Sunday, August 17, 2008

Oh My! … Here She is … Tigist!

Day 18 of 19 … Annapolis, Maryland

We are back! We are on US soil. It feels so good. It’s been simply amazing. Tired today, but here are some pics. I will post more tomorrow and more of our journey ...

I love it when she smiles! And she does it a lot!



We arrived this morning in Annapolis,MD. This is our first family picture.




Even Security guards melted when they saw her. Actually, they melt with all children. It is beautiful.



Sheraton Addis



The playground at the hotel


In our hotel room. She likes looking in the mirror and making faces.


First, let me do what I’ve wanted to do for days … give you some great detail about our experience meeting our daughter. We’ve been really busy with keeping up with our business work, spending time with “T” and just catching our breath. We’ve met our sponsored child, we met our new friends who moved here from Colorado and are doing some amazing things her with their time, we had our Embassy date and are now in full possession of Tigist. David has been having a very difficult time keeping business in order. When you finally DO get on the internet, sometimes it is good and fast (normal) and sometimes it is so slow he can’t get ANY work done. The Sheraton offers it wireless anywhere and in our room, but you have to choose one or the other and pay for one or both. By the time the night falls, we are too tired and mentally exhausted that we don’t feel like writing anything. That must be true if “I” haven’t written. You who have been following this blog know that I post always and love showing pictures. So you must’ve known it is not ME, but something else. It’s been hard not to blog or post pictures as I like to keep on top of details for fear that I‘ll forget. In addition, any emails that I’ve sent were sometimes not even sent through.

This experience here in Addis has been absolutely incredible. The next time we come, I don’t know when that’ll be; we will absolutely bring all 5 of us back. Our decision to not take the boys was a very good one as this has been completely draining for us as adults. The next time, we can “share” this experience with our boys who absolutely need to have this on their list of “things everyone should do!” Because of the heightened sensitivity, I feel like all eyes are on us as we go through the end of this process. It's almost like I can understand how someone in the limelight has their every move watched and documented. It's very draining. Simply put, I treat being here with Tigist in our presence as if everything I say and do is recorded. And I say this because I just don’t know who here is 100% on board with adopting from this country and who is looking at us like, “you are taking one of our own and I don’t like what I hear on the streets … shame on you!” Now, this has not been my experience at all. Not one bit. Every conversation I’ve had with women in the bathroom, waiters, Sheraton Staff, taxi drivers, … EVERYONE has blessed what we are doing and their exact words from them are always “She is a lucky girl!” But because of my very nature, I know what the word is on the street and I’m super-duper sensitive.

I’m writing this part on Saturdy the 16th in the hotel lobby with a wonderful glass of ice-tea (I miss my diet coke, I miss my free refills, I miss glasses full of ice, and I really miss my boys!!!!) I think I just needed to get out of the room from David and Tigist for a moment. Today I’ve been on the verge of tears. I think it has all come to a head and the culmination of all that has happened processes different with me. I hold it all in, all looks fine on the outside, then I step into an elevator alone and tears fall. My husband has a slight cold, Tigist is fine and healthy, although can cry if she doesn’t have the right thing in her hand and you can’t stop her. I am healthy and feel good although my back hurts from a slightly harder bed and not sleeping all through the night. All in all, I think we are all doing relatively well from what I’ve read in the past of other people’s experiences. It is like therapy to write because the computer does not talk back. It listens to me without thinking it has to intervene. It does not challenge my thoughts and call me on my shortcomings. It is a good friend. I’m already feeling better by writing …. ahhhh

While I wasn’t able to blog, I have in fact kept daily journals of our whereabouts and thoughts, and now that it is Sunday, the day before we arrive home, I am relieved to organize these thoughts with the pictures so that you who are about to fly off to Ethiopia can take what you need from what we’ve done along with the many other blogs I KNOW you read! You know who you are!

Today I am just so excited to post pictures of TIGIST! And write her name.



She loves her dress and new shoes! She has to sleep with them.



She oversees my blogging. Also teaching me Amharic ... really!



Father and daughter. David is so proud. She reeeeally loves her Daddy.



I think we have a problem here...



Almost home, sweetie!


Today, I've posted just an update. Tomorrow I will post the rest of the trips journals the best I can. Thank you for being with us through all of this. It means the world to us.

15 comments:

Mitchell Mischief said...

I'm elated you are home (US). I love the pix that you have posted. I wish I could be there to hug you as you feel your array of emotions. Can't wait to read about your journey and see the pix if Tigist (so neat to be able to write her name) with her big bros.
LOVE YOU ALL!

Leah Reeves said...

Welcome home! She looks so happy.

Unknown said...

Wow she is absolutley gorgeous. It was so good to read your update and see pics of your sweet baby. I cant wait top read more about your trip and your new family of 5. Congrats and Thank You for shareing your journey.

Michelle said...

Thanks for the update and pictures! Tigist is so beautiful and I know that you will all be blessed with the addition to your family! Congratulations!

Lory Howlett said...

Yea!!!!!! So glad to hear from you. With love from the Howletts!

Amber said...

I have been waiting for your post. You have been away from home for so long, I can imagine that you are physically and emotionally drained. Tigest is beautiful! I can't wait to read more.

Stephanie and Gary said...

congratulations on bringing home your beautiful daughter. How amazing to have followed your journey and see a new family that has formed. G-d bless you all!
best,
Stephanie
New York

The Red Thread Kids: said...

Oh she's so sweet! I've been following along almost from the start! Decided to un-lurk a while back but couldn't figure out how! Now I did.

Again, so sweet. And I've been waiting for your post and her pictures and name, too! Lol.

Congratulations Family!

Shawn said...

YEAH!!! Can you believe we did it??? How far we've all come since we first met in January. I can't wait to meet Tigist - she is absolutely gorgeous.

Shawn

Summer said...

You don't know me, but I found your blog while perusing the Ethiopian Adoption Blogroll. I just had to tell you that I love that picture of you and your daughter sitting together on the steps. She's looking at you like you're the best thing that's ever happened to her--and you are, I'm sure! I just thought the expression on her face was really special. Anyway, congratulations on your beautiful family! And thanks for sharing your experience.

Debbie said...

What a great trip for you and such a gorgeous little gal!! She is beautiful, you all look very happy!!! We just bought that purple and gray outfit from Children's Place for the little gal we are hoping to bring home in December. :)

Debbie

Jessica said...

I am so happy for you! It is great you are home safely. I have been waiting for your post and was very happy to see it today. Congratulations!!!

Lory Howlett said...

waiting, waiting, waiting....for more pictures and info! Hope the homecoming and meeting the boys has been fabulous! Can't wait to see Tigist (and her whole family) again! Lory and fam

Lisa said...

Dear Everyone!
I love all of your comments. I appreciate all of them ... it has been a bit tough, but when you know you are not alone, it helps immensely.
Thank you so much!
Lisa and Tigist ;)

Julie said...

I just checked your blog again after many months. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! She is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to read all the details of your trip.