Lead us to Levi: Play Day

Sorry this is posted a little late - by a day. I was too pooped last night to get it on here. So of course, now I am a day behind. Come back in a bit for Day 4 - Birth Mother meeting.

Play Day! Today was a relaxing play day spent in Ethiopia's lap of luxury - the Sheraton Hotel. This is by far the nicest place in Addis Ababa, courting dignitaries and those whose who like Angelina Jolie and more. But today, it held the finest of fine ... Zebene Martine and paparazzi.

It is beautiful with a gorgeous pool and a very nice park with grass and beautiful flowers. A treat for us all ... And a world of discovery for a little boy who has never experienced those things. From the sand, to the grass, to the big plastic climbing animals ... It was all new and full of inhibitions to go with. By play time end... He was jumping off small walls and leaving much room between us and him - a new milestone. We also enjoyed a long nap. Well, the people with testosterone did.

We then went on two long walks on the streets outside our guest house. Our boy who has been timid of new, grabbed each of our hands and seem to walk in great confidence between us. He would watch carefully any time a van full of people drove up, captured the eyes of the many whom passed and together, we got lots of looks .... Smiles to go with... But we definitely stuck out.

Those walks always come with an arrest of sights and sounds! As the begging Mom with the baby (Who also with her hand out from the knapsack on her back) said, "sister, farenge" (foreign white person) it was even more clear just how much we stood out. Of course this phrase was followed by the tap on the mouth, then the tummy with another " sister, farenge" (a plea for money for food). Heartbreaking always ... But the one who took the cake for me today was the little girl- about 2.5 or 3 at max who approached doing the same while Mom sat watching with a newborn baby tied up on her breast. Ethiopia ... A place that will break your heart and then steal it! Doug might be short a few burr.

The second walk of our day got us to Kaldi's where Zebene experienced his first bowl of ice cream. While grilled cheese, quesadillas or eggs haven't gained his yet approval - ice cream is officially a universal love. We taught him "yummy" and indeed .. He said it was!

Things I learned today
1. We aren't quite potty trained ... We will have some homework.
2. When told "no", he shuts down or withdraws .. Sometimes will get honory. That too is universal.
3. He loves French fries and like his big sister-Catsup!
4. I get Mom of the year award ... Yes, I did feed my kid nothing but French fries for lunch. Nice! What's a girl to do when he won't eat the grilled cheese it came with. Besides, Karen Purvis said I needed to build in a lot of yes's and well....she gives a lot of gum so who is keeping track? Gum, French fries, whatever!
5.Two hours is too long for a nap ... 2 hours past bedtime and as I type, he is awake still next to me and I am sitting in a dark room as when I had thought he was asleep and began to leave ... Alligator tears erupted. Mental note - fear of being in the room alone.
6. He and Maliah should never share a bed... It could look like a war with how much they both toss and turn!
7. Zebene's birth mom has visited him each time she has come for court and embassy. I knew she was offered to do so ... But found out today that she had.
8. Not a fan of dried fruit
9. Showers are terrifying!
10. I am falling more and more in love with this sweet boy. We have declared that he is keeper!!!!

Oh one last thing I learned ... Without a poop sample, I will bet you money this kid has Guardi! Eeeeew! TMI?? The joys of IA adoption. Get ready all my friends to follow - I am thinking that too might be universal. Haha