Baby and Sue makes 2

Together Forever Day

2011-12-28T20:18:00.000-08:00

December 28, 2010, Dad and I went to Enet Alem Orphanage in Addis at 10 am. We picked up Andrew and participated in a coffee ceremony to celebrate bringing Andrew into our lives forever. We shared coffee, popcorn, oranges, and candy with the orphanage director, the nurse, the nannies, and our driver and translator in the courtyard at the orphanage. Andrew (then Anwar) just took it all in. He was quiet and comfortable as I put him in the carrier, and he sat with his new mommy. When we left the orphanage, we went back to the Sadula for a bottle and a nap, and this new mommy changed her first diaper--amazingly, all of this just came naturally (MUCH to my surprise!). After a couple of hours, Alemu picked us up, and we went to the Embassy for the final appointment to complete the Ethiopian part of the adoption. After that, we shared egg salad sandwiches and cokes in the car while Andrew slept on my chest!...and that's it! So spectacular and so normal at the same time! This miracle became a regular part of my life.

One year later, I am still awed by how spectacular and how normal having Andrew in my life is.

Andrew is growing up so beautifully. He speaks many words now and will imitate anything you say to him. Lately, he has started calling all dogs "Bernie" (one of our greyhound's name), he can name all of the major Sesame Street characters (although he calls the Count "HA, ha ha!"), ha asks for Grandma and Grandpa ("ammaw" and "pa") and our neighbors Pete and Rhee; he wakes up and wants a ride in the swing ("whee") and to eat CANDY! I just took him out of the crib a couple of days ago and put him into the toddler bed, and he seems to really like it. He is doing well in daycare. He has such a funny personality, and we laugh every day. Now--it's not all bliss--along with how bright and energetic he is, there is a part of him that is becoming more and more independent, and he is sometimes a pretty tough challenge for me! He is into everything, likes to explore and be active, and he's vocal about what he wants! "A handful" is putting it mildly!!

The week before Christmas, I took Andrew with me to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. I have been attending this conference for over 20 years, and I love it. It was a different experience with Andrew this year. It was so fun to share the grand Chicago Hilton with him...downtown Chicago sites....the music. We also got to meet up with our friends from our first Ethiopia trip--Suzanne and Larry and their son Patrick, and SOPHIA--who was in the same room in the same orphanage as Andrew.

We had a terrific Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza. My mom and dad spent a week with us. Andrew got a rocking horse, a little riding car, a tent/tunnel play house, Thomas trains, Fisher Price farm, Sesame Street neighborhood and people, Elmo singing/playing drums, and on and on. It was a big holiday for him!! He seems thrilled with everything!

This coming Saturday, New Year's Eve, will represent one year home with Andrew! We will have our own New Year's party, complete with popcorn, oranges, and coffee to celebrate a little bit Ethiopian style!

I am so incredibly grateful to be able to celebrate and share the ordinary and the extraordinary of having Andrew home for one year!

November 12

2011-11-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

On November 12, 2010, my parents and I were driven to an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where we met my son, Andrew for the first time. I held him, sang to him, saw his smile, looked into his eyes, and fell in love. He was 4 months old, with gorgeous eyes and a sweet spirit that I could feel the instant we met. Yesterday, Andrew and I celebrated that "first day of the rest of our lives" by just spending the day together. We had our favorite Waffle House breakfast, spent a couple of hours at the park--riding the tricycle, playing in the dirt, and enjoying the beautiful 65 degree Alabama November. We came home and took a nice nap before heading down to Andrew's first UAB Basketball game. We just stayed a short time at the game and came home for Oreos for dessert and bed. Just the 2 of us....he is such great company. I am so incredibly lucky.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

My little bumble bee!! Although he hated wearing it at first, he got used to it, and the neighbors loved it! We just went to our closest neighbors' houses for trick or treat then came home to give out candy.

Yesterday, we went to a great Halloween party with our single mom/Ethiopian boys group. Daphne had planned great games for the kids and food all with the Halloween theme. It was really neat, and we all had a great time. Our first Halloween!!

16-months old and growing up fast!

2011-10-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

I took Andrew to the Great Pumpkin Patch today and took a few nice pictures. This inspired me to catch up on the old blog here!! First of all--my little boy was 16-months old yesterday. He continues to be absolutely the most beautiful, wonderful, smart, funny, loving kid in the world, and I'm so lucky that he is my son!

In the past couple of months, we've been through some wonderful challenges. First--daycare. Both mom and Andrew have shed a lot of tears during the transition into full time daycare. Andrew cried everyday at drop-off (and so did I!), and the first few weeks, he was so tired at the end of the day that he would basically fall asleep in my arms before we got out to the car! He got sick after a week in daycare, with a 102 degree fever; he got a terrible diaper rash the next week (which he had never had before), and I thought seriously about pulling him out and finding a nanny. However, since that time, Andrew has really grown and thrives at daycare. While drop off is still a little tough, his teachers say he stops crying a minute or two after I leave....and now when I pick him up at the end of the day, he is happy. He's learning so much, he continues to be so social and friendly/outgoing, and I really like his teachers and the care they give him. I feel like we are a team now, helping Andrew to learn and grow.

