Ok this is not a feel good post. I wanted to talk about the big issue of adopting a child from a third world country and that is health problems. My babies have had the huge blood draw done to test for everything under the sun, because of where they were born. Well we got some scary news that I'm trying to deal with.
Alec is positive for Hepatitis A, has ringworm and giardia. He isn't eating as well as he should because of the Hepatitis. I am scared for his health. Even though you read about the diseases your child can come home with, it is so scary and you can't prepare yourself for it.
Haven has holes in both her ear drums. No wonder she screamed bloody murder on the plane. Usually the holes close on their own. That is what I'm praying for.
This should be a joyful time of bonding and getting to know our children. Not running back to the Doctor again and again. And where did it become the job of a Mom to hold your child down during a blood draw. Ugh that was horrible for us both.
I just want my little guy to feel better and eat better, he is only 14 # at 9 months of age.... poor little boy. Any one have words of wisdom to get him eating more solids, please share.
9/30/09
9/27/09
African Time
You know when your agency is trying to prepare you for what your trip will be like one of the first things they tell you is things move slower there, it is African time not the US. Well we experienced this every day we were there. When we filled out our form on things we wanted to do we noted we wanted to go to the Mercato, Blue Gorge and Meki. Well I guess one out of 3 ain't bad.
The 2nd day we were there we had plans to go to the Hilton early in the am so everyone could email and then go to the Mercato before we went to Toukoul. I so wanted to go and experience the Mercato even if I didn't buy anything. The Mercato is one of the largest out door markets in all of Africa. Well we never made it. We were waiting for the driver to come that knew the Mercato better than Moulouko (spelling probably way off). Wendi shows up and we thought he was going to be our driver, no he was just dropping us off at the Hilton and then taking the van to be serviced and the new driver was coming to pick us up with a different car.
Long story short, we never got there it was time to go to Toukoul. Of course I was disappointed but spending time with Haven and Alec was more important.
Day two at Toukoul was easier, we knew what to expect. They brought Alec into us first and then I heard the screams. It was Haven, She was screaming bloody murder, she didn't want to come be with us. I wanted Naing to take her so I could hold Alec. When Naing went to go get her she was crying and clinging to the Nanny. The Nanny turned away from Naing and said Mommy and gave her to me. I was upset the Nanny was perpetuating her non-interest in Naing. We took them back to the guest house/hotel for the day. Got to spend time with them, feed them, play with them. Taking them back at the end of the day was hard and once again there was screaming from Haven. Alec was all smiles, but Haven was screaming and grabbing on to me this time. I just wanted to check her out then and there, but the next day was the meeting with the Dr from Toukoul and I wanted to know about her medical history before we checked her out. But I decided I would take her out on Wed so she didn't have to keep going back and forth and give her time to bond with us.
Our embassy date had been changed. Originally we were scheduled for Thursday, but because of some embassy training we were moved up to Wed am. So no travels for Wed either, embassy in the morning, Dr in the afternoon.
Wednesday morning we picked the children up at Toukoul and were headed to the embassy after the driver swung by to pick up our lawyer. We were all asking were he was going, because we hadn't been told we would picking up Sinti...poor Moulkoul, his English was limited and he had a hard time explaining his answers some times. Of course none of us spoke Amharic so we did the best we could.
Driving to the embassy was very interesting. As you get closer to the embassy area of town you saw soldiers/police with AK47 standing out on the street. The area is patrolled and guarded.
We had to park and walk a block or so to the embassy. That was very interesting. Here is Naing and I with our two children, the Garcias with their two children and Sinti leading the way. People in the shops and on the streets are staring at us. Once you get to the embassy you have to wait until you are called to go inside. They have benches set up outside with a covering to protect you from the rain. Since our embassy date was changed, there were other families from a different agency there for their court dates. We sat outside and chatted with everyone and found out where they were from. Then we got called into the embassy and went through security and the metal detectors. Now it was time to wait again until our family was called to the window upstairs. When we were sitting down, a lovely Ethiopian woman who lives in Seattle was asking me how we adopted and how long of a process it was. She was interesting in adopting. (Small world that it is, she was our flight attendant on the Ethiopian Air flight to DC. She recognized Haven and me.)
