What Chaltu does not know is how good sweets are! We bought cupcakes yesterday, got her a lemon one as she loves Lemon Meringue from Strawberry Shortcake collection! She took the smallest bite and then made a face like we just asked her to eat a spoonful of dirt!
Her eating has been interesting, not horrible except for bananas, those became her comfort food ummm don't let you child have 2-3 bananas a day :) yeah not so good for the intestines! But what else was I going to do her first week her?? Bad mom? nah...but now we are on official banana watch. The way we have explained this to her is simple hysterical, although I am not sure that anyone really wants to read about her "caca"!
But the good news is she was allowed a half of banana yesterday and probably a whole one today- this is more exciting than Santa was!
She is a pretty picky eater, and she does the smell test first, we told her she was like Babs (our dog!) she smells it and then puts such a small amount in her mouth and either nods that it is ok, or her face convulsions! But in the end most of the things she tries she then sweetly says "no thank you" in a sing song voice and has now added sweetie to the end. While I know she is mocking us I absolutely love every second of it!
We are finally eating ground beef! last night she ate more of that than her rice! YIPPEEE!!!
Corn on the cob is the next best thing after bananas- she was excited as we had that last night, she did not leave one kernel and I had to pry the cob out of her hands!!
I am feeling more confident in her eating and she is trying more things, but it is a slow process, she is a very cautious little girl.
We did finally by a shaker for the berbere, and yes we did travel with it the other day! We went to a friends house for a play date, they were kind enough to make her the pasta that she likes (fuscili only) and then we went out to dinner got her some rice and yep dad had to run to the car to get the berbere! Although yesterday she put WAY to much on her grits for breakfast and then she could not eat them! She learned to not go to crazy!
She is beginning to use utensils as well, everything was with her hands but now she is starting to use her spoon and fork (or pork as she calls it, she learned park and fork in english the same day...not easy!). I could write about 20 more pages (not on food!) but I will stick to 1 blog a day for now!
Well off to go wake them up! We have our social worker coming for our first visit!!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Home
It has been 12 days since we arrived home! I have barely replied to emails, phone calls and so far behind on not only posting on my blog but reading anyone elses! But this morning as I woke up and the house was very quiet I debated, ok do I fall back asleep or get up, have a cup of coffee, start laundry and have some "me computer time" and here I am!
It has been a wonderful, tiresome and a learned 12 days! Chaltu has been amazing! As most of you know she is a 7 year old (ish) girl. Those that met her at HH know that she is sweet, kind and has a smile that lights the world up! These dimples that don't stop! She loves her daddy so much (yes I am a bit jealous but love it!) she and I are adjusting well too, but you know daddy plays kinnect and mommy makes her try new food!! Overall the 3 of us are settling in great!
Chaltus personality is VERY big! She can be quiet, shy and full of poise. She has this goof ball side that is hysterical she is already doing impressions of Duane and I, they are spot on and make us laugh so hard we cry. Then there is her 7 yr old side, "mommy please" she has done this since day 3 home, batting her eyelashes and saying it over and over or "mommy I love you" to either try and get something or get out of something. Seriously how does she know to do this? I figure it was part of their "orientation to America" they got or this is an instinctual quality all children have!
I think so far my favorite 2 things I have experienced with Chaltu have been watching her play with her dolls, it seriously is beyond adorable, yesterday she even put a make shift "mat" out to feed her babies their morning tea. She changes them, she coo's over them, kisses them, she does it all! (of course last night when daddy came into the picture they started karate chopping her babies!) My 2nd favorite thing is when we are watching a movie and she gets scared (not to worry they are all G rated, but you know Tarzan has it's scary moments!) she gets so animated and dives into Duanes lap, squeezes his arm....she loves it! As do I!
This girl is just awesome! I could write for days about what a tough, scrappy little thing she is or how in the middle of the night when she rolls over and opens her eyes for a second she will throw her arm around my neck and then fall back asleep. I know you all know there are a 1000 of these moments that I could write about, but thought I would start with those above!
