The Kanakos Kiddos...........: July 2009

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Anna is officially Anna Maria.

Anna's Birth name was Nancy, since we already had a Nancy in the family - we decided to name our daughter - Anna Maria (Anna after her grandmother in the U.S. and Maria after her Birth mother in Guatemala). So, we had to do some paperwork to make it happen. A few people asked why we re-adopted Anna - and there's a lot of reasons to do it. One is to change her name to her given name, and the other is to get a U.S. Birth Certificate, so in a few years when we have to sign her up for school - it will be an easy task, since she has a U.S. Birth Certificate, as well as all that other stuff you need a Birth Certificate for.

Since Anna came home on a R-3 Visa, the paperwork was a lot shorter - and we weren't required to appear in front of the judge to finalize the re-adoption. Mommy asked the woman if we can appear in front of the judge and the woman from the Adoption office, said for us to do that we would have to fill out the larger packet of paperwork. Then we decided that it would be fine to get her new Birth Certificate and we would just go out to lunch that day to celebrate. Well, a few days later mommy got a phone call from the adoption office and they said that we can appear in front of the Judge for Anna's Re -adoption. Mommy was so surprised and asked the woman how can that be, since we were originally told that wouldn't be an option. It turned out the Judge that did Peter's Re-adoption wanted to do Anna's too - he remembered us and our big family. So mommy was so excited she immediately said yes. Then the woman from the adoption office said - how about tomorrow? Mommy was like oh - that is tooo soon, because daddy wouldn't be able to take off from work that quick. So we picked a day (a Friday) after recess so everyone would be able to make it if they wanted to.

Aunt Carol, Aunt Jean, Aunt Karen/God Mother, Grandma, Pam and Emily all showed up for the re-adoption. Since it got over so quick and early - we all went out to breakfast (except for Pam and her daughter - that had another appt.)

It was such a nice day. It was especially nice that the Judge made an exception for us to be able to appear in court to make it complete.

Mommy thinks the Judge did this, only because he wanted to see how many grandchildren Grandma had now, because the Judge still has grandma beat by about 3 grandchildren. The Judge gave mommy his business address to keep in touch, because he would like to know how the family is doing. Mommy turned around and told the Judge that he just wanted to make sure he still had more grandchildren than my mother/grandma.

Mommy, who's my Grandpa?

Lately, that question has been asked A LOT from Peter. Mommy explained to Peter how he has a Grandpa in Guatemala, and his Grandpas in the U.S. are no longer living. But, Peter wanted a Grandpa. So mommy asked him how would he like to adopt a Grandpa? Peter's face lit up and was so excited over the thought of adopting a Grandpa. So, we took a few days to discuss who he wanted to adopt to be his and Anna's Grandpa. It was a hard decision, because mommy had to make sure that it would be someone who would want to be a "grandpa". So, we discussed our options and we talked about Joe being Grandpa. Then a few days went by with nothing said, then on the news they were talking about a "Joe" who was a hero, and Peter jumped up and said - Joe - that's my Grandpa's name. Then mommy knew - who Grandpa was going to be. Mommy typed up an adoption certificate to send to "Grandpa Joe". Peter and Anna signed it with their thumb prints. We all went to the post office and mailed it to Grandpa Joe. A couple of days later we got a phone call from Grandpa, who wanted to come over and visit. It was pretty tricky to plan the visit, since the kids were both napping when Grandpa called the first time, but the next day - Grandpa came over and had his Adoption Certificate with him and asked Peter about it. And Peter was soo happy to tell his Grandpa what the certificate was for, and Grandpa gave Peter a big hug and said he would love to be his Grandpa. Then Grandpa gave Anna a big hug too. Mommy thinks she even saw some tears in Grandpa's eyes. Peter was soooo excited that he finally had a Grandpa.

About a week later we went to go see Grandpa and Terry (grandpa's girlfriend) sing at a Restaurant. Peter was so excited to see his grandpa sing. Peter turned to mommy and said - you know what mom, my grandpa sings really good, he has a good voice. Peter is just so cute when his face lights up when he talks about things that make him happy.

Below is Grandpa's Adoption Certificate..............

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Happy Birthday to Anna Maria

Happy Birthday to Anna Maria. Wow, how time flies. Anna turned 2 today. Yes, I know you are probably saying "oh those terrible twos". Well, when Anna turned 1 - she was in the "terrible 2 stage", now since she is 2 - I am expecting the "horrible 3 stages". But on a brighter note - she is a cutie pie, and she knows it too. She still does have that "Latin temper" going on, but we are hopeful that once she is able to express herself more clearly - that temper will disappear :) positively thinking of cause. LOL

This evening we had family over for "Anna's Ice Cream Parlor" Birthday Party. It was nice having the party in the evening, it made the day more relaxed and enjoyable. It was a great day and the weather couldn't be any better. It was fun. Anna's cousin's had fun in the sand box and playing on the jungle gym/swing set. We had the party in our backyard. Thanks goes out to Joel, Anna's God Father/Uncle for the tent, tables, and chairs, luckily the rain didn't come but it was nice to have for a bit of shade.

Muchos Gracias goes out to Anna's Birth mother who gave birth to Anna today, and decided to place Anna for adoption. We are ever so grateful for our wonderful daughter. This evening while everyone was singing Happy Birthday to Anna, mommy got a little choked up and teary eyed, when she thought of Anna's Birth Mom on this special day. Mommy helped Anna make a wish while cutting her Birthday Cake, and mommy made a wish too. Mommy hopes that one day, we will be able to have contact with Anna's & Peter's Birth mother, so she/they can know/see how their daughter/son is doing.

The party ended just in time, before all the mosquitoes came out. Instead of spending money on goodie bags, we decided to use that money and purchase food for a family in need in Guatemala - so they can eat for a couple of months, instead of going without. So, instead each child got a little bottle of ice cream cone bubbles with a note, letting them know why there wasn't any goodie bags today. The family thought that it was a wonderful idea. Once everyone left, we saw the large mess that was left to clean up, but we got it all cleaned up and packed away. Anna fell asleep before opening the gifts, so that will be put off until tomorrow.

Sunday, July 19th, 2009 - was another busy day - we had Anna's and Peter's Cousin's Christening to go to, then to a Christening Brunch. We came home for a short "nap time" and then we were off to another Party. Anna's & Peter's cousin Natalya's First Birthday Party was this afternoon. After that party we headed home, and Peter fell asleep in the truck while driving home and mommy carried him straight to his bed and he stayed asleep. Anna was awake and it wasn't bedtime yet, so we decided to open her gifts. Anna was so adorable opening her gifts, with a "sigh" each gift that was handed to her to open. She was so adorable opening her gifts. At Natalya's Birthday Party, her uncle and aunt gave Anna her gift, since they weren't at her party - Anna opened the box and she liked the dress so much - she started to undress herself to put on the new dress she just got - tags and all. LOL. Later on, Anna got her new dress wet - so she tried taking it off, to put something dry on, and we found out that the bloomer panties were still attached to the inside of her dress. So when Anna lifted her dress, you saw the panties hanging down from the inside of the dress - everyone broke out laughing at this cute sight. It was Anna's bedtime, but she wasn't ready to go to sleep quite yet, because she was busy playing with her toys she got as a birthday gift. But once mommy got her sippy ba ba (it use to be her bottle, but it has a sippy cap on it to make is a sippy cup, but that is what anna calls it) ready, Anna was all ready to get her jamies on and go to "nite nite".