A Solid Year

Time does fly... the babies are ONE!!

We had a little birthday party here at the hotel, inviting a few of the friends that we have made here, including a small posse of buddies for Finn.

I baked a cake. Out of a box (give me a break, please) and found some betty crocker icing in a jar. That shopping trip -- manna from heaven.

Believe it or not, I also came across a Melissa & Doug worker man puzzle!! Of course, a birthday in our house just wouldn't be quite right without tools.

It was a bittersweet day, as the day also marked my Mom's departure from Accra. We were unusually emotional - I think the biggest part was the incredible disappointment we all felt that I was not on the plane with all three boys, right along with her. We had really primed ourselves for departing together and so it was a fairly sizeable disappointment. But we have now re-grouped, and I figured it was about time. Back home I do this on my own, so why not start getting used to things while I'm here?

Prior to my Mom leaving, Finn had a "Great Idea": maybe Grandma should stay in Accra with the babies, and we could fly home to Daddy!!

Nice idea kid. I like the way he considers his options.

Today is Saturday, I'm combating a wicked cold and two cases of impetago (babies) that just does not seem to want to go away, despite the medication. Finn has headed out for a play date with 'the other' Viggo. The hotel room is quiet - sort of.

Definitely weird.

But things are looking a bit better on the immigration front as we received confirmation from the High Commission that our PR applications are being reviewed. It is just a matter of time. Seems they've already had a lot of time, and I still have no idea how long things could possibly take for immigration to ensure that these two babies have never been trafficked (this is the cause behind the interrogation...er, investigation here). Fortunately for us, we know the full story, have met remaining family members and receive regular visits from their 26 year old brother. No risk of trafficking. Just a story of loss and poverty. Nothing new here. So, once Canadian HQ goes through every stick of paper, we are surely going to receive those coveted PR cards, or at least facilitation visas, and be winging out way home. It may still be in January, but nevertheless, I don't have any fear about being turned away from Canada any longer (did I mention this was a huge reality about two weeks ago? Or so we feared??? Anyway....)

So here are some pics. Not much else to say. We are feeling a bit lonely, missing Grandma for sure, and Daddy quite desperately. Finn is now really expressing how he feels, and we have the most sincere heart to hearts at bedtime. So we are getting through. Charlie is crawling and pulling himself up on the the furniture, William (?? Danaa) is trying to catch up and spends his time squirming on his belly after both brothers. They eat. They love to eat (finally!!).

All our love to Canada.

Long time coming

Sorry folks! It's been a while. We had the glorious opportunity to 'house sit' for good friends of the Henrichsen clan. While the huge house in Osu was nothing short of heavenly, we were without internet for the duration. A fine trade off, but...

Here we are. Still here. Planning to bunker down for a bit of a long haul due to Canada Immigration here in ole Accra. A bloody nightmare, but more on that once I'm home!

The boys are AMAZING. All three. Finn is spelling, reading, swimming like a fish. Charlie (Dawuni) is crawling an wreaking havoc wherever a low shelf may be, and Danaa (William? Daniel? Still trying names on for size!) is desperate to walk before he crawls, and is FINALLY sleeping through the night. And so are we.

The days are still spent chasing around immigration, social welfare, documents, documents and more documents on almost a daily basis. Freedom to do this will come to an abrupt end as my Mom is all packed and ready to leave on Thursday. But not before we celebrate the wee boys' FIRST BIRTHDAY. Yes! One already!

But before this, I can give you some updates. Hmmm, where to start.

Life here has been very stressful, but I am slowly reconciling the fact that there is no quick return home. I battle between tears of frustration and an Oh Well, home will be there when I get there kind of attitude, to an absolute "This will not happen to me! I will not be stuck in GHana due to ineptitude of immigration officers who cannot process a file in a timely fashion". Not sure which one prevails the most, but the tears are definitely subsiding.

We managed to have a Halloween experience. A Bit hot and sweaty, but Luke Skywalker and a couple of Kung Fu Pumpkins wandered around Orchid Gardens with a swarm of ex-pat kids. Finn had a blast, carved a water melon instead of a pumpkin, and has just finished off the last of his booty (save for what Danette has saved for him at home!).

We are actively looking for apartments here in Accra as this one room hotel living has worn a bit thin, and cooking with boiled water has it's limitations. Unfortunately, apartments are for 'rich' Ghanaians and ex-pats, so I am finding it a bit challenging to find something within any kind of budget range. Upsetting how easy it is to keep the poor separate from the not so poor.

Trying to find vaccines for H1N1 is almost laughable, not to mention general vaccines for the wee ones. Health standards are so completely off the mark here that unless you are in Accra on a corporate ticket, and that corporation has it's own clinic, you are really limited as to what kind of care you can access. There is a national health scheme here, but my boys can no longer access this scheme as they've been adopted by Canadians, and until I get them home and registered in Canada, they cannot get medicare either. I've got some calls into some more experienced people, as well as some private insurance companies so that I can get to the bottom of this. I'm sure that I can.

For kicks, here are some recent photos.

If anyone sees Michael, give him a huge kiss. We are missing Daddy quite desperately and hoping that, if luck is on our side, perhaps he can swing down here to be with us for the month of December.