I have been told that young children should not be exposed to mirrors because they don't "get" what it is. Well we have big mirrors in our apartment and she lights up when she sees who is there. What can I do? Sanbate loves Sanbate.

When you use cloth diapers your child poops and pees more.
Or so it seems.
I am changing her diaper every hour but what joy it is to see a
(here I go sounding like an insane mother)
normal poop!
How beautiful!

And last night Sanbate slept from 6pm to 7am!
What a fabulous mood she was in this morning.
And she talked herself to sleep for her nap.

Today Jennifer from Adoption Connections came by for the post placement visit. It went really well I believe because I fed the baby banana pancakes just before arrival.

There was crawling, walking(with the walker), cooing, talking, laughing, playing and exploring.

She made us look so good.

There is the bubble test to see if a baby is really ill, (which works).
And then there is the lollipop test. Last night I tried the latter with success.

It has been a couple of days home from the hospital and Sunboo is still a little cranky. Altho' one must realize, (that is, I must realize) she is still reeling from being taken from her home. Still in shock from losing her Ethiopian "family" at the orphanage and subconsciously her birth family. Sometimes she is inconsolable and I have to set her down for a minute.

Today for her nap she could not be comforted. She was so tired and sad. I had to put her in her crib. When I came back in to check on her she would not let me hold her so I put her down again and this infuriated her. 2 minutes later she was asleep.

With no help from me. I feel terrible.

Hospital Days












We snuck out of the hospital undetected, (or so it seemed as we escaped from the isolation chamber), and saw the light of day. We also saw the sun.
And it was good.

Tests yesterday confirmed Sanbate's improvement (from white blood cell count of 30,000 to 7,000).
Her disposition is also greatly uplifted. Sleep is an amazing thing, and WHY don't they let the babies sleep in hospitals?

We were able to spend some time outside by the sea and in our back yard as the weather was gorgeous.

By 6 pm however, girl had a mild temperature. Hello tylenol and lots of liquids. By 7pm temperature was normal.

Easter

As he rose, she also rose.
Is a rose.
Ah Sunboo. You were very joyous today having had a real night's rest. All the machinery seems to be running smoothly again and if your blood test tomorrow is like your disposition today we are shining.
Dr. Brian Lee, who is an esteemed member of the Infectious diseases department of the hospital, met with us today to let us know that if the bloodwork tomorrow is improved from Thursday we can bring the girl home.
Push back that boulder and let us out!

Our sweet goose has been very sick. She had another febrile convulsion on the way to her doctor's appointment on Thursday and we have been at the hospital since. She has pneumonia, and something intestinal as well as other worse possibilities we are trying and hoping to rule out.
Tomorrow they pump her stomach to do a culture on what is in there. She will have to keep tubes in her little nose for a few days.
She has had almost every kind of test known to human kind.
And will be in the hospital until Monday at least.
I am home for a few hours to get some rest.
We are at the best children's hospital in our area and I am very confident of the doctors, altho' they do railroad a bit. We are in isolation which stinks because we can't walk around with her but it is a private room with a bathroom and view of the bay and the train so she and I have been sitting in the window and gazing at the street below. Very entertaining- no tv needed!

Happy Birthday!

On her Number 1 Day S woke up late, (430 am). She is tired and unwell. As she slept on and off throughout the day Mr. D and I became increasingly concerned, called the nurse practitioner and insisted on antibiotics. She had a fever the second half of the day and her belly was full of battle cries. I will not mention her diapers herein.
We did not give her the antibiotics however, as the international adoption clinic dr. advised us against taking any medication until the lab results are back.

Tomoca coffee is d* straight, 3 palms a pound, and I get excited when waking up at 3 in the morning with Sanbate to drink it.

The girl survived extensive bloodletting today. In fact, she walked away with her sense of humor fully intact.

Tomorrow is her birthday so we have every intention of spoiling her in every way. Lord girl! You made it through one year! Despite!

I am so grateful to sister Askale, the resident nurse pictured here with our coy smiler, for accompanying me to the hospital on our first day. I don't care what the statistics say, my experience with Ethiopians both men and women has lead me to feel devoted to them and to feel they are gentle and extremely loving people.

