My daughter's face

I love my daughter's face. I think it is the most beautiful face I've ever looked upon. I catch myself staring at her pictures and I'm amazed. I've held her in my arms so I know how real she is, but sometimes, there are moments I can't believe it.



April 2011



A timeline since referral

 I first met my daughter Medhanit via photo when she was 6 months old (I suspect it was 7 months if her birth certificate is correct). They were photos of her taken at 2.5 months old during her intake to the orphanage. I thought she was the most beautiful creation God ever made (never mind the crying sad baby they sent me in the photos who I later found out was hospitalized for pneumonia for 50 days during this time). All I could see was her beauty. Those big eyes stole my heart from the moment I looked at them.

 

 Thankfully, they also sent me a photo taken a few weeks later for her birth certificate where she looks much more content. I wondered how I got so lucky. How could God bless me with such a gift?

A few weeks after that I received a photo of her at 6.5 (probably 7.5) months and realized how much she had grown and was sad to be missing out on these early months.








The next one was sent to me about a month or so later at 8 months. She looked so tiny and I wondered if the weight measurement was wrong (I was correct, she was much smaller than they said).









I received one last photo the night I left for my Ethiopian court visit of her at 11 months. She looked so beautiful and healthy. It was a great way to head out in anticipation of seeing her in person. In none of the pictures I received was she ever smiling. I kept telling everyone she was waiting to meet me in person to show me her smile.

 

And she did show me that glorious smile. And it was worth the wait.

Thank you God for blessing me with my daughter, I can't wait to bring together our little family for good.

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.

Today's the day!

Off I go, into the wild blue yonder....
A few last minute changes to my guest house which means I will not be going down to Awassa to visit baby. Now she will be with me in Addis, I can see her every day! Yeah!!!
I can't wait to share her photo with all. A few more days. :)

2 DAYS!!!!

I can't believe it and I can't wait!

Denial and ecstatic feelings have been replaced by a serious case of the nerves. I'm nauseous, having insomnia, and really scared my guest house driver will not be at the Ethiopian airport to pick me up. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe. Whew, I feel better already. Seriously though, two days!