One thing that surprised me about ethiopia:
Handing him over for the first time.
He spent a couple minutes looking around, not quite sure what to think. We tried introducing him to Finn.
Umm, guys...who are you?!?
I'm not sure if I want to hit you or pet your head, Finn...
Those first few moments were what I expected. We are strangers (who love him), coming in and taking him from his caregivers. No toddler is going to be super pumped about that. But what came next shocked me. he wanted to snuggle. He just wanted us to hold him. Finn was hungry so went upstairs. And Eli just snuggled this virtual stranger who was his new dad. and then he fell asleep. It was beautiful. We both sat there and cried.
First: Photography didn't really happen. Not in the sense that I thought it would. I thought: beautiful people, beautiful kids, tons of time....lots of opportunity for photos. NO. Two kids. Two hands. Didn't happen. We got snapshots. I am happy with them. We spent most of our time SPENDING TIME TOGETHER!
The first moments with him are where I will begin the story. This is right when we arrived, and his nany brough him in to see us. You can see my face...and his face. I have known enough toddlers to know he would take a moment to warm up. It was perfect, even with his first reaction being a little less than thrilled :)
It looks like a smile...oh no...it's a yelp :)
I'm not sure if I want to hit you or pet your head, Finn...
We were all figuring each other out, in these first few moments :)
Those first few moments were what I expected. We are strangers (who love him), coming in and taking him from his caregivers. No toddler is going to be super pumped about that. But what came next shocked me. he wanted to snuggle. He just wanted us to hold him. Finn was hungry so went upstairs. And Eli just snuggled this virtual stranger who was his new dad. and then he fell asleep. It was beautiful. We both sat there and cried.
He was such a sweet snuggly man.
He definitely had toddler moments while we were there. But he loved to take naps with us and snuggle. Such a little doll.
More on this guy to come.
These pictures are priceless. I cannot wait for you to bring Eli home! Thank you for sharing Brooke. We are praying for you always and love you so much, our family!
ReplyDeleteOH MY, that is so sweet! Love seeing yall together! Finn's face was cracking me up, as he was looking over your shoulder at his new brother! God is great!
ReplyDeleteYou dont' know me, I'm just a blog stalker who stumbled upon you a while back (but we are sisters in Christ!) and I had to comment and say that those last three pictures are about to make me cry (and not just because I am pregnant and hormonal). Our family will be praying for yours and that Eli can come home quickly to his new forever family for lots more snuggles (and tantrums - its what toddlers do best :-)
ReplyDeletei'm weeping. this is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow, Brooke. I am 100% in L-O-V-E with that last family picture. You nursing Finn; Eli snuggling on Daddy, all of it. Oh, it's just too much. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures Brooke! I especially love Finn's face in the first one you posted. It looks like he is already looking up to his big brother. And I love the one where they are looking at each other as if they are new best friends (a little hint at what is to come for the next 18 years, at least). I love them all! I am so excited for you guys!
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