Archive for October, 2005

I had some fun playing with a photo of MT and his grandparents when they was out walking last Sunday. I can’t remember the adress right now, but I’ll give you the link when I find it again. I found a tips on Flikr….

Large version of the original photo.

Saturday was a sad day (in the morning) for my son. For a week his grandparents had stayed with us, now it was time for them to go back home. He didn’t quite understand why; couldn’t they just stay forever?? He cried and shouted when they left. Told me he didn’t want this, for a while I had no idea what to do to make him feel better. But then he was over the worst part and ready to enjoy the rest of the day. Thankfully. I’m glad he loves his grandparents and that he misses them when they go, hopefully he remember them quite well when we’ll meet again in December.

After the sad start the day went on from worst to better
My friend Benedicte, her husband and their twin girls came by to visit us. There was a lot of shyness and acting up at first, but after a while they had great fun together. Hope they all can stay good friends, since we are going to see each other as often as possible.

I took a lot of photos. This one I found nice and funny. Tells the story of how much fun they had playing together – and of the speed….

At bedtime my boy was a happy boy filled with good memories……

To Tray for participating in the FFAF!
Hope I can be more active my self the next time!!

FFAF is fun

happy free for all friday everyone (well, it’s still thursday here in the states.. but it will be friday soon. )!

i was just thinking. “man.. i can’t think of anything to write” and then i read on someone else’s blog that google had a store!.. and i got GIDDY. i seriously got so excited about some of these tshirts on the store, that i came to the realization that i am a huge computer nerd.

if you don’t believe me, let me also explain that today i spent quite a lot of time making animated .gif’s for NO REASON WHATSOEVER! and not just simple animated .gifs… i took still shots of music videos and created these:

*sigh* i’m a nerd.

o well. i guess there’s worse things to be.

tray, signing off. (go post over at everymoment.org… once friday comes around here in wisconsin )

It’s over us again
I feel like last time was just yesterday; but anyhow…..

Now I’m home with my beautiful 2-years old and can’t think or write much of anything but him, so I’ll leave the topic up to you; but a sessional one might be safe

Do you want to participate?
Here are the “how-to” and the rules:

Just log in by using guest/freeforall, or *register* as your self (best choise).
*Write about anything you want, but please keep it clean and nice*
Please *link back* to your own blog (if you have) and *sign* your work

Any question? Please contact me at: lime at anneberit dot net

Welcome!
The blog is yours! *HAVE A SUPER FRIDAY*

*FFAF Blogroll:*

I tried to capture the sunset tonight, it was yellow and pinkish, and had a wonderful light.

The photos can’t compete with the real thing, but it’ll give you an idea of how it was

And there were more pink than the photos show as well, and a little bit lighter too!

I so want to be a painter whenever the evening end with this light and colors; but I guess I never will be – must stick to photos

Another photo from our walk last Sunday. MT had great fun walking with Grandpa and Grandma.

This is one of my favorites from that day, even though it’s from behind. I hope he felt as safe as it looks

My poor kid had to take some blood tests today. I dreaded the thing from the morning, but tried to stay calm so not to scare him. First we saw the doctor, a nice doctor, he gained MT’s trust and was able to listen to his heart beat, check his belly and more. Thankfully everything was like it should be. Then after making a new appointment with the nurse for late November, we headed down to the lab. It was time for the needle.

In the car on our way to the doctor I had put on some cream that should take the sting of the needle. But the blood vessel was so small, and the lab technician had to move the needle around a little. I saw his eyes starting to water and soon he was crying with sound. But he remained still. He was so good. After he cried loud and long, the band-aid with a Winnie the Pooh-character on it didn’t help a bit…. I felt sorry for him, and sad for not being able to tell him that the tests were good for him. We have to know if anything is wrong, so we can try and fix it.

Sadly the small vessel didn’t give quite the amount of blood that was needed, so we might have to go back later on. But we’ll wait some weeks, so the bad memory can fade some and the understanding of Norwegian is bigger.

He was a good boy, though, I’m so proud of him!

On Sunday we went out for a little walk. I took a lot of photos, and some of them turned out nice
We had a cat following us some of the way. MT found that very funny and he loved to stop and bend down and pet the cat… I think I’ll send this photo to the owner of the cat

Today I’ve been to town and got a few things fixed.

