around Addis

out and about

Yesterday we attended an Anglican church with Andy and Bev Warren, who have been are living in Ethiopia and serving with Mission to the World and SIM.  We then went to lunch with the Warrens and some visiting doctors from Yale.  Hudson did great during his first church service. 

 

Today we visited the orphanage in Addis where Hudson stayed for a few weeks and took some donations and said good-bye to his nannies.  We went shopping this afternoon.  I will spend some time visiting with friends and with the Bethany Christian Services office this week.  On Thursday we have our US Embassy interview.  On Friday, we'll travel to the orphanage in Nazret (a couple hours south) where Hudson spent most of his life and then start our journey home that night. 

 

We are really enjoying our time in Ethiopia.  I miss Paul and Belachew, of course, and am looking forward to getting Hudson home and settled.  Hudson is doing great!  He is eating well and his energy level has increased a lot.  He loves cheerios and bananas.  He smiles a lot and we've gotten some laughs out of him. 

 

I will not have much internet access the rest of my time here, so this may be one of my last posts.  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers and I look forward to introducing Hudson Muse to our family and friends.

a little more about Hudson

Hudson is feeling much better and eating more.  He is a little smaller than I expected, but his growth should catch up after his surgery.  He isn't crawling, but he scoots on his bottom across the room.  He gets tired easily from scooting or playing and rests his head every few minutes.  He smiles a lot and has a lot of personality.  He let's you know what he wants- if you try to give him a bottle or toy that he doesn't want, he'll push it away.  He LOVES his bottle and gets mad if you try to take it away before he is finished.  He started waving and giving high-5's today.  He is very alert and follows people with his eyes.  He is shy at first, but warms up to people quickly.  He'll let others hold him, but prefers his mommy.  He loves to snuggle.  He is a good sleeper and is sleeping through the nights, waking up just briefly a few times and needing to be comforted.  He loves being carried in my sling carrier and smiles when he sees me put it on. 

New friends

Today we met Abebaw's family. Abebaw has been living with Paul and I since August and will return to Ethiopia in a few weeks. I know Abebaw misses his family, and they miss him as well, so it was great to get to know his family and share some gifts with them.

With Almaz (Abebaw's sister), Ephrata (his daughter), and Tirhas (his wife)

Grandma and Grandpa are here!

Grandma and Grandpa Heintz arrived safely last night. Hudson was a bit shy at first, but has warmed up to them. I am so glad that my mom and dad can experience Ethiopia and this special time. I'm also thankful for Paul's parents who are helping out with Belachew while I am gone.

Hudson is feeling better today and has gotten his appetite back. He's had more energy today and has been playful. We are so thankful that he is feeling better and are praying for his continued health.

Health care

Health care is a hot topic in the U.S. right now.  I thought I'd share a bit of what I'm learning about health care in Ethiopia.

We had a few people ask during our adoption process if Hudson Muse could get the heart surgery he needed in Ethiopia.  The answer, unfortunately, was no.  There is no heart surgery performed in Ethiopia (that any of the knowledgeable doctors I've spoken with here know of).  There are a total of 4 pediatric surgeons in the entire country- a country of 80 million people.  There is 1 doctor for every 40,000 people in Ethiopia.

 

I share this with you not to make you feel guilty or to make you feel sorry for people here.  I've heard people say, "Well that is Africa, this is the U.S., you can't compare the two."   Sure, there are a lot of differences in our political system, history, and resources.  But why shouldn't we compare them?  Do people here deserve less just because of where they were born?  Shouldn't their lives be valued in the same way?  As I learn more and my eyes are opened, I hope and pray that I can have a small role in bringing justice and improving the quality of life for those in need.  I don't have answers and I know these issues are complex, but I wanted to share a bit of what's been on my heart and mind.

 

I'll return to posts about my adorable Ethiopian baby tomorrow...

An EthiopianThanksgiving...and much to be thankful for

We had Thanksgiving dinner tonight with several American and African families, most of whom work for the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, World Bank, or Peace Corp. It was fun to meet so many Americans living in Ethiopia and to celebrate this Thanksgiving day together. We had turkey and all the trimmings- even pumpkin pie and cheesecake for dessert.

I've had many people tell me what a great thing it is that we are adopting Muse and how lucky he is. But the truth is, we are so blessed to be his parents (and Belachew's) and humbled at the opportunity to raise these boys. So on this Thanksgiving day, I am thankful for many things- my faith, my husband, family, friends, community, but I am especially thankful for the newest member of our family, Hudson Muse. For this little life that God created, sustained, and is entrusting us with.

