Our First Day

Gabi wants to walk. She's cruising everywhere and wants to walk so badly. She LOVES Daddy. She thinks he's so funny. And she's such a little climber. She's talking up a storm. There's just so much that's fun about this age. The biggest thrill is that she's wanting to cuddle all the time! I mean all the time. She just wants to snuggle up to you. We're so bummed about that.

The only sad thing to report is that Gabi's foster mother said that she has really been grieving for Ella. They said that she's cried a lot more and has been looking for her. If that isn't pitiful I don't know what is. I knew that she would miss her fiercely, especially since we think that they shared a crib. How can you sleep without your big sister? Breaks my heart.

In other news, our attorney brought us the document from PGN that says that we're approved. He will go get her new birth certificate in Escuintla on Monday. It will have her name as Lili Esmeralda A. and Edward and I as her parents. We will then get her new passport in the same name. Once we have the birth certificate, she is legally our daughter. This step alleviates some of the concerns I had about fostering her without her being my legal child. We expect to have DNA authorization early the week after Easter, according to our attorney's plan.

That's all I've got. I'll post new pics tomorrow. Have a great night.

There aren't words, but I'm gonna try...

We have our girl. As I type, my eyes are welling up with tears because it's finally hitting me what a huge moment this is. And it isn't just me, it isn't just Edward, it's all of us. We're a family. God has never given a greater gift than family. And He has blessed us with the most precious addition on this planet.

It was heartbreaking to take Gabi from her beloved foster family. But we promised that we will have dinner before we take her home for good. That seemed to ease the pain a bit. We are so incredibly grateful to what they've done for our daughter this past year. She is happy, healthy, silly, loving and precious because of them.

It took her all of 20 minutes to completely come around and start grinning, giggling and playing with us. She was thrilled to see her duck return (from her cousin Rita) and that made her transition easier. Gabi is probably the most joyful baby I've ever been around. We are so looking forward to bringing her home to share her with you all.

Gabi has 4 teeth now-- 2 on top, 2 on bottom. She is talking up a storm and is as playful as she was when Mom and I were here last month. She's so much fun and we've only been here an hour.

I promise to keep blogging while I'm here and maybe forever. But Gabi had something to interject. Gabriella's message to the masses is:

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I hope you enjoyed that.

I Dare You to Knock Us Off our Cloud...

'cause we are OUT!!! We are out of PGN. We were signed off yesterday by the big guy. Just under the wire as we are headed to Guatemala tomorrow morning. It is a HUGE relief to know that we are no longer waiting for this part to be over.

After 8 months of praying, begging, teeth gnashing, screaming and crying, we have passed the test. Our Gabriella is coming home. We estimate the last step to be 4-6 weeks. When we get Gabi tomorrow, she will be ours forever. Not just in our hearts, but by law. Thanks for all the prayers. I know many of you have been on overtime.

We'll post tomorrow when we arrive.

Last Full Day

Today is my last full day at home with my husband WITHOUT my daughter. I leave tomorrow to go to Effingham to tend to some business before we leave on Friday. Thursday, we'll go to our cousins' house to spend the night before our obnoxiously early flight out of St. Louis on Friday morning. So today is the last full day I'll be here without Gabi.

We are still holding out hope that something happens in PGN this week. Please continue to pray for our file and Jeremiah's file. They are waiting for good news too! Hang with us just a little longer. I'm sure we're close.

Silly Girl

In 4 days, we get to see this silly smile (and her wild hair) again. She is a mess. And I cannot wait to see what she's up to. She will be 11 months and 16 days old when we get her on Friday. Gabi is at such a fun age. Edward thinks she'll be talking up a storm. I think she'll be close to walking. Who knows? We don't have to wait much longer to see. Woohoo!!

As If I Need any Encouragement...

The last few days have been spent with friends having lunch, dinner, watching movies before I head off to foster Gabriella Lilisol. I truly don't need any encouragement to get excited about this little (but HUGE!) adventure. Yet it has been so fun watching people get so worked up about it too. Their enthusiasm is absolutely contagious.

I have one major curiosity left about this process. I'm sure this is different for everyone, but I'm really curious about when the moment will come that I'll realize that she's truly with us. Every time I get ready to visit her, I get so excited and quickly become anxious about the moment that I'll have to leave her again. It isn't overwhelming, but it's there.... looming. Like an enormous black cloud. In the moment that I give her back, I do quite well. But it's all of the moments after that do such a number on me. I already have that anxious feeling that I'm going to have to leave her again. But I DON'T HAVE TO!!!! So my curiosity is... when will I realize that? Will it be when I have her in my arms again, or when Ed goes back home and I stay there with her, or when we're out of PGN, or when we get her visa, or land in St. Louis, or wake up and see her in HER crib at home, or weeks or months later.

Stay tuned to see where I land on this one. I'll be sure to share that unfathomable moment.

Medical Update and Pictures

We received a surprise update from the doctor for Gabriella. She is 17 lbs., 26.77 in., and is very healthy. She has a couple of bruises on her face from who knows what. Nothing to be concerned about... Ella probably whacked her on the way out (just kidding). From the report, I don't think the doctor is very thrilled about her weight gain over the last few months. We really aren't either, but I've seen that child eat. It isn't because she doesn't eat. She can put it away. She also burns it off. Busiest kid I've ever seen at this age.

We are beside ourselves excited about where we'll be one week from today. She will be ours!!! I can hardly believe it.

And if you want to see something that will lift your spirits, go to Ella's blog and see the pictures from their pick up trip and arrival at the airport. Ella looks so incredibly happy!!! We're so happy about her homecoming. It's been a long time coming.

Making Progress...

I have packed for Gabi and for myself, which is proving to be more challenging this time. I'm not completely packed. I don't have that many pairs of underwear. But I have all of my pants and shirts packed. That's something. It's my least favorite part. And I don't think I went overboard this time.

We are 9 days away from having our girl forever. That is unbelievable to me. Since I know we're going to be with her, I'm dealing with the PGN wait much better than I was 2 months ago. We spoke to PGN again today and we're STILL with the 2nd reviewer. Even knowing that we haven't received an approval, I am optimistic that we're nearing the end. That is a delightful thing. I am confident that we'll know something one way or another by the time we leave next week.

Ella's Big Day!

Ella had her Embassy appointment this morning. Robin and Mike report that all went smoothly. They'll receive Ella's visa tomorrow afternoon and they will head home on Thursday. We're so glad that they're in the clear. We're celebrating for them at our house! Congratulations, Ella!

Let's get GABI home!!!

Ok everyone! Ed and I really feel like this is our week. We're asking you all to pray with us that Gabi's file is approved by PGN this week. Either set a time each day to do so, or say every time I look at the clock, I'll say a prayer that Gabi is released. I promise you'll never find 3 more grateful people in your lives. Let's get this girl home.