Meeting Jo!

I feel like I could type for 5 hours and still not explain today.

How do you explain what it's like to meet your son? To have your first family picture taken? Wonderful, amazing, perfect, awesome.. don't even come close to giving it any justice.

Jo is the biggest blessing ever. Within minutes it felt like he had been in our lives forever. It felt natural, we already don't know life with out him. He is completely chillax.. just sits and enjoys your company. He isn't crawling yet.. but I would think it will happen soon. I'm thankful for that, so won't miss out on anything. He looks happy as a clam, and very healthy. He's smaller than I thought but not necessarily in weight.. I just wasn't sure what to expect.
He fell asleep while I rocked him today. I can't wait to show you the video and pictures of our first meeting.

OMG.. he totally has a fo-hawk.. it's awesome.. and I can't wait for you to see it.. it rocks.. !!!!!

I personally think that Jo loves Chris more.. when we put him down tonight, I felt like he was looking for Daddy.

We saw where Jo sleeps. My friend Joanna from Texas, her little girl is right next to him. I told Joanna 6 months ago when we met; that our babies were friends.. and they truly are.. they sleep right next to each other. How cool and random is that. I wish she were here with us.

This trip wouldn't be near as good if it weren't for the awesome people that we are experiencing this with. We have Jersey represented.. I asked if they know Snookie and if they are arm pumping all the time.. lol. NW is here.. people from Spokane and Idaho. Many are on the same flight home as us.

We went to a traditional Ethiopia dinner house tonight with music and dance. Chris and I haven't really ate much on the trip.. just too much going on to feel hungry.. and the food is a little weird.

We leave tomorrow for our over night trip to Durame.. so we probably won't email till Monday.  We hear we may take custody of Jo Monday evening. Tuesday is the Embassy appt, and then Wed we shop.
We got our bag from the airport today.

We saw a Duck bumper sticker today.. yes, it said Eugene OR on it.. we got pics.

Also, saw a guy that had an Obama shirt on.
There are donkey's and goats everywhere.. they aren't really tied up.. I wonder what they are doing.. and why they are there?
Ethiopia is not Mexico.. fyi

We are exhausted.. and our body clocks are completely off.. we were up for several hours during the middle of the night last night.

Made It!

I just ordered breakfast for us.. first I ordered toast jam with fruit and an omelet for Chris.. they tell me.. no fruit.. so then I order french toast for myself.. wait.. no french toast.. so then I go to oatmeal which they call porridge aka oatmeal and go back to toast and jam.. no fruit.. lol.

I woke up this am.. looked out the window and the first thing I saw was a donkey cross the street.. This is the first of many to come.
Flights all went good.. wasn't actually that bad.. slept on the 8 hr flight to Nairobi; thank you little pills. They made us check one of our carry on bags in Amsterdam.. of course it didn't show up.. this had Jo's dad's gift in it and  our malaria medication.

Once we got to Ethiopia.. it was a complete cluster.. were not in Kansas anymore. Mary (from work said) be sure to take in the smells.. first thing I smelled was some serious bo... then we had to get a travel visa.. I swear I smelled puke! EIK. Had to wait in line forever for immigration.. we were in the wrong line for a bit.. then had to exchange $.. people kept cutting in line.
Had the bag fiasco..we'd been at the airport an hour or so by now.. Holt didn't show up to pick us up.. it was 2am here... Got a taxi.. it was a 78' small car.. it was raining and the wipers didn't work that well.. no traffic on the road.. he got lost.. couldn't find the hotel.. I thought for sure we were getting shanked.. I was seriously freaking.. good thing Chris was calm..  At one point he stopped in the middle of the road to figure out where he was, and a car stopped next to us and 3 guys jumped out.   They didn't bother with our car, just took off in another direction.. but is was very scary!

Got to the hotel.. would have done anything for a cold one.. even a zima at this point.. settled on a box of cheese it's and water.. slept about 5 hours..

I see Karen from facebook.. she lives in Idaho, nice to see a familiar face. 

Chris said.. you know what we need next time we come back. I looked at him like he was crazy.. he said.. more cheese its..
Breakfast is ready.. and getting cold.

We meet Jo tomorrow am at this time!

All is well.. oh well to the bag..

We're Leaving On A Jet Plane!

ok.. so it's the evening before we leave.. will I sleep tonight.. I hope so.  Is everything packed.. I think so. 
Am I calm.. yes?  Does this feel real, nope?  Talked with friends and family today.  Crossing off all the things on my to-do lists..

Jo.. we're on our way.. we're coming to get you lil' buddy!  We'll be there soon.  Mom & Dad love you!

Getting Ready!

Do I have passport copies... Do I have paperwork copies.. do I have valid phone numbers.. insurance information.. hotel info.. diapers... mosquito nets, bug spray, tylonol pm, burp blothes, wash clothes, diapers, snacks.... ?

Are we ready?... YES.. let's hit the road!

We're SO Close!!

Here are the donations we're taking.. it filled a huge bag!

Getting ready for him to come home!

A little surprise from my excited co-workers!

What we've been up to.

Deep cleaning.. scrubbing.. getting rid of stuff.... is it sad I've been doing this since May? 

Here's some fun stuff.. my sister painted us a picture to put in Jo's room.. I absolutely LOVE IT!!!  It's perfect.. reminds me the swing we used to have we were kids; she's SO talented.  Also, finally got the glider.  And of course.. duck gear.. now he's officially ready for the season to start!  Thanks to one of my co-workers.. she hooked me up with some fun green & yellow goodies!

Jo.. Dad pimped your ride today.  He switched out the boring bolts for some chrome bling!  All of our family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are very anxious to meet you... of course I think we're the most excited.

Let's Get it On....

I knew that would get your attention.. I do love that song my Marvin Gaye.  I hit a wall last Friday.. I'm done with following directions.. I'm done following advice on what to pack.  Let's just get this show on the road to bring home our beautiful son.  I want to start life together.  I want to make pancakes on Sunday morning.  I want to read him books at night.  I 'm just SO ready.

I know I may sound impatient but these are just a couple of the things that I think about and can't wait to experience.  Overall, I'm taking it day by day and breathing in this experience.  I'm still oddly calm and relaxed, WHO am I?

I can't wait to open the door to this new world of being a parent.  Soon.. I will join the club!