Grandma (my mom) Visits!

After my mom returned home from her mission trip to Amsterdam, she flew out to Louisville to see Colton and help us get settled into our new home.  We loved having her here!  Her “mommy” wisdom was needed and what we accomplished in settling the house in one week would have taken me several months on my own.

Playing in the living room after we had opened all the gifts she brought from California friends and family.

Pulling up on furniture!

So thankful she was here to watch Colton during some of my volleyball practices. And then later during some of my games.

He loves coming to practice as he has over 30 middle school-aged girls there who think he is sooo cute!

When my mom is not in town, Colton spends half of practice in the pack-n-play and the other half in the Ergo Baby.

Breakfast time!

Looking at the falling leaves off the back patio

The Southern Seminary Fall Festival was while my mom was in town. It was a Narnia theme and very well done! Here we are going through the wardrobe to enter the event.

Coming out on the other side to the lamp post and snow dusted trees

All together at the festival

Playing with Daddy and his new toy from my mom!

Colton loves his daddy!

My mom took care of Colton at my volleyball games on Saturday. It was great to let Derek stay home to study and for her to see my team play.

Colton did a little volleyball playing at the games as well.

Continuing our monthly birthday celebration, except this time we had Colton with us!

Out to eat for Ethiopian food...we went to celebrate Ethiopian New Year and so my mom could have her first taste of Ethiopian food.

In his traditional outfit for Ethiopian New Year

Our second Sunday of church as a family of three

While shopping at the mall, my mom enjoyed sharing Colton's first "Disney" experience with him.

In all the in-between times of these pictures we were unpacking boxes, organizing cabinets, hanging pictures, and making runs to Target.   It was great having my mom in town and we are looking forward to her next visit!

Our First Week Home

We have been home with Colton for 3 weeks.  During those 3 weeks, Derek went right into full-time work and school.  I am also in the middle of coaching volleyball.  And we moved to a new home!  We have had a lot going on!

In his first weeks home Colton has been sleeping through the night, crawling on all fours, pulling up to his feet on furniture, transitioned to table food, and experienced an innumerable other little firsts.  Here are some highlights from our first week or so home:

We loved receiving this "welcome home" banner in the mail from our Montana family!

His first time eating in his high chair

Waiting at the children's hospital to get lab work done. This was a traumatic experience of me holding him while the nurse drew four vials of blood. After seeing the results, the pediatrician said, "This is the healthiest child from Africa I have ever seen!"

Ready for his first Sunday at church! Our pastor announced our homecoming during the service and we stood up so everyone could see Colton. It was a special moment to have everyone clap and praise the Lord for our beautiful gift!

His first Sunday was Labor Day weekend, so we had one church service followed by a "Dinner on the Grounds" potluck

Playing with our friends, Caleb and Rebekah, at Dinner on the Grounds

We did the Mayor's Hometown Hike and Bike again this year on Labor Day.

Derek did the bike while I did the hike with my friends, Michelle and Rebekah. It was windy and cold that day!

Colton has been to Target many times now. This was his first trip!

Our friends' daughter, Abigail, turned one and we all went to her party!

Abigail is only about one month older than Colton!

His first trip to Costco. We love Costco! Colton has already been there several times, too.

Gotta have a random cute pic, too!

Bringing Colton Home (Part Twelve: The End)

Sunday morning, August 28th, we woke early for an 8am flight from DC to Chicago and then Chicago to Louisville.  We were so ready to get home as we felt like Colton’s adoption would not feel all the way, 100%, completely real until we had carried him through our front door and set him in his crib.

Waiting to board our plane in the Dulles Airport

Colton flew from Chicago to Louisville sitting upon my dad's lap.

They both had a great time!

Upon arriving in Louisville we had a big group of friends waiting to greet us!  Due to our delay in DC we arrived home right at the end of church on Sunday morning, so our Sunday School class ended class early in order for everyone to come to the airport to welcome Colton home.   We were overwhelmed by the volume of cheers, shared tears, hugs, and smiles!  We are so thankful for the “family” God has provided for us in Louisville!

Our friend Caleb captured some great moments at the airport.  Here are some of his photographs…

Sweet boy with his daddy!

So happy to be finally home!

He loved the balloons!

So many precious friends were there. We wish all of our friends and family could have joined in the homecoming.

Happy Daddy!

Riding home from the airport was Colton's first time in a 5-point harness. We weren't sure how he would do...within the 10 minute drive he went from happy, to fussy, to sleeping.

We arrived home to a decorated apartment with cards, flowers, baby supplies, clothes for Colton, balloons, and food! What a surprise blessing!

We had groceries on our kitchen counter, in our fridge, and weeks worth of frozen meals in our freezer! The Lord has graciously blessed us with some amazing friends!

In his crib for the first time! And this is when we considered him "officially" home!

Welcome Home, Colton! We love you!

 

Bringing Colton Home (Part Eleven)

My parents met us in Washington DC upon clearing customs.  This was their first time meeting their first grandchild!  It was a very special moment for everyone!

My parents with Colton for the first time! We were all so relieved to make it. My parents also weren't sure up until the moment they boarded their plane in San Fransisco whether they should come due to the hurricane.

My mom holding Colton for the first time!

My dad's first time with Colton.

We went up to the ticketing level to check on our connection to Louisville. It ended up we changed to the first flight out the next morning.

