Getting Settled, Catching Up and Growing Up!

Yesterday, April 7, marked one month since our arrival back home and we have been basking in the warmth of the delicious Colorado sunshine, our loved ones, being in our cozy little home, and getting adjusted to a new environment. 

Of course, the surrounds are the same to me with one big exception: 

I HAVE A BABY!! 

Where did this beautiful little creature come from "all of a sudden!?"  Did I REALLY just spend 3. 5 months in Ethiopia!?  It is still a bit surreal at times.  I joked with my colleague Michael Novick (who shares a July 26 birthday with TBK!!!,) that I better put a post-it note on my rear view mirror in the car so I don't forget that TBK is in the baby bucket in the back seat!!!

It has been incredibly moving to learn of how many people have followed our journey on this blog and who feel connected to our story.  We have been faithfully "followed" by people all over the world!  Pink cousins in Spain, Uncle Bob and Aunt Alice in Ireland, and by friends in Canada, Ethiopia, Croatia, Israel and Argentina.  And then there are the other adoptive families that have signed on and have told me how my journey and time in Ethiopia has informed theirs and helped them prepare for their own visits, mentally and physically.  Someone who I never met wrote the following:

"I cannot thank you enough for chronicling your journey and sharing details about everything from what Ethiopian court was like to the nuances of Embassy interaction. We are ALL learning from your experience there. I am so grateful to have come across your blog as a PAP [Prospective Adoptive Parent] also with AA [Adoption Avenues]. The information you continue to share has helped me so much in planning my time in Ethiopia. Thank you! (And your daughter is absolutely adorable! Congratulations!)"

Back in Denver, there is a very special community of teachers at the CMS Community school for whom our story became very real through Dorrie.  Dorrie is one of 9 women who share a modular trailer ("close quarters, no privacy, stories get shared...").  The "West Mod Gals" are, from left to right, Amy, Irish, Morgan, Kelli (with son, Asher), Lina and Dorrie.

Irish sewed Bami an ADORABLE dress for TBK (I will post pictures of that soon!).

Another teacher, Paula, was telling me about HER own adoption experience  about 25 years ago when she brought home her first baby girl from Korea (that "baby" is currently in law school!!,) followed by a boy a few years later.   Paula lovingly made us a beautiful quilt with the help of Dorrie, Jacob, Hope and Jordan. 

And we have had lots of visitors!  My first cousin, Kenny Klaiman, has gone giddy over TBK writing to me regularly in Ethiopia and how at home to share his excitement.  He came all the way from Bean Town to see us (the ski trip to Brek being secondary, I am sure:)

Cousin Jackie Haymon Katz also "swung by"--via Fairfield, CT, with her friend Carrie.

My "Little Sister," Wendy Aronson, thoughtfully organized friends from the Minyan Na'ale community to bring home cooked meals 3 times a week through a great website (http://www.takethemameal.com). 
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!  We are STILL enjoying this LUXURY and it is a great way to see and introduce TBK to some of these wonderful people:

Eliana Schonberg, Aviva and Tova Pearlman, Ilana Steinberg, Meredith, Ben and Zehava Levy, The Fine Geller Family, Ed Sitver, Lena, Eli and Kobi Fishman, Amy Berkowitz Caplan, Carla Kutnick and Wendy Aronson. 

Rabbi Steve Foster and Senator Joyce [Cohen] Foster (originally from Benton Harbor, MI) also came over a for fun visit bringing a library of goreous books from The Bookies that child-book expert Debby Foster picked out.  http://www.netnewsdesk.com/thebookies/

Irit Waldbam also visited and brought TBK a GORGEOUS sweater and hat which I will photograph and post later (and a yummy lasagna). Thank you, Irit!!!

Other talented knitters include Abby Kraft with a blanket, two hats and a pair of sexy legwarmers, Kimberly Sisneros who crochet a yummy blanket and our cousin in CT, Debbie Radom Landry, who made a wrap around sweater, hat and booties with the help of her entire knitting club (pictured below).  Thank you, ladies, for your labors of love that I will treasure always!!

We have also had some fun "girl dates."  My friend Lisa Bornstein has a beautiful baby girl named Mila who is just a few weeks older that Bami.  2 weeks ago, we took the girls to the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective at the Denver Art Museum, joined by Eliana, Dorrie, Jacob, Gimme/Bubbe and Popa.  It was fun to see 40 years of one man's genious and creativity and how much he influenced what we all wear today. 

Perhaps less culturally significant but no less fun, Dorrie, Gimme/Bubbe, Bami and I went to a matinee on Dorrie's last day of spring break.  Who knew, she said, that there is a whole population of people that go out to lunch and the movies during the day!  We saw the new Jennifer Westfelt film, Friends with Kids.  Gimme/Bubbe was prepared to take TBK out of the theatre if contemporary romantic comedies turned out to NOT be her thing but, wouldn't you know, super baby sat there in her Bob through the entire 1 hour and 40 minute film and loved it!!!!

