Settling In...

Okay, we are far from being experts, but we are learning our way through Addis. Right now it is strictly confined to grocery stores, restaurants, and banks close to our place. Today we went exploring down the road near our guesthouse. We found a couple of great grocery stores where we can get water, soda, soup, milk, etc etc. for some good prices. Tonight we will be cooking up some Norwegian rice pudding. Yum. (I know you’re jealous) We were also triumphant in finding a place to change our money. ☺ And finally, we found a really good Indian restaurant about 3 minutes walk from our place. Score. Yes, we have accomplished great things today. . It’s the little things…

On to more important things. Mainly…our babies. ☺

Did I mention that I got to give Alex a bath yesterday? Oh my gosh I loved it! He was SO cute! Loves the bath water. Today, when we first got to the orphanage, as soon as Alex saw Wes, he started crawling as fast as he could toward him. Victory. And then when Wes put Eliana down so we could leave, she started crying. Victory. I know it sounds strange and mean to call that a victory, but that means they are starting to attach to us just a teeny bit. Actually, the director told us today that after we left yesterday, they both started crying, and it took the nannies a while to get them calm. Ugh. It made me want to have them with us all the more. Soon. It’s coming soon. Can’t wait.

While we were sitting outside today, a white couple walked in. We were guessing they were going to meet their child for the first time. They looked scared to death. No smiles, just plain ol’ nervousness and fear. I know the feeling. I whispered to Wes to ask them if they wanted us to take pictures. From the sound of the woman’s accent, I’m guessing she was from Germany, or somewhere close. When Wes asked her if they would like us to take pictures of their first meeting, in a very nervous voice she responded, “They said we were not allowed.” She then walked away with her husband, and into the director’s office. Two of the nurses walked a little boy out, who seemed terrified himself. He cried a little at first, but then seemed to get comfortable in his mother’s arms. Wish I could have captured that for them.

In just a few days, we’ll be documenting another meetcha day with one of our agency’s families! Can’t wait! See you soon, Amanda! And then hopefully, in February, we will get to document our buddies, Bex and Josh, as they meet their little Mercy for the first time. Oh my goodness, I cannot wait for that!

Well, that’s our hum drum update for today. Catch ya next time.

p.s. I just wanted you ALL to know that I am getting ALL of your comments on the blog posts, and I CHERISH them. Please keep them coming. They mean so much to me. I can't pull up Blogger here in Ethiopia, but I have all the comments forwarded to my email. I love them! Thank you for the constant encouragement! It really does make a difference!