5/24 Day 6 Sick boy

5/24 Day 6 Sick boy

I don't think tyler felt too well today. He was feverish and had some pretty bad stomach cramps and diarrhea. It didn't help that we had to be out most of the day either.

Abel picked us up this morning and we got to meet all of the other Bethany families! What a great group of people. It's so awesome to see so many new families being brought together. We went to meet the Bethany staff and finish our paperwork! It was great getting that I-600 and power of attorney out of my hands! Oh, yeah, and the $400 embassy fee too! Mekkonen and Sisay were really helpful. We got to meet with Sinait, Tamene's social worker and she went over his social and developmental reports. I also asked the nurse about his diarrhea and she said to keep him hydrated with electrolytes and to call the Bethany office if he gets worse. I really don't think he is worse, but i am really looking forward to getting him home. We went to Carnivore Addis for lunch. I ordered the Tibs with Injera but only ate a bite or two. It was delicious but i am so afraid of food poisoning after hearing about another traveling family who dealt with horrible food borne illness resulting in loss of consciousness and seizures! Luckily dinner is at 6 tonight at the guest house and smells amazing already!!

I love our guest house and staff more and more each day. They are truly wonderful hosts and hostesses! I can't wait for more people to see our pictures and videos and hope more families will come stay here at Jemimah (pronounced jeh-MEE-mah).

I will tell you getting here when we did was a life saver. I wouldn't change a thing about how travel was scheduled. We saw a family just arrive last night then in the middle of paperwork they got to pick up their child and then they had to head straight to lunch. I could not imagine! They are staying at our guest house and i hope they can take it easy tonight and relax with their little dear.

I would like to take pictures with the Jemimah staff and baby Tyler and also right down the names and how to spell them! I don't want to forget a thing about this trip!

Tyler had his second bath, a nice lotion rub down, some Tylenol, pedialyte and lots of cuddles. He actually belly laughed for me for the first time today!!!!! After his bath and lotion i couldn't resist that little tummy of his! I blew raspberries and out came this huge gulping laugh! He's napping now and i am relaxing on the bed journaling, and waiting on my 4:30/9:30 call from Jason!

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5/23 Day 5 a good night!

5/23 Day 5 a good night!

We had a great evening here too! We had another fabulous dinner of potatoes, and bits of egg, and a pasta, cheese and onion dish that is baked. There were calls from home from my mom and Jason and the kids. Tyler ate well and is sleeping now. Tomorrow is a big day out. I am a little nervous about Tyler's diaper situation but there is nothing I can do! I do look forward to seeing more of the city and meeting the Bethany staff.

I am half-watching Oprah on the Arabian Satellite TV network. Will. I am is giving away mortgages. Who knew he was such a nice guy!?

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5/23 Day 5 Coffee Ceremony

5/23 Day 5 Coffee Ceremony

We were honored to be invited to share in a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony this afternoon. Tigist, the head cook and her helper prepared the scene beautifully for us! First they lit the charcoals to roast the coffee beans "buna" and the smell is smoky and fragrant! Next popcorn was offered as a light snack while the beans were roasting. Tigist said the women usually prepare the coffee on Sundays after church and it's a very social event. She joked and said its not for men, it would be too much work for them! When the beans were almost done roasting you could hear them pop and crack open. It was so relaxing and the smell was wonderful. Next, they ground the roasted beans and put a carafe of water on the coals. Then, they added the fresh roasted and ground coffee to the carafe. Tigist asked if we took sugar and we all said yes. We invited them to join in our coffee with us. We thanked them over and over for their hospitality. We told them how special it was for us to have been a part of a coffee ceremony. I think it was the best cup of coffee i have ever had. Both babies were taking in the scene getting a little fussy now and then. There was a gorgeous breeze and really nice Ethiopian music playing in the background. I am so glad I got to experience such a unique Ethiopian ceremony with our son. I keep wishing Jason was here to see everything. I only hope my journals and pictures will help tell the story!

Tyler is napping and I just finished sink laundry. He is doing better with the bottle and i hope by the time we have to get on the plane on Thursday that he will be taking the full thing!

