One Too Many

Donovan and I went to the doctor on Friday to get a bunch of immunizations that we need prior to bringing home the little lady. We have already had most of the shots recommended for traveling to Ethiopia, but the CDC recommends that we get boosters for many childhood immunizations due to Noemi not yet being immunized.  So...we took off our shirts and surrendered our arms. Donovan passed out cold after shot number four.  This was no big surprise as the guy is known to not be a fan of the needle.  The nurse brought him a red lollipop after he came to and I just couldn't resist snapping his photo with my camera phone.  It's a little blurry from me laughing so hard. Poor guy.  We go to the travel clinic later this week to finish things up.  

Pink's Adorable Explosion

My mom threw a beautiful shower for me this past weekend to celebrate the soon-coming girlie.  Anyone who knows Linda Roberts knows that she is Martha Stewart's greatest competition.  My mom’s house was decked out in pink and brown cuteness for the festivities.  Yummy goodness abounded thanks to the hands of so many (mmmm—like Carissa’s chicken salad sandwiches and Alisa’s shortbread cookies).  So Sweet.  Here are some pics of the presents (wow—we got so much stuff!) and the folks who made the day happen.  What a lovely day--I feel so blessed!


The baby scale was filled with little monkeys and elephant slinkies for shower favors--too cute.  Ooooo--and non perils in those dear teeny pink boxes.

The crew (in part)--Carolynn (who gifted Noemi the most fabulous ant-eater/ardvark/who knows scarf.  It's pure ridiculousness and I luv it), Carissa (my lifelong sista friend who is da best and worked her tail off) Mamma Roberts (master event planner extraordinaire) and Cheryl (master prepper & cleaner-upper).  

Check out the chocolate flower pops, chocolate covered pretzels and little zebras on the cupcakes.  It's all in the details, no?

And "thanks" to my goddaughter, Anna, for helping me open presents and for keeping the crowd entertained! What a fun day! Noemi's feeling the love!

My Birthday Girl

We learned today that Noemi's birthday has been determined by a doctor.  

November 28, 2008 

What a beautiful day.  

Now I can answer the question I am so often asked, How old is she? without hesitation or partial explanation.  Today, my friends, Noemi is 7 months and 23 days old.  

42 Down, 158 to Go!

KICKS FOR KIDS is well underway!  I came home from work the other day to find this box on my front step.  It was from someone I’ve never met, but who follows this blog. 23 pair of adorable kicks were nestled inside, excited for the little Ethiopian feet that await them.  So many amazingly generous people are coming out the woodwork to support the children living at our agency's orphanage—THANK YOU!

Oh, you'd like another example of how this kickin’ love is spreading? I recently reconnected with a friend from over 20 years ago on Facebook and she is now helping us gather sneakers for our drive.  She owns a store in Media, PA, which supports local artists and fair trade (check it out at: www.earthandstate.com ). Heather recently posted this sign in her store window to help us raise more sneakers for Ethiopia.  I haven’t seen this woman since 1989.  Gosh, how incredibly touching.  So if you live near Media, take a stroll through her store and bring a pair of kicks for a coupon!  Thanks, Heather! 

As a refresher, we are collecting children’s sizes 6-13 and youth sizes 1-7 of new sturdy sneakers.  Our goal is to take 200 pair with us to Ethiopia when we leave on August 22nd, so please have them to us no later than August 19th!   We are also grateful for donations to help with the extra baggage costs—thanks for the $40 already gifted!  We found out that Ethiopian Air charges $185 per extra piece of baggage, so we will be shoving these kicks into every crevice to keep costs down.  Feel free to email me at julie@robertswitmer.com with any questions. Now go get shopping.

We're booked!

Donovan and I got word late this afternoon that we officially have an Embassy appointment for August 26th!  That is exactly 6 weeks from today. Holy cannoli. Within a few hours we booked our flights for August 22nd with Ethiopian Air.  We will stay through September 2nd, which allows us some time to hang out at Layla House, take an in-country flight to visit Noemi's home town and get to know Addis Ababa a bit.  

Oh God, you are good!  It just doesn't feel real that this is actually happening.

Check out the letter we received from our agency the other day stating that Sosina is our daughter.  In Ethiopia, children take their father’s first name as their last name, so we’ve been told that her Ethiopian paperwork will likely read “Sosina Donovan.”  We will re-name her Noemi Sosina Witmer when we go through the re-adoption process in the US.  

