Settling In

We are thrilled to be home. Antara is adjusting well. I am attempting to figure it all out - motherhood, work, childcare and still adovcating for the families who have yet to make it home from Nepal. I am scheduled to be on The Talk, a CBS program, scheduled for November 30 at 1 p.m. CST.

I also plan to put this blog to bed and resume writing for the Chicago Tribune's Chicago Now Portrait of Adoption blog. http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/portrait_of_an_adoption/

I will share my story and focus on helping the other families in Nepal get home.

Reschedule Interview

Welcome to motherhood. Antara came down with a horrific cough and high fever yestderday (I am blaming her cousins), so we had to cancel flying to LA for the interview on The Talk. I am hoping to reschedule when she is better so we can continue to help get the other families home.

Stay Tuned

Thank you for the wonderful homecoming. We are spending time with our family in Milwaukee before heading back to Chicago. We were invited to share our story and the plight of the families who are waiting to bring their children home on the new national show The Talk, which will air this Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. CST...

http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_talk/

Welcome Home

Home Sweet Home!

http://www.wgntv.com/search/wgntv-nepal-adoption-nov8,0,1375199.story

A Night in Bangkok

We arrived in Bangkok where we have an overnight layover. I swear Antara's jaw dropped when we walked into this fabulous hotel. She danced on the king sized bed and we took a bubble bath! She went fast asleep in the gorgous crib... So, we are here until tomorrow late afternoon. I hope the flight goes as smoothly as the one today. It wasn't easy with a baby and 4 big bags, but it is amazing how some people help when needed. She slept for part of the 3 hour flight, woke up, ate and then played with a Filipino woman who does works for an NGO specializing in Maternal and Infant Care.

We were sad to leave everyone today. We said our goodbyes to DeeDee and Bina; Uma and Sharon and Shaker. We even said goodbye to Chuckie. Manoje, our driver, took us to the airprot. He gave Anu a beautiful crocheted blanket that his wife made for her. DeeDee and Bina and Uma all saw us off. We said our goodbyes and are now making the long journey home.

Saying Goodbye

It is hard to say goodbye after all these months. While i am so excited to be heading home, I am sad to leave the others behind and the family we have developed here. I feel hopeful they will be home soon. The last few days have been hectic running from Embassy to Embassy attempting to get all our paperwork in place. I then headed over to the Thai Air offices to ensure our airline tickets were confirmed. The guy at the ticket counter informed me that Antara’s seat was in the premium class and I was in economy class. Not sure who they thought would take care of her  Let’s hope they can upgrade me.

I, of course, have had to get all my last minute shopping in. I found a Tibetan rug that I will somehow manage to carry home in my suitcase. I have dumped basically all my clothes. I had hoped to burn them when I got back, but am giving them away. I can say that I have worn the same flipflops for about three months. As DeeDee pointed out today when she was going through some of her clothes “you know your clothes suck when the woman who massages you and lives in a hut doesn’t even want them”.

We had a going away dinner last night at a traditional Nepali restaurant called Nepali Chulo. There were sippy cups and wine. It was Emma and Sujon; Vicki and Nima; Cherie and Maya and DeeDee and Bina. The girls loved the singing and dancing. We will miss everyone. DeeDee and Bina are family. Antara and Bina act like sisters and it will be sad for them to leave one another.

But we are absolutely thrilled to be heading home . We leave Kathmandu tomorrow, have an overnight layover in Bangkok and arrive in Chicago Saturday.

Oh by the way, it’s true.. first loves never die. We gave Bina a beautiful doll from the US, but Chuckie is her true love and really the only doll Bina still loves dearly.

Life is Good

I am looking at a photo copy of Antara’s visa in my hands. No, I don’t have the actual visa because it is fixed into her one way passport to the U.S. where we are headed on Thurs.!! I don’t have the original document because I spent half the day in the Thailand Embassy getting Antara a Thai visa so we can spend the night in Bangkok. I will pick it up tomorrow and we should be all set.

I spent the second half of today getting to the US Embassy where I picked up Antara’s birth certificate!

We should be on our way to Chicago Thursday!

Antara is looking at a bug on the floor.

Life is Good!

Aama

My mom retired from her job as a school psychologist and traveled with me to Nepal. She left after a month to take care of my siblings. Last night I received this poem that she wrote for me. It came unexpected and means the world to me. Thank you mom. I couldn't have done it without you.


Aama
(You Can Call Her Mother)

She searched the world for you
And climbed mountains

She took the rough road
And carried you all the way

She fought battles for you
And talked to kings and princes

She prayed and made offerings for you
And learned your ways

She held your hand for your first steps
And taught you your first words

She made loving friends for you
And they will stay by your side forever

She is Aama
And you can call her mother



Love Mom