to wake him only for him to be scared and grouchy. So, if it doesn't look like we'll make it to Wanna before 12 (which we probably wont) then we'll do the nap/shower thing. I AM an anxious mommy, but I'm not dumb. I can't fire on all cylinders when I'm exhausted. I've gone to the bathroom probably 5-6 times. Small bladder, yes - but at least it gets me to walk around! <br />Okay, I might take 2-3 advil instead of tylenol pm. Decision made.</strong><br /><em><br />TICKETS, PLEASE!</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQbiO6TIU7nDHB3ShYh8ntXYpYF_yJR5_F-MNaQgnWJOOE_DLG2vYFbvtOBqgbWacPm4yh8QDJAwq-_JS9sHqosuo4bs40zPem3zCed6aEeJ76DLyP_5Hla_KHHXz9asxwLH-8OGbUqLz/s1600-h/tickets,+please!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQbiO6TIU7nDHB3ShYh8ntXYpYF_yJR5_F-MNaQgnWJOOE_DLG2vYFbvtOBqgbWacPm4yh8QDJAwq-_JS9sHqosuo4bs40zPem3zCed6aEeJ76DLyP_5Hla_KHHXz9asxwLH-8OGbUqLz/s320/tickets,+please!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449281871358918514" /></a><em>Welcome!</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKT4UGWynbwBJYYBsHeUcYfqTNWoQ8qUDeuM6oTJ-oo9hhrclr2KQNrdF5m7ktUP8heiW04Q0nOEl_z90z60YQhu5xDY0Cp3VZe3IdJCcRoVqK-k3jrOAtJCJ8rhf3HZjF91bvfjX_pkz/s1600-h/welcome+on+board!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKT4UGWynbwBJYYBsHeUcYfqTNWoQ8qUDeuM6oTJ-oo9hhrclr2KQNrdF5m7ktUP8heiW04Q0nOEl_z90z60YQhu5xDY0Cp3VZe3IdJCcRoVqK-k3jrOAtJCJ8rhf3HZjF91bvfjX_pkz/s320/welcome+on+board!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449282599786336002" /></a><em>The cool TV screen that updated us every step of the trip!</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildAhJiJKQvqke_-7eLuKzddFiZ-n_la95EQnsz4hEgNi1f_mPJSlwHNtD3j-gwBfk6bz3JgsqvLRGBJcETdVMtJPqTsF-azLN70Dur00AxmlQ4KExmtFE53cQoSzPG_0ypQBgAYDnBGV3/s1600-h/ET+air+screen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildAhJiJKQvqke_-7eLuKzddFiZ-n_la95EQnsz4hEgNi1f_mPJSlwHNtD3j-gwBfk6bz3JgsqvLRGBJcETdVMtJPqTsF-azLN70Dur00AxmlQ4KExmtFE53cQoSzPG_0ypQBgAYDnBGV3/s320/ET+air+screen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449285844164981426" /></a><em>Our assigned seats.</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXMQTjWpFnsunD7rghJuvTLABjchcdeB9SsXMETPJ5eRAJ16S3YWcJs-IoPFkUpSFs9XoLNQl5-LYkBDvI6ZY1vipAoJoNtOpPScIDrPf7KMlVRG7fHwY1aVb470G-dZlRHiAsfYzKyx8/s1600-h/our+original+seats.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXMQTjWpFnsunD7rghJuvTLABjchcdeB9SsXMETPJ5eRAJ16S3YWcJs-IoPFkUpSFs9XoLNQl5-LYkBDvI6ZY1vipAoJoNtOpPScIDrPf7KMlVRG7fHwY1aVb470G-dZlRHiAsfYzKyx8/s320/our+original+seats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449286394505039042" /></a>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-2957217036841341282010-03-15T11:59:00.000-07:002010-03-15T12:27:14.519-07:00THE TRIP - Day 1, part 1.Okay...I have some free time! Both boys are asleep...for now! Better make this quick. :)<br /><br />Just to preface everything - I am in LOVE with my son. LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM!! Even when he's projectile vomiting on me! haha. I've journaled a bit while on the plane and in my down time at the hotel. I dated each entry, so I'll try to just type what I wrote.<br /><br />Journal entry 1: 3-8-10, 9 am, Eastern time<br />On the plane. WAIT! Not yet. Wow, I'm tired! We're sitting at the gate waiting to board the plane. Our flight was delayed from 9:30a to 10:10a. Not TOO bad. Though waking up at 5 in the morning certainly was! I'm pretty dang tired already. I really hope I can sleep on the plane. Maybe 3 good naps will help me stay awake long enough to be functional. I can't believe I'll be holding my baby in less than 24 hours! <br />Packing is done. Thankfully. Last night I went to "jelly leg" mode for a short time. (When I get so nervous I can barely walk.) But I THINK I have the most important things, and if not, well...too bad. The bags are gone! Megs' bag weighed 42 lbs, mine, 31, donations, 29.5, Nan's 41 lbs. Fewf! My carry on weighs 11 lbs though it seems heavier. I'm not sure I'll use everything in it, but if I don't, I'll just sit there waiting for the time to pass, so I'll try and do stuff purposely when I'm not actively trying to sleep. <br />Waiting in line finally kicked in my "GO" drive. Just seeing all the BEAUTIFUL Ethiopians was like - whoa! We're going to Ethiopia, in AFRICA! To bring back my son!! Praying very hard the flight isn't brutal.<br /><strong>Tim's mom and I in line to check-in!</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMFkSIas2Q59mgxHDHn4Z3BgXb-85hFKDJ4B8lLadiDe_fov-t1BaArA3kroBiH1rVZ2brKVIleNHvNeKJWySawPC4pBH0gEX1UG4lrc4pMxpInYEaNzuet0Oz1dcuYkAXVBliQjGxPFc/s1600-h/IMG00351.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMFkSIas2Q59mgxHDHn4Z3BgXb-85hFKDJ4B8lLadiDe_fov-t1BaArA3kroBiH1rVZ2brKVIleNHvNeKJWySawPC4pBH0gEX1UG4lrc4pMxpInYEaNzuet0Oz1dcuYkAXVBliQjGxPFc/s320/IMG00351.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448937742352936674" /></a><br /><strong>Weighing the bags.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWikyBI3G12H7atQ1i_T6JWR1cREpWNt-WuubqlC4HHuNJIxj9X0OxvQQL1xH0tutOUfaDoklawcHwfZ73RklViKHqWKh03th3v-5TFfaiBh-TTQMXLH38WY0fJxrzaizir3AkrGPisge/s1600-h/IMG00352.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWikyBI3G12H7atQ1i_T6JWR1cREpWNt-WuubqlC4HHuNJIxj9X0OxvQQL1xH0tutOUfaDoklawcHwfZ73RklViKHqWKh03th3v-5TFfaiBh-TTQMXLH38WY0fJxrzaizir3AkrGPisge/s320/IMG00352.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448939277329723250" /></a><strong>Sending the bags through Xray.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQhLE-S7D5qcvel6duVWsf7aD2klLey2GbGOjoTfoFJoA9Fdkq7-3SIpiQMAOI9LZhH9H7IDvDr1WUizf0lZ4Y_H5ZeTqDp4134R7l2XMLL7BP5CX80MOcgv5xSo3DaIPIbtj-KeA3ApN/s1600-h/IMG00353.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQhLE-S7D5qcvel6duVWsf7aD2klLey2GbGOjoTfoFJoA9Fdkq7-3SIpiQMAOI9LZhH9H7IDvDr1WUizf0lZ4Y_H5ZeTqDp4134R7l2XMLL7BP5CX80MOcgv5xSo3DaIPIbtj-KeA3ApN/s320/IMG00353.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448941474474020082" /></a><strong>After going through security!</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDdaZLAxbpxS9eBcUbD5FrNgd_Vz74JphdmwnuwaFdHw7rrtjeDYDrCgS4C9ZLaDeZZgudkSu7SMVIgknMN9ZjMc_Ymt7evMcvkT1sNciiFceqUWyqHiF8cCBvCtYlF_DyGHO7vrMBV4p/s1600-h/IMG00354.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDdaZLAxbpxS9eBcUbD5FrNgd_Vz74JphdmwnuwaFdHw7rrtjeDYDrCgS4C9ZLaDeZZgudkSu7SMVIgknMN9ZjMc_Ymt7evMcvkT1sNciiFceqUWyqHiF8cCBvCtYlF_DyGHO7vrMBV4p/s320/IMG00354.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448942120088324626" /></a><strong>Our Gate.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-62KZHwXpYRyKK0qgAV17yEcoE2dOgBB_isA3jOv_1egOnP6DiwL5jCkxtyIhC01kClT5POZcZ7aL-V1sa2bAqwk1yTKuIFkbvLRgrL_5FXywa62n89gCa6ShCXHsvv5pBZRg2iYOQI2/s1600-h/IMG00357.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-62KZHwXpYRyKK0qgAV17yEcoE2dOgBB_isA3jOv_1egOnP6DiwL5jCkxtyIhC01kClT5POZcZ7aL-V1sa2bAqwk1yTKuIFkbvLRgrL_5FXywa62n89gCa6ShCXHsvv5pBZRg2iYOQI2/s320/IMG00357.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448942610136568962" /></a><strong>Up the escalator to the shuttle that takes us to Gate D.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRd8bS_o8DENzg5rqLDtJxg4cE1xpsEXopV_CjNqnsG7wlojn6qBlfWTqLDvpWgufLKXV3jeIz1Avq80cBdNHqo6n_aOKTfUU8uxqJVPZ4DajWikygO4ato9vfcQqiGoxLS-t5ye70jkS/s1600-h/IMG00358.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRd8bS_o8DENzg5rqLDtJxg4cE1xpsEXopV_CjNqnsG7wlojn6qBlfWTqLDvpWgufLKXV3jeIz1Avq80cBdNHqo6n_aOKTfUU8uxqJVPZ4DajWikygO4ato9vfcQqiGoxLS-t5ye70jkS/s320/IMG00358.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448943236027530882" /></a><strong>In the Shuttle!</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCodUFvF47i2SsnPYJNUmgixWSdUdMOgkIwenlssI6WG_I_NFwKFWKWB-FufK7_1bxLq68Wnxg4G7OvaNIeDA9SEafF3I5z-Nwwj80m3wEfUhUVgsXEC-br5KH1-bHo3C1N0yElhFS_og/s1600-h/IMG00359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCodUFvF47i2SsnPYJNUmgixWSdUdMOgkIwenlssI6WG_I_NFwKFWKWB-FufK7_1bxLq68Wnxg4G7OvaNIeDA9SEafF3I5z-Nwwj80m3wEfUhUVgsXEC-br5KH1-bHo3C1N0yElhFS_og/s320/IMG00359.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448943549259067138" /></a><strong>Our plane...waiting to get on it!!</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s4jNHumXPfszpjPxOrcrWHWNsxxHwxrJw0EesWAISBWru8XByaJIbMRQjZM1JHXRBxqBUp4pzkuaD8pY8QSUZOvpaqiZD0kGK4ucxArzWrBRnFMrCYfbJQSK2d7JICiKe2NDhX2blJDL/s1600-h/IMG00363.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s4jNHumXPfszpjPxOrcrWHWNsxxHwxrJw0EesWAISBWru8XByaJIbMRQjZM1JHXRBxqBUp4pzkuaD8pY8QSUZOvpaqiZD0kGK4ucxArzWrBRnFMrCYfbJQSK2d7JICiKe2NDhX2blJDL/s320/IMG00363.