At the Park

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SO MUCH FUN!

Teeth and Food

It's crazy how much things change every day. Every day LT's teeth are growing so much.  

and she's moved from baby food to solid food and is enjoying learning to feed herself. 

 
Thanks Grandma Skippy (Russell's grandma) for sending us the beautiful high chair cover.

Beach Day Fun

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Love Arrives

I know that I mentioned how great this was  but I'm still soaking in all the love when we arrived.

Thank you Auntie Julie for this post...

and

It doesn't get much better than this...Thanks Mimi.

It's a homecoming that I will never forget :)

SMILE

What a difference a week makes.  We are all smiles here.  So many good things have happened this week.  Liv Tunsitu is now sleeping through the night, liking the car seat, stroller, high chair, play time, parks, baths, visitors and ME.  It just amazes me how she's sinking into her self every day.  Every time I stop to think about what she must be experiencing through her baby self I am taken back.  But she is resilient and sure is feeling more comfortable.  I know this because she smiles more and more.  

Touched

The intensity and power in these eyes just humbles me.  It' s a big thing, to be a mom.     It's a big thing to to embark on this journey so many of us have chosen to do.  Somehow these eyes reflect and remind me of the love around us and the constant friendship knocking on our door.  I have never in my life felt so enveloped by support and well wishes.  Saying thank you to my friends does not feel like enough.  But I can assure you ALL that Liv Tunsitu and I are blessed and so very grateful.  I am touched.

WE

We're home! I feel sad to have left Addis but feeling the warm wonderful welcome at the airport  (click the two links for more pics). Thank you to everyone for the love and support. I will reflect more on Amazing Ethiopia soon and my bonding with LT but right now I'm just trying to get through as the jet lag has taken a toll (such a very small price to pay for such an amazing trip). 

For now, here's my Top Ten list.

1. Holding Liv Tunsitu
2. Meeting all the other Ethiopian Children
3. My driver and friend Becky
4. Aleze Jazz Club
5. Getting called 1st at the Embassy
6. Staying at the Ayat House
7. Meeting Maria and Wode
8. Learning more about Belay and Travis
9. The streets and life of Ethiopia
10. The dancing

I miss Addis Ababa so much that I almost ache. We were lucky enough to be hosted by our local friends Rihan and Millard. And it sure makes a difference when locals are there to show you the way. I also want to thank Kris and Sandro for sharing the amazing experience.  It was  truly life changing.

For the families I owe pics to, I appreciate your patience and I will try my best to get you your beloved pics soon.

Pictures From Ethiopia...

Love at First Sight

I had to just stop and share this sweet sweet photo of LT and Simone meeting.

I leave early in the morning and I just can't wait! Thank you to everyone for the support and J, T, and A - I just read your note - YES I got your girl's info from Heather.  I will take pics and give love :)

I have a sense of the magnitude of these last moments before I leave for Africa and I just continue to be so impressed by this experience. I will love her, the country, the culture and all of the people and children - with honor.

Liv Tunsitu update

Tunsitu – "She is having a great day. She is playing with a fancy baby rattler and enjoys listening to the sound it is making.  She is a little shy towards me, but not to the point of tears.  She would duck her head into her caregiver as I tried to snatch a cute photo.   She attaches well to the caregivers and feels safe with them.  She is content playing alone and also being held.  She is carefree and easy."

I am trying to pinch myself every minute.  This is the most surreal experience and I just feel so blessed - So very lucky.

She's my little girl.

Simone's Home

It doesn't get much better than this.  Dominic, Natalie and Simone arrived home tonight and I was lucky enough to meet them at the airport. Nothing is better than this part.  She's absolutely magnificent. 

Now back to packing - 2 days people!!!!

Liv Tunsitu's Room

We're almost there girl! And each night I sit in your room with the ladybug light on and send you a prayer and imagine you and all your precious energy in this space. I like it lots and hope you do too!

1 week until I leave

HOLY GUACAMOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Dreams LT

As I get ready for bed after a day getting ready for LT, I think about her and can't wait to meet her and learn about her personality and touch and love on her. Even though it's less than two week away, each day seems to take forever. What keeps me sane is the care and attention that she's getting at Gladney. Every returning family I've talked to is so reassuring about this. 

I saw this posted by Shira and I thought it would be nice to share:

At the Gladney Foster Care Center in Addis Ababa there can be up to 24 babies in each of the Gladney homes (1 for infants, 1 for infant to toddler and 1 for older children) at any given time. Gladney has 3 nurses and 75 caregivers who take shifts to care for the children. It is very clean and they are well loved and cared for. Gladney also has 1 doctor who visits the foster care centers twice per week to address medical concerns and needs. The care givers love to hold the babies and all of the babies are held and played with throughout the day. Recently, Gladney had Dr. Karen Purvis, an attachment specialist, provide training to the Gladney caregivers on attachment and what can be done to promote this with the children. Weather permitting, the children are taken outside every morning to lay in the sunshine - commonly referred to as their sunbath. Gladney's in-country staff (American families who are living in Ethiopia to assist with the adoption process and Belay, the Ethiopian citizen who works so diligently for Gladney to assist with in-country issues) visit and play with the children regularly. In addition to their sunbath, the babies are bathed every morning and evening. They eat either every 2-3 hours or every 3-4 hours during the day and 1-3 times during the night, depending on age. Diapers are changed as needed, approximately 8 times a day. The children do not eat baby food. They are introduced to solid foods like pasta, vegetables, eggs, bread, and injera at about 8 months of age. Prior to this they eat formula - a special weight gain formula for those who are underweight.

I can say that LT was underweight and they are catching her up quickly. I just want to say a blessing to all the people who take care of these beautiful children. Thank you.  Thank you.

Pay It Forward

Attention all waiting Gladney families, I'll be traveling soon so I want to repay the favor of the wonderful families who allowed me to send a gift or take pictures.  If you are a family that has been matched and you're waiting to pick up your little one/s please email me now and so that you can get my address and send a package by 4/18 elkins.amy@gmail.com

On another note, please send a sweet thought for my close friends Natalie and Dominic who left today to pick up their beautiful Simone.  Isn't she sweet?!?!  AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WELL WISHES.  I LOVE FEELING THE LOVE :)