Officially passed court

....and am waiting on my embassy date.

Here she is, Baby Medhanit making her debut. Honestly, she's a bundle of beautiful, gentle, sweetness. I can't wait to watch her blossom as she grows.

First trip to Ethiopia Part 2

7. On 2/17 Dr. Abdulahi came on a house call and let me know to send a humidifier and nebulizer when I get back to U.S. Played with baby.

8. On 2/18 Baby still not feeling well, so went to the doctor again. Baby has a bacterial intestinal infection and was given a shot at 11 and 7pm with Dr. Abdulahi doing a house call. During the day went with Alisa, to visit Entoto, an amazingly beautiful and the only clean air space I found in Addis Ababa. It is a mountain full of Eucalyptus trees and it smells so good. Our car broke down and we had a little adventure talking to students who live on Entoto and wanted to practice their English. We were amazed by women carrying huge bundles of wood on their back down miles of this mountain.

9. On 2/19 baby doing much better. The guest house did a 3 hour coffee ceremony for me. It was a very sad day for me. I cried a lot, along with the staff I got attached to. I left around 7pm. 36 hours later arrived in Honolulu.

First trip to Ethiopia Part 1

To be quite honest, I found it very hard to come on here and put into words what I experienced. I still doubt I can as it is such a unique experience. The only way I can really write about it, is to put the facts down. I can't really write about all the feelings that flooded me, it is still overwhelming. I also cannot post a picture of my daughter as I am still waiting for the court to finish the adoption decree due to MOWA letter not arriving until 3/14 (a separate Ethiopian agency that has to submit a letter for parents to pass court). Here's how my itenerary went:

1. Travel from Honolulu to LAX to Frankfurt to Addis Ababa. Arrive 9pm after 36 hours of travel. Left 2/10 arrived 2/12.

2. On 2/12 arrived at guest house around 10:30 and was handed the most beautiful baby in the whole world to stay with me in my room. This was completely unexpected and amazing. After very little sleep I couldn't sleep most of the night due to staring at her all night. Surprisingly, she woke up to a stranger and was a very happy baby. Baby sounds like she has a cold.

3. On 2/13 spent the whole day with my daughter playing and getting to know her. Met much of the agency and guest house staff. Baby's breathing sounds worse, we go to the doctor and he says she has a cold and nothing to do. I'm not surprised as the air is full of diesel exhaust and I can no longer breathe through my nose.

4. On 2/14 celebrated Valentine's with baby. She put up with me dressing her up and posing her. She's very patient. Went to lunch with Sister Hiwot, the guest house/foster home coordinator, enjoyed wonderful Ethiopian food.

5. On 2/15 my baby was fed her first solid food at 11.5 months (rice cereal). She's having more breathing problems, so we took her to a pediatric specialist, Dr. Abdulnaser Abdulahi, who diagnosed her with asthma. She was given a breathing treatment.  Met the other parents from my agency. Went with another parent, Alisa, to the Sheraton to use their business center. I immediately relaxed here, it is a breath of fresh air after experiencing the overwhelming poverty in Addis Ababa. My soul needed a break and I didn't realize it until I no longer was experiencing it.

6. On 2/16 I went to court and the judge told me I am "irrevocably" her mother. Court is a crazy experience. When I went a month ago, I was the first called in that day with baby's birth mother and our attorneys/adoption agencies. First the judge asked the birth mother questions, then me. I had no clue this would happen. After us, the rest of my agency parents and birth parents were called in as one big group and asked questions as a group. I don't understand the rhyme or reason, but it is really emotionally draining. I got to spend a couple hours with baby's birth mother while we waited on the other families. It is a true gift and one I hope my daughter will treasure hearing.  Baby looks very much like her and has her gentle demeanor. Found out the MOWA agency did not send their letter to court, so none of us pass court until this is done. Went to lunch after court with other parents from my agency. A very emotionally draining, but the most beautiful day.