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448943738454324498" /></a>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-40698845087066013672010-03-05T11:04:00.000-08:002010-03-05T11:33:40.229-08:00Unexplanable.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmVS3I0_iTWRi_hzs9KSvEQG7AlLWTOET6X3XJRPlOv4HmiPb6GJt-m_RH6X06btUSJKKagxxQ8U-kQ4Nwyh6bxIDGon2biBkGmAtl34X_96DKzznUZ0x7oRe8HUDqdP4NQ0J7fD5DJhE/s1600-h/heel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmVS3I0_iTWRi_hzs9KSvEQG7AlLWTOET6X3XJRPlOv4HmiPb6GJt-m_RH6X06btUSJKKagxxQ8U-kQ4Nwyh6bxIDGon2biBkGmAtl34X_96DKzznUZ0x7oRe8HUDqdP4NQ0J7fD5DJhE/s320/heel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445232239613269730" /></a><strong>I ate the elbow of the bread today...or the heel, whatever it's called</strong>.<br />If you're my husband, or someone I grew up with then you'll know that this IS a weird statement for me to write. <br />I NEVER eat it. I actually dont think I've ever eaten it (unless I turn it facing in on my sandwich when there is absolutely NO other option, and it LOOKS like a normal sandwich). I think it's repulsive. It's all small, and curled in (and burns when you toast it). I save them for Tim to eat. If he doesn't eat them - I throw them out. I won't even make Cale eat it...because it's weird. <br /><br />So, why did I do it?<br />I DON'T KNOW!<br />I also don't know why I feel <em>LESS</em> prepared to get Megersa then ever. <br />And I have no real reason to feel that way. <br />-Our house is unpacked. Completely. It took me 5 days. <br />((I'd say that's GOOD!))<br />-My bags are packed for ET. I need to check everything once more, and purchase either a fanny pack (it's funny just to write that!) or a money clip, and that'll be that.<br />-Megersa's room is totally done...set up, with clothes in his dresser, diapers out, with the appropriate baby creams, bibs, toys and bottles put away. I've washed down the exersaucer, bumbo, and the fabric for the bouncer, walker and car seat. <br />It's ALL ready!<br />-Tim's feeling great about his new job.<br />-Cale is adjusting well and can't wait until it's warm out so he can go swimming at the community pool. <br />-I've painted my nails, waxed my eyebrows, and even got a spray tan (I know, I KNOW...I'm ridiculous - but I HATE looking pasty in pictures! :)...but still, I dont feel prepared.<br />My mother-in-law is going to arrive tomorrow night, so I hope that'll kick-start my "GO" drive, but I'm not so sure.<br /><br />Will this baby like me? Will he resent me for taking him from his country? Will I be able to juggle two children? Can I handle the logistics of flight and travel?<br /><br />Where are my friends?? I feel sad.<br />I miss them.<br />When my really good friend Mandy moved from IL to CA; I was sad, she was sad, but I didn't know how she felt when she told me she was lonely...because I had our other mutual friends.<br />And now my friends still have each other, but I'm all alone.<br /><br />I'm confident that I have some budding friendships here, and everyone at the church is SO nice and supportive, but for right now...I'll need to quote Cale again to say:<br />"Something's weird."<br />I hope this feeling changes soon.<br />Maybe I won't feel prepared until Megersa is put in my arms...and then the world will seem right...because then I will KNOW that this is real.Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-27980411131628750842010-03-04T06:23:00.001-08:002010-03-04T07:03:25.609-08:004 days?Did I read that right? <br />I'm leaving in 4 days? And since today has started, it's really only like 3 MORE days left here. I'm shocked. <br />Honestly. <br />I'd like to tell you all that it feels SO real right now, but I'm still not processing it! It's like I've had this baby in my heart for so long, that it's hard to fathom actually having him in my hands.<br />The other thing too is - that even though I'm about 95% packed (suitcase-wise), I still have to gather up the documents I need, and the monies I'll bring. That part seems scary to me. <br />I'm the type of person who loses things. And I'm not exaggerating. I recently lost my wedding ring (though thankfully I never got it soddered to my engagement ring, so I still have the diamond!)...<br />I went on a 13 hour bus trip once (IT WAS BRUTAL) with my cousin and sister after our car broke down while driving home from college, and lost my ticket. I put it in my pillow! <br />Who does that!! <br />I'm pretty sure when they asked me where it was I started crying (and when you're a cute college girl they'll give you more passes in life than then old hag I've become - haha!).<br />I've misplaced (and I can say that because I've always found it again) my debit card MANY times, and well, lets just say that I've finally decided to hammered a small nail in to the kitchen wall for my keys to hang off of.<br /><br />So, can you understand the fuss about traveling oversees? <br />I'm not sure if I've mentioned that I've only traveled oversees twice. In 2003 I went on a Missions Trip to Kosovo. It was great - but because it was with the college, I dont remember having anything to worry about but my ticket and passport.<br />In 2007 after we got married, we went to St. Marteen. Well, I was married, so Tim took care of all that stuff.<br />I know, I know...I'm a child! :)<br />So, now I have to worry about bringing a BOATLOAD of cash (for the baby's visa, our hotel, food, and spending money), a form called the I864, I865, I600 and a power of attorney.<br />Not to mention the E-tickets, and perhaps an immunization record (which I don't posses, by the way!)....whoa! I'm getting a little bit nervous about all of that.<br />What's that? I'll be fine? <br />Oh thanks, but I'm still anxious about it.<br />My energy is running out. I have been going NON-STOP with this house, - I've unpacked all but 3 boxes myself (though Tim has been great about setting up curtain rods, putting together the desk, crib, and helping move the heavy stuff).<br />So I'd like to announce that as of today - every box is unpacked! All that's left is deciding which of Cale's toys will go in his room, which will go in the toybox on the main floor, and which will remain in the basement living room/guest room/play room. :)<br />This townhouse is 3 floors with a large set of stairs up to the bedrooms, so I've been walking up and down steps, all day, with boxes in hand for the past 4 days. My muscles are exhausted. And I'm finding that even with sleeping pills, my mind is going a mile-a-minute too! <br />There are a bunch of little things I want to get done too, just personal, beauty-grooming things, that I'm hoping won't take a back-seat to the rest of the madness that is going on. Those are the kinds of things that de-stress me, but they aren't completely necessary.<br />But I press on. <br />Though it might be crazy to try and accomplish EVERYTHING in these last few and next few days, I am very aware that I will most likely NOT accomplish things when I'm home from ET...so I'd like it to be done - NOW.<br />Well, with all that rambling, I need to get back to work....Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-12421927271235471062010-03-01T06:06:00.000-08:002010-03-01T06:25:46.428-08:00ONE WEEK!!I CAN'T BELIEVE I LEAVE IN ONE WEEK!!<br /><br />I'm soooooo excited! I can hardly get myself together enough to wrap my head around it. In one week I'll be holding my son. It's MADNESS! <br />This house looks like a bomb exploded in it! We've got boxes everywhere...<br />I've been working like a crazy women these past few days trying to unpack as best I can, so I will be able to come home to a house that is not in shambles! (though I guess I may be running that risk leaving it to 2 boys while I'm gone...) ;)<br /><br />There are so many things to do before I leave. Please pray I can think clearly, and accomplish what I need to!<br /><br />I got some GREAT photos from a traveling family, and a wonderful update from someone volunteering at Wanna right now.<br />I'll start with the pictures:<br />(<strong>And again, please remember that I can't post them all because other babies are in them that may or may not have passed court...I'll stick soley to the photos of just Megersa</strong>.)