Leah Delbo Luedtke

Like I said earlier....we got our referral 6-11-08 for a little girl named Delbo Abera. Once we had the referral we had to act fast because the Ethiopian courts were going to be closing soon for the rainy season and we needed to make sure our paperwork got in and through the courts before the end of July. So each and every night....Ryan and I started working again on paperwork, organizing information, getting things notorized, and basically getting back to the paperwork grind. We talked with the Internation pediatric clinic to have them review Delbo's information and see if there were any additional health concerns we needed to worry about. There weren't any surprises about her health that we weren't already expecting.

Ryan and I moved forward with our acceptance and our country specialist pushed to make sure our paperwork made to Ethiopia on time. Our court date was set for July 18, where the courts graciously told us that Delbo was officially going to be our daughter and began the process to draft a new birth certificate for her. That process takes 4-5 weeks (ugh....more waiting) and after they have the new birth certificate, we can arrange for travel dates.

We were informed in late August that Delbo's new birth certificate had been authorized. Her new birth name was then Delbo Ryan Luedtke. Our travel dates were given to us as well. We will be leaving on October 1 and returning October 10. Reese will not be coming with us to Ethiopia, as we want as much one on one time with Delbo as possible. The transitioning and bonding are going to be very crucial these first few months she is home, and we want to make the most out of our time there.

Finally......we do plan on giving her a more "American" first name when we come home from Ethiopia. Ryan and I have decided to name her Leah Delbo Luedtke. We think it is a name that will reflect both sides of her life and being. So....we have been calling her Leah, showing off pictures, discussing the adoption a lot with Reese so that she understands that she is going to be a "big sister" and will need to take good care of Leah when she comes home. Reese seems pretty excited to be a big sister, so I hope that carries through once the transition begins. Reese and Leah will only be 13 months apart in age (a lot closer than we anticipated) but we are hopeful that age difference will lead to a loving friendship and sisterly bond.