PGN!

Yahoo! We are in PGN as of November 29, 2006!!! This is great news, and the last, big hurdle to finalizing the adoption. PGN is the supreme court of Guatemala and they review everything in order to rule out fraud. Many cases get kicked out of PGN, this means you need to fix errors on your documents and enter back in. We will find out in 4 weeks if we have any errors - that would be around December 27. The attorneys in Guatemala check on the case status each week, so hopefully we will get a heads up if we need to fix any documents.

Please continue to pray for a speedy process!

Here is an explanation from another document on the PGN process:
Once in the Procuraduria, PGN, (Solicitor General’s Office) the case will be considered for the issuance of the adoption order. In the Procuraduria, the case is carefully scrutinized by Guatemalan Government attorneys who make sure that all of the requirements for a proper and legal adoption have been met. Time frame for completion of this step is highly variable, and depends mainly on how many of the documents that the Procuraduria attorney asks for clarification or correction on. Usually when a case gets “rejected” by the Procuraduria, the corrections can be made in Guatemala (errors by civil registrars in Guatemala on birth certificates, birthmother’s cedula, etc.) such that the case can be resubmitted without the adopting family having to re-do documents. However, if the case gets rejected from Procuraduria because of faulty documents that were included with the family’s dossier, the adopting family will be expected to reimburse for expenses of registering and translating new US documents, (for example, a police clearance which does not indicate “no record”, a marriage certificate that does not have a date of issuance, a doctor’s letter or homestudy report which causes question of mental illness or alcoholism in the adopting parents, etc.

More Video

There has been considerable demand for additional video footage, so here it is! This video was shot on our November 2006 visit to Guatemala. Elizabeth was spending time on her tummy - something I think may be new to her. She is resting on a rolled up towel under her arms for more support. Elizabeth starts entertaining me and Aunt Carrie by making raspberry noises into the towel. Looks like we have a performer!!

Latin Time....

Chrissie's case hasn't been submitted into PGN yet.

I know, last Sunday I posted that Luigi told her he'd submit it to PGN last Monday or Tuesday. We've heard that Latin time is different than US-time - looks like this is a good example. Someone told Chrissie to add 1+ weeks to whatever timeframe she's given.

Sigh.

We just want precious Elizabeth here with us. Now. For Christmas. Forever.

Look at me!

Elizabeth fits in the bag, maybe we can squeeze her in tomorrow for the plane rides back to Delaware!

Carrie and I are heading back home tomorrow. It has been a great trip, with lots of firsts - first cereal, first giggle, first shot with mommy present, first mohawk (during tubby!).

First Cereal!

Today was a big day as Elizabeth had her first taste of cereal! She seemed to like it and ate a pretty good portion. Grace helped me mix it to the right consistency and showed me how to get it in her mouth - although I think I could have gotten that one! We have a few more pictures here, a couple from Carrie's walk around the neighborhood and some of the cereal tasting.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=5rj7qr9.903m9zx9&Uy=hltj95&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=554856845245_358729693405

¡Hola from Guatemala!

Mommy and Anut Carrie arrived safe and sound in Guatemala on Saturday. Unfortunately, we had to wait in line at immigration for over an hour! Anyway, Luigi was waiting for us and we went back to Graces house where Elizabeth was waiting for us - although she was sleeping the first time Aunt Carrie met her!
Elizabeth has another cold - or perhaps the same one - as she had my last trip a few weeks ago. Other then that, she pretty much looks the same - her hair is a little longer. She is pulling her head up and we are working on tummy time - she lays on her tummy to play. She is somewhat unsure of it at this point. She even spent some time in the walker/activity center.
On Sunday we went and had lunch with Henry, and his mom and dad - Richard and Nanci. They are staying at the Marriott and we had a great time chatting with all the people and we had lunch and played in the baby room. It was a great visit, especially since Nanci and I spend lots of time emailing, so meeting face to face was fun!
On Monday we went to see the pediatrican who gave Elizabeth a good report, despite the cold. She got a shot, which made her cry and cry. We hope she will not be too grumpy over the next couple of days. Elizabeth is 16 pounds and strong - per Dr. E.
We will have more news later. We are very excited to have access to the Internet while here at Graces - makes a big difference in keeping up with all of you. Please do send us emails and let us know how you are doing!

