Tragic News

We got a call around 3:30 am our time, Oct. 1st, that our baby girl, Abrehet, died. We have no details other than it was completely unexpected and sudden.

We are so very sad.

Sneak Preview!

Since I'm in Hong Kong, I can post photos, so I thought I'd add the sneak preview after all. :) Here's her tiny little fist. Last week we were lucky to receive FOUR new photos--2 of her alone and 2 of her with her other tiny little friends. So so cute, and Shannon is officially in love. We cannot wait to squeeze and kiss that little face and body.

She has a name! But, I still cannot announce it to the world, as we still need to tell some key people.

We hit Toys R Us here in Hong Kong and bought some great toys and a few essentials for Baby Girl. After seeing the selection and prices here, Shannon did some calculations and we've decided to have Gran Jan do some more shipping. We can buy online and pay the $40 shipping fee for a box and still come out way ahead. It's crazy.

Two other huge events to note this week: 1. courts re-open on Oct.1st (hurray!), and 2. fellow IAG adoptive parents are returning from Ethiopia with a full report of Baby Girl. They held her and took photos AND have a video of her laughing! So, it proves to be a fantastic week, especially since we're on a week holiday. :) Life is good, but will be better in a few short months. Pray that it goes by quickly, please!

Tired of waiting

I am. Today, especially.

We live in a very Chinese apartment complex. There are nice gardens, a pool, and a pond with a bridge over it right downstairs that we can see from our balcony--it's lovely. In the early evening, all the grandparents and some of the moms and dads venture outside, toting their little ones. The toddlers amble around wherever they want, and the guardian closely follows behind, fanning the precious child (or babe) the whole time. Today, as I was walking back from getting a foot rub, I saw a new mom and her nanny carefully caring two little babies. The mom spoke English (!) and told me they were twins, and "one months" old. This means that it very well could have been one of the babies' first trips outside the apartment, as the Chinese do not think mother and baby should leave the apartment for at least one month. I asked the mom if it was a lot of work having twins, and she said "YES. Extremely tired, especially at night."

So--I've missed that part. Some people point that out as a good thing, but I would gladly go without sleep to have her here already. Our baby girl turns three months this week. Who knows what kind of amazing things she's doing now, and we're missing it. During the week she's on my mind, but I have loads of activities and work to keep that part of my brain otherwise occupied. Over the weekend is when we want her here, NOW. We often wake up in the morning and talk about what we would do if she were here. What we will do.

In the evenings, we'll be downstairs. Fan and all.