09.27.09
Ethiopia Pics
While I have a few minutes (Asher is napping), I thought I’d post a few pics from our stay in Ethiopia. I was there for close to three weeks, but the first week I had Asher by myself, so I wasn’t able to take a lot of pictures. Once Owen got there, I started taking pictures like mad, but still feel like I didn’t get enough, or capture what I wanted to. A lot of the pictures were taken from a moving van as we toured the city or drove from place to place with our CHI drivers, so I don’t feel like the photos can convey the “feeling” of Addis Ababa or its people adequately.
The first moment I laid eyes on Asher (with his buddy, Cullen, and being held by Tsegay’s wife, Almaz)
One of Asher’s Nannies saying goodbye.
First picture as a family.
Tsegay holding Asher.
09.21.09
Priorities
Yeah, the blog isn’t exactly a priority right now. I’ve been in survival mode for the last two weeks, so there are a lot of things way down on the list.
We’ve been home with Asher for two weeks and two days. I can’t seem to remember what it was like without him. I don’t ever remember being this tired or this happy. 
I would be lying if I said it was easy. We’ve all had a lot of adjusting to do. The first few days were rough with very little sleep as Asher adjusted to US time. We had lots of 2 am parties with the little guy. Fortunately, Owen had a couple weeks off, so we were able to take turns getting up with him. We still haven’t solved the sleep issues entirely, but we’re working on it. Owen had to go back to work today, so it looks like good old Mom will be the one getting up most of the time. Currently, Asher goes down at 7:30 pm, then wakes up between 10:30 – 11:30 pm for a bottle, then goes right back down to sleep. Sometimes he’ll sleep til 6:30 or 7:00 am, other times he’ll wake up at 2:00 – 3:00 am and fight going back to sleep. Sometimes we rock him back to sleep and put him back in his crib, other times he goes in bed with us. As I said, we’re in survivor mode right now, so we go with whatever works!
We had our first Pediatrician appointment last week. Asher is right on target for everything developmentally and physically! The Doc said he can’t believe how healthy he is! I was relieved to hear that. We did four immunizations. The Doc was willing to wait on some of the others. I didn’t want Asher to get all of them at once. There are a couple we will do titers on, so hopefully he won’t have to get them.
I’m still trying to process our whole trip to Ethiopia. It all seems so unreal. It seems like it went by so fast, but in reality, I was there for almost 3 weeks. As hard as it was being there the first week alone with Asher, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I think it made such a huge difference in bonding with him. By the end of that first week, he KNEW who his Mom was. I’m so grateful I did it.
I’m going to try to post more about the trip as I get time. It’s hard making time for the computer now. Asher is sooooo active! What little computer time I have, I usually spend on Facebook because that’s where all my friends and fam are. I may end up transitioning all posts to Facebook notes. I post all my pics there now anyway as well. It just might be time to put the blog to rest. I think it may have served its purpose.
Here are a few pics of our new family!
08.16.09
Prepared for takeoff!!
I can’t believe it’s finally here. I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that I’m leaving for Ethiopia and my SON Wednesday. Just three more days. I am at turns excited, scared, exhilarated, sick to my stomach, tearful, ecstatic! Such a wide range of emotions that I’m having a hard time processing. One of the pervading thoughts the last couple days is Man, I’m going to miss my bed!! Funny, considering what this trip actually means. I guess focusing on the mundane is all I can manage at the moment because the other stuff is just too big to deal with right now.
Packing has been an ordeal. The biggest problem was not really knowing what sizes to pack for Asher. Fortunately, I received updated height and weight last week, so that made it a bit easier. Asher weighs 18.5 pounds and is 26.8 inches. So, I think we should be good with 9 and 12 months. I’m bringing lots of stretchy outfits and overalls that can be adjusted. As far as clothes for me…well, let’s just say, I have probably overpacked. Considering I’m going to be there for 3 weeks, and not sure what the laundry situation will be like, I erred on the side of caution and packed a lot, although it’s still under the 50 pound weight limit for the airlines.
I’m not looking forward to the flight. I don’t enjoy flying. In fact, it scares me to death. But I do it because I love to travel. I have never traveled this far without Owen. I’m a little sad that he won’t be there with me when I meet Asher for the first time. This is definately an event that I would have preferred he be at, but I think it’s important for at least one of us to be with Asher as long as possible before we bring him home. I’m hoping the extra bonding time will help alleviate some of the terror I know he’s going to feel at leaving the HOH and his Nannies. The HOH has been his home for almost 7 months. I can’t imagine what will be going on in his little head. I’m as prepared as I can be to care for a grieving, pissed off, little guy.
