We're HOME!!

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Sunday, 21 December 2008 08:50

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!!)

The family goes to Ethiopia

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Wednesday, 10 December 2008 08:48

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

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Saturday, 06 December 2008 08:46

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

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Tuesday, 02 December 2008 08:45

List.

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Monday, 01 December 2008 08:44

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*.

More Recommended Reading

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 08:42

Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Bradt: Ethiopian Guide

Ethiopia & Eritrea

Recommended books we've been reading in preparation for our trip. We've spoken to multiple people who have offered tremendous insight, pearls of wisdom, and advice. Thanks to everyone who participated in helping us raise donations, money, and took their time to share their experiences.

--the shout-outs--

My first 'real' boss...an ER doc who let me join his medical group when I was a new graduate and 21 weeks pregnant without blinking an eye...and promoted me, advocated for me, and really took an interest in me. He encouraged me to leave my previous oppressive group to take a chance and join a more progressive group. AND, his parents took him and his siblings to Ethiopia when they were young....maintained relationships...and now he takes his girls there. Needless to say, I considered him a valuable resource.

We also had the pleasure of hosting an adoptive family at our home this week. They not only came full of wisdom and pearls...but baby clothing, shoes, dresses for our little one. They were very reassuring, telling the the good/bad/ugly about their experience. They, no doubt, saved us from lots of unnecessary frustration.

And I can't leave out the wonderful Ethiopian family who had brunch for us. Because they were born/raised and attended college there...and go back every year...they had tons of things to say about their home country. Lots of her family still lives in Addis Ababa, and even know our attorney over there. There were pictures of his wedding at a beautiful hotel there...his home, and a glimpse into their lives. I spoke to him personally, and will try to see him during our visit.

We have another friend who works for an NGO in Addis, and moved her family from NY in September. Her, her husband, and 5 kids...all moved to Ethiopia for at least a year. They are now in school there, and really have made a life there. We are eager to visit with them. We have activities planned since she has small children too.

***

We're all packed and ready to go. We have all of our required papers, including the employment letter, paystubs, cash in new bills, etc. Donations are all packed up in rubbermaids, and ready to go.

ALSO, we got our final update!! We are so excited about going...

...and with the info we've acquired from our friends, we feel safe, confident, and ready! :o)

I600A approval - I171h - Visa 37; just be sure the Embassy has it!!

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Thursday, 20 November 2008 08:39

I wasn't sure if, when the embassy says "we have your I600A approval" they ALSO mean "we have your Visa 37 cable and you are safe to travel...and when you get here we will actually issue a visa for your baby..."

So, I've been emailing them for the last few days (along with my blog buddy Lisa)...we're totally freaking out together. We've been going thru this entire process together...except she's traveling next week. (See, we decided to wait...for multiple reasons. Among which include Haley's school vacation schedule...my work schedule...and the fact that we purchased our tickets 'early' and gave ourselves 'extra' time, just in case there was a delay. Besides, we wanted to make sure that all of the papers are prepared and ready...)

Well, we learned that, for whatever reason, the embassy wasn't receiving her emails. So...after a few days of 'no responses,' I changed up my email address...created a new gmail account...re e-mailed the request for confirmation from my brand-new gmail email...and they responded immediately!! :o)

So. Yes. They do have our I600A approval...BUT ALSO they have our Visa 37!!

Note to self: Next time I'll ask about *both* the I600A approval AND the Visa 37 on my first email (because, I've heard the the Visa 37 actually includes the homestudy info...in addition to the I171h approval).

Note to self: Next time, I won't even bother trying to call the Embassy. And if I don't get a response within 1 day or two, I would immediately send the message from another email account.

Note: I wouldn't bother with the National Visa Center unless the Embassy tells you they didn't get the necessary forms...because even if they *say* they sent it...it only matters if the Embassy *receives it*!!

Also note: The I600A approval = I171h = Visa 37 (+ few other papers)

***
Info from the EthiopiaAdopt Yahoo Group - very helpful!!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EthiopiaAdopt/message/24036
The I-171H from your USCIS office means that your I-600A was approved. Your approval for an international adoption is now good for 18 months and your fingerprints are good for 15 months - the end dates are determined by the approval date, not the date you received the I-171H. This approval is for your family not for a specific child.

