Rosie and Me...And Eli Makes Three!!!: WE'RE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found out today that we were signed out of PGN yesterday! I'm so excited. (And, somewhat nervous!) Eli's birthmom signed off on the final adoption decree (I think this is her fourth signature) yesterday. I'm leaving tomorrow for a visit trip that I had already planned. So - stay tuned for more pics and more info about when Mr. Eli will be coming home!!!

Here is a pic the attorney's office sent me this week. I think it was taken after his doctor appointment (and vaccinations!) Poor baby. I'm so excited to see him!!!! And hold him!!!!

List of Terms

Gotcha Day: The day when an adoptive family takes custody of their child forever.
DNA: Each child must complete two DNA tests. The first DNA test is taken with the birthmom in the same room. The birthmom holds the baby and they both have their mouths swabbed. The samples are then sent to a lab in the United States. The results and the photo of the birthmom and child are taken and then sent to the embassy and to the adoptive parents. I have photos and a full DNA map for both children! And, the 2nd test is taken with only the child (see "Orange.") So, my children are biological siblings - and I can prove it! : )
Pink: This is the big one! This is the color of the slip that was given out (even with Rosie's adoption) that tells you when your final embassy appointment can take place. This means you can go home two days later! Embassy appointment one day, visa appointment the next and home the following day! The slips are now emailed so they aren't pink. But - it's still called pink in the adoption community.
Orange: The color of slip that is given when the US embassy reviews your approved adoption documents. This slip allows you to go get your child's 2nd DNA test taken to make sure your baby is the same one whose DNA was taken originally. Got that? Sigh.....Craziness! At least it's a safeguard to help children and families. It adds about 2 weeks to the process.
Dossier: The ton of paperwork that has to be notarized, then certified by the Secretary of State in the state from which the document came, then authenticated by the Guatemalan consulate in the US that is in the region for that state
FC: Family Court, social worker interview takes place with bmom. They really interview her to be sure she is of sound mind and her reasons are legitimate. All documents and information are then ruled on by a judge.
POA: Power of Attorney, usually done as soon as child is referred to an adoptive parent
PGN: like our attorney general's office, final step to finalizing adoption
Fmom: fostermom
Bmom: birthmom
PA: Pre-Approval from the US Embassy

My Book List!

"If Kisses Were Colors" by Janet Lawler and Alison Jay. This is my second favorite of my mommy favorite books. We save it until the end of the reading time when she's getting very sleepy. I read it several times on the micro-cassette tapes I sent to Guatemala. There's just something about this book that makes me think we're making memories with it.
"Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale" by Karen Katz.
"Many-Colored Blessings" Little Blessings book.
"Thank You, God!" Another Little Blessings book. I prefer the board books in these - it's a lot easier for Rosie to flip through the pages.
"God Loves You" a Little Blessings Picture Book by Kathleen Long Bostrom and Elena Kucharik. These Little Blessings books are precious! I want them all! The illustrator of "Care Bears" is the illustrator of these books. They teach about God, love, creation, unconditional love, color differences and more!
Sesame Street "We're Different, We're the Same" by Bobbi Kates and Joe Mathieu. This is a super book that teaches about our differences in such a sweet, fun way using the characters of Sesame Street. I highly recommend this one.