We have also seen J.Mo and Bami's Ethiopian boyfriends a number of times, the first time was a nice walk around the lake on a chilly day....and most recently in El Jebel where we celebrated Passover together at Gimme/Bubbe and Popa's house.  More on that later.....

And then there are just those precious moments at home when I stare at her constantly feeling truly blessed.  She is a truly joyful girl, growing by the second.

More later......

Happy Easter, Happy Passover and Love from El Jebel,

--Jen and TBK

Family Time

Having my family all together is rare and special.  On Saturday, March 10, after TBK and I had caught up on our sleep a bit, we enjoyed a sunny afternoon together in the backyard and Brad,(http://www.bradwiggins.com/) once again, captured the moments beautifully.

Love from Denver,
--Jen and "Got Milk??"

Our Welcome Home

First of all, Shabbat Shalom from Denver (Hallelujah, Amen!) 

Lots of celebration on Vrain Street tonight.  This is our second Shabbat at home but I feel a bit more more grounded and awake this week and it was lovely.   Ilana Steinberg delivered a magnificent full course meal complete with an extraordinarily delicious homemade challah that was shared by me, my parents and Dorrie and Jacob.  While we ushered in the Sabbath, we also celebrated the eve of Dorrie's birthday.  A St. Patrick's Day Baby--HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL DORRIE!!!

It has been a whirlwind week. Last Wednesday's airport homecoming was something special. As we FINALLY walked out of international arrivals at DIA (2 hours after landing) with the Sarah family, we had a mini army waiting for us all. What a welcome home!!

Bami and I came out first and there was Mom. J Mo's sister, Allison, could barely contain her excitement!

Bami meeting her adoring grandparents, Gimme/Bubbe and Popa Kraft.

Doda Abby and Cousin Oliver came all the way from OR as a surprise to meet TBK and welcome home Dad/Steven.

It was a LONG wait for the passengers but Oli kept active and busy.

So did Jacob:

Abby was SO awesome for encouraging her husband to come to Ethiopia.

Oliver was VERY happy to see his Daddy!

My beautiful G-dson, Jacob.

I THINK Dorrie was happy to see us;)

Dorrie seeing Bami for the first time since meeting her in Addis 3 months prior.

All my emotions came to the surface in Dorrie's arms.

Sister-in-laws!

Uncle Gary called from Aspen to welcome us.  He flew down the next day with Sam (I am holding Shuki here.)

The Sarah family being welcomed by their community of friends and family.

Bami is one lucky girl to have these two boys looking after her!

And this posse:

I feel SO lucky to have shared this amazing adventure with JMo and Tom Sarah ... they live just one mile from us in Denver!

(Thanks to the talented and lovely Brad Wiggins for the above photos: http://www.bradwiggins.com/)


Martha Tenney is an awesome woman and a dear friend who I met years ago through Dorrie.  When I told her last year that I was beginning the adoption process, she VOLUNTEERED to write one of my required letters of recommendation.  I gratefully accepted. 

When we arrived home on Wednesday, Martha was at the airport, video camera in hand and captured the whole thing.  She has edited it down to 14 minutes, so feel free to take a peek.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28178980/JenBami_short_movie_streaming.mov

Of course, part of my heart is still in Ethiopia.  I miss Mengi, Rahel, Azeb and Fitzum very much.  I think about them all the time and talk about them with Bami--especially when she sneezes because no one can illicit a giggle from that girl like a "bless you" from Mengi.  She still smiles whenever she sneezes and I am convinced that she is thinking about him at that moment, just like me.


Also, Shabbat at home is wonderful but without  25 of our closest friends from the Hodes family, it is just not the same.  Maybe I should get some crazy hats and start singing American folk songs???

Fitz has informed me by e-mail that, last weekend, no less than 25 kids enjoyed both Amharic and English movies (their choice) sponsored by two very  nice young boys who live all the way in Binghamton, NY.  Elijah and Isaac were babies when I last saw them and are obviously growing up beautifully...and very fast.

Their mother, Lisa Altman, is instilling in them an awareness of tzedakah (charity or rightousness) and I thank the Altman Knowlton family on behalf of Rick and his houseold for reaching out and making the movie outing possible(25 kids x 45 birr = $65.50).

Back in Denver, Tali Bami is adjusting very well.  The pediatrician says she "is the picture of health" (thank G-d) and she seems to love everything and everyone she meets. 

Today, after a fun bath, we went for a 3 mile walk around our neighborhood lake (Sloan's) in perfect 75 degree sunshine.

I look forward to keeping up the blog as our adventures continue.  Hope you'll join us!!

Shabbat Shalom and Love from Denver,
--Jen and TBK