I leave you all with a few pictures, unfortunately most are from ET as since we have been home she has been very camera shy and we are not pushing it right now! But here is our Chaltu Chloe (CC)!
It has been a wonderful, tiresome and a learned 12 days! Chaltu has been amazing! As most of you know she is a 7 year old (ish) girl. Those that met her at HH know that she is sweet, kind and has a smile that lights the world up! These dimples that don't stop! She loves her daddy so much (yes I am a bit jealous but love it!) she and I are adjusting well too, but you know daddy plays kinnect and mommy makes her try new food!! Overall the 3 of us are settling in great!
Chaltus personality is VERY big! She can be quiet, shy and full of poise. She has this goof ball side that is hysterical she is already doing impressions of Duane and I, they are spot on and make us laugh so hard we cry. Then there is her 7 yr old side, "mommy please" she has done this since day 3 home, batting her eyelashes and saying it over and over or "mommy I love you" to either try and get something or get out of something. Seriously how does she know to do this? I figure it was part of their "orientation to America" they got or this is an instinctual quality all children have!
I think so far my favorite 2 things I have experienced with Chaltu have been watching her play with her dolls, it seriously is beyond adorable, yesterday she even put a make shift "mat" out to feed her babies their morning tea. She changes them, she coo's over them, kisses them, she does it all! (of course last night when daddy came into the picture they started karate chopping her babies!) My 2nd favorite thing is when we are watching a movie and she gets scared (not to worry they are all G rated, but you know Tarzan has it's scary moments!) she gets so animated and dives into Duanes lap, squeezes his arm....she loves it! As do I!
This girl is just awesome! I could write for days about what a tough, scrappy little thing she is or how in the middle of the night when she rolls over and opens her eyes for a second she will throw her arm around my neck and then fall back asleep. I know you all know there are a 1000 of these moments that I could write about, but thought I would start with those above!
I leave you all with a few pictures, unfortunately most are from ET as since we have been home she has been very camera shy and we are not pushing it right now! But here is our Chaltu Chloe (CC)!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Dear Birth Mother...
Only 4 days left until we board the plane to see our daughter again, to hug her, hold her and kiss her sweet little face. Only 4 days left until the wait is finally over. 4 days is a very short amount of time, we could actually fly there and back twice in 4 days, although I definitely do not plan to do that!
also in 4 (well more like 6-8) days we will meet CC's birth mother, we will possibly meet her other family members. We will ask them as many questions as they will let us and hopefully learn a lot about CC's first 5 years. We might learn more about the blindness in her left eye, or the long scar along the right side of her face. We hope to learn if she has any nicknames or what her favorite things to do were. We will see where she was raised, possibly even where she was born. We will maybe hear about the choice in detail on how her mother had to make the decision to relinquish her. There is also the possibility we will get it all on video for CC to see one day, for her when she needs to know and understand, when she has a longing for a brief moment with her birth mother. As I just wrote birth mother, I realized it is not fitting, she is more than her birth mother, she raised CC for 5 years, she is her first mother and always will be.
Now we could also learn nothing, she could want to tell us nothing, she could feel embarrassed, shamed or many other things. They may not want us to take pictures or video, we could have nothing to provide to CC when those questions arise. But, tonight I am not going to worry about all of that, as I need to write a letter to CC's first mother. I need to tell her how we are going to raise CC, what type of family we are, provide her with vague details of what we think CC's life will look like. I need to imagine what questions she might ask and provide her with answers, she will not have a video to remember us by or our "story". It will all be from her memory of this day and this letter. How in the world do I put what I am feeling in a letter? How do I provide her the reassurance of the love we will always have for her daughter, how do I let her know that CC will always be protected by us.