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeTijsXXZf57V6K2I-RUEjozWDL-FV464EC_l4zs_457xaQEbfTgTYrys6z8h2uTb6CCjHZ-vmUA535F2mBLm9U9FZAvBzgDs0OgZ8qbK_0Lh6gCr8NdkvgyFFNHqu9Ygi4OzPhEsu8eR/s1600-h/bumbo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeTijsXXZf57V6K2I-RUEjozWDL-FV464EC_l4zs_457xaQEbfTgTYrys6z8h2uTb6CCjHZ-vmUA535F2mBLm9U9FZAvBzgDs0OgZ8qbK_0Lh6gCr8NdkvgyFFNHqu9Ygi4OzPhEsu8eR/s320/bumbo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443668086985031090" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rJel_M9TEqsNht7o54rh5Xs-9eL4lfJXPR-FO7CC4UIKdvQnFvt9uaRdXbWi0_WbdbvgSudpZSld8k-XWaAWta7mzg2Q6wJOL-qVinWLWDNW5r5dlHmdEiUyB5kzUbJAssGM9xjRG5x0/s1600-h/sleepy+Megersa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rJel_M9TEqsNht7o54rh5Xs-9eL4lfJXPR-FO7CC4UIKdvQnFvt9uaRdXbWi0_WbdbvgSudpZSld8k-XWaAWta7mzg2Q6wJOL-qVinWLWDNW5r5dlHmdEiUyB5kzUbJAssGM9xjRG5x0/s320/sleepy+Megersa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443668420483972050" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCmbntcNqIXnfkl-lqrAHqjfowQUc1c4x35cZz5pBiM7e16MUQemz1VlMBsujeaOOyVsc2_w6_-EFur3WVWQoW1KjIhtT7QPyGk-nOMYmtHgIYIrFqKcKfw28JQM70sz7YyVqUbW8IlSY/s1600-h/tummy+time.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCmbntcNqIXnfkl-lqrAHqjfowQUc1c4x35cZz5pBiM7e16MUQemz1VlMBsujeaOOyVsc2_w6_-EFur3WVWQoW1KjIhtT7QPyGk-nOMYmtHgIYIrFqKcKfw28JQM70sz7YyVqUbW8IlSY/s320/tummy+time.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443668550687994738" /></a>Aren't they AWESOME!! :)<br /><br />So those are some pictures, and now for the report I got from one of my friends in OAEG:<br /><br /><em>Hi Katie,<br />I am sorry that it has taken me this long to write to you about Megersa. I have been with him every day that I have been here but it is only now that I can write to you about what a remarkable baby he is. I am sorry that I don’t have answers to all of your specific questions at this time. I hope to have time soon to do an in-depth baby report about all the wonderful questions you wrote.<br />My days are so full here that I am lucky if I can get a chance to check in on all of our loved ones much less spend any real time playing and loving on them. I have had some parents with immediate and critical concerns that have taken a lot of day and brain-space so I haven’t been able to focus on all the little details that I would have liked to about Megersa.<br />Oh, Katie! He is so cute and with such a funny personality. He will giggle at the smallest thing and really make this chuckle like you wouldn’t believe. Louder than any of the other babies in his room. Last night he was sitting in the bumbo and I was on the floor beside Tariku. Megersa sneezed. I looked at him in surprise and jumped a little at the sound for dramatics. He gave me that shocked look that is in so many of the photos with his eyes wide. I let him see I was playing by starting to mimic his sneeze. I did a big “AHHH CHHOOO!” He just about fell out of his bumbo with laughter. I could do it again and again and the same response each time.<br />He is so attentive. I scooted his chair and Deratu’s chair and Tesfaye and Mintenoset so that they could see me and started in on a game of patty-cake with Tariku’s hands. When I would get to “roll them”, I would go around and roll each of their feet and hands. Megersa would watch me so carefully and would anticipate when it was his turn. He would just about squeal in delight at the thought of it being his turn. And then throw back his head and give me just the funniest full-gum view of his mouth as he giggled. So cute.<br />He seems to sleep very well and is asleep often times when I get there. Yesterday, when he woke up one of his nannies put a little engineer hat on his head. I propped Minty’s mirror in front of him so that he could see. He would raise his eyebrows and feet and hands and just sat like that, totally engaged, for a long time.<br />He has a little rash on his left cheek. I wonder if it is from drool while he sleeps or if it is from teething. Hard to say. It doesn’t seem to bother him in the slightest.<br />I am so looking forward to meeting you and your mother in law. The Kings Hotel is not far from here and when I pass it, I think of you coming and get excited. I wish for you a safe journey. Please let me know how I can help make it successful for your family. I am thrilled for both Megersa and yourself that the time is coming soon for him to go home to your loving and fun home.<br />Much love and good thoughts your way, Morgan</em><br /><br />Reading that made me SO happy! I can't wait to experience this all first-hand! And so soon!! YAY!!Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-31227401597363784872010-02-24T11:53:00.000-08:002010-02-24T12:58:46.456-08:00child departure report!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LeppMj3aLd-d938B-cD5YdIgufmkxAcQa_PFRw3B7SfHOv54hMQZksoYN_hU-PSOphcXVgvYTVTQatu9eUusBBVGSCt62BwUet-bGCAczer_0d0MDY7ypLXLnAsHCn9I__0dNT1zcP8U/s1600-h/Megersa+Jace+1.25.10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LeppMj3aLd-d938B-cD5YdIgufmkxAcQa_PFRw3B7SfHOv54hMQZksoYN_hU-PSOphcXVgvYTVTQatu9eUusBBVGSCt62BwUet-bGCAczer_0d0MDY7ypLXLnAsHCn9I__0dNT1zcP8U/s320/Megersa+Jace+1.25.10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441917310975874098" /></a>Last night we got Megersa's departure report! This is the last bit of info we think we'll get before we leave to get him. :) Basically if you get it - you're getting close! AND WE ARE - 12 days and counting....<br />I've corrected the typos they had in it: <br />They had my name as Kathleen.<br />It was stated he was 4 months, though the birthdate was correct, so I changed it.<br />Where it says cereal, it previously said cerelac (that one took me a few minutes to figure out what they are talking about)...<br />and I'm seriously doubting (though I haven't corrected it) that Megersa is in 0-3 month clothing. The weight/height/hc is the same as it was a month ago, so my guess is that they didn't re-weigh him, etc...and even then, he was 13 1/2 lbs. I'm guessing he's in 6 month clothing. I'd rather bring him clothes a little too big, than too small.<br />But for the rest, here it is:<br /><br /><br />Name: Megersa <br />Family Name: Timothy and Kathryn Nester <br />Age: 5 months (Birthday: September 3, 2009) <br />Location: Layla House, came from Shashemene <br /><br /><strong>Feeding Schedule</strong>:<br />Food the baby eats: Cereal<br />What the baby drinks: Kirkland Infant Formula <br />7am – cereal<br />10 am – formula (180 ml)<br />1 pm – formula<br />4 pm – formula<br />5 pm – cereal <br />Nap from 12:30-3:30p <br /><em>We have switched to a personalized feeding schedule based on age and weight, rather than our previous set-time feeding schedule.</em> <br /><br /><strong>Clothing Sizes</strong>: 0-3 months (He is skinny/has a small frame, but he will need the next size up soon) <br /><strong>Observations/Concerns/Comments</strong>:<br />When placed on back, does he/she wave arms and kick legs? yes<br />Can he/she roll over? yes<br />When placed on stomach, can he/she use forearms as props to lift head and/or chest? yes<br />Can he/she sit with support? yes<br />Can he/she sit-up unaided? Not quite<br />Does he/she keep balance while bending forward to grasp a toy? no<br />Can he/she crawl? no<br />Can he/she grasp furniture to pull self up to standing position? no<br />Can he/she stand with support of adult? no<br />Can he/she walk? no<br />Is he/she babbling or beginning to speak? Just baby noises<br />Does he/she bring objects to his/her mouth? yes<br />When feeding, does he/she use hands to grasp cup or bottle? sometimes<br />Can he/she grasp toys? yes<br />Does he/she have an interest in particular types of toys? Toys with faces such as animals<br />Can he/she shake a rattle? yes<br />Can he/she pass an object from hand to hand? yes<br />Does he/she respond to his/her name? yes<br />Does he/she turn towards noises? yes<br />Can he/she track an object with his/her eyes? yes<br />What is his/her weight? 6.12 Kilo<br />What is his/her length? 65.5 cm<br />What is his/her head circumference? 43.5 cm<br />Does he/she play peek-a-boo? Not really <br /><br /><strong>Observation</strong>: Megersa is a sweet baby. The first day I observed him, he was very quiet and tired. He had a bit of a cough, so I think that is why he was so mellow and a bit fussy. After a couple of days he seemed to warm up to me, and he became very responsive. He grabbed my hands and smiled when I sang with him. He really enjoys being held but does not cry when set back down. Truly, he is a good natured infant. Physically, Megersa is quite wobbly, and I think he lacks some strength. However, with time I’m sure he will become strong. I noticed that he had a bald spot on the back of his head. Still, he is very handsome. With his smiles and loving nature, he will make a great addition to the family. <br /><br />Observation By: Chelsea Cunningham, Layla House Volunteer<br /><br />So, that's it! I wish they attached a picture of him. I haven't seen a new one in over a month, but I will see him face-to-face soon enough!!Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-91699754898585187842010-02-23T10:54:00.000-08:002010-02-23T11:36:12.780-08:00Eastern time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF_WTSWLb8HOvJbg7zT42-X751_xzETudVe-VdYW-iKkvWyrQPmnYB7SMyt3ovSq4FCZGPNMRB5aoA83AymJnutcsyAR4XASQKWurOmCiU7uZ1D65wcK6SGj-CQYBFeNcbW23ARuXtniO/s1600-h/time_zone_map_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF_WTSWLb8HOvJbg7zT42-X751_xzETudVe-VdYW-iKkvWyrQPmnYB7SMyt3ovSq4FCZGPNMRB5aoA83AymJnutcsyAR4XASQKWurOmCiU7uZ1D65wcK6SGj-CQYBFeNcbW23ARuXtniO/s320/time_zone_map_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441524849227208098" /></a><br />Well, I'm in the Eastern time zone. For good. It was weird changing my phone this time (for those of you who don't know - you have to manually change your blackberry phone when entering a different time zone). Normally when I travel, I just leave it. It's only an hour difference, and I can do the math! :)<br />But, I'm back to Eastern time. I grew up in Eastern time, but spent the last 4 years in Central time. Tim's excited to "be back" but I could care less either way.<br /><br />The last few days were a whirlwind of packing and saying goodbye. <br />When Cale was learning to repeat us, months back, he started saying "something's weird." Just out of he blue. I know he didn't know what he was saying, but he must have heard us say it at one point. Well, Sunday, when Tim woke me up for church, I looked at him and said "Something's weird." :) And it still feels weird.<br /><br />Our church farewell party on Sunday night was sad. I'm going to really miss a lot of people. I didn't cry TOO much, but it was definitely hard watching people walk out the door of the church and wondering if I'll see them again. ((Thank goodness for FACEBOOK!!)) The teens took it extremely hard too. They REALLY love Tim. And why not? He's an AWESOME youth pastor and such fun to be around! I know I'm sad when I'm not with him...even for a few days!<br />We'll miss you Faith Baptist! <br /><br />Yesterday Cale and I flew from Chicago to Wilkes-Barre. <br />We left the house at 11:30am and as Tim and Cale were waiting for me in the car - I didn't really get a chance to look around for the last time, I just grabbed my carry-ons, my coat & Cale's pillow, and just ran out the door... <br />Our house was by far my favorite place I've lived. Good memories, nice layout, good location, no parents, no landlords...etc. <br />But I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to it.<br />So, I will now: "Goodbye house!" <br />Goodbye gigantic master bedroom and bathroom with walk-in closet.<br />Goodbye favorite stool at the kitchen counter. <br />Goodbye playroom that helped de-clutter the house.<br />Goodbye trampoline.<br />And just so it's not too sappy - I also want to add:<br />Good riddins to the moles that made our yard look like a discusting mess.<br />Good riddins to the temperature difference downstairs vs upstairs.<br />Good riddins to the ugly painted cabinets.<br /><br />Ah. I feel better now. :)<br />I'm anxious to get to our new place and try my best to unpack before I leave for ET!!<br />I can't believe it's only 13 days away!! Cale was an ANGEL on the flight yesterday.<br />If you know him, you'll know what a statment that is! <br />He's not a BAD kid on flights - just extrememly energetic...as is his usual behavior. He doesn't sleep, and has a hard time sitting still or using his 'inside' voice. BUT, someone must have been praying for me yesterday (THANKS BABE!), because I think our hour delay was JUST what we needed. I found the 'kid port' in the airport, filled with ALL KINDS of fun things for him to do. It was made by the Chicago Children's museum, and Cale had a blast! I took some great pictures too...I just wish I had my cord that connects to the computer. Oh well.<br />I think it wore him out, so he was perfectly content to sit on the airplane and watch his favorite movie. He was a dream. :) This guy sitting across from me kept saying how he was so jealous that Cale was such a well-behaved (almost) 3-year-old!<br />I usually pack my carry on full of things to entertain Cale with, and if there is room, I'll throw in a magazine for me. Well, he was so entertained by sample seat belt the steward gave him, and the snacks & his movie...that I didn't know what to do with myself. I actually flipped through my entire magazine, then decided to "rest my eyes!" :) How about that?<br /><br />Okay, well, I'm here in PA until Friday afternoon. Kinda bored here during the day with my brothers in school and my Dad & step-mom at work. Plus, I'm without car and cell phone service...but hey, at least I have the internet!<br />I'm sure I'll be updating my blog more often with non-interesting ramblings such as this one. :) But, I promise I won't blog 2x in one day!<br />Until tomorrow.Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-30838780955520435232010-02-19T11:45:00.001-08:002010-02-19T12:04:34.527-08:00Remember when...This is one of Cale's FAVORITE things to do these days...playing the "remember when" game. He has an EXCELLENT memory! Really, I'm so impressed!<br />The first time I think he started with the "remember when" stuff...was a few months ago. Tim, Cale & I went to Sam's Club for a family date. We walked around, got free samples, and then went to their little food court for pizza and hotdogs. <br />Cale was kneeling on those bench seats they have - very excited and moving around, when he fell off. He went straight back and crashed on the floor. He cried for a little while and said his arm hurt, but of course, he was alright after some snuggles.<br />At any rate, it had been months since the incident, and one day, out of the blue, Cale said to me "Mommy, 'member when we went to Sam's Club, and I fell down, and got an owie, and cried, and hurt my arm, and ate pizza?...'member that Mommy?"<br />I mean, WOW! I was so impressed...I'm surprised he didn't tell me what we were wearing, too!<br />Well, since then, he has been great at 'remembering' events. It's been fun.<br />So, to that end, I want to ask you:<br /><strong>Remember when I blogged about the card I sent to Megersa?</strong> <br />Well, at the end of last month, a traveling family open it for him. So, I thought I would post pictures of him looking at it!<br />((I can't post them ALL, because not all of the baby's have passed court - and well, you know the rules!)) But it was ADORABLE - all of the babies on the floor were diggin' it - the card got everyone's attention! Way to go, Mommy! :)<br />Here are some great ones of my boy, looking at his family:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-Ai6jyvnxhirSzHS04LWva7AtrrFqa8SpjME41UJLPzC7_exHC4jmPnQ-R0ckyTOyRU8mW0Cmddzv3ouiFUI_Ywg1HauBOGNSGIMujohU9_auKLQ54Rowz043AkiY_hODbp_X52txHRs/s1600-h/Megersa's+card..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-Ai6jyvnxhirSzHS04LWva7AtrrFqa8SpjME41UJLPzC7_exHC4jmPnQ-R0ckyTOyRU8mW0Cmddzv3ouiFUI_Ywg1HauBOGNSGIMujohU9_auKLQ54Rowz043AkiY_hODbp_X52txHRs/s320/Megersa's+card..jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440046021735440674" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV71e-aG6p6aLGAV6oEnYKvxUP4_c5n9lJu35pfD9NtEftJj8pK-kTlQTvt-wWDh0a8f-thS8BXhM-Hwr8CRan27n9Bv-xhnDP093Gi4zhaCWaktM-xl9UMRfnsOLDKTslsMi2tsy2HUY/s1600-h/even+took+a+breat+from+his+toy+to+look+at+it!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV71e-aG6p6aLGAV6oEnYKvxUP4_c5n9lJu35pfD9NtEftJj8pK-kTlQTvt-wWDh0a8f-thS8BXhM-Hwr8CRan27n9Bv-xhnDP093Gi4zhaCWaktM-xl9UMRfnsOLDKTslsMi2tsy2HUY/s320/even+took+a+breat+from+his+toy+to+look+at+it!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440045365182560434" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7dhrN0lLhZFedzkj8yM9bWUvE_bdSQjoAbUOFd0Kfb0XLASN1nL-tUixgbLIbjllBqxtZmc9aRN2ISemh2trt_66-RfLzqKgBLMCDXx0HhfrfnH5jB78IaZbDw29IyCcJ7RHksPUzLfa/s1600-h/lights+AND+sound!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7dhrN0lLhZFedzkj8yM9bWUvE_bdSQjoAbUOFd0Kfb0XLASN1nL-tUixgbLIbjllBqxtZmc9aRN2ISemh2trt_66-RfLzqKgBLMCDXx0HhfrfnH5jB78IaZbDw29IyCcJ7RHksPUzLfa/s320/lights+AND+sound!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440045626210567234" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZabxk30Nh3xtMpt250zx4rDACj-ue-EQvrIte1yBBUW1iqWWqYlpDnpThtb0W4L5YK4iCP4B755pFS1yQb93l1jLE7pUWWbDCiA_xqtjTVFDkVNyqp35nnTyBA7oEzdbHl_4wF2elcSo/s1600-h/Megersa+Nester%27s+2nd+crib.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZabxk30Nh3xtMpt250zx4rDACj-ue-EQvrIte1yBBUW1iqWWqYlpDnpThtb0W4L5YK4iCP4B755pFS1yQb93l1jLE7pUWWbDCiA_xqtjTVFDkVNyqp35nnTyBA7oEzdbHl_4wF2elcSo/s320/Megersa+Nester%27s+2nd+crib.