At the embassy the children were being very good for the long wait that we had. Once we got called to the window, I made the fatal mistake of putting Haven on the counter to sit so I could speak at the window. She started to cry and didn't stop. Cried all through the questions. Cried the whole ride back to Toukoul. She was crying so much, Sinti had Moulkoul stop at the store and by some crackers for her, thinking she was hungry. She wasn't. She was mad and got herself so worked up nothing would calm her now but sleep. He asked me when we were seeing the Dr. and I told him in the afternoon, he said "good, find out why she cries so much".
Our meeting with the Dr. was different then what we expected since she brought all three families in at once and told us about our children's history in front of each other.
She told us Haven had gotten over an ear infection, even though she was still pulling at her ears. I put her on Alec's antibiotics just in case, since we were getting on a plane in a few days.
We found out Alec has "asthma" or as she put it hyperactive bronchi. When we asked if we could check him out that day, she wanted him to stay since he was still sick so they could monitor him.
So we left him to stay another night and took Haven out to be with us.
Back to African time, sorry I got off track. We wanted to go to Meki and see where our children came from and take pictures of the area to show them. We wanted to go on Thurs.......did not happen. Aster promised it would happen on Friday. We thought it was all planned out when we went to bed that night. But in the morning the drivers knew nothing about taking us to Meki and there were many phone calls to Aster trying to get it all arranged and get a different car to take us. Naing was getting worked up because it was now after 10 am and it was a 2 hour drive there and back. After many false starts, we got on the road to Meki. More on Meki later.
The 2nd day we were there we had plans to go to the Hilton early in the am so everyone could email and then go to the Mercato before we went to Toukoul. I so wanted to go and experience the Mercato even if I didn't buy anything. The Mercato is one of the largest out door markets in all of Africa. Well we never made it. We were waiting for the driver to come that knew the Mercato better than Moulouko (spelling probably way off). Wendi shows up and we thought he was going to be our driver, no he was just dropping us off at the Hilton and then taking the van to be serviced and the new driver was coming to pick us up with a different car.
Long story short, we never got there it was time to go to Toukoul. Of course I was disappointed but spending time with Haven and Alec was more important.
Day two at Toukoul was easier, we knew what to expect. They brought Alec into us first and then I heard the screams. It was Haven, She was screaming bloody murder, she didn't want to come be with us. I wanted Naing to take her so I could hold Alec. When Naing went to go get her she was crying and clinging to the Nanny. The Nanny turned away from Naing and said Mommy and gave her to me. I was upset the Nanny was perpetuating her non-interest in Naing. We took them back to the guest house/hotel for the day. Got to spend time with them, feed them, play with them. Taking them back at the end of the day was hard and once again there was screaming from Haven. Alec was all smiles, but Haven was screaming and grabbing on to me this time. I just wanted to check her out then and there, but the next day was the meeting with the Dr from Toukoul and I wanted to know about her medical history before we checked her out. But I decided I would take her out on Wed so she didn't have to keep going back and forth and give her time to bond with us.
Our embassy date had been changed. Originally we were scheduled for Thursday, but because of some embassy training we were moved up to Wed am. So no travels for Wed either, embassy in the morning, Dr in the afternoon.
Wednesday morning we picked the children up at Toukoul and were headed to the embassy after the driver swung by to pick up our lawyer. We were all asking were he was going, because we hadn't been told we would picking up Sinti...poor Moulkoul, his English was limited and he had a hard time explaining his answers some times. Of course none of us spoke Amharic so we did the best we could.
Driving to the embassy was very interesting. As you get closer to the embassy area of town you saw soldiers/police with AK47 standing out on the street. The area is patrolled and guarded.
We had to park and walk a block or so to the embassy. That was very interesting. Here is Naing and I with our two children, the Garcias with their two children and Sinti leading the way. People in the shops and on the streets are staring at us. Once you get to the embassy you have to wait until you are called to go inside. They have benches set up outside with a covering to protect you from the rain. Since our embassy date was changed, there were other families from a different agency there for their court dates. We sat outside and chatted with everyone and found out where they were from. Then we got called into the embassy and went through security and the metal detectors. Now it was time to wait again until our family was called to the window upstairs. When we were sitting down, a lovely Ethiopian woman who lives in Seattle was asking me how we adopted and how long of a process it was. She was interesting in adopting. (Small world that it is, she was our flight attendant on the Ethiopian Air flight to DC. She recognized Haven and me.)