I am finding it all very similar to getting married, when Duane and I wed, we made a solemn commitment to each other and to God for our eternal love. When you have a child ( I imagine) you make a similar commitment to the child, but this is different, We are making this commitment to her first mother, the woman who carried her for 9 months, who gave birth to her and spent 5 year with her. I am feeling so very humbled at this moment. While I have no doubts about my commitment to CC, how do I write this on a "no longer than 2 page double spaced letter". How in the world do I convey this message to CC's first mother? I will do my best, I hope though that when we meet, she will see our hearts and that she will know everything that I want to say, but just was not able to. I hope she will know that I pray for her and that she will always be CC's first mother. I hope for a brief moment every once in awhile she will look at the letter and know that we are going to the ends of the earth and back for CC. That she will find peace in the decision she had to make, even if only for a few minutes.
also in 4 (well more like 6-8) days we will meet CC's birth mother, we will possibly meet her other family members. We will ask them as many questions as they will let us and hopefully learn a lot about CC's first 5 years. We might learn more about the blindness in her left eye, or the long scar along the right side of her face. We hope to learn if she has any nicknames or what her favorite things to do were. We will see where she was raised, possibly even where she was born. We will maybe hear about the choice in detail on how her mother had to make the decision to relinquish her. There is also the possibility we will get it all on video for CC to see one day, for her when she needs to know and understand, when she has a longing for a brief moment with her birth mother. As I just wrote birth mother, I realized it is not fitting, she is more than her birth mother, she raised CC for 5 years, she is her first mother and always will be.
Now we could also learn nothing, she could want to tell us nothing, she could feel embarrassed, shamed or many other things. They may not want us to take pictures or video, we could have nothing to provide to CC when those questions arise. But, tonight I am not going to worry about all of that, as I need to write a letter to CC's first mother. I need to tell her how we are going to raise CC, what type of family we are, provide her with vague details of what we think CC's life will look like. I need to imagine what questions she might ask and provide her with answers, she will not have a video to remember us by or our "story". It will all be from her memory of this day and this letter. How in the world do I put what I am feeling in a letter? How do I provide her the reassurance of the love we will always have for her daughter, how do I let her know that CC will always be protected by us.
I am finding it all very similar to getting married, when Duane and I wed, we made a solemn commitment to each other and to God for our eternal love. When you have a child ( I imagine) you make a similar commitment to the child, but this is different, We are making this commitment to her first mother, the woman who carried her for 9 months, who gave birth to her and spent 5 year with her. I am feeling so very humbled at this moment. While I have no doubts about my commitment to CC, how do I write this on a "no longer than 2 page double spaced letter". How in the world do I convey this message to CC's first mother? I will do my best, I hope though that when we meet, she will see our hearts and that she will know everything that I want to say, but just was not able to. I hope she will know that I pray for her and that she will always be CC's first mother. I hope for a brief moment every once in awhile she will look at the letter and know that we are going to the ends of the earth and back for CC. That she will find peace in the decision she had to make, even if only for a few minutes.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
5 weeks and a picture
Tomorrow marks 5 weeks since we passed court! The Embassy has kept up posted (they do not do this for everyone) on our status, yesterday was suppose to be the birth mother interview, we found out at 1:45 this morning our time, that the interview did not happen and was rescheduled for next week. While this may not be a HUGE deal, it crushed us. We know that after that so many things can happen, we could get clearance or they could want to investigate more, we were semi prepared for whatever they told us, but to have all that delayed for another week we were not prepared for. I am not sleeping well, I just miss her so bad. But, we wait as there is nothing else we can do.
Boy I cannot to get her in my arms again!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
A blessing
Three weeks ago Duane and I walked through a gate and our lives changed forever. In no time we were being greeted with a hug and kiss from our daughter, as well as being surrounded by about 20 other children. What a day and what a place. Our lives changed because of a few different things, the biggest of course was meeting our daughter for the first time. We had so many expectations that we really had none! She is just perfect, her sweet smile, adorable dimple, the cutest walk and a giggle that warms my heart. She showered us throughout the week with as much love as we had for her. God had truly blessed our family. I have been praying since we began this process to God to put a peace upon our child/children hearts that they had a forever family, when we were matched with CC, my prayer was the same just specific to her! He did this indeed, there was no hesitation with any of us towards each other.
