We love picture day. . .

But.....we wish we got clearer pics. At least we're able to see his precious little face. I'm going to try and lighten them up with some software. Our agency apologized for not getting better ones- apparently the light wasn't cooperating with them that day. We're not sure when this was taken but we know it was after we visited and left on July 8th because he is wearing the onesie and socks we brought down. We can't wait to get down there and spend some time with the little guy. :-)

Well-- off to work!

The latest. . .

Well, not much is new here. We are waiting on our entrance to family court and dna testing. From talking with Maria tonight, it sounds like our DNA testing will be done late next week- how exciting! Of course, we'll be so happy when we know it's been done. This test will verify that the birth mother is in fact the birth mother and will protect the safety of the children. This is also a very anxious time because it is the first time the birth mother will see the child since she entered him into adoption. Our son was 2 days old when he was given to our foster mother. We hope and pray that she is at peace with her decision. At the same time, we will be entered into Guatemala Family Court where a social worker will meet with the birth mother and review our information. Once she completes this process, she can approve the case through the judge. That's the latest- I have a good feeling that progress is on its way.

Well, we're off for the weekend. Heading to VT to spend time with our family at the lake. Should be really fun and relaxing- just what the dr ordered! Helps us to pass the time until our next visit trip, too-- which is 5 weeks from tomorrow. I spoke with Maria tonight and she said that Nathan is doing "wonderful". She said (I know, I know-- I guess I am bragging, but I can't help it!) "He is more and more handsome everyday. He is a beautiful little boy". She also said that he is eating 4oz every 2 hours. I can't wait to get his updated measurements next month! She has requested a bottle sterlizer which we will happily bring down next month. We'll talk with her again next Thursday evening. We always look so forward to it.

Finally, my fellow blogger friends have "tagged" me and this means I am supposed to describe 7 things about myself- so here goes: (a brief version)

1. I am a complete animal lover. No other way to describe it. They are one of my strongest passions.
2. I have wanted to adopt a baby since I was a teenager.
3. If it wasn't bad for me, I'd drink MT DEW everyday!
4. There is nothing more valuable to me than time with my family. I'd trade everything else for just that.
5. I couldn't ask for a better husband. Truly.
6. I prefer lakes to oceans and wish I lived closer to one.
7. I am extremely organized and like to make sure I have everything accounted for. I am a details person.

I hope to be posting some movement on our adoption next week. What can I say-- I have a good feeling!

He's growing!

Talked with Maria last night and our doctor in Guatemala emailed me us as well: our little peanut is growing! He was 9lbs and 9oz on Thursday -- 2 months and 11 days old. I was so happy to hear this. It is so wonderful to get updates as often as we do from the blessings of our foster mother and pediatrician down there. Maria said his cough still lingers but he is doing much better from his cold. We were so happy to hear that he is doing well and that she is caring for him in such a loving way until he can come home.

Here's the winner. . .

And here's the winner. . . this is Nathaniel's entire room set! We hope to model his room after this pic. We saw it and both knew right away it was his. We love it.

On the process front, no news. I never imagined how hard this process would be and it has hit me hard. I have had to distance myself a bit and try to focus on the positive-- as hard as that may be right now. Again, we hope for news of DNA results by the end of August. This should be our first significant move. In the meantime, we booked our second trip down. We're leaving August 31st and coming back on September 4th. We think we may visit Antigua for the day on Monday as we've heard such wonderful things.

Finally, we spoke to Maria our FM on Sunday night. She said Nathaniel was feeling better although he still had a cough. Looks like we all had the same virus with the same symptoms. We will be talking to her again on Friday night to find out how his week was.

What else can I say?

Maria, our wonderful foster mother. . .





Grandpa and Nate. . .












Yes, it's true, pictures can speak a thousand words. . . .

Ok, so I was slow. I know I have mentioned it but I think I am one of the "few" people who get Montezuma's revenge from traveling to Guatemala. I think I am on the mend but it's taking a while. Also, we had one other snag: my memory stick wouldn't work in Guatemala! I even had a back up. I know, can you believe the luck? Thankfully, we had disposables for an emergency.

