Haiti - Monday Meeting Kyanne's biological mother

Monday, November 21, 2011

Princess was still sleeping at 7am. We had to wake her up. I guess she must be catching up from the nursery with all the babies crying. Brandon had cereal out for breakfast so I took out my oatmeal flax and she loved it. Mommy too! We dropped off his kids to school before heading out to the main house for the day. Victor walked Koffee to the school yard. It was nice to see all the children playing in the yard. When we got to GLA, we went to see our little friends, Théo, Nathan and Clay up in the nursery. We enjoyed spending time with them on the balcony. We met Théo’s sponsor. She’s a lovely lady. She was cuddling with him and he had a big smile on his face.

I spoke to Melissa about the paper that is now needed at the airport since the earthquake. She did not know what I was talking about. She said she would call Dixie and ask. She confirmed that the lady I was talking about, her son was at GLA, however it was BRESMA, the O. that took care of the paperwork.

We were not there even half hour and Melissa came to tell us that Berline’s biological mother was waiting for us downstairs. I was in shock! I did not know how I was going to do this. I walked downstairs and with Kyanne in my arms to see her bio mother. The experience was very emotional. I don’t think I can describe how I felt inside. Kyanne’s bio mother is very young. She had a big smile on her face when she saw us. She knows we are bringing her little girl to Canada. I tried to give her Kyanne so she could hold her; however Kyanne started crying and wanted to be in my arms. Tears were running down her cheeks. I then got Victor to take Kyanne so I could talk with her and she saw Kyanne’s big smile when she went in daddy’s arms. I honestly believe she felt relieved and knows her little girl is already comfortable with her forever family. Magalie had to translate because she only spoke Créole. We asked about health issues in her family and any information she had about the bio dad. She said there was no treatning disease that she knows of. She said Kyanne’s bio dad was big and tall. I told her that we are going to take good care of Kyanne and she smiled. I handed her the pendant and chain I had bought for her with a picture of Kyanne on one side and a picture of Kyanne, my husband and I on the other side. I told her she will be reminded that she’s in a good home. She asked us if we would sponsor Kyanne’s siblings. She has another son and daughter, 3 and 6 years old and she can’t afford to send them to school. She was living in Kenscoff and now she has moved to Site Soleil, the slums of Haiti. She is not doing well. She also announced to us that she was pregnant again. She was 9 months pregnant... ready to have her child. I lost it when she said that. I was crying. I could not believe what I was hearing. She said she was going to keep this one. How on earth can she be pregnant again!!! It’s so hard to understand life in Haiti. We could not even tell she was pregnant until she got up. We said we would sponsor her children next year when school starts. We’ll be able to do this through GLA. Before she left, we took some pictures with her and one with her giving Kyanne a kiss on the cheek. We gave her some money as well. I pray God that she will use that money wisely to help her children. I felt good for Kyanne’s sake that we got to meet her. Renée was very emotional during our time with Kyanne’s bio mother. When Kyanne grows up, I want to show her pictures of her bio mother and let her know that she loved her very much. It took her almost 4 hours to get to GLA on 4 tap taps.

James brought us to the Lookout ‘Leboutlier’ for some shopping and site seeing. Words and pictures cannot describe the view from up there. We stayed there for a good half hours looking over Haiti. It’s so beautiful. James was able to point out were Site Soleil was. It’s far from where we were. I had Kyanne in my arms, and I was crying. It was really emotional for me. I finally had my baby girl in my arms and I am talking her home with me. Kyanne will not have to worry to have food in her tummy, a warm place to sleep, but what about her siblings??? Bringing her home is tougher that I thought it was going to be. I thought I was going to be happy, but for some reason, I feel sadness. Yes we are bringing her home but I feel so much pain for her bio mother and her children. Why did she get pregnant again and she doesn’t have a job and she can’t afford to send her 2 other children to school??? Live is very different in Haiti. They don’t know if they will have food on the table tomorrow, and yet they are happy.

After lunch, we went to play with our little friends on the balcony. Théo was again shy when he first saw me coming but like always, he starts smiling after a few minutes. Every time I tried to take a picture of him, he smiled after LOL!

Nathan fell in love with me hahah! He was squeezing me but the legs each time I walked by him. If I bend down to be with him, he would just jump in my arms and cuddle. Clay always has a big smile on his face. He is such a lovely boy. He always wants to be picked up. I was taking with one of his volunteer that was actually there a few months ago. She said she spent a lot of one on one time with him and he was a sweet boy. I can’t say enough how GLA has a good volunteer program.

We are getting to know our little Kyanne in all her true colours. She needs to have her way or she throws herself on the floor. She’s a handful that’s for sure LOL! I knew it was not going to be all pretty, but to throw herself on the floor.. Yikes!!!

