I promise to have pictures tomorrow. We have been riding through the city a lot with our driver, Eyasu (I'm not sure how to spell his name, but I think this is close). He is very nice, but a bit on the shy side. It's kind of hard to take pictures with a little girl on your lap! But today we will be visiting the orphanages, so many photo opportunities. Not to mention, we let Ryan borrow our camera to take some pics of the kids for their parents and he took it home to upload them to his computer. So, for some of you with babies at the foster home, you may be getting some pics from Mary soon!!
Thursday was a good day for Kali. She is slowly coming out of her shell. She seems to have become quite attached to us. Yesterday we had lunch with Ryan, Marta, Bob & Arlene (from New Jersey) and their daughters, Stephanie and Selam. After we finished eating, Marta came over and tried to take Kali from me to play with her and the other girls. Kali would not let go of my chair! She wouldn't go with her and kept looking at me with those big brown eyes almost pleading for me to pick her back up again. I wish she understood that Marta was not really taking her from me. But then we did go outside the restaurant to takes some pictures and she let Stephanie hold her. Before lunch, we had the mandatory doctor's visit (no shots, just a check over) and then on to the embassy for the mandatory blood draw. I can't believe how Kali did with that. She sat on the tech's lap while the nurse prepared to draw her blood. The tech kept turning her head toward him so that she couldn't see what was about to happen, but she would have none of it! She wanted to see and she did. She watched the whole thing and never uttered a peep. She was most curious of the band-aid they put on afterward.
Kali has eaten everything we have offered her. We have to be careful though, because she will keep eating if we give it to her. She won't stop or let us know somehow that she is full. And she won't take the food off the plate yet, either. She won't take it until we offer it to her. She loves apple juice! Watch out Carson, she may give you a run for your money in the apple juice drinking department! We keep getting conflicting information on whether she will drink milk or not. We have had two different people tell us that not much milk is drunk after they finish taking formula (other than the milk put in coffee), and two other people tells us "Yes they do!". I suppose we'll just try it and see if it is something she can keep down.
Getting in and out of the car a lot yesterday must have worn Kali out. She fell asleep around 5:30 in the evening and wouldn't wake up when Rick tried to wake her at 7:30 to have dinner. It was room service last night! She woke up around 1:00, went potty, and then fell back asleep and woke at 6:00 this morning. I know this is all a little overwhelming for her!
The people here have been wonderful. Ryan told us that most people here are very happy that we come here to love their children and want to give them good homes. It makes us both feel so good about our decision. I can't imagine going somewhere where we are not wanted.
One more quick tip for the traveler ... call your credit card company to let them know you are here using your card. We are lucky and have Landree at home and she got the call from our credit card fraud department wanting to know if these Ethiopia charges were legitimate. Also, there is an ATM at both the Hilton and the Sheraton, just in case you bring old $100's like we did that can't be exchanged!
On to the orphanages today and more updates (with pics) tomorrow! I wonder how many of these kids will fit in our suitcase on the way home??
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Bright Futures Camp
This is a plea from Ethiopia to check out the kids still needing a host family for the Bright Futures Camp!! Go to the Gladney home page and click on the link for the camp to bring up the photos and information on the children still needing host families. We talked with Ryan yesterday about these kids. He now has the unpleasant task of telling these kids that they won't be coming to America this year. He said that they will be disappointed, but know that they can try again next year ... except for the 16 year old boy. He and his two sisters are the first picture shown. Ryan said that this boy is amazing, that he is so gentle and works so hard, just a great kid. Unfortunately, if he is not adopted this year, his time will run out as he soon turns 17. PLEASE if you know anyone who would be interested in hosting this sibling group of 3, please ask them to contact Gladney immediately. Gladney's hope is that the host family is also interested in adopting the children they are hosting, but if all you can do is host and help to find them a family, that works too!! Of course, all of these kids need host families, but this group especially.
