Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Gladney Caregivers

One of the best things about our trip was being able to meet the women who took care of and loved Abe until we could bring him home. I consider these women some of his first mothers, and I am so thankful for this special part of his history. I look forward to showing him these pictures when he gets older, to show him how loved he's been throughout his life. I hope that this post and these pictures help to reassure any waiting parents of the love your children are getting while they wait to meet you.
This lady came during her off-hours to give Abe a gift. She was very emotional saying goodbye to him and spent a good deal of time with him while we were there.

Sem came to babysit the night we went out to the traditional restaurant.





I want to say thank you again to all of you who sent cosmetics our way to give to the caregivers. We were able to make up more than 20 bags that were packed full of amazing lotions, perfumes, etc for these women. We were not able to give them out personally, as they all work different shifts and handing them out this way would have been too complicated. It was suggested to us that we leave the bags in the house for them to pick up during their shifts, which we did.
*
I'm never sure how much it's in poor taste to brag about one's child. I'm not sure I can help it right now though. The boy is gorgeous. I've known it for a long time from his pictures, but then love kicks in blurring one's judgment. Then he meets our friends and family, and they all say he's gorgeous too, so after a while, you start to wonder, "Is he really as cute as we think he is?"

My answer to this question comes each time I take Abe out in public somewhere. Every single time, people approach us to ooh and ah over him. Yesterday, someone told him that he is, "Ridiculously cute. Really--it's ridiculous." Today in our favorite grocery store, he was called "delicious" and a few minutes later, a woman came up and started speaking to him in Italian. I understood at least the "bellissima" part, so I think I got the point.

Besides the cute-factor, the personality has really been kicking in these last couple of weeks. He still sleeps 12 hours every night and spends the days happy, catnapping here and there. We call 7-9 pm the "happy hour" because no matter how tired he may have been earlier, something kicks in and he becomes this ball of energetic joy. We've got to get this recorded. In the meantime, here's a video taken at the Ayat House demonstrating the joy Abe feels when he wakes up from a nap (he's sitting up much better now).

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is there even a word for how deliciously adorable Abe is? I think we'll have to invent a new one. We should send this to The Atlantic's Word Fugitives!

mama becca said...

well, you are his MOM, so you may brag away! And just so you know, he really, truly is EDIBLE. He's beyond cute. I can't wait to see him in person... it'll happen one of these Merlefests...
love
becca

Farmboy and Buttercup said...

Yes, he IS ridiculously, deliciously cute! Sweet, sweet video.

Jocelyn said...

Ummm, yeah he is ridiculously cute!! If anyone says otherwise, just let me know and I'll take care of it:-)!! I love his little voice...I can't wait to love on him again in August!!

Dan, Misty & Ashar said...

I don't know how watching the video of your son can make me cry both in thankfulness and gratitude for your family, but also in longing for mine. It's not in a whiny way either. I think just seeing the absolute blessing of Abe makes my heart so expectant for our little man. Thank you!

Carol said...

Lori - Abe is the cutest ever and I think it's absolutely OK for us moms to say so! After all, we're just stating facts about our kids (mine are beautiful too!)
So happy for you all!
Carol

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing about the bags for the caregivers, it will be nice to let the ladies who donated stuff know.

Abe is just over the top on the cuteness scale and I consider myself pretty objective on these things, and besides that, he is a smart little feller too.

Hugs from LA.

Pattie

Danni and Tommy said...

Yup ridiculously cute!

Anonymous said...

Keep the updates and bragging coming! He completely owns me! Absolutely scrump-tilly-icious-ly ADORABLE!! And I LOVE his singing!!! I can imagine you will soon be swinging him in the back yard and he makes up all these cute little songs...like Bekah did. LOVE it! I have been checking back daily all week to see more. He is every bit as cute as everyone tells you. The total package with that personality! LY! Cindy in MS

Anonymous said...

Forgot to add: What is in Ethiopian DNA!?! Every single woman in your pictures is drop- dead gorgeous! CindyC

Stacie said...

Oh yes - he is that cute!! I think the same thing b/c we get a lot of attention wherever we go too. I think there is something about Ethiopian babes - they are just CUTE! :)
That video is adorable - his sweet baby sounds melt my heart!

(Oh - and I've finally scanned photos for my incomplete history. I told you I'd get to it someday! :)

J, A, T and Y said...

I have really enjoyed reading your blog. Your little guy is really adorable...cute video!

LISA said...

Yes, He is definetley a cutie!!! Get used to it!! :)

The Soucys said...

He is ridiculously cute! I could watch that video a gazillion trillion times!!!!

emily said...

Oh Lori, he is so unbelievably precious. He is this light, this great example of the Lord's sweet provision. Thank you for your encouragement! The Lord will use you in the lives of others b/c of your experience- I know you didn't sign up for it, but He will use you, none the less.

Andrea said...

Love the video!! Listening to him "talk"....gets me excited now to meet our baby girl on Monday! It's starting to kick in that it's really really happening!

And of course it's ok to brag! Once you have kids, that is ALL a person talks about. I'm glad our fellow traveler's have kids too cuz they'll probably hear about mine and I'm excited to hear more about theirs!

Meredith said...

I love this post on the Gladney caregivers. The pictures of them just always brings tears to my eyes. I am not sure how I will handle them in person! I want to meet this ridiculously cute child in person. When are you coming to the Deep South?

coffeemom said...

He is truly, ridiculously, cute. It's all true, you're not biased at all! no kidding, he is crazy wonderful adorable. True unadulterated joy, wrapped up in a huggable package. Perfect.

Brag away, you've paid your dues!

Michele G

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to see the faces of the Gladney caregivers. What a great post! I was at the indoor playpark by my house today, and I saw a mom who had two little girls who both looked Ethiopian. My shyness got the best of me, and I didn't talk to her, but I've been thinking about her all day. Next time I see her, Lori, I'm jumpin' right in! And E. loved the playpark- once Abe is crawling around a little, we should get him over there!

Courtney Rose said...

The first time I heard his voice, I gasped. For rizzle. GASPED. He sounds such the little angel. And that smile? That SMILE? Please tell me you are purchasing every little thing he appears to want in every possible store. Please tell me that because I can't bear to think of Abe not having everything his little heart desires. Even if it ends up being a blasted Barney doll. Even then.