Hallelujah! We are one step away from our final appointment. There is a good chance we may have that date tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
We've both been battling sickness here. Nathaniel has a tonsil infection and I have had a sore throat (which I think are one in the same). I'm doing fine but he's been pretty sick the past couple days. He's on an antibiotic and he seems to be doing better today. I'm hoping he is able to kick this thing by the weekend.
An afternoon at Hotel Antigua...
We are definitely learning more and more about Antigua. On Saturday afternoon, we headed to Hotel Antigua to play on the swings and have lunch. It is such a beautiful place and Nate couldn't love the swings any more. :-)
All is going well here. The weather continues to be the same- low 70's and partly sunny every day. It just dawned on me that I've been here 16 days today and it hasn't rained once. Pretty good weather for the middle of January. On sunday Nate came down with a fever- which I am almost certain is a result of his final vaccination last week. It lasted 2 days and now he just seems to have a little cold. Yesterday I awoke to a sore throat...but I'm feeling better today. Our days are quiet and relaxing. I am definetely getting the bonding time with Nate that I have always wanted. He is so easy to love.
Well, the lab in the US emailed me yesterday to inform us that our sample had arrived on Monday morning and that it was being processed. They said it would arrive at the US Embassy in Guate on Thursday. So, realistically, we are looking at getting an appointment date for our FINAL appt before Wednesday of next week. Within a week- we should know our return home date! Stay tuned for the details...
"Las Jacarandas"
Our house...
Our neighborhood...
Our kitchen...
Our family room...
Our bedroom...
Our backyard...
My special little boy...
I am feeling a real sense of relief and it's just hitting me. It seems surreal that this journey to bring Nathaniel home is ALMOST done. I feel so grateful to be blessed with such a wonderful son. We are so lucky.
We checked 2nd DNA off the list yesterday, too. We also had our final medical appt. with Dr. Hagen, one of the US Embassy physicians. It went really well. He got a clean bill of health! My little guy is 16 lbs and 27 inches long.
Now we wait for the final appt. I'm guessing our appt will be sometime around the 6th of February and we'll be home within 2 days of that. I will keep you posted.
In the meantime, we're enjoying our time here! Today we went to the playground at Hotel Antigua with some fostering friends. Nate LOVED the swings... I think we'll be going back tomorrow. Happy Friday. :-)
Nathaniel would like to share his thoughts on the day...
Today was a long day but it paid off. We waited 3 hours at the municipality and finally....the civil registrar allowed us to get the birth certificate. Nathan was issued a birth certificate when he was born in his birth name. This new birth certificate shows his name as HOYT and his parents as US! After we got the birth certificate, my driver and friend Claudia and I went to lunch with my attorney. We then went next door to get the Passport -- and it was a breeze. It took about 30 minutes total. This was a full day! Tomorrow we are going to lunch with Claudia and then to the US Embassy for the 2nd DNA test. This will show that Nathan is the same baby he was back in August when the 1st DNA was taken. Then he will have his final medical exam by a US Embassy physician. After that, there is nothing else to do except wait for the DNA results to get back to the Embassy. That should take 7-10 days from tomorrow and then we'll have our appt. date 2-3 days after that. I am anticipating an appt. the 1st week of February (1st-7th). Rich will be coming down as SOON as we get the appt. We should be home by the 10th (of course, if all stays on track from here).
Adios for now!
After 5 long weeks....
Birth Certificate: DONE!!!!
Passport: DONE!!!!
2nd DNA and Final Medical: Tomorrow!!!!
More to come and pictures later!! We are so happy. We should be home in about 3 weeks! :-)
Today we went to the town where Nathaniel was born to kindly request our birth certifcate which we have been waiting for since 12/3. We waited 1 hour only to have the mayor walk out of his office and down the stairs without even acknowledging us. And we even had an appt! Well, we weren't successful today but we are not giving up. We will get the birth certificate. We just don't know when....so, for those wondering when we will be coming home....we don't know. I am praying to hear something in the next week or so! Also**** this is a very rare problem in Guatemalan adoption. I have done extensive research and there are 3 towns where the mayors are not cooperative in issuing birth certificates. Generally, a birth certficate is issued in 1-3 weeks or so....but with these towns, there are delays due to the corruption of those in charge. This is one reason I fully believe that Guatemalan adoptions are in need of some reform. The govt. must have better control over these mayors who simply decide they don't like adoption and as a result will cause lengthy delays. Completely wrong and in need of major reform...I pray that the new adoption law will address issues like this.
In other news, we moved on Sunday from the East side of Antigua to the West side. We were in a very nice hotel but it was small and we needed more space. So, we rented a studio apartment in a condo complex and it's perfect. It has everything we need and more. It's about 8 blocks from central park.
Tomorrow we are going to the pediatrician's office. Nathan's having his monthly check-up.
I am still amazed at how happy of a baby he truly is. He is always smiling and loves to be held. I am counting my blessings each day.
To my partner of 10 years and husband of 6 years, today! 6 years ago today Rich and I were married in a small little church in Vermont. We celebrated all weekend long and then set off for a week in Paris where we had an amazing time.
I am truly blessed and couldn't ask for a better husband than Rich. We have been through a lot in the past 10 years- moving away from family, the tragic loss of my brother, changes in career, the loss of 2 beloved pets, the journey to our adoption....and so much more.
I also feel so thankful that Nathaniel will have such a wonderful Dad to be loved by and to learn from. That is one of the things I admire most about Rich...he is the most honest and committed person I think I will ever know. So, from across the miles tonight- Happy 6th Anniversay Hun!
P.S. I just wanted to add- there was an earthquake here last night. According to the news, it was 5.4 on the scale. Our whole house shook and I was concerned for about 30 seconds until it stopped. It was brief and there did not appear to be any damage nor was anyone hurt. The weather across the world is so unpredictable right now and Guatemala is no exception. Today was about 70 and partly sunny but it was windy. The power goes out about 10 times a day but thankfully does eventually come back on.
Well, sort of. This morning we awoke and our innkeeper was so excited that there was snow on the top of the volcano.
Here is a picture of the volcano from our terrace
It actually isn't cold here, bit it is chilly. Today was only about 60 for a high and it was very windy. The whole country lost power last night for at least 2 hours. Nathaniel enjoyed modeling his hats today
(we know dad will just love the bonnet look!)
We had fun just hanging out in our room, too
Tonight we went to dinner with our new friends who are also fostering down here. We went to Ni fu Ni fa- traditional Argentinian food- it was very good.
Tomorrow we are going to lunch with some other friends we've made. Then we'll settle in for a relaxing weekend. On Monday, we have an appointment to go meet with the mayor and our attorney. It should be very interesting...
Have a good weekend!
Saying goodbye to Maria on Sunday...we'll see her again! This was our GOTCHA day.
I'm handsome and I know it...
Lunch yesterday at Cafe Condessa...delicious!
Welcoming in the New Year at the Arc in Antigua
