Pics of Jack

Here are few pictures of little man Jack. Little man is awake and making lots of sounds and discovering the house!

The one of Scott and Jack is when they first met- it was very sweet- I cried when I saw this one.

We're home!

It's so good to be home- after over 28 hours traveling it's so good to have our feet on the ground. I think Ella grew an inch while we were gone- she already has the air of a big sister. Our family met us at the airport and Jack was still on Ethiopia time- so he was dead asleep until 10 pm and we was up until about 3:00 am. So the next week is going to be fun getting his littel body clock re-set. He was amazing on our flights- we made him a little nest in his seat with airline blankets and pillows and I made a rope out of Scott's old t-shirts and we tied toys to it- and tied it across his seat so he had toy to play with and if he threw a toy- it stayed put! I have to say both of our children were incredible on their trips home- we know how fortunate we are.

I have pictures I'll post soon- the eariler post was an email to my mom. We couldn't get to our blog- I tried- it was blocked. Thank you for all your sweet thoughts and prayers!

Lost luggage and our incredible son, Jack

I have to say moving to the Hilton was the smartest move we've made- seriously we are so much happier and well rested. Jack has a fever today- I think he has an ear infection. We're going to see the doctor at the orphanage tomorrow. They sell antibiotics over the counter here?? We're spending some serious cash at the Hilton but I can't tell you how miserable we were at the Guest House- no water, no food, roaches and the smell was overwhelming- I felt I was going to throw up half the time. There is so much to tell and so little time to do it. We have a really nice man Yonahs who is driving us around- he took Scott to the airport this morning and we now have 2 sets of our luggage the box is gone. The third piece is to come in tomorrow- it has Jack's diapers and wipes in it.

I've never been so happy to see luggage in my life- I thought i was going to cry.

Our view from the Hilton is lovely- we're across the street from the Presidential Palace- that's why we have water! The view is of the mountains- the altitude doesn't make me sick anymore- the first two days were tough. But there are flowering trees that are purple and they are beautiful. The people are so kind- it's overwhelming sometimes. We have a conceirge Mojes (like Moses) who has been so good to us. They all saw us walk in yesterday in our dirty clothes, and two ziploc bags with clothes and they felt sorry for us- and they took care of us. One other thing that nearly ended me I bumped my head and nearly passed out before we arrived- I have a huge knot on my head. So that on top of being tired, altitude sickness barely eaten a thing, and dirty clothes- and then I conk my head on the van leaving the embassy.

Jack is a sweet boy- most of his mollescum is gone just a couple of spots- and one right on his tear duct. It looks like he may have had the chicken poxs- he has little pox scars all over his face. He is a big snuggler- he loves- loves Scott's whiskers- and he makes Scott mad because he tugs at them. He hates to be bathed and his nose wiped- man he can put up a fight.

I've decided his head on the floor move calms him- it's so funny- he gets upset and goes head on the floor butt in the air. He can clap and he claps all the time and makes lots of baby babble sounds. I'm doing lots of singing and telling him when I'm touching Jack's head, Jack's feet and Jack's belly. We have this one toy- a book that crinkles and if you crinkle it around his ears he just laughs out loud he's so happy.

This morning we saw a coffee ceremony- this young woman has this little charcoal grill that is clay and she has a pan on top- and she roast the raw beans- they go from white to the dark black color of the beans we buy- and the aroma is amazing. She then grinds them w/ a morta and pestle (spelling?). THen drops them in a pot that she cooks over the coals- she burns charcoal insense too so the smell is amazing- then she poured up tiny cups of coffee today. Yum The Ethiopians invented coffee and they were invaded by the Italians long ago so they can make a mean cappacino.

So we have a new lease on life- we have clean clothes, we have our meds, we now have toys. We're going shopping w/ Yonah's tomorrow for keepsakes. And then we're hosting a party at Opportunity House for the workers and children. We orderd a pastry basket from a pastry shop at the Hilton. We're also going to tour Layla house and one of the American staff members wants Scott to tour is computer lab he set up for the kids. Funny. We learn Jack is the first child from O house to be adopted so the ladies all cried when we left. Immanuel the deaf boy I was excited to meet- has a new family too. He is a sweet, sweet boy.

Okay here's the scoop

So it looks like we're not taking our laptop with us. After much consideration it looks like we won't have enough Internet access to even to do email. I don't think I've gone without email for 7 days in the last decade! So we probably won't be posting- my mom might do an update for us. If you want to email us we'll try to check a gmail account: triptoafrica@gmail.com. If we can check it we'll appreciate your messages. We couldn't change our accommodations so it looks like we'll be in the guest house for the week- no American Hotels for us. Oh well! It's all going to be okay- pray for smooth travel and no delays!

Santa came last night- it was so fun. Ella had a great time. We love you all- take care and we'll be in touch soon!

Take care and Merry Christmas!

less than 48 hours and counting

So we're leaving in less than 48 hours and I've already had one major meltdown- the one with the ugly cry...it came after learning the water is off- not just often but quite often at most establishments in Ethiopia and it's too late to reserve a room at a fancy American hotel like the Hilton, oh and the internet rarely works and one more thing yahoo mail doesn't work most of the time!?!?!? I said some choice words and tried to get into my mantra- "pack your patience Angela, pack your patience". My sobbing cry did help me a bit but it just helped in my resolve to remind myself I can do anything- yes ANYTHING for 7 days. So we're going to ask my Mom to help us post to our blog- we probably won't be able to respond to your emails- but send us lots of good mojo, prayers, do dances- whatever it is you do to stir up the spirits and Lords of all that is good and right in the world to lend us a hand. So take care and we'll be in touch. When you hear "Do they know it's Christmas time at all?" Think of us!?!? We'll let you know!
much love to all-
Angela, Scott and Ella Fei- waiting on the boy wonder Jackson Parrish Bedhasa!

Holy Smokes! We've got a 24 pounder!

We are in the throws of packing- it's nuts. There are Ziploc bags everywhere! I'm completely overwhelmed and Scott is his cool as a cucumber self. It's completely irritating to me and it's also why he's my rock. So today we learned Jack is a whopping 24 lbs!! He's a BIG BOY and he's 30 inches long- I think Ella may have broken the 32 inch mark when she was 3 yrs. old.

Well we're beyond excited and anxious- we can't believe this is all falling into place. We appreciate all your kind words and messages. We leave December 23rd and we'll be meeting Jack on Christmas day- what a gift!

Preparing for an early Christmas

We're frantically preparing for our trip and celebrating Christmas early with Ella and our family. So we're shopping like crazy and packing every chance I get. Santa's coming to our house early. Last week Ella and I spent the afternoon with our friend Dannie, the writer. We took him a Christmas tree and decorations. Ella picked everything out- it was quite fun. Saturday we baked Christmas cookies with my mom- we were up to our elbows in sugar dough and frosting! Today we went to see a play- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Next week we're seeing Peter Pan! And Scott is in the middle of finals- WHEW!!! We've got a lot going on- but we're having the time of our lives- enjoying our time together and anxious to meet sweet little Jack.

Christmas in Africa

So we just found out we're spending Christmas in Africa! Our embassy appointment is December 26th. Everything is now moving so fast- we're booking our airline tickets, reserving rooms, getting shots, packing....We'll be celebrating the new year with our son here at home with black eyed peas and collards!!! Woohooo!

WE PASSED!!!

Jackson Parrish Bedhasa is our son! We'll find out tomorrow when our embassy date is- but it's usually 20-30 days from passing court. I'm so happy- I can't believe it!?!