Meeting *Blueberry*

Greetings, again, from Ethiopia's rainy season. We are back in Addis Ababa, having concluded our in-country travel and started the process of meeting our baby boy, Zeke.

Let's get one thing out on the table right away:

He's perfect!
He is a beautiful, happy, curious, affectionate and lovely baby boy. We first met him yesterday morning; from the start, he took to us joyfully, effortlessly enduring the fact that five unknown people were hovering over him, passing him around, crying tears of joy, laughing and calling his name. All of us had many long moments where tears flowed easily yet words were difficult. For long moments, all any of us could say was, "He's beautiful!" He smiled throughout and babbled happily.

One thing we realized right away was that he wants his food quickly! Dad literally had to pour the formula and rice cereal into his mouth (they "cup feed" him here) or he would get a bit impatient. As long as we shoveled the food into his mouth, though, he was happy as could be.

After his meal, he fussed a bit until Mom took him in her arms and gently rocked him to sleep. He quickly became peaceful and slept contentedly with his fist in his mouth.

Today, we had much the same experience, except that the teens were able to do some local shopping while Mom and Dad met with Blueberry's doctor, social worker, nurse and nanny, all of whom gave him a clean bill of health. After that was more time with the baby; today's feeding went the same way (as fast as humanly possible) then he fell asleep on Mr. Silly Pant's shoulder prior to being laid in his crib.

This beautiful boy is already a blessing to us and it's hard to believe that our time to get to know him and bring him home has finally come.

Thanks to all of you who continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. More to come!

With much love,
The crew in ET