He's growing! We're traveling!

What a week (or two) it has been. When we last posted, we were still processing the news about the cutbacks in Ethiopian adoptions. Our agency, along with other agencies, non-profits, NGOs, and other stakeholders, were scrambling to assess the impacts. No one really knows anything except that it's likely everything will take longer, and that can't be good. That said, we have our referral and we have a court date, so we have every expectation that this will move forward and happen. And that is so much more than so many families still waiting.

But what was it exactly we were waiting for? We had signed up for a relatively healthy baby, but it had been several weeks since we got any update on Bedilu's condition. Was he gaining weight? Deteriorating? If he's not doing well, what would happen with an even longer stay in the orphanage? With nothing reported, our imaginations were free to run wild. And inevitably they weren't positive thoughts.

All this was happening as I was about to leave for the east coast. What horrible timing to go away when Bekah and I had so much to process. It was tough, but I was fortunate to have some quality time with my siblings to talk about it.

Bekah and I were frustrated with our agency, feeling stonewalled for information, though our case worker is generally supportive and responsive. Granted, the situation in Ethiopia is unpredictable, but we felt that was too convenient an excuse when other waiting families we knew were getting updates. So we pressed them again, this time voicing our shock and disappointment and letting them know we felt like we were slipping through the cracks of a big organization. Lo and behold, the next day the Mayo Clinic report magically appeared! and what good news it bore: Bedilu gained weight! And the doctor report was generally positive, though he is still undernourished and gradually recovering.

With that good news, Bekah and I felt relieved and positive once again. Good timing, too, because we needed to nail down our travel for the court date. So we pulled the trigger and bought our tickets! We're heading to Ethiopia for the court date and to meet our boy!

Another wonderful surprise came from our agency this morning: a new growth report from the orphanage. Bedilu had gained more weight and is catching up with his younger cousin, my niece Keira. A very welcome development!