PA Countdown

It usually takes around 60 days from DNA notarization (12-13 weeks from DNA collection) to get Pre-Approval from the U.S. Embassy (pre-approval is the pre-approval of the U.S. Visa Natalie will need to enter the U.S.). This process used to take no time at all, but is now really slow as the U.S. is scrutinizing each application more closely to make sure nothing is amiss. We are hoping to have hers by Halloween and get into PGN before the holidays.

It's a Match! Updated

DNA was taken from Natalie and her birthmom on August 18 and matched 99.99% on August 22. We didn't even know that it had been taken and we were really shocked when the results came in the mail today! The first hurdle has been cleared and about a million more to go.....

UPDATE: We received a report along with DNA pictures. The report is our agency interviewing the birthmother. It is very interesting and will be much appreciated by Natalie when she is older. I'm so very glad to have it. Below is a pic of Natalie getting her DNA taken.

1 Month Medical Visit

Ok, an awesome agency I have...imagine my surprise as I sit her writing up my blog for our last day here and I'm so horribly sad...and then DING my email shows an email from FTC! Yep, the FM took Natalie straight over for her medical check-up and FTC already sent me the pics and report!

Dr. M reports:

Maria is doing well in the time since her last visit she is now much more interactive and I am told that she is now spending gradually more and more time awake and starts to notice her surroundings, shows active, symmetrical, purely reflex movement of arms and legs and will also move her head from side to side, when on her stomach she will very briefly lift her chin from the bed. I am told that she takes well her formula and is also receiving her ordered vitamin supplement. Upon evaluation today I found her in good health with no obvious physical or neurological abnormalities, her weight is 7 lbs 6 oz, length of 47.4 cms and head circumference of 33.4 cms

One of the 20 pics they sent!

Day 4 - The First Good-Bye

Today we had to hand Natalie back to her very loving FM. The First Good-Bye. The test to see if I could actually handle coming back and giving her back every month. It was hard, but our FM had it rougher as she had just handed baby "E" (Natalie's roomie) to her parents for good. I think it helped me to know how hard that was for her and that getting Natalie back tonight would help with the loss of E. I hope so. We did not stay for a long good-bye, a basic rush job hoping it would be easier. Then we went for the traditional retail therapy and bought a phone to use while down here. On the way back from the mall (yep, a real mall with even a Gap) and much to David's delight, they were opening a casino of sorts in our hotel (machine gaming and they were hauling in some blackjack tables)- I haven't seen David since. :)

As for the process, if anything has happened it's been in the background. I was kind of hoping they would come get Natalie for DNA while we were here, but it didn't happen. I believe she will be going in for her ~1 month check-up on Monday.

We have had a great time here, despite the political climate (and anti-adoption climate). The Westin has been nothing but polite and helpful. Guatemala is having elections here in a few weeks and things are, well, somewhat hostile. The current administration is actively against international adoption. UNICEF (who will no longer get a cent from me EVER) has offered $28 million dollars to build a public orphanage that does not do any type adoptions - believing that families should not put babies up for adoption and should keep them no matter what the circumstances. They believe if they are given up they are better off raised in an orphanage than being adopted out internationally. I don't even try to understand. You see lots of horrible stories about adoptions from here - babies switched, mothers coerced, etc. While I'm sure that there are a few instances of that, it is rare. You see the process we're going through - it's lengthy, it's intrusive and we get investigated by 2 different countries that are against it. And now not only do we have a DNA test done with baby and birthmom at the beginning of the process, but now the baby gets a 2nd DNA test at the end of the process to make sure it matches the first one. Don't see all that going on in domestic adoptions. OK, off my soap box. For now anyway.

It was fabulous meeting everyone we met here - good luck one and all!

Now for Day 4 pics of nuestra princesa:

Gotta Love Those Sleep Saks...


What's Up With The Stupid Bonnet?


Such Tiny Hands (and the first BLING)...


Message from Brother...Natalie (heart) Nathan...


Are Those Clown Shoes? (Smallest Robeez makes though)...


Definitely "Worth The Wait"...


I Am The Little Sister...


Saying Good-Bye...


Tip of Volcano "Pacaya" from the hotel window...

Day 3 And I Socialize WHY?

Today is Day 3. Our last full day with our Baby Girl. We've spent most of today walking all over the hotel socializing with other parents. Met a very nice FTC man and his son "C". They had a paperchase to rival another forum friend (that'd be you Sig). YUK. But all is on track now. I also met Colleen today (head of our Guat office) - she was here to sign POA for some new referral couples. She really seems on the ball THANK GOD because it seems every person we socialized with today has a horror story about their adoption (no one from my agency). Here we are only having DNA authorized - not even taken yet - and they feel compelled to tell me every last itty bitty horror detail. I feel for them, I really do, but I just don't have the strength. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, not because I have to give my baby back, but because I get to see some happy endings. BABIES ARE GOING HOME!!

Baby Girl slept good last night - I've completely forgotten how much a baby sleeps. We sit in the room and watch her sleep, then we go to the lobby and watch her sleep, then we go to a restaurant and watch her sleep, then to the bar and watch her sleep, then to the kid's room and watch her sleep - well, you get the idea. We have no idea what to do with ourselves after chasing a 5 and 2 year old all day long. :)

Without further ado, here is nuestra princesa...

Day 2 and More Pictures!

Day 2 at the Westin and all is well. Baby girl didn't go to bed real early but was fine once she finally settled. FM said that she had spitting up and burping problems, but we brought the Avent bottle system with us and we can already see a change for the better. We've just hung out today talking and playing with other babies. Tomorrow Miriam arrives and I can't wait to meet her and Baby "C". We received Social Visit pictures today (the first for Natalie) taken August 16, as well as Natalie's results from the Pediatrix Newborn Screening test. She was Within Normal Limits on everything - WooHoo! We gave her first bath and well, not overly pleased, but not as bad as Nick's first bath. Oh, and for those who commented - we're in a Jr Suite and though I have nothing to compare it too, it's been great, lots of room. Enjoy the pics....

