Ethiopia Travel Preparations!

You may be wondering what we have been up to since we received the exciting news of our travel date. Well here is a list of just some of the things we have been/still are working on to get ready to meet our little Meskerem.
1. Fill out paperwork for the U.S. Embassy appointment and get it notorized.
2. Make appointment for Meskerem to see the pediatrician within 24 hours or next business day upon entering the U.S.
3. Make appoint for international adoption specialist to see Meskerem in March.
4. Collect donations for the orphanage- formula being the biggest need.
5. Put together a photo album for Meskerem's birth family including all the pictures we have of her, they don't have any and some pictures of our family, home, schools etc.
6. Get Meskerem added to our medical insurance
7. Paint the baby's room.
8. Buy bottles, formula and nipples. I spent a long time in this aisle at Target trying to figure out what to get.
9. Sterilize the nipples for the trip.
10. Secure some 100% DEET and mosquito netting for trip to Sidama region- malaria zone.
11. Locate some extra suitcases for the trip from some kind souls who have offered to loan them to us. Thanks, Jen, Sheri,Mary & Beth.
12. Get prescriptions filled for various meds to take with us.
13. Get schedule organized for Gabriella & Nicholas at home.
14, Find gifts for the 2 nannies who have been taking care of Meskerem since she was one month old.
15. Of course there is the packing itself for us and the baby. No suitcase can weigh over 50 lbs or you pay dearly.
That is all I can think of now. I have several lists going so I will have to consult those lists.
We leave in a week!! Can't wait to meet our baby girl!!
Will try to keep you posted.
Laura

Meskerem is officially our girl!!!

I am so excited to report that our case successfully made it through the Ethiopian Courts today and Meskerem is legally our daughter! The adoption is final in Ethiopia. What does this mean? It means we can travel to bring her home! We received our travel date today of Friday February 6th and will be in country for one week. There is SO much to do it is unbelievable. Booking flights, paperwork, getting the 2 kids who are staying home settled and organized and just getting all of our stuff together. We are really hoping that Anthony will be able to travel with us, he REALLY wants to come. I don't know if anyone even checks this blog anymore since I rarely update it. So if you are reading this let me know!
As usual we will try to keep you posted!
A very happy and at the moment overwhelmed.
Laura