I can now drive my car, legaly, with 4 passengers. I’ve bought a car seat for MT and a new stroller (got it on sale, yea!) to use on longer walks and in stores. And some other small stuff for my home and for my boy. It was so nice to get out of the house, and easy to move around where I wanted without thinking that a little boy should tangle along. My parents watched him. And they had a great time together. It’s wonderful that they can bound as well They was tired when I got home, though. And so was he. But I can still feel the big hug I got from him when he saw me – and there was a lot of feeling in his “mamma, mamma” (mommy). I love being his mom!! I feel so blessed and thankful for having him in my life. And in front of us is almost a year to get close and safe. Wonderful!

I’ll sleep with an “easy heart” tonight!

My son has had a emby day. Emby is Amharic (not sure if I spelled it correctly, though) – and means: I don’t want to. In between he has been so good and laughed so hard while playing with his grandparents. But there has been to many emby’s to say it’s been an easy day

At bedtime he just could not take it anymore.
When I said: It’s time for bed.
He started: Emby,emby, emby.
I said: I hear you, but still it’s time for bed.
He kept going: Emby, emby.

It ended off course in tears. Big ones. And he really got to show how loud he can shout. I started to get the feeling that this will never end, again – I’ve been here before. But now I know it will end, it always does. I just have to stay with him, just far enough so his hands can’t reach me when he wants to pinch or hit me. But still close, so he knows I’m there for him…..oh, it tears me apart listening to him.

One hour later I left the room while he was in his bed sleeping. Later I changed off his pants and put on some diapers (he still use them at night) – there was no way of getting him on the toilet while he was screaming at me earlier….. Thankfully he didn’t wake up, so I still has a sleeping little boy upstairs.

The good thing is that tomorrow he will come in to me early on and be a smiling boy. He’s always in a good mood in the morning! Tomorrow I shall take the car to Førde, leaving MT with my parents. I do wonder how that will work out, hopefully they will keep him busy and he will enjoy the time with them. And if it’s okei I will use some time in town. Do some shopping and have a little alone time

I had plans for posting some photos from today, it’s been a beautiful day. But I’m just to tired. Will do it tomorrow. Have a good Monday

I drive a “ware-van” with only two seats. According to Norwegian law there is a lot of taxes to pay for a new van registered as “person-car”, so I’ve saved some money just having the front seat. But now my van is over 10 years old and I can put up the seats in the back and change from green to white licenses plate. I have an appointment to get the changes approved on monday. Today we did the necessary work. My parents are here visiting and daddy helped a lot. There was also some good neighbor that pinched in. (My dad are not in the picture – he was busy working!)

And MT, he observed it all
Now it’s room for him as well!!

I’ve been home for almost a week, it’s about time I start writing some about the journey to Ethiopia.

It all started with me leaving Sognefjorden behind and travelling home to stay for the last days before take-off. It was a wonderful day, but the fact that I had to travel with bus instead of train, was a real boomer!! I stayed home at my parents for a week. Got to see some friends and a lot of family, even ones I haven’t seen in a while. It was nice!! I also prepared a little for our stay in December and January – and painted an old bed in blue and some kind of purple for MT. I was quite happy with the result, hope he’ll like it as well

Saturday
The day before take off I had many “nerves”, wisely enough I had accepted an invitation to my sister in laws parents, so for some hours I had other things to do than worry and wonder. When I got home I packed our suitcases and around an hour before I had to leave, I was ready to go

Sunday
The flight was an early one. Leaving from Gardermoen, Oslo at 6:40 am. I had to be there early, with three hours journey it meant taking the bus at 1:55 am. I tried to sleep on the bus, but that was not easy.

The flight to Frankfurt, Germany was a nice one. I relaxed and enjoyed the thought of finally being on my way to my son. The stay at Frankfurt airport on the other hand was sooooo boring!! – and far to long. But finally it was time to board the next flight.

It was then I saw someone else with the same envelope as I had for my ticket, and when I looked around I saw a family with one son from Africa (I guessed). So finally, after having had it so boring for several hours, I was glad to find my travel companions. They where on the same mission as me. One family should bring home two boys, one should bring home one boy and anther should bring home a baby girl. We felt connected, and it was good to talk and get to know each other a little on the plane.

