Well, I'll bee.................guess what arrived!

hi all,
Well the luggage finally arrived. And of course one suitcase (the new one, that we just got) has a rip in the front pocket, one wheel isn't working, and the buckle is broken off - that you hook your carry on luggage to. It arrived at 2pm. The gentleman arrived in a mini van, so how does the luggage in a mini van become a 12 hour window for delivery? I have no idea. The man had me sign for the luggage and there was a line there for the time, so I checked my watch and the man went to go take the clipboard from me, but I told him that i wanted to put the time down. He said the time didn't matter, because nobody sees that. I told him that it did matter, and I wanted to put the time and date down, so if Delta request this paperwork - they are aware of the time it actually did arrive. I get the feeling that the man wasn't too happy about it, but TOO BAD!

I called the claims office AGAIN to tell them about the damage, and you'll never believe what they said. They said I would have to bring the luggage to the airport within 24 hours to make a claim. I told the woman that "I already aged 20 years taking Delta to Guatemala and Back, and I didn't want to age another 20 years". She giggled. and I told her that I was serious and had no intentions of taking my toddler with the suitcase to Laguardia airport to make a claim. I then asked if I would be able to take it to Islip Airport, and she checked and said no. I would have to go to a main Delta location. I told her that it was a scam, because most people like myself would probably say screw it - it's not worth the aggravation and its a shame that Delta works that way. She then put me on hold and came back and told me that I can fax my complaint into the Corp. office with proof, etc. So I told her that it would be done this evening. She said to call back in a couple of days to find out the results of the fax.

So I guess in a few days we will see. I am sooo stubborn, but too bad, Delta should treat their customers better then this! I am already checking other airlines about going to Guatemala, so when we go to pick up Anna - I know what airline we are going to travel with.

Thanks for listening! Wish me luck!

We're Home, but Our Luggage Is Not! Go Figure with Delta

hey all,

We made it home last night just before Midnight. Our luggage didn't make it home, but that doesn't surprise me with Delta. I went to the claims office and they said that it will be on my porch before I wake up in the morning. Well, guess what..............it wasn't. So I called the claims dept. and the gentleman said that it was picked up at 7:30am and will be delivered before noon today. Well....................guess what................it wasn't. So again I called at 12:30pm, and the woman started to give me reason number 3, and I told her that I was "DONE WITH DELTA, AND I NEEDED TO TALK TO A SUPERVISOR". Well, it took awhile for the woman to understand that I didn't want to talk to her, I wanted her supervisor. The supervisor finally got on the phone, and she said due to the "high volume" of luggage that has to be delivered, they are giving a 12 hour window for the luggage to be delivered. I told her the whole story of what happened going down to Guatemala, and told her that I was done with Delta, and asked if she had a reason why I shouldn't be. She really didn't, except she apologized for what happened. While I had her on the phone, I asked her if there was anything that can be done about the stroller. I already knew what the answer was going to be, but I wanted to check. She said without any documentation that a claim was made, there is nothing that can be done. I asked her if she has ever been to Guatemala? She said no, I said well it is a 3rd world country and one shouldn't expect the same thing that you might get in the U.S. She then said without the stroller (proof) or documentation, she doubts anything will be done, but she said I can write the corporate office. I told her that I was going to write the Corp. Office and also CC it to Arnold Diaz from "Shame on You' on the channel 2 news. So that is on my list of things to do. I'll keep you posted on what the outcome is.

I have tons more pics to share with you, but of course that cord that I need to download the pics is in the luggage that isn't here yet. So you'll have to wait to see more pics.

To my pal Pam O., I know how much mispelled words bother you, but spellcheck wasn't working in Guatemala, so just for you - I did spell check on my previous posts - just for you!

As for that earthquake I wrote about the other day, well it was a 5.6 and it was only about 50 miles away from Guatemala City. And they had another one on Sunday Jan. 6th about 10:30 in the morning, but we were walking the hotel and I didn't notice it.

The whole trip was nice (minus Delta), Peter was soo great with his baby sister. Throughout the week, he kept on doing snoozles to Anna, and said daddy. Daddy does snoozles to Peter, so Peter had to do it to Anna (snoozles is where you rub both noses together). It was cute to see. Peter was soo happy in the morning, when he got up before Anna, because he enjoyed waking Anna up. It was cute to see. Peter's face would just light up, when Anna woke up and smiled at him. Hopefully, big brother will be just as good to his baby sister when she comes home.

Peter managed to have an allergic reaction on Monday Jan. 7th. He was sooo miserable in the morning, I couldn't figure it out, because it was too early for a nap. Then when I changed his diaper, he had bumps all over his body. I went down to the gift shop to get Benedrayl for the poor little guy, but they didn't have any. So I went to the front desk to order it from the Pharmacy, they had something similar, but it was going to take an hour to get there. So I asked Martina (who was already packed, and waiting to go home) if she had any and luckily she did, so I gave some to Peter. Thanks Martina! After a little nap, he was feeling much better. I am guessing the 1/2 dozen strawberries he ate, did it. He has had strawberries at home, but only like one - in Guatemala he had a lot at breakfast. So I'll have to watch him at home and see if it happens again.