Yesterday Sanbate and I went to the International adoption clinic for an intense consultation which left us feeling a little bereft. The words, "failure to thrive" were used in reference to the almost nonexistent growth she has shown over the last 3 months. It is very possible that our girl has ghiardia or some kind of parasite/bacteria that is inhibiting her body from intaking nutrients. The girl eats and sleeps like a queen but still does not grow. Her digestion is also very challenged and one can hear the battle going on inside her belly after a meal. Mr. D and I are a little anxious about it especially after the febrile convulsion last week. So, we bought a temporal temperature gauge so as to keep track of any fever immediately and I am petitioning our primary care doctor for an appointment today so that we can get a referral for a blood panel and stool check.

None of this has stopped her from being an affectionate, curious, playful, and stunningly gorgeous lovebaby.

Another ED in the family.

We are home.
It seemed endless but
eternity has come to rest.

Many adventures inside one.
First day in Ethiopia trip to the hospital. Upon arrival our child vomits entire content of bottle on my torso and later because of temperature of 104 has febrile convulsions. If you have ever had a child of your own do this you know how terrifying it is.

Second day in Ethiopia trip to Leku to see the birth family (mother and grandmother). It seemed as though the entire village waited outside while we sat and talked.

Third day in Ethiopia trip to US embassy in Addis Ababa to obtain finalization of adoption and legal resident alien visa.

Fourth day in Ethiopia our child with us all day and all night.

Fifth day in Ethiopia I fall sick, north pole and south pole.

Sixth day in Ethiopia shopping excursion to Addis to buy things for the girl, (dresses, maps, books, paintings, a triptych, kavere, t-shirts, coffee, a sidama style cross necklace. The bus leaves without us downtown and we have momentary panic not unlike "Open Water". It seems they did a miscount and when they arrived at next destination realized we weren't aboard and turned around to get us.

Seventh day in Ethiopia coffee ceremony and goodbyes.

No sleep on the plane. A very fussy baby. Luggage sent on different flight which was delayed.

And finally back home.

Today is the day we leave so I may not be able to post anything else soon.
The bags are packed. The packing list has been checked. The cab for tonite has been called. It is difficult to believe that this is happening. I feel like I am being carried by this tremendous force and that I am ready to just relax and let it take me to Ethiopia.

I thought I would finish Sanbate's hat on the plane but here it is at home waiting for her to make it work.

Our agency called to let us know we will be staying in Awassa the night before our embassy appointment on Monday. As it stands we will leave early on Sunday to travel to the birth family's location (?) and then back to Awassa for the night. Awassa is not far from Addis so it shouldn't be difficult to get back in time for appointment at the embassy in the afternoon.

On a different note and in regard to what is happening TODAY:
I want to stay positive about the primaries. I want to be inspired that so much has happened with the nation actually getting out and voting for the first time! In Texas and places you would think that the current administration had paralyzed. I want to stay optimistic about this "Change" Americans are hungry for. But I have to tell you I am nervous about it. I am anxious about it. Because I do have hope that the grown up running is not going to give in to "the silly season" in politics. Is not going to stoop to fear mongering and racial baiting. That Barack Obama will continue to run in his "presidential" way.
With leadership.
Credibility.
Intelligence.
Dignity.
Strength.
Compassion.
Vision.
And a whole lot of blessings from his supporters.

Lovely me I have the flu.
Which is actually fine as I would rather be getting better at home than trying to "Buck up" on the flight to Ethiopia.
Our neighbor came over today to be prepped on kitty and birdy care.
I finished shopping for the trip.
220 volt adapter? Check.
Baby shoes and socks? Check.
Electric socket protectors? Check.
Baby dishes that don't have obnoxious cartoons on them? Check.
Freezer food for our return home? Check.
Flip flops for the orphanage guest room (no shoes allowed)? Check.

Bubbles?

You better believe it.

Today is a wonderful day!








Mr. D came home from India and brought sweets and ganthia.
My mom called to tell me she and my youngest sister are coming to see us on Mother's day weekend! I am so pleased.
The sun is back in California. I have been gardening.
And I finished the most lovely project of all- this felted ball for Sanbate. And it only took me 10 hours.
The agency also sent 4 more pictures of Sanbate, who is a serious little child. Now that I see her I am wondering if the clothes will fit her. She is only 17 lbs. but she looks bigger in the photos.