My uncle did manage to get a turkey that was shipped from Kenya and currently thawing, that we will enjoy with my parents this weekend.

Hudson is still sick (not much of an appetite, temperature, spitting up, diarrhea), but we have him on antibiotics and hope he starts feeling better soon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

sleeping baby

Is there anything cuter than a sleeping baby? We got started Hudson Muse on antiobiotics today and hopefully that will help him to start feeling better.

Good thing we are staying with a doctor (my uncle).  Turns out Hudson has an ear infection, on top of his virus.   Please pray for his health and healing of his little body. 

Our day together

Our first 18 hours together consisted mostly of Hudson Muse sleeping, eating, or pooping (sorry if that is too much information for some of you).  He definitely has had some kind of cold or virus.  He had an appointment at the US Embassy this morning to have blood drawn, which he was a trooper for, but not my ideal way of spending our first morning together.

After his afternoon nap, he was awake and alert and played for a few hours.  I got to see him smile and experienced more of his personality.  He loves his bottle and kisses, he likes to be held, and stacking cups are his favorite toys.  I kissed his forehead a few times and if I stopped, he would move his forehead towards my lips for more kisses.  I think he is on the mends from his virus and I am so glad that I was able to come here early to be with him.  Thanks to family and friends for helping make this possible, and for our agency's support in this decision as well.   We have plans to spend Thanksgiving with some of my uncle's colleagues from the US Embassy, then my parents arrive tomorrow night.

Worth it

We had to pay extra to change my plane ticket to get me to Ethiopia three days earlier

 

I had a 9 hour layover at Dulles Airport in the middle of the night and slept on the floor

 

22 hours on one airplane (6 of those were spent on the ground fixing mechanical problems)

 

But in a second, it was all worth it.  I met Hudson Muse today and he is sleeping next to me as I write this.  He is adorable in every way.  He still has a bit of a cold, but is so sweet and cuddly.

 

 

Change in plans

We've been planning and preparing for me to leave for Ethiopia this Wednesday to meet Hudson and bring him home. We got a phone call yesterday that he was very sick and in the hospital. My uncle (who lives in Addis) was able to check on him and it turns out that it is just a severe cold and he is back at the orphanage. Colds aren't too big of a deal, but when you add that to a child with a heart condition and a weak immune system, its not a good combination. After much thought and prayer, Paul and I have decided that I should get to Ethiopia as soon as possible to be with Hudson. We really couldn't think of any reason why I shouldn't try to go early, and there are plenty more reasons why I should.

So I'm leaving Sunday night and will arrive in Ethiopia on Tuesday morning. Hudson will be in my arms that afternoon. My parents will join me in Ethiopia on Thursday, as we had originally planned our flights. We'll return home with Hudson on December 5.

We'd appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers:

-For Hudson to stay healthy and strong
-For smooth travel
-For Hudson's transition and attachment to us
-For Paul and Belachew while I am gone

My cry for the day

I'm full of emotions these days, as I approach leaving for Ethiopia and meeting our newest son, whose face we first saw in February, who we have prayed and hoped and longed to have in our arms ever since then. I just watched this video, and it filled my heart with joy and my eyes with tears. I can't wait for that moment that Hudson and I walk off the airplane, meet family and friends, and officially begin our lives together as a family of four. Grab a kleenax and watch it.

http://teamalexander.blogspot.com/2009/11/o-praise-him.html

Countdown to Ethiopia

I am leaving for Ethiopia on November 25 and am counting down the days!  I've got my plane tickets, and now am just working on packing and crossing things off my "to-do" list.  I'll try my best to post some blog updates from Ethiopia, but internet access can be unreliable there.  

Belachew will be staying home with Paul, and I will be traveling with my mom and dad.  This is the longest I've left Belachew and I asked him the other day if he was sad that I'll be gone for a while.  He thought for a moment and said, "No, just hurry up and bring my brother home."  He is so excited to be a big brother.  I know Belachew will have some hard moments will all of the changes that are coming, but I am confident that he will be an awesome brother.   

What I watched tonight

Paul and I were invited to a screening of this movie tonight. Amazing. We loved it. And I hope that you go and see it.

One of my favorite lines in the movie is when Mrs. Touhys, the adoptive mother, is praised by another woman, “You’re changing that boy’s life.” Touhys shakes her head with a smile and simply says, “No, he’s changing mine.” It is so true. As Jed Medefind shared on his blog, "When we open our lives to an orphan, the transformation most always happens in both directions. Certainly, orphans do need us. We may need them even more."