Finally! First meeting with the Newbie

Guestblogging for Stacey.....Thanks to S (who got the early morning call from Stacey & Dan) for relaying the info to me about their day.

Stacey and Dan met the newbie today!! She is absolutely gorgeous! The newbie has also followed the example of her two big sisters -- she barfed on Stacey about 2 or 3 times almost immediately. Clearly, she fits in with the family.

The newbie was visibly dehydrated when they met her at the care center, so Stacey and Dan insisted on taking her to the hospital for fluids. They got a little bit of resistance from the staff and they might have offended the doctor at the care center. Once they got some fluids into her at the hospital, the newbie perked up a bit, cried some tears and peed in Stacey's lap (which was a good sign, because in her dehydrated state she wasn't making either tears or urine). Stacey was able to feed the newbie some Pedialyte and she was able to keep that down. Luckily, they changed some money before they left the Sheraton in the morning. They had to pay the hospital in cash -- about US $25.00.

Stacey sounded happy but exhausted. She's already gone through a whole bottle of Purell today. (If you know Stacey, you know about her pathological fear of vomit.) They missed all of their orientation and touring today while they were at the hospital with the newbie. She thinks that this might have freaked out their travel group members a bit. But the others in the travel group are lovely and have been very friendly and supportive.

They are able to receive text messages, but the Ethiopian government has blocked outgoing texts.

Arrived in Addis

Guestblogging for Stacey....she sent me an email a few hours ago.

We arrived safely in Addis. The Sheraton is gorgeous, and we are to report to the adoption agency's main office tomorrow. This was a surprise as we thought we were going to have the day free. We hope this means we meet the newbie tomorrow. Oh, and the texting got wonky when we entered Ethiopia. Fine in the Sudan, not working in Ethiopia. I'll let you know when it is fixed.

The Adventure Begins!

Instead of getting ready for our big trip, I'm blogging. Probably to avoid the issue for a little while longer. I've been really weepy lately. Worried about the trip, worried about my girls without us, work stress. And now, it's here. Some of it is the normal before a baby stuff-- right before I gave birth to each of the girls, I had this "Oh shit" moment. Thinking that things as they were were pretty great and what in the heck was I thinking changing it all up. Now, there is a lot of worry intertwined with the thoughts of the new life. And this time, I know for sure life is going to change in a fundamental way. Ina way, it's not the change itself I worry about---it's the process. The growing pains of a new family where three of the members arrive jet lagged, and two of the members are coming off of a sugar high the likes of their bodies have ever seen. Not to mention the gifts and super attention of all of the relatives overcompensating for our absence.

And the newbie? Still feels like a theoretical possibility. After years of little disappointments, I've finally succeeded in distancing myself from the process a bit. I think it won't be truly real until they put her in my arms. For the record, I think this is only fair--with the c-sections, Dan got to hold the girls waaay before I did. This time it's my turn. Just my luck, she'll probably puke on me.

I do want to take a moment and thank all of the people who made this adoption possible. In particular, K, S, and T. They hosted a bon voyage party on Saturday for us that was great! It was a nice distraction and a moment to chill before the last minute craziness. They even spoiled my girls, who felt like important big sisters. I would post pictures, but in the madness (and the 5 kids) I totally forgot to take them. Also thanks to R, who accompanied me on my pedicure yesterday and helped talk me down after Dan spent the day at work (a patient died).

Well the first girl is awake this morning, so the race begins!

Auntie Rumi's Guest Post

This is a test. Auntie Rumi will be a guest blogger while we're gone. I'm going to send her updates from Ethiopia. The force is strong with her.

Where in the World are Dan and Stacey?

I've had several requests for our itinerary, so here goes:

Monday: Depart at 4:15 p.m. to Amsterdam, 8.5 hrs on plane, couple of hours of layover

Tuesday: Amsterdam to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by way of Khartoum, Sudan. Flight to Sudan is a little over 6 hours, another 2 hours or so to Addis from there. Arrive 9:05 p.m. (Ethiopia time). Spend night in Sheraton, Addis.

Wednesday: Tour Addis, try to get acclimated, then move stuff to agency's guest house.

Thursday: Shopping in the morning, Reception for the 5th Anniversary of our agency in Ethiopia.

Friday: Orientation and meet the newbie

Saturday: Morning visit to the care center and time with newbie, brief shopping, dinner and show with traditional Ethiopian dancing.

Sunday: Travel south to Hosana (several hours by van) possible meeting with birth family, return to guest house in evening.

Monday: Morning spent at care center with newbie, afternoon at museums and city sights. Also visit AHOPE and other agency facilities in Addis.

Tuesday: Going away celebration at the care center, receive newbie into our care. Afternoon Embassy appointment, visit to the Hilton Hotel to confirm travel.

Wednesday: Time spent with newbie in our care, hair braiding class in afternoon.

Thursday: Morning cooking class, packing. Depart for airport at 3:00 p.m., 11 p.m. flight to Amsterdam.

Friday, 5 hour layover in Amsterdam, then flight home. Arrive 11:55 Chicago time.

Preparing for Travel

We're confirmed for travel on April 20th. And we're hosting Easter. And work is a disaster. But, things are moving along and we are in good shape.

When I was waiting I was interested in what other families sent to their babies in the care packages. I included a couple of photos in the slide show so the waiters could see.

More later, I've got to prepare for the Bunny.

Tentative Travel Date

Funny, the photo says it all, doesn't it? We have a tentative travel date of April 20th!!! Yikes! We're excited, but since it is just over 2 weeks away, we're freaking out. If any of you out there who have traveled have tips, please leave a comment. At this point, we'll take all the advice we can get.
Oh, and the photo is from the newbie's birth certificate. Fitting, don't you think?