Bittersweet

Yesterday was my last day as a full-time journalist/editor for a long time. I certainly didn't expect the world to come to a halt, but a little hiccup would have been nice. It would have made me feel a little less replaceable.

Please don't mistake my sadness for regret. I'm SO looking forward to this new chapter in my life (this morning, for instance, I got a lot accomplished with the help of my mom and even had time to meet a fab pal and her two awesome daughters for coffee), but it's going to be so different from what I've been used to. I can't imagine not having adult interaction 24-7, venting about current events, listening to coworkers sing silly songs and having monthly gratification with each published magazine. I feel like a need a proper way to grieve my old self. It's going to be an adjustment, measuring my self-worth in an entirely different way. It's kind of shallow in a way to think that so much of my life was wrapped up in my job, actually.

In 2002 I quit working FT to finish my degree, but the goal was always to go back to working full time immediately. Plus, my previous job was not that intellectually stimulating. This time is obviously different for various reasons. While there were certainly times when I wanted to throw in the towel at the magazine, the people were my second family and I loved the work. The more they piled on, the more I loved it.

In a few months, once we're all used to each other and have established a routine, it'll be fun to pitch stories to new publications and enter that phase of life. I hope the transition is easy for everyone. I thank my husband in advance for his caring, understanding nature and my SAHM friends for the support that they've already given me. - Sarah

VISA Cable OK

This morning we got a quick e-mail from the embassy saying they do in fact have the correct information for us. This is a HUGE relief. We can now travel with no worries (well, no paperwork worries).

However, this e-mail came after we were on hold for more than an hour around 1 a.m. this morning and another call later; we didn't speak to anyone either time! That's close to two hours at $1.49 per minute. ARGH. - Sarah

It's Going to Be a LONG Night

We have some Visa issues at the moment, which is not what we need right now. So, at 1 a.m. I'm calling the Ethiopian Embassy (9 a.m. their time) to see if we can get it all straight. Did I mention the call is $1.49 per minute!!!! Oh well, if it gets this all straightened out so we can bring our babe home it's all worth it.

A HUGE congrats to some of our blog pals who got word today that they'll travel soon, including Lori. And a big welcome home to Katy and her family. -Sarah

A Reward For Those Who Read 'Til The End

Wow! We leave for Ethiopia in like a week (7/25). It's funny because after all of this waiting and waiting you would think we'd be uber prepared. But, I work well under pressure, so that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Flight: Flights are booked solid through the end of August with waiting lists 70-deep, so our options were limited. Therefore, on the way back we're flying first class on Ethiopian Air. Our checkbook doesn't like that option (if anyone has a small fortune lying around we'd be glad to take it off of your hands), but I'm sure we'll appreciate all of the extra room. I apologize in advance to the posh businessmen who have no idea that they'll be sharing cabin space with a baby who will most likely be quite fussy!

Travel: Just about everyone at my work is sick or getting sick this week, so I'm downing Yogi tea and whatever else I can get my hands on to prevent the sickness from infecting the McDonald household.

Packing/buying: We have quite a few small travel-related things to buy and then there are things like get the car seat installed, figure out how the baby tub we bought works, etc.

Now, as promised, here are two pictures of our babe. If you'll remember, his name will be solidified when we meet him, so stay tuned for that in about two weeks!!! We welcome suggestions, though.



This is BabyM around 2 months. This is the first picture we saw of him.


Fast forward and this is BabyM around 3 months of age. This shot was taken by a parent who traveled to pick up her child last month. We're so grateful for this additional image. A cutey, ain't he? -Sarah

Ethiopia here we come

Just got word we leave 7/25. More details to come!!!! -Sarah

2 Months Ago

2 months ago we got our referral. Still no word on when we'll be traveling. We did get an update of sorts from our agency today saying that the U.S. Embassy has correct data on us. Read into that what you will.

Last night Tim and I made Amharic flash cards with some key phrases. Considering we've only heard the language spoken a few times I'm sure we're butchering it, but I'm hoping folks will be patient and forgiving.

We also got down to the logistics of packing this weekend. Using an Excel sheet that I got from one of my fave bloggers, we were able to isolate the things we have and the things we don't. And although we've been collecting things for travel for what seems like decades, we still have 50 some items left to buy... everything from a cary on bag that's not too big to Imodium. I see several trips to Target in our future. - Sarah

Our Network

Last night we met with about 6 families in the area with a connection to Ethiopian adoption. One, who lives super close, brought their son home about three years ago. The rest of us are either waiting for a travel date or a referral. I'm so glad we were connected with these folks. I can only imagine what their knowledge and support will contribute to our family of three in the coming years.