I am loving our guest house. The food is outstanding, the place is so clean and spacious it really feels very much like a home and not a hotel. Today Kari, Jeremy, Evan, Tyler and I had lunch in the common room. The boys had their bottles and played on the floor while we had our Lipton soup from our Nalgene bottles! Even though it was circumstantial I am so glad we were "home bound" for the past two days. I. Think the children AND adults needed it! I think all of us are very much the same easy going type of people. They are very aware of cultural sensitivity and we do our best to mirror those around us. It's been an amazing experience here and i am so glad we chose Jemimah Guest House! (pronounced JEH-mee-mah).

Tomorrow we have some business to take care of at the Bethany office. I think Abel said he'd be here for us around 10:30 am but i will have to check with Kari. I know we will have breakfast at 7:30 so we will have plenty of time to get ready for Abel. I need to remember the money for the embassy fee, the paperwork, and i forget what else! I do have it written down.

I am excited to meet the other families and kids tomorrow too. There is another family coming to the Jemimah House tonight and I so know how they are going to feel!!

I look forward to Jason's call tonight! Also, going to check email in a bit too!

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5/23 Day 5 Flirty!

5/23 Day 5 Flirty!

Okay, we had an excellent night! Tyler slept a lot during the day so i was worried about him sleeping at night. He woke up for a 10 pm feeding which i did a big bowl of cereal mixed with formula. Then, he woke for a 5 am feeding which i started with the bottle of formula only and......drum roll please, HE DRANK 2 OZ!!!! I helped him by squeezing the nipple and he seemed so proud of himself! He was smiling and flirty with me. Very responsive this morning. Oohing and ahhhing and seeking me out. Followed me the entire time i made his bottle. I couldn't be more happy!

I didn't sleep well last night at all. Had a hard time falling and staying asleep. I did nap in the afternoon with Tyler yesterday and may end up doing that again seeing as i really didn't get much sleep.

I watched part of a movie The Upside of Anger. I turned the TV off and all I could hear were dogs barking. A lot of them! I also heard what i think were church services start at like 2 am and its still going at 5:30 am.

Tyler is cooing and smiling as i type this. We are listening to lullabies right now.

Also, i keep noticing things from our early intervention days with Jack. Tyler can bring a toy to midline and switch hands. He is side lying and also noticing his feet. He looks really good. He does have what i call a "defensive stance" where he retracts his shoulders and hands in order to not touch something when he's afraid. All i have been doing is gently guiding him out of the position and sort of hugging him from behind to give him more support physically and emotionally.

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Great Day!

Today was a great day for us! We had another "day in" and spent the
day with the other family and their baby boy Evan. Tyler's little
personality is coming through more and more. He's finishing his
bottles and eating his cereal like a champ!

We participated in a coffee ceremony this afternoon. What an amazing
experience. The staff here is so accommodating and very wonderful to
us. We chatted as Tigi roasted the beans and the smell was amazing!
We gave our heart felt thanks and left with such a wonderful feeling
afterwards.

I am typing more in my offline journal and hope to share it on our
blog when I get home. The Internet and technology here is like going
back in time for us. I am grateful to be able to send these little
updates!

Tomorrow is a busy day for us as we meet the Bethany staff and fill
out paperwork for Tuesday's Embassy appointment.

We are about to have dinner at the guest house. Have a great night everyone!

Ang

Happy Baby

Hello and good morning! We had a great night last night. Tyler slept
from 10 pm until 5 am which was a nice stretch. He woke up wanting to
eat and I always start with a bottle. Well, guess what he drank more
than half from the bottle! YAY! It was such a moment for us. After
his bottle this morning he is being downright flirty :) Lots of
cooing and babbling and smiling! Right now he's in the bjorn carrier
just happily chattering as I type. It's good to see him happy!

It's about 7:10 am and we're ready for breakfast! I'll be in touch when I can!

Angela

5/22 day 4 Phone Home!

5/22 day 4 Phone Home!
I admit it now, but i was pretty down this afternoon. tamene had a major, major diaper blowout and threw up a bit and i wasn't feeling the best either. I was doubting dinner because of my stomach and very sad that i hadn't been able to be in contact with home. I knew that no matter what Tyler and I HAD to make it to dinner. It's our social time with Kari, Jeremy and Evan. It also brakes up the day from afternoon, to night time.

