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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Okay, an update is LONG overdue and I apologize! We have been home 2 full weeks and it is WONDERFUL. The flight home was completely uneventful. We left the hotel at 11am and arrived home at 8pm (7pm Guat time) and the babies, niether of them, fussed a single moment of the day. They were just fabulous: napping, eating and giggling when awake.
Something amazing has occured because it seems with child #3 and 4 there is no adjustment period. We are tired but no more than we always have been. I think our 4 year olds, with their full of life and spirited personalities, wear us out much more than the babies. Aaron is just a delight. He smiles a lot, has started babbling. His first week home, he sat up for about 1 minute - unassisted. He is still waking up 1 to 2 times per night for feedings and I was pretty sure that I had read that by now it would be 1 time per night. So, either he is still very hungry, not grown out of that yet or I am doing something wrong. We'll work it out soon enough though. Kya and Autumn have adjusted fantastic and I truly beleive it's because of our visits down to Guatemala. They love the babies and there has been no jealousy or new behavorial issues. They have truly been wonderful big sisters to the babies. The only fits the big girls seem to have is when the babies go down for naps. Then they cheer when the babies wake up.
Aaron had is first U.S doctors appointment already which was also his 6 month check up and he did wonderful. He is on target and doing well.
This is the end of this blog. Time to say goodbye to the adoption websites and start an at-home forumn. Within the month I will send out a link to the new location.
Thank you for your prayers, for joining us on this most amazing miracle to bring these babies home!
Enjoy the photos.
Our last night in Guatemala
Aaron's plane ride home!
Meeting his Meema and Aunt Hope as big sister Kya delights in his homecoming.
First night home, first family dinner (Thanks to Dawn's mom!!!)
The kids are ready for bed, their first night home. Their Aunt Hope and Uncle Joel are spending the night as well.
Aaron's first nap at home on day two. What a sweet baby boy! We are so blessed.
The babies are sharing a room. This is Aaron's side.
First bath at home.
Sweet baby boy in his new exer-saucer. He loves it!
First Sunday home. All our children - all ready for Church! What a blessing!
Something amazing has occured because it seems with child #3 and 4 there is no adjustment period. We are tired but no more than we always have been. I think our 4 year olds, with their full of life and spirited personalities, wear us out much more than the babies. Aaron is just a delight. He smiles a lot, has started babbling. His first week home, he sat up for about 1 minute - unassisted. He is still waking up 1 to 2 times per night for feedings and I was pretty sure that I had read that by now it would be 1 time per night. So, either he is still very hungry, not grown out of that yet or I am doing something wrong. We'll work it out soon enough though. Kya and Autumn have adjusted fantastic and I truly beleive it's because of our visits down to Guatemala. They love the babies and there has been no jealousy or new behavorial issues. They have truly been wonderful big sisters to the babies. The only fits the big girls seem to have is when the babies go down for naps. Then they cheer when the babies wake up.
Aaron had is first U.S doctors appointment already which was also his 6 month check up and he did wonderful. He is on target and doing well.
This is the end of this blog. Time to say goodbye to the adoption websites and start an at-home forumn. Within the month I will send out a link to the new location.
Thank you for your prayers, for joining us on this most amazing miracle to bring these babies home!
Enjoy the photos.
Our last night in Guatemala
Aaron's plane ride home!
Meeting his Meema and Aunt Hope as big sister Kya delights in his homecoming.
First night home, first family dinner (Thanks to Dawn's mom!!!)
The kids are ready for bed, their first night home. Their Aunt Hope and Uncle Joel are spending the night as well.
Aaron's first nap at home on day two. What a sweet baby boy! We are so blessed.
The babies are sharing a room. This is Aaron's side.
First bath at home.
Sweet baby boy in his new exer-saucer. He loves it!
First Sunday home. All our children - all ready for Church! What a blessing!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Embassy Day
Our Embassy Appointment was at 7:15am. We left the hotel around 6:30 and were back about 10:15. Aaron's application to become a permanent US Citizen was approved today! His IR3 Visa will be ready tomorrow. Woo Hoo!!!!!
Today we had a late breakfast, long nap, a little shopping and an early dinner. Dale and I also called back home and spoke to our two 4yr olds today, Kya & Autumn. We miss them SOOOOO much! It's never the same without them around. They add such joy to all our memories and we look forward to getting home to them. We are trying to make the most of our final days here and make some memories with our new babies in their birth country. Here are some pictures of our day.
Bath Time for Aaron
Happy Embassy Day my beautiful baby boy!
So happy having bananas
Hangin' out at McCafe (McDonald's coffee shop - so nice!) No Starbuck's here. Starbuck's doesn't compare to Guatemalan coffee.
Doing a little shopping for Kya & Autumn
Today we had a late breakfast, long nap, a little shopping and an early dinner. Dale and I also called back home and spoke to our two 4yr olds today, Kya & Autumn. We miss them SOOOOO much! It's never the same without them around. They add such joy to all our memories and we look forward to getting home to them. We are trying to make the most of our final days here and make some memories with our new babies in their birth country. Here are some pictures of our day.