As for the two kiddos. Well, when Peter was adopted - I discovered that each foster mother takes care of the babies in different ways. And the same thing applies now. Peter was always rocked to sleep and told a bedtime story, when he was being taken care of by the foster mother. Peter was well taken care of and loved very much by his foster family. I loved the fact that Peter needed to be rocked, and I didn't mind one bit doing that at home, I enjoyed it tremendously. Even now, when Peter is sick - he likes to be rocked to sleep. With Anna, she is such a happy and lovable baby, I know her family foster is taking great care of her. But, Anna doesn't need to be rocked to sleep. While in Guatemala, at Anna's nap time and bed time - I just put her in the crib and she would fall to sleep after she was done talking to herself. This was great, because that gave me time to spend with Peter, who has been so great during the whole trip. Peter and Anna will definitely be two active kiddos. Whenever Peter was active - walking/running in the halls, Anna's legs would be running too while I held her, as if she was trying to catch up with her brother. We are soo blessed to have two wonderful little children that will be able to grow up together and play together.

So, as for the adoption. We are on Barrios Desk, this is the last person that has to sign off on our folder. Once out of PGN, our lawyer said we will be traveling in about 1 1/2 weeks. It'll be soo nice to get Anna Maria home.

Please continue to Pray, keep your fingers crossed, whatever works for you - so our Anna is out of PGN real quick. That would be the best gift ever!

Thanks for your continued support.

Happy Kings Day and Great News!

Hi all,
Yesterday Jan. 6th, was kings day. We all went to Edwin´s house for dinner. It was very nice. The kiddos had fun at Edwin´s house, with the geese, chickens, and the trampoline. Peter enjoyed playing with the dogs, because he misses ¨¨mac¨so much. You´ll have to wait until we get home for pics, because I don´t have the cord on me now to download them.

We also found out GREAT news! we are on Barrios´s desk! This is the last reviewer to get out of PGN. Depending on this mans mood will depend on just how quick we get out. Lets pray and keep our fingers crossed that we are out quickly! So our Anna Maria can come home.

Well, gotta run. We will be home Tues Nite. Peter seems to understand that Anna has to stay here and we have to go home and get daddy to come back and bring her home with us, I guess tomorrow will tell. It will be sad to give Anna back, but it´ll be happy too, knowing that we will be back soon to take her home with us!

Have a great day!
see ya´ll soon,
Margaret

The weather is finally warming up!

Hi all, okay this is the second time I am typing this, because Peter managed to delete it. Yes, he is such the little helper.

The weather is finally warming up, we are able to take off our sweatshirts during the day.
Yesterday, we gave Anna a birth and she loved it and Peter had fun helping. You can see the pics below.

Last night while we had a tremor and the whole hotel moved. I didn´t even notice it because Peter was jumping on the bed, but Martina and Pam noticed it. Luckily it just happened once. Last night we got the kiddos together to play. Peter had fun playing with Martina´s daughters.

Last night we borrowed a portable heater from the front desk, because it is still quite chilly at night. The warm room, did wonders, Peter and Anna slept the entire Night. I woke up about 5am and jumped out of bed just to make sure Anna was okay, but she was fast to sleep.

Anna won the award for Miss Poop Queen, she couldn't poop anymore if she wanted too. She is even beating her big brother in that Dept. Yes, I know TMI (to much info). LOL

okay, Diego is almost over here in the business lounge, so I have to post the pics and get going. Luckily the TV keeps Peter a little busy to I can keep you guys updated.

Anna and Peter are doing GREAT! Peter thinks Anna is coming home with us, but I have been telling him that we have to go home first and get daddy and then come back to bring her home. Peter seems to be fine with that, but I guess time will tell. Oh ya, I called PGN the other day, and we are still with the 2nd reviewer, but the woman said in a couple of days we should be going to the 3rd reviewer. So Monday I´ll be calling again to see. The woman said with the holiday that slowed things up a bit.

If you go back to August and look at those pics and then these, you can see just how much Anna Maria grew. She is such a sweetie pie! And she is sooo soo happy all the time. No crying, just giggles and smiles.

Have a great day,

Hi from Guatemala

hey all,
We are having fun with Anna. Peter is such a great big brother. And his sister is taking after him, by waiting until she has a dry diaper on, before she does her poops! Yesterday, Martina and Pam arrived, and we had dinner together, it was nice to finally meet them and their kiddos. Today Martina and Pam went to Antigua with Edwin´s family. We promised Daddy that we wouldn´t leave the hotel, so we didn´t go to Antigua. But we will be leaving the hotel for King´s Day, and hopefully on the way to get a new stroller for Peter. I can´t imagine going home with a layover without a stroller.

