Week 1

Today marks 1 week since we submitted our dossier to the adoption agency. In that first week of waiting I have completed installing a chair rail in the whole dining room, painted the wall, purchased a few more clothing items and necessities for Amelie (such as baby shampoo, soaps, and size 2 & 3 dresses), along with a child's vintage wooden rocking chair (the back is a bear's head). Sorin and I have plans to paint the chair together, and she picked out the dresses. I managed to find Sorin's old size 2T sun dress in the basement and I love the idea of Amelie wearing it after all these years.

We had some questions answered regarding travel this week. We're told that it's common for parents to travel alone, and they have total support after arrival in the airport. Daniel would obtain his visa at the airport, meet up with the driver there, and he'd have assistance available throughout his stay. He'd stay on the grounds of Toukoul, which is kind of like a gated community, and included in his lodging fee is laundry, all meals, and babysitting. The babysitting is something Daniel seemed most relieved about because he's very nervous about caring for an infant alone, and wonders if he'll ever get a moment's rest. It's looking like we'll opt for solo travel to save money, and so I can stay behind to manage the kids this time. Andrew and Sky have made so much progress with security and attachment, we don't want to set them back by my sudden absence. I was happy to hear they have AT&T cell phone service in Addis because I plan to call Daniel (the Stork) every half hour!