Sightseeing in Ethiopia

On Saturday morning, we had some free time, so we went with 2 of the other Embassy families and traveled to Washa Michael which was a rock hewn church in Addis Ababa.

I would highly recommend seeing this if you are in Addis and have extra time.  We drove to what felt like the middle of nowhere.  Up a mountain along a very rough road.  Still there were people and children everywhere you looked.  When we arrived to the top of the mountain, we got out of the van and our driver led us up a small path to where the church was.  The church was amazing, carved out of rock.  The roof had been bombed and collapsed in, but still very beautiful and wonderful to see.  A random tour guide, who spoke good english, showed up out of no where and guided us through the church.  He then took us on a short hike through the woods which came out on a beautiful mountain top view of Addis Ababa.

A view of Addis

Then, some of the most beautiful little girls showed up on the mountaintop and enjoyed having their picture taken and then looking at themselves.   When we arrived back at the van, there were a group of young kids waiting on "snacks."

The kiddos waiting on us

After the church tour, we went to a Bazaar that was something special they were having that weekend.  It was so funny as pop American music was playing in the background.  There were many of Americans there shopping and selling various crafts and items.  I did some good shopping there, although the prices were a bit more expensive.

In the afternoon, we went back to the care center to see Bejigo again and met with the pediatrician.

Here he is drinking his smoothie from a cup!

That evening, we went out to dinner with some of the other families at a restaurant called "Island Breezes"  which had a beach type theme and good "American food."

It was great to have some potato skins and chicken fingers in the middle of Ethiopia!!!

Day 3 in Ethiopia

Today, Friday, we woke up and ate breakfast at the Guesthouse.  We were then taken to the Holt offices for an orientation and then headed to the care center to see Bejigo.  One other adoptive family went with us that day.

The outside of the care center

We entered the care center and had a seat on a couch and waited for the nannies to bring Bejigo to us.  They brought him in and he immediately came right to me.

This is generally not a good sign for attachment, although it was nice that he liked us from the start.  We talked with the nurse about his schedule, eating, personality, etc. and then played for several hours.  I was already in love with him!!!  What a sweetie!!!

At one point we saw little fingers and eyes underneath a door and little voices saying "Bejigo, Bejigo!"  These were his little friends, some of the older kids who were kept in the other room.  Eventually the nannies let the other kids out to play with us too.  There was one little girl, unfortunately I did not catch her name, but she was 2 years old and I absolutely fell in love with her.  She was chubby with a runny nose and loved being tickled and loved on.  Bejigo was doing great.  Healthy as can be and very happy.  When we first saw him he mostly sat.  I tried to get him to crawl and he would go just a little ways and then lay back down on his belly.  He was so loved by the nannies and I could just tell how well taken  care of and loved that he was.  The nannies all would pick him up and kiss him and make him laugh. They call him "Konjo", meaning cute!

I couldn't have asked for better care for him.
He was wearing a long sleeve onesie underneath his orange short sleeve shirt and mis-matched socks.  (even though it was 80 degrees outside.)

His hair was shorter than I expected.  The nannie had told me that they had to cut his hair to put in an IV in his head.  He smiled alot and would put up his hands and then throw his whole body forward with his head on the floor.  We fed him his bottle.  It was then time for the babies to take their nap, so we carried him upstairs and layed him in his bed.  Very cute little beds all hooked together.

The nannies just lay them on their belly and rub their backs to get them to go to sleep.  I honestly don't know how they do that and also keep the kids from crawling into each others beds.  We went to the Golf Course for lunch.

A very beautiful place that you would not expect in the middle of the city with beautiful flowers and landscaping.  After lunch, we went back to the care center and played some more.  It was time to go and then we went back to the hotel and learned hoe to make injera from the lovely women who cook at the Guesthouse.  They thought it was so funny to see the men try to make injera and would just laugh!!!

Days 1 and 2 of Africa Trip (May 11, 12, 2011)

Flying over the coast of Africa

Almost to Addis Ababa

Days 1 and 2 of our trip consisted of 3 flights from Dayton, OH to Detroit to Amsterdam to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  The flights were uneventful which was good except for running through the airport in Amsterdam to catch our next flight.  When we arrived in Ethiopia, though, 0/4 checked bags arrived. Boo.  Luckily, I packed our carry on bags wisely and had packed the essentials and 2 outfits for each of us to wear.  We survived!!!  That night we went to bed knowing that the next day we would be going to visit Bejigo at the care center.  

A Week of Firsts

We have had a great first week with Bejigo.  Here are a few of his firsts!!!

   First time sitting in a highchair

First nap with Dad

First Bath with Mom and Dad, loved splashing around!!!

First picture hanging with Kate and Drew

First Bath together

First time swinging in the backyard!!!

We are home and doing well

We are home and have had Bejigo as part of our family for 1 week now.  He is doing very well and seems very happy most of the time.  Last night, we all even slept through the night!  Drew has had a bit of a hard time accepting all of the new family dynamics but seems to get better each day.  I am loving life and enjoying my time at home with the kids.  Kate had her last day of school on Monday.  Where did the time go?  I can't believe that my little 4 pound preemie will be starting Kindergarten soon.  I will be blogging about our trip in the coming days.  I am not a "cryer", but it was definitely more emotional than I ever thought it would be.  Looking forward to telling our story!

And we're off

Leaving tomorrow for the long plane ride back to Ethiopia.  We are more excited this time as we get to bring our baby boy home!  Praying that everything goes smoothly from Kate and Drew with their Grandparents, to travel, meeting Bejigo's birthmom, visa interview, and bonding with Bejigo.  I will try to blog while we're gone if the internet works there. Leaving as a family of 4, home as a family of 5!!!!!

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