Sleep continues to be a challenge for us. A normal night is Andrew falling asleep between 8:15 and 8:45, up once for milk between 2 and 3, and then up at 5. I don't mind the up for milk between 2 and 3 so much...but the up for good at 5 is killing me. (I used to be an up-no-earlier-than-7 person). I think he'll grow out of this, but I'm really looking forward to that growth! An ATYPICAL night...but generally about once a week--includes Andrew waking up sometime in the wee hours...and being UP--wide awake and happy. I have taken him for drives trying to get him back down...and even did a Wal-Mart run one night around 2 am just to stop myself from going crazy! On nights like this, if I leave him in the crib to "cry himself back to sleep," he just screams and cries and ends up throwing up. Sleep doesn't seem to come....again--I think he'll grow out of this--can't wait!

Other than that, life is great! Andrew can speak several words, and he communicates with sign language well too. We know: eat, more, all done, bath, ball, sleep, mommy, daddy, baby, kiss, friend...we say bye, can high five and fist bump, kiss, and a whole slew more. He can identify his head, hair, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, feet/shoes, and more. He recognizes songs, sings certain words in a few, and does hand motions to several songs--favorites include The Ants Go Marching, If You're Happy and You Know It, Twinkle Twinkle, Row Row Row, Itsy-Bitsy Spider, 1-2 I love You, and John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt (although I sing it as Andrew Brighton Samuels). He can identify and do sounds of several animals, but the latest favorite is the pig, where he smashes in his (or my) nose and grunts. He's a pretty good eater with fruit at the top of his favorites--although bananas not as much as he used to--grapes, apples, peaches, oranges are up there. He also likes peas and carrots, and he goes crazy for corn. He seems to tolerate meats like chicken, beef, turkey, but he doesn't like them as much as other things. He does love chocolate. He has hundreds of dollars of toys which he enjoys, but his favorite pastime is to empty any drawer or cabinet he can get into--this includes my bathroom, where I'll often find bandaids, bottles of lotion, deodorant, eye drops, and other MORE PERSONAL items all over the house. It's usually funny to me, except after I've already picked those things up several times that day or if I'm trying to get out of the house--which of course, happens a lot! Andrew turns everything he can into a drum...and he's got great rhythm. He can even drum and make sound effects with his mouth and it's pretty entertaining.

At the Pumpkin Patch, we went on a hayride to the patch, and then Andrew got out and ran all over the place, falling in the dirt a million times. He loved every second of it. He would drum on the pumpkins, try to pick them up, and then run/fall/run to the next one. There was also a petting zoo there, and he pet a black pig after oinking at it, and he got bitten by a chicken (no big deal, but he didn't like it)! We also met another adopted Ethiopian there! I recognized the facial features in a beautiful little girl and approached her parents. She's 2 and has been home since she was 8 months old. They live in Birmingham, so we exchanged numbers and hope to include this new family in some of our Ethiopian get-togethers!

We will carve pumpkins together this afternoon! Sure to be a fun mess. Here are a few pictures from today!

Some happenings in the past month....

2011-08-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I had some fantastic times this summer....but sadly, summer has come to an end. With the first day of classes at UAB today, I decided it was time to post a few things that happened in the late summer. FIRST--Andrew took his first solo steps last week!! I have a short video here of him taking some steps in my office. We also had a nice road trip to Atlanta to eat at an Ethiopian restaurant with our friends (other single moms and their kids). We swam a lot, spent time with family and friends, and simply enjoyed as much time together as we could! Andrew continues to grow up--my baby has turned into a toddler!! Sometimes, I just look at him and tear up with absolute, complete joy, love, and gratitude--I am so lucky that this little boy is my son.

Our Michigan Road Trip

2011-07-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Andrew and I flew into Grand Rapids, Michigan to begin our Michigan road trip! We began with a visit to St. Joseph--right on Lake Michigan--to our friends who were on the first Ethiopia trip with me and my parents. Larry and Suzanne and their biological son, Patrick are great folks! I'm really hoping that we will keep in touch with them and see them regularly, as their adopted daughter, Sophia, is just 2 months older than Andrew and was from the same orphanage as well as the same birth town. It will be great for them to have each other as they grow up. It was so fun to see the two of them together. After a couple of days with this great family, we headed to Battle Creek to meet my good friends Rodney and Dorinda, who live in Ann Arbor. We went to a wonderful zoo there--Binder Park...where we saw a lot of cool animals and even fed the giraffes! The Africa exhibit at this zoo is really terrific. If you're ever near Battle Creek, you should make a visit to this zoo! After the nice day, Andrew and I hopped into the car and drove to Wayland to visit with another adoptive family. Marcy and Doug were on our second trip to Ethiopia (it was their first). They have three biological kids and they adopted two from Ethiopia--Bizu, 7 and Dahlki, 5. We had dinner with their family, played, and enjoyed their wonderful company. What a fun family--I hope we see them again as well. The following morning, Andrew and I went to Adoption Associates-the placing agency we worked with to meet Jane, the Director and Sally, our main case worker.

It was a jam-packed trip...but a really good one....and I must say, Andrew is an excellent traveler! He stays happy and flexible. He is such good company. He makes me laugh and knows how to give and receive love. Even when our flight home got cancelled, and we got stuck in Chicago for an extra night with no luggage and only 3 diapers left, Andrew stayed in a good mood! He makes me a better person.

Introducing....Andrew Brighton Samuels!

