12.28.2008

Hana had her first pedi appointment with Dr. K 2 days ago. She agreed with all of the treatment/changes we made. Hana was active, smiling, and well-appearing. Her physical exam was essentially unremarkable with normal sized organs and no evidence of infection of her skin, ears, eyes. Her hips are "loose" and her skin still has some healing to do, but that may resolve as she begins to use her little legs more. We're going to check xrays, however, and make sure her hips are okay.


Labs reveal a normal CBC (complete blood count), normal lytes, HIV negative. CXR requires a f/u xray because of her history/possible exposure, a PPD (TB test) was placed, and stool studies were ordered. She's standing with support, and her hips/legs seem to be 'normalizing'. She doesn't do the wide-leg flail when lifted. She holds her own bottle...basically, she's essentially doing all the things a "normal" 10-month old should be doing!!


She recognizes and prefers us over "strangers" and is beginning to cry for us, reach for us, and come to us. She's beginning to understand the word "no." She's eating very well.


Haley and Ian are adjusting. Ian was initially "not a big Hana fan." But now he's more accepting. Haley...is LOVIN' being big sister!!

1st Christmas

Today is Hana's first Christmas!! She woke this morning wide-eyed with *no clue*.

When we sat her down and opened her gifts, she was facinated, and engaged.

Overall she's doing well. Her first pedi appointment is tomorrow.

She's eating well, I've been treating her skin with a combination of Aveeno baths every day, and various creams/ointments as discussed before. Her diaper area *really* cleared up with the nystatin. Her feet look better after treatments with alcohol and nystatin as well. I treated her legs/scalp/torso with steriod ointment which helped tremendously, and helped differentiate the papules (that are likely from - hopefully - past scabies infection), secondary excoriations, and atopic reaction to all of the above. The chicken pox are healed, but one on her right pinky toe is still infected but looking better with local wound care.

We're planning to stay close to home today...and maybe get out tomorrow and see friends/family.

Treatments and progress

12.23.08 - As I mentioned, when we first saw Hana, she was somewhat somnolent. We knew she'd just woken from her nap because we *absolutely* couldn't disturb her during her regimented eat/sleep cycle. She didn't smile (expect to the kids), but she didn't cry or act afraid. We spent about an hour with her, and gave her back. She started rubbing her eyes, and we didn't want to overwhelm her.

We checked her out of the orphanage for a 'day trip' with us. Upon arrival to the Sheraton we gave her a nice warm oatmeal bath. As we undressed her, we noticed some VERY infected, swollen, chickenpox. They were oozing pus, and the surrounding tissue was red and tender. The worse was on her scalp and neck. All I could picture is bacteria, scabies, and whatever else, crawling around in the pox...building little microbial villages!! Her feet were like trench foot, wet looking, skin peeling, between the toes looked like tinea (mixed with pox)...horrible. And her little nails were so long, that her scratching only worsened the situation.

We treated the water with antimicrobial tea tree oil. We washed her hair with lice shampoo. Cleaned behind the ears. We then treated her with Aveeno cream, anti-itch cream, steriod ointment to her body, antibacterial ointment to the infected areas, antifungal/steroid cream to the feet. Anti itch powder to the torso, and desitin to her diaper area (which was very raw from her profuse, watery, urine-appearing diarrea). Seriously, when I pressed on her belly, urine-like stool would squirt out her rectum. I pressed and pressed on her belly, bicycling her legs and patting her belly. She'd intermittently cry (and of course I thought "oh no, she had intusseseption!!" William stood nearby and asked "could she have some sort of obstruction or maybe cholera - as 1000s of people are dying in Zimbabwe of Cholera at the moment). All we could do it pat, pump, and press her belly. We went thru 5 consecutive diapers and 3 large towels...but finally her belly was less distended. The pictures are taken after this process...so you can imagine the "before."