After you have adopted a child and have all of the child's foreign documents you then submit an I-600 form for a child - one for each child if you are adopting more than one child. The I-600 will either be submitted to your local CIS office or to the involved US Embassy, again with all the child's foreign documents including the child's foreign passport.

Before you can submit an I-600 at the US Embassy your placing agency must make certain that yourI-171H has been received by the US Embassy, along with your homestudy. While the approval a family receives is called an I-171H, the approval for an I-600A that goes to the US Embassy either by e-mail or fax is called a Visa 37 -

The adopting family's homestudy is either held at the involved CIS office if the adopting family is filing their child's I-600 directly with CIS, OR the homestudy is pouched by CIS to the US Embassy. The Embassy will make sure that the child being presented for a US visa matches the gender, health, age range and number of children the family's homestudy approves the family for. If it does not matchthe Embassy will not issue the adopted child a US visa until the homestudy has an addendum with information matching the child.

The US Embassy in Ethiopia requires one I-864 form (affidavit of support)for each child. The person who signs the I-864 as the applicant MUST be the person who was approved as the applicant on the I-171H. If the applicant does not have enough income to match the Federal guidelines then the spouse of the applicant signs the attached paperwork to the I-864 (which is the I-864A). This form is given to the US Embassy, not to CIS.

Packing

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 08:38

PACKING TO GO!!

Donations

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 08:34

Thank you SO much to everyone who has given their time, energy, MONEY, medications, clothing, shoes, jackets, school supplies...etc. etc.

We've decided, after talking to various people, that it's less hassle to simply take the donations in rubbermaids/luggage, and check it. So, that's what we're gonna do. We're going to hand deliver all the items to the 2 orphanages that we've been in contact with.

I will update this post if/when we receive other donations.

Crossing things off the "to do" list.

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 08:33

Final Forms

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Monday, 17 November 2008 08:32

What we still need.

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Friday, 14 November 2008 08:31

We're so excited that our friends and family are excited for us, Hana, and our (relatively small) contribution to the orphans in Ethiopia!!

'How can I help?' some have wondered. We want as many people as possible vested in this experience with us.

How you can help is by donating a bit of money so that we can ship things over there to the orphanages. From what I understand, it's over $300 per box!! Or, if it's more feasible, we could add the box(es) to our checked luggage to travel with us...but checking extra (heavy-ish) bags is not cheap either.

So...if you're so inclined, please help us collect these funds so we can ship as much as possible to the children in the Toukoul and AHOPE orphanages. We plan to ship the donations to a friend's house in Addis Ababa, then, once we are there, will go thru and divide the donations so that each orphanage gets the products they need most. Then we will hand deliver the donations to the two orphanages.

The paypal button is in the side-bar. And for those of you who are wary...I've used paypal for *so* many things...and it's safe, reliable, and easy (the best way is to set up a paypal account http://www.paypal.com/ and use money from the account - but they also accept credit/debit cards)!! For those who would prefer to give another way, just email me (at myaschlitz.at.yahoo.com) and let me know what you're thinking. :o)

Thanks so much!!

UPDATE 11/15/08:

Needed supplies AHOPE

Medical
Ace Bandage
Nystatin suspension(oral preparation)
Nystatin and Triamcinolone Acetonid cream
HEXIT-Lotion (Lindane lotion 1% usp) for scabies and poison
Perimethrin cream 50% (for scabies)
Pediatric Nasogastric tube No. 6 & 8
Pepcid (Famotidine) antacid tablet 20mg
Cefalexin 500mg and 250mg capsule (antibiotic)
Spatula (Tongue depressor for throat examination)
Enfamil (Multi vitamin supplement Drops)- Essential vitamin for infants and toddlers
Enfamil- Milk gas-free infant formula powder for Babies 0-2

Hair/Skin Care/Hygiene
Anti dundruff shampoo and ointment
Ketokonazole Shampoo
Hair accessories
Soaps
Hair oil (8-15 year old girls)
Strong Body Lotion(8-15 year old children) (e.g. Eucerin)

Clothing
Socks (8-15 yrs)
Clothes (8-15 yrs)
Swimming Suit (different size)
Sports wear(for 8-15 year old children)
Shoes (all sizes for infant – 15)
Watches(for 8-15 year old children)