Anyhow, on to more important things. . . the trip was wondeful. We stayed at the Marriott in GC and felt safe the entire time. We ate at 2 excellent local restaurants- Frita's and Hacienda Real-- both within a mile and safe to bring children to. We ventured a few blocks out to do some souvenier shopping on Saturday and really enjoyed that. We ate lunch at a lovely Crepe restaurant. The people of Guatemala are so friendly! Not that I expected them to be otherwise. . .but I have traveled internationally before and not experienced as warm of a reception as I did in Guatemala. Always so accomodating and helpful. Nathaniel bonded so quickly and was really easy to love. It was a defining moment when I first got to hold him. . . words can't describe really. I love his FM. She is just a very happy person who seems to live to take care of the babies (she has 2 and that is her full time job). Nathaniel did get sick there the last day. Maria doesn't take him outside at all, so perhaps taking him out added to that. However, the weather was always 75 degrees and we always had him pretty well bundled. It could have been a number of things. The good news is that I spoke with Maria last night and he went to the doctor on Monday and he has a virus. He was prescribed acetominaphen and some drops for his stuffy nose. She said he was feeling better already and that comforted me a great deal. I want to thank my dad (hopefully you read this!) for joining me. My dad is a natural at taking care of babies and always seems to bring out the best in them. I am truly so appreciative of your never-ending support.

Where do we go from here? Patiently waiting for DNA. Friday will be 3 weeks that our attorney has had the pw he needs to initiate this and they say it can take up to 8 weeks. I know- it's too long-- but that's the process and I am getting better at accepting it. I think the fact that I will be visiting him so frequently makes it less difficult. I will do my best to keep you all posted on our progress. We expect realistically to have DNA results by 9/1. In the meantime, we got lots of things in GC to put in his life book and I think that I will make a project of that. Oh, I almost forgot, I ordered his room set! I promise to post what we chose soon. Thanks for checking in. Hoping for progress in the near future.

I Left my Heart in Guatemala. . .

What an amazing experience! I can't even find the right words to describe the joy and happiness the visit has given me. Nathaniel is perfect in every way. I wouldn't trade this opportunity for the world. Now we are on countdown to our next trip in 7 weeks. I promise to post all the details when I recover from whatever I have. . . I think I have the flu but it's on its way out thankfully. Leaving him with his foster mom was one of the toughest things I've ever had to do. However, his foster mom is WONDERFUL and he is in great hands until he comes home. I couldn't feel more comfortable with her care.

More to come later this week. . .

I'm off! Happy 4th!

Can't believe the time has come. . . I leave for Guatemala to meet our son, Nathaniel David, VERY early tomorrow morning. He will be in my arms for the first time around 3pm GT tomorrow. It seems so surreal and I am ecstatic about it. My mom was unable to come :-( but my wonderful dad was there to fill in. My mom's husband has stabilized but she needed to be with him while he is in the hospital. I am grateful that she had offered to come and then bought a ticket and had to cancel. I only hope we will be able to give Nathaniel as much as my parent's have given me. Thanks to everyone who wished us well on our trip and for all your kind words.

Yesterday we received baby pics (5 days old) of Nathaniel! How exciting. . . we weren't expecting anything and their they were in my inbox at lunch time. I know I am partial but everything about him is perfect to us! I now have 1 month old pics and 5 day old pics and will have 8 week old pics when I return. I will post several when I get back next week. Hope you are all ready for a TON of them when I return. . . I might get a little crazy with the posting. :-) I bought another memory stick for my camera so I will be able to take 400 while I am there and the camcorder is packed, too. This could be dangerous! :-)

Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July. I'm signing off for now but I hope to post pics on the 9th or 10th. Hasta la semana próxima. . .

"You will be such a blessing to this child"

I forgot to mention! Our foster mother Maria kept saying "You will be such a blessing for this child. You will guide him through life properly and give him all the love in the world. I am happy for that". She also said, "Don't worry, I love him very very much and will give him love until you take him home". She finished, "I can't wait to meet you- the pleasure will be all mine. You are such a blessing to this child". Priceless. . .