I started her z-pak...but instead of double dose on day one only (or a short course of double dose), I gave her a full 5 days of double dose. I gave her some Tylenol cold (yes, I think it's good for babies). I suctioned her nose, applied erythromycin to her eyes, and cortisporin otic to her ears. I used alcohol swabs to clean between her toes, and her pox. I gave her multivitmins. I gave her the formula she'd been on in the orphanage.

10 minutes after completion of her formula bottle (a bottle she wouldn't/couldn't hold) she started having what appeared to be abdominal pain again...and promptly pooped that clear yellow stuff again. Belly distended.

We went down to the pool, spent an hour in the sun. Then, it was time to go back to the orphanage. We thought it best to take her back as it was Sunday, and the plebotomist was due early Monday morning at Toukoul...and if we/she missed the blood draw...we couldn't have our embassy appointment.

We were able to check her out the next morning. Promptly gave her another oatmeal bath...and repeated the above treatments. Then I decided to switch her formula to soy-based lactose free (prepared with bottled water). I started massive amounts of pedialyte (and even gave her some pediasure which is gluten/lactose-free). I clipped her nails, and fixed her hair. Her infected pox were already looking better.

After the embassy appointment, Hana slept, literally 18 hours. We woke her to change her diaper, and to give her isomil bottles. I considered it was the Tylenol cold...but now (days later as she still gets the tylenol cold) I can say it wasn't that. Her breathing was *much* better with the tylenol cold on board. I think (in retrospect) that she was just overwhelmed, over-stimulated, and now that she was feeling better with less abdominal pain gas/distention, less itching, less congestion, less coughing, etc...she was just relaxed enough to actually sleep soundly!!

I continued to repeat the bath, creams, ointments, meds, antibiotics, pedialyte, isomil, vitamins, tylenol, alchohol swabs, tea tree oil, etc. etc. for the rest of our time there. By day 3-4 she was a TOTALLY different baby. She went from being so uncomfortable and ill-appearing, to an active infant!!

Developmentally she demonstrated only very few milestone accomplishments. She didn't even hold her own bottle, and she's 10 months old!! She didn't reach for people, didn't support her weight on her legs, and her she barely moved her knees/feet. I started thinking that maybe she had some neurologic issue going on. She would draw back her feet when stimulated/tickled, but spontaneously? No.

Also, she held (still holds) her legs in this funny extended, abducted, exterally rotated (like she's in 2nd position doing ballet or something) position. Her hips seemed dislocated and she constantly had her legs open very wide (like she's been riding a horse since she was born - OR more likely, she was born vaginally breech). Her facial features reminded me of a preemie baby. And she would only arch her back and cry as a "request" to be picked up. Very strange.

We've been working on that. She's now holding her own bottle. Her legs still flare out when she's lifted, but she will bring them down and support her weight on them now. She will reach for an object, and even starting to reach for people (instead of simply doing that back arch thing). She kicks her legs (like any other baby)...

...and is only pooping BROWN poop once a day!!!

Her belly is not distended, and she doesn't cry post meal. Her chicken pox are healed, and no longer infected. She no longer has that wet cough, or those "trench feet." She's hydrated enough to drool, cry tears, and her skin looks better. She's babbling louder, has an easy smile, her upper teeth have now broken the gumline, she's crawling now...and all of this wasn't being demonstrated just 1 week ago).

She has her first pedi appointment on 12/26/08. I wrote to the pedi, and gave her the (brief) scoop. Asked for a repeat CXR and blood testing, including hepatitis/HIV. Her tests from Ethiopia are all unremakable...and they did the HIV test 3 times (once for the referral/intake, once a couple of months later, and one last time for her US embassy appointment since the US wants to know HIV status before allowing immigration). All were negative. But, nonetheless...

She's doing well on the Isomil, pediasure, pedialyte. I've continued the Aveeno baths, topical creams and ointments, and multi-vits. I started probiotics. She's eating jar baby food mixed with rice cereal. I've added a bit of fat/butter to her food at times. She sleeps thru the night, despite the time change, travel, etc. She goes to sleep about 8pm, wakes at midnight for a bottle and a diaper change. Then sleeps until about 7am. She'll play with the crib toys for 30 minutes or so...and we get up close to 8am and give her breakfast. After breakfast she'll take a morning nap at 9am...and sleep until 11am. She'll get a bottle, and stay awake until 8pm. At least this is how's it's been the last few days we've been home.