School-Type Supplies
Pens
Children's Diary
School bags(for older children)
Rechargeable battery
Flash disk
Mathematical Set
Note Books
Index Cards (3x5 blank for flash cards – several sets for English/Math) – please label "Char Baldwin – Big AHOPE"
Plastic Containers, varies sizes (e.g. storage of flashcards, art supplies, etc)

Others
Diaper (for 9 month -2yrs)
Baby Wipes
Rubber sheet(disposable)
Toys, games (8-14 year old children)
Towels

Things we have in excess
Anti Pyretics(anti-pains) (e.g. Tylenol, Motrin)
Multivitamins
Antibiotic ointment
Tooth brush
Band Aids
Alcohol Swabs
Baby Feeding bottle
Thermometer
Hydrocortisone ointment
Gas relief
FALCON Ophthalmic Solution
Clothes for children of 1-4 years
Diaper rash ointment

The following is a list of physical donations currently needed at the Toukoul Orphanage.

Warm Blankets
Clothing (all children's sizes, gently used or new, boys and girls)
Jackets and Sweaters
Shoes
Books for the Library (hard bound and good quality)
School Supplies (pencils, crayons, paper, note books, educational activity books, flash cards, educational games that don't require batteries)
Sports/Play Equipment (soccer balls, playground balls, frisbees, bubbles, games that don't require batteries)

Cellphone use. Emergency Consular Service in Ethiopia

Details

Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Saturday, 08 November 2008 08:28

ATT Wireless does allow for international cell phone use on our Blackberry's. The cost: $3.49/minute!! They have a "special world traveler package" but it saves you no money for calls in Ethiopia.

Lucky us...our friend is gonna let us use her cell phone for the week we're there!!

Of note:
Consular Emergency while in Addis Ababa:
http://ethiopia.usembassy.gov/service.html
call 011-517-4000 ext. 0 and ask or the Duty Officer.

Hana's Growth/Updates from the Adoption Agency

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Friday, 07 November 2008 08:27

Referral and Update Photos

Hana was born to a woman who died of TB leaving behind her an orphan at 4 months old. The father is unknown, and as a result, there was no one to take care of her. Her mom's remaining family took the baby to the social court to so that she might join the orphanage. They were no longer able to take care of the baby due to difficult living conditions. She is from South Ethiopia - born on 2/22/08 in Guemto Guech; Gamo Goffa Zone SOUTHERN NATIONS NATIONALITIS AND PEOPLE'S REGION.


JUNE: (referral picture = white dress) Her mother died, leaving her an orphan. When she arrived to the Toukoul orphanage, she was 4 months old, malnourished, and weighing only 7.7 pounds (3.5 Kg).

She was rehydrated, and basic medical care was provided. One week later, she weighed in at 8.2 pounds (3.7 Kg). Height 61 cm; head circumference 38.5 cm.

Her physical exam is unremarkable, and her blood tests/xrays/cultures are all negative. She has a good appetite, normal sleep cycle, and began laughing out loud. She holds her head steady when pulled to sitting.

JULY: (update picture = pastel/white romper) At 5 months old, she weighs in at 10.1 pounds; height 62cm, head circumference 40cm. She receives her first set of vaccinations. Developmentally, she rolls over from front to back, imitates some speech sounds/razzing sounds, and recognize familiar faces.

SEPT: (update picture = blue/gold dress) at 7 months old, she weighs in at 13.6 pounds; height 64cm, head circumference 42cm. She receives her second set of vaccinations. She's eating more, and has her formula supplemented with spoon feeds. She sits with support and has started to crawl. She transfers objects from hand to hand, babbles and reaches for familiar people.

OCT: (update picture = blue dress with hair bow) At 8 months old, she weighs in at almost 15 pounds; height 66 cm, head circumference 44cm. She's sitting unsupported and crawls.

Referral Photo - can now be published!!

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Thursday, 06 November 2008 08:29

Our Newest Family Member...

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Thursday, 06 November 2008 08:16

President Elect Obama - Global President!!

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Wednesday, 05 November 2008 08:13

'Change has come to America'

Baby Girl in Review

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Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Wednesday, 29 October 2008 08:08

JUNE: (referral picture = white dress) Her mother died, leaving her an orphan. When she arrived to the Toukoul orphanage, she was 4 months old, malnourished, and weighing only 7.7 pounds (3.5 Kg).

She was rehydrated, and basic medical care was provided. One week later, she weighed in at 8.2 pounds (3.7 Kg). Height 61 cm; head circumference 38.5 cm.

