Here I am writing about day four on day five, but I’m figuring that this is just how life is going to be for a while.
Today, we have been home for four days. So many things happened today that were interesting.
First, I became keenly aware that so much of our children’s past is a mystery. I wish it weren’t so, yet we are seeing things daily that are constant reminders. with our biological children, I know from whence the scars came. For Y & M, so much is a mystery. How did she get that scab on her knee and how long has it been there? He ran a fever today; it was frustrating to me to not know how his little body would respond to the medicines we would give him. Y’s teeth are decayed in many places; is this because her water source lacked the proper minerals and perhaps flouride as many in Addis speculated or is it for some other reason we can’t imagine? Was she indeed born outside of Addis (where the water would not have had additives), only to move into the big city just before she was taken to the orphanage? And I wonder about this little mark and that.
Another mystery has also entered our lives. Y has a rash. I’m guessing it’s our detergent, though it could be milk (we let her try it for the first time a couple days ago) or any number of foods or something else in our environment completely. I suddenly feel that with our lack of smog and body odor we are dirtier then our Ethiopian counterparts; we have chemicals everywhere!
On the up side, I am constantly giggling at the things that they find to explore. Today it was every single door stop in the house. Fwiiii-iiiii-iiing. Fwi-iii-iiing.
I also learned that while Y can count to ten in English and at least 20 in Amharic, she doesn’t seem to recognize written numbers or know what to do with a dot-to-dot. She can however color in the lines almost perfectly after completing said simple dot-to-dot.
We have a list of foods that the kids like and dislike posted on our magnet board. At the top of the dislike list is cheese! It is the one food that is guaranteed to come right back out! On the list of likes is bananas, rice, salami, turkey, tortillas, bread, lettuce, carrots (with Ranch dip, go figure), and a few other things. I have been completely impressed with how much the kids will try. Y will try almost anything I put in front of her, and M will try most things. In addition Little Man and Bubba have stepped up to the plate and tried their fair share of new stuff too. We had Ethiopian food last night, and I was so impressed at their willingness to try each of the new and different things on their plates. Injera was a hit with both of them.
I have also been deeply thankful that everyone seems to be in this time zone – what a blessing! Y and M are napping and going to bed at all the right times and Handsome and I are sleeping at night – woohoo!
There’s so much more I’d like to write, and I am aching for the opportunity to document our trip before I forget all of the sweet details, but right now I need to go fix lunch for the little girl who is signing “Happy Birthday” in two languages and the little boy who is flashing me real smiles for the first time since we left Addis Ababa!
I bet those first smiles on this side of the world melt your heart. I love reading all the details you are sharing and I have a huge smile on my face right now. But no cheese, huh? Too bad! Ha ha! But the growing list of foods that they both like is really wonderful! This is really exciting to share with you through your blog! Love you!
Oh, beautiful Update, how I love you! Thank you so much, Jen, for taking time to share details with us. It’s wonderful to know one of my prayers has been answered–I’m relieved to learn that everyone is sleeping. 🙂
Sending love from across town,
E
I can’t even imagine what your life is like now. I look forward to reading about it. I thought of you guys the entire time you were gone. What an adventure.
I’m trying to picture the first family photo. You are all so blonde! What a beautiful contrast.
I have GOT to go to bed. I am crying at this point in your story. I am so proud, awed, impressed, of/with you. Happy Mother’s Day to you! Welcome to the “Mom of Four” club. Although, after reading this, I am leaning more heavily toward joining the Mom or 5 or 6 Club…