Gotcha!

Today was Gotcha Day! We had a great day. I went to the airline counter at the Marriott and bought his lap ticket for the flight home. Then, we switched hotels. We went to the embassy doctor for his final medical report for the embassy appointment and Eli is in perfect condition. We did not have to get his flu shot (a new requirement) because he is not quite 6 months old (how did that happen?) They didn't tell me how tall he is, but he is 16 lbs. He looks really, really good. Then, I went and got his pictures taken for his visa. He will come home as a US citizen and will not have to be naturalized but he has to leave the country with a visa.

Posing with Eli's (and Rosie's) foster mom, Orbelina, her grandson and one of her daughters. They arrived early (like 30 minutes) and I had to hustle to get ready. Ooh. My shirt was baggy and I look super pregnant. Ummm. I'm not. But - a diet plan is not a bad idea....

Me handing Eli back to Orbelina for one last hug.

Sleeping peacefully in his mommy's care. I never have to go through the agony of leaving him for months at a time again. Okay - he can go to college - and that's it! No leaving his mommy!
How precious is this perfect baby?

Chain, chain, chain.....of events.....

Okay - so it's been a while since I've posted. So, I have some catching up to do! As you will notice in the title, I have been watching too much American Idol. Scratch that - wishing I could watch more. It took me a week to watch the first two hour episode. Thank goodness for DVR's (love, love, love TIVO.)

Here's what happened in order:

We got ORANGE!!! That - I may have mentioned. But - I wanted to say it again. So - I got to go with little Mr (as I'm calling him) and have his DNA taken. It was a simple swab and we were done.

I stalked the lab AND Fedex AND the embassy. I was at a meeting for work for three days and I can't believe everyone I work with doesn't hate my pre-occupied guts. I kept checking email on my phone. The lab was late by a day or two causing our embassy appointment to be moved back several days. The lady who normally handles it was out because her mother-in-law died. I turned into Momzilla and told the lab I was sorry for her but it wasn't my fault and it sounded like a personal problem and they had a business to run. (I'm even shocked at myself!) They, in turn, wrote me a nasty email telling me they completed my DAUGHTER's DNA as quickly as possible and they did not drop the ball. This infuriated me even more since they are a DNA lab! Ummmm....Eli is a boy. I have never heard of a girl named Eli. Not that there's anything wrong with that....

The embassy was really nice to me and gave me an appointment the day before my paperwork expires and held it for me until my DNA results arrived.

We got PINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our appointment is Monday. We are first in line. Thank goodness for the embassy holding the appointment b/c if it would have been one day later my paperwork would have expired and we would probably have a couple of months delay or so.

I'm in Guatemala. I just arrived about an hour ago and should receive little Mr. tomorrow morning!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is "Gotcha Day."

Now - I am officially clearing my slate b/c I have been tagged by the great Amanda. Love her! I am supposed to write 7 things about myself that everyone may not know, things that are interesting, things I deem noteworthy.

Here you go:

1. I hate cold salads. Yep. You know: pasta salad, chicken salad, carrot salad, potato salad. DIS-gusting. And, what's with putting mayonnaise in there? Just eat it on a sandwich, dude. Oh, but FYI for anyone planning to make me a cold salad without mayo - I'm still against it. This hatred does not include the regular leaf lettuce salads - that is a whole other subject which I am also quite particular about.

2. I have a bizarre love for country music. I mean - so much so that I know the majority of country songs. And - if I'm driving through an area (yes, some of where I work is that remote) where I cannot pick up good radio (that also includes XM), I scan the radio and play the "Country Music Game" - a game I made up to pass the long drive (perhaps I should be listening to self-help CD's.) Mostly, I try to sing along with every single song that is country (most are in these particular areas) to see if I know them all, then repeat each time the radio scans. So fun. But - as you all know I love to sing.....

Which brings me to the next weird thing but must be in the same category. I love, love, love Loretta Lynn. I was super little when "Coal Miner's Daughter" came out. I still know most of the words to the movie! And, when I sing karaoke, I usually throw a little "Coal Miner's Daughter" in just as a tribute to Loretta!