The other impacts that week that we had were all of these children. Each day we would walk through the gates twice and both times we were not only greeted by our CC, but by all the children and they were all so lovely. They craved attention and affection but in such a sweet way, that while we would spend time with them, I would forget where we were, at a transition house in Ethiopia located in a very impoverished area, a place where broken bottles are used as "barbed wire" around the tops of buildings, where electricity would come and go as well as phone lines. But none of that would cross my mind when I was being surrounded by 20 sweet souls. But, it was not just that I would forget where we were, but I would at times forget why these children are there, these loving, funny, energetic, HAPPY children. There are not a lot of toys there but they did not need a lot, the space is like a school yard where they get to play, but they never get to leave the school yard, there rooms are nice, the walls are decorated, but they sleep in these rooms with other kids, some even sharing a twin bed, but they are happy loving children, These children are there due to some tragedy whether losing their birth parents or having to be relinquished is such a tragedy. They have possibly lived in a few "homes" along the way, they have seen more loss that I have as an adult. But, I would forget all of this as I played with them, laughed with them and watched them! These children taught me a lot, one is enjoy the moment, that is what they did, they would enjoy the moments they were having. I will never forget these kids (thankfully I have met some of the forever families so CC will never forget them either!) but mostly I will not forget what they showed me, how happy THEY made me.
I cannot wait to go back, to see my CC, to bring her home, I also cannot wait to go back and see those kids and not only shower them with love they are craving but let them shower me with their love.
The other impacts that week that we had were all of these children. Each day we would walk through the gates twice and both times we were not only greeted by our CC, but by all the children and they were all so lovely. They craved attention and affection but in such a sweet way, that while we would spend time with them, I would forget where we were, at a transition house in Ethiopia located in a very impoverished area, a place where broken bottles are used as "barbed wire" around the tops of buildings, where electricity would come and go as well as phone lines. But none of that would cross my mind when I was being surrounded by 20 sweet souls. But, it was not just that I would forget where we were, but I would at times forget why these children are there, these loving, funny, energetic, HAPPY children. There are not a lot of toys there but they did not need a lot, the space is like a school yard where they get to play, but they never get to leave the school yard, there rooms are nice, the walls are decorated, but they sleep in these rooms with other kids, some even sharing a twin bed, but they are happy loving children, These children are there due to some tragedy whether losing their birth parents or having to be relinquished is such a tragedy. They have possibly lived in a few "homes" along the way, they have seen more loss that I have as an adult. But, I would forget all of this as I played with them, laughed with them and watched them! These children taught me a lot, one is enjoy the moment, that is what they did, they would enjoy the moments they were having. I will never forget these kids (thankfully I have met some of the forever families so CC will never forget them either!) but mostly I will not forget what they showed me, how happy THEY made me.
I cannot wait to go back, to see my CC, to bring her home, I also cannot wait to go back and see those kids and not only shower them with love they are craving but let them shower me with their love.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
a lot of random stuff!
While we have been waiting ( a whole week and a half!) I realized a lot of the frustration is in the ambiguity of it all. Where is our paperwork is it with the US Embassy or still with ET government? I have decided that is what is driving me crazy!
But, on to fun stuff! So another blogger (Kristin) asked me a few weeks ago right before we met our daughter what would I tell someone who has been referred but not met there children yet...here is what I would say- be true to yourself during this waiting process. As an example, as soon as we were matched with CC, in our minds/hearts she was our daughter, we began to do things to indicate this, looked at schools, decorated her room, called her our daughter...we fell in love with this girl. Other people once referred still keep their guard up and do nothing, that is OK- I think if you are true to yourself it will help you get through the wait, if I were to have kept that guard up I would have been crazy, just I am sure if someone who does that were to let it down and go hog wild they would be very anxious!
