Agency Report

I spoke to our agent today and this is the news she had for us. Our DNA results were received by the embassy on June 22. That was last Friday, the same day I called. This begins our 60-day countdown. Therefore, we are almost 1 week into the 8 weeks we must wait. That was good news.

As for Family Court, she expects us to have our dossier back within 2 weeks. It could be less. Once we receive it back, it will be submitted to PGN. All of this is confusing, I realize, but it just means that we are moving forward!!! That's really all we can ask for. The worst part of this process is when you feel as if NOTHING is happening with your case. We certainly are not in that boat right now. I just keep praying that things continue to move steadily. You know what they say, "Slow and steady wins the race."

And I know it's frustrating to read this blog and not see an occasional picture, so here she is. Hope this gets you by.

She loves her Daddy!

Don't you just love a baby with a passy?

For Sure

I just returned to Chambana tonight and received official DNA results for Gabi. Not only are they a match, but they are a match at 99.998%. This is very high and indicates without question that Gabriella belongs to her mother. In this packet of information, we also received a polaroid of Gabriella with her birthmother. Her birthmother looks sad and blank. I can't imagine how painful this must be for her. I also can't imagine what it must feel like to not be able to parent your child because you are unable to provide for her most basic needs. I would probably be detached and blank-looking too. She's given us the most incredible and indescribable gift. Not just a child, but the opportunity to be a family. I will spend the rest of my life thanking her. And thanking God for entrusting us with her.

Nana and Papa, Too!

Oh my! We're going to have a full-blown entourage in Guatemala when we return. Gabi's Nana and Papa are going to visit at the beginning of our week there. Poor Bill will be catching a plane immediately after arriving from Alaska. I don't think he's even going to get out of the airport. Instead, Jane is going to meet him with a bag and they'll just change directions. So Gabriella will meet both sets of her granparents in the same week, just like she would if she were already home. She is a very blessed little girl! And all I can say is Guatamela... look out!

YIPPEE YI YEA!!!

We have a DNA MATCH!!!! I spoke to the lab a few moments ago and the results were sent to the embassy, our agency and ourselves yesterday. They said it was a match. This is a really big deal! If it was not a definitive match, the child could not be adopted. This result indicates that Gabriella is the biological daughter of her mother and, therefore, her mother has the right to relinquish her.

As soon as the U.S. Embassy receives this result, the countdown for our pre-approval (PA) begins. This PA is for visa issuance at the end of the process. We cannot proceed with PGN until we receive this PA. In some cases, our attorney will submit us to PGN without PA. However, we know that this will result in a kickout. The advantage to going into PGN without a PA is that they may find some other document that needs correction. This way you don't lose time being kicked out twice.

Hallelujah! That's all I can say. I actually screamed when I got off the phone. Izzy looked at me like I'd lost my mind. Maybe I have...

No Comment, Please

I can't believe I posted 4 different things yesterday, including 2 videos!!! and no one commented. Usually, there are a lot of comments, but I've heard nothing from the peanut gallery. How disappointing. Or maybe you didn't know that I posted 4 different things. Scroll down please. And take a look at my funny girl!

Good News

I found out this morning that Gabriella's birthmother signed off for the last time when they took the DNA sample. In Guatemalan adoptions, the birthmother signs off a total of four times. She does this unless the attorneys provide a power of attorney so that they may sign the final adoption decree or any other paperwork that might be necessary. In our case, it is finished. She could come back and revoke it. However, she is most likely very certain that she wants this adoption to be finalized. In short, it's one less thing to worry about. Woohoo!!!

Gabriella Smiles

This one is even better! She's grinning all over herself. Can't wait to see her beautiful smile again in person...

Old Dog... New Tricks

I think I learned a new trick. Let's see if it works. I had to click on the play icon in the bottom left corner of the YouTube screen twice to get it to play initially. You might also want to scroll down to the bottom of this page and put the music on pause. You'll be able to hear Gabi cooing. Presenting Gabriella Sol in action...



That's Reagan talking/crying in the background.

Grumps and GG

It's official! Grumps and GG (my mom and dad) will be joining us in Guatemala. They are going to meet their first grandchild on her native soil. They are chomping at the bit to get a hold of her. They will only be visiting part of the time that we're there. It's not a terribly exciting trip for them (that was sarcastic). There's a lot of sitting around, talking to Gabi and meeting other adoptive families. I know they'll love it. But if they stayed the whole time, I'm sure they'd be bored. It's not like we have any intention of letting them hold her or anything... just kidding, Mom.