We have both been up since about 4:00 a.m. unable to sleep. I am sure it will cacth up to us later today. Maybe it has something to do with a kig bed not being big enough for 2 adults and a small 2 year old? We have Carson all over again! I can tell she is more comfortable ... yesterday during nap time, Kali fell asleep and woke up in the exact same position ... face up, arms straight by her side, eyes on the ceiling. Through the night, I awoke several times with feet in my face, only later to wake up with her head in my chest and her feet in Rick's face! She too woke up around 5:30 am and was giggling and slapping at Rick's arm ... until she really woke up and remembered who we are and where she is. I cannot wait until we get our first smile out of her! She is so beautiful and I know that smile will just light up her face.
And finally, we can post to our blog from here, but we cannot view it. If anyone has any specific questions they need answers for, please send me an email through our profile. I cannot see the comments until we return home.
Off to breakfast!!
We have both been up since about 4:00 a.m. unable to sleep. I am sure it will cacth up to us later today. Maybe it has something to do with a kig bed not being big enough for 2 adults and a small 2 year old? We have Carson all over again! I can tell she is more comfortable ... yesterday during nap time, Kali fell asleep and woke up in the exact same position ... face up, arms straight by her side, eyes on the ceiling. Through the night, I awoke several times with feet in my face, only later to wake up with her head in my chest and her feet in Rick's face! She too woke up around 5:30 am and was giggling and slapping at Rick's arm ... until she really woke up and remembered who we are and where she is. I cannot wait until we get our first smile out of her! She is so beautiful and I know that smile will just light up her face.
And finally, we can post to our blog from here, but we cannot view it. If anyone has any specific questions they need answers for, please send me an email through our profile. I cannot see the comments until we return home.
Off to breakfast!!
We are here!
Welcome to beautiful Ethiopia!
All that stuff Gladney tells you over and over about being patient and flexible? Remember it, although in our case, there was nobody to blame by Mother Nature. Our 4:30 flight from DFW to Dulles did not leave DFW until 9:30 pm due to two, TWO thunderstorms that passed right over DFW. So our well thought out plan to go straight to Ethiopian Air to check the bags through went right out the window. Nothing in the airport is open when you arrive at 12:45 am! And after just 4 hours of sleep in a hotel, we were off to Ethiopia. Ethiopian Airline was just fine, no problems at all. We did stop in Rome for about 45 minutes to refuel and get a new crew and then off again. We arrived around 8:30 am and met up with another couple from New Jersey, and then out to waiting Ryan and Marta. The visa line was not long at all, but they still write out everything by hand here, so it just takes a little bit to get processed.
We were at the hotel by 10:45 and we had Kalkidan by 12:30! She is so cute, but so unsure about what is happening and quiet. She wouldn't even respond to Belay, who seems to have such a rapport with these kids. But here we are at the end of the day, ready to go to sleep, and she has greatly relaxed. She took a nap with us, has eaten everything we have offered her, allowed us to bathe her and brush her teeth, and loves to wrap her arms around your neck and snuggle. She is one smart little girl too! All you have to do is show her once and she's got it. We've put together a puzzle, doodled and erased on the doodle pro, and she was throwing the ball back and forth with Rick and almost smiling! She sings quietly to her baby doll that we brought for her and likes to cover her up with the little blanket. Those girl genes ...
Two things of interest for those traveling here soon ...
1) There is internet connection in the hotel rooms at the Hilton if you want to bring your laptop. It runs $18 per day, or you can pay $12 per hour if you use the business center.
2) Gladney states that bringing $100 bills that are 2001 and newer is "preferrable" ... NOT. It is a MUST! We took the word "preferrable" for what it is and didn't think it would be that big of a deal. The bank here at the hotel won't take the 90's at all, and our driver took us to a different currency exchange that will take 1996 or newer, but the exchange rate is less for the 90's versus the 2000's.
It's off to the doctor tomorrow morning for Kali's last visit and then on to the Embassy to drop off the paperwork. Should be a busy day!
By the way, the total of our 4 pieces of checked luggage ... 200.5 pounds! Yes, we did it and got through!!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Countdown!
Time for one last load of laundry before packing, one last trip to the grocery store for Landree and Carson, and tomorrow we're off!!