She's doing MUCH better.

DETAILS OF OUR TRIP

LAX to Dubai: We rented a mini-van and drove from NorCal to SoCal. Had dinner/breakfast with family in the OC. And off we went to LAX.

Of course we had massive amounts of luggage with all of our donations n' things. It worked out well that Grandma/Grandpa were there to see us off (and help us with our bags, our kids, our...stuff).

We went thru security with no issues - despite me having crazy amounts of liquid meds, juice, pediasure, pedialyte, various pills, etc. They didn't even ask us to "remove our ziplock baggie" with our 3oz toiletries - which was WONDERFUL!! AND we managed to "sneak" thru plane boarding with 2 carry-on bags each (the max size bag plus a backpack). To our credit the backpacks only had blankies and pillows...and each child carried their own.

Once on the plane we were *very* impressed with the level of service, the media options (hundreds of new movies, sitcoms, dramas, music, games). They had GPS and cameras in the nose and bottom of the plane, so you can track your travel from start to finish. On this airshow, they tell you your current speed, estimated time 'til arrival, altitude, local time and temp, etc. etc.

The food was outstanding...the meals frequent, the lavatories clean (the entire 16 hours), smelled okay, and big. They had child friendly meals, gluten-free meals, toys and actives handed out to the kids, child channels, games, movies. They give out warm (lemon fresh) 'real' towel at the beginning and end of the trip...to refresh. They give you booties, eye covers, ear plugs, toothbrush. The ride was smooth, ontime, our luggage made it all the thru. I didn't have to pull out any of the games/activities we'd brought to keep the kids quiet. It was maybe the best plane trip I've experienced. No "extra" charges for pillows/blankets/headsets/meals. They gave us "real" silverware and not sporks. I hope our trip on the way back is just as comfortable.

Words of a 6 year-old traveler: "Mommy, that was the shortest 16 hours ever, much shorter than the 4 hours of this flight" (regarding the comparison between flight 1 LAX to DXB, vs flight 2 DXB to ADD)

(Note: our travel agent didn't do a good job...and I don't recommend him. More details later, but because hubby travels frequently, he was able to negotiate/plan/correct the "errors" of our travel agent).

We got off the plane and headed for our "free" hotel. Turns out the "free" hotel was a shuttle (and a trip thru security/customs/multiple lines) away. So we decided to just stay at the hotel *IN* the airport. Which was perfect. We checked in to that hotel...and by 9:45p or so, we were ready for dinner...and bed.

But first...we decided to put down our things...and take a Taxi tour around . This city is like Las Vegas!! HOWEVER, whereas Vegas is all FAKE...imitations n' such...this *entire city* was so GLAMOUROUS!! It seemed as if everyone was driving a luxury car. The buildings were glass, no liter, graffiti, just...like a perfect city that looked like the Las Vegas strip.

We saw the only 7 star hotels in the world. Of course we had to stand outside of the gate...and take pix from afar. But, WE WERE THERE!! And then we drove around some man-made island they call Atlantis. Then we went to the Persian Gulf ...AND PUT OUR HANDS IN THE WATER (and saw Iran in the distance)!! We danced around the beach for a bit. It was dark...but way crowded for 11 at night. It was warm. The water was clear (even at night that was obvious).

Then, back to the airport....and this airport - is more like a palace than an airport. Even the clocks are Rolex on the walls. Marble everywhere. Waterfall indoors. Speaking of 'indoors'...we got to drive by (therefore see from a distance) the indoor skiing place. We got back to the airport...and went to McDonalds (it was our *only* option, trust me). Then took wonderful hot showers and climbed into bed...exhausted...Slept until we had to leave for Addis, feeling very alert and 'in sync' with local time. Had a quick bite to eat, and on to our gate/plane.