Bath Time for Aaron
Happy Embassy Day my beautiful baby boy!
So happy having bananas
Hangin' out at McCafe (McDonald's coffee shop - so nice!) No Starbuck's here. Starbuck's doesn't compare to Guatemalan coffee.
Doing a little shopping for Kya & Autumn
Sunday, January 6, 2008
GOTCHA! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!
WE HAVE OUR SON! Aaron Gabriel is officially and legally our son. He was placed in our arms forever and ever in the lobby of our hotel in Guatemala City at 2:30pm, January 6, 2008. Today Aaron also turned 6 months old. We are overwhelmed with emotions. We are thanking Jesus for our son, our miracle.
We would also like to thank and remember the woman who cared for him the first 6 months of his life, Mirna, His foster mother. Thank you Mirna for loving our son as your own.
We would also like to thank and remember the woman who cared for him the first 6 months of his life, Mirna, His foster mother. Thank you Mirna for loving our son as your own.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Pictures from November
Here are some pictures of our baby boy. We took these on our November visit trip. We look forward to the moment he's placed in our arms for good! It has been fantastic to be able to visit him and create these precious memories with him at such a young age.
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the collages.
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the collages.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Hi Everyone, We finally made it to an internet cafe. It's a beautiful city here in Antigua. We are enjoying our much unexpected family vacation. We have eaten so much that we are about 50lbs heavier each! The food is here is SOOO good! There is no shortage of places to hang out and eat and places to shop.
Tuesday we arrived safely and on Tuesday evening we received an email that our that Aaron's birth certificate should be ready on Tuesday the 27th (the day we leave). After we have both bc's, they can be submitted for their 2nd DNA test and then once the results arrive at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, they will issue us an appointment to come in with the babies to receive their Visas. That is when we get to bring them home. Just a few more weeks!!!
Wednesday morning the babies were supposed to arrive at 9am. Aaron arrived about 11:30 because his Foster Mom's bus had a flat. Then Lily arrived sometimes around 1pm. We rented a 15 passenger van (yes! really!) to take just our little family and all our luggage to Antigua, Guatemala for the week. It was about a 45 minute ride and through some mountains. No air in the bus but the windows opened and there was a nice breeze, all the kids napped on the way. The hotel is a little nicer than I thought it would be. It's very quaint and quiet here. We have a very large room. We have 2 queen beds, 2 baby beds and still tons of room for the girls to kick a ball, etc. Breakfast is part of the deal here (it's a bed & breakfast) and it's a choice of 3 meals. You can have them pool side or on the table outside your room on the balcony....each option overlooking the beautiful volcano and swimming pool. The coffee here is wonderful.
Aaron is doing great and is eating some eggs & stage one baby food now. He's been such a happy baby nd showing a little more personality. He's sleeping well in the baby bed this time. He wakes about 1:30 and 5:30 for food and goes right back to sleep. He's up at 7:30 and naps again about 9am.
On Thursday, Thanksgiving, we took some photos of all the kids together, the kids napped a little. Then we went out for a little sight seeing and lunch. We strolled through their central park, went to a little grocer, a park-side cafe and then for ice cream, then the kids napped some more. We were going to go to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner but the kids were all very tired. Even Autumn fell asleep for the night at 4:30. Dale went next door and ordered dinner for us and Kya. Dale and I have had a few chances to sit out on the balcony after the kids are in bed. We have a dessert from next door and a bottle of wine by candlelight over looking the 3 volcanos surrounding us.
Friday was Kya's big day...she turned 4. We had a party pool side complete with Tinker Bell decorations and a pizza. We didn't get the ice cream cake. Dale had taken her and Autumn to Central Park for a carriage ride. Afterwards we took her to the local market to go shopping. Each of them go to pick out something ( a drum ) and on the way back we found another bakery. Kya ended up ordering cake from there. And that night she wanted Thai food, which was actually not THAT great.
Saturday is when the Mayan's set up a street side market on the ground. We bought a few trinkets from there and found the cafe I'm sitting at now.
We head back to the city at 1pm tomorrow and check back into the hotel there for the night. The babies are going back to the foster mom's at 4pm. Our flight is our early Tuesday. We'll post pictures next week when we get home.
Lots of love,
Dawn
Tuesday we arrived safely and on Tuesday evening we received an email that our that Aaron's birth certificate should be ready on Tuesday the 27th (the day we leave). After we have both bc's, they can be submitted for their 2nd DNA test and then once the results arrive at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, they will issue us an appointment to come in with the babies to receive their Visas. That is when we get to bring them home. Just a few more weeks!!!
Wednesday morning the babies were supposed to arrive at 9am. Aaron arrived about 11:30 because his Foster Mom's bus had a flat. Then Lily arrived sometimes around 1pm. We rented a 15 passenger van (yes! really!) to take just our little family and all our luggage to Antigua, Guatemala for the week. It was about a 45 minute ride and through some mountains. No air in the bus but the windows opened and there was a nice breeze, all the kids napped on the way. The hotel is a little nicer than I thought it would be. It's very quaint and quiet here. We have a very large room. We have 2 queen beds, 2 baby beds and still tons of room for the girls to kick a ball, etc. Breakfast is part of the deal here (it's a bed & breakfast) and it's a choice of 3 meals. You can have them pool side or on the table outside your room on the balcony....each option overlooking the beautiful volcano and swimming pool. The coffee here is wonderful.
