I've Been Tagged

I completely forgot that I'd been tagged while in Guatemala. You're supposed to follow the rules and tag someone else. The rules are below:

~ link the person who sent this and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours.
~Post the rules on your blog
~Share 7 strange/weird facts about yourself
~Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link their blog
~Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

So here goes...
I was tagged by Susie and you should visit her blog to follow her journey.

7 Strange/Weird Things about me:

1. I hate for anything to touch my nose before noon-- makes me claustrophobic.
2. I love to swim anywhere, but must be within touchable distance of someone when in the ocean (not on the beach, but when snorkeling and such)
3. When I was little, my ambition was to grow up to be a .... are you ready for this? .... a BOY!! (Like that's a job or something?!)
   
4. I can sleep anywhere, anytime regardless of noise level or visual distraction. It's truly a gift. My parents thought I was narcoleptic when I was little.
   
5. I don't get things right the first time, hardly ever. Hence going back to school at 29 and many, many decisions biting me in the butt.
6. My favorite movie snack is popcorn with Milk Duds and Dr. Pepper. You cannot have one without the other-- it nullifies that magnificence of the total snack experience.
   
7. I come from a long, long line of strong women. Bossy, but strong. I can already see that Gabi will fit in just fine!

I am tagging:
strawnequine.blogspot.com
ourjourneywithella.blogspot.com
jodianddave.blogspot.com
ourjourney2emma.blogspot.com
astaringuatemala.blogspot.com
thestitchincorral.blogspot.com
rjandpatience.blogspot.com

Go to their blogs to see their answers! Hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into my incredibly fascinating life.

PGN-- Here We Come!!!

I spoke to Hector tonight and he gave us the most amazing news.

WE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH CENTRAL AUTHORITY!

OUR CASE WILL BE RE-SUBMITTED TO PGN TOMORROW!!!

I cannot imagine better news after 2.5 months of waiting to get back in... it is finally here!!! You cannot believe how big the cloud was that was just released from our home and our hearts. We feel like we're going to move forward again this week. Thank you for all of your prayers and wonderful support.

We're so excited. Gabriella, you will come home... Mommy and Daddy promise!!

Gabi's Giggles... Those Funny Animal Heads

Gabi's Milestones and Accomplishments

A couple of things that we discovered Gabi was capable of before we left include:

• drinking from a cup without losing a single drop
• cruising around objects
• pulling herself up to stand
• standing up and balancing against a surface while she played
  
• saying "Dada, Gaga, Mama" and other mono-syllabic sounds
• improved pincer grasp
• standing from a seated position without assistance from her hands
• jumping in from the side of the pool (by herself and into Mommy's arms)
  
• recognizing Mommy and reacting to presence and absence
• imitating almost anything
  
• seeking approval and/or attention
  

Some Last Minute Pics

House of 'Paign

I wasn't able to post yesterday because our modem is supposedly broken. However, I opted to steal my neighbor's internet in the interest of an update. Bear with me because I don't have a great signal and the pictures may not upload easily.

We had a difficult trip back. I was still sick and we arrived to temps in the teens. Ridiculous. But Edward was great to meet us and help us with our baggage. I had a video of his daughter giggling, pulling up and playing to greet him. My mom headed home yesterday afternoon and I'm still sick. Not so fun. But I hope there is an end in sight.

Gabriella was such a dream last week. That last night, Mom got her up when she woke up for a bottle at 4. Bless her heart, she was so confused. She didn't settle down until I took her and loved on her for a little while. That girl likes her Mommy. She was glad to see her foster mother on Saturday and that always makes it easier. I think I was at least as sad to see Ella go back to our foster family. After all, she's headed home in 3-4 weeks and I won't see her for a while. And I just love her.

It was no fun saying goodbye to Robin and Mike either. Fortunately, after taking so long with our attorney, we were running late and it was a quick goodbye. They are such a blessing to us. We had a great week with them...

Too Sick to Blog

I'm too sick to blog. We'll be lucky if we get out of here on time. I'm supposed to meet my attorney in an hour and a half, deliver Gabriella and get on the shuttle. I'm not looking forward to traveling today as I feel like I'm the night of the living dead right now.

Anyway, I promise to post when I get home. And Jenny, I got pictures of your baby toes. No worries and they are one of the sweetest things on a baby.

Gloomy Thursday

Today was an overcast and rainy day in Guate. We, of course, sat by the pool for a bit, but finally headed back up to the room for a nap in the mid-afternoon. Gabi was a lot of fun today. It's becoming clear that she's like this most of the time. She occasionally fusses, but recovers quickly. She fell back today and bumped her head. It scared her more than anything, but she only cried for about 20 seconds. I love that.

She also drank from a cup very well today. She repeatedly said, "mama." And she generally made me happy. Gabi is pulling up and standing forever while she holds onto a table. She isn't cruising, but she's definitely thinking about it.

GG continues to dote on her. Even when Gabi peed on her when she changed her diaper, she laughed and told her she could do whatever she wanted. Ridiculous!?! She thinks everything Gabi does is perfect. I guess that's what grandparents do.

You should check out Ella's blog to see her walking. Ella must have done a mile and a half in the Marriott. She'll be walking on her own in no time.

Wonderful Wednesday

The biggest news from today is that our attorney, Walter, showed up unexpectedly to pick the M's up for Ella's DNA test. We thought it would happen on Friday, but instead that box is checked. One more step down for them!

Walter also reported to me that the CA needs TIME!! "Only time" he said to me. I asked him if he meant days or weeks. Weeks!! The truth is... he doesn't know. I think he's trying to soften the blow when it takes a while. The actual count today is 10 days that we've been waiting. The initial announcement was that it would take 8 days. Now it's weeks. We'll see.

Edward and I are so frustrated because we know that we're so close to being finished and we can't even get back into the office that approves us. We have essentially wasted 2.5 months on this last previo. Two and a half months of Gabriella's life are gone. All because our file was not a priority because our agency insisted on taking new cases up until the end of the year. We missed the deadline for re-submittal because they were too busy with those cases to manage ours and we're now at the mercy of this ridiculous system once again.

In the meantime, we're having a wonderful time with this beautiful girl. She makes us laugh so much and we're grateful for every single second with her.

Sara and Jimmi left today too. We were sorry to see them go. We had a really good time getting to know them and watching them with their sweet niece. I know they treasured their time here and the opportunity to see Ella's birth country.

Just Another Tuesday

The M.'s got Ella's new passport. Thank goodness! We hung out by the pool all day... ALL DAY! It was lovely. It was overcast so we didn't swim, but Gabi played herself into a stupor.

I had a victory Mom moment today. I left Gabi with Mom and the M's while I went to the restroom. When I walked out of Gabi's sight, she started crying. She was looking for me and missed me. When I came back, you would have thought I was the Queen of Sheba. She went nuts. Of course, she goes nuts if you do almost anything. But still. I love that she was missing me.

She was the happiest I have ever seen her today. That is saying so much. This is an extraordinarily content child. I can only hope this wonderful personality continues. It is hard to resist her smile that lights up the room. She's a flirt and a sweetheart all at the same time.

I hope you enjoy her pigtails. She was the cutest little Valentine in her adorable heart outfit from Robin. She and Ella matched. What sweet girls we have.