A shower...dear friends of mine through me (CC) a shower this weekend, WOW- my sister, sister-in-law, niece and friend all came in town for it and about 35 people came! It was an overwhelming blessing! My little CC has no idea the impact she has made on people. She is a true angel! We received so many wonderful gifts and fun things I cannot wait to get her home to enjoy them!
These are my very random chaotic thoughts this morning ( I blame the delicious Ethiopian coffee I am drinking!)! I am just missing my girl so much- she is all I can think about and I am hoping by writing some of this it will help to ease some of that longing. It will be soon that she comes home I know this, but I want it to be NOW!
But, on to fun stuff! So another blogger (Kristin) asked me a few weeks ago right before we met our daughter what would I tell someone who has been referred but not met there children yet...here is what I would say- be true to yourself during this waiting process. As an example, as soon as we were matched with CC, in our minds/hearts she was our daughter, we began to do things to indicate this, looked at schools, decorated her room, called her our daughter...we fell in love with this girl. Other people once referred still keep their guard up and do nothing, that is OK- I think if you are true to yourself it will help you get through the wait, if I were to have kept that guard up I would have been crazy, just I am sure if someone who does that were to let it down and go hog wild they would be very anxious!
A shower...dear friends of mine through me (CC) a shower this weekend, WOW- my sister, sister-in-law, niece and friend all came in town for it and about 35 people came! It was an overwhelming blessing! My little CC has no idea the impact she has made on people. She is a true angel! We received so many wonderful gifts and fun things I cannot wait to get her home to enjoy them!
These are my very random chaotic thoughts this morning ( I blame the delicious Ethiopian coffee I am drinking!)! I am just missing my girl so much- she is all I can think about and I am hoping by writing some of this it will help to ease some of that longing. It will be soon that she comes home I know this, but I want it to be NOW!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
How precious
We said goodbye to our girl 3 days ago. I miss her so much- her adorable gait, how when she would see us walk through the gate each day- the smile on her face would expand and she would run and jump in our arms and hug and kiss us!
Saying goodbye was even harder that I thought. We had one of the nannies translating and I was doing ok- a bit teary but not to bad, then I asked the nanny to ask CC if she wanted to ask us anything before we left or tell us anything...she did, she said tell them I love them and will miss them...I LOST it, I mean did exactly what I should not have done...even the nanny started to cry, we were all a mess. But, I was able to pull it together for about two minutes to walk back to the room.
But on a GREAT note, she is being so well taken care of, I have not one single worry of the love, care and nurturing she is receiving, they are absolutely amazing there.
We do have a lot to do to prep for her arrival, so this time will probably go by very fast!
In the interim we will look at her pictures, videos and continue to daydream about our little princess!! We are sending her cards and packages as much as possible! There are so many wonderful families willing to help! Thank you all in advance! This is such an amazing community!!
Saying goodbye was even harder that I thought. We had one of the nannies translating and I was doing ok- a bit teary but not to bad, then I asked the nanny to ask CC if she wanted to ask us anything before we left or tell us anything...she did, she said tell them I love them and will miss them...I LOST it, I mean did exactly what I should not have done...even the nanny started to cry, we were all a mess. But, I was able to pull it together for about two minutes to walk back to the room.
But on a GREAT note, she is being so well taken care of, I have not one single worry of the love, care and nurturing she is receiving, they are absolutely amazing there.
We do have a lot to do to prep for her arrival, so this time will probably go by very fast!
In the interim we will look at her pictures, videos and continue to daydream about our little princess!! We are sending her cards and packages as much as possible! There are so many wonderful families willing to help! Thank you all in advance! This is such an amazing community!!
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