First meeting Natalie yesterday...


Just the crib shoes (size 0)...


Cutest little "Zutano" outfit...


The picture everyone takes at the Westin...


First Bath...


Big Naps after bath...


First Social Visit Pic...


Another First Social Visit Pic...

Happy 1 Month Bday and First Visit!

Today we landed in Guat and rushed to the Westin so we could get there in time to meet our baby! Our FM was very nice and very sweet - I'm so glad Natalie is in such an awesome home. Everything is going smoothly thus far. We met Teryl and her husband who are FTCrs and are here for pick up. Their baby boy is SO adorable! We are just having a great time getting to know our girl...and enjoying the hospitality of the Westin.

Happy 1 Month Birthday Baby Girl!!!!!!!!!

Surprise Visit Pics and ONE MORE SLEEP!

Today as we pack a mile a minute for tomorrow's visit, we received surprise visit pics! This is where our foster mother manager "surprises" Natalie's foster mom at home at odd hours and checks everything out and takes wonderful pictures. Natalie is doing well - she takes a bath at 11am, goes to bed at 9pm and wakes to eat ONLY at 3am and 8am. Gotta love that! Can't wait to see my baby tomorrow! Natalie's roomie "E" received PINK today and we are so happy that she wil be going home next week. We are so excited for her family!

Here are a few pics of our girl - the pics were taken on August 8 (2.5 weeks old).

3 Sleeps!!

Well, mom flew in safe and sound today (albeit with a sprained ankle-good thing we only have a 3 story house and 2 kids under 5, oh and a dog).

We have 3 sleeps before we see our baby girl!! That's how our 5 year old counts time, very cute. We are sooooooo excited, but I've packed nothing. Well except for all of Natalie's stuff, which is 2 giant suitcases and an infant car seat carrier with an infant seat and other things all stuffed in around it. You'd think I was never going back to visit, wander what I'll bring on Sept 20? Well, I know for sure a bumbo and a baby rocker/bouncer. I think this time I might be able to fit in some friends zippies to take as well! But David and I have packed nothing else. Nothing. It's not the fun part!

Our Director was in Guat last week and said that social visits were on Thurs. More pics! We shoud get updated pics any day now (probably when we go to Guat and see the baby in person). Oh well, more the merrier, and I'm DYING for an update. Our agency dropped the ball (not usual with them) and our baby girl and her roomie "E" had a suprise visit on 7/24, but for some reason they can't find or don't have any pics or an update sheet on Natalie (but do on E). Maybe they will find it, I don't know. Weird.

But hey, only 3 more sleeps.

Legacy of An Adopted Child

Legacy Of An Adopted Child
-Author Unknown

Once there were two women who didn't know each other.
One you'd grow inside of; the other you'd call Mother.

Two different lives were interwined and helped to shape your one.
The first became your guiding star; The other became your sun.

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first prepared you to receive love; the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent; the other gave you an aim.

One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.

One sought for you the kind of home that she could not provide.
The other hoped for a child, and her dreams were not denied.

And now you ask us what the sages,
Haven't answered through the ages.

Nature or Nurture - Which are you the product of?
It's both, dear child, and two different kinds of love.

DNA has been charged!

Today I thought I would check our credit card to see if DNA has been charged - and it was on 8/14! Woo Hoo! For those of you not in process, this means an appointment will be set up to bring both Natalie in as well as her birthmom so DNA can be taken and matched. The lab has already charged for the test so hopefully they will test them soon and we can MOVE on to Family Court and waiting for Pre-Approval.

5 more days till we leave to visit our baby.....

A Week From Today...

A week from today we will be holding our little girl! We can't wait. Our Power of Attorney made it safely there late yesterday afternoon, so the process has officially started. Let the countdown begin...

I met with a pediatrician today that specializes in international adoptions and she was great. She thought Natalie's stats and labs all looked great. I will send her the monthly medical updates so she can get to know her and track her before she actually gets home. It was nice speaking with a doctor who had this kind of experience.

Anyway, will update you when we hear something!

POA sent to Guat!

Well today we finally sent the Power of Attorney to Guatemala. Once there, it will be translated and then our process can officially start. We already sent our Parent Identification Letter (which the US Embassy in Guat needed). I hope that's the last of the paperwork for now, yuk! We can't wait to see our baby girl! 10 more days! Two of my agency buddies received there referrals this week: Amy and Terri Anne, woo hoo!!!! It's been a fantastic week, huh Guatemama's? The next step: DNA will be taken from both Natalie and her birthmom. Natalie will also have her DNA taken at the end of the process and have it compared to this first DNA. This is how the US makes sure that all is on the up and up.

And away we go.....

First Slideshow

Of Natalie's intake photos and her first doctor's appointment at 2 days old. We will receive three sets of pictures every month or so. We will receive pictures from her monthly medical visit, then pictures from a monthly visit with our agency, and then surprise visit pictures every 6 weeks or so (we have an AWESOME agency). We will also receive any movement-in-the-process updates every 10 days or so if there has been any significant movement.

We Have A Name....

After much debate, my subconcious need for alliteration, and in keeping with the "N" tradition, we have named our princess:

Natalie Maria

Maria was her birth name and we really wanted to keep it for her.

I've also planned a second trip to Guatemala on 9/20 so I can be there for her 2nd month birthday. We can't wait to meet her - it's so hard to wait....