At the embassy the children were being very good for the long wait that we had. Once we got called to the window, I made the fatal mistake of putting Haven on the counter to sit so I could speak at the window. She started to cry and didn't stop. Cried all through the questions. Cried the whole ride back to Toukoul. She was crying so much, Sinti had Moulkoul stop at the store and by some crackers for her, thinking she was hungry. She wasn't. She was mad and got herself so worked up nothing would calm her now but sleep. He asked me when we were seeing the Dr. and I told him in the afternoon, he said "good, find out why she cries so much".
Our meeting with the Dr. was different then what we expected since she brought all three families in at once and told us about our children's history in front of each other.
She told us Haven had gotten over an ear infection, even though she was still pulling at her ears. I put her on Alec's antibiotics just in case, since we were getting on a plane in a few days.
We found out Alec has "asthma" or as she put it hyperactive bronchi. When we asked if we could check him out that day, she wanted him to stay since he was still sick so they could monitor him.
So we left him to stay another night and took Haven out to be with us.
Back to African time, sorry I got off track. We wanted to go to Meki and see where our children came from and take pictures of the area to show them. We wanted to go on Thurs.......did not happen. Aster promised it would happen on Friday. We thought it was all planned out when we went to bed that night. But in the morning the drivers knew nothing about taking us to Meki and there were many phone calls to Aster trying to get it all arranged and get a different car to take us. Naing was getting worked up because it was now after 10 am and it was a 2 hour drive there and back. After many false starts, we got on the road to Meki. More on Meki later.
9/25/09
Just a little update
Since we came home, Haven has explored every nook and cranny in the house seeing what she can touch. She has become the official door/cupboard closer. She has mastered the art of getting on and off the couch. The dogs are good stepping stones to get onto the couch. She is starting to play with Alec. Of course her definition of play, is take what he has and give him something else to hold, so he doesn't cry.
And drum roll...... she said Momma today.
Alec is eating non stop, every 3 hours, we are tired! But he has started to crawl, is fearless when it comes to taking things back from his big sister. We have finally found some solids he would eat, that was tricky. He has mastered the art of using his smile to melt our hearts!
He also has a big ole ringworm lesion I spied on his head tonight when I was rocking him to sleep. Everyone who knows me, knows how allergic I am to ringworm. Yikes. Calling his pediatrician tomorrow, cuz I don't know what is safe to use on a child so young.
More pictures to follow soon.
And drum roll...... she said Momma today.
Alec is eating non stop, every 3 hours, we are tired! But he has started to crawl, is fearless when it comes to taking things back from his big sister. We have finally found some solids he would eat, that was tricky. He has mastered the art of using his smile to melt our hearts!
He also has a big ole ringworm lesion I spied on his head tonight when I was rocking him to sleep. Everyone who knows me, knows how allergic I am to ringworm. Yikes. Calling his pediatrician tomorrow, cuz I don't know what is safe to use on a child so young.
More pictures to follow soon.
9/22/09
Travel Time
My friend Debbie, picked us up at 5 in the morning on a Sat to take us to PDX. Now that is a great friend! We had 3 suitcases, 1 big container filled with donations for Toukoul, 2 carry ons and video camera. We were ready to go. I did not sleep much Friday night in anticipation of our trip. I kept waking up and looking at the clock, trying to figure out how many hours until we land in Addis, how many hours until we meet our babies.
We started the long trek, flew to DC and hopped on the commuter train to go to the international terminal and there was Anne Marie and Eli. So we had lunch and hung out before we headed to Air Ethiopia's counter.
We were in the back of the plane, very back of the plane. But it was ok, we met this incrediable lady, Rosemaire, from Boeing. She was going to Addis for 3 weeks to volunteer at an orphanage. She said that Air Ethiopia has ordered new planes from Boeing and when they are delivered, one is going to be full of donations for the orphanages. I'm going to pass her info on to the people I know in Ethiopia Orphan Relief. Shipping of supplies is so expensive, this will be huge!