The flight from to Addis was only 3.5 hours. BUT, the plane wasn't loaded with endless activities/movies n' stuff. So we had to pull out some of our toys/games we packed. They served a wonderful breakfast, however. The flight was good. Both had lots of kids on the plane, which we like.

Towards the end of the second flight, it got a bit bumpy. Nothing too bad, kinda like riding in a car. Well, Ian has a cold...and it was naptime, so he was grumpy. And the fact that he had to relinquish all of his toys in preparation for landing...didn't help his mood. But, he didn't cry...but he wasn't happy. And poor Haley, was playing a computer game, and got motion sickness. Poor thing. All we could do is hold back her hair and rub her forehead with a wipe :o(

But, she recovered the instant we stepped off the plane. So much so that she was instrumental in helping us lug our excessive amount of luggage thru getting Visas, Customs, and out to the Sheraton Shuttle. (more on how to do this later)


The Shearton: As we drove from the Airport to the Sheraton, we have an opportunity to see some of the city. I was expecting to see...people sitting on mounds of dirt, with starving kids laying on their laps...flies all around. I was expecting to see people starving on the side of the road...and desperation/poverty unimaginable.

But, actually what I saw reminded me of New Orleans. Apartments with no screens, lots of walking, young women in jeans with very nice hair. There were dilapidated buildings, people selling/trading things on street corners, and the traffic…was crazy. There weren’t that many vehicles on the road (speaking as someone from LA), but there are no traffic rules or street signals, so you have to be a very intuitive driver – be able to anticipate the flow and movements of other drivers. Yeah, I saw the goats, and dusty children playing in the open spaces. But, there was positive vibe in the air (unlike in New Orleans where you feel the desperation), everyone just going/doing/being.

I saw people of all complexions, a few caucasions just walking the street along side of everyone else...right at home. All in all, not the dirt huts with starving/wasted people on the side of the road as always shown on American TV.

But let me say...that when we turned into the Sheraton driveway...you could almost hear the angels sing!! Once past the armed security guards, and the metal detectors and such...all we could do is look around and say "woooowwwww!!" I think the contrast more than anything is what's so "Wow."

The service we experienced upon our arrival was superb. We felt like one of the many celebrities they host (Beyonce, Angelina and Brad, Clinton). Everyone very helpful, smiling, nice. Unlike the service you get at most (even high end) American Hotels...where everyone is obviously *acting* nice...these people actually genuinely seem to be happy, nice people.

I’ve stayed at many hotels. St. Regis in DC, Ritz Carlton in Pasadena and Marina del rey. I've been to Bacara Resort more than a few times. This Sheraton is *BETTER THAN* all of them...well, maybe not Bacara...but you get the point. And all we've done is checked in and came to our rooms!!


Toukoul:
Le Toukoul Orphanages (36) - Actions View album View photo book




We met with the attorney, Abebe on Saturday 12/13/08. He said there is some sort of issue…and we stressed about whether or not we'd get Hana's visa in time to leave as planned on Friday. Needless to say, it was a very frustrating meeting. We did get the opportunity to meet Hana.





The orphanage is relatively small. It’s looks bigger on the pix. We were so excited to turn onto the dirt road leading up to the orphanage (a road we recognized from blogs/youtube). There were a few little boys (beautiful little boys) who came up to us. We went over to the playground and both Ian and Haley had a blast playing with the little boys. Then we spent some time learning simple phrases in Amharic from the children.





Finally, Hana was awake. They allowed Ian and Haley to go inside with the babies while the prepared Hana to meet us. They cleaned her up, fixed her hair…and then…we saw them. Walking down the side of the building. Hana with 2 puff-tails.





She is like a little doll. She was mellow, didn’t cry, but didn’t smile either…at least not until we sat her down alone with her sister and brother. Then, she smiled to them.