I forgot to mention a pretty interesting experience I had in Guatemala. I was riding the elevator downstairs with Gabi in the Baby Bjorn and a business man was looking over my shoulder at her. When I started to get off the elevator, he started asking me about the process, how old Gabriella was and when she was going home. He continued to walk with me when we got off the elevator. He commented about the blessing that children are. He kept looking at Gabriella so sweetly. This man then told me that he was a father of 6 children and that being their parents is the greatest blessing and a tremendous responsibility. He wished me much happiness and told me to never forget that she's such an amazing blessing.

I guess it isn't that weird. I think it is incredible how much spectators of this process support the unification of families in this way. I love that people are so willing to to open up in ways that they ordinarily wouldn't. Besides being Gabriella's mother, that is probably my favorite part of this adventure. For so long, people have been trying to buoy our spirits throughout years of deployments and infertility. We finally have a really positive experience to share. And what the heck is the point of any joy if you can't share it. So thank you.

Doctor, Doctor

I finally made a call today that I have forgotten to make for 3 months. I found Gabriella a pediatrician. Her reputation is very good. People who have used her absolutely rave about how wonderful she is. That's one less thing to worry about. And she has an appointment for December 3rd. Let's hope she's home to make it. That gives us a definite deadline, so Gabriella pack your bags.

Edward and I are packing our bags too. We have a trip planned to visit our monkey on August 5-13. We're very excited to know that we'll be seeing her again so soon. We hope that she'll be coming home shortly after this (our goal is by Thanksgiving). She'll be 4 months old during this trip and probably so much fun! I know I'm just dying to get my hands on her again.

Daddy in the House

Here's the thing. I have always known that I would have this profound experience when I watched Edward become a father. He's made for the job and I've always known that. And it takes him a little longer to adjust to things than it does me. So, true to his form, he got really excited about the baby but the reality of the wait set in for him and he settled down. Then he met her. He absolutely fell in love. He was amazing with her and I knew he could hardly contain himself.

Since Edward is working in Michigan this summer, I haven't seen him since I returned from Guatemala. He's home this weekend. And I see how his daughter has already changed him. We looked at pictures today and he just brightens about her. I don't know how else to describe it. He wants to stand in her room and just look. I can tell he feels nearer to her since he got to meet her. And kiss her. And hold her. We look at her grinning in these pictures, or making one of 100 faces, and we feel like we can just smell and touch her. It's so weird. But it's true. And now, my heart just fills up thinking about him seeing her again.

This is a poem that our agent, Missy, sent to us shortly after we received our referral. It hits home more now than ever.

The Picture

And oh, I cried…..
So fragile, was her tiny hand
The picture showed her hair was fine
And thin. Her cheeks were pale, but understand
This child was mine!

This square of photo, 2 x 3
Was blurry, but I still could see
A trace of tears. What unknown fears
Could make her look so sad and lost?
What brought her here—at what great cost?
Her papers said she seldom cries,
But searches, with her pleading eyes. For what?
For love? For someone near?
A tender smile?---Oh, I am here!

They asked me crisply, sharply, “Well?
Could you accept a child like this?”
Accept? Accept? My heart stood still.

I placed a tender, tearful kiss
Upon the photo…rosebud lips
And almond eyes, and fingertips
That were a stranger yesterday,
Who lived half a world away
Became as much a part of me
As childbirth could have made them be.

Oh, thanks to God who heard my prayer
And answered, as He put her there
In that small picture, just for me.

Could they not see it was meant to be?
How could they ask? Could you accept?

The dream of every night I’d slept,
And prayed, and prayed that God would bless
And find her.

Could I accept….Oh yes!
Nothing could ever keep us apart
For she was my life, my soul, my heart…..
My child, in all the world so wide,
My child at last.
And, oh, I cried.
----Jeannie Linstrom

DNA and Family Court

Gabriella had her DNA test and Family Court appointments yesterday. We received confirmation that these took place. The birthmother had to come in for these so they usually try to do them on the same day. The DNA test will now be sent to the lab in the U.S. I'm not sure how long it takes to get the results. I think it will be less than 2 weeks. Then we wait for visa pre-approval from our embassy.

You can't really see the detail that makes it looks so great.

But I promise it turned out really well!