I was so tired, but couldn't sleep. Naing slept fine. So we just sat, got up and walked around a little, watched a movie and sat some more. I had never been on a plane where so much visiting goes on. The Ethiopians get up and greet and chat w/each other during the flight. I was also amused by them wrapping the blanket around their head to block out light and sleep.
We we late leaving DC so we were late landing in Rome. When we were done refueling in Rome there were 17 planes ahead of us on the tarmack. I finally fell a sleep while we were waiting for our turn to take off.
We finally land in Addis and are over 2 hours late. I was worried the driver sent to pick us up, wouldn't know how late our flight would be...but we couldn't control that and I had phone numbers if needed. We got in line for our visas at the airport in Addis. That was a long drawn out hot process. We were in line for over an hour. Finally we got through the line and my husband the engineer is making suggestions to stream line the process. I keep telling him, Africa not America get used to it.
Our lawyer Sinti ( I can't spell his full name) was there to pick us and the Garcias up. What a relief. We got out to the car and 5-6 men appear to help load the bags into the car and expect a tip in return. Naing started to pay the men and Sinti took part of it back and told him it was too much. The men were all closing in around the van and he told them to go. I was glad he was there.
We would be staying at the hotel the man who runs Toukoul bought. That means we have our own bathroom:) big plus! We are exhausted, the cook Wendi, makes us some delicious soup and we head off to bed. We didn't care the bed was uncomfortable, because we were so tired and excited, the next morning we would go meet our children.
Here are some pictures of the hotel and the view from our room.
9/21/09
We are home
Just a short note. We are home. After a ungodly amount of time on planes with two small babies. They did better than Naing and I. Our trip was amazing, life changing in more than one way.
I journaled while during our trip so I will share when I have more sleep.
Here are some pictures of our first day in Addis and at Toukoul with our babies.
Sorry the pictures are not uploading. I'll try again a little later if I don't fall asleep:)
I journaled while during our trip so I will share when I have more sleep.
Here are some pictures of our first day in Addis and at Toukoul with our babies.
Sorry the pictures are not uploading. I'll try again a little later if I don't fall asleep:)
9/11/09
We leave tomorrow
We leave tomorrow morning. My best friend is coming at 5 in the morning to pick us up.
What a good friend. I still have to pack my stuff, but all done w/the kids stuff.
And speaking of our babies. I want to include pictures of their room, now that we are done with the floor. Looks good, if I do say so myself.
9/9/09
I'm officially unemployed
Today was my last day at work. It was so sad. I know that is hard for people to understand. I have wanted to be a Mom for a long time, excited about this new adventure. But it was bitter sweet to say goodbye to my employees and all our wonderful clients.
My clinic credit card has been relinquished, my name is being taken off the bank accounts. It is so official. A chapter in my life has closed.
So now I have 2 days left to do everything I need to get done for the trip. The To Do list is LONG. Don't know how I will get it all done. Maybe I shouldn't have worked today.
My clinic credit card has been relinquished, my name is being taken off the bank accounts. It is so official. A chapter in my life has closed.
So now I have 2 days left to do everything I need to get done for the trip. The To Do list is LONG. Don't know how I will get it all done. Maybe I shouldn't have worked today.
9/7/09
Baby Shower
Yesterday my sister, Patty and one of my old friends from college, Lisa threw us a baby shower. It was so much fun. Such an eclectic group of people, old and new friends that showed up to celebrate with us. We had so much fun. We got lots of great things for Alec and Haven. I'm so excited to see them get to play with their toys and read their books when they are older.
Lisa's daughter Savannah, went through her books and picked out ones she was ready to share with our babies. Super sweet of her.
They had everyone right down words of wisdom to help us out during this new period of adjustment. It was very sweet to read every one's thoughts.
Our children are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people to help them in their new life in Oregon. As Naing and I are so blessed to have these great people in our life.
In case you have lost count we are leaving in 5, yes 5 days.
I started sorting out outfits for the kids and will start packing for them tomorrow. I couldn't get this done earlier because their room was all torn up while we laid wood floors. But we finished their room today, with the help of Bo and his new girlfriend, Victoria. Talk about a trooper!