***



It was initially VERY stressful. I thought Abebe was full of shit. I was frustrated that Radu said it was okay to travel, only to hear Abebe say that everything wasn't ready. I was pissed that our phone bill had a $300 charge to Ethiopia for calling the Embassy, where we stayed on hold for 30 minutes...never speaking with anyone...and to get there (after receiving an email from them stating that it was OK to travel as I specifically asked if all of the needed documents were there - and not just the Visa 37), and realize that the medical eval wasn't complete...and they wanted to hold our file for a week before issuing the travel/immigration visa!!

Alicia was STILL there and had to *wait that extra week* as her stuff wasn't ready either!! There was another family in the guest house waiting (going on 2 weeks) for papers to complete the adoption of their 10 year old child. CRAZY!! Why did Radu tell them/us it was okay to travel...??

My husband works in politics...and "offered" to call our friend the Congresswoman Barbara Lee, among other people...PLUS the Ethiopian Ambassador in the US to "help Abebe get our Visas done." That's when things started to move for us (and the other familes there with us). We ended up getting our Visa on Wednesday as expected. But, oh the stress!!

Then when we got Hana...she was SO very ill. If I would have saw her in my emergency room, she'd be admitted to the hospital for IV fluid, antibiotics, surgery consult, peds consult, GI consult. Not only did she have chickenpox that were badly infected, a respiratory tract infection, and some sort of rash that I treated as scabies...she had this profuse watery (urine-appearing) diarrhea...and she's VERY thin and small. I'd call it 'failure to thrive'. I thought maybe she had/has a parasite. I thought maybe they were dishonest about the HIV results. I thought maybe she had celiac disease, or some sort of lactose/formula/dietary issue.

Hana was so lethargic, it crossed my mind that perhaps she wouldn't even live long enough to make it back to California!! I was crying, comparing her to other (fatter) babies (as "proof" that something was indeed wrong with her). Her belly was SO distended and rigid...full of air...I thought maybe her bowel was perforated.

My other 2 kids were there, and I didn't let them get too close to Hana...as she was so sick...and I didn't want 3 sick babies!! I did (eventually) speak with the peditrician who was very beautiful, nice, and obviously was familiar with each child's issues and such...but I didn't think she'd considered *all* of the possible ailments...and didn't have a good/acceptable explanation as to why she didn't. My sister is an RN, so together we went thru the medical records with a fine tooth comb...and Hana has been on amoxicillin for months!! Treating what, I don't know. In the initial medical report we got with her referral, they said her mom died of TB, but the baby's chest x-ray was normal. It *so* wasn't. She had bilateral (both lungs) pneumonia...or maybe it's TB?? I asked the pedi there if it's possible that the rash is scabies, the cough and congestion requiring amoxicillin for month could be TB, and if her "failure to thrive" could be from from
TB, her diarrhea from a parasite, etc. She denied all of the above...and stated that the baby was treated for TB (which is not possible since TB treatment is for over a year, it is not documented, and no repeat CXR was done to see if the pneumonia had cleared).

Anyway, I brought tons of stuff because I read the blogs and expected the above issues. I gave her zithromax...had scabies meds, cold meds, ear and eye drops, etc. I gave Hana an oatmeal bath every day, with tea tree oil and applied steroid and antifungal creams. I switched her formula to soy-based and spoon-fed her rice, applesauce and bananas. Her abdomen went down, her stools became "normal." Her cold symptoms improved, and she was a totally different baby. By the time she had 3 days with us...I was confident that she would be fine traveling (and not die before we left Addis!!). Seriously, that's how sick she was!!

Add that to the stress we had dealing with Abebe...and our embassy (or really the thought I having to extend our trip, rather). We were...completely stressed out, and couldn't enjoy Addis until Thursday. We squeezed all the rest of it into 2 days!!

AHOPE (23) - Actions View album View photo book
Maya and I went to AHOPE Orphanage for HIV+ children. There we met some wonderful children. They were overall healthy appearing...considering. They were happy, pleasant, and glad to see us. One little girl followed us around, and loved the camera.


We went back and gave a medical lecture to the children and staff. We gave medications, and met the medical staff.