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440045835064130578" /></a>So, all in all...3 dollars WELL spent.<br />I know my last post was kinda 'heavy' so I thought this would totally be appropriate for now! I look forward to the next steps in life! They may be scary, but I wanted to share a verse a friend of mine shared with me:<br />"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Is 41:13<br />This is just what I needed today. :)Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-70784411232227688562010-02-17T11:52:00.000-08:002010-02-17T13:17:13.111-08:00Homesick<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl0j7AQ7g-Ku8mkFQwMBMgMAAUXCPZbu2eTGWrDD4wmCBr8IV5E190enzZ8JyDJnFO9N8wTsltL3YfSL1hmg6U4V_Ev_1qIZpjLnpsGK597hYRyigz3_efmSLcWN_4yTr96HM5lOz70t4/s1600-h/homesick.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl0j7AQ7g-Ku8mkFQwMBMgMAAUXCPZbu2eTGWrDD4wmCBr8IV5E190enzZ8JyDJnFO9N8wTsltL3YfSL1hmg6U4V_Ev_1qIZpjLnpsGK597hYRyigz3_efmSLcWN_4yTr96HM5lOz70t4/s320/homesick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439324413372624114" /></a>Can you be homesick for more than one thing at a time?<br />Can you be homesick for a home you haven't left...or a home you've never been?<br />Can you be homesick in the place of someone else? How about for someone you've never met? Can you be anticipate being homesick, and become homesick?<br /><br />Well, I'm sure this is all debateable...but I'll bet you can guess what my answers to these questions are:<br />I say yes. One person can experience all these things.<br />And now that I'm living them, I can say that it's possible to feel all these things at the same time.<br /><br />We are leaving IL in 5 days. We have not moved out yet. I haven't really had to say "goodbye" to any close friends yet...but I'm already homesick thinking about it.<br />I honestly can tell you that <em>I didn't think it was going to happen</em>. I've been SO focused on Megersa and the 'next step' in the process to bringing him home, that I hadn't noticed that time was zipping by...the clocks still work, and the calendar is correct, it's just that...I guess I haven't been paying attention. <br /><br />I feel like I became a women in IL. Sure, that sounds silly. I moved to IL when I was 22...I had been married for a year...and I was a college student (somewhat ;) - that should classify me as an adult women, shouldn't it?<br />Well sure. Technically. But, I don't know.<br />I've experienced so many things in my life here.<br /><strong>Tim's first job </strong>- (and our first apartment that wasn't married student housing).<br /><strong>Becoming a Mom</strong>. Whoa...that one was HUGE! I think after you become a mom, you instantly grow up 10 years in maturity (or you should). <br />When you become a mom, it's like something "clicks!" <br />You realize that God has blessed you with life. One of His children is now in YOUR care, and you and your husband are the sole providers for them. That's a tremendous responsibility!!<br /><strong>I made a lot of long-standing friendships here</strong>. <br />You know, high school friends, even some college friends were good 'for a season' - in that time of life friends were <em>the most important thing</em>...and there are a few I still keep in regular contact with, but not really the character-building women I've grown to know and love here. <br />And I hadn't really thought of how things would affect others THROUGH Cale. Cale makes friends so easily. He wears his little heart on his sleeve, like his mommy. He's got some buddies here that I'm sure he'll ask about when we're in MD...but I hadn't contemplated people really missing him that much!<br />That sounds bad. Obviously people have said that they will miss us...but I mean, specific to Cale. I have a friend whose son is 3 weeks younger than Cale. Patty and I were pregnant together, and were due a day apart. Cale and Hogan have been playmates for almost 3 years...so when she said to me sadly, "Katie, I always thought our boys would grow up together..." it was heart-breaking.<br />Maybe I'm just noticing things now. Like the look in our Pastor's wife, Joni...(who has been an awesome example to me, and has been a surrogate Gramma to Cale) as she was playing with Cale, saying how much she'll miss him....<br /><strong>And our adoption process started here</strong>. It's so very hard to walk through this process without friends holding your hands...I've been so fortunate to have that. So telling them thanks for playing, but I can't share the prize, was hard. :( The ticking of the clock is a countdown to when I'll be homesick for IL.<br /><br />But I'm kinda homesick for Maryland. I am excited about the opportunities, the close proximity to my family in PA, and the new friends I hope to make. I'm wanting it to feel like home, so that when I come home from Africa with Megersa, we will ALL be home. I just want to get there...and start settling in. <br /><br /><em>Can I be homesick for Cale, even though I haven't left him</em>? I've only been away from him for 1 night, on 2 seperate occasions. And before you think I should "cut the apron strings" please note that I really haven't had much opportunity. Am I suppose to just leave for the sake of being gone? <br />That kid is the biggest part of my life right now...it'll definitely be hard to leave him for any extended amount of time.<br /><br /><strong>And I'm homesick for Megersa</strong>. I have been since the first day I saw his picture. I want him to be with me so much...but I know I'm going to feel so badly as we leave on the airplane. We are ripping him from the only thing he knows. His country, his people. The sights, sounds, smells....this is a lot to take away from a baby.<br /><br />Of course thinking about being homesick, makes you more homesick. <br />Honestly!<br />At camp, when kids would start to cry at night, I started thinking about them being homesick...and inevitably I would end up homesick too. <br />Tim said we should take things "One step at a time." I agree.<br /><strong>But this stairmaster is on HIGH!!</strong> <br />Can we re-set it?? :)<br /><br />I'm so thankful that I have God to help me through all of this time of transition. I can lean on Him, and the awesome husband he gave me. I'm not sure why the wave that I've been staring now feels like it's suddenly crashing down on me...but I'm glad that I have a life preserver. <br />These verses have been swirling around in my head:<br /><em>Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. - Eph 6:10<br />What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. - Psalm 56:3<br />Your love, O God, reaches to the Heavens...your faithfulness, stretches to the sky. Psalm 57:10</em>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-27908973941439398612010-02-12T21:25:00.001-08:002010-02-14T19:27:14.387-08:00Details, details.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsawV4oXjy4uDt92eu42SX7vamuoj7QM2gtuWaEf6Q0DzvhmUJpxT2NiuJ2Gdt76GSJ7GhleRex_ZfFdFCk0hLDqsxNIPaz0WXdU5hnusrCBFvd3Mbkx4VQBuTLHbw7vv1iKKVPZ5ZH0V/s1600-h/ethiopian_air_01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsawV4oXjy4uDt92eu42SX7vamuoj7QM2gtuWaEf6Q0DzvhmUJpxT2NiuJ2Gdt76GSJ7GhleRex_ZfFdFCk0hLDqsxNIPaz0WXdU5hnusrCBFvd3Mbkx4VQBuTLHbw7vv1iKKVPZ5ZH0V/s320/ethiopian_air_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438234829844243890" /></a><br />We've decided to go with Ethiopian Air. It flies out of DC straight to Addis. <br />Emirates sounded really good and was recommended by many people. But I'm confident that EA will be fine too, as long as it stays in the sky!! :)<br />We don't have EVERYTHING set in stone yet - but here is our flight itinerary -<br /><br />Going to ET:<br />We leave March 8th from DC at 9:30am.<br />Stop in Rome to refuel...but do not de-plane.<br />Arrive in Addis Ababa, 8:30am - March 9th.<br />Total travel time: 15 hrs.<br /><br />Returning home:<br />We leave March 12th from Addis at 10:15pm.<br />Stop in Rome to refuel...<br />Arrive in Washington DC at 7:35am.<br />Total travel time: 17hrs, 20 min.<br /><br />WHOA. Seeing it all mapped out there makes me anxious! Anxious excited...and anxious nervous....a little of both. <br />See, I do not travel well. And to explain myself, perhaps I need to defend myself. ;)<br />Traveling didn't occur very much in my family growing up. Almost my ENTIRE family - both sides of the family, grandparents, cousins, etc...lived within a 30 minute radius from each other.<br />I actually can remember DRIVING to Canada, and thinking that those 7 hours were the LONGEST hours of my life!!! Silly Katie. <br />This was before DVD players in the car...or Nintendo DS or IPODs or wireless internet, so you have to cut me SOME slack!