Thanks so much for your help BoBo you are the BEST.
Off to bed now for my last 2 days of work. Wow that sounds so strange.
Lisa's daughter Savannah, went through her books and picked out ones she was ready to share with our babies. Super sweet of her.
They had everyone right down words of wisdom to help us out during this new period of adjustment. It was very sweet to read every one's thoughts.
Our children are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people to help them in their new life in Oregon. As Naing and I are so blessed to have these great people in our life.
In case you have lost count we are leaving in 5, yes 5 days.
I started sorting out outfits for the kids and will start packing for them tomorrow. I couldn't get this done earlier because their room was all torn up while we laid wood floors. But we finished their room today, with the help of Bo and his new girlfriend, Victoria. Talk about a trooper!
Thanks so much for your help BoBo you are the BEST.
Off to bed now for my last 2 days of work. Wow that sounds so strange.
9/5/09
One week away
This time next week, we will be on a plane to DC, to transfer to Air Ethiopia and head to Addis Abba. Everyone keeps asking me are you all packed. Uh no, we are tearing up the carpet in the house and laying wood floors. I do have a list made of what I'm going to pack...but haven't made it that far yet.
Yes we are crazy, thanks for asking. At least, I thought Naing was crazy trying to get this big project done before we leave. But every time we pull up another piece of this nasty, original carpet from the 80s, I am relieved that our babies won't be walking and crawling on this yucky carpet.
So even if we are so tired when we roll onto the plane next Sat, it will be worth it. We can sleep on the plane:) or at least Naing can.
Wednesday is my last day of work and Naing is taking Friday off, so we have time to pack.
And to keep us focused on this job it is raining this Labor day weekend, just for us:) who wants to be out doing things in the rain, no no no we will stay inside and lay floors, thank you very much.
Yes we are crazy, thanks for asking. At least, I thought Naing was crazy trying to get this big project done before we leave. But every time we pull up another piece of this nasty, original carpet from the 80s, I am relieved that our babies won't be walking and crawling on this yucky carpet.
So even if we are so tired when we roll onto the plane next Sat, it will be worth it. We can sleep on the plane:) or at least Naing can.
Wednesday is my last day of work and Naing is taking Friday off, so we have time to pack.
And to keep us focused on this job it is raining this Labor day weekend, just for us:) who wants to be out doing things in the rain, no no no we will stay inside and lay floors, thank you very much.
9/3/09
New pictures
Yesterday we got updated pictures and information on Haven and Alec. Alec is getting over the chicken pox and now weighs 16 # yea! Haven now weighs 23 #. So the clothes I have bought for them will fit. Breathe a sigh of relief because it was all a guess in what weights they would be by the time we traveled to pick them up.
To put things in prospective, Alec is almost 9 months old and weighs as much as my 4 month grandnephew weighs. He has alot of catching up to do. But they say he now is sitting up on his own and transferring objects from one hand to another. He has two teeth now.
We didn't get as much information on Haven, because of her age. Once they are over a year in age the detailed information is more about weight, height and head circumference.
Vaccine information updated as well.
Today I'm off to go get some groceries and formula. We need food and drink in the house when they come home.
Wow is all I can say. WOW!
To put things in prospective, Alec is almost 9 months old and weighs as much as my 4 month grandnephew weighs. He has alot of catching up to do. But they say he now is sitting up on his own and transferring objects from one hand to another. He has two teeth now.
We didn't get as much information on Haven, because of her age. Once they are over a year in age the detailed information is more about weight, height and head circumference.
Vaccine information updated as well.
Today I'm off to go get some groceries and formula. We need food and drink in the house when they come home.
Wow is all I can say. WOW!
9/1/09
10 days
It is becoming more real now. In just 10 days we will be on a long plane ride to our babies. A trip of a life time. This one trip will change everything about who I am and our life as a couple to our life as a family.
I do hope that since I have waited to have a family I will be more caring and understanding then I was in my 20s and 30s.
Our babies await... The 12th can not come soon enough.
Soon babies soon.
Now the packing starts.
I do hope that since I have waited to have a family I will be more caring and understanding then I was in my 20s and 30s.
Our babies await... The 12th can not come soon enough.
Soon babies soon.
Now the packing starts.
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