2011-07-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

Today, we had our official re-adoption here in Alabama. Even though Andrew has legally been my son since the adoption in Ethiopia on November 18th, Alabama requires an additional legal process in order to get an Alabama birth certificate. It felt like a formality to me....but I guess it was necessary to change his name from Anwar Rhondasue Samuels!! We did take a few pictures of the event....of us with the Judge and with our lawyer.

Happy Birthday, my baby boy!

2011-06-21T21:39:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Andrew's first birthday today! Grandma and Grandpa are here for a visit, and they helped make it a really special day! First, we went out to lunch and then shopping so Grandma and Grandpa could buy Andrew his own chair for video-watching! We found a cute Mickey Mouse Clubhouse rocker! After we came home for a quick nap, we met friends at Habaneros for dinner and then came back home for birthday cake. You'll see in the pictures that the cake was a smashing success! After the cake, we opened presents, and Andrew played with each of them! In all we had about 20 friends--neighbors, babysitters, friends from work, and single mom group friends to help celebrate the day! I felt so lucky to have such a wonderful support network for my little boy. Throughout the day, I often thought about our first meeting, bringing Andrew home, and how much has changed since he has been home. Honestly, I can't even really remember life before Andrew! This little boy has truly made my life more meaningful, more beautiful, more memorable, and so incredibly full of love! I love him so much, and I love being his mommy!

Andrew is now walking while holding onto things--me, furniture, etc. He has a lot to say too! He imitates sounds and uses expressive vocal inflections while gesturing or pointing with his hands. He plays hide and seek! If I crawl, he follows me, and I will hide around the corner waiting for him...when I say "boo," he jumps and startles, but then he busts out laughing and wants to do it again! He eats everything, especially loves all fruit--even really sour things like limes! He is learning how to kiss properly (instead of biting my lip off!), and he is such a happy baby!

Happy First Birthday, my baby boy!!

11 months old and getting more mobile every day!

2011-06-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

Andrew started crawling like crazy a few weeks ago. He is so strong...and fast! Last weekend, we went to see Grandma and Grandpa at the beach in South Carolina. Andrew loved spending time with his grandparents (and I sense they enjoyed it too!), and we spent a couple of days at the beach. My little boy has no fear! He headed straight for the ocean....ate a few handfuls of sand along the way....and crawled right into the waves! We had a great time. Here are a few pictures from our visit with Grandma and Grandpa, our cousin Aiden, the beach, and even a funny shot from an old fashioned crib in a hotel from earlier in the month.

Andrew is pulling up to standing too...and his preferred mode of transportation is to walk with me holding his hands for balance. He grows so fast!! He continues to have the most outgoing and friendly personality...so happy...and brings joy to all he meets!!

Single moms and awesome Ethio Kids dinner!

2011-05-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight, we went to Daphne's house. She and Ben, Melissa and Gizatu, Andrew and I, and Vanessa (who is just starting the adoption process) had a great time together. I'm so glad that we have each other and that our children will grow up together. Andrew watched and listened to the "big boys" and started imitating them while they played. Ben and Gizatu play so well together--it's fun to hear them and watch them. The moms got a chance to catch up with each other and even to eat dinner! Melissa made yummy lasagna, and the rest of us pitched in with a dish too. What a great group of gals and kids!!

...and so it begins....

2011-05-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

some 10-month old pics

2011-05-10T06:56:00.001-07:00

One of my former students is a professional photographer in Atlanta. She was in town visiting her parents a couple of weeks ago, and we met at the Railroad Park where she took a few pictures for us!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

My first mother's day.....so far, I have played on the floor with Andrew, given him breakfast, done his laundry, and now, I'm watching him take a nap! Being a mom. He is absolutely the most beautiful boy in the world. I am so lucky to be his mommy.

Andrew--I love you up to the sky.....and for all yesterdays, todays and tomorrows!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms in my life--my own incredible mom, my sisters, aunts, cousins, nieces, friends, and fellow adoptive moms! We share the bond of motherhood and of making the world a better place through our children!

Three months home!

2011-04-07T21:10:00.001-07:00

This past week, Andrew and I celebrated our 3-months home anniversary! We spent the whole day together, going to the park, shopping for new clothes, playing on the floor, singing, dancing, jumparooing:-), and we ended the day with a chocolate milk toast to honor the day! Here are some self-timed photos made before bed on March 31, 2011--3 months home!

I can't believe it's only been 3 months! It's hard to remember life before Andrew!! He makes me laugh every day (and I make sure to make him laugh every day too!). He's growing, trying new foods, and getting more mobile. His babbling is adorable--he can say "da," "ma," "ba," "ya," and "na." He wakes up happy every day! I love every day with my beautiful son.

A day at the zoo

2011-03-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

Today, the temperature got up to nearly 80! It was beautiful, and Andrew and I invited Janetta to go with us to the zoo. It was really crowded there today, but we had a nice time and enjoyed the sun. Andrew doesn't really react to the animals much...although he did start screaming and crying when the rooster crowed!! Guess he's not a farm boy.....

A day in the park!

2011-03-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

We've had some beautiful weather here the past week or so, and Andrew and I have gotten out to enjoy it. I've tried to walk/jog with the jogging stroller several times (it's a real struggle to push that thing through dirt/gravel!), and we've been to the park twice. Andrew seems to enjoy the swing, but when Mommy takes him down the slide, he doesn't quite get it yet! Here are a few photos of my beautiful boy enjoying the Railroad Park in Birmingham.