In other news, my mom came up to spend a few days with me this week. We were not short on projects. We painted a dresser and distressed it for Gabi's room. It looks better than we imagined it would. We have to thank Gabi's Great-aunts Charlotte and Sue for giving us the dresser in the first place. We also delivered a chair and picked up an elliptical machine. We shopped a bit and Mom finally went home on Friday just exhausted. It was ridiculously hot and we thought we would melt every time we stepped outside. Thanks GG for all of your help with these projects.

I couldn't resist one more picture of our angel. Those cheeks are a crack up!

Delightful Surprise!!

I woke up this morning and received a delightful surprise-- new pictures and a medical report of our sweet girl! She is growing like a weed at 9 lb. 10 oz. and 21 3/4" long. I think her face looks downright chubby and I love it!!!

Here she is... the darling of the hour... Miss Gabriella Sol!

Edward says that she looks like she's missing us! We miss you too, Monkey! We'll be there soon... we love you!

Looking Back

I check the blog every day to see if there are any comments to read-- even when I don't have something new to write. Today, I decided to change the picture on the top of the page and I realized something. The new picture I put up was one that I took within minutes of receiving Gabriella. I had to change her because she made a mess. So I cleaned her up and wrapped her in a blanket before I put new clothes on her. Looking back today at the look on her face, she looks like an entirely different child than the one I left behind a week later.

I know that I tell myself that Gabriella is tiny and the time spent away from us is not "that big of a deal." I tell myself that even though I know it isn't true. The educated child development specialist in me knows it isn't true. The mother in me says the opposite for self-preservation sake. But I look at that picture... the look on her face... the confusion in her eyes... and I know that she was scared and had no understanding of who I was. And I know that by the time I left her, she did know me. She did know my voice, my scent, my eyes and my touch. I could see it in her eyes. I know that because I am her mother. No matter how far away from her I might be, I am her mother. And every day, I pray harder than before that she will know that when we see her again.

Let's get this party started!

I heard from our facilitator that the interview with the social worker and the birthmother will happen next Friday. At this time, the DNA test will also be done. The DNA test is between the mother and child to determine that the mother can legallly relinquish this child. It is a U.S. requirement that is used to cut down on the possibility of children being stolen for adoptive purposes. The interview with the birthmother is sort of a homestudy on her side. A social worker is assigned to her case and she determines the reasons the mother is giving her up and some other information. This is all written into a report and submitted to authorities within Family Court. In the meantime, the DNA samples are sent to a lab in the U.S. and we wait for a match. Let the countdown begin...

I just returned from the Symposium on Research in Child Language Disorders in Madison, WI. I went with my friend, Mary-Kelsey. We drove to Chicago and stayed with her family Thursday night because we had to be in Wisconsin early Friday. MK's family is wonderful! They're hysterical and very, very nice. Thanks Colettos!! Hope you're feeling better Donna.

We met our professor, Laura up there. We had a poster session highlighting our research. I've been working in Laura's lab for a year now. It's been a wonderful experience and I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity. Research is a completely different side of the field and it was very cool to meet some of the people whose research I've been reading for the last couple of years. I ALMOST wanted to get my PhD. But after I talked to Edward, I'm over it. He'd kill me.

Who's Reagan Anyway?

Before I answer that I have to comment on something significant that happened to Edward yesterday. He is currently doing an internship at Ford in Michigan. He is excited about it and is a fan of the current CEO. He thinks that he has a great vision for the huge corporation. So, that excitement is what spawned a note written to him saying just that. Ed read an article about Mr. Mulally that said he encourages the executives to bring subordinates to meetings. Ed requested that he be one of those subordinates. Or, if that wasn't possible, could he have a moment of his time. Ed really didn't know if he could expect a response. However, yesterday in the mail, Ed received a handwritten note from Mr. Alan Mulally himself, agreeing to meet with him. How crazy is that!!! I was excited but I didn't know if I was overreacting. Well, Edward assured me that I wasn't. He's only the most talked about CEO over the last 6 months. Edward, you're so cool! (Paige, I know you'll make fun of us for being huge nerds. Go ahead-- we're totally aware of how nerdy we are.)

Now, who is Reagan. Reagan is the second child of our dear friends, Kristin and Josh. The W.'s are friends of ours from the military. Josh and Ed both graduated in Mechanical Engineering from West Point and went into Army Aviation. They weren't great friends, but knew and respected each other. When the guys were sent back to Ft. Rucker, AL for their Captain's Career Course, we crossed paths again. This was the first time I met Kristin and Josh. Kristin wasn't too sure of me at first, but we later discovered that God had placed us in each others' lives. After this initial hurdle we became fast confidantes. Six months later, we moved to Germany together. We lived .75 miles from each other in a tiny German village. Kristin and I have been through it all together. Deployments, infertility, adoption of her first child (Ryker), living overseas, are just a few of the big things we've shared. She was my stability (along with Shannon and Sandy). In that time, we became family. As a matter of fact, when people asked us in Guatemala if we knew each other, we often said yes, we're sisters. It's an easier explanation.

