First Night

Okkkk tonight was our first full night with Ms. Gracie.  I think for the most part it went well.  She loves her bath, even though I was nervous trying to hold onto this little slippery body.  She didn't fall asleep after her bath and started fidgeting like she was hungry.  Q warned me that she couldn't be hungry as her last bottle was just 2 hrs ago but when she started screaming bloody murder I gave her the bottle. Welll she was happy as a clam, sucked down those 6 ozs lickety split.  I put her on my shoulder to burp her and all 6 ozs came right back to say hello to me.  Ahhhhh motherhood.  She finally went to sleep but woke 3 hrs. later screaming for that bottle.  I need to teach missy a lil patience .  Once we get home I'm going to start her on cereal, I think the milk is just not holding her.   She has a little cold that actually seems to be getting worse, she's pretty congested.  I may have the docs take a peek at her before we leave.  Poor hubby is still sick too.  If he doesn't take Motrin and Sudafed every 4 hrs. his fever goes right back up.  He is just miserable.  Should be a fun plane ride home.  Prayers please!!!

 

BTW being a Mom is great, I love it!!!!!!!!!

PICTURES!!!!!!!

WARNING!!! The following pictures may cause extreme pleasure and spontaneous exclamations of ooooooooss and ahhhhhhhhhss.

The Meeting

We met Gracie's birthmom today. I have to say outside of meeting Gracie it was one of the most profound days of my life.  

Our morning started at 0500, the drivers picked us up and we started the 3 hr. drive to the little town of Hosanna, that's were all of the birth families are brought for the meetings.  Hossanna is out in the countryside of Ethiopia.  The scenery was incredible and I took 100's of pics.   Anywhoo, we reach there and we are ushered into a room and each family waits to be called. At this point, hubby and I didn't even know if she'd been able to make the trip, but then they called us. 

We went into a room and there she stood, wow, this woman that because of her pain has brought me so much joy to our lives.  She reached out to shake my and which I did briefly but then I just took her into a tight embrace and she hugged me just as tight or tighter.  It was surreal. This went on for a good bit because when I went to let go she held on, so I just waited for her to stop. Then she sat down across from hubby, I and the interpreter.  After a few minutes I asked the social worker/interpreter could she come and sit next to me which she immediately did.  We held hands tightly for the rest of the visit.  Again it was just amazing.  I'd made a little photo album for her of Gracie's pictures and one of hubby & I and you could see the love in her eyes that she had for her.  Wow what an unselfish act.

Afterward, we had an Entrustment Ceremony, it was so touching. The birthparents were then ushered out and I was so sad to see her go. I wanted to protect her, she seemed so innocent, so kind.   Before she left, hubby and I got one last hug and I kissed her cheeks. I will always pray for her and hope she has a good life. 

So we began the trek back to Addis and that was another road trip adventure that I'll save for another post.

There's Been a Gracie Sighting!

We saw our child today.  It was the most magical experience of my life.  She is perfection. I don't think, despite all the daydreaming I did, that I was prepared to see her. They take us into a little holding room, where we wait our turn to be called. Then when it's time, and all this is being videotaped, they take you into the room, oh wait you have to wash your hands and step out of your shoes first.  Then you walk into a room with about 8 gorgeous babies and we look around and spot Ms. Gracie.  We walk over to her crib and look at the most beautiful being I've ever seen, her pics do not do her justice.  Of course I go into my silly baby voice and she smiles soooo BIG, that was it we were done! Hubby and held,hugged, kissed, squeezed and loved on her for about 2 hours.  I fed her her bottle, which she gulped down in just a couple of minutes, burped her and it was a wrap. Throughout our entire visit she would just stare into my eyes and then Quinn's, just incredible.  Sorry no pics yet guys.  They won't let you take pictures in the care center, that's why they video tape everything.  I'll get you some pics as soon as I can.

Moving Right Along

Ok, so the flight to Dubai was.....nice so to speak. The service was great, food excellent, the plane itself was just awesome with over the top entertainment and movie selection. The ONLY bad part were the seats. We were in economy and baby had I known I would have taken out a 2nd mortgage on my home to upgrade to business class. Those little seats were like being in a torture chamber. At about hour 8, I turned to hubby with tears in my eyes and said I was sorry, I didn't know it would be this bad, (starting to lose it a bit there T) he just smiled and said it's ok honey we'll get there. Anywhoo, we made it, got to the hotel, had a fitful night sleep and we're back at the airport this am. Now, I have to give a BIG shout out to one of the docs I work with. Dr. Pedd I will be forever grateful for you telling me about the Emirates lounge. It said for business and first class but hubby and I strolled right in with our economy class selves. Hee Hee and it's awesome. Breakfast, hot coffee, FREE wireless internet and big comfy seats, ahhhhhh this is the life. Next stop ET babeeeeee!!!!!

To My Baby

So right now it's around 0800 in ET. I wonder what your doing. You have no idea that on the other side of the world, 2 people are just hours away from making the trip of a lifetime. The reason for that trip, why it's all for you little one. Your Mom & Dad are by no means world travelers. As a matter of fact, flying makes us quite uneasy. But from the moment we laid eyes on you, we knew we would endure anything to bring you home to us. Anything to see you smile. We are so in love with you and cannot wait to touch your sweet face, tickle your little round tummy. Oh the dreams we have for you, for us. I know it wont' be easy for you to leave your birth country and all those that have loved and cared for you. For sure you are the nannie's favorite:) No doubt they will hate to see you go but will rejoice in your journey to your new family, country, life. Everyone is so excited to see you here. There are many who are praying for our little family's safe journey home. I've tried to pack everything you may need. I'm a new mommy so I may not have gotten it just right. But do know, I will spend my life trying to show God how grateful I am for the supreme Blessing that is you. We'll see you soon my baby.

Thursday

It is hard to believe that I'll be looking into that beautiful face in one week. Next Thursday, Hubby and I will be on the other side of the world. Amazing. We still have so much to do. My head continues to spin. Gracie has been blessed with so many things that I'm sharing some of her bounty with the other precious children. There is such a great need for everything in Ethiopia. Hopefully,we will be delivering our donations to AHope which is an orphanage for HIV+ children. Hubby and I recently began sponsoring a 7yr. old little boy. We may get a chance to meet him while we are there. For anyone interested in sponsoring a child at AHope or just donating to them, please click on the Ahope link on the right side of the page. It doesn't take much to make BIG difference in these kiddos life.