We finally told Carson a few days ago that he wasn't going with us. There were a few small protests, but he seems to be accepting it well now. I think what did it was when I told him that if he went with us, he'd have to get more shots ... the memory of five shots at his 4 year check-up was still front and foremost in his mind! We'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow is like too. He's only 4, so the concept of time is still being worked out in his ever expanding little brain. He probably thinks that we'll only be gone a day or so. I'll have to get him a calendar and have Landree help him mark off the days until we return with his baby sister.
It is going to be so hard leaving Carson behind for 12 days. He is such a sweetheart and just the light of our lives. There is nothing better in the world than when he cuddles up next to me and runs his hand down my cheek saying "You're pretty, mommy. I love you." Being a parent has its ups and downs, but the ups are so great so that you can throw all the downs you want at me and I'll still take parenthood!
I must admit that Carson is very much a mommy's boy ... he absolutely must sit next to me when we go out to eat; if Daddy tries to read him his book at night (normally my job), he won't have it; if I give him his bath (normally Rick's job), well that one is ok. So, as I was lying down next to him one night last week to read him his nightly 2 books, I asked him how we were going to do this when Kali comes. We have bunk beds for them and Carson sleeps on the top bunk. I normally lie down next to him to read him his books. I asked him if I was going to have to lie down with Kali on the bottom bunk to read her a book too. Oh, he has this all figured out! I will continue to read him his book, and Daddy gets to read Kali her book. I asked him about going out to dinner ... he will continue to sit next to me and Kali will sit next to Daddy. Basically, he's decided that he belongs to me and Kali is Daddy's! Not sure how this is going to work when we get home and I stay home with Kali while he goes to daycare!! Well, at least we have him calling her Kali now and not Katie, as he insisted on for so long!
And speaking of daycare, I have a plan and I hope it works. I want Carson and Kali to have time together to bond, but I don't want Carson to lose touch with his routine of going to school. And I definitely don't want Kali to think that I am not coming back for her when I leave her at daycare ... flashbacks to being relinquished at an orphanage. I will be taking a "maternity leave" when we return and I plan on continuing Carson in daycare at least 3 days a week. In addition to keeping somewhat of a schedule for Carson, my hope is that Kali will see that we bring him home each evening after dropping him off there, so that she will understand that we will do the same for her when the day comes that she starts daycare. All the experts seem to agree that daycare is actually good for the child who has been in an orphanage, but my heart would just break if she thought that Mommy leaving her was happening all over again!
So, how about all this rain!!! I can't believe that I am leaving my house for 2 weeks in June and I probably won't have to worry about someone watering my plants. Are we really still in Texas??
We finally told Carson a few days ago that he wasn't going with us. There were a few small protests, but he seems to be accepting it well now. I think what did it was when I told him that if he went with us, he'd have to get more shots ... the memory of five shots at his 4 year check-up was still front and foremost in his mind! We'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow is like too. He's only 4, so the concept of time is still being worked out in his ever expanding little brain. He probably thinks that we'll only be gone a day or so. I'll have to get him a calendar and have Landree help him mark off the days until we return with his baby sister.
It is going to be so hard leaving Carson behind for 12 days. He is such a sweetheart and just the light of our lives. There is nothing better in the world than when he cuddles up next to me and runs his hand down my cheek saying "You're pretty, mommy. I love you." Being a parent has its ups and downs, but the ups are so great so that you can throw all the downs you want at me and I'll still take parenthood!
I must admit that Carson is very much a mommy's boy ... he absolutely must sit next to me when we go out to eat; if Daddy tries to read him his book at night (normally my job), he won't have it; if I give him his bath (normally Rick's job), well that one is ok. So, as I was lying down next to him one night last week to read him his nightly 2 books, I asked him how we were going to do this when Kali comes. We have bunk beds for them and Carson sleeps on the top bunk. I normally lie down next to him to read him his books. I asked him if I was going to have to lie down with Kali on the bottom bunk to read her a book too. Oh, he has this all figured out! I will continue to read him his book, and Daddy gets to read Kali her book. I asked him about going out to dinner ... he will continue to sit next to me and Kali will sit next to Daddy. Basically, he's decided that he belongs to me and Kali is Daddy's! Not sure how this is going to work when we get home and I stay home with Kali while he goes to daycare!! Well, at least we have him calling her Kali now and not Katie, as he insisted on for so long!