It's almost embarrassing.....

2011-03-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

...that I haven't entered anything here in 2 months!! I have a great excuse--I've been so in love and so wrapped up with life with Andrew that I haven't had much internet time at all!

Our first 2 months together have been fantastic. Andrew is a happy boy, an easy baby, and an absolute delight. He is healthy, sweet, likes to laugh, and is growing strong! He has learned to wave, to clap; he rolls over both ways; he looks like he's about to crawl, and he can sit up on his own. He laughs when mommy tickles his belly and when I dance around acting silly. He loves to be in his jumparoo. He seems to enjoy sleeping peacefully in the stroller while mommy jogs and sweats and can't breathe! He's seen the ocean but can't wait to get in there with warmer weather coming soon! He loves taking baths. He has smiles for everyone he meets. The doggies tolerate him, and he hasn't pulled any tails yet! He doesn't sleep through the night yet--usually up around 1 am and 4 am.....he is eating some finger foods (cereal) as well as baby food apples, pears, peaches, mixed vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and turkey. He loves oatmeal with apples and cinnamon and rice cereal with mangos! He Skypes with Grandma and Grandpa every night while he eats dinner. He sits in front of the Baby Einstein and Baby Loves Music DVDs eating mum-mums and looks like a big boy. He likes to swing at the playground. In the 2 months he's been home, he's been to 5 band concerts and ridden on 6 planes. He travels well...usually sleeping by the time we take off! He has had issues with a weird eczema-type virus on his feet every few weeks, and he has had one ear infection. He babbles quite a bit and seems to have a lot to say. It's mostly "dah dah dah and yah yah yah" so far, but I could swear he said "thank you" the other day! He is 8 months old now, and every day, he grows and learns new things. These are exciting times, and I'm so glad to have the time off from work to experience them with him! I did go back to work for 2 weeks in February and brought him with me! It worked great for me, but some people didn't like it, so I decided to take another 6 weeks! Now Andrew and I can continue to hang until mid April! I'm going to enjoy every day with him!!

Here are a few recent pictures of my beautiful boy!

Awake and asleep on our first day together!

2011-01-03T15:15:00.000-08:00

WELCOME HOME, BABY NEW YEAR!!

2011-01-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

Andrew Brighton Samuels arrived in the U.S. on December 31, 2010. After a 14 hour flight from Addis to DC, about 7 hours layover in Dulles, a short 2-hour flight to Atlanta, and then a 2-hour drive to Birmingham, Andrew finally arrived HOME!

Dad and I had a nice brief trip to Addis to get him. We left Atlanta on Monday, December 27, arrived in Addis on the morning of the 28th. After a day of rest, we went at 10 am on Wednesday morning to go to the orphanage to get Andrew. My beautiful boy was ready for me, and as soon as I held him in the carrier, he put his head on my chest and fell asleep! There was no crying at all--it was such an easy transition! We stayed for an hour or so at the orphanage where they had a coffee ceremony for us. They served us popcorn, oranges and pineapple, barley, and of course, coffee. We talked with the orphanage director, the nurse, and several of the nannies to thank them for the wonderful care they gave Andrew.

We returned to the hotel for a quick change of diaper/clothes and then headed to the US Embassy to complete the adoption process in Ethiopia. We sat in the waiting room for about 40 minutes, and Andrew was content to be held and bounced, talked to, and sung to. Then we were called to the window for the approximately 3-minute interview that completed the adoption, made Andrew a US citizen, and allowed me to travel into the US with him.

That first night, Andrew slept in the bed with me, and I basically just watched him all night. He slept OK, but was up about every 2 hours for a bottle and a diaper change. The next day, we just hung around the hotel, went for a walk in the hotel parking lot in the stroller, and then we went to lunch at the home of our agency's Ethiopian contact. There, we ate authentic Ethiopian food, dressed in authentic clothes, laughed and took pictures with the 2 other families who were on their first trip. Again, Andrew was great--so flexible...quick to smile, happy to be held, easy to be with. After a long afternoon visiting, Dad and I went back to the hotel to pack up for our trip home, as our flight left at 10:15 pm.

The Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis to DC had 20 infants on it!!! Crazy!! With 20 infants and only 3 bassinet seats on the flight, you can do the math and guess that we did not get a bassinet for Andrew. Fortunately, though, a wonderful flight attendant shuffled our seats (a middle and an aisle) for a row of 3 seats in the center of the plane. So, Dad and I sat on either side of an empty seat, and I set it up with pillows and blankets to make a little play pen of sorts for Andrew. We had space to change him, feed him, and allow him to stretch out and play some. He was absolutely fabulous on the flight! There were LOTS of crying babies on that flight but mine was not one of them!! Honestly, the longest cry he had was probably about 10 seconds, and it was likely because I was too slow at changing his diaper! He was fantastic. We laughed and smiled, walked around every once in a while, and we made it through the 14 hour flight in great condition. I am so incredibly lucky.

When we got home, Mom was waiting for us, along with my 2 sisters, a brother in law, a nephew, several close neighbors and friends. We brought in the new year with my new son!! Extremely tired, but extraordinarily happy!!