I’ve been scrambling around trying to get all our travel paperwork in order and get everything lined up before I go. Travel insurance, Pediatrician appointment, pre-paying bills, carseats installed, etc. etc. It’s just crazy the amount of stuff that needs to get done. Hopefully, my uber-super-anal-retentive self hasn’t forgotten anything. One of the disadvantages to being a control freak is I’ve taken care of EVERYTHING since we started the adoption process over two years ago, so Owen knows NOTHING. I can’t really ask him to do anything at this point because it would take me just as long to explain things as it would for me to do it myself. Yep, it’s my own fault! Poor guy has put up with me for 22 years. He must really, really love me!
Okay, so I’m rambling. It’s the nerves. I’ll leave you with a few pics of the mess I have created in preparation for the trip of our lifetime and celebrating Asher with family after passing court on August 5, and a couple pics of the little guy himself!!
Me, Owen and my Mom
Hayley (my niece) and my Dad
Celebrating in Charleston, SC with Owen's sister, Diane, and her husband, Ron. Diane is battling breast cancer. She is one of the bravest people I know!
Diane, Ron and Me
This is just Asher's stuff!!
Owen's stuff!
This is just my clothes!
Asher's referral pic from January 26, 2009. He was 7.7 pounds at 3 months old!
At 4 months after being at the HOH for just 1 month!!
08.05.09
Introducing…
Asher Martin Griffith
WE PASSED COURT TODAY! Asher Martin Griffith is legally ours, FINALLY! It’s been a rough three months waiting for the ban to be lifted and court to be rescheduled. I was bracing myself for more disappointment, but much to my surprise and JOY, we passed!!
Our little guy isn’t so little anymore. He’s 9 months old and we were told today he is WALKING! Can you believe it? That made Owen and I a little sad, but only for a moment. I’m just so overjoyed at the fact that I will be leaving shortly to bring my son home. I’ll post more on the travel arrangements later.
07.16.09
Dog in a sling
In Asher’s sling, that is. I tried my hand at a bit of sling-making this week. I must say, I’m just a little bit proud of myself. I found EASY directions on the Internet, bought the material, sewed it up, attached the ring, and VOILA! Instant sling! It actually only took me about 10 minutes to make and cost all of $15. My problem with the “store-bought” slings is, ahem…my top half. I couldn’t find one that would comfortably accomodate the girls AND a baby. LOL Plus, anything on the Internet was $60 and up. So, I conjured my inner Martha Stewart and saved myself a bunch of money and got a comfy sling to boot. My 18 pound Chiweenie, Chili, had no complaints, so Asher should like it too :)
07.13.09
We have ANOTHER new court date
I was not surprised to receive an email from our agency today informing us that our court date had been rescheduled to August 5 with a Visa date of September 3. Not surprised, but definately a bit disappointed. *big sigh*
I was almost sure that MOWA wouldn’t interrupt their training to write the letters we need for court. So, our new court date is scheduled for after they’re back in the office. It’s really only two more weeks. What’s that compared to how long we’ve already waited. I guess the reason I’m not crying and cussing at this point is, I truly believe we are moving forward and that this is all going to be a done deal August 5. Asher is going to be in my arms soon and home where he belongs and I will do my best to forget the resentments I currently have for the numerous entities involved in making my life a living hell for the last two months.
07.10.09
New court date!!!
Yes! We have a new court date! Our agency called us today with the news that the ban is officially lifted and our court date has been rescheduled for July 20! That’s just 11 days away. We have a tentative Visa appointment of August 20. The only catch is that MOWA (Ministry of Women’s Affairs), an agency involved in the adoption process in ET, is supposed to write letters of recommendation on the day of court. MOWA is closed for training for two weeks, but the judges have requested that someone in their office provide the needed letters on our court day. Not sure if this will happen, but we’re hopeful.
I feel such a sense of relief. I feel like I can start planning again and imagining our life with Asher in it. For the last two months, I wasn’t sure if that was going to happen.
05.29.09
Waiting…
I thought our waiting was going to be at an end on May 25. That would have been the day we met Asher for the first time. This past weekend was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I was truly thinking I had a handle on it, but when the weekend rolled around, I just lost it. Again. I’m so tired of feeling like this. I have moments of such despair. I’m not the easiest person to comfort under normal circumstances (ask Owen!), but this is just so beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s emotionally and physically draining. There are times when I just don’t know what to do with all the anger and sadness I’m feeling.
No earth-shattering news from Ethiopia. There has been some movement in the on-going investigation. According to our agency, the courts have lifted the ban on abandoned baby cases from some of the government-run orphanages, but have expanded the investigation into other parts of Ethiopia. Our agency seems encouraged by this. For me, the jury is still out.
Owen did his best to distract me last weekend. We spent Saturday out and about. He took me to my favorite restaurant for lunch…Pappadeaux’s! Seafood almost always cheers me up. Monday we drove up to Helen, GA, a cheesy, touristy recreation of an alpine village in North Georgia. Love it! We had our fill of German sausage, sauerkraut and beer. After lunch, we hiked up to the Anna Ruby Falls. A lot of other people had the same idea. The trail was pretty crowded, but it was such a nice day, and everything was so green!