The Podolskis came down right as i was finishing up getting us ready for dinner. I expressed my doubts and concern over our kids loose poopies and they said giving a little Tylenol to Evan helped so I gave some to Tamene. I gave him 1 dropper full which is 0.8 ml. He perked up and was quite vocal at dinner. I still wasn't sure about my stomach but i remember reading that you should continue to eat and drink to keep your energy up. The cook made Pizza which was quite delicious! It's spices were Ethiopian and the sauce was awesome!

It is a little awkward having a "staff" at first because guest houses are so much more personal than hotels...so it feels weird requesting things or being served. I think it feels strange too because in all 11 rooms we are only 2 families here right now! I think one more is coming, but thought they'd be here by now. I was feeling better after eating and having two sodas! One coke, and one orange...

I came upstairs to check T's diaper while the Podloskis went to bathe mister Evan. I decided to go to the lobby to check my email. I had a few messages from home and was able to send a longer update tonight. I had another email from Jason that asked if i could call home this weekend to talk to the kids. And it brought tears to my eyes. We have not been out in order to purchase phone cards since the day we picked up our little ones. I felt sooooo disconnected and far away. I began to have tears. Then, a little light bulb went off! I thought perhaps jason could somehow call HERE?!? No, it couldn't work...nothing is ever that easy phone/communication wise here! I gave him the number i saw sitting on the desk, hit send on the email and came upstairs to feed baby Tyler. Just as we were finishing dinner for T, i heard a loud phone ringing downstairs that i hadn't heard before! I immediately ran downstairs and there was a staff member motioning for me to come over. I grabbed the phone and just started sobbing! It was my Jason!!!!!!!!!! He said the number i gave him was a cell phone number (most likely the receptionist) and she was so so helpful instructing him to dial a different number. I got to say hi to Morgan and Jack...and as a bonus, even my mom! It was so good to hear their voices. I truly needed it and i know they did too. If i haven't mentioned, this is so hard...but I wouldn't change a thing. I am taking a lot of pictures and videos and keeping a record of the events of the day.

I heard what sounded like a small parade this evening. I heard some fireworks and chanting it sounded like it was someone rooting for a particular candidate/part In tomorrows election. I know the vote it tomorrow but I remember reading that the results would not be in until June 21st. I want to double check on that.

Sometimes i look around and think i am in Ethiopia! i am in Africa! I have never been this far away from home before. Well, i am going to go rest now that Tyler is sleeping. Good night! I hope!

Ps- edited to add that my stomach Is fine! I plan on taking the cippro as planned and hope that was the only day my stomach goes on the defense!

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5/22 sleep

5/22 sleep

Tamene js sleeping again. I am going to keep him comfortable and in a loose schedule of sleeping when he needs to, and eating every 4 hours. Starting with 2 oz formula mixed with rice cereal. Then the remainder of the two ounces of formula through the oral syringe or bottle. When his stress level is down, i can see his little personality come through. Earlier he napped and ate and we played on the floor very gently. I tried to get him to make eye contact with mr during both feeding and playing. During spoon feeding i prop him up on pillows and I put my face close to his and he looks for the spoon and catches my eyes too. Also he loved playing with my fingers but didn't like to look at me. So I just catch his gaze every so often and am not pushing him. He has made more eye contact and vocalization for me this afternoon.

I hope both of us have an easy night!

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5/22 day 4 a day in...

5/22 day 4 a day in...

We were scheduled to go see Yezelalem Minch today. We woke up and had breakfast. Today it was crepes, toast, mango, oatmeal, and black coffee. Abel came exactly at 8:30 am as he said he would. He apologized and said he had a change in itinerary because not 2, but 3 families arrived today and needed to pick up their children! He apologized and we said absolutely no need! We encouraged him to take care of the other families and we would be totally fine having an "at home" day today! He was so nice and appreciated our understanding. Honestly, i am sad to have missed the lunch program at Yezelalem Minch but baby Tyler Tamene was in desperate need of a nap.