As you can tell, we didn't get a travel date today. As far as I know, no one in our agency did. But, several families from the agency left today to bring home their babes (and hopefully bring back some shots of BabyM), so we're thankful for that.

Keep those fingers crossed that we'll get through before the courts close! - Sarah

Groupie

Tomorrow we're meeting up with a group of parents in the area who've adopted kids from Ethiopia. I'm just over the moon about this. Until like two weeks ago I thought there was only one other family in the area. I hope this will turn into a regular group where the adults can swap stories and the kids can play together. What an awesome resource to have under our belts.

Until then, I'm going to contain my giddiness (don't wanna seem to desperate for adoption pals and scare 'em off, do we?) and we're going to watch I Like Killing Flies, which arrived today care of Netflix! - Sarah

Sling Shot

Last night Tim and I watched the video that came with our Ergo Carrier. Tim and I looked at each other and at almost the same time said, "I sure hope we don't drop this kid." Seriously, I'm sure once we do it a couple of times it'll be easy, but watching those people in the video made me feel very inflexible and klutzy. It takes a lot of coordination to nestle a baby in there.

But watching it reminded me we also need to get a sling. One of my fave blog pals passed along some sage advice awhile back - pack a sling just in case the baby doesn't like the Ergo.

Buying the Ergo was a no-brainer, but I'm at a loss over the sling. There are SO many different kinds out there. I'm partial to this brand, but don't know anyone who's tried it. Since the ergo is kind of large and unattractive I'm thinking something more stylish and unassuming would be nice. Do you have a favorite? - Sarah

We're Finally in the 21st Century

Last Sunday, at the shower hosted by my pal Sarah, Tim's dad and stepmother gave us a digital camera! I don't consider ourselves that out of the loop (we do have a DVD player, cell phones and iPods), but when I told my youngest brother we finally got a digital camera he said, "Welcome to the 21st Century." Ok, so we're a little behind the times. Several years ago Tim gave me an AWESOME SLR film camera, so I wasn't ready to let go. We're still going to use that camera, but boy with this little guy come in handy. In fact, it already has... see below. We're really going modern in the next few weeks when we purchase a digital camcorder!

We took a slight step back in time this week, though, when I ordered a polaroid camera and film off of eBay. We're taking it all with us to Ethiopia so we can include some pictures of the baby and us in the album that we'll give the birth family. Can you believe that the camera was only $9.99 but the dang film was $55 for 40 exposures?!?!


This is what the nursery looked like after last week's shower. It's ordered chaos, I promise.



This morning we went to Lowe's and got shelves and hooks. My handyman, Tim, put them up!!!



After Tim put up the shelves I added some bins. I'm pooped, so the rest will just have to wait. The creatures on the right are little puppets. - Sarah

All In A Name

I've been meaning to write this post for awhile, and since I'm stuck at work waiting for a tow truck (dead alternator), here goes:

Tim and I are often asked about BabyM's name. Yes, he has a birth name (it's oh so beautiful), but no, we're not sure what his name will be once we've finalized the adoption here in the states.

Two years ago when Tim and I began this process we looked up Ethiopian names and fell in love with Mirtus, which means "he who is chosen" in Amharic. How fitting. So for two years we've been privately referring to our son-to-be as Mirtus. And when we were matched, we told family that's what his name was going to be.

In hindsight, we spoke too soon, as I often do. So, instead, we've decided to wait until we hold our little guy and see what fits. That might be Mirtus, but it might not be. One thing's for sure, we'll incorporate part of his birth name no matter what.

To you adoptive 'rents out there, if you adjusted your child's name at all, what all went into that process? - Sarah

*Updated* Not Our Turn

It seems I was configuring travel times all wrong. It's not based on acceptance date. There's a lot of paperwork (similar to the dossier we compiled ages ago) that has to be assembled for our child before the case goes to court.

So, as of today I'll try to stop playing the guessing game. I'll continue to be happy for the folks who are already scheduled to fly over and meet their babes. And Tim and I will get down to the business of getting ready for our trip minus the emotions. This is so much easier said than done, but detaching myself during the wait for a referral was the only way I made it through sane! - Sarah

Not Our Turn

Sunday my friend Sarah hosted a baby shower for our family and friends. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed seeing everyone and the baby has gotten some pretty cool stuff.

Yesterday, we had a major disappointment: Another travel group was announced, but we were not part of it. While we're so happy for the folks in our agency who'll be traveling July 11 (there's a 7/4 group, too) — including Katy — we can't help but wish it was us. Unless I'm way off, we'll for sure be in the next group... just don't know when that'll be. The good thing is that people seem to be getting through court pretty quickly in anticipation of the upcoming court closure, so there's hope! - Sarah