Before we headed back to the guest house, I asked Melissa and Theriot did not have the IBESR paper yet. She said he was going back first thing in the morning and he would meet us at the airport. So nothing like suspense till the last minute. At this point, I honestly did not care if we were making the flight or not. We would go so Nicole and Renée could go back. I now have Kyanne with me and that’s all that matters. If it takes 2 more days, well so be it! I stressed enough for timeframes and paperwork to make its way to the next stage. Not anymore. I have her and that’s all that matters. We’ll see what tomorrow brings. 

 

View of the Palais from the lookout.

Kyanne's passport, visa and travel documents

View from the lookout, Haiti.

Saying goodbye to Haiti.

Wislande!!!

Meeting Kyanne's birth mom.

Kyanne's birth mother giving her a goodbye kiss.

Staff @ GLA Susie, Holli and Melissa

Family picture xoxo

Nicole and James

Sweet adorable Théo!

Children at the toddler house.

Renée and I giving treats.

My sweet little Wislande!!! I love her so much!

Haiti - Sunday bonding day for me and my girl

Sunday November 20, 2011

Mama’s day! Day 2

I honestly don’t think I sleet too much again... Kyanne slept in between us and I was always looking at her.

Poor Brandon (guest house host) has to look after us while Nikki, his wife is in Louisiana visiting her mom. I’ll see her on Monday when she gets back. I am really looking forward to catch up with her. They gave us the girl’s room again. That was so nice of them. It made me feel more at home.

Kyanne slept the whole night. I was so proud of her. She woke her up at 6 am. I think she could have even slept longer; however we were both staring at her and touching her face, hair, arms... J

We went on the balcony for a while till everyone else woke up. We started our first morning looking at the beautiful mountains of Haiti. It’s some gorgeous.

Brandon made us chocolate banana bread for breakfast. I don’t call that breakfast but hey, that’s waht we ate. Kyanne seemed to have liked it. Mommy not so much but I will survive. For me banana bread is for dessert... not breakfast LOL!

We got all dressed to go to church. Brandon is the pastor of a Haitian Church just 2 houses down the road. Kyanne did amazing in there. She was really quiet. Of course she was sitting on daddy’s laps. Half way through the service, I started getting her attention by playing pick a bou in silence. At one point, I had a toy she liked and he took it from my hand and touched my fingers. She was looking at me straight in the eyes, looking at my fingers and smiling back at me. I reached my arms for her and she wanted to come. I picked her up and she hugged me. At that point, I sort of lost it. I excused myself and went outside with her. I was crying and crying. I was so happy that she finally made her way to me. I thanked God for that wonderful moment and many more to come.

We all headed down to the main house for a nice meal.  We had rice and beans, vegetable and mangos. I prepared a plate for Kyanne, cut up everything in small pieces; however she started picking in my plate. She stole my avocado and she just loved it. I tonight she would not like it but she did.

When we got the main house, we had a few minutes before lunch so Renée and I raced upstairs to see Théo, Clay and Nathan. They were all in the nursery. They are all handsome boys! We gave them big hugs and kisses and the bell rang to go eat.

After lunch, we came back to the house and all took a nap before going for lunch at the main house. Kyanne fell asleep in my arms. I laid her down in bed and she stayed right on me. She’s my little angel and I don’t want to let her go. When we all go up, we went to see Fort Jacques. This is where they are building the new orphanage. The view is just breath taken! On the way there she sat on my laps, but all she did was stair. It was so bumpy and it was only her second car ride. She did not cry or anything. She’s a really good girl. I can’t wait to see all the building completed. It’s a large piece of land and the toddlers will have lots of room to play outdoors.  Kyanne had a blast there. She took out her true colours. She was running after the Great Dane... huge dog! On our way back, she was really calm. She was having fun with Renée’s sun glasses. She’s quite the character.

Supper was chilli dogs on white bread. You don’t understand who I crave my fruits, veggies and whole grain bread. The chilli was vegetarian but again... not my cup of tea! Brandon had hot dogs for the gang. I did not give one to Kyanne. She just had a chilli dog with me.

Renée and I got her in the tub but she started to cry. We only took a facecloth again and washed her as best as we could. I got her in her pyjamas and she fell asleep on my right away. She stayed on me all evening while we were talking in the living room with Pastor Brandon. He mentioned how we were the first to bring home a child since the earthquake. I was telling him  that there was a lady from the states that brought her son back in September. He kept on saying no that we were the first. Before going to bed, I was talking with Renée and told her that if that was the case, then I was a little worried. That lady from the states had told me that when we go to pick up our daughter to make sure we were ready for any unexpected surprises. She said she was at the airport ready to go home and there was a missing document she needed. She had to book another flight for a few days later so they could get that document from IBESR. Because I knew her son was at GLA, I did not see the need to tell Melissa about it because they would already know. Renée was a bit concern but I told her I didn’t care if we had the document or not. I told her that I had Kyanne and I was not going home without her now. I guess we’ll have to wait and see tomorrow when I talk to Melissa.

Today was my day! I am so blessed to have her in our lives now. She’s going to be spoiled with love!!!