We had an okay first night together. He woke up several times and was not content at all. He did sleep a few hours through and then about 4 am on he was not happy at all. He wasn't screaming or anything, just couldn't get settled. He is having a hard time getting a whole lot through the bottle. I've tried the cup which is a mess, but he gets more. Although he did spit up after the cup so i think sticking to the bottle is best. He has had some pedialyte because of the loose stools. He hasn't had one since about 4 am and its now 11 am so we'll see. One thing he is a champ at eating is rice cereal!!! It really helps fill his tummy and this is how i have been ending his meals. Starting with a bottle, then rice cereal. Or like last night i did pedialyte in his bottle then made his cereal with bottled water. I didn't want to overwhelm his tummy since he was having loose stools and skipped formula at the 4am feeding.

He had his first bath today after his cup feeding! He hated it but was a good sport. He did like the water running over his hands but not his belly! I lathered him in lotion and put a fresh onesie on him and now he is napping.

As he napped I did a load of sink laundry, i am so glad i packed so much clothing for him. He's been with me 24 hours and he went through 4 sleepers, tons of bibs and cloths, several outfits and onesies. I really hope the stuff dries or we are gonna be in trouble! I think our guest house does offer laundry service for a fee so if it comes to it ill look into it.

One thing thats been hard is the lack of ways to communicate with home. It feels like we are on the other side of the world. And, yes, i know we are but without communication its hard, hard, hard. I am keeping it together today but since tomorrow is another "at home" day i can feel it welling.

We did hear a man with a bull horn outside this morning and we wondered if it was related to the elections? I am glad to be inside and only going out for our trip to the Bethany office on Monday to do the i600 paperwork and to pay our embassy fee. Then Tuesday we have our embassy appointment at 2pm. Wed there is a farewell at Mussie Orphanage. The election crowds can get large and thats the only concern is when there's passion on two sides as well as large crowds it can be a recipe for rioting or violence. I am not afraid for my safety as i know we will not be anywhere near the election or crowds.

I am maintaining and thats good, i am not pushing myself and have been able to rest pretty much. I am still in a fog, most likely jet lag or the altitude and emotionally i know how big it all is but i am really trying to keep in the moment which has worked best so far. I am practicing bonding and eye contact with Tyler Tamene. We both look forward to mealtime!

Kari, Jeremy and Evan are doing well. Even though we don't spend every moment with them eating together and sorting out the details of travel, airports, etc. With them has been an amazing help. I am so grateful to have another adoptive family to be here with. I cant express how important it is to share this with someone. I urge all of my other traveling solo Ethiopia mommies to connect and be sure to stay where the other families are staying!!

This is one of the hardest things, if not the hardest thing i have ever done.

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Quick Hello!

We are adjusting (Tyler and I) and had a pretty good day today. He's
still dealing with tummy upset which has me on double diaper duty as
well as "sink laundry" almost constantly! I can't wait until I get to
a wifi spot on the way home...I'll send my journal entries from my
iPad!

This is one of the most rewarding and one of the hardest things I have
ever done. I miss my family like crazy and can't wait until we are
all finally together! I keep taking it day by day.

For those waiting to travel -- be sure to bring back up
bottle/cup/syringe for your little one if they were exclusively cup
fed as babies. Tyler is not liking his bottle and eats almost all of
his formula thickened with rice cereal from a spoon! I have been
giving him pedialyte as well due to his loose diapers. He's sleeping
a lot, but doing very well considering the major life changes he's
going through.

He and I are learning each other. Today we spent a lot of time
practicing eye contact -- I would hold his spoon really close to my
nose and he'd glance at my eyes for a moment and then launch for the
spoon! He is greiving -- I didnt think I would know it if i saw it,
but I can tell. His most favorite time of day is tummy time with his
little buddy Evan (the other families baby). They have this secret
head nod they do to each other it's so cute. They both light up when
we put them face to face. I really can't wait to show everyone
pictures!

Well, I must run now -- I don't want to lose the internet before I hit
send! Take care!

Ang and Baby Tyler Tamene :)

5/21 Day 3 night night baby Tamene!

5/21 Day 3 night night baby Tamene!

