Friday, August 17, 2007

Saying Goodbye, for Now

Dad and Reece riding in the car, Brittney Spears style! I told you that no car seat was way more fun...

Mom tried to put a hat on him earlier in the week, but he took it right off. He seems to like this one just fine, and Ally is very happy for it.


This is Allyson introducing future masculine identity crisis issues for our poor son (this is the hat he wouldn't wear at all early in our stay; he kept it on for about 2 minutes this time, enough to get a picture.)


Reece's moms--does the picture not say it all?

We've come to the end of our wonderful time here in Addis. This trip has really exceeded our wildest expectations. I was afraid that I might just want to come back home as soon as we got Reece, but we've really enjoyed having the time here to get used to him, away from all the distractions and demands of the everyday back home. I also feel privileged to like the people and the culture of our baby's birth country so much. It's really been an awesome time--well taken care of by our agency staff, plenty of sightseeing, great food at incredible prices (if you're not much for Ethiopian food, there are tons of quality Italian places, as Italy occupied the country for some years preceding and during WWII), and the best baby ever!



We met the birth mother this morning. Allyson was very stressed about it--actually, mostly sad because she can't imagine what the birth mother must feel to have felt compelled to give him up. The meeting, however, once again, went WAY better than we could have imagined. The mother was happy to see her boy, but also happy to see the family he's ended up with. Phew--we met her approval! We spent about 45 minutes with her as a social worker translated, and were able to find out a lot about the birth mother, her past, as well as how Reece was born and cared for before she brought him to our agency (Reece was with 6 1/2 months old when he got to agency; he's now 9 1/2 months old). We also got some great video and pictures that we hope will be of value and meaning to Reece in the future. By the way, I am in no way in my unemotional man-account doing any justice to the tenderness and specialnes of this meeting--I hope Ally can write about it soon, but she's coaxing a baby to sleep in the car right now...



I came to the most expensive internet cafe in town (Sheraton) in order to try to upload some pictures before we head back. The other "high speed" internet cafes weren't so high speed...we'll see how this goes...it worked!

See many of you home soon! We leave tonight, Friday, at 1030 pm on a Lufthansa flight, and will be home Sat afternoon. Thanks to everyone for all your comments and e-mails of love and support--

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a precious doll! Blessings in abundance to each of you! The Cowdens

Shawn and Jami said...

Thank you for giving us a peek into your sweet time with your son. Blessings!

Margo said...

HOW CUTE!!!! Deacon can't wait for Reece to get back so they can play together! I'm glad you had a wonderful trip and Reece looks great and happy! Good luck on the flight back! I will pray for safe travel and a sleepy baby on the plane. See y'all soon!!

jennifer said...

We are a waiting Gladney family and have been following your blog. The photos really do say it all. Congratulations and safe travels!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you'll be on your way home soon. Can't wait to see Reece in your arms. What a lucky, little family to have found each other!
Love ya'll bunches,
Eakins

Amy said...

Tears rolling down my face over the picture of Ally and Reece's birth mom. I think maybe I am emotional about it because I am thinking back to our sweet meeting with Silas' birth mom. I love that you met her and that it went so well....Reece is so smiley and happy in these pictures! Cute Cute Cute!

clayton said...

Looking forward to meeting him!

keelstar said...

Congratulations to your family! Reece is so very handsome and he looks like he's been with you since day 1! What a happy baby boy! Blessings, Keely

Beau Fournet said...

Congratulations from a waiting Gladney family...you are such a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing your amazing journey!

Mamato2 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mamato2 said...

I have a huge lump in my throat as I write this... what a beautiful blessing you were given in meeting Reece's birthmom, and that picture will be something I know you will treasure. I so wish my requests to meet MalĂ­a's bm had gone as I had hoped...
And, Reece... gorgeous! But the second hat? Hmmmm! LOL

Amy said...

Amazingly cute! You all look so happy! Hope your trip home goes as smoothly as possible. Can't wait to read, hear, see more!

amy c.

Steve Coan said...

What a beautiful family.

Stacie said...

He is so adorable! And how wonderful that you were able to meet his birthmom - that is such a blessing for you all!

Anonymous said...

Tillykke (congratulations) as we say in Denmark! Reece is very cute. What an incredible story, though I guess the real adventure begins now... =)

Med venlig hilsen ("sincerely"),
John H.

Craig said...

I'm SO glad Reece had the sense to pull off that goofy hat!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Gehman FAMILY!! I'm very happy for you guys and look forward to seeing what the new Gehmans are like.

Drew Carey Show said...

What an extraordinary picture Reece will have of the great love his birth mom clearly has for him -- and for his new parents. Such a gift!

Erica said...

What an amazing blessing. Words can't express how touching the picture of Reece and his mama's. The love from his birth mom truly shows. I'm so glad you were able to meet her and have this treasure to share with your super cute boy.

meredith said...

He is the cutest thing ever! I don't think you should worry about overfeeding him, because those chubby cheeks are perfect. Hopefully, we can get all of our baby boys together soon. I am so happy for you both. God is good!

Meredith