My dad and Derek having "guy time" with room service back at the hotel

Taking the shuttle back to the airport to check on my mom's flight out to Amsterdam that evening. By meeting us in DC she was two days "late" for a missions trip with a group from their church.

Her flight was a go, so after spending six hours with us she was off to Amsterdam.

Hanging out back at the hotel for the night.

My dad stayed the night in DC and planned to head on to Louisville with us the next morning. It was a great help and joy having him with us!

Bringing Colton Home (Part Ten)

We are all packed and ready to embark on our journey home…

I had these outfits packed and ready to go since the beginning of July.

Colton's immigration paperwork and passport in hand

All loaded up in the van before heading to the airport

Hanging out in the airport lounge before boarding our 17 hour flight.

So thankful to be on our plane! Up until the moment of boarding we weren't sure if our flight would be cancelled due to Hurricane Irene.

We had a bassinet attached to the bulkhead where Colton could play and sleep. This was a "lifesaver" for such a long flight.

Sometimes he slept on Derek.

After a 5 hour flight from Addis to Rome, a 1 hour refuel stop in Rome, and an 11 hour flight from Rome to Washington D.C. we were finally on our way to U.S. Customs.

Bringing Colton Home (Part Nine)

Beginning our last day in Ethiopia   We spent our last day around our guest house.  We packed our suitcases, went on a walk, and kept watch on Hurricane Irene.  We did a lot of praying this day hoping we would not be stuck in Addis an extra night or stranded in Rome due to the weather on the east coast back in the states.

Colton playing in the living room on our last morning

Looking out our balcony window

We climbed the four flights of stairs to the roof of our guest house to take in the view…

A family pic

A group of donkeys passing by the gates of our guest house

The house next door. See the women doing their laundry in the upper right corner.

Going on a walk around the "neighborhood"

Some more playing in the living room while we finish packing. This onesie is for all of our Montana family!

Bringing Colton Home (Part Eight)

After lunch we headed back to our guest house…

We stopped to shop on the way "home" where women work to weave linens and make baskets.

Outside the gates of our guest house ready to go for a walk.

We walked down to the main road. We stopped in to the pharmacy to get antibiotics for Colton's ear infection. So thankful for a pharmacy nearby!

The side roads along our walk.

Family "Selfie"

"Drumming" with Daddy in the living room.

He loved playing with the empty water bottles.

 

Saying goodbye to our suitemates. We shared a suite all week and they were heading home to New Hampshire the night before we left.

 

Bringing Colton Home! (Part Seven)

On Thursday of our embassy trip, we toured Holy Trinity Cathedral (Orthodox Christian)…

Outside the cathedral

Inside the cathedral

With our tour guide. The walls were lined with stained glass. Old Testament scenes on one side and New Testament scenes on the other.

Derek using one of the prayer sticks. Sometimes during festivals, prayer will last all night and the congregation is not allowed to sit, which is why they use these sticks to sleep standing up.

The emperor's special seat at the front of the cathedral. The empress had a matching seat a few feet away.

Pictures of all three of us together were rare.

Many people are familiar with the story in the Bible about the Ethiopian eunuch. Our tour guide shared that Ethiopia is mentioned 40 times in the Bible! I haven’t counted, but I know it is more times than just the one story. We loved learning about some of the rich history of this beautiful country!

After the cathedral our guide, Yonas, surprised us with the news that he was able to pick up Colton’s visa and passport a day early!   What a miraculous blessing and huge relief to have that all important envelope in our hands.  It meant we indeed would be bringing our little boy home!

We did a lot of riding in the vans...off to lunch!

Some pics along the drive…

This part of town used to be downtown Addis

All the taxis lined along the road

Some store fronts

We ate at the same restaurant where we had our first meal in Ethiopia during our court trip in May

Bringing Colton Home (Part Six: Embassy Day)

Wednesday morning was the day of our embassy interview!  We started the morning going with another couple to pick up their son from the transition house for their Gotcha Day and then off to the embassy.  We were not allowed to take our camera along, so we have no pictures from this morning.

The US embassy building was big and clean.  It felt strange to be in Ethiopia, yet on American soil.  We waited in the large waiting room for our name to be called.  There were about ten other adoptive families waiting and the rest of the people were Ethiopian.  When called we went up to the window and answered a few questions.  Derek signed a paper and she stamped our file.  We were all good to pick up Colton’s visa and passport later in the week!   It was a huge relief to accomplish this step considering we left Louisville not having a confirmed interview date.

After another doctor visit for Colton and lunch out with the other families from our adoption agency, we returned to our guest house for the rest of the day.

Back at the guest house, playing in our room!

My sister, Megan, traveled with us for our court trip, so we brought this special onesie along in her honor/memory. We are thankful Colton has many aunts who are "the best".

Derek had time this afternoon to work on a paper for school.

The view off our living room balcony

Bath Time!

All done! Good Night!

Day three in Ethiopia is done!

Bringing Colton Home (Part Five)

We shared a taxi with another couple, who was there adopting their son, to go visit the lion zoo in the afternoon of our second day in Addis.

On our way to the zoo. Children do not have to ride in car seats there, but they are required to be in the back seat.

Our taxi

At the zoo!

This zoo is known for its black maned lions, like Scar from The Lion King.

Sadly, most of the lions were feeling lazy that afternoon

There were other animals, too: deer, a guinea fowl, Egyptian geese, and baboons

I loved carrying Colton in the Ergobaby!

It was great to get out and see some of the city again!