Andrew has adjusted so well. He laughs and smiles. I even got him to sleep for 5 hours straight last night! I am learning his schedule:-)

I will write more soon...for now suffice it to say that I am absolutely in love with this beautiful boy. I am overwhelmed with the love and support of not only family and friends, but even strangers who we meet along the way. My adoption experience has certainly had some emotional roller coaster moments, but right now, I'm on top of the world!

Andrew's room

2010-12-23T19:50:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics of the nearly-completed room! I can't wait to bring my adorable boy home to his adorable room!!

No news......

2010-12-21T22:07:00.000-08:00

.....is good news?? I'm hoping so. I was supposed to hear confirmation of my Embassy appointment yesterday, but I have heard nothing yet. Sally says we should she have a response tomorrow. Fingers crossed and positive vibes out there!!

HAPPY 6 MONTH BIRTHDAY TO ANDREW!!

I actually finished decorating his room today--it looks great! I'm so excited to get him home and into his room. It's an adorable room for my adorable boy!

update

2010-12-13T19:28:00.001-08:00

I haven't posted anything in a couple of weeks....so I thought I would write a bit tonight. The good news is that I have received copies of Andrew's birth certificate, court documents, and passport. It appears that we're on track for our December 30th Embassy appointment. It's not definite yet, as we have to wait to hear confirmation of the appointment on Monday, December 20th. I'll be a little nervous until I hear about that.

I'm in a little better position than some other families though, and I'm worried for them. A wonderful family that I met last month in Ethiopia has not received their documents for their little girl yet. They are planning to travel the same time as I am, but without any word on their documents, it's a bit scary. I feel for them, and I'm hoping and praying that they get copies of their documents in the next day or so. I will be heartbroken for them if they are delayed for some reason.

In the past several weeks, I have had 2 showers, and my friends, colleagues, and family have been so generous. We have almost everything we need for Andrew's homecoming at this point. Just a few more things for me to buy (that I can think of, anyway!). I'm still working on his room, but I should have it ready to go by the end of this weekend. It's going to be beautiful.

I was able to go ahead and get Andrew added to my health insurance since I have his birth certificate! This means that the meds I will bring over are covered and that we can get him set up at the International Adoption Clinic and his new pediatrician as soon as we get home!

I thought I would post this picture here of my smiling boy! I can't wait until he's in my arms, and I can make him smile like that!

Embassy appointment

2010-11-29T20:14:00.001-08:00

It looks like my Embassy Appointment will be December 30...we are still waiting on absolute confirmation, but I was told to start looking for flights. So, it looks like I will head back to Addis right after Christmas and will bring Andrew home on January 2!!

The day after I returned from Ethiopia, my dear friend and surrogate daughter, Janetta, threw me a shower--there were about 30 friends and family there. We all dressed in the colors of the Ethiopian flag, ate Ethiopian food (My friend Andrea brought from Atlanta), and played some creative games. Then, this afternoon, my UAB Band family had a surprise shower for me! So many people are excited to share in the celebration of bringing Andrew into our world! I am so appreciative!!

Court Passed--he is officially my son!

2010-11-19T04:04:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, November 18, at around 10 am in Addis Ababa, "A" became my son! I am finally able to share a couple of pictures with you here! He is a beautiful, sweet baby...being well-cared for....and I am in love! I have lots more to share about our experiences in Ethiopia, but I'll need a few days to get back to normal before I post! Suffice it to say--it was a fantastic experience--full of a wide range of emotions, some occasional tears, lots of laughter and joy. If all goes well, I should return in about 4 weeks to bring my son, Andrew home!

On the way to meet my little boy!!

2010-11-09T21:49:00.001-08:00

Just a short note here to say that we (my parents and I) leave for Ethiopia at 1:30 tomorrow! We have a long flight ahead, but I'm excited about the adventure. I need to go throw some things in a suitcase, but I wanted to document the day!! More from Addis!!

First Court Passed!

2010-11-03T12:10:00.001-07:00

On this past Monday, our first court hearing took place in Addis. This is the one when the birth mother officially relinquishes A to the orphanage/government so that I can come adopt him on November 18th!! All went smoothly, so my official travel dates are November 10-20, with court on the 18th. My mom and dad are going with me for this first trip. We're all really excited! We had all of our shots ($$$), I've been collecting donations for the orphanage, and I will pack this weekend. We leave one week from today!!

Recently, I have received several new pictures from families who have seen my little guy, and the pictures are phenomenal!! I'm so appreciative. I wish I could post the pics here, because I'm telling you--my little "peanut" is one good-looking kid:-) When I opened one of the new pictures last night that had him with a giant smile on his face, I just burst into tears! (Of course, pretty much anything related to this process makes me cry these days!) All good!!!

First trip and court dates scheduled!!

2010-10-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

I got an email last Monday from Sally at AAI....she said that we have court dates! The first one is November 1. I don't go for that one. At that meeting, the birth mother and the Ministry of Women's Affairs officially declare A-man to be an orphan, available for adoption. The second court date is set for November 18, assuming all goes well at the first court. This is the trip I make. The plan now is to leave Birmingham November 10, arrive November 11...meet A November 12, travel and sightsee in Ethiopia the next several days, then return to Addis to see A again and then the court date on the 18th. I will board a plane that evening to head home. Only a few weeks away! I'm excited and a bit frantic...trying to figure out how much money to bring, what gifts to bring to donate to the orphanage and to thank the people there, best flight options, what clothes to bring, who will travel with me, etc. Not to mention--how do I take care of my bands at UAB while focussing all my energy on the adoption and travel!? So--lots on my mind! To add to that--Sally called on Wednesday last week and told me that they could move my hearing to November 1 if I wanted to travel this week!! That would likely move up A's homecoming date. THAT is exciting...but I just don't think it's practical for me to make this trip happen in a week. I haven't had any immunizations yet....my parents couldn't go if I went this week....it's just too much. So...ultimately, I've decided to wait for the original dates. This way, I at least have a couple of weeks at home to get my act together. Either way--A will probably be home before New Year's if all goes well!! Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Ethio-American Gathering!!

