Sunday, December 23,
2012
Dear Aidan,
It’s hard to believe that a day could top the first day
meeting you, but believe it or not, each day keeps getting better and
better! Dad and I woke up early
this morning to explore the neighborhood where the guesthouse was located. It’s very urban, but not very
developed. As it was Sunday, the
guard at the gate suggested we go to church. He pointed up a huge hill saying the church was there. Dad and I spent the next hour wandering
around the town, saying, “Salam” (hello) to the locals as we were greeted by
huge smiles, waves and “HELLO’s!”
It was wonderful to see how friendly everybody was and they were all very welcoming! We found the church up the hill on a cobblestone street. The church was still under
construction, but it was surrounded by priests and elders who were devote
Orthodox Christians. All were dressed in
white robes and many were holding large crosses and using leaning sticks (it’s not allowed to sit
during an Orthodox mass, so many people use the sticks to lean on). There was a soccer game going on
outside the church. Just as we
reached the top of the hill, we were able to watch the final stage of the
sunrise above Addis Ababa. What an
amazing site surrounded by the mountains with the city in the valley below! On the way back down the hill, Dad and I explored a little bit more down small streets. We couldn't wait to get to know Ethiopia and the place you call home!
When were returned back to the guesthouse, we quickly got
ready for the day! Believe it or
not, I think we were even more excited today to see you as we were even more in
love with you! The mornings seemed
to take forever waiting for 10AM to arrive so that we could go to the foster
home to hold you! After we were
showered and dressed, we picked out a few new Christmas presents for you to
open. Although it was a few days
early, we figured that was ok! We were close enough to Christmas to let you open a few! We
had a delicious breakfast of French toast and hot tea prepared for us when we
went downstairs.
Another family had arrived the previous night and they were
going to meet their little girl, Keira, today for the first time.
Ms. Bridgette and I became fast friends and Dad and I were so excited
for them to meet their daughter that morning! I had been talking to all of the other moms on an Adoption Avenues Group on Yahoo! Although we had never met in person, we briefly knew each other's stories and were excited to meet!
Ms. Jill, Eli's Mom, was feeling much better today and she was downstairs. It was wonderful meeting her and hearing about their journey so far in Ethiopia! They had been here for almost a week now!
We had a special treat that morning in that Mr. Alemu, the
program director for Adoption Avenues, came to the guesthouse. Dad and I met outside to discuss your
adoption progress and our court dates.
He informed us that there was a slight chance we could have our court
date by the time we left Ethiopia in 3 weeks! I was so excited I hugged him at the possibility of you being
legally ours by the time we left Ethiopia!
I knew it was a small chance, but I was hopeful! He was very kind and helpful. It was wonderful to know that such
amazing people were helping our adoption in Ethiopia. They wanted you to be a part of our family as much as we
did!
FINALLY 10AM arrived and we headed to the foster home. We rode with Ms. Bridgette and Mr.
Matt. Dad was kind enough to take
video for them. It was amazing to
watch them meet their daughter for the first time. It was almost like we could relive our day meeting you by watching them. Keira was beautiful and such a happy
baby. She is perfect for Mr. Matt
and Ms. Bridgette! She has the biggest, brownest eyes and some crazy curly hair that makes her even cuter! Once they met
Keira, it was time for you to come on downstairs with your nanny!
Just like the day before, Dad and I waited for
“Bedassa!” Once we saw your nanny
carrying you down the stairs, we smiled!
You were so handsome and even more perfect than we had remembered! You were hungry, and luckily we were
given your bottle to feed you. I
think it only took 2-3 minutes for you to finish! We kept asking the other families, and they kept telling us we should try to burp
you, but whenever we tried, you became cranky and immediately grabbed the
bottle and put it back in your mouth!
There was no stopping you from eating!
After you were full, it was playtime once more! You opened your first book, and loved
looking at all the pictures of the animals. I think the giraffes and the hippos were your
favorites! You were so curious! But soon, you had enough sitting and it
was time to move again!
Dad took over playtime and your were army crawling all over
the place. You loved your rings
and would go anywhere for them. In
fact, you were so determined to get them that you would crawl over our arms,
legs and hands to get them! You
grunted you were trying so hard!
That made Dad proud knowing you were such a hard worker and didn’t let
anything stand in your way! Around
11:30, it seemed you were getting tired (the other 2 babies were sleeping
already). You kept rubbing your
eyes and yawning! Dad brought you
outside, which you loved. After a
few minutes of holding you, Dad had you sleeping against his chest. It was precious to watch! I joked and called Dad the "baby
whisperer" as you seemed like you hated to fall asleep as you didn't want to miss anything Dad continued to hold you until it was time for us to
go. The nannies gently took you
away to let you keep sleeping!
At lunch, we loved talking with the other 2 families! It was fascinating to hear their
stories and how similar our journeys had been. It was amazing to have an instant connection with others who
found their children in Ethiopia!
We shared laughs and tears, and stories of frustration and joy. Having those families there at the guesthouse
with us helped to complete our trip!
Soon, lunch was over and we were back for an afternoon with
you! You started to get a cough
that was going around the foster home.
You had a runny nose and I could tell didn’t feel 100%. I wanted you to rest, so we spent a lot
of time cuddling, reading stories and just talking! Once again, you were hungry for your bottle, which was a
good sign. Hearing your hoarse
cough and the congestion in your lungs broke my heart. All I wanted was for you to breathe
normally! The nurse said that you
were ok and that you just had a cold.
All the babies had it. We were hopeful that it would pass soon!
By the end of the afternoon, you were feeling a bit better
and wanted to play. You and Dad
played peek-a-boo looking out of the door. You LOVED to explore and were entertaining the other families
with your antics! You had so much
energy and always wanted to be doing something!
That day, another family met their little girl! Harper’s Mom and Dad, Ms. Jess and Mr. Ric, arrived early that
morning and made it to the foster home right before lunch to meet her! She was precious and beautiful! She has soft curly hair and beautiful brown skin. Her mom and dad have 3 boys at home, so
she’ll be a spoiled baby sister for sure!
Again, it was amazing to watch another family meet their baby for their
first time. Ms. Bridgette, Ms.
Jill and I all shared tears of joy with Ms. Jess. 4 Moms with 4 new babies- it was wonderful!
Today, Dad and I felt even more comfortable with you. Although you were still new, we felt that you were more comfortable with us. You were no longer a child that came to life from pictures, but our little boy. I think having that made our time together even more enjoyable!
After saying good-bye to you that evening, Dad and I went
back to the guesthouse. It was
getting full with families, but was so cozy! Dad was able to study Thai in the evenings and I was able to
talk with the other families! I
was also able to send e-mails and post pictures on Facebook. EVERYONE loved seeing the 3 of us- you,
Dad and I, together as a family.
It made for the best early Christmas present! Before long, Dad and I were exhausted again! We were still jet-lagged from our
travels just the day before. We were fast asleep by
9PM, hoping the morning and our time with you would arrive quickly!
I hope you sleep well, Aidan Bedassa! I cannot wait for another fun-filled day with you tomorrow and for the chance to fall even more in love with you!
Love Always,
Mom
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