Guest House, Dinner with friends, Merkado (33) - Actions View album View photo book
We did end up going to our Embassy appointment as planned, despite...and subsequently getting our Visa for Hana to travel. Thereafter were were excited enough to enjoy some of the other activities we'd planned.



We visited the guest house. Very nice, and met some wonderful families. We decided to *not* go out with the group as we were so drained after a long week of worry and frustration. Besides, eventhough Hana was 1000% better after some TLC and a Z-pak, Tylenol cold, creams and powders, etc...we didn't want to push it.


We had dinner prepared by friends in Addis. Ruta and Tades decided they wanted to contribute to the World by volunteering with an NGo...so they moved themselves and their FIVE children into a modest home there for one year.



Finally, we haggled ourselves some great gifts at the Merkado. Notice the donkeys, the people, the store-fronts...



...and Ian flirting with the beautiful Ethiopian girls!!

History Museum and Fasika Lunch (21) - Actions View album View photo book
We visited the History Museum and saw the bones of Lucy. It was a facinating museum...but it would help if they'd invest just a bit of resources into it's presentation.


We also had the wonderful opportunity to have an authentic Ethiopian lunch done right...at a very popular spot. The kids did very well...but you'll see that Ian picked up the injera and ate it like a burrito instead of tearing off a piece properly.


Hana photos and going home (28) - Actions View album View photo book
A few pictures of Hana Janet. Her first bath, her skin and abdomen, her next bath...where she fell asleep in the water (talk about relaxing). This was likely her first experience with baths since they don't bathe the kids at the orphanage. After treatment...she was a whole new baby!!



Also are pictures of us all packed and ready at the Sheraton, on the plane...in Dubai sleeping at the Airport hotel (again)...and finally in the limo at SFO. Upon arrival to our house, Grandma and Grandpa had balloons, signs, cakes, and FOOD waiting for us. Our house warmed, our Christmas tree full of lights, and baked goods on the table.



What a way to end our adventure...and begin our lives as a FAMILY OF FIVE!!!!

FAQ

Do you like Adoption Avenues Agency?
We are/were with Adoption Avenues. I like Radu...and think the Agency is reputable, and really is trying hard to streamline and flow and work out the kinks. A major "kink" (as mentioned) is upon travel to Addis. Radu could do a better job communicating with families about what to expect, and subsequently follow-up with them once they are home (if only to just get their opinion and discover any issues).

I wasn't a big fan of the attorney, but my husband spent quite a bit of time wining and dining him...and in the process came to know him better.Overall, there's a lack of communication between Radu, the lawyer, families, and the US Embassy...resulting (at times) in delays and frustration for families once they are in Addis Ababa.

IF families had *accurate* travel information...and IF more organization could be arranged for the families during the time spent in Addis......the agency would be almost perfect.

I hope Radu improves this one aspect (which is a major thing as being in Addis Ababa unsure when you'll be able to leave is very, very stressful). I would recommend this Agency...but would advise the use of caution when it comes to travel. Calling the lawyer and double checking the completion of the documentation prior to leaving (or expect to potentially extend your stay).

What do you wish you had in Ethiopia that you didn't bring?
CHUCKS - those blue paper/plastic waterproof bed cover things they use in hospitals. The baby kept pooping which leaked all over - despite the rubber pants, and the tight onesie, and the big Huggies diapers.

What was the one thing you a GLAD you brought?
A Z-PAK (antibiotics), Tylenol COLD, snacks, and soy-based (lactose free) formula!!

Did you like your Airline?
Emirates was WONDERFUL!! One stop each way. Non-stop from the west coast. Great service, wonderful food, kid friendly...

Word of advice?
Call Abebe (the lawyer) prior to your departure and make sure he has everything he needs (including the medical exam) and everything has been submitted to the US Embassy at least 7 days before your embassy appointment.

Call your Congressperson prior to your departure and get a contact person on their staff that you can call if you have trouble with the Embassy in Addis.

