FW: Testing...

Testing to see if I can post to my blog through e-mail, because blogger is blocked in Ethiopia.

House of Hope

If you look at the Arnold Family's blog in my favorite links, you can see where Meron is living right now. The man at the top of the entry entitled "House of Hope" is Tsegay. He is the one who chose us to be Meron's parents. Don't you wonder how he chooses? We sure lucked out!

Baby books...

We need some books for Meron- some adoption specific and some not and I can't decide what to buy. Does anyone have any suggestions? What were your favorite books to read to babies... or what were there favorites?
We do have a few books that we have gotten as gifts that are wonderful, but I think we are going to be doing a lot of reading at our house and would like a little variety!

Update on Meron...

We got this e-mail today from some people from our agency who just got back from Ethiopia on Saturday
"Oh Kate, I have thought a hundred times that I need to email you....so sorry! I know how difficult the waiting is. I did check on Tewabech for you and I have to tell you that she is absolutely beautiful! She is just so pretty and has the most beautiful skin. She is really long but quite tiny. I didn't check to see what size clothes she was wearing but probably pretty close to right on her age because of her length. Adjustable waists might be needed because she is so tiny. She seems pretty quiet and has a sweet personality. She was not scared of me at all and seemed to be close to her nannies. All of the nannies are so wonderful and love the children very much.
I hope this helps and again I am so sorry to have made you wait! I know you will fall completely in love with your precious girl. She made me smile every time I saw her!"

It absolutely made our day. It is so nice to hear any news and keep having it reaffirmed that she really does actually exist!

A yard gone mad...

What do you think? Charming, naturalistic looking cottage, or crazy jungle yard? I haven't decided yet. I keep going out to weed, but there really aren't any weeds. Just super crazy plants that I think are supposed to be there. Any ideas or opinions?

Out of control vines...

Out of control sage and coneflowers...

Crazy hollyhocks and lilies...

Hidden behind the hollyhocks...?

World's Tallest golden glow... it is at least a foot taller than Nathan is all down one side of the house...

Upstairs hall...

Elz and I made stencils and did the whole hall and stairway today. It looks a little like an aquarium, but I swear the color looked completely different on the card than it does on the walls. At least now it is a lovely aquarium filled with cherry blossoms.

And Aunt Elz bought some summer jammies for Meron... because what girl doesn't need some new summer jammies?

Some news!

I am really excited today, because a couple from our agency just got back from Ethiopia with their daughter and they remember Meron! She said that she held her several times and that she looks really good and has no diaper rash. She also said that Meron is not a fussy baby and that she has a really smiley personality. It is so exciting... its like having proof that Meron does actually exist. It makes me want to go get her even more, if that is possible!

We also got our first shipment of baby stuff today and did a little shopping over the weekend.

Some warm weather gear for Meron ( it is winter in Ethiopia right now ) some special sweaters from Grandma Robin, a special hat knitted by Great Grandma Loy and diaper covers.

Meron's diaper covers.... the diapers are already in the washing machine! I panicked a little when I opened the box and realized I really have no idea what to do with a lot of it! I guess I'll learn! We got 4 different brands of covers because we have no idea which ones work best. I guess we'll find out about that, too...

Court Date!!

Just got this e-mail from our agency rep:

Dear Nathan and KateI just received news that your court date is scheduled for August 4, 2008 to finalize your adoption in the Ethiopia Federal Court. Congratulations!!!!!!
My best guess at this point is that your visa appointment will be on August 29, 2008. Please keep in mind that this date is only my best guess and has not been confirmed at this point. We really will need to wait until the adoption has been approved in the court to know more, but if all goes according to schedule, this is a good guess. Please keep in mind that court dates have been known to get rescheduled for various reasons on the day of court, and several of our families have unfortunately experienced this; but don't be discouraged, I just wanted to let you know up front in the event that this were to happen. With this being said, families should plan to arrive in Ethiopia on Monday or Tuesday, the week of the visa interview, as the interview is always on a Thursday for Children's Hope families.Once your adoption has been approved in the court, we will let you know and send you your final travel packet with forms to take with you to Ethiopia. We will also call you before travel to answer your questions and to insure that you are fully prepared for your trip.If you would like to look at airlines to Ethiopia at this time just to get an idea of what the fare is this time of year, you can feel free to do so, but you would not want to book a flight, or atleast not confirm a flight, until sometime after court. I'll let you know when.Congratulations again. This is very exciting. You're getting very close to bringing your child home.
I don't know how I can stay sane if I continue to be this nervous for the next 3 weeks!

Vines and Rhinos

More pictures...

No, not of Meron.
We are working hard on the nursery and hallway. For those of you who asked how we could still be pulling staples....

This is what the stairs look like:
There are approximately 40 staples on each step. That is a lot of staples. Let me repeat my invitation.... anyone who feels like pulling staples is certainly welcome to satisfy this craving at our house!


We are also getting a lot more painting done in Meron's room. I did the vines and her name today... I still have to add flowers to the vine. I think I'm going to try to make them look like clematis.
That actually probably won't happen, though. I'll end up getting tired of making realistic looking flowers and just start making big stars. I think I will do vines on the other side, though, or make them go along the ceiling. it looks weird that they just stop. I also painted a horizon line and some grass and flowers for the giraffe.

Our Baby has a Name!!

After much debate and a story about a catfish from dad, we decided on our daughter's name. It was going to be Harper, but I realized that every time I thought of her, I thought of her as Meron! Which suitcase should I pack for Meron? I should go work in Meron's room, etc. Then I would say, 'no, I meant Harper!' Nathan and I talked about it and realized that we were both thinking of her as Meron accidentally! We decided that even though Meron isn't actually our favorite name, obviously it is her name. So, her full name will be..... drum roll please.....
Meron Olivia Tewabech Schutz
We will probably call her Merrie... or sometimes Liv or Livvie.... or Tewabech.... We'll see!
Meron means 'gift' and Tewabech means beautiful. Olivia just means Olives... but I guess we like olives!
It is official, because we had to put it on some paperwork that we sent to our agency today. We are both really excited that we can stop debating, and that we can paint her name in her room.

So, all I want to hear is good things about how lovely and fitting her name is, because it is too late to change it!