June 8, 2008

Taking Off!

We're leaving in about one hour for a final tour around Addis then it's off to the airport for the 19 hour trek to JFK. Ashton Wondemu is doing fantastic. The lactose free formula is working wonders and as long as there are cherios nearby he's ok not eating anything off of our plates (although he still gives it a good 'ol fashioned try!). He's a complete flirt with dad - he'll lift a cherio to Mike's mouth, hesitate a little, then stuff it in his own mouth with a HUGE smile on his face. He definitely knows what he's up to! His naps are always about half in the crib and half on dad, and he loves playing with his My Many Colored Days board book. He has 5 little Tonka toy cars and I swear I've heard him say vroom a few times while we've been playing with them. He hasn't gained much weight, still around 17 pounds, but we're sure his new diet will soon change that. That and the fact that we're having one of the best orphan doctors in the world do his first checkup once we're home (Dr. Aronson, www.orphandoctor.com) have kept us at ease. He can walk as long as someone is holding his hands, and has taken a couple of steps on his own. He's going to be off and running in no time. He notices everything with his huge bright eyes. He's flashed quite a few smiles today and the HOH staff told us yesterday that he's going to make a fine New Yorker. We think so too! 
 
Lot's of firsts over the next 30 hours. First plane ride, first taxi ride, first ride in a car seat, first time at home in New Paltz, first time with cats, first time in his very own bedroom, first time getting over jetlag... Many fun moments ahead!  

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Firsts, how exciting. We can't imagine what must be going on in his little head! God made us like we are for a very good reason, each experieince builds on one another and, in the end, makes us what we are today. I'm sure Ashton will take it all in justlike his parents do and THRIVE! I'll be working the beads. Love Mom C and Stan


PS Stan is hoping he's a math whiz. Someday while they're fishing on Deeryard he wants to ask him to figure what the odds are for the two of them to end up in a pontoon on a lake in Northern MN!

Gamma! said...

And we are all excited to be on his "firsts" adventure along with him! Keep the camera handy - one in every room wouldn't be excessive! And you can bet I'll not be forgetting mine when I come :) Have a safe and happy plane ride - you're in our prayers continually. Love Gamma and Papa (oh how we love the sound of those names!)

Stacie said...

I'm praying right now that the plane ride is going well! I just read about the spewing - hope you had extra burp cloths with you! :) Ashton is adorable - can't wait to see him settling in at home!

Amanda said...

I hope your travels were safe and relatively uneventful! Here's to all of Ashton's firsts....

keep us posted!

Jen said...

you all make a beautiful family! love the pics and stories you've posted over the past week. and I think it's great that you're seeing Dr. Aronson next week!

QB said...

Good luck! I hope your trip home is as smooth as possible. Did I already say that in another comment? Probably. But I still do.

Anonymous said...

hope you are having a wonderful trip home!!!

Toni Lynch said...

I can;t even wait to talk to you about yoru trip and of course littel AShton......I have been keeping track of yoru amazing journey through yoru blog - thank you for doing this for us all to enjoy!!! I will let teh jet lag ware off and then I will touch base with you at the end of the week. Congratulations you are parents!!! What a doll! Toni Lynch

Anonymous said...

I didn't think vroom was an international word, but I guess cars and trucks sound pretty much the same no matter where you go. The cheerios story with dad is so cute and will be a forever memory as will this whole journey you guys have undertaken. Hope you had an uneventful trip home (although with the precious souvenir you brought back how could it ever be uneventful?) The McGregors and extended clan are waiting to meet him and welcome him into the family!
Love, Carol