We were then driven to the Care Center- about 1/2 a mile away. It was kind of strange when we got there- there were two or three men with large video cameras filming, and they asked us to wait for our turn to meet our children, so they could film one at a time. It was a choatic scene anyway, with dozens of toddlers running around, the tv blaring a kids' music video, nannies laughing and playing with kids and parents trying to greet but not freak out, their kid. Messay was put in our arms- and we headed to an unpopulated and relatively quiet corner to get a look at one another.
She is very tiny, but solid and plump. Her hair is coming in nicely, and she certainly has what the info packet described: 'plummy cheeks.' Our first meeting was very quiet-- soon after moving to the corner, I tried to hand her to Kent and she squeaked and clutched on to me. Of course, I started to cry!
All in all, she wasn't very sure about us, and was content to sit in my (Julia's) lap quietly and eat little snack puffs Kent handed to her one by one. She avoided direct eye contact, but would dart furtive glances at us occasionally. And we got to see the soon-to-be famous scowl -- I love this pic of Kent pouting back to her! :-)
The info packet stated that she doesn't eat very well, but clearly they weren't feeding her the right stuff: Gerber's Toddler Food Strawberry-banana Snacking Puffs. Those she loves. :-) (And thank goodness for Emily and Kevin and their 2.5 year old biodaughter, Haley, who were so thoughtful and generous in sharing their snacks while ours are somewhere between D.C. and Addis.)
We got to help feed her (and all the other kids) lunch- it is quite a production to watch the nannies manage approx. 30 toddlers-- who were all seated at little tables and eating (mostly) by themselves. I fed Ella (well-cooked spagetti in a light tomato/cheese/meat sauce) while Kent took over feeding a table of five little boys- hysterical and not as messy as you'd think! Ella Messay looked pretty tired, and when I picked her up, she held the pendant of my necklace in her hand and fell asleep immediately.
We headed back to the guest house for our own much-needed naps and then walked back to be there when the kids woke up and had their afternoon snack. When we walked in, Mesay was being cleaned up by a nanny and was laughing and smiling with her. We were so glad to see that! This was a shorter visit- I took her outside into the lovely paved courtyard, and we walked around looking at all of the blooming flowers. She was quite happy to be held, but was very quiet until we saw the care center cat walk along a sloping roof-- she raised her arm and let out a long string of excited babbling- she had a lot to say about that cat! :)
Once we got a pair of shoes on her, that child took off. She is truly a toddler- excited to head off on her own, frustrated to be detained, and mad when her shoe came off and slowed her down. We got a chuckle out of her in the afternoon- she liked being chased, caught and tickled in slo-motion
Tomorrow, we won't see the children, as we are getting up at 5am to head to the Southern Regions. I miss her already.
3 comments:
Congrads! Hope your trip went well. The kids are all excited about their new cousin, they think she is adorable and can hardly wait to see her. It's times like this when it's hard to live so far from each other. Just a few more days and your family will be at home. I'm glad I don't have you for Christmas this year, there's no way to top the gift that your recieved from God.
Have a safe trip home, you're in our prayers.
We love you all,
Nancy
What sweet little hands! And that pout! She looks stunning in raspberry, too.
Thanks for sharing the wonderful story and pictures of meeting your beautiful daughter. Can't wait to meet her in person!
Our best,
Becca, Andy and James J.
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