Trip to the Bronx Zoo with other families who adopted from Guatemala

Today we went to the Bronx Zoo with other families who also adopted from Guatemala. We are all on a "Guatemala Chat Group (GAFI)" that keeps in touch on everyday life. It was nice to get together with the families that I email. We spent the whole day at the Zoo and had lunch together. The kids had soo much fun. Peter made a friend, and on the way home he wanted to know when he could have a play date. Mommy had to explain to him that his new friend lived in Orange County and that was too far away to plan a play date. LOL. Afterwards, Pam and her family and us made a pit stop on the way home for dinner. It was a nice day and the Peter enjoyed seeing the animals. Daddy wasn't use to all the walking, he was happy to get home. Anna had fun hanging out in the stroller and napping, and Peter was your typical boy just running and running and of course playing in whatever dirt he can find.

Here are a few pics of our day...................

Today was Anna Maria's Christening

Today we had Anna Maria's Christening at St. Mary's Church, and it was so nice! Our family and friends were there to celebrate this very special occasion. The Happy God Parents were Joel (Margaret's "baby Brother") and Karen (Kerry's sister). Anna wore Margaret's grand niece's (Morgan) flower girl dress that she wore at our Wedding. Anna looked so beautiful in the dress. The dress wasn't white - it was ivory with a gold sheen to it, but it didn't matter because she was adorable in it, and her wearing that dress had a lot more meaning to it (from our wedding) than any other dress bought at a store. The dress was hand made to look like Mommy's wedding dress, and it fit Anna perfectly as if it was meant for her to wear it on this special day. Anna's Godmother had the bonnet and head band to match the dress. Of course the Godmother had to get a "party dress" for Anna to wear at the luncheon, and that dress was absolutely adorable on her. Thanks Godmom!

Afterwards, we had a luncheon at Ruby Tuesday, and everyone had a nice time there. It was nice not having to do anything, we got to enjoy the party also. Big THANKS to Morgan for being in charge of the Arts & Crafts - Thanks so much! Also, special thanks go out to the Ruby staff at the Sayville Ruby Tuesday - for a great job! Super Thanks to Carl for allowing us to have it at Rubys! Thanks so much.

Here are pics of the day, hope you enjoy them!

Anna Maria's Christening Pics

Anna's First Month Home.............

Anna has been home for a month, and it feels like she's always been here....

well, sorry for the delay getting this posted, but here it is.

Today Anna Maria has been home for a month, I can't believe it. It feels like she's always been here. As for the month, Peter really has been a great brother, and luckily has shown no signs of jealousy. I am so grateful that Peter loves his sister so much, because if he was jealous of her - mommy would have her hands full for sure. Mommy is doing pretty good with 2 kiddos in the house, along with a dog and a cat, and lets not forget daddy. Anna is getting around the living room quite quickly on her tummy, she is slowly trying to get on her knees and hands to see how that goes - by rocking back and forth. LOL. Peter thinks Anna is old enough to wrestle on the floor, like he does with his cousins, but mommy and daddy keep reminding Peter that Anna is just a baby. I think when Anna is old enough, Peter is going to have some competition in the wrestling ring. Anna is still mommy's "pork sausage", she is just sooo soo chubby and her legs are just sooo sooo fat with rolls, and rolls. The other day, mommy called Peter her "pork sausage" and Peter immediately turned around and said "mommy, I'm not your pork sausage - Anna is" and he began to laugh. Then Peter said, "I am your pumpkin".

Anna has adjusted quite well. In the beginning when we started to feed her cereal and fruit, she HATED it and would not swallow the food, which caused her to gag on it. But once she swallowed the food and realized how good it was, she ate it without fussing. At Bedtime, in the beginning it took Anna a couple of nights to get use to mommy holding her until she fell asleep. Anna has always been use to being put in the crib to fall asleep, but mommy wanted her to be able to fall asleep in her arms also. For about 3 nights Anna put up a big fuss about being held, she would cry and scream, and just not want to be held to fall asleep. But it paid off, now Anna falls asleep in mommy's arms at bedtime. Anna is a good sleeper just like her brother. Anna will go to bed about 9pm-ish and sleep until about 10am the next morning when her brother wakes her up. During the night she'll get up once for a diaper change and a bottle. In the car Anna likes to travel, and she enjoys having conversations with her brother while in the truck. Peter keeps mommy posted when Anna falls to sleep in the truck. Anna loves to take baths, and she loves getting her head wet. Anna is very vocal and loud just like her brother. And if you don't pay attention to her, she gets even louder until you pay attention. It is quite cute to see. As for going out to the stores and stuff, well - mommy travels with both the double stroller and the single stroller. Mommy gives Peter the choice if he wants to walk while Anna is in the stroller (single one), or if he wants to go in the stroller with Anna. Peter has always opted to ride in the stroller with Anna (in the double stroller). When we walk around town, Peter always keeps an eye on his baby sister to make sure she is safe, while cruising in the double stroller.

