Visiting in Guatemala City

We are in Guatemala and it is great!

Mom and I arrived Sunday and they brought Addison here Monday morning. She is a very happy and healthy baby. She is adjusting very well and has slept through the entire night both nights that we have had her! I was amazed!

I bought a stroller that has speakers, which play through the canopy. I have it hooked up to my Ipod. Addison absolutely loves being in the stroller with the music playing. Her favorites so far are the Baby Einstein Classical Music Lullabies and Abba Gold. She gets cranky when the music stops. If she is sleeping she wakes up when the music stops. I see a future band geek in training 8-)

Even though we are unable to leave the hotel, we have managed to find plenty of things to do. We found out from an adoptive father that you can get a massage for $20 an hour! Everday Mom and I have been trading off babysitting while the other gets a massage.

I can't believe how many adoptive families are here. It is amazing how good, healthy, and happy all of the babies look. It is obvious that they are very well taken care of.

Here are some pictures of our first day here.

Introduction

Even when you don't expect it, it's funny how significant events in other parts of the world can change your life forever. That is what happened to me on December 26th, 2004. It's hard to believe that when Addison's Adoption Journey began, she hadn't even been conceived.

I had always considered adopting a baby, but once I got divorced the thought of being a Mother went away, or so I thought. I guess I had given up on my chance at Motherhood. Then on December 26, 2004 the Tsunami hit and left so many children orphans. Then it hit me, just because I am single doesn't mean that I can't provide a good loving home for a little one. Why should either one of us miss out on the family we could have? Having one loving parent is better than having none. Addison wasn't even born in one of the countries hit and I didn't live in one either, but that tradgedy half way accross the world will forever change both of our lives. Little did I know, that my little Guatemalan Princess would be born on the 1st Anniversary date of the tragedy (12/26/2005).

She is currently in Foster care in Guatemala.


Adoption Timeline

COMPLETED STEPS

January 2005
Hire CWA as Adoption Agency

June 13, 2005
Receive I171H Approval from Homeland Security

July 2005
Completed Home Study
Dossier Completed & Sent to Adoption Agency
Officially “On the List”!

December 26, 2005
Addison is Born: 5.8lbs & 50cm

January 18,2006
It’s a GIRL! Referral of Addison & Pictures



January 27, 2006
New Pictures! One Month Old



February 2006
DNA is Complete

March 29th, 2006
New Pictures! 3 Months Old



March 31, 2006
PA from US Embassy in Guatemala

April 1, 2006
Out of Family Court

April 11, 2006
PGN Entry

April 26, 2006
New Pictures!
4 Months Old
12 pounds & 61 cm



Mid May 2006
KO of PGN

June 2, 2006
PGN Re-entry

June 6, 2006
New Pictures!

July 24, 2006
Notified that we are OUT OF PGN! (Approval Dated 7/7/06)

July 25, 2006
Notified that the Birth Mom has signed her final consent
Birth Certificate has been issued giving Addison my Last Name

July 26, 2006
Submitted to the US Embassy for PINK!