2010-10-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

Friday night, I experienced my first get together with other Ethio-Adopt families here in Birmingham. The 3 boys that were there are all around the same age (2-3), and it was absolutely beautiful to watch them play with each other, to play independently, and to interact with all of the adults as well. The first picture here shows the 3 boys holding a picture of my little guy--so we were all there in spirit! Lots of smiles all around, some great conversations with everyone, and the opportunity to build lasting relationships for our unique families!! Love it!!

Another care package!!

2010-10-14T21:35:00.001-07:00

There is another couple from my agency going on their first trip to Ethiopia on October 20th. They have graciously agreed to take a care package to A and to take pictures. I bought him 3 onesies and a cloth photo album! In the photo album, I put pictures of me, of grandma and grandpa, and of one of the doggies. I hope that some of the great folks visiting him will show him the pictures and talk to him about it and that the nannies will too!

There are 3 other AAI families that are currently in country and visiting A's orphanage. I sent them his referral photo, so hopefully, they will find him and take some updated pictures for me. I'm getting a bit anxious for an update. I called Sally at the agency, and she said I may expect something around the end of the month!! I'm looking forward to that.

Tomorrow night, I will get together with other families in Birmingham who have adopted Ethiopian children. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to interact with all of the parents and kids!! I hope to develop relationships with these folks who all share a unique bond so that A has a connection with other Ethiopian Americans.

Can't wait to share more about that!!

More connections....

2010-09-19T20:50:00.001-07:00

I was thrilled that A and B were able to deliver a package to my little guy in Addis. However, they were rushed at the orphanage, and they were only able to snap one quick picture of A-man, and he was sleeping! SO...you can't see much. It was less than I hoped for, but at least it was something!! At least I know that my little guy sleeps peacefully, with his mouth wide open, and that he has the cutest ears!:-)

I am working on making some more connections through the AAI Yahoo group with folks who will be traveling in October or November. People are so wonderful in offering to deliver packages and take pictures!! The adoption community seems to be full of incredible human beings!!

I have started acquiring furniture for A-man's room. My friend, Val, gave me a beautiful changing table, and last weekend, I bought a crib to match!! I just need to buy a rocker, and then I can decide how I'm going to paint and decorate the room!! I hope to get the room together by the end of October. This part will be fun!

First care package!

2010-09-02T07:23:00.001-07:00

A couple using my agency will travel on Tuesday, September 7 to pick up their daughter from the same orphanage where my little guy is. They agreed to deliver a care package to my guy as well as to take pictures!! Very exciting! I just love the connections within the adoption community! Anyway, I bought a couple of outfits, a blanket, and a small toy for A-man (guess that's what we'll call him here!). I packed it up and sent it to them yesterday. Here are a few pics of A-man's first gifts from his mommy!

UNBELIEVABLE--A REFERRAL!!!

2010-08-31T19:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after work, I looked at my cell, and there was a missed call from my adoption agency. I thought to myself--this is either really good news or possibly bad news......but my gut said "this is your referral!" This morning, I got the call from Sally! She told me I had a referral....a 2-month old boy that she described as a "cute little peanut." I couldn't breathe--excited, amazed, scared, thrilled! I started to cry immediately, but tried to hold it together while Sally gave me details about his health ("healthy baby"), his birth mom, where he was born, and where he is now. I asked her about possible travel, and she explained that the courts are closed in September. It will take a few weeks for them to assign me a court date when they return at the end of the month. She anticipates that those of us accepting referrals today will travel around the holidays for the first trip. This is perfect!! Very exciting news! I called mom and dad, brothers and sisters, friends, other adoptive parents, my local agency, etc. So fun to share the good news! She sent me an email with a picture of him as well as his orphanage and medical info. I decided to send all of that to the International Adoption Clinic here so that Dr. Chambers can give me her input, but I did accept the referral pending her evaluation!! Sally also put me in touch with a family that's traveling to my guy's orphanage next week, and I talked with them tonight. I'm going to send them a care package to deliver to my "peanut," and they agreed to take some more pictures for me! So exciting and so fortunate!!! What a great day! My birthday is in 5 days--happy birthday to me!:-)

Time to wait for a referral!

2010-08-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

My dossier is officially in Ethiopia and has been for a couple of weeks now. My agency told me this week that there is only one other family ahead of me for an infant referral, either gender! This is great news! They estimate that I should hear something in 2-3 months. That means that I should be matched to my baby by Thanksgiving! Once that happens, then I would travel 2-3 months after that to meet the baby and for court approvals.....and then about 6 weeks later, I will make a second trip to bring the baby home. A possible hold up in the timeline could be that the Ethiopian courts close completely for about 6 weeks from August 6th until mid September. So, this timeline could be pushed back another 6 weeks. Either way is fine with me....I'm just hoping to have a baby home by this spring!!

