Dad and Grandma Michele's 1st Visit with Blake!

We are FINALLY in PGN after missing 6 WEEKS!

It is a miracle I think that we are actually in PGN!!!! We can't even tell you how excited we are to be there. What a relief is all we can say. Now we can be reassured that our case will be followed and cared for until we receive approval. We were submitted on Tuesday, August 28th and we received our first DNA pre-approval from the U.S. on July 21st. I can't believe it's been 6 weeks. We seriously could be out of PGN by now. We are not going to dwell on the past though as we now get closer to actually bringing that sweet baby home. At this point, that's all we can think about. Today, I went to Costco to pick up 600 (seriously that's how many I got developed) from my first trip to Guatemala. Of course, I had to get every pose of Blake sitting on the couch, in the bathtub, in the walker, eating his first cereal versus one of each. I'm definitely a bit obsessed with my first child as any mother would be! Now I'm not sure where I'm going to put all of these photos, but I'm sure I'll find a place. Perhaps creating a photo album will help this last amount of time go faster. I sure hope so. The other good news is that according to all those involved with our agency, families have been receiving approval in a much shorter time than in the past. In fact, yesterday we were told of an approval in 9 days. Don't even ask me how that happened, but it was true! We have to still remember that even if we receive approval quickly, we still have at least 3 weeks afterward to get Blake's new birth certificate, Visa, Passport, and our final Embassy appointment. Let's cross our fingers that everything goes smoothly from this point on. I know I've said this before, but I'm saying it again for good luck! Blake's room is more than ready for him at this point. I was able to organize all of the wonderful baby shower gifts we received and he not only will be the best dressed kid in all of his outfits, but he will have plenty of fun things to play with. Thank you all for your beautiful and thoughtful gifts. Blake will enjoy and use everything. We will keep our blog updated as we receive more news. School starts on Tuesday, Sept. 4th already. Last night I had the opportunity to meet all of my students and parents at Open House and it looks like I will have another great class. It's back to the grind, but hopefully work this Fall will be short lived! Enjoy the new pictures!

Back in the States and Missing our Boy :(

Well, Melaine and I arrived safe back in the states on the 21st. Although it is wonderful to see my husband, drink Starbucks Coffee and see family and friends, we can't get our mind off of Blake. I spent almost 2 months in Antigua and leaving him was SO hard. We know he is in wonderful hands with his loving foster family though. A friend of ours just got out of PGN in a little less than 8 weeks with no kick outs so we are hopeful for this time frame as well. Right now the plan is for me to return to stay with Blake until we bring him home around October 13th (hopefully we'll just be getting out of PGN). This time, Kaylie might come with me! I can't wait for the other sis to meet her new baby nephew. We miss him SOOOO much. I can't post pictures right now and I know you're all waiting for them, but I promise when I return from Canada (where I'm with my husband right now), I will post more. Thank you all for your encouraging and thoughtful comments to the blog while I was gone. They were appreciated.

Auntie Melaine Arrived!

I apologize for not staying more true to the blog, but I have had the worst random illness for the last 5 days. It began Sunday with a high fever (for three days) and then turned into an almost allergic throat/cough reaction now ending in extreme weakness and fatigue! Fun, fun! Thank goodness Auntie Melaine arrived in the nick of time.

Melaine arrived around 7:00AM on Wednesday morning and immediately grabbed Blake from my arms! She loves him so much and he took to her really fast. He giggles and smiles every time she enters the room! It's so cute. We now only have 5 days left to spend in Guatemala with Blake and we're trying hard to make them the best days together.

As far as our adoption goes, once again, Chris' police document that was mailed apparently was not "done right" according to our agency so once again, we're out another week from PGN. Originally we were going to be in by today. Now, it will be next Wednesday supposedly. Basically we could've been in PGN for a month by now! It's so frustrating, but there's nothing we can do about it. We have to keep remembering that we're going to have Blake with us for the rest of our lives, so I guess we can hang in there now. Most families have been getting out of PGN in 8 weeks so if we go in next week, 8 weeks would be the third week of October. We'd then be looking at actually bringing him home in November. At this point, if we can have Blake home for Christmas it would be the best present yet. Tomorrow, I plan to take Melaine to the wild market to show her chicken feet and raw meat. I'm sure she'll love that! Today we went to the Macadamia Nut Farm and Melaine went in a Tuc-Tuc (which almost crashed with all of us in it) for the first time! After nearling crashing though, she might not though! Our driver told us that our screams scared him and helped him from not crashing! Can you believe it?!! What a different life it is here. We will miss the beauty and quirkiness of Antigua when we go. I'm already looking forward to returning in October!

Check out my New Jet Walker!

Chris' Police Clearance Document has been Found!

