This sweet boy slept for 12 very long hours! He woke up crying and I swooped in, we had been waiting for him to wake up. Once I had him in my arms he stopped crying and was happy to be held. We moved to the living room area where he seemed more comfortable looking through the suitcase for his toys we brought. He loves the little board book and the trucks.
After breakfast we had to return to the transition home to fill out our Embassy documents. I was very apprehensive about returning with Ty. It seemed like a cruel trick, to take him back to the place he knows as home and then drag him away again. I imagined a crying baby, distraught to be kept from his beloved nanny...I was sad for him. When we pulled up he recognized the guard right away, and the scenes too. He was definitely alert and offering more smiles than ever. My heart was heavy, dreading the disappointment this little boy was going to suffer again. They walked us up the stairs, past Ty's old baby room and into a room that was lined with large gymnastic mats used for baby play. To my great relief Ty was not trying to get away from me but just the opposite. He was laughing, playing and continually returning to me. Our house guide, Hermella, even noted how much of a difference she saw in him in one night's time. Some of the nannies came in to say hi to him and he smiled at them...but didn't cry for them. Of course he did not see HIS nanny, and for that I am grateful. I wonder if she knew? I bet she did. Maybe she didn't come in an effort to spare him because history had taught her with babies she's helped raise. Or maybe she didn't come to spare herself. This is such a special bond between nanny and baby, she was his mother until I arrived. I don't know what she was doing, but I can imagine how it must have hurt to let go. I will be saying extra prayers for her, for all of the nannies at the HOH.
After lunch we rested for a little while and then went out souvenir shopping with our new friends the Skiles. There is a really great area called the Post Office with lots of small shops carrying great souvenirs. I carried Ty in the Ergo Baby (thank you Courtney!!) and though he is the hottest little bean ever, we managed not to melt each other. :) The Fischer's had their Embassy Appt during this time and afterward they joined us a the Post Office. Afterward we all headed to each dinner at a great restaurant..Island Breeze. Supposedly the owner had lived in the states and ran a restaurant for many years before returning to Ethiopia. The menu really does cater to Americans and we enjoyed chicken wings, avacado dip/chips, pizzas, buffalo chicken sandwiches and french fries. The music was old rock/pop and we found ourselves relaxing with each bite. By the time we were finished we all were full and tired!
Tomorrow we are going to visit the Leprosy hospital. The residents make crafts and sell them in their hospital gift shop, sounds interesting. Ty is fast asleep at 7:30 pm, and we are exhausted too. But the Fischer's have friends visiting, they are here adopting too, and everyone is enjoying swapping adoption stories and good humor. Though we are tired, the evening is one of our favorite times of the day. We all meet down stairs around the dining area and chat about the day's events. We've had many meaningful conversations with the staff here too. This trip is definitely about getting our son, and with that comes many more blessings through these friendships!
A little after lunch snooze...
Enjoying his suitcase of fun!
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