Thoughts about travel prep

The Sheraton Addis Ababa

I just finished reading Christie's blog:

Wow. I'm so happy to hear her honesty. Hearing her story will hopefully help me prepare that much better.

For example...we're pretty sold on staying at the Hilton/Sheraton. With her/their experience with power outages, cold water, boredom, and insects....

...Not to mention our personal feelings of safety (like in case of civil unrest, or whatever). Being at a major hotel is safer for foreigners than out in the 'community.' I can't get Hotel Rwanda out of my mind.

I'm certainly bringing just about every piece of medical equipment, treatment, medication, that I can think of...including my otoscope, stethescope, tongue depressors...gloves.

I'm bringing cortisporin otic (antibiotic ear drops), erythromycin (antibacterial eye ointment); hydrogen peroxide (and maybe even laceration repair material). Cold/flu medication, allergy medication, oral antibiotics (to cover pneumonia and other upper respiratory bacterial infections) for us and all children. Nausea medication, good ol' American (full of fat/preservatives/crap) cookies and crackers. I'm bringing lice/scabies medication for everyone. I wonder if I can bring IV hydration stuff?? Hmmm....

...and really, just preparing to be self-sufficient while there (i.e. hire our own drivers); plan our own itinerary (as we do when we plan trips to anywhere). The Amex concierge has been very helpful so far...so we'll certainly utilize this service for this trip.

I'm actually hoping to *convince* someone to go with us...like my sister-in-law :o) - just in case you're reading this!! That way we can leave Haley and Ian at the hotel when we go out to do some of the business stuff. Then me and her can leave Dad and Ian at the hotel while we go out and see a bit more of the City (cuz dad and son are the type who'd rather stay pool-side eating cotton candy watching Direct TV/football on the laptop). We'll have an extra pair of (nurse) hands with us. And any doctor will tell you how very valuable it is to have a good nurse at your side. ;o) - have I convinced you yet Sister?

Still waiting...

...sometimes I think to myself that perhaps there's a little girl there waiting at the orphanage - just waiting to become eligible for adoption...and when she does, we'll get her referred to us. :o)

Other times, I feel that perhaps we've been forgotten. That little girls have come and gone, and our file is...being overlooked. :o(

***

Hubby received his second round of vax (polio cannot be given with MMR - apparently).

The Vax

So...we went today to get our first round of vaccinations.

I got the typhoid and the first Hep A (the typhoid shot is good for 2 years); they think Hep A is good for 6 months, then a booster at 6 months offers lifetime immunity.

Hubby got: Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, and acellular pertussis); Hep A, Hep B (combo shot); typoid; and polio booster; then had MMR titers drawn (Tdap is every 10 years; Hep B is very similar to Hep A in that immunity is adequate after the first shot, but wanes with time so boosters are necessary for a certian portion of the population. In order to "cover" everyone it is recommended that Hep B is done as a series. Most adults only require one polio booster in their lifetime...so it's good for quite awhile).

Haley got typhoid and Hep A.

Since Ian is younger, we decided to hold out a bit longer...
...just in case the newest medical research to be published in tomorrow's medical journal does indeed find an association between vaccines and autism. We want our little guy to be as old as possible...just in case.

So next week, hubby has to get Hep A/B combo number 2, and I'll have to check whether or not me and Haley (and Ian) will need 2 Hep A shots. I think I may get the polio booster if I can't find records of my titer.

Let me tell you...my right shoulder muscle (deltoid) where Hep A shot was given, is very, very sore right now. And Haley (being a bit dramatic) is *really* nursing her little thigh.

And hubby's Tdap site is the most sore....
***

We purchased a few more items for "baby sister" this week. A few onesies, a dress, and some PJs.

No new news...still waiting.

No news yet...
..but congratulations to Alicia on her first referral!! Her timeline, and our timeline are very close. Hopefully our referral will arrive soon.

So far we've purchased a few blankets. We've been saving our money, exploring travel options, and (at this stage) mentally planning for a new baby.

I wonder how old she'll be. I wonder how big she'll be.

Haley is super excited. This weekend past we had the opportunity to meet another great family who recently adopted a little girl from Ethiopia, using our agency. We asked lots of questions, saw photographs and videos, and Haley had the chance to 'play big sister' to a baby girl. I think we've made some new friends....

So we wait. We're not quite ready...
...but we could get ready real quick if need be.

We would love to go to Addis this summer...