Brains, a heart and courage

This photo was taken moments before Quilla came out!

Where to begin? First, God truly went before us and prepared the way
when we were coming into Addis. There were storms all around and the
flight attendents asked us to make sure our seat belts were pulled
tight. I began to pray intently for our safety and for the pilots to
have wisdom as they navigated the clouds. We had a very, very smooth
descent and landing around 7:45PM local time. Thank you, Lord!
At the airport, it took 2 hours to get visas, go through immigration,
and get our bags (which also required getting in a long line so your
bags could be scanned on the way out).
Very weary at this point, we finally arrived at the hotel, which is
very,very nice. We both slept like logs, had a delicious breakfast at
the guest house and then rode over to the Hilton for
lunch/orientation. THEN, it was timeto head to theTransition Homes
to meet the kids!!!
They bring the kids out in alphabetical order by the family's last
name,so we were first!!!!!!!! Quilla is as tiny as we imagined but
she is a tough cookie in that she is engaged, interested,and is trying
with all her might to be strong. We held her, sang to her, fed her,
put her on her stomach, read a touch and feel book to her, made silly
faces, and kissed her. We got out the photo album we sent her a while
ago and showed her the photos. We signed Mommy,Daddy, milk,and eat. We
also showed her nanny how to do the sign language. We got her to eat
some organic baby food we brought and left the rest with her nanny.
We got her to finish her bottle but we had to work on it on and off
for an hour or more. At the first sitting,she gulped about half of
it. But, then it was evident she needed a break. So, we would do
something for a while and then go back to the bottle. She's clearly
developing the self-care habits that we saw with Zeke when he first
came home—trying to hold her own bottle. She can definitely do it but
we gently insisted that WE hold her bottle for her.
What else can I say? She reaches for toys, hold toys, made a couple of
verbal noises while we were there. Smiled for us a couple of times
when the nannies got her going.
As good as all this sounds, it's very evident to us that we have a
long road ahead. She can almost roll over but not quite all the way.
When on her tummy, she's trying to make the motions with her legs as
though she wants to crawl but clearly doesn't have the muscle or
strength yet. Her leg muscles are practically non-existent. I've
never held a baby with zero muscle tone. Yet, when she does try to
kick or push against my hand with her foot, you can tell she's trying
really hard.
The bottom line? We need to get her home as soon as humanly possible.
The next step is passing court Thursday. Five big pieces to pray over
with all your heart:
1. For the MOWA letter to be there.
2. For the birthmom to be there.
3. For all other details to be in order.
4. For us as we give our testimony.
5. That the judge will pass us right then and there.

PLEASE PRAY WE PASS COURT THIS THURSDAY!