Finally! We received a phone call last night from Robert saying that our documents have been found. It tooks 2 1/2 weeks to figure out that they were at the San Francisco Guatemalan Consolate (don't even ask me how this couldn't take one phone call). Anyway, the police clearance as well as family photos will be Fed Exed to Robert from San Francisco today and then as soon as Robert receives them, they'll be Fed Exed once again to Alex and Lourdes here in Guatemala (hopefully on Friday). If they receive them Monday, translate the police clearance and then do one more thing they have to do with it here, we should be submitted into PGN on Wednesday or Thursday. Since we're talking about Guatemala time, let's just say HOPEFULLY by the end of next week! Aghh! Now Chris will not have to make a trip to Olympia today to the Washington State Patrol which he was very happy about. We're just trusting Robert that indeed this is the original that was found. Once things begin to be lost, you start wondering who to trust and if your documents are for sure the originals. I can't even tell you how many things get forged or copied here. Let's have faith. If PGN does find anything forged or copied, of course, we'll be kicked out.

Last night, we were able to witness the most beautiful thing. A volcano behind our house erupted giving us a beautiful lava display well into the evening (began around 6 and went to about 9 or 10PM). Not only were we able to see coral colored lava and ash, but as it got dark, we were invited to the rooftop of a neighbor's house to watch the lava fall down the mountain. It was spectacular. I've never seen anything like it. It was like watching a fireworks show, but better. The last time it actual erupted with lava was 6 weeks ago we were told, so this was a rare occasion. We sat and ate pizza for at least an hour or so at the neighbors. It was really neat! I videotaped for at least half and hour. The video coverage is ten times better than the pictures I took. I have posted a few! As soon as we get our video completed once I return home, you're invited to come see it!

Yesterday I received phone calls and emails from my beloved counselor friends at Camp Goodtimes. This is the first summer I've missed camp in 20 years. It's hard to believe this would have been my 20th summer at camp! I miss them so much, but it was so good to hear their voices and know that the kids are happy and having fun. I guess an actual circus came to camp yesterday. Perfect for the circus theme!

Blake is 6 Months Old Today!!

Is this the happiest kid or what?!! I think he knows how cool he is now that he's a whole 6 months old!! Actually, Blake thinks it's hilarious now when mom fake sneezes so I caught these pictures during a "sneezing episode." Not much positive adoption news at this point - STILL waiting on lost documents. We have hired an adoption attorney so hopefully we'll actually feel like we're in communication with someone after tomorrow. Enjoy happy baby!

We Visited the Filadelfia Coffee Plant!

On Thursday, my new friend Elizabeth and I and of course the babies went on a tour of the famous Filadelfia Coffee Plant. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I feel so fortunate to be able to see all of these sights! In fact, I think this place is in the book titled, "100 places to see before you die!" This might not be the title exactly - I think I might have the number part wrong! Anyway, we began our tour with Carlos (the guide) around 1:30 who picked up the 4 of us at our front gate. The plant itself is only about 20 minutes outside of Antigua. We also toured the plant with one other family of 4 from Israel who are also here visiting. They were a great family and pretty much it was just the 8 of us there. I think we saw only 2 other parties the whole day. Carlos spoke perfect English and interestingly enough, we were able to learn a little Hebrew as well with the Dad from Israel translating the entire tour to his daughter! Carlos took us literally on a 5 hour tour of the plant and showed us every step from the little coffee sprouts, to the actual plants with beans, to the shelling area (did you know that coffee beans have 3 layers of skin?), then the sun drying area, to the shelling area again, and then to the roasting. At the end, we sat down in a little outside restaurant overlooking a gorgeous view of the hillside and we were given two cups of the best tasting coffee I think I've ever had. Sorry, Starbucks! It was also interesting on this tour to learn that the entire school system in Guatemala is geared around coffee bean picking season. I believe he said that all schools shut down from October to January so that the entire family can make more money bringing their children to help. Families are paid by the weight of the beans they pick so you can imagine with a few extra hands, you'd have a lot more beans and ultimately more money. Carlos told us that the average family in Guatemala makes around $500/month. Can you even imagine? During the coffee season however, families generaly earn I think he said $4-5,ooo so a little more for this time. He said their particular plant pays a little higher than the other 90 plants they have in Guatemala. I had no idea how many coffee plants were in Guatemala. So, next time you are having second thoughts about spending a bit more money at Starbucks for your Grande cup of coffee, think of how many little hands had to pick the beans to make your cup and you might think twice. It's incredible, isn't it? Let's see. What else is new. We're still waiting on our missing document and photos. It is so frustrating, but there's really nothing we can do right now. If they're in the mail, then they'll arrive sooner or later. Worse case scenario, we have to send more pictures and get a new police clearance for Chris. Problem is, it still needs to be authenticated at a US consolate here in Guatemala and this is what appears to be the hold up now. So, let's just add another month, why not?!!! Blake is still as happy as ever and is growing every day. I can't even imagine how big he'll be just after a month or two of me being gone. I can't even think about this right now so let's move onto another subject once again! We are now down to 11 days until Aunt Melaine arrives! It will be so fun to show a family member the beautiful as well as strange sights of this city (for example men pulling over their cars on the side of the road to urinate- that's an interesting sight). Blake is now into pulling and eating my hair while he rides in the backpack seat which is quite fun with, might I say, 4 BAGS OF GROCERIES NOW?!!! Am I Wonderwoman or what?! Just kidding. I have to admit I had to stop about 3 times on the way home from Bodegona today to rest. I just couldn't do it! The other hilarious thing about Guatemala is that if your baby is the least bit fussy, they immediately diagnose what's wrong - "oh, he's hungry, has he eaten?" No, actually I don't feed my baby. Or, "he's cold. Feel his hands and feet." If Blake doesn't have sweat dripping down his hair then he's cold. I just smile and say something silly to them in Spanish and they usually laugh (or call me a weird Gringa after I leave)! I've heard that one yelled a few times! Hopefully I'll have news about the arrival of our stuff on Monday. Please cross your fingers that it is this week at least! We love you all and hope you're all well. Enjoy the coffee plant pictures! Oh, the first picture of the plant is actually the hotel that cost $250/night to stay. In front of it (the large looking patio) is actually the area that they sun dry the beans before they're roasted.

