"I have a plan..."

...and its companion "I have a deal..." have become C's new catchphrases. They don't quite have the ring of "I have a dream...", but who is opposed to planning (?), and as a political scientist observing health care reform debate redux, I look positively on deal making too. He uses these phrases to introduce us to his agenda for the next few minutes, under the presumption, I suppose, that if he's thought things out and given us appropriate notification, we are more likely to go along with it. Interesting, he rarely announces his plans ahead of time for things he really shouldn't do... Rather savvy of him.

C has been getting used to the idea of having a little sister for several months and seems okay with it. But once Mum mum and Ba told him that we would be going away to get M and he would be having a sleepover with G&Z, things have gotten a bit rockier: regression on potty training and more meltdowns. It's scary for any kid when parents go away. And he'll have an adjustment when M arrives as he won't be able to monopolize our time anymore. He proudly announces what he'll do to help M: "Change diapers [E editorial comment: he'll be present at the initiation of the first diaper changing], feed, bath, brush teeth, play." He'll be an excellent big brother. He's good around other kids, is extremely compassionate, and was big brother to seven babies at the care center when we arrive in Vinh Long.

He has been a big helper opening gifts at baby showers. My colleagues were smart and got him a gift of his own to open and play with to keep him occupied during the rest of the shower at the office. When we bring home single gifts, he wants to appropriate them and take them to his room...

Tomorrow will be tough as we have to say good bye for a week. But C will have fun playing with his friends and with Oma and Opa. Mum mum and Ba will get through the ordeal of plane rides and layovers, dealing with passports, visas, embassies and immigrations one last time. And we can't wait to meet M!

Unfortunately, access to the web is not as widespread in Ethiopia as it was in Vietnam (and is very expensive), so we won't be doing a running travelogue as we did in Vietnam to keep ourselves entertained, sane, and in contact with the outside world. But it will only be a week and somehow humanity survived for thousands of years without blogging and checking email constantly, so we can do it too. When we get back, we'll post our travel stories and pictures (you can be sure!) on M's blog: http://heberlig4.blogspot.com.

The prayers did wonders for us last time so keep them coming. See ya on the other side...