<br /><br />If you've read my previous posts...you'll know I'm a horrible sleeper. I am TOTALLY over-thinking the sleep thing right now.<br />But I want to be on the 'top of my game' when I meet Megersa!<br />I want to be there for him and not be grouchy because I'm so tired - and I AM GROUCHY when I am tired.....ask Tim.<br />Plus, I HATE to wake up early. Early for me is before 7:30am. Honestly. <br />What's that? You think "that's nothing!" - well, shut it....it's early for me! :) <br />Tim and I are not morning people.<br />Before we had kids, we'd stay up till 2 in the morning, and then sleep in till 11am.<br /><strong>Sigh.</strong><br />If I listed the specific things that contributed to my "over-thinking" I'm sure it would only make me think about it more. I just have to FOCUS ON THE PRIZE!<br />The rest will work itself out. I will not fall over from exhaustion, but I won't be rested. I'll get through it! :)Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-38894760999156616872010-02-10T18:27:00.001-08:002010-02-10T19:55:17.979-08:00Square DancingI want to start off by saying that God's blessings REALLY are new every morning. These past few mornings, especially so....<br /><br />Now, to the story:<br />*Square dancing is the one where everyone switches parnters, isn't it?<br />Let's pretend yes, so the title fits. :)<br /><br />Tim is no longer going to ET. His father is not going to ET.<br />But, Tim's mother is going. And I AM GOING!!<br /><br />Okay, so you might be thinking that all the previous posts have said that Tim was going, and how I was so okay with it, and how it was the best decision...etc.<br /><br />And you're right. The decision for me to stay was based off these factors:<br />1. My biggest priority would be for one of us to stay with Cale. (I do not think he is ready for a huge move & his parents to leave him for a week.)<br />2. Tim had decided that he was too uneasy about letting me travel alone with just one other female. He said it was either the 2 of us go together, or I stay home. (And because of rule 1, I planned to stay.)<br />Tim's reasonings were good - he wanted to protect me. He felt like having a male there (whether it be him or his father) would put his mind at ease. But, he hasn't been in touch with traveling families. I explained to him that many women travel alone, or with other women. It was safe. I still understood and respected his protective side.<br /><br />So, how did things change, you ask?<br />Well...I guess it all started when I got the email stating we could have traveled on Feb 24th. Though I think it was all IN LOVE :) - perhaps I went a bit overboard "being sad" and pestering Tim if there was ANY WAY we could get Megs at the end of Feb. He was feeling really upset by it all.<br /><br />Now, before I finish up the decision-making part of this story, I'll have to tell you, that throughout this past year I have "checked-in" with Tim (oh, probably about a 100 times) as to whether or not he's changed his mind...and would let me travel with his mother. The answer was always the same - with me, or nope (and I went back to Cale needing to be with one of us). So...in case you are thinking that I'm a wishy-washy, spur-of-the-moment decision maker, please know I am not. NOT on the big stuff anyway.<br /><br />I've watched probably a hundred episodes of 'A Baby Story' (mainly when I was pregnant with Cale), and I was always touched by the miracle of birth - no matter to who, or how it came about...BUT, I would really cry when I watched the episodes that were devoted to Adoption baby stories (they are few and far between though).<br />When I saw the mother waiting in the room for her baby she had waited SO long for - and then they hand them to her...I mean, who WOULDN'T cry?! It's so touching.<br /><br />Anyway, I guess I've always pictured that moment after we started the process...and it'd be me, with our Ethiopian baby. Before we received his referral - and maybe before I fell TRULY in love with him, I thought I could persuade my mind that the moment would be just as magical when Tim came off the plane with him. <br />And, if things hadn't changed...I'm sure it would have been. <br />((You know, I had a C-section, and wasn't able to hold Cale right away, which would have been my first desire -but I couldn't touch him until I was all stitched up. Even still...the moment I DID get to hold him was still magic.))<br /><br />So now that you know the desire I've had since the beginning of the process was rooted deep, I can tell you what transpired to really change Tim's mind.<br /><br />The night that I read the email about Embassy dates, I layed awake thinking of the possible scenerios - was the time that it 'clicked.' A loop in the rule system...<br />If I couldn't go without a man...I COULD still go...AND have someone stay with Cale.<br />I'd just go with BOTH of Tim's parents, and he could stay home!<br />Truthfully, I'd prefer to go with just his mom, but it followed both rules, right?<br /><br />I sorta made up my own mind (and if Tim is reading this, I'm sure he's nodding his head) that I would go. That was the NEW decision....<br /><em>Note: I'm not some head-strong women. Generally my "new decisions" are based off of things that I feel pretty confident that Tim will eventually 'come around on'- ie: Megersa's name. :)</em> <br /><br />So I told Tim that I figured out a way to go. And that I wanted to go. I needed to go, and that I think I SHOULD go. :)<br />I told him I'd like him to seriously think it over.<br /><em>And if we're being honest, I think that initially he said Yes because he wanted to 'silence' all talk of the Feb 24th Embassy date...AND that he was starting to think it'd be okay.</em> :)<br />He told me <em>I</em> had to call his mom and ask if she still wanted to go. Then, not 5 minutes later he adds "and maybe you guys could go without Dad."<br />WHAT?? I was baffled!! <br />When Tim asked his father to accompany him months ago, his mom offered to go with as well...but because I feel strongly that I should be the first women Megersa attaches to, I kinda put the kibosh on that. I did feel bad though, because I know she wanted to go...<br />Soooooo, I called. But I kinda got mixed signals from her. Months back when I explained the reasons for me NOT going, she very nicely questioned my decisions (repeatedly so). Looking back, I think she might have been trying to play the devil's advocate (and perhaps this time as well) to make sure my decision was the RIGHT one...and I guess I see her point.<br /><br />But, all in all - Megersa's my son...he's Tim's son. We get to decide how best to care for him, and even if it's a snap decision (which this isn't, as you can see), it's ours to make.<br /><br />I got off the phone with her feeling very confused. Did she not want to go now? I guess I wouldn't go if she didn't want to. I was feeling pretty bummed.<br />But as I drove home from the gym, I called Tim and he said "My mom REALLY WANTS TO GO!" <br />"Huh?"<br />But then he told me the analogy that she gave him - <br />I guess when she was first 'asked' (whether it was by accident or not) she got her hopes up way high. - And I think this is really awesome...don't get me wrong! So when I told her gently that I'd like for me to be the first women he bonded with, she was disappointed. And now <em>"she was like a dog, with a peice of raw meat dangling in front of her face"</em> and she doesn't want us to take it away...her words.<br /><br />That kinda convinced me. Because that is a vivid analogy! ha ha.<br />So, she told me that she'd ask "Dad" if he thought it'd be okay if we went just the 2 of us, and she'd get back to us. Tim said that if Dad thought it was okay for HIS wife to go with just another women, then he'd be okay with his wife doing the same. <br /><br />So she asked Dad and his exact words were something to the effect of "yeah, I dont care if you go alone with Katie!" AH HAHAHAHAHAHA!<br />If you are me, you are imagining the MONTHS of torture Tim endured, and I put myself through, over this very decision - only have it come out the way I had originally dreamed! It's madness!! :)<br />But...that's what been happening over the past few days. <br /><strong>We've been square-dancing.</strong><br /><br />I do want to add that Tim said something super-intuitive, and super sweet recently with regards to this. See, I really do feel bad taking this away from him, and kept trying to "nudge" his feelings out of him on the topic. He told me that he was disappointed he won't be going, but he could tell that I am IN LOVE with Megersa in a way that he doesn't understand yet. He knows it means the world to me.