We have been home with our little angel for 2 weeks, and I am just now getting a breather (Daddy's putting her to bed!) in order to catch up on my blog. Our week in Addis Ababa was an incredible adventure; we were so excited to get there and meet her that the long flights were quickly forgotten. Our first meeting with her was exciting for us, she was very shy and afraid, just stared at the walls; she liked the presents we brought her, and finally warmed up, especially with Scott playing 'drop the giraffe'; on Day 2, we went back to pick her up Forever, and she was a real trooper; she didn't cry, but also didn't speak; she stared silently at us for 2 days, with an occasional smile while playing balloon. And then, on day 3, she finally spoke, her first word was "doggie"! Scott was so amazing with her, he drew her out of her shell...it brings tears to my eyes remembering how his love for her made her finally open up to us...
I went alone to meet her birthmom at Addison's former orphanage, she was a nice but understandably sad lady; I gave her pictures of Addison and we spoke through interpreters. We had a long hard hug. It was very emotional for both of us. I feel very lucky that I will be able to tell her one day that I met her birthmom and that we spoke and hugged, and that she was very sad that she couldn't care for Addison and had to give her up; I even have pictures of us together - a valuable gift.
We hung around the Hilton and got into a good routine - venturing out to the playground and swimming pool each day, which Addison loved, then naps for all of us in the afternoon and then out for dinner. She was an absolute angel the whole time in Addis, and also on the long plane rides home. She continued to sleep through the night in her new bed until 3 or 4 days in, then as she began attaching to us, she didn't want to be left alone at night, and would wake up 2x each night crying. So after many sleepless nights, we moved a crib (thanks Steph!) into our room and have now had 3 blissful nights with no waking up, for any of us. The lack of sleep turned our world upside down, and we all found it very tough going (thanks again Steph! and Noelle! - don't know what I'd do without you!). She is constantly talking now, part Amharic, part English, and is learning so quickly we can hardly believe it! She is incredibly smart, and is being a typical 3 year old, challenging us on boundaries, having meltdowns if she can't have her way with things, but blossoming every day, and appearing to love her new life, and even us! She appears to be quite attached to us, although true attachment is probably a long way off, but for now, we are all enjoying each other ('cept during the meltdowns!) and are finding our way to becoming a family. I will sign off for now, but will leave you with a precious picture from our time in Addis Ababa.