A fun movie I found on Jack and Jill.

Tag, You are it!
Brought to us by Are We There Yet?




Groups of 4

Jobs I have had:
1. Waldorf Teacher
2. Nanny for 6 children
3. Veternary receptionist
4. Foreign Rights and Permissions Coordinator for Shambhala Publications

Movies I watch over and over:
1. Secrets and Lies
2. Its a Wonderful Life (yes I am a card carrying SAP)
3. Groundhog Day
4. The Royal Tenenbaums

Places I’ve lived:
1. East Coast (MA, NH, ME)
2. California (Berkeley)
3. Chicago(Rogers Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park and Logan Square)
4. Annandale-on-the-Hudson, NY

TV Shows I watch:
1. We
2. Don't
3. Have
4. Cable

Places I’ve Been:
1. India
2. Mexico
3. Dominican Republic
4. Ethiopia (In 9 days)

People who email me regularly:
1. My sisters
2. My husband
3. Ethiopia adoptees
4. Waldorf School colleagues


4 Favorite things to eat:
1. Salt
2. corn
3. Greens
4. Chocolate

4 Places I’d rather be:
1. Here Now
2. With my family and friends
3. With Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
4. In bed reading a good novel

Things I look forward to this year:
1. Meeting Sanbate and bringing her home
2. Moving to India and being a family that lives together
3. Being a mom And an artist
4. Getting rid of more stuff when we move

Now it is your turn, that is if you haven't been tagged yet.

NOTHING IS INSIGNIFICANT

I took notes during our 2 hour "travel meeting" with our agency today.

We will meet our child on International Women's Day.
I learned the names of the caregivers who have been looking after the children; Eskidar, Askala and Theras. The names of the drivers that will be ferrying us about; Mulat and Yonas.
1$ is equal to 9.5 birr.
The agency told us to bring between 1 and 2 thousand dollars to pay for the guest house, gifts, trip to Sidama to see birth family, and shopping.
Altitude sickness may be an issue as Addis is considered high altitude.
Emailing may have to be done late at night or early morning.
I have to think of questions for Sanbate's birth family and questions for her caregivers.
Remember to bring insect repellent, 220 volt adapter, standard polaroid film, flip flops and walking shoes.

I spoke to my friend and fellow adopting mom whose daughter is all grown now. She told me to take a lot of pictures even of things we may not see as important, like the inside of a grocery store. She couldn't emphasize more this thought to keep in mind as we travel Ethiopia,
"Nothing is insignificant".


Situations

Maybe you will enjoy the music and maybe you will see why this man, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living is so beloved.

One of these pieces of artwork is a chalk drawing on tile done by S. Hatch in our back yard.The other is a meditation in marker on paper towel by M. Hatch.

Just in:
A letter from Paul Newell, candidate
for New York State Assembly

Senator Clinton,

Thank you for your years of hard work representing New Yorkers. I have proudly voted for you twice. Thank you as well for your hard fought Presidential campaign. American democracy, and the Democratic Party in particular, require the dynamic exchange of ideas that this primary season has brought. It has been exciting and inspiring to have a woman and a New Yorker contest the Presidency so credibly. We are a stronger nation and party for your candidacy.

But that time has past. After Senator Obama's 10 straight wins this month, no realistic path remains for you to win the nomination without thwarting the clearly expressed preference of Democratic primary

voters. While it is clearly your "right" to continue this debate until the convention, as a New Yorker and a Democrat I ask you to withdraw.

The campaign has become increasingly negative. I fear that you are permanently damaging your relationship with Senator Obama, the likely nominee of our party, and the likely next President of the United

States. Poisoning this relationship will not only harm our party, but may harm New York State as well. It may also do harm to the goals of social justice and working families for which you have worked for so many years.

In light of that, I ask you to end your candidacy for President this week. I look forward to your continued representation in the Senate. Thank you.


Sincerely,


Paul Newell

Wouldn't it be wonderful if good manners made a comeback? Can someone send this man's parents a fruit basket or something?