We arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at about 7 am local time. We were tired, but so anxious about the day. At the airport we waited to get our visas and then we waited in a very long line to have money exchanged. Next time I will just exchange money at the guest house.
We were picked up at the airport and taken back to Grace Guest House where we would be staying for the week. I posted some pictures of the guest house here. I just have to brag again about the guest house because we loved it there. Everyone was amazing and I can not wait to go back. When we got to the guest house we unpacked a little and tried to sleep a little. Another adoptive family was coming in and we were going to be going to meet our children together.
I was so excited to see our driver pull up outside the guest house to take us to meet Silas. We were nervous, anxious, and full of hope. I had imagined this day over and over again in my mind. I kept wondering what it would really feel like to hold him and whether or not he would like us or bond with us.
When we got to the transition house there were many children playing outside. They were happy to have visitors and greeted us warmly. We walked up the stairs and into the house. I kept looking around every corner, just waiting for someone to show up with him in their arms. At some point we realized his room was downstairs in the house so we proceeded in that direction.
As I walked through the doors and watched the nanny pick my son out of his crib I felt like I was watching it all unfold form a distance. Here he was. This sweet child I felt like I knew already from pictures and videos was finally right in front of us. He smiled immediately and seemed so happy. I kept looking at him in amazement, almost frozen before I ever reached out my arms for him. Once I had him, it felt like the most natural thing in this world. This was my son and finally we were united. Oh, how I love this child.