What did you worry about that you shouldn't have?
Taking my bio kids.

What decision were you most confident about?
Staying at the Sheraton.

Did anyone get sick?
No one.

How was the baby doing when you arrived?
Not well. She was sick, lethargic, dehydrated, with infected chicken-pox scars and distended belly with very watery diarrhea and obvious abdominal pain.

How did you make her better?
Gave her multiple baths and applied various ointments, topical antibiotics, and zithromax. Symptomatic care, scabies medications, ear and eye drops, PLUS change in formula to soy-based.

Did travel/jetlag get to you?
Yes and no. It wasn't too bad...except waking up at 3am for the first 4 days of the trip. Now home, going to bed as late as possible upon our return (which for me was 6pm). Woke at almost 5am...and feel good. A bit of headache, nausea, lightheadedness, and sorethroat...all rapidly resolved with one dose of Excedrin, cup of lemonade, and some pepcid.

Best decision (outside of the one to adopt in the first place).
Taking our sister with us.

Worst decision.
Calling the Embassy...and holding...resulting in $300 bill. Using Scott Nordwall as our travel agent.

What's wrong with Scott?
I liked the amount of time he spent explaining to us the various travel options. I liked the fact that he*is* responsive. I didn't like his lack of initiative. He seemed to put off making our seat assignments, mailing our tickets/receipts out, and didn't really offer anything above and beyond simply making the reservations...something I could have (?should have) done myself online. The pearls of wisdom you'd hope to get from a travel agent are lacking...such as preferred seats, securing group seating, bassinets,etc. I would not use his agency again.

Travel Advice?
Try to get seats close to the front of the plane...to avoid having to wait in long line at immigration/customs. Avoid sitting in the back row or near the lavatory. Bring water on board, but don't drink it until the end of the flight (once they run out of water drinks towards the end of a long trip). Try to get the fewest amount of stops possible. Go on seatguro and check your seat assignments and see how you like them. Bring your own pillow and blankets. If you fly Emirates you don't need your ipod, DVDs, etc. Be sure to go online and request the type of meal you'd like. Get changeable tickets.

Did you like the Sheraton?
We loved the Sheraton. Rooms were about $250/night...and they have drivers, shuttles, restaurants, etc. The guest house is also nice...but with young kids...we are happy we stayed at the Sheraton.

We're HOME!!

We are home!! We were very (VERY) pleasantly surprised that Grandma and Grandpa were waiting for us (with rotisserie chicken meal from Whole Foods, homemade brownies, and a warm house). Our doggies are fat, and our neighbor came by with Greek cookies.


We'll write more later. I'll upload a few pix. It was wonderful seeing Alicia in Addis...but I agree, there are a few things I'd do before travel to avoid the *STRESS* in dealing with delayed paperwork and possible trip extension! (such as call Abebe, the attorney *yourself* PRIOR to travel to make sure everything is all ready at the US Embassy...including the medical evaluation!!)

Anyhoo...more later!!

The family goes to Ethiopia

Send positive energy our way...


....as we go to get our little girl in ETHIOPIA!!!

We are now in the air...on our way to Dubai. Will update as possible!!

Braids n' things

1.) Braids - I'm thinking that lice cannot grab onto fake hair, and climbing braids is very difficult. It makes sense to me that having synthetic braids not only saves us time/effort, but is healthier!! :o)

2.) Travel/med-evac insurance

3.) We'll clean our home (of course), before we go.

And, with that...we are all ready!! :o)

mad dash to the pharmacy

Joy and her family are back from Addis...with their two boys. The "word on the message boards" is that chicken pox, scabies, and URI (upper respiratory infections) are rampant in the orphanage.

I'm not concerned about chicken pox...it is a pretty benign disease in childhood, and do not feel children really should be vaccinated against it. But scabies? That's absolutely a big problem. The last thing I want to deal with is little itchy bugs in our home. Also concerning are the bacterial superinfections that occur when the children scratch the pox or scabies. SO....