Her physical exam is unremarkable, and her blood tests/xrays/cultures are all negative. She has a good appetite, normal sleep cycle, and began laughing out loud. She holds her head steady when pulled to sitting.

JULY: (update picture = pastel/white romper) At 5 months old, she weighs in at 10.1 pounds; height 62cm, head circumference 40cm. She receives her first set of vaccinations. Developmentally, she rolls over from front to back, imitates some speech sounds/razzing sounds, and recognize familiar faces.

SEPT: (update picture = blue/gold dress) at 7 months old, she weighs in at 13.6 pounds; height 64cm, head circumference 42cm. She receives her second set of vaccinations. She's eating more, and has her formula supplemented with spoon feeds. She sits with support and has started to crawl. She transfers objects from hand to hand, babbles and reaches for familiar people.

OCT: (update picture = blue dress with hair bow) At 8 months old, she weighs in at almost 15 pounds; height 66 cm, head circumference 44cm. She's sitting unsupported and crawls.

According to Radu, everything is all set and ready for our Nov 6th court date. All documents have been acquired, and everyone is prepared.

Fingers-crossed that we become her new parents on this day.

US Embassy in Addis Ababa.

Details

Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Monday, 27 October 2008 08:06

You may recall that I mentioned that we're supposed to contact the US Embassy in Ethiopia on a prior post - but couldn't wake up early enough to ever catch them before 5pm their time...

I finally had a genius moment and thought: "why don't I call the US Embassy in Ethiopia *before* I go to bed?"

So first I had to figure out how to call them:

011 - US exit code

251 - Ethiopian country code

11 - Area code for Addis Ababa

124-2424 - the phone number to the embassy.

So the number is: 011-251-11-124-2424 (this is exactly what you press on the phone)

Was on hold for the better part of an hour (called at 9am their time). Then decided to just send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Got an email response the same day (which was *my* next day) saying they'd received the I600A approval (the form I171h) for an infant girl age up to 2; the dates it (and the fingerprints) expire (which are October 2nd and June 11, 2009 respectively). I also asked about the Visa 37...what it is...how to get it...

...they didn't answer that part.

So...I'll send another email, maybe after we pass court.

Travel Plans. Tickets.

Details

Category: Ethiopian Adoption Story

Created on Friday, 17 October 2008 08:01

Dubai. Home to the World's only 6-star hotel.


We made the decision to purchase our plane tickets!! We've decided to fly Air Emirates. Our route: LAX to Dubai then Addis. Back from Addis to Dubai, then into SFO (San Francisco). Everyone has a ticket...even baby girl!! The tickets are refundable, changeable (for small fees), and very reasonably priced. Much lower than I expected!!

After talking with multiple travel agents (including American Express Travel), we decided to use:

Scott Nordwall.
Travel International
2345 Rice St. Suite 173
Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: 1-800-494-7568 or 651-482-7568
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Other popular agencies that we considered:
Elsa Abate
Addis Travel Services
1821 W. University Ave. Suite S135
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 651-646-6900 or fax: 651-646-6909
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Susan Parr
Susan Parr Travel, Inc.
1234 East Front St.
Port Angeles, WA 98362
1-800 455-7277 or 1-360-452-6596
http://www.susanparrtravel.com/

We've also reserved our hotel rooms (and the rental car to drive down to LA). The reservations for the hotel can be canceled up until 48hours prior to our expected arrival, so we felt comfortable doing this.

***

On a side note -
Most of the "things to do" on the 'pre-trip' list is done.

Trim the branches of the big tree off of the house
Micro-chip the dogs in case they get out
Sprinklers/timer fixed
Reorganize the living space to create more room


We've gathered donations, and I'm hoping to ship the box(es) so they arrive while we are there. I would rather not try to lug all of those extra items on our trip around the World.

We've gathered up most of the medications/supplies we need (still have a ways to go before we have *everything* we want to take). But between me and Sister...all the medication and medical supplies have been acquired!!

Now...we just have to get the rest of the supplies, organize (so we won't forget) our important documents, such as copies of our dossier, passports, tickets, identification, contact lists, my medical license, the stuff we'll need for the embassy appointment, and so forth and so on...(I have a check list to help organize).

Also, one of these days I'm going to wake up early enough to actually call the US Embassy in Addis during their business hours!!