3. I live in pajamas. Even in the summer and all day long at my home I wear pajamas (mostly flannel.) The mailman, FedEx, UPS guy, neighbors, trash people, you get the point... have all seen me in my pajamas and I'm so not ashamed. I never, ever wear the ones I slept in or that I'm planning to sleep in because that would be grody. The daily wear pj is a fresh pair at all times. Now that I'm working again, I am obviously a weekend and after work (immediately after work) pajama girl. Oh - and they MUST have fun, cute, silly patterns on them. They can be worn with the pant and tank, with a shirt thrown over, etc. The pj is super stylish.

4. I hate wet socks. That is my biggest pet peeve. Who wants to roam around in a sock after it's been in some water?

5. I am a huge, huge, huge animal lover. But - I will never, ever beat the animal lovin-ness of my friend, Stacie who is queen of the animal lovers. I am a member of the ASPCA. I help support the animal officers you see on the Animal Planet. I also have very strong opinions and I'm on the writing committees for some of the animal protection groups.

I love my dogs. They are so very, very precious to me. It's been me and them for a long time - we've been through a lot together. And, I adore them. I've had Panda since she was 3 1/2 weeks old and Sally since she was around 2. They are both 10 now. And, they've been good sports about this whole baby thing! I also really, really believe in adopting animals. There are so many that need homes and so many more that never get them. So - if you are considering a pet, think about adopting. If you want a specific breed, there are some great breed rescue organizations. Try that first!

6. I am very weird about my laundry. I still spend way too much time doing it (but that does not mean it is always caught up.... I really take my time on these things...hee hee.) I press out all the ruffles, bows, appliques, pull out wrinkles by hand before I hang things up to dry. I also fold my towels, waschloths, etc with all the labels tucked neatly inside and the seems all tucked inside and matched perfectly corner to corner. I also store them all facing the same way - with the band on the outside, folded side in, etc. This probably makes a person think I am super organized. Wrong. It's just a problem I have.

7. When I really love a person or an animal or I'm soothing someone, I call them "Bear." It all started from my little Panda Bear. So, now Sally is Sally Louise (she needed her own middle name) and I also call her Bear. Rosie, Eli.... everyone is Bear. It's sort of like, "Oh, what's wrong, sweet Bear?" or "I love you, Baby Bear."

So, now everyone knows my secrets. I am tagging Dawn and Emily. Nice that I'm tagging women with multiple children. I'm sure they have nothing better to do! : ) Sorry, guys. Love ya'.

Weekend in Review

Just what you've all been waiting for.... more pics of Eli! : ) Here they are in random order. There are so many more, but this is just a sampling of what is in store for more posts. I have to pace myself - oh - and sleep. By the way - amazing that I had to come to Guatemala to sleep! Eli is such a good sleeper (although he stays awake a bit too much at night and sleeps most of the day - normal for the change from foster mom to me) that I can sleep so well. Praise the Lord, I say because I don't get a lot of sleep at home! This has been great. He's great! So cute and cuddly and precious.

Having more fun with his mommy and his hat.

My friends, Lance and Rachel are here with their baby Tarynn. We all went to Antigua today (the former capitol city of Guatemala.) I also have pics of us when we were in Guatemala during our adoption process with Rosie and their baby, Taylor. We're all old pros.

I realized just how old I am when I was trying to climb the hill back to the car - through the sand, carrying a baby! But - I think it was worth it for the pretty pictures.

These are "rugs" made purely of loose (you could destroy the rug with a sweep of your foot) sawdust. People spend hours making them. These are some examples of the huge, gigantic rugs made during Holy Week.

Mr. Fix It

Cutie pie in his Antigua touring outfit.

Thanks, Nana for fixing this gown. Now, could you work on the socks?

Styling in his bear gown and cool hat he got in Antigua earlier in the day. Doesn't he look like he's ready to pack his bags and leave? Soon!

He really enjoys pulling his gown up and playing with it and his hat.