Both of the guys are out of the military now, pursuing other things. They live in Georgia, we're in Illinois, and our relationship is no worse for the wear. We just love each other. We love Ryker (big brother) and Reagan. And they love Gabriella. We still need each other and now, instead of sharing the military and its trials, we're sharing the trials and triumphs of adoption. And after this, it will be something else. Because just like my Liza and I belong together, so do the Austins and W.s. And that's why we are so thrilled to get Reagan home. Just because that's where she belongs.

Reagan is OUTTTTTTTT!!!!

Look out- I'm comin' home!

Reagan just got out of PGN today!! PGN is the Guatemalan court which approves or denies the adoption. This is the final step in the process on the Guatemalan side. Now, she only has to get a new birth certificate with her new parents' names on it and a visa to travel HOME! The U.S. Embassy provides this. We have all prayed to have Reagan home by her 1st birthday-- August 15. Thank you Lord for uniting her with her family. WOOHOO!!

In other news, I heard from our facilitator today that Gabriella apparently was "missing" us over the weekend. Mariela said she was better now. It's pitiful, but there is some relief that she was aware of us and grieved our absence. Even so, we don't want our girl to be sad, so we're glad to hear that she's feeling better and settling into her routine again. Don't worry sweet pea. We'll be back soon.

Also, I spent the day with some amazing people. I met Melissa last fall when she tracked me down through a forum. We had lunch a couple of times and then she, her husband and her son were off to bring home their beautiful baby girl from Vietnam. Now that the dust has settled at their house and I'm less neurotic, we finally got together. I met Maddox and Olivia this morning and all three of them accompanied me to Springfield to get a document re-verified. We had a great time. I so enjoyed hearing about the journey to M and O and getting to know them better. How lucky to have new friends who understand the journey of adoption right here at home. Thank goodness for you guys. We'll play again soon!

Home Again

I arrived in Chicago on Friday night after a 2 hour delay leaving Houston. I spent the night with Christy and Dave and was privileged to babysit Lucy on Saturday. Then I headed home to Champaign where I arrived at about 9 last night. I haven't had a chance to post until now.

I will admit that giving Gabriella back to Mariela was more painful than I expected. It wasn't that I wasn't prepared for pain, but it's difficult to comprehend how painful it will be when you haven't yet experienced the joy of having her in your arms. By the end of the week, I had hit a high that I could not have imagined. So when Mariela arrived, her mere presence sent me bawling. I had to walk away to get myself under control. The blessing is that Gabriella did not know what was going on.

Well, from there it just got funny. Kristin and I walked out to the car with the girls. Mariela packed everything into the car and she put Gabi into the carseat that Kristin donated. The thing is, it's a seat that is used for babies from 5 to 40 lbs. So it's huge. She looked like a little peanut in it. The awful (yet funny) part is that Mariela has no seatbelts in the backseat. The carseat was held in by nothing. Then she took Reagan, put her in her lap and drove away. Now, never in a million years would I condone this behavior. But Guatemalans do not use careseats. So Kristin and I stood there sobbing and laughing at the cruel reality of the situation. We needed to laugh because our hearts were breaking.

The salvation that Kristin and I both felt is that we will be back. These are our girls. Reagan will be coming home soon and Ed and I will visit again soon. We then hope to be traveling to pick her up in a few months. These are our daughters, we have to go back. They're waiting for us to bring them home and we are waiting for them to bring us the joy that we've dreamt about. I know that sounds like a lot on a child's shoulders. But it's what every child unwittingly does for their parents. A child doesn't have to be the smartest, prettiest, most athletic, cleverest child to bring immense joy to their family. She just has to be a child. And that is joyful.

I laughed at myself for schlepping the video camera all the way to Guatemala to film a two-month old. I mean-- what does she do? The thing is, she doesn't have to do anything. Just being a two-month old is enough for us. We don't get to bring her home now and I don't want to forget the little things she is doing at this age. So I filmed her cooing and flailing her arms, kicking her legs, crying and laughing. All of that brings me enough joy to make it to the next visit... I hope.