DAY 1
At 9:30 we did all our paperwork for the embassy date. Then we loaded up and went to Layla. We walked in and E. was back down the blue hall in the classroom past the toddlers' sleep room. She was sitting with all the kids and her teacher D. coloring and "having class". As the three of us walked in, she sunk down behind D. and peered around her. She was sitting on one side of the table with D and all the boys were on the other side.
When D realized who we were, she started talking to E about this, and then held her and coaxed her as she brought over to me. E started crying just barely, with a few quiet tears down her cheeks. She was just quiet, and sitting in my arm. They took us on a tour of Layla (workers were mixing concrete and building walls in several areas in the compound). The whole time she was very somber and looking straight ahead. I bounced her up and down and said her name often, and she held onto my back-shoulder.
She definitely warmed up to G.J. first and most, and after the 45 min tour, one of the volunteers walked with us 3 families back to new Ritmo, which is great by the way.
When D realized who we were, she started talking to E about this, and then held her and coaxed her as she brought over to me. E started crying just barely, with a few quiet tears down her cheeks. She was just quiet, and sitting in my arm. They took us on a tour of Layla (workers were mixing concrete and building walls in several areas in the compound). The whole time she was very somber and looking straight ahead. I bounced her up and down and said her name often, and she held onto my back-shoulder.
She definitely warmed up to G.J. first and most, and after the 45 min tour, one of the volunteers walked with us 3 families back to new Ritmo, which is great by the way.
We spent about 30 min here, and then went back to Layla, deciding to let her have lunch with her friends. We decided to have her stay there tonight, and we will see how things are going tomorrow. When we put her in her high chair, she half smiled at me, and then started smiling at Gabe and then me, pointing at us with a big smile. We came back tonight to be with her there from 6-7 and she was very somber again the whole time. We blew bubbles, played with toys and gave her a juice pack. G.J. is very happy that he was able to make her smile "within 2 hours".
She seems very healthy, very thoughtful, and just like her pictures. Very beautiful!
We plan to go see her tomorrow for much of the day, as well as visiting Bingham, shopping at churchill st and then back to be with her. She sleeps 12-3 so we'll do our outings then.
We took a nap from 4-530 and then went to the hilton tonight to verify our tickets.
We are tired but feeling good about the process, the Ritmo, the people around us, and especially about E.
I think she will just take a while to warm up, which we know is ok.
I think she will just take a while to warm up, which we know is ok.
Also E. looked at our picture book of your pictures with me.
3 comments:
I have been praying and I can't imagine what this must be like for you Carrie. I bet you want to reach through the email and be with them. She sounds so precious and the somber look is so familiar. It will pass as she becomes more comfortable. What a blessing Gabe could be there. Rebekah is so excited for him to be in Ethiopia. Thinking of you--Kimberly
What a great experience for your husband. Pretty soon you are all together.
I am so excited for you! What a blessing to have been there so you can picture where she sleeps and eats and plays. I can't wait to hear more about this wonderful little girl.
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