Massi arrived and ushered us into a van, throwing our luggage into another and off we went. I'll never forget my first impressions of Addis Ababa. There was so much vibrancy, so much life. People everywhere...we were certain that we would run over a few of them! As we drove, Massi handed out packets to all of us. I was so surprised to open the envelope and see my baby! We had only seen 2 pictures of her, her referral photo and her birth certificate. I started crying when I saw photos of her smiling, eating, playing & being cuddled by her nanny. She looked so different and so happy.
We arrived at the guest house and Massi brought us each to our assigned rooms. Ours had 2 beds, a tiny crib and 1 window overlooking the inside of the house :)
Everyone was just trying to keep it cool but we were all dying to meet our kids...but no one wanted to seem too impatient.
We were taken over to the main building where others from our group who arrived earlier were already waiting. We were rushed into a conference room where...to be honest...I have no idea what was being talked about! We made arrangements for our trip south the following day and then...BAM...it was time to meet our babies! I remember the social worker coming in and asking for "Tigist's parents" and off we went! We were being video taped at this point and it was a bizarre walk to the building next door. I was certain that I was going to trip on the stairs and that would be forever immortalized in T's video. Really, that is all I was thinking at that point. I think I was too nervous to think of anything else!
They opened the door to Mussie B and behold! 8 babies!! Holy crap!! I was so scared and wasn't sure which one was our daughter! It was a little overwhelming to say the least. After I took a deep breath I recognized her. She was laying on her back, playing with her hands and wearing a silly purple gingham sun hat. She smiled as soon as she saw us and our hearts melted.
Wow, alot has sure changed in a year. My sweet baby is now almost 1 1/2 and amazes us everyday.
We are truly lucky to be her parents.
We love you T!!!
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8 comments:
you are lucky...she is so cute too!
we stayed in the same room at the guest house when we got aster!!
What a great account of that life changing moment! She is really growing up beautiful Katie. Glad you have such fond memories and a video!
love that gal. She has changed so much over the last year-- that video taping was brutal but I'm so glad we have it. How fast did you guys take the purple gingham hat off her head? Happy one year T!!
Oh, that hat! Everytime we visited her she had that hat on! We still have it but I won't make her wear it today;)
Thanks for reminding me of that wonderful feeling. Landing in Ethiopia and of course walking into Mussi B to meet my daughter. Mine had just been woken up right before I walked in on tape, she cried as they tried to hand her to me. Later she warmed up and I'm glad they cut the crying part from the video. Your daughter has grown up so much and is beautiful. Enjoy every minute.
Heather
www.heatherhatch.typepad.com
Happy Arrival Day! :)
Sweet story! Happy Forever Day! (I know I'm late)
happy forever --- we arrived in ETH the same day last year, but it sounds like our arrival was much later in the day!
good wishes to you and the bathroom looks great!
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