Here are links to a few phots we have taken: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=5rj7qr9.6fnyslxp&Uy=-by9z1l&Ux=0
hint: right click on the link and choose Open in a New window.

Adoption Process News

I spoke with Chrissie and Aunt Ki today - they are having a wonderful time with Elizabeth - how cute are those pictures!! Chrissie spoke with Luigi about her case and he plans to submit it to PGN (the Guatemalan court) on Monday or Tuesday. Then he said it will be about 4 weeks to hear if it will be kicked out or not... if it gets kicked out then they need to correct whatever the issue was and re-submit.. but if it isn't kicked out it could be "out of PGN" (which means APPROVED) and then Chrissie and Grammy can make their travel arrangements for the PICK UP trip! So perhaps Elizabeth can ring in 2007 with her Mommy!!!! (or celebrate MLK day?!)... whatever the date, hopefully it's soon!

Grins in Guat

How cute is THIS one? (For some reason Grammy messed up in uploading the 3 together, sorry.)

Carrie writes that they're having a grand time and the food is so good. They got together Sunday with a couple who is adopting Henry. Henry is 2 and likes to give Elizabeth kisses.

This is a great visit for the folks back home because we can get updates and pictures and the phone card even works! Hooray!

Elizabeth's many faces! 11-19-06

Guatemala Bound!

Chrissie and Aunt Ki are going to Guatemala tomorrow - just can't stay away from precious Elizabeth! Besides the excitement of meeting her niece, Aunt Ki is also excited to get her first stamp in her brand new passport!

They arrive in Guatemala City around 2:30pm - Luigi will again be meeting them at the airport and taking them back to Grace's, where Elizabeth will be waiting!!! More good news - apparently the internet connection is working at Grace's now, so we hopefully will be getting periodic updates! yeah!

So next week be on the lookout - we should have new pictures (and a video!?!?) of our fabulous Elizabeth.. maybe she can roll over now!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Process Update: Social Worker Report

Good news, the Guatemalan social worker has completed the required report to move my case out of Guatemalan Family Court. This is good news given the fact that beginning November 15 the courts go to half staff for the holidays. My assigned social worker is in Court 1 which is scheduled for a month off November 15 - December 15. Whew!! The next step is the final one, going into PGN. PGN can take 6-12+ weeks, so we continue to pray for a quick process.

Video and Pics!

To answer the call for more photos and pics from Jen and Chrissie's trip to Guatemala in October, here are a couple of links. Aunt Jenny was the primary photographer and videographer and she has done a fabulous job! We are new to this video stuff, so once we figure out how to edit the hours of video we will post more!

Pics: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=5rj7qr9.3v8e02tx&x=0&y=ml9rc4
Hint: To open in a new window, RIGHT click on the link and select "Open in New Window". That way the blog site will remain open in the background.

Play the video of Elizabeth taken by Aunt Jenny!

Back home!

We literally just got home after a very long day of good-byes and traveling, but I had to share a few pictures of precious Elizabeth... she is wonderful! We fell in love with her immediately (she had us at the first hiccup)! Chrissie took to being a parent beautifully - anticipating Elizabeth's needs and wants and being overjoyed just looking at her! I was quite impressed with my little sister - she's a great mom! :)

Elizabeth was a joy to be with - to look at, to hold, to smell (you know, that "baby" smell!) - she coos and gives "raspberries" and blows bubbles - even hearing her breathe at night was precious!!

Tomorrow (11/1) Chrissie hopes to figure out how to share video - because you think these pictures are adorable... wait until you see the "8 minutes of sweetness" (that I edited down to 2.5)!!

There are lots of stories to share - hopefully we'll see you soon and bore you with all the details!