Booking Twist

Our tickets are booked!  Except there is a bit of a catch.  Of all the weeks in the ENTIRE year to fly, we’re flying on the same days that the other half of the privileged world is flying too!  Right before Christmas and right after Christmas.  Ticket prices are high, and availability dates are low.  Our week long trip to Addis just turned into an almost 2 week “vacation.”  We’ll be flying out bright and early on Friday morning the 18th.  We’ll be arriving home mid-day on Wednesday the 30th.

I could bemoan that much extra time away from our Gigi-Pie, or complain about the extra added expense of staying in country for 5 additional days, but instead I’m choosing to look at this as a blessing in disguise.  We’re going to get 5 extra days for Gav to get to know us, and for us to know him before we get on an international flight and bring him home to an excited big sister and equally excited grandparents.  This will be a wonderful opportunity to nurture the initial threads that bind us.

So know what THAT means?!

27 days!!

As hinted at above, Gigi will not be coming with us.  It didn’t make sense to bring her on such a quick trip.  Jet lag will be hard enough on us without subjecting a 3 year old to it as well.  I admit that I pondered bringing her now that the trip is a little longer, but I think the same reasons still hold true.  She’ll stay with her “Grammy and Grampy” and stick with her normal school routine.  We believe this is what will be best for her.

As for the questions about whether or not she knows about Gav and is excited to be a big sister, I thought I’d share some recent quotes/conversations.  She can tell you much better than I can. (Also, it’s helpful to know that we have over 130 pictures of Gav, and many of them are plastered around the house.)

Gigi:  Is Gavriel here yet? (Asked every couple of days)

Gigi:  (telling a guest in our home) My brother Gavriel is coming tomorrow.

Gigi:  (looking at the crib of which she has been VERY possessive in the past) Is Gavriel going to sleep in there?
Me:  Yes.  That’s where Gavriel will sleep.
Gigi:  (big smile) Yay!!

Gigi: (when showing people our new house) This is my room, and this is Gavriel’s room, and this is Mommy and Daddy’s room.

Gigi:  You going on a trip on an airplane to get my brother?  Tomorrow?

Gigi:  Gavriel is a baby like Lana and is my brother.  Lana is my cousin.

Gigi: (Running to the front door, poking her head out, shutting the door, and running back with a sad face) My brother isn’t here yet.

Gigi:  My brother is Gavriel.
Me:  Yes, your brother is Gavriel.
Gigi:  He’s a boy.
Me:  Uh hmm.
Gigi:  He’s a baby.  He can’t walk yet.
Me:  Yes, he’s a boy baby.
Gigi:  (pout) I want to see my brother Gavriel.

And because I am totally a Twilight fanatic and it IS 11.20.2009, I will leave all the ladies with this wonderful Friday treat. :-)