All My Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready To Go

And won't T be surprised when he learns that I'm smuggling TT into the suitcase and she's coming with!!!
Okay, not really, but it was an idea!

It's crazy. . . when we first started this adoption process, I dreamed of the day T and I would get on a plane together. . . excited and anxious about meeting our son. Things have played out very differently. Instead, the process got changed requiring two trips, and I got pregnant, and TT was born. So, here we are. . . I'll be heading on a plane with my Mom, and T will be home with TT. It's very different than I imagined, but I have peace that we are doing what we think is best for our family.

So . . . packing! It was really easy to pack for Nur. I packed diapers, a lot of clothes, both long sleeved and short, pajamas, sleep sacks, socks, books, a couple of small toys, bottles, wipes, diaper rash ointment, lotion, bath stuff, baby tylenol, bibs, burp clothes. . . Am I forgetting anything? I decided to buy his formula in Ethiopia as I've heard from others that it is best to buy it there so not to change them on their food because it can cause major blowouts.

I'm almost done packing for myself. I've checked the weather, and it's supposed to be about 73 and sunny during the day, and about 55 at night. So, I'm thinking layers. I'm also going to bring a journal so I can document my entire trip. . . as that is something I want to give Nur someday. I'm also bringing a video camera, as I really want to capture the moment I meet my son. T had someone capture the moment he met Nur, and it is something I will treasure FOREVER.

Any last minute suggestions on things I absolutely must bring?

I feel as ready as I'm ever going to feel. I'm so happy that we are finally at this point and that Nur will finally be coming home. I'm emotional about leavings two very important members of the family behind. I pray that T will do a good job being a single parent for the week, and I pray that TT has fun with her baba and hardly notices I'm gone. I also pray that T won't have trouble asking for help. I know he'll do a great job, but I also know it will be overwhelming doing it all himself. I'm mostly emotional about meeting Nur. I'm trying to have realistic expectations about it. Just because I'm over the moon excited to meet him, I shouldn't expect the same reaction out of him. I'm a stranger to him. It will be completely normal if he is scared, cries, and wants nothing to do with me. This will be a process. But I have so much comfort in the fact that for the rest of my life, I get to be him mama.

Tomorrow is going to be crazy emotional. Okay, all week I've been extremely emotional. I have no doubt that I will be that person at the airport crying my eyes out. I'm not ready to leave my baby (Not sure if I'd ever be ready) but I also know that me going to Ethiopia is necessary to get the missing person in our family home.