...even though I had LOTS of stuff/meds/supplies all packed up - (including zpaks for all which treat both skin infections, URIs, pneumonias, etc). I decided (in my usual OCD fashion) to *get more stuff* - just in case. It would be very frustrating (to me) to be there, and not have something I could have totally gotten...if I'd have just taken a minute to *think* of it...OR, a bit of extra effort/money to actually go get it.

So today, I picked up:

fluocinolone acetonide ointment 0.025% - prescription topical steroid that's the best I've used
more antibiotic ointment - just in case we need to cover her entire body with the stuff
permethrin cream 5% to treat scabies (Sister also has some of this cream for us) - we will treat her on day 1, and treat ourselves on our last day in the hotel.
Aveeno Baby Oatmeal bath treatment
Aveeno Baby Oatmeal Creamy wash
Aveeno Baby Oatmeal Moisture cream
Aveeno calamine and pramoxine HCL cream - dries out weepy rashes and itch-relief
Gold Bond baby powder - triple action
anti-fungal (via Sister)
triamcinolone cream (via Sister) - topical steroid cream

in addition to these skin treatments, I started thinking to myself as I walked around the drug store "oh my, I wonder if we have enough [fill in the blank]!!"

SO...I bought more anti-diarrheal medication, more pepto-bismal (not a big fan, but maybe it'll treat travelers diarrhea better than it treats dyspepsia), lactaid...and I wrote myself a prescription for phenergan (because the reglan doesn't work as well when you're not pregnant I've learned).

I also had to get some infant vitamins...afterall, if she lacks essential vitamins, it'll be more difficult for her to heal and be/stay healthy.

Phew!! I *really* think I'm done with the medications now...

List.

Confirm our hotel reservations with a phone call
Confirm our flight information with the travel agent; ask that he mails the receipts (expecting them tomorrow)
Print final documents and fill them out
Gather the supporting documents (employment letter, paystubs, taxes)
Spoke with Haley's teacher regarding missed classwork
Suspend Haley's automatic healthy school lunch program
Paid the house bills or arranged for them to be paid.
Gather supplies and donations
Pack supplies/donations
Pack the medications/medical supplies that we've gathered
Pack clothing
Pack activities, snacks, carry-on stuff
Bug sister about the final medications we're bringing for skin conditions
Register our trip
Give our travel info to interested parties
Copy and leave copies of our important document with family
Email these same documents to ourselves for online access
Purchase doggie supplies to leave with our doggie-sitter
Speak with neighbors regarding our travel plans (so they will bring in the mail, out the trash, watch the house, and the dogs)
Read books about Ethiopia
Read books/info about health conditions in Ethiopia
Purchase and learn to use new camera/video recorder

Wash all baby's clothes, fold them, put them away
Decorate Hana and Ian's room, wash the crib clothes (thanks Grandma for helping me with this...couldn't have done it without you - just wasn't enough time)
Rearrange our house to accommodate one more by turning the playroom into Haley's bedroom and
complete the last of home improvement projects (thanks Grandpa for helping us with this...we've been trying to do this for the last 6 months. Nothing like time pressure to motivate.)

Sort out important issues with family - sign forms, etc.
Update life and medical insurance to include new baby
Meet with other people who are familiar with the process, and Ethiopia
Call the people in Addis Ababa that friends recommended we contact

Christmas shopping and talking to Santa on behalf of our children
Christmas decorations, inside and outside

What's left?
Thinking of getting my hair done
Thinking of getting Haley's hair braided
Home spa day
Get more snacks (can never have too many)
Thinking about getting a stronger topical steroid since other families have reported that their babies from Toukoul have extensive rashes
On the same note - thinking about getting stronger anti-fungal
Still have to pack last minute things (things that *can't* be packed until the last minute b/c they are used daily)

Hubby list includes:
Making sure the dogs are squared away (including grooming)
Travel insurance with medical evacuation
And he needs to finish his packing (I'm OCD and cannot wait until the last minute. He, OTOH...can)

This is starting to feel *real*.