Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12

Friday, December 19, 2008

A Week of Firsts


Sitina and I have been home for a week.  Seven days.  That's it.  Seems like we've been together forever.  In the few days we've been back in the States, many firsts have taken center stage.  Here are a few, the pictures will have to tell the story. This new mama is tired. 

Sitina's first exploration of her cousin, Eve.

Sitina's first experiment with food
(rice cereal is close enough).

Sitina's first hat 
(that's she doesn't pull off--mustn't mess the hair, mama).

Sitina's first bath in her very own tub.



Sitina's first visit to her pediatrician, Dr. Alice.

Sitina being read to by her cousin, Mimi 
(in the very same chair I read to Mimi in just a few years ago).
And, Sitina snuggling in with her pups, Lander and Cleo.
More later, I promise.  As with all firsts, there are more that can't be captured on film and certainly not on the blog; but can be swallowed whole in person.  Time to go snuggle with my daughter and catch a few more firsts...

13 comments:

The Redman's said...

OH My!!! She's absolutely breathtaking!! And the hair..... beautiful! Thanks for posting. Can't wait to hear about the trip.

jody said...

So great-what an amazing blessing for you both-I am so happy for you!!! And I LOVE that picture with her hair wet-SO INCREDIBLY CUTE!!!!! We are at #2 on the boys list and #3 girls so we are just hanging out and waiting-some days patiently, some not so much :)

Anonymous said...

Melissa,

Darling photos! Looking forward to chatting with you soon. Trying to give you a chance to catch your breath. Sitina is the most gorgeous baby ever. I love that hair!!!

--Sunday

Shauna said...

I'm so glad to hear from you... and I'm eating up your blog. I have so many questions about how it is going for you... I am using you as a gauge for how it may go for me! I can't believe how ridiculously cute she is... whenever you find a moment (ha) email me... my email is shaunasinclair1@comcast.net.
I'm so excited for you..... Yay.

Eryn said...

What a wonderful week, it looks like you guys are adjusting well! I love the ones of her in the bath...precious!

Our journey said...

Loves seeing all the pictures and thank you for that sweet suprise.

Jocelyn Zarr '86 said...

missy!!! Sitina!!!! you are perfect together! and Cleo and Lander- that picture is unbelievble- really contest winning!!!!
so excited so thrilled to spend some quality time with Zara's newest bestest friend! love jocelyn

Kimmie said...

Hi Melissa;

Thank you for sharing her with us (me ;-) Love the bath shot with the water and her hair in her face...too cute.

Go breathe her in...she is a beauty. How do you pronounce her name, its beautiful. Is it Ethiopian?

love
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted

Pamela said...

Most excellent update of firsts. Wonderful to share with everyone, and more importantly, to have this all chronicled for Sitina in the future.

Ditto on the pic with Lander and Cleo...a classic and worthy of a big prize in a photo contest!

Unknown said...

So beautiful!

Brian and Autumn said...

I LOVE it!! Thanks for sharing all these firts :)
Autumn

jodes said...

She is truly the cutest little thing ever!! I'm so excited for you.

Robbin Hopkins said...

Melissa, she is so beautiful!!! Welcome home and merry Christmas


Robbin

So...what's next?

Below is an overview of an Ethiopian adoption process from the time my agency receives adoptive parents' completed dossier and home study.

Agency Sends Dossier for Authentication and Translation Check!
Agency will forward adoptive parents’ dossier to the U.S. State Department and the Ethiopian Embassy for authentication. Once processed, the agency will forward the dossier to our staff in Ethiopia where it is translated

Referral Process Check!
Once the dossier is in Ethiopia, adoptive parents can wait six to eight months for a referral of a child. Once referred, the agency will send the adoptive parents referral photos, medical information and the child’s background information, including any known family history. Upon acceptance of referral, the agency's foreign staff will submit adoptive parents’ dossier, with the referred child’s documentation to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA).

Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) Reviews Documentation Check!
MOWA is the branch of the Ethiopian government that reviews all documentation submitted by the adoptive parents and on behalf of the referred child recommends the adoption to be finalized to the Federal Court of Addis Ababa.

Federal Court Date November 11, 2008 Check!
Once MOWA recommends the adoption to be finalized, a court appointment is scheduled. At this appointment, the judge can either finalize the adoption or ask for further documentation and set another court date. Once the adoption is finalized, the court decree, new birth certificate and passport are issued, and the adoptive parents can travel.

Travel December 6, 2008 - December 11, 2008
Adoptive parents should be ready to travel within two to four months after accepting a referral. One parent is required to travel and the in-country stay in Ethiopia is five to seven days. During this time, adoptive parents will complete the U.S. Embassy Immigration appointment for the adopted child, which is necessary to bring the child to the United States. The agency's in-country staff will accompany each family throughout their entire stay in Ethiopia.

Post-Adoption- Until the child turns 18 years old In Process
In Ethiopia, an adoption is finalized before entrance into the United States. Upon arrival, post-adoption reports are due at three, six, and 12 months on the anniversary of the U.S. Embassy appointment date. After the first year, family authored self reports are due every year until the child reaches 18 years of age.