It was a long flight. But finally we could see the light of Addis Abeba, it was like magic. Finally close to the new beginning. After we landed all off us was brought to different places around the city (later on two of us moved, so then we lived in two places – it was good to be close to another family, and the children where friends). The city of Addis Abeba was not a city as you would imagening. Here the cattle goes in the streats and there is few tall buildings. It lookt kind of like an overgrown country village (ok, not quite, but still!!) It was busy and dirty and it took me by surprise. I had never imagening it to be like what it was (!)

Monday
I woke early, so excited about the day. A cab came and got me at 8:30 am, the cabdriver was a good man – we became friends during our many drives around the city. He also knew the children and was so good with them. I’m so grateful for all he did for us and for the way he told us and showed us Addis Abeba and Ethiopia.

And then we was at the gate to the home. Would I recognize him from the photos I got two months earlier? Would he recognize me from the photos I sent him a few weeks earlier? Would he cry or smile, be shy or straightforward? So many thoughts rushed by, but when I got there and saw him right there in front of me I was only happy. He was my son, that I knew. With his big brown eyes, shy approach and big smile when he got to see himself on the screen of my digital camera.

I was with him most of the day, it was nice. Good to see him warming up to me slowly. Funny to watch him play with the others. See his skills with the ball and how found he was of the little car toy he got from me.

At noon it was time for coffee, in Ethiopia it’s an whole ceremony of things that shall be done, from browning the coffee beans, graining them to cocking them in the right way. The coffee tasted really good, as long as they didn’t put sugar in mine!

While he slept I said see you tomorrow and went with another family out to eat Chinese (of all things ). After making arrangements for moving in the morning I went back to my guesthouse and had the evening for my self there. Thinking and wondering and enjoying the photos on my digital camera.

Tuesday
Surprisingly the night went quickly and in the morning I was ready, with all my suitcases packed. This was the day when I should take over the care for MT. And I was happy to move to a place where he had room to play, and friends to play with.

After spending some hours at the home we got to take the children with us. It was both scary and so fun. Finally he was mine to care for! The trip back went okei, but when he had to say goodbye (for a little while only; but he didn’t understand that) to his friend he cried loudly and hard for half an hour. We had no time to change our clothes or anything, since we had a deal with the other family to go out and have some burgers.

Wednesday
The first night went fine. No problems of any kind. He slept so good and didn’t wake up at 5 am like I was afraid off For the first time I got to clothe him with his own clothes – and he looked really cute, even though the pants are a little bit to small already.

This day we took it easy. Stayed at home, got to know each other. I used some time to prepare him for Siv’s coming ( my friend that was willing to help me and stay with us in Ethiopia). I didn’t want him to be scared or something.

Thursday
When I went to the bathroom, MT was already busy giving Siv a great big smile as a welcome. It was so good to see. He got his first gift from her, didn’t know what to do with it back then – but he is a quick learner; now he tears the paper off as soon as possible

This was the first day out shopping. And MT got himself two new pair of shoes and a caps so he could sit with the cool guy’s – he loved it!!

Friday
We was picked up early in the morning, today we should see Addis Abeba from up above. Entoto is in fact the first place the city was, for over a hundred years ago. We got to see a museum and see the house of the emperor back then. MT wasn’t to much found of going into places, but in the end he got to see all of it. The guide carried him the last part.

After we went even higher up to a view point, it was beautiful to see the city from up there. Looked so much more prettier, not so dirty and noisy…. Ethiopia is a really poor country and one of the hardest thing was to deal with beggars, children and adult, on a daily basis. Before I got there I had decided not to give money, I’ll rather support someone to go in and give them food and so on, but it was hard to say “no, sorry” several times a day. I so much want poverty to be history!!!!!!!

Saturday
Our first trip out of town. We went south, to Debre Zeit. Not a must-see in my opinion, even thought it is the resort spot for city people, but nice enough. MT refused to go into the pool, but when he got to the restaurant and discovered that they had half a car on the wall he was so happy! On the way home he fall asleep on my lap, the journey was a little to short though so he was not happy when he was woken up and hour and a half later.

The evening we spent with our cab driver and his family. It was so special to be invited home to them and the food (injera and wot) was fantastic!!! A wonderful memory to bring home.

Sunday
Another field trip was waiting us. This time north of the city. It was beautiful scenery, I loved it, like the farmgirl I am . The people was poor though, and there was much sad to see and be told about.

This trip was my favorite and I recommend everyone staying in Addis Abeba to try and get a drive to Debre Libanos (the monastery was not a high point, though). We ate lunch outside at the road side. When I got over the people standing around looking at us(!), it was quite good. Travel-injera.