Our little man is in bed. He had another loose poopy although it was not as yucky as the first two. He could hardly keep his eyes open! I really wanted to give him a bath tonight but just settled for a wipe down and clean footed pajamas. He drank a few sips from his bottle and i could tell he just wanted to go to sleep so i kissed him goodnight and put him in his crib.

Dinner was excellent. It was potatoes and green beans, i think in Berbere sauce, and the other dish was white rice, ground beef, onions and carrots. It remind me of something we would make!

Right now i am watching Friends on NBC satellite with Arabic subtitles. It is so good to hear something familiar.

Ooh, baby Tamene just sneezed in his sleep!

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5/21 Day 3 Finally in my arms.

5/21 Day 3 Finally in my arms. It was exactly like I imagined, and nothing like I imagined. I was brought to the orphanage by Binyam our driver and Abel our guide. Kari and Jeremy waited as Abel said "Tamene's family" and I jumped up! I was taken to the babies room and not given much direction. I looked around and the camera man ticked his tongue and pointed to baby Tamene. I bent down and smiled at him. He didn't seem alarmed but i also went very slowly. I showed him a toy i brought for him and he took it right away. I picked him up and just couldn't believe how teeny tiny he was. He had "big eyes" like Morgan would say, and was stunned but didn't cry.

We decided to come straight back to the guest house and i am glad. We stopped for phone cards, dear Abel got out of the van and purchased them for us. And finally i got to call Jason. Poor jason, it was 3 am and he sounded so sleepy and I could tell he was groggy! I got to tell him that i have the baby and he's fine, and i am safe.

Our guest house is lovely. I truly like it here a lot. It's comfortable, my room is huge! Its very, very clean and well kept. The staff is great and never over bearing but always there whenever we need them. While we were out picking up the babies, the staff tidied up and gave us fresh towels.

There was already bottled water waiting for me in the room. There is a mini fridge, a flat screen tv with satellite programming, a giant spa sized tub with a shower spray. It's locked and secure, in a gated compound. Looking straight out my window i can see some of the city dwellings with the tin roofs.

Ethiopians are truly wonderful people. I feel very well taken care of. Baby Tyler tamene is sleeping soundly in his crib (also supplied by the guest house) and everything feels pretty good now. I can't believe how much it hit me yesterday. I was a great big wreck!!!!! Now, i cant wait to Bond with Tamene and have dinner with Kari and Jeremy and baby Evan!

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5/21 Day 3 good morning!

5/21 Day 3 good morning!

Something about waking up really helped reset my mindset this morning.

I took a nice, hot, rinse in the tub and feel worlds better after washing all the airplane stink off! I am wearing a flowy purple skirt and cotton shirt.

I ate breakfast with Kari and Jeremy and we were even able to get online on the computer in the lobby. Dear Jason, i hope you got my email!!! It is soon time for us to meet our children. Baby Tyler Tamene here i come sweet heart!

Dear jack and morgan, mommy misses you so much. I hope you are having a good sleep right now and that you have a good day today.

I had toast, black coffee, one fried egg, bottled water, and oatmeal. It was a rally good breakfast. I think we will be fine here as far as food goes. I truly amm more worried about eating from restaurants and if i can will avoid it altogether!

If i do end up sending these notes or posting them online, please forgive typos or sentence structure. I am still really foggy headed.

Its almost time, so, i will go now.

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5/21 Day 3 adjusting...

5/21 Day 3 adjusting...

Baby t and i are resting and cuddling a lot. He seems distant right now and i know his belly is upset because he vomited a little while ago and had a very loose poopy too. You just never know. It could be parasitic or viral. It could be the new formula and rice cereal.

He definitely knows how to roll from his back to his belly and probably the other way around too! He hesitates but does grab toys. He was happier this afternoon but seems tired and sad now. So it is hard to know if he doesn't feel well or if hr is scared and missing his nanny and home.

He is definitely grieving. I didn't
I know how i would know it if i saw it but i do. You can tell he thinks i am strange and everything he ever knew was just taken from him!

I am getting ready for dinner and wondering if there will be staff arguing over who gets to hold baby T!!

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We made it!