Today Peter asked Howard for fish food, so we got koi food to feed the fish. We´ll be doing that right after I am done here. Thanks Howard.

I also found out, that this hotel DOES NOT have heat. I asked Howard today how to work the heat, because the room was cold again last night. And he said that they hotel only has Air condition. LOL. Poor Anna was cold this morning. So I guess i´ll turn the thermostat off, since there is no heat. LOL. Guess I better tell Pam and Martina too, that there is no heat.

Well, Anna is ready for another bottle, so let me post the pics. Hope all is well in New York.

Margaret, Peter, and Anna Maria.

We are here in Guatemala and Everything is Grand!

Hi All,
sorry we couldn't write yesterday, but after checking into the hotel Peter wanted to check it all out. And the electric kept on going on and off, due to the high winds. I even had to put the heat on in the room, because it was too chilly for Anna.

As for yesterday, wow - I am done flying Delta. We made it to Atlanta, and when I got off the plane to get the stroller - there was a surprise waiting for us - one wheel was broken off the stroller and it was not repairable. I was sooo Pist! I asked the pilot how Delta expected me to get around the Atlanta airport to catch my connecting flight - with a toddler and two carry on bags. He assisted me by carrying the stroller out to the delta counter. I carried Peter and the diaper bag and the carry on - it was a heavy load. To make a long story short, Atlanta Delta said that I can make a claim to be reimbursed for it, but I wouldn't have time to do it here, because I had to leave soon to get to Guatemala, but they said I can claim it in Guatemala. I was contemplating - just leaving the stroller and cut my lose, but you know me - It's the principle that Delta broke my stroller and just left it there - as if I wouldn't of noticed. It was an ordeal to get the broken stroller to the gate, but it made it there. Once in Guatemala - well - it's Guatemala need I say more. I spoke to the woman about it, and after a long chat they agreed to pay me $60, I said fine. Then about 20 minutes later of waiting they changed their mind, because of an initial on the stroller check tag - they said it was my signature - meanwhile it wasn't even close to my initials. So I just gave them a piece of my mind and told them that I had to get "my luggage and catch my ride that was waiting - and since I spent so much time here I probably missed my ride thanks to Delta". I also told them that "I will take it up with Delta in the U.S. when I get home." I left the airport and didn't see Jacqueline, then the security guy told me that there is another exit upstairs, so I went upstairs. Still no Jacqueline, then I thought I was stuck until the hotel shuttle came, so I went back downstairs to call the hotel, and as the elevator door opened - there walked out Jacqueline, I was soo relieved to see her. So as we are waiting for Jackie to bring the van around, the same woman who I spoke to about the stroller, came and asked me to come upstairs to talk to the supervisor, I told her that "I spent enough time talking about it and I was going to deal with Delta in the U.S., because I had to go and see my daughter." So we packed up the van and headed to the Hotel. All the time looking for Jacqueline, Peter kept on calling for Anna, Anna, but he was soo sooo happy to see her in the Van. She was fast asleep, but Peter's noise didn't wake her up.

We checked into the hotel, the room is absolutely beautiful. We got the Grand Suite this time, because Howard hooked us up on a great deal. Thanks Howard.

As for Barbara from Rochester, my email pal who is also adopting, she cancelled her trip the day before we left, due to family matters. But last nite she called me at the room to let me know she was coming and everything was fine. Yippie! It'll be great to see everyone who we email. Martina and Pam are due to arrive today. Peter will have a playmate, Martina is coming with her Daughter and she is adopting a girl about the same age as Peter. It'll be fun.

As for Anna and Peter, they love each other. Peter gets so happy because Anna smiles at him all the time. Peter is a great big brother. As for Anna, she is soo soo cute, and lovable. She was great sleeping through the nite. She has definitely grown and gained weight since the last visit. Sorry Pam O., but yes, Anna will be a good sleeper just like her big brother. As you can tell by the pics, she isn't that small peanut laying next to Peter or sitting in her seat.

I'll try and post more pics and more about our trip soon. Peter wants to run, run, run. So I gotta run, run, run - with Anna of course.




























Peter already being a big brother on the first day.





























Anna napping, yes that is her thumb in her mouth.













































Peter playing while Anna is napping.









Peter trying to wake up Anna, she has gotten sooo big.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Well, we just got back from upstate, and now we are packing to get ready to go to Guatemala to see our Anna. We will be leaving about 3:30am to go to the Airport, and our flight leaves at 6am. We will be in Guatemala by 12:30pm.

Margaret will be updating the blog while in Guatemala - so be sure to check it for new pics.

As for the Blog, some people have asked why we don't post pics of our friends & family on our blog. Some people don't mind and some people do, so we just figured we would just put us on our own blog.

Have a GREAT 2008.

It's going to be a great 2008, with Anna coming home.

see you soon,