I Love Mommy.

A quick wardrobe fix after a spit-up accident and ta-da Mommy Loves Me!

Guess What???

I have the same last name as my mommy and big sister! Today I got to see my mommy again and then we went and had my picture taken and got my passport. The neatest thing was my mommy got to sign. Usually someone else does that, but since my mommy was already here, things went faster for us -- and she got to sign as my legal guardian! I'm hoping to get submitted for ORANGE and then get my 2nd DNA test on Monday and then come home in couple of weeks! My mommy will go back home because she has a lot of work to do before I come home. She still has to complete a whole nursery! Thank goodness for my Nana! I can't wait to meet her and Grandad and everyone else at home!

Did I mention you're going to love me? Mommy keeps saying I'm perfect!

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!!!!

Fashion Show Part 2

So, here's the hodge podge of clothing I put him in. I made sure to wear my plaid pj's when he wore his Christmas sleeper to match Rosie and I on Christmas day (which I will post soon...) My grandma bought him the grandma shirt (of course.) How neat that my babies will get to know their great-grandma. Rosie's a big fan and I know Eli will be, too.

The last pics were taken around 6am the morning I left. So - don't judge. I was tired - and sad. But - not for long.... I'm going back to see him in a couple of weeks and I can't wait. I finally washed his little clothes today (that's always the hardest part - it feels weird to be washing clothes for a baby who doesn't even live here.) And - I'm reminded of how he smells and feels. How tiny he really is - knowing he'll never be that small again - and I only got a glimpse of it. However, I was fortunate that I could know both him and Rosie before their adoption was even final. Many adoptive parents are not afforded that luxury. And, as heartbreaking as it is (I swore I would never visit another baby without bringing him/her home) - it's so good for the babies. Rosemary definitely knew who I was when they placed her in my arms again. And - that is priceless. For me - and for her - and now Eli.

Fashion Show Part 1

I'm not finished posting pics from my visit with Eli. I had a wonderful 3 nights and 4 days with him and I love him so much it hurts. He's such a happy, sweet baby and it really killed me to hand him back to the foster mother. But - I have been here before and I knew I was going home to Rosie (who I missed like crazy.) I am planning another trip very soon (maybe in a month) and will have more information on our case - hopefully.

I took so many clothes because I didn't know what would fit. And, so many people bought really cute things for him, so I wanted them to see him in them. Unfortunately there weren't enough days to get all the clothes in - and most of them were too big (and at the time I wasn't sure when I would be back.) So - on our last day we had a fashion show! You will see some Christmas clothes in this AND our next installment. Eli's Nana (and me) really wanted him to have cute Christmas sleepers. He also really enjoyed his baby gym (also pictured in our fashion show below) and by the end of the trip he was kicking the toys and using his hands to grab them. He wasn't using his hands at all (much like his sister) but learned really quickly (because as I've mentioned, he's a genious.) I left the gym for his foster mom so he can get use out of it - he'll probably outgrow it by the time he gets home. Ooh.... and when I was downstairs having dinner with some other families, they asked me if he was saying, "Mama." I was so excited.... because, well, he was saying, "Mama." Now, it could be because I harrassed him into it (my Dad was horrified when he saw the video of me saying it over and over) or it could be because he was babbling....or it could be because he's a genious. You know what my vote is! Can you tell I think he's perfect?

I should probably also update you all on our status in the process. We are in PGN (see definitions) and because of the new laws that went into effect on the 1st of January, all cases receiving a previo or kick out OR who weren't submitted before January 1 must register with the Central Registry (the new public system for Guatemalan adoptions.) However, the Central Registry does not yet exist. So - these cases could be significantly delayed. A friend of mine received a previo and I could (most do - I did with Rosie) and it really could be devastating. But - you know - I have faith. I was truly led to this adoption - and I know it will work out. So far everything looks really good according to my attorney. Please pray for us - and for all those in process that we will bring home our children soon!!!! We want our babies!!!! : )

Stay tuned for "Fashion Show Part 2"!!