Embassy Day

Today was the next to last step in the trek…. Of course the final trek is a very long flight home….it is best not to think about that yet.... We headed to the US Embassy for our 1pm appointment. The car ride alone is entertainment for Theo- so much to see…. The lack of traffic lights, stop signs, and speed limits makes each trip much like a carnival ride… The US Embassy was huge – the largest US Embassy in Africa…. After a short wait we were called to the window and asked a few questions, again nothing fancy just extremely important to both Theo and myself, it was the first time it seemed real and luckily my mom was there because after the agent said approved and flashed his passport I cried…. FINALLY FINISHED… FINALLY APPROVED! On the drive back to the hotel I learned a new mom thing…short car naps can destroy the afternoon and evening…

Thanks for all the emails- many people have asked how it is going and I believe it is going well…. He eats and sleeps like a champ…. Thank goodness for bibs and towels… two naps a day, and about twelve hours of sleep each night…. He usually wakes up half way through the night, maybe for a bottle or a diaper change… this morning he was up – very happy, smiling, talking and playing with his stuff elephant in his crib … what a wonderful way for us both to start the day.

Thank you to my awesome friends who have donated clothing to me…. You may see a few things you recognize if you look close enough…He is the best-dressed kid around here and I must admit it is still a bit of a thrill to choose an outfit in the morning…. I learned from the best to dress Theo like the little man he is (thanks Amy!)

This evening we had a celebration at Alemu’s home with the other adoptive families… We wore traditional Ethiopian outfits for the coffee ceremony. Although Theo slept through most of the evening it was a very special way to round out our BIG DAY.