P.S. Have I already said that I have never been happier in my life (than when I got married of course) Spending time here in Antigua with my baby is as good as it can get.

Still Waiting on Documents!

We are still waiting for the arrival of Chris' police clearance and our family photos at this point. Aghh!! Lourdes told us that she expected them last Friday and it is now 5 days later and they're still not in her hands. This is so frustrating because we could be in PGN this week and now it looks like it will be next week (hopefully). I spoke with our US agent today and he said he has no idea how they're missing from our file. It's simply a mystery apparently. It's funny because Lourdes told me that they hadn't been sent by our US agent because he was having family problems. Hmm...interesting. Can someone fess up?!! Can't you tell the frustration in my voice?!! He said that these documents were sent to a Guatemalan consolate somewhere in the US to be approved before being sent to Lourdes here in Guatemala. Who knows. All I know is that when you're told you might be getting into that step, you get your hopes up and now here we wait again. Well, onto more positive things!! Blake and I have been trying to stay busy every day to help the time go by. I also, of course, want my last few weeks with him to be completely worthwhile. Did I already mention that I've decided to come home with Melaine on the 21st? While it will be so painful (I already feel it and have had several crying episodes with Blake asleep in my arms), I will have more time to be with him once my leave begins from home. We're really hoping that I will only have to work all of September and maybe part of October. If we're able to return to bring Blake home say mid-October, then my leave will begin as soon as we're back in the states. With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner thereafter, my 40 days will go into the holiday vacation and my estimated date to return to work would be around the first or second week of January. This will be so much better in the long run for Blake. If I stay here, then we will only get more attached to each other and then leaving will be harder. Also, I will have to go directly back to work with no transition for Blake and this would kill me. So, as hard as saying goodbye will be, I have to keep thinking positive that we will bring him home soon and we will have more quality time with him upon our return. Thank you all again for your continuous positive comments for me to stay strong. I keep remembering these words when I feel like I'm going to lose it again!

This morning after Blake's first 1 hour morning nap, we went out in the backpack seat again to the Bodegona (the local tiny supermarket). I'm getting good at carrying a 16 lb. baby on my back as well as 2-4 bags of groceries at least 3 miles both ways. I never thought I had this strength! It's hard work I must say! Blake loves the outings and is happy as ever shaking hands with just about everyone passing by. It is so nice to talk to people during our daily outings. I feel blessed to speak Spanish because you look at things and get to know people on a whole different level when you can communicate with them. We see the most beautiful sights walking by and even though my shoulders ache by the time I get home, it's always worth it to meet someone new or see something new. Often we run into other moms here fostering their babies. It's always nice to know that you aren't the only one feeling frustration and anxiety!!

Blake has now taken to practically running in his walker now. I know he's going to be a soccer player some day. His little legs are so strong and he does NOT stop moving them! He does this kind of crab walk thing and books it across the walkway in the house. It's very humorous and of course, I have about 30 minutes of it on video! He still takes at least 2 naps a day and goes down without crying. He's such an easy baby. We lucked out. Morning naps are still rather short, but the afternoon one, has been at least 2 hours every day. Yesterday was a record 2 1/2! Let's see. What else is new? Oh, Chris and I both have web cams now and Skype! How fun it is to talk and see each other through our computers!

Melaine will be here in exactly 2 weeks! Hope everyone is doing well. Oh, the little boy in the picture with the Dr. Pepper is Carlos whom we met yesterday. We had quite a conversation for about 45 minutes in the park. Another sad story of a dear soul whose mom died 2 years ago leaving him with dad and two older sisters. His job is to shine shoes in the street all day long because he is the only boy in the house. He's never been in school and probably never will be. Sigh...Just maybe the Dr. Pepper I gave him made his day :)