1st meeting

K

Because the people at home are wondering. . . 

this is what the bathroom looks like.

Today we held you for the first time. Wass picked us up from the Riveria at 9:30 am. (This was after our breakfast of pancakes, spring rolls, French toast, and coffee. We both had two cups.) The ride to HH was interesting. I don’t know if either of us have ever been on such a bumpy road. Then we saw them, the black gates leading into HH. Wass honked the horn and presto, they opened. (Okay, it wasn’t exactly like that.)

The G family’s kids met us at the van. They ran off at some point. I just remember following Wass to the “baby house” and you. He told us to wait in the courtyard and we saw you through the window. You were in your special mother “B’s” arms. She had you wave to us and brought you out. Wass took the camera and captured the moment. It was amazing, holding you for the first time. 

{The picture everyone has been waiting for and requested by Aunt Kristi. This was after I got to hold you.}

K, you cried the whole first 30 to 45 minutes you were with us. (Your Dad thinks this was much longer.) We sat with you on a mat outside of the house, you cried. We tried walking around, you cried. We tried giving you a bottle, you didn’t take it and you cried. We fed you a rice cereal, you cried as you took the food. At different moments different special mothers from the “butterfly room” tried taking you so you would calm down. As soon as you were given back to us, you cried. So we tried walking and singing. You didn’t like “You Are My Sunshine.” Dad says it is because I sang it. You did stop crying at this point. Why? We started singing the introduction of “Chelsea Dagger,” the Blackhawk goal song. We didn’t get to the words, those made you cry, just the chorus. We did this for 30 minutes because you were taken from our arms for nap time. (You are so our son!)

While you were napping, the C and G families, along with us went over paperwork with John and Tsigie. We had money exchanged and ordered coffee. We learned your name doesn’t mean “heavy” like we thought, but instead means “to the honor of God.” That is way better. We also learned we have been saying your name wrong. This has been corrected. Sometime around here the S family showed up, they are here for embassy and to bring their twins home.

Speaking of your name. . . You have a song. Your special mothers sing this song, using your name, to cheer you up. This gets sung a lot. Sorry Grumpy Bear. 

Following this meeting, we went up to your room to see you sleep. So sweet. Following our time at HH, we stopped at a market for water. After this we went back to the hotel for lunch. Doro Wat. Yum!

At 2:30, Wass picked us up again to return to HH. We went up to your room. You were lying on a blanket on the floor, wearing your birthday bib. Guess what, you didn’t cry on us!!!!! We got to be with you up in the butterfly room until 4pm. We fed you, sang to you (you really liked “Living on a Prayer”), danced, looked at your picture book, and best of all, you cuddled with me. Not your Dad. HA! (Side note: L, K is finally grabbing his blue elephant. He didn’t like it this morning, but he was holding it this afternoon.)

All too quickly Wass came to say it was time to go. Tonight, we go to our cultural dinner for great food, music, and dancing.

Love,

Mom