In the meantime, Donovan and I are celebrating amidst the frenzy.  Enjoy some pics of our celebratory dinner the night we officially became parents.  We had The Belvedere’s deck all to ourselves for much of the evening.  Bummer that my champagne was flat—thank goodness for a speedy waiter who remedied the situation.  *clink clink*

 

The Golden Donkey Awards

Comments regarding the adoption that have left me scratching my head in wonderment:

•  Referring to my child as being “ordered” from Ethiopia or the “inventory” that exists there. 

•  Reminding me that I am getting "older" and that I'd better get moving on the adoption. (Right.)

•  Asking me if I don’t have my “own” children because I have a problem with my ovaries.  (No, but thank you very much for the vote of confidence, pubescent grocery bagger boy.)

•  Telling me that I’ll love Noemi just as if she were my own.  (Really, is she not my own? Does it appear that I don’t love her?)

•  Asking me “how much did she cost?”  (Eww.  We’re not buying babies, folks.)

•  Telling me not to worry about adopting a sibling for Noemi because “those people” have a lot of babies.  (I didn’t even know how to respond to that one.)

•  Asking me why I didn’t want to adopt an American baby.  (Hmmmm…Why wouldn’t I want to adopt and Ethiopian baby?)

•  On that same note, my grandmother asked me if we checked into adopting from England, Scotland or Wales first. (I always choose the vanilla and chocolate twist soft serve.  How about you, grandmum?) 

•  Telling me that it’s such a shame that I am missing out on so much while Noemi grows up on the other side of the world without me. You know, the first time she rolls over, sits up, cuts a tooth, crawls…  (Gee...thanks.)  

•  Asking me why I would ever want to adopt a baby, cause that’s just asking for other people’s problems.  (Dugh, silly me, what was I thinking?) 

•  Referring to a “two for one deal” when asking if we could get a referral for twins. 

•  Telling me to have my husband stay out of the hot tub for a while, that it will help us be able to conceive a baby.  Apparently, this particular method worked wonders for this man and his wife.   (What a gem.)

And the list goes on. This firestorm of dim-wittedness is likely only going to increase.  Have mercy.

I’m willing to give up the coveted Golden Donkey Award for the person who can add a top-notch head scratcher to this list.  I’m sure you adoptive families out there have some good ones to add…anyone???  Just make sure to keep it clean, please.  

KICKS FOR KIDS

Whatcha think?  I'm thinking this should be the slogan for our sneaker drive.  What high-quality drive doesn't have a slammin' slogan?  I mean, shame on me for posting a message about our sneaker drive without one!

Kicks For Kids it is!  Already I have received a SLEW of emails from folks wanting to donate sneakers to Noemi's friends in Ethiopia--thank you!  I cannot wait to watch this pile of kicks grow in my living room!  

Go Go Shoes!

Preparations for traveling to Ethiopia are underway!  Donovan and I have not yet gotten official word on our travel dates, but it looks as though we will leave in late August.  That gives us 6 or so weeks to plan our trip to bring home Noemi!  Oh. My. Goodness. 

We expect to be checking quite a bit of baggage at the airport, all to house goodies that will be donated to AAI’s children’s compound where Noemi lives.  Wanna House is where the babies and toddlers reside and Layla House is where the older children live and attend school—all on the same grounds in Addis Ababa.  AAI’s mission has always been to care for, educate and adopt children that are a greater challenge to find families for, either because of special needs, sibling groups or age.  So, even though AAI lovingly cares for many babies, older children are what make this agency tick.  This was one of the many reasons that we fell in love with AAI. 

Donovan and I have been in conversation with staff and have decided to collect sneakers for the children at Layla House.  The grounds consist of concrete floors and a concrete play yard where soccer is a favorite game of choice.  The children go through shoes very quickly and are constantly in need of well fitting athletic-type shoes.  And besides, who doesn't get all giddy over a new pair of shoes?   We hope to fill many tubs with new sneakers– the greatest need is for boys and girls, children's sizes 6-13 and youth/adult 1-7.  If you would like to send us a new pair of your favorite Air Jordans, Kangaroos or (my favorite) Zips, send me a message and I’ll send you our address!  Our goal is to have 200 pair of sneakers to take with us…approximately one pair for each child! 

If sneaker shopping isn’t your bag but you’d like to be a part of the fun, donations for the extra shipping expenses would be tremendously helpful.  

My email address is julie@robertswitmer.com for anyone who would like to make arrangements.  

BRING ON THE SHOES!