I am here and finally this morning i got to meet our son Tyler Tamene
Wilhelm!! He is so, so cute and very tiny. Fits right in to 0-3
month clothing! He's sleeping and eating okay -- has had some really
runny diapers so keeping an eye on that.

It's amazing here! I am keeping a daily journal that I will share
when I get home. Internet is sketchy and right now the receptionist
at the guest house is letting us use her computer.

We love our guest house and Abel, our guide. The other family I am
with have been a tremendous help! They are really great people and I
am glad to be with them.

I must run! Hope to email again soon!

Give my love to Jack and Morgan and Jason -- I miss them more than you
could ever imagine!

5/20 Day 2 we have arrived!

5/20 Day 2 we have arrived!

What a day. I cant believe I am here. It is a shock to the system! I don't even know where to start.

The flight was long and crowded but even so it wasn't horrible! The last 2 hours were pretty long! When we got to the airport in addis, we stood in line for our visas. While Kari waited in the visa line i went over to the money exchange line...it's surreal and like nothing else i have ever experienced. After the visas and money we went through customs, then on to baggage claim. It all went really, really smoothly! Our last stop was to find Abel our guide. We went out in to a sea of people in the arrivals/pick up area...and there he was, right in front with a sign that says Bethany!

Abel said our first stop in the morning is going to be Mussie Orphanage to meet our children!!!!!!! We have breakfast at 7:30 am, Abel said to be ready around 8:30 am and we'd most likely meet our kids at 9:30 am. He was very friendly and made us feel at ease.

We checked in to the guest house and it is really beautiful and literally 5 minutes from the airport. I think we are the only families here tonight! More will arrive tomorrow.

I knew I would have to be prepared emotionally for what this would be like. And, well, i was still overwhelmed! I had been able to send Jason a text message from the addis airport and was so happy that he knew i arrived safely. Then when we got to the guest house my phone says no service. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes. And here they come again!

I miss my family....wow, does it hurt! I feel sad, scared, overwhelmed and at the same time, amazed that I will be meeting our son tomorrow. I keep welling up with tears. Everything is so different here. I knew it would be!

I must try to get some sleep it's midnight here but only feels like the afternoon to me! Argh! Going to try to sleep Now!

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5/19 Day 1 Take off!

5/19 Day 1 Take off!

It's 10:12 pm... It's been about 1 hour in the air so far. Only 14 more to go.

I am tired but waiting for a drink of water before i try to sleep. There are many kids on this flight...a lot of yelling babies! I keep thinking thats going to be me in a few days!

Ethiopian Airlines is nice. Although not quite as modern as I am used to. Already i've noticed how nice and polite Ethiopians are. Truly, and i barely left the country!

I met up with Kari and Jeremy at the airport. We were able to start talking like we were old friends!

I am really sleepy. Hope to sleep for a few hours!

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Leaving Tomorrow Morning!

I can hardly believe tomorrow is the day! I am ready! After 6 stress filled days of making flight plans, guest house arrangements, packing, shopping, setting up baby gear, lining up baby sitters, making tons of notes for Jason, copying important adoption documents, I am finally ready!

I admit, I am nervous. Mainly about flying! Its been about 8 years since i have flown and that was before kids! I am sad to leave my family and get teary eyed when I think of it too much! I am so ready to meet our son! I can't believe I'll be holding him in my arms in just a few days!

I am going to go through my check list one more time! Okay, probably not just one more time...

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Testing group email!

Testing group email!

As most of you know by now, I am about to make a trip of a lifetime to bring home our son from Ethiopia!

I depart from Dulles International airport on Wed., May 19th and arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday. It is a direct flight with a refueling stop in Rome. We do not get off of the plane in Italy.

I will depart Ethiopia on Thursday, May 27th and arrive back at Dulles on Friday!

I will try to update as often as I can. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers!

Also, to my other Ethiopia moms, please feel free to post my updates on the message board!

Thanks!!

Ang

PS - I am using our new iPad on the trip. Typing is a little slower for me on this so please excuse any typos I may miss!! ;)

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Jack's bike!

He gets to ride a way cool amtryke at school! He can get a few pedal
rotations in on just the second time riding! I would love to have a
bike for him at home!! He absolutely loves it! It's an awesome PT
workout for him!