In the meantime, I have plenty to keep busy. My students come back this Saturday, and we have band camp for a week...and then school and the busy football season begins! Plenty to do while I wait for a referral!

My part of the dossier done!!

2010-07-07T19:42:00.001-07:00

I drove to Montgomery today and got the State Seal from the Secretary of State of Alabama on all of my documents!! Then I went to Fed Ex and spread everything out on the floor so I could really see all the paperwork! BIG SIGH!! I sent everything to the Assistant Stork in Washington DC, and they will hand deliver my documents to the US State Department and to the Ethiopian Embassy. After that, they send everything to my agency. Once they approve, everything goes to Ethiopia! Here's to hoping it's a smooth process!! I'm relieved that this part is DONE!!!

USCIS approval!!

2010-07-06T17:21:00.000-07:00

I got my I171 approval form in the mail today! It really was such a fast process. I mailed the I600A on June 14...got fingerprinted on June 29, and received my approval on July 6 (the date my fingerprint appointment was actually set for, but I snuck in early!). I had been nervous about the possibility of this taking some time, but it took exactly 3 weeks! I immediately got the form copied and notarized (I'm sure my friend, Carla--the notary at the bank--was happy to see me again!), and I took all of my dossier documents to the Jefferson County Courthouse for county certification of the notaries. Seventeen documents to be certified. Tomorrow, I will drive to Montgomery in order to get the dossier state sealed, and then I'll FedEx everything to the Assistant Stork (a courier service that takes the dossier to the US Department of State and the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, DC). From there, the dossier goes to my agency and then on to Ethiopia! Another step closer!!

Much ado about nothing...

2010-06-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

I received an e-mail today from the first agency I started with. They asked me if I would be interested in a domestic adoption. Apparently, a lawyer representing a birth mother contacted that agency--the birth mother was specifically looking for either a same sex couple or a single mom for her baby. I was immediately excited, scared, interested in learning more. I responded and asked for more info--details about the birth parents, health of the pregnancy, costs associated, timeline, do I need to hire a lawyer, etc. At the same time, I was worried--I had no intentions of giving up my Ethiopian adoption process, and I wondered how a possible domestic adoption would affect it. Then I started thinking about the possibility of adopting 2 babies within a year--one domestic and one Ethiopia...and then my mind started really racing! I spent several hours really thinking things through, considering, weighing the pros and cons. When I got home, I called my parents to talk through the possibilities with them. Then, I checked my e-mail: a message from the agency saying they're sorry, but an adoptive family had already been found!! Much ado about nothing for me!! This little event represents exactly why domestic adoption can be so hard and was not something I had chosen to do! My feelings about the news that a family had already been found--slightly disappointed....but honestly, relieved! I'm so excited about my Ethiopian adoption and the baby I've been imagining that I don't want anything to get in the way!

Home study finalized!!

2010-06-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

I just received word that both my home study and placing agency have approved my home study! That's great news because it means I can finally submit my I600A petition to bring a child into the US. Once this important step is approved, then my dossier will be complete!! One step closer!

Wonderful people

2010-06-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

I love it when I'm reminded how great people can be.....as I have been going through the dossier process, I have had to ask people for things. That's not something I often do! I usually try to be the independent one who can do everything on my own. However, that's not possible in the dossier process. For example, I have been to the credit union to get document after document notarized. Now, my new friend, Carla, is someone I can call by name every time I enter the bank! I was amazed at how helpful everyone has been so far in the process. Today, for example, I was finally able to connect with my doctor about the health statement. She was having a hard time finding anyone at the clinic to notarize for her, so I contacted my neighbor (who I just found out was a notary) and asked her to help. She met me at my doctor's office today so we could get the letter done. I really appreciate my neighbor going out of her way, leaving work to meet me at my doctor's office! So many people....part of the process....I won't take it for granted. I will be sure to show my appreciation for everyone along the way--that means my family, my friends who have written letters and supported me, even the clerk at the local police department! At this point, the adoption process is really reminding me of the GOOD in people!

It's.....ETHIOPIA!

2010-05-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

I made the decision to change agencies and countries. This is officially my 3rd placing agency (I just have to sigh when I add up those application fees!) I have a good feeling that this one is right. With the help of the folks at my home study agency, I was able to locate an agency that has a strong history in Ethiopia and a strong history placing single moms with young children. We found it, and I immediately contacted about a dozen of their references. I was amazed at the number of responses I received--all positive about the agency and their Ethiopian adoption experience. When I read the responses, talk to adoptive parents, or look at their blogs, I get more and more excited about the reality of the process! I sent in my formal application to them last week, and I am getting dossier materials together starting this week! YEAH!! I'm excited to finally be moving forward.

Another change of country?

2010-05-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

I did a lot of emailing, calling, and questioning this week about what the minimum 3-month hold on Kaz was really going to do. The truth is--no one really knows that the hold will only be 3 months (although most of the experts in the adoption field I've talked with DO think the change of Kaz to Hague policies will go fast). Apparently, most of what Kaz currently does is Hague compliant already.....but I still wonder how long the already-long process will be extended, and do I really have any kind of connection to this country anyway?? All of this has caused me to rethink country choices again.