<br />I love my husband!!<br /><br />And since this story has gotten OVER-THE-TOP long, I will continue another day with our flight schedule, travel dates and our dilemma over where to stay.<br />Thanks for following along, and if you've made it this far...I'm impressed!<br /><br />ps. Did you check out the ticker?? 1 month until our Embassy appointment! AHHH!!Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-17125349248102553152010-02-07T12:04:00.000-08:002010-02-07T13:07:03.703-08:00Last Stop: Embassy!I still have a hard time believing I can write this...but:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">WE HAVE OUR EMBASSY DATE SCHEDULED!! - <br />March 10th!</span><br />I can't believe I will be holding my baby in less than 5 weeks!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPwSZV0B3BTtXsXSgLxalfzW0tjGNSuX6D_uT35NNQ7-vvTjh1msH2x3GJjuyZ2AIIQ72bNBl5etNPabC8I5R9E9YPJPzcn15uP7CH7iBGKhDfPkX5fiYkk3WPvU5B-arWnzAj5bwjG-j/s1600-h/pics+from+Beth2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPwSZV0B3BTtXsXSgLxalfzW0tjGNSuX6D_uT35NNQ7-vvTjh1msH2x3GJjuyZ2AIIQ72bNBl5etNPabC8I5R9E9YPJPzcn15uP7CH7iBGKhDfPkX5fiYkk3WPvU5B-arWnzAj5bwjG-j/s320/pics+from+Beth2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435602947162258114" /></a>And even thought I thought I may not write this (because it still really bums me out) I will...for those of you still in the adoption process wanting to know how long things take. We were given the opportunity to travel for the Feb 24th appointment! <br />(So...all in all, from court to being embassy-ready would have been only<span style="font-style:italic;"> 4 weeks</span>!)<br /><br />Here's the story:<br />It had been a little over a week after we passed court, so we were anticipating another week or so until we had any solid information. And because Tim's last 'working' Sunday is the 21st of Feb, he booked a moving truck for Monday the 22nd. I booked flights on the 22nd of Feb. <br />Flights - non-refundable, truck - changeable with fees attached.<br />Everything was running as expected, until we got an email on Friday with Megersa's birth certificate attached. I thought it would have taken longer! In my head I started fantasizing about going to get the baby earlier than March 24, or April 7...but still tried to keep my hopes in check.<br />I know I mentioned that I wrote to my agency director and she said we should find out our travel dates "soon." <br />Well, sure...soon COULD be a week, a few days...but surely not a few hours?! But it was!<br />NOT KIDDING here - I got this email at 2:02am on Saturday:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hi Katie,<br />Gail informed me that she has already received your court decree from the court! Gail is stating that your documents would be ready in time for an interview on February 24th. This would mean arriving in Addis no later than the morning of Feb 23rd and departing as soon as Friday evening the 26th. Would your family be able to make travel arrangement for this date?<br />Alternately, your family could interview on March 10th (arriving by the morning of the 9th and departing as soon as the evening of the 12th). Please let me know which date your husband prefers. </span><br /><br />WHAT??? I MEAN, WHAT????<br />I was shocked beyond belief. Of course I have to tell you that it was the middle of the night when I saw this message, and I COULD NOT sleep after that.<br />Why was I checking my mail in the middle of the night? <br />Good question.<br />See, I'll have to admit this ugly truth in order for you to understand: <span style="font-style:italic;">I am in love with my Blackberry.</span><br />There - I said it!! Seriously, when I got a scratch on it last Sunday, I wanted to cry! It's kinda ridiculous....<br />At any rate, I woke up at 3 am to the sound of Cale crying, so I went downstairs to comfort him, and as I came back upstairs, I noticed my blackberry blinking at me.<br />For those of you without blackberries - they 'blink' red when you have a new text, voicemail, email, missed call...etc. <br />Why did I NEED to check this in the middle of the night? <br />I don't know. It's a compulsion. <br />But, I did...and I saw an email from AAI. My heart stopped for a second. What could this be about? Was something wrong with Megersa? <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NOPE! We had our travel dates!!!</span> <br />Wow, what a rush!<br />I woke Tim up immediately to tell him the good news, but he told me that we could chat more about the dates when he was "awake." <br />How he fell right back asleep I can not tell you! <br />My mind was whirring! The wheels were turning. I was determined to SOMEHOW make the Feb embassy date work. ((You know, if it had - I would be holding my baby in 2 weeks))......................<br />As you can see from the new countdown 'ticker', there was no solution to be found.<br /><br />But I spent the hours of 3am-6am thinking of every possible solution to moving and getting Megersa in the same week:<br />~I could fly out with both of Tim's parents (Tim REALLY wouldn't want me to travel with just another women - ie: my mom, or his mom...but if BOTH his parents went, that'd be okay, right?)<br />Ugh...I didn't get the shots...oh well, I could rush to get them, right? Sure, it'd be another $300+ and we'd lose that $300+ we spent on Tim getting shots.<br />Plus, I booked the flights to PA for Cale and I. I checked to see if I could get a refund - Nope. That'd be wasting almost $900. This was not the solution.<br />~Maybe Tim could still go, and I could handle all the moving? I could do it! I'd just need to: arrange people to help pack the truck...lose the money spent on my plane tickets, and drive, alone with Cale for 12 hours to MD, then arrange for people from our new church to help unpack the truck (all this while entertaining Cale without Tim). hm... - not likely.<br />~Maybe we could move earlier? We'd just pay the extra fee required to change dates on the rental truck. Oh, and ask our current church if that was okay...and skip out on the farewell party they're throwing us....then lose the money we spent on the tickets. - Doable, but kinda selfish. :(<br />~Could we move LATER?...losing the tickets...and not getting paid from either church (from our last paycheck here, until the first one there). Not feasible.<br />Though I thought through each scenario very carefully, I was STILL giving Tim the "puppy eyes" and telling him I was sad...<br />Unfortunately this went on for most of the morning, until the last "no dice" roll was cast - Tim called his parents (remember the plan was/is for Tim's dad to accompany him to ET to get Megs)...and both said that the week of Feb 24th would not have worked.<br />Humph. I kinda figured it wouldn't work out as soon as I saw the dates in the email, but what kind of Mother would I be if I didn't DESPERATELY want it to work out? I've been waiting to see and hold the baby God has given me for almost a year and a half! <br />Looking back, 2 weeks was like NOTHING to wait, but looking forward - 2 more weeks is an eternity! I'm still getting over it.<br /><br />BUT...in all reality, March 10th is NOT that far away! It's sooner than we thought, and it'll give us time to settle in to our new place. It would have been extremely hard to get a new baby/move and unpack all at once...so this is the right decision.<br />I'm just so stinkin' excited! <br />We're at the last stop! It's all a dream, I think. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A dream coming true:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEtFI4PO48uOI08nF7YZx1hD2gY4SsI2Tp0F2obG6xrZfsBrhvPh6upFWYB_jqrwMMOdF_MuOuugI4BpVIizV5derVVmASslVqpLUVsx4mRmtiE0fHKL6GBiIJrCKLhjd1dN1F2s6RBNX/s1600-h/sleepy+baby+12.9.09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEtFI4PO48uOI08nF7YZx1hD2gY4SsI2Tp0F2obG6xrZfsBrhvPh6upFWYB_jqrwMMOdF_MuOuugI4BpVIizV5derVVmASslVqpLUVsx4mRmtiE0fHKL6GBiIJrCKLhjd1dN1F2s6RBNX/s320/sleepy+baby+12.9.09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435610836054960850" /></a>Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-45746673857369935342010-02-05T13:54:00.001-08:002010-02-05T14:21:47.425-08:00Drumroll please..........<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqOv7xW800dRZgP6BhDWKhcKoeIV3K5BlVsuJUgk5xX2Fc08Cj7WHcdeZVeuSdBC0yvoG-Ijde2mLb_-SCHNY6_oQQDG-97pHgqLDWqhxanEp0dg3xjFvFqP3IlQsJa5IpG1jufudL9fi/s1600-h/big+boy!