Monday, November 12, 2007

Picking Up Pickles

Yes, we are home!!! I'm so sorry about not posting from Ethiopia -- we had a horrible time getting access to the blogs in Ethiopia. We also pushed ourselves pretty hard while we were there to see everything we wanted to see.


Pickles is amazing. She's beautiful, she's sweet, and she has such an amazing personality. She truly is an easy, easy baby! She gets fussy when she's hungry and when she's wet. Other than that, she just laughs and giggles. God truly has blessed us with this little girl.

I've been journalling on the laptop while we were in Addis, but can't upload any of that now. I was in the ER this morning with dehydration. I got sick on the way home from DC and have spent the last 40+ hours in bed (and in the bathroom). We are officially callling it the "Crud." And let me tell you, it's pretty bad. David had it while we were in Addis -- I don't know how he made it to the Embassy appointment on Tuesday because I could barely get out of bed the past two days.

The time zone change is pretty tough, coupled with sleep deprivation because Pickles was getting up every 4 hours the first 4 or 5 days. After that, we got her down to one feeding during the night, sleeping almost 6 1/2 hours!!! We almost have her on a schedule now, but it's been pretty hard with me being so sick. David has had to do EVERYTHING the past few days, and I mean everything. He's taken care of Pickles, Squeeker, taken Pickles to her first official Pediatric appointment this afternoon, all the laundry, etc. He truly is a wonderful dad and husband!!!

Ethiopia is an amazing country, a country of extremes. The wealth is extreme and rare, and the poverty is great and extreme. You have to see it with you own eyes to truly believe it. I don't think it all sinks in at once; your eyes go into overload but the sensory processing still absorbs and it comes back when you least expect it. I'll write more about how Ethiopia has changes us later.

To those Gladney families: If you thought the US Staff was amazing, wow, you are in for a surprise!!! The Ethiopian staff is absolutely amazing. Never in my life have I seen such a staff devoted so deeply to these children! You will love Belay (The Big Guy) and Abby and Ryan!!! The caregivers are amazing! They so love our children! So if any of you have any concerns about how the children are being cared for, let me set you at ease: they truly, truly, love our children! I have a story to tell about our last hour in Ethiopia before departing for the airport that will just break your heart.

More later,
Robin

5 comments:

Amy B. said...

I am so glad to see you are home safe. I am sorry, however, to hear that you are so sick. I pray that you get better really soon so you can enjoy life with your new baby. Can't wait to see pictures of your trip and to hear all about your time there.

Feel Better,
Amy

Anonymous said...

Welcome home!! I'm sorry that you got so sick, but you sound amazingly upbeat. It took my stomach awhile to recover, but you will eventually. I loved seeing you with Pickles and Carey and Zoe. Could you pass my email on to the other woman that you were traveling with? I have a few photos of her adorable son from when we were there (or you can send me hers). Obviously no rush at all - the most important thing is to get you better and able to spend time with your precious children! Hang in there and I look forward to hearing and seeing more!

Kristy -Mom To 9 Blessings said...

Congratulations and welcome home! I'll be praying for a quick recovery for you! We are only 3 weeks in the process of bringing home our children from Ethiopia so it is so exciting to share in your story with you!
Blessings,
Kristy
http://growinginfaithandfamily.blogspot.com/

Min/El said...

Congrats! Here's to hoping and praying that you are already feeling better and on the road to recovery! Pickles is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to hear more...

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you home after such a roller coaster experience. Question form a mom preparing to travel on Saturday-were you able to pick up Pickles' visa the day following your visa appt?
rudi421@yahoo.com
Thanks