Everyone in the family just loves Anna, and she fits in our family perfectly. Mommy and Daddy's friends also love Anna. We are very happy that she is home. As for the paperwork and the wait and all of that stuff during the adoption process, I am honestly glad it is over, I don't miss it at all. Guatemala keeps on adding new laws and changes to the process as the other families are waiting to complete their adoptions - so I certainly don't miss any of it.

Please keep the other families who are waiting to bring their child home in your prayers.

Thanks to our family, friends and other bloggers for all your support throughout Anna's adoption, it is so greatly appreciated.

I will try and post pictures on Anna's first month home.

Great news!!!

Big Kuddos! go out to Edwin and all his hard work! He found Carlos's birth mom and the final paper was signed. So now Laurie and Alan, can complete their adoption, and bring their son home. Today Carlos turned 1, and Edwin's family had a nice Birthday party for him.

Thanks for your continued support!

Special Request and an Update....

Hi All,

While things are going great with Peter and Anna, we still need to say a prayer, cross your fingers - whatever it is you do, because we still need the others babies/children to come home to their families.

Remember a couple of months ago, I told you about going to Guatemala to visit along with a few other women who were also adopting with Edwin. Well, they need our prayers along with the families who are adopting, and are waiting to bring their babies home. Please also pray for Edwin our lawyer along with his staff and family - so he can continue the hard work to bring the children home to their families. Our prayers go out to all the families that are in the middle of their adoptions, may your little one(s) come home real soon.

Just an update;

Martina is going to Guatemala on the 13th, to bring her daughter home. We are happy that Joseline is finally coming home. She entered PGN the same time we did, and got caught up in the Central Authority mess, before being allowed to re-enter PGN. But that is all behind her now, and her daughter is coming home. :)

Barbara, my pal from Rochester. Her family had to register with the Central Authority, and Edwin had to fix their previo (the reason why they got kicked out of PGN), before they were able to re-enter PGN. She is still in PGN, and hopefully she'll be getting her approval, so she can complete her adoption, and bring her son Ben home.

Laurie is out of PGN, but Edwin is searching for the Birth mom to get the last and final signature to complete their adoption. Edwin had to drive several hours to the Birth mom's town, only to find she was not there. So Edwin has been walking all over town looking for Carlos's Birth mom. Now the type of walking he is doing, is not like the type of walking we are doing here in the U.S. (cement sidewalks, etc.) Unfortunately, he is walking down washed away dirt roads (due to the heavy rains), that are now rivers and streams to get across town in search for Carlos's Birth mom. Margaret has been talking to Laurie often this week, giving her the positive thoughts to hang in there, Edwin will get the job done. Laurie has been waiting patiently for that email or call, telling her that the Birth mom was found and she signed the paperwork. This is a roller coaster ride, that Laurie will be happy to get off. I told Laurie she had "To have Faith in Him!". I know just how much it sucks, but I have confidence in Edwin in getting the job done. Hey, I don't know too many people in New York that would walk for Days and miles to search for someone. That goes to show just how much Edwin loves what he is doing - finding homes for children in need. So, please say an extra prayer for Edwin in finding the Birth mom, so Laurie and her husband Alan can complete their adoption and get Carlos home. Tomorrow is Carlos's first birthday - Edwin's family is going to have a nice party for him. Happy Birthday Carlos!

Emma and her husband are still hanging in there - in PGN. Hopefully they too will get their approval, so they can also complete their adoption. Emma lives in New Jersey, and hopefully when their daughter is home, we'll all be able to get together and meet.

And last but not least. Please say a prayer for all the children in Guatemala, who may never have a family. At the moment - Guatemala has closed their doors for new adoptions. Unfortunately the only people this is effecting are the children of Guatemala that don't have a family. The thought of this is soo sad.

Thank you in advance for all your prayers and good wishes!