The place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
-Buechner

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Five: Family Forever

We're home!

After a somewhat horrific flight including a 45 minute pre-flight sit on the tarmac in Frankfurt, a 1/2 extension on our flight time due to high winds (that's 10 1/2 hrs in case anyone is counting), a screaming child during take-off (well, how was I to know her full bottle wan't enough to fill her?!), followed by a rank smelling child moments later, followed further by a puking child (apparently Miss Makeda has a very sensitive gag reflex: duly noted from here on out...I won't even tell you how and where I caught it all), and the list continues. About an hour before we were to land (nine plus hours into the flight) a sweet woman three seats down offered to take her so I could go to the bathroom...for the first time all flight. We did have a bulk head seat as well as (I think the only) empty seat beside me. Those were, I swear, my saving grace. Unfortunately, the staff were less than accommodating and there were no bassinets. Boo.

{first Grovia diaper experience...we love them}

Makeda was not "herself" during the flight. Very fussy and when she wasn't sleeping it was rough. She's fantastic today and other than having herself on Ethiopia time still (last night was long), she is a doll. She's responding to "Makeda" already and we are slowly phasing "Makeda Mihret" out.

{first gnaw on Sophie the Giraffe...this took place somewhere in the neighbourhood of 2 or 3am. she pulled a 10hr sleeping stint on our second night together in Ethiopia and I have high hopes that once jetlag has calmed, we will see this pattern continue}

The most wonderful of (new) friends was at the airport taking photos which I will post soon.

Until then, enjoy a few of our firsts, home.

{first cuddle...he's a big brother now!...and clearly he will excel in this role}

{first big big brother cuddle...they have many similar baby temperamental traits - this is a good thing!}
{ohhhh! her hair}

We are blessed.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

To bad about your flight home. But now you are home and it's all done. She is a real sweetie and you guys are so blessed.in

Anonymous said...

I've been waiting to see these photos and happened to log on just as you posted them! So so beautiful - congrats and best wishes for a good transition into life as a family of five! Thank you for sharing with us!

Judi said...

Thank you so much for sharing with us all those precious experiences - even the shower incident!! What a blessing Makeda is to you all and what a blessing the four of you are to her. I pray that your family will bind seemlessly together as 5 and enjoy all the blessings our wonderful God has in store for you. Lots and lots of love.

Anna said...

Horray for your forever family of five!!!! I love the hug/cuddle pictures. Your boys will be GREAT big brothers! Welcome back home!

Kelly said...

Glad you are home safe. You are a beautiful family of five!!!
Blessings to you and your family,
Kelly

Lola said...

oh i'm dying... the necklace. I wish more than anything I could have been at the airport to welcome you. She's fantastic, beautiful and such an answer to prayer.

BCMommy said...

Ah, those are the photos I've been waiting for...brothers and sister together at last!

Joy. Pure joy.

Claire

Katie Leipprandt said...

How exciting. I cannot wait to hear how your routine and family dynamic adapts and changes as y'all settle in at HOME!!