On the way back MT fall asleep on my lap again. This time the trip was long enough and he had a big smile on his face when he woke up. The rest of the day we spent at home.

Monday
Another day to go shopping for gifts to bring back home. We only had a few hours and didn’t get to finish, but got a few thing home. This day it was real hard rain in the afternoon, even thunder. We spent most of it at home, trying to figure out whom we had to shop for the next day…..

Now we were bonding. MT said mamma (mommy) to me and seemed at ease with the changes. The act of getting him to sleep during the day and at night, though, was not easy. Usually there were some screaming before he exhausted fall asleep in my arms.

Tuesday
Me and MT had our last trip to the ambassador to get the last paper in order. Now he was both allowed to leave Ethiopia and to get into Norway. Such a good idea

After we got Siv out of the bed and went shopping. We did the shops we forgot the day before and ate delicious pizza for lunch before heading home.

In the evening we went to Ghion Hotel and an Ethiopian evening, with food and dancing – and off course: coffee! I discovered that my son was a really good dancer, with the African rhythm in his bones. I was so proud and it was funny to watch.

Off course the going to sleep that day was no fun. He was so tired and there had been so much going on. But finally he had to give in to the last night at Ethiopian soil.

Wednesday
Our last day in Ethiopia. Because of the flight in the evening we tried to calm down and take it easy. But we had a small trip to the post office, a shop and the pizza place. Some last minutes things to do.

At around 6:30 pm it was time to say goodbye to the room and to our friends there at the mission guesthouse. The suitcases was packed. Leftover food given to somebody else and the excitement for the flight was raising.

In no way can I say that the journey back home went easy, but the plane and the flights themselves went so nicely (with a little fight at each of them to fasten the seatbelts – things they never had to do in Ethiopia, even with the terrible traffic there!)

Thursday
We took the night flight from Addis Abeba. MT ate dinner at midnight and then went to sleep. He slept a few hours, not to comfortable in his seat. When we landed at Frankfurt, early, early in the morning no one of us had had too much sleep. Mommy nothing!

As on the way down, there was some waiting in the airport. This time we where lucky to find a McDonald with playroom to stay at while we waited. It was nice to be there with some of our friends from the trip as well. MT ate french fries with a lot of ketchup on them and throw balls into the air (not at the same time).

Right before 10 am our next flight left Frankfurt and two hours later we landed at Gardermoen, Oslo. MT slept the whole way. Mommy slept some – finally.

Now it was time to say goodbye to Siv. It was so sad, both for me and MT. She is an old friend and I’m really glad and thankful for her coming along with me on my life’s journey. MT grow so found of her too and cried hard and loud when we parted. Poor kid.

Later he discovered that meting his grandparents wasn’t so bad after all. They spent some hour with us, while we were waiting for the last flight to take us home. But at last we had to say goodbye to them as well and get through the custom control. I was afraid of big crying again, now I had all our things and stuff (not suitcases, but still) – and I couldn’t carry him around like I had done earlier that day. But he was so good. Guess he looked forward to another flight (he loves airplanes) and also that he understood that there was no way I could carry him as well as all the other stuff.

Sadly our flight was late and the flight took a lot longer than usually – three – 3 – hours longer. MT slept most of it, thankfully, but I was awake and soooooo tired. Finally when we landed I was so relieved to see Benedicte standing there waiting for us. She took us the last bit of the journey.

And finally at 10:30 pm we were home in our own house. So worn out, but so happy. Finally my boy was home with me

I was sure that I had been given the only African boy that didn’t enjoy water and baths.

Every time I’ve put him in the “tub” (plastic kind before we got home…) he has said no.no.no!

So I was dreading the bath this morning, since he already got angry at me for not getting out of bed when he ordered it

But instead of anger, my boy was a happy boy when I turned on the water and pushed all his things in it. When I asked him if he could take off his pyjamas he got right on with it, and when I said in with you – he smiled and nodded his head. Go figure – my son is a real bath boy now

Week 141

1. On the verge:: startingpoint
2. Tempestuous:: fall
3. Coherent:: I’m not
4. Near death:: life
5. Illiterate:: poor
6. Why not?:: take a chance
7. Period:: iron-
8. Long lost:: time
9. Torrid:: the sun
10. Nail:: blue when hit