And speaking of daycare, I have a plan and I hope it works. I want Carson and Kali to have time together to bond, but I don't want Carson to lose touch with his routine of going to school. And I definitely don't want Kali to think that I am not coming back for her when I leave her at daycare ... flashbacks to being relinquished at an orphanage. I will be taking a "maternity leave" when we return and I plan on continuing Carson in daycare at least 3 days a week. In addition to keeping somewhat of a schedule for Carson, my hope is that Kali will see that we bring him home each evening after dropping him off there, so that she will understand that we will do the same for her when the day comes that she starts daycare. All the experts seem to agree that daycare is actually good for the child who has been in an orphanage, but my heart would just break if she thought that Mommy leaving her was happening all over again!
So, how about all this rain!!! I can't believe that I am leaving my house for 2 weeks in June and I probably won't have to worry about someone watering my plants. Are we really still in Texas??
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Some travels stink!
Poor Channing ... he was sent back to India again. He really had a good experience with his first trip to India, even asking to stay longer and be transferred to a different job. I suppose it's true what they say ... be careful what you wish for! This time, not so good. He is in a different part of India this go round and communication seems to be a problem. He is working with some fellas from Russia and some from India. None of them speak English, and Channing doesn't speak Russian or Hindi. Guess sign language will be the order of the month! He seems to be in an area where getting out of the hotel and wandering about is not advisable for safety reasons, and the food ... well, not sure what he has been eating, but we do know that he dined on prawns almost every night during his first trip and couldn't understand why his buddy in another part of India kept complaining about the food. Maybe this is that "other part" of India?? But we really are so proud of him, opening up his world to all of these new experiences. He has become so independent and someday he will look back on all of these experiences and remember them fondly.
And Rick and I were just talking about how we never imagined that someday we would be traveling to Ethiopia!
I keep thinking about the clothes I want to take and trying to whittle the list down ... it looks like things will be cooler there than it is now in steamy Texas ... yea!!!
Day after tomorrow!!!
Day after tomorrow ...
And Rick and I were just talking about how we never imagined that someday we would be traveling to Ethiopia!
I keep thinking about the clothes I want to take and trying to whittle the list down ... it looks like things will be cooler there than it is now in steamy Texas ... yea!!!
Day after tomorrow!!!
Day after tomorrow ...
Friday, June 1, 2007
Another suitcase?
Well, in our best efforts to get all things packed to take to Ethiopia, we completely forgot about the souvenirs we will be bringing home with us. Hmmm ... wondering if I should unpack one of the boxes and repack into a 3rd suitcase so that we have an empty souvenir suitcase ... something to ponder over the weekend.
If Gladney offers another Ethiopia training seminar anytime in the near future, GO TO IT! It was very informative and we met the nicest women who are both originally from Ethiopia. One of the pieces of information given was that most of the Christians in Ethiopia are Orthodox Christian. I must admit that I have never known what "orthodox" really meant when referring to the church, so it got me thinking and I looked it up on the web when we got home. I was raised in the Catholic church and Rick was raised in the Baptist church. Seems our little girl's faith will be closer to a Catholic upbringing than Baptist ... wonder if that means I will convince Rick to try a Catholic mass again??
Two more days ...
If Gladney offers another Ethiopia training seminar anytime in the near future, GO TO IT! It was very informative and we met the nicest women who are both originally from Ethiopia. One of the pieces of information given was that most of the Christians in Ethiopia are Orthodox Christian. I must admit that I have never known what "orthodox" really meant when referring to the church, so it got me thinking and I looked it up on the web when we got home. I was raised in the Catholic church and Rick was raised in the Baptist church. Seems our little girl's faith will be closer to a Catholic upbringing than Baptist ... wonder if that means I will convince Rick to try a Catholic mass again??
Two more days ...
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