Easter Weekend

Jacob and I took a trip to D.C. for Easter. We took the Acela Express down. I LOVE the train, but, of course, I had never tackled the train with a 10 month old baby! I do not love the train any less, but it was not the relaxing ride that I was imagining. I thought the way there was bad when some 'important' man complained about the fact that Jacob started crying and asked if I had a pacifier I could give him. That trip discomfort was dwarfed, though, by the trip back, when the baby had explosive diarrhea that ended up all over him, me, his car seat, etc, etc with a quick 3.5 hours to go until we were home. I felt bad for Jacob, but also the poor high school boys sharing the seats next to me. That which doesn't kill us can only make us stronger, right?

But the weekend itself was a huge success. It was joyful, and filled with laughter. And it is always a treat to see my Aunt Ellen and my niece and nephews and, of course, my sister and brother-in-law. We ate great food, dyed Easter Eggs, and made cookies. And the Easter Bunny found us, so it was a really great weekend.

When we made a trip to the grocery store, there was a woman who was very taken by Jacob. The way that she acted immediately made me think she was Ethiopian. It had something to do with her response to the baby- it reminded me so much of the women who worked at Toukoul and on Ethiopian Air. So I asked where she was from originally. She confirmed that she was from Ethiopia. I told her Jacob was as well. It made her light up with joy. It turns out she is from Addia Ababa, by the Sheraton Hotel. It felt good to say, "Oh! I know that area!" She must have told Jacob she loved him 25 times and that she felt certain she will see him again. I don't know if we ever will see her, but the 5 minute conversation was balm for my heart. It erased a little of the sadness I have been feeling. There has been so much negative press about international adoption since Madonna's latest attempt, I have been struggling a little lately. This was a shot of optimism in the arm- one that I needed.

Sadly, I have no pictures of the weekend, as I forgot my camera, but I do have a couple pictures from our photo shoot with Ashley O'dell, the best photographer EVER! I will leave you with that!