Mommy, Mommy... I hear it ringing in my ears hours after putting the girls to bed. We got home with our two beautiful daughters from Ethiopia, Beti (5) and Beamlak (3) on Sunday late morning almost exactly 24 hours after we changed them into their newly (in Addis, with them) purchased "Baby Doll" jump suits and got in the car to the airport in Addis. The plane ride(s) were amazing, we couldn't believe how well they did. They really are brave little souls, real troopers. I thought earlier that the most emotional moment was the first night we put them to bed in the guest house in Addis, or when we left the embassy, sealed immigration envelopes and passports in hand. As it turns out, it was when we were walking out of PDX that I finally started balling. I still get teary-eyed when I talk to people about it.

After a gradual transition during our week in Addis, during which we all got used to each other, we started learning to leave our insecurities behind and only worry about the next thing in front of us, not the last thing we might have done wrong. We got well acquainted with Beti's characteristic shoulder shrug and demonstrative turn of the head when she didn't want any contact or was otherwise not too pleased, but also with their chatter in Amharic, their teasing each other, their giggles and their lovely playing together; we learned to put them to sleep and sat bolt upright in bed every time one of them stirred; we watched their wide eyes in the car and with trepidation and some anxiety when they were slowly feeling their way in the playground, and we had mixed emotions about having so many other folks there to help watch and console them but also distract them from our main mission. On our first "long" day a middle aged Ethiopian man in the "Lion Zoo" asked me "Is she your daughter" and I was completely stunned by the question. Why, yes - but I'd not said it out aloud until then. We've been home for 2 1/2 days now.

While it is too early to say we are settling into a routine, it is incredible to me how fast we are all learning to live together - the girls are teaching us so much every day, every hour. I am recording some of their melodic conversations in Amharic, Beti's singing (I am signing her up for choir at the earliest opportunity), punctuated by the occasional "tisk" when she tries to scare me or her sister (she completely pulled one of those on me in Addis, I gotta believe that's a sign of trust), and obviously can't take enough pictures because I'm running after them all day long trying to tell them not to touch the stove or other things that could be dangerous. We've explored the garden and the water fountain (not without some trepidation that Bamu might fall in), we've figured out what to feed them and how to bathe them (Peanut Butter is a big hit, preferably licked off, and while they seemed scared of the water the first day they quickly learned to flood the bathroom), we spent time at the playground where there was no more sign of the anxieties we saw in Addis, we got them bikes today but backed off to scooters because we were a little ambitious on the sizes. Ted has already put Beti in his kayak in the shed, and we are signing them up for swim lessons asap.

We seem to dry tears for exactly the same reason as we would for biological children, and generally don't see any signs of trauma; they seem to be adjusting great. They both take naps, they're both potty-trained, and they clearly love and support each other. They're curious about everything (of course), and it looks like they understand a ton even without speaking English just by immersion and absorption. We had been told about this but are still blown away that it is a matter of days, not weeks. Bamu came out with "Mind the Step" on the moving walk ways in Amsterdam, Beti is telling her sister "careful" on the stairs, they both get a kick out of the word "ticklish" (it sort of sounds Amharic), and know very well the meaning of Please sit down and No. Supposedly there is often a honeymoon period that eventually is replaced by the everyday joys and challenges of "normal" parenting when the boundaries are tested - we are practicing being firm and sticking to our guns. As for mum and dad not disagreeing in front of them - let's not start...

We wanted curious and inquisitive children, and we seem to have gotten them. Their ages are perfect for us even if we don't know entirely for certain how old they are. Beti is showing to be a fast learner although her sister probably absorbs just as much, just can't play it back yet. They're both mischievous and dare devils, a great match for their dad. They've changed roles - Beti now is Daddy's girl after apparently being scared of Ted initially, and has already chilled out quite a bit on her earlier tendency to hit or throw things when frustrated. Bamu used to be all smiles all the time- and is now throwing tantrums at least a few times/day. I'm sure we haven't seen anything though

They also seem healthy - we met with the doctor a couple times while there and will of course take them in here to have all their immunizations and tests doubled up but compared to a man we met at the foster home who spent the whole day with his baby in the hospital, we are simply utterly and completed blessed. We are not getting as much sleep as we used to, of course - but are generally healthy with the exception that I have totally lost my voice since we came back so all I can do is a hoarse whisper all day long. It's hilarious because I'm more or less talking non-stop to them. It'll be interesting to see if they remember this later.

I could go on and on... this may be more information than you wanted but I am sure you can understand that our hearts are just overflowing. This really is a miracle - I would have never guessed that we'd end up here. So many people have commented on what a great thing we're doing to give these kids a new home and, frankly, lease on life - but for us it simply is about being a family, about passing something on to the next generation, about teaching and watching them grow into happy, fulfilled adults that may in some small way give back to society on their own some day. The fact that it is happening this way - while it was a difficult journey at times - only reflects the infinite perfection of the universe or God's master plan, depending on your religious bent.

PS - we've all joked around that this is the biggest project I'll ever manage. Well, it is not unlike a project. We're in the storming phase, figuring out how to get onto the same page, developing shared goals and objectives, as well as strategies on how to accomplish them, learning to understand each other and get along, as well as trying to determine what motivates the other person (that personal connection point some of us have talked about). We have to put systems and processes in place, work out just the right cadence, establish roles and responsibilities, communicate expectations and in general set up a communication plan, not to mention risk management. Luckily, the stakeholders are easy on us - although that may change once we get into the school system. I'm sure I could draw more parallels but hopefully I'll have everyone on the floor laughing already. It's been a good day - I slept through the night for the first time in over a week