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqOv7xW800dRZgP6BhDWKhcKoeIV3K5BlVsuJUgk5xX2Fc08Cj7WHcdeZVeuSdBC0yvoG-Ijde2mLb_-SCHNY6_oQQDG-97pHgqLDWqhxanEp0dg3xjFvFqP3IlQsJa5IpG1jufudL9fi/s320/big+boy!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434884407703254322" /></a>We just got an email with Megersa's birth certificate attached!!<br />Now I know his birthday - and I have to say, I'm so excited to finally know!<br />Have you noticed the new 'ticker'?? - My baby is 5 months, 2 days old today!<br />His birthday is Sept 3, 2009.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNdcNTAdsvYOEzAzck9ztsGWFmDkA3prpnvKuHyMy9GJBnbJZPsa7go449Gk8JQC0TRZKy_D7AXKuF3xQNKODRCH1P7VlwGjF8bHpFQPT7lbkAQ_OWYmn3hAB53hnh8CXVcvpjVdwIL7p/s1600-h/Megs5+-+cropped.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNdcNTAdsvYOEzAzck9ztsGWFmDkA3prpnvKuHyMy9GJBnbJZPsa7go449Gk8JQC0TRZKy_D7AXKuF3xQNKODRCH1P7VlwGjF8bHpFQPT7lbkAQ_OWYmn3hAB53hnh8CXVcvpjVdwIL7p/s320/Megs5+-+cropped.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434884557922109394" /></a>At first when I looked at the paperwork, I saw that it said 03/09/09 - and I was BAFFLED....I couldn't fathom who would say that that baby was 11 months old!!!<br />I immediately called my friend Rachael, who reminded me so sweetly that in Ethiopia, they date things - day, month, year. <br />Oh yeah. Duh!! Ha ha. <br /><br />Anyway, I'm so excited!!<br />Outside of the sheer joy of actually having a "date" this is super exciting because this means that out of the steps needed <span style="font-style:italic;">before</span> travel...we're now on #3 out of 3! <br />I mentally thought through what it meant that we had a birth certificate, and I decided to send this email to our agency director:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Hi Merrily!<br />I just wanted to tell you that we got a copy of Megersa's birth<br />certificate (via email) from Linda.<br />We are so excited to finally know his assigned birthdate!<br /><br />Could you tell me what is the next step before we get travel dates?</span><br /><br />This was her response:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Susan helps the families with the next steps and she isn't in today. I think you should expect to get travel dates soon. Merrily</span><br /><br />I mean, can you believe it? It's actually happening!! We're going to be bringing our baby home. All he needs now is a passport! :) WAHOO!!!<br /><br />Okay...a few more pics for the road:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QNirNT195_hWNArlfbR9AlRSbOQbCqAYtRF5P4Bpd6g4BG_Hp0OoIRu7CG1vF7TTzWd-DsrJN6iE8VpVRY5pnTXGD0wHNNHcjkWi6Xpmaklco5mqVjehnu_0dSYiTjM77RSDNkbIKJkC/s1600-h/naked+Megersa!!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QNirNT195_hWNArlfbR9AlRSbOQbCqAYtRF5P4Bpd6g4BG_Hp0OoIRu7CG1vF7TTzWd-DsrJN6iE8VpVRY5pnTXGD0wHNNHcjkWi6Xpmaklco5mqVjehnu_0dSYiTjM77RSDNkbIKJkC/s320/naked+Megersa!!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434884991143867858" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG630M5ovmkoebtEHLLqBqUYYMiBRtwuRAydOjUZPWcg66au1kLIF__ZhZDVTcNO4oZGGhnKxhOAXP-RIdoFSgJ_7M-KvICnQu6qW6Kp-9aDrzrCrIWdUTdIgvE6SUxuHUYOlOTJvqEKd/s1600-h/Mommy's+starting+to+dig+the+startled+look!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG630M5ovmkoebtEHLLqBqUYYMiBRtwuRAydOjUZPWcg66au1kLIF__ZhZDVTcNO4oZGGhnKxhOAXP-RIdoFSgJ_7M-KvICnQu6qW6Kp-9aDrzrCrIWdUTdIgvE6SUxuHUYOlOTJvqEKd/s320/Mommy's+starting+to+dig+the+startled+look!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434885562683270098" /></a>Oh, and just for those of you who are time-line obsessed (as I was/still am) - it's been exactly <span style="font-weight:bold;">3 months since we got our referral</span>...and <span style="font-weight:bold;">a week and 2 days since we passed court</span>. :)<br />And, if I may, I'd like to quote one of my Dad's favorite jokes:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dad: "You know what they say when they cut the monkey's tail off?"<br />Me: "It won't be long now!"</span><br />(I realize now that this joke is a little dark, but hey, it was a childhood fav!)Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201952998672119013.post-54776766327185717442010-02-04T11:41:00.000-08:002010-02-04T12:23:31.800-08:00The cat's out of the bag.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrbcssnDrw47-YVLzTuGIZaOVa-B6GSqca7-3TrFdgL1ssqmrYDmzZotPz3Bo2VlGAmA2tUP3aX86RUumab9e8_g3pw1rbS8kWr39nD4MRBr5Ps_AlIDH9r1nR8-dWc6AxHipOl8aOV1g/s1600-h/GoEnglish_com_1LetTheCatOutOfTheBag.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrbcssnDrw47-YVLzTuGIZaOVa-B6GSqca7-3TrFdgL1ssqmrYDmzZotPz3Bo2VlGAmA2tUP3aX86RUumab9e8_g3pw1rbS8kWr39nD4MRBr5Ps_AlIDH9r1nR8-dWc6AxHipOl8aOV1g/s320/GoEnglish_com_1LetTheCatOutOfTheBag.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434485787787929042" /></a>No more secrecy. I can COMPLETELY wear my heart on my sleeve again. Phew!<br />In all seriousness, keeping in this secret has been hard on me. <br />It's bittersweet, but I'm happy to say that the Nester family is embracing a new chapter in our lives. And here it is:<br />WE'RE MOVING!...and not just down the street, or a city over, but to Maryland! <br />THIS MONTH!!!<br />Crazy, I know!<br />Tim just accepted the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Worship and Prayer Pastor</span> position at <span style="font-style:italic;">Mountain View Community Church</span> in Frederick, Maryland.<br />Tim is currently the Associate Pastor of Youth and Music at our current church, but has been experiencing God's tugging at his heart to peruse full-time worship for awhile. We have been praying for God's guidance as we went to interview and candidate at MVCC. <br />We need a lot of prayer as we try to sell our house. That is one of the hardest things to relax about. A new job, new house, new baby - all at once!<br />If you wouldn't mind praying for the sale of our house, that would mean a great deal! We are really hoping that someone will "assume the loan." <br />So that's big news. No news yet on Megersa's embassy date. It's been 1 week, 1 day, and Susan said it would most likely be 2 weeks until we find out...hopefully next Wednesday we'll know when we can travel!! I mean, I can't believe it's actually happening! I can BARELY stand it!! I can't WAIT to hold him and kiss his sweet little face! If I weren't so stinkin' busy packing and planning the move, I'd probably lose my mind! Haha.<br />Thankfully, God has given me an AWESOME amount of peace ever since we got our court date. I really feel like things will be smooth sailing.<br />The Ethiopian Embassy hears AAI's cases every other Wednesday, and our agency director said that we will most likely travel for the March 24th appointment, or April 7th. I'm praying very hard that it is in March - I'd LOVE it if we could<br />all be together for Cale's birthday!! But, I will try to exert patience, regardless!<br />Tim got his shots last week...well, most of them. He still has to get 2-3 others. His poor arm is really hurting him!<br />Anyway, back to the upcoming move:<br />We are 99% sure of where we are going to live. It's a townhouse in Frederick...about 10 minutes from the church. It's got 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms (I know - how crazy that there are more bathrooms than bedrooms!), and a finished basement that the owner said could be used as an extra room. It's got a back deck and a fenced in yard (praise the Lord!), with a membership to the townhouse community pool!<br />The pictures I've seen looked very nice...and the owner promised to make a few changes (with regards to primer, and wallpaper removal. We are confident this is the place for us. The owner is just that - not part of an agency, and is willing to let us paint colors we want, and do extra things with it. We will most likely be renting for several years before we can recover from the loss that we may take on this house....<br />It seems scary - but we are confident God is behind us, and we're excited! I fly out on Monday the 22 with Cale, and we are gonna stay in PA with my family for a few days, then I'll drive with Mom on Friday to MD. Tim hired a driver for the truck, and they said it'll take 2 days to get there. Tim will drive the van, and most likely get there before the truck and stay somewhere in Frederick (or maybe with his brother in Harrisburg). Then they hope to have stuff unpacked, and the major things assembled before Cale & I get there on Friday.<br />Lots of things happening!.......please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!Katie & Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575580470650402145noreply@blogger.com3