I went to lunch last week with a single gal who is adopting from Ethiopia. She should be bringing home her child sometime this summer! I had a great time visiting with her, and I was amazed at how similar our thought-processes regarding adoption had been.

I had researched Ethiopia at the same time I was researching Kaz, but neither of the agencies I had worked with were taking single applicants for Ethiopia, so I kind of dismissed it. After going to my home study agency and talking with the social workers there, we got online and on the phone and found a couple of agencies that would indeed take single applicants for infants! So this is where I am now--researching these 2 agencies....contacting their references....seeing what the actual process looks like with Ethiopia. I'm feeling really positive about it at this point. I plan to have a firm decision by the end of the weekend...I'm ready to move forward with this!!

By the way--my fingerprints have finally been processed by ABI, and I should receive my clearance any day now. This means that we can complete my home study. So if I just make up my mind about agency and country, I'm on it!!

The roller coaster

2010-05-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

Today, I met an adoptive Kaz mom for coffee. We had a great time! We talked for nearly two hours about her kids, her experience in Kaz and since she's been home. It was wonderful! I loved meeting her, and I loved talking "shop" about Kaz adoptions. That's the top of the coaster!

THEN....I got a call from my program coordinator this afternoon...and she told me that Kazakhstan had made the decision to go Hague today. They are halting all adoptions for a minimum of 3 months in order to implement the changes in policies. I'm actually in a good place in terms of my paperwork and not having to make too many adjustments to changing over to Hague....BUT...I'm wondering how the halt will affect the process....will there be a backlog of dossiers waiting in country to be placed? Will it affect the age of the child I will be able to be matched with? How will this change affect the process? I'm confused and looking for answers. I hope to find them in the next couple of days.

paperwork!!

2010-05-11T15:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I went to get fingerprinted for the 2nd time! The first time, the prints went to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation/FBI for clearance of criminal record/child abuse. I just submitted another set of prints to the FBI in West Virginia to release my "criminal records" to my placing agency. Apparently this process takes 10-13 weeks. I'm not sure why they couldn't just check with the first guys......I understand that I actually will do another set of prints for something else down the line...I'll let you know when I figure out why and when on that one too!

I also signed my contract with my placing agency today...had to get everything notarized, and I set up an account with FedEx so that the agency will always be able to charge me for everything they ship on my behalf.

I received the fee schedule for an adoption from Kazakhstan...YIKES!!! It's really overwhelming when you look at all the money that will somehow, someway go into this process! I got a little depressed about it last night--thinking about this huge financial commitment. It's scary. I need to stop shopping and eating out!!

Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the moms out there! I am so lucky to have the most incredible mother in the world....she is a wonderful role model. My mom is unstoppable! She has a special quality about her--a level of confidence that says she can take on the world! She is a fierce advocate and an unyielding bond for her family...always has been. She always told me--and all of us--that we could do anything or be anything, and she encouraged each of us to accomplish our goals. She has always supported me and continues to--in all that I do. I am so lucky that she is so smart...so strong...so loving....so open...so generous...so absolutely beautiful in every way. I love you, mom!

Feeling good!!

2010-05-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I had my second home study visit. It was fun! I got to talk about my parents, brothers and sisters...growing up....I relived a lot of great memories. I'm so lucky to have a family that is so loving and supportive. My social worker said--"your baby won't be coming home to just a mom but an entire extended family of people who will love him or her." That made me smile! I feel good about where I am. I will complete the I-600 form this weekend and hope to get to serious work on the dossier next week. Tomorrow, I attend the international adoption seminar at UAB. I'm looking forward to learning and to meeting some other prospective adoptive parents!

scared, confused, worried

2010-05-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

I wrote an email to an agency that I had decided not to use.....I just explained that I had chosen Kazakhstan and an agency that has had success placing children with single moms. The response I got was worrisome. She threw a whole bunch of "threats" at me--said I should make sure I ask the new agency about the possibility of singles not being allowed to adopt in the near future, the delays caused because Kaz is likely to go Hague, the incredible amount of travel time in country--8-9 weeks....it felt like scare tactics, to try to get me to come back to her agency. I know there are no guarantees in adoption...or in life, for that matter.....and choosing an adoption agency feels like such a gamble.

I hope I made the right choice...I wonder how many times in the next year or so I will question my decision....it's already an emotional roller coaster, and I've just begun!

2010-05-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

I didn't really know where Kazakhstan was before I started considering adoption, so I thought I would share this with any of you who might be wondering too!!

A decision!

2010-05-01T20:57:00.000-07:00

I started the adoption journey on March 21, 2010, when I sent in an application to begin a Russian adoption. A few weeks later, there was a distressing incident, when a mother in Tennessee who had adopted a Russian boy returned him to Russia. Not only did this incident potentially slow down the adoption process for Americans in Russia, but it brought to my attention the serious problems with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects is the Eastern Bloc countries. SO...I began looking for other options for adoption.

As a single person, the options these days are not many....especially if you want to adopt an infant--and I do. I spent MANY hours on the internet doing research, talking with various adoption agencies, contacting adoptive parents, and simply exploring to come up with the best decision for me.....well...after much deliberation, I have decided to go with Kazakhstan. I mailed a new application to another agency today, and I am moving forward with a Kazakhstan adoption! I am excited and scared...but mostly excited! Today, my journey begins, and I look forward to sharing it with you all along the way!