Aaron is doing great and is eating some eggs & stage one baby food now. He's been such a happy baby nd showing a little more personality. He's sleeping well in the baby bed this time. He wakes about 1:30 and 5:30 for food and goes right back to sleep. He's up at 7:30 and naps again about 9am.
On Thursday, Thanksgiving, we took some photos of all the kids together, the kids napped a little. Then we went out for a little sight seeing and lunch. We strolled through their central park, went to a little grocer, a park-side cafe and then for ice cream, then the kids napped some more. We were going to go to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner but the kids were all very tired. Even Autumn fell asleep for the night at 4:30. Dale went next door and ordered dinner for us and Kya. Dale and I have had a few chances to sit out on the balcony after the kids are in bed. We have a dessert from next door and a bottle of wine by candlelight over looking the 3 volcanos surrounding us.
Friday was Kya's big day...she turned 4. We had a party pool side complete with Tinker Bell decorations and a pizza. We didn't get the ice cream cake. Dale had taken her and Autumn to Central Park for a carriage ride. Afterwards we took her to the local market to go shopping. Each of them go to pick out something ( a drum ) and on the way back we found another bakery. Kya ended up ordering cake from there. And that night she wanted Thai food, which was actually not THAT great.
Saturday is when the Mayan's set up a street side market on the ground. We bought a few trinkets from there and found the cafe I'm sitting at now.
We head back to the city at 1pm tomorrow and check back into the hotel there for the night. The babies are going back to the foster mom's at 4pm. Our flight is our early Tuesday. We'll post pictures next week when we get home.
Lots of love,
Dawn
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving Day in Antigua
Hello Everyone, This is Dawn's Mom and Aaron and Lilly's Meemaw. I bet you are all wondering why I am blogging and not Dawn? Well, they cannot get internet access where they are staying in Antigua, Guatamela. Dale tried all day yesterday and today and they are having alot of trouble with antiquated wiring. Dawn called me today wishing her State side family a Happy Thanksgiving and ask that I go on their blog site and tell everyone they are fine.
They arrived on Tuesday and received Aaron and Lilly on Wednesday and then flew out of Guatamela City to Antigua where they are staying in a very quaint Bed and Breakfast. Dawn said as you look out their hotel room window you see the volcano... Mom's reply I sure hope it's not an active one. She said it is absolutely beautiful.
She said the streets where all very old cobblestones and all the little cafe's are in a garden setting and at night they all have romantic twinkle lights. Kya and Autumn are enjoying the music and the lights at night and yes they are dancing at the cafe's under the stars.
They are all happy and content with their family all around them. Tonight around 6pm they were heading off down the street to yet another cafe that was offering a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. For lunch they found a cafe where they could have desserts and were they yummy.
Kya picked out her birthday cake for her party tomorrow. Imagine that you can still pick out your own cake even in Guatemala. She chose an ice cream cake. I did talk with Kya and she says their room is very noisy...LOL, Dad is playing the guitar and singing and Autumn is banging on a drum they bought today. I guess it would be noisy.
I don't expect to hear from Dawn again while they are with Aaron and Lilly. They sent their wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving for all and will post pictures as soon as they return.
Blessings to all of you, Dawn's Mom, Pat
They arrived on Tuesday and received Aaron and Lilly on Wednesday and then flew out of Guatamela City to Antigua where they are staying in a very quaint Bed and Breakfast. Dawn said as you look out their hotel room window you see the volcano... Mom's reply I sure hope it's not an active one. She said it is absolutely beautiful.
She said the streets where all very old cobblestones and all the little cafe's are in a garden setting and at night they all have romantic twinkle lights. Kya and Autumn are enjoying the music and the lights at night and yes they are dancing at the cafe's under the stars.
They are all happy and content with their family all around them. Tonight around 6pm they were heading off down the street to yet another cafe that was offering a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. For lunch they found a cafe where they could have desserts and were they yummy.
Kya picked out her birthday cake for her party tomorrow. Imagine that you can still pick out your own cake even in Guatemala. She chose an ice cream cake. I did talk with Kya and she says their room is very noisy...LOL, Dad is playing the guitar and singing and Autumn is banging on a drum they bought today. I guess it would be noisy.
I don't expect to hear from Dawn again while they are with Aaron and Lilly. They sent their wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving for all and will post pictures as soon as they return.
Blessings to all of you, Dawn's Mom, Pat
Friday, October 19, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Home 4 days and miserable
It's Thursday. We arrived home on Monday. 4 days ago. And, here, home, is not where I want to be, not right now, not until my family is complete. We are going back! I can't stand it. I have to be with my babies. We leave on November 20th and will be in Guatemala for 7 days this time. I am thrilled to get back to my babies! Aaron will be 4 months old when