Today officially begins my vacation. I really, really need it right now. Owen and I booked a cabin in the North Carolina mountains for four days next week. We’re looking forward to the solitude and just spending time together. We’ve got some fun things planned too. Whitewater rafting, exploring the Smoky Mountains, a little gambling at the casino, hiking. It’s going to be a fun four days!
I’ll leave you with some pics from last weekend at Anna Ruby Falls. So beautiful!
05.18.09
10 days…
It’s been 10 days since we found out that our court case in Ethiopia had not been heard on the appointed date, May 8, and our adoption of baby Asher was put on “hold”. It’s been the 10 longest days of my life! It’s still so hard for me to “talk” about it. We were supposed to be leaving a week from yesterday to bring him home. I’m so tired of explaining to everyone why that isn’t going to happen now. I refuse to say “if” it’s going to happen. I still have to believe that this is just a temporary bump in the road…we’ve had so many of those since we started this process 2 years ago.
We’ve been getting very little information about the situation in Ethiopia. So far, we’ve learned that the judges have finished their preliminary investigation into the unethical practices of certain orphanages, agency, police officer and social worker. We know that our agency has NOT been implicated and that our children are NOT involved. There are 9 other families that this is affecting. There is a meeting today in ET with the JCICS (Joint Council on International and Children’s Services). We’re hoping to get more information from them on the judge’s decision regarding pending adoption cases. Until then, we’re in limbo.
Owen and I are trying to stay busy. We’ve really been leaning on each other throughout this ordeal. I’ve been communicating with some of the other families as well. It’s impossible for most people to understand what we’re going through right now. The May 8 Families, as we unofficially call ourselves, have been such a huge comfort and support to me. Just being in contact with them somehow makes this a little easier for me to bear.
I’ll leave you with a much happier note…
My nephews, Austin and William.
04.29.09
Long overdue update (long post)
Wow! I didn’t realize just how long it had been since I last updated the blog. In some ways, I guess that’s a good thing. It means I’ve been keeping busy and not obsessing on bringing the little guy home. Believe me, it’s easy to obsess if you let yourself. It has been 3 long months since our referral. We still have a month to go…possibly longer.
Our court date is scheduled for May 8 (that’s 4 days sooner than I last reported). It seems that there are a total of 14 families scheduled for court on May 8. Our Visa appointment at the US Embassy was supposed to be May 28. I got an email yesterday from our agency stating that the Embassy will only hear 10 cases per day per agency, which means at least 4 families are going to be shit out of luck! What that means is those 4 families are going to get later Visa appointments, either June 11 or June 25. The Embassy is now only hearing cases every 2 weeks. Needless to say, I was NOT a happy camper last night. We probably won’t know when OUR Visa appointment will be until after/if we pass court. At this point, it’s all just so frustrating. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry sometimes.
One of the most frustrating things about this whole mess, other than we STILL DON’T HAVE OUR SON, is I can’t really confirm travel arrangements yet. The email I got 2 weeks ago said we would more than likely have our Visa appointment on May 28, so I went ahead and booked our airline tickets and accomodations in ET. Now there’s a possibility that I’ll have to change everything. Gggrrrrr! There’s also the possibility that we won’t get to travel with the two families I’ve become close to during all this. We have made all our travel arrangements together…even taken over almost an entire guest house in ET!! lol I would be devastated if we didn’t get to travel with them.
Well, enough moaning and groaning. I know I have no control over this. I never have. You would think by now I would quit fighting it. Guess it’s just not in my nature to give in.
On to better news…my good friend Angie and her husband, Joe, are in Ethiopia right now picking up their son, Silas!! Angie and I have known each other since we both started in the Vietnam program way back when. We’ve cheered each other on and cheered each other up many times throughout this process. It is so great to see her dream finally coming true! She and Joe are also going to take pictures of our little guy for us while they’re there. Hopefully, they’ll get to give him a little lovin’ too. We can’t wait to see his little face and find out how he’s doing!
Now for some pictures…
I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned the little guy’s name here on the blog. We’ve decided to call him Asher. My Mom made these awesome letters to go over the crib. She did such a great job! She also motivated/nagged me into painting the nursery finally. It turned out beautiful! Thanks Mom!
The next picture was a little reward to myself for being smoke-free for almost 3 months! I still can’t believe I kicked a 25 year habit without actually killing someone. Yay me!
We’ve had 2 of the 4 baby showers planned for us so far. Baby shower #1 was a small affair thrown by some friends that weren’t going to be at shower #2.
What great friends we have!
Shower #2 was the big affair that my Mom and best friend, Tiffiny, planned. Party planner, caterer, gourmet cake…you name it, my Mom did it! She had a blast doing it too! She was soooo good at doing it that the party planner offered her a job! LOL Our shower rocked Mom!
Do you think Asher got enough stuff?
Trying to organize it all.
Two more showers to go! I really don’t know where I’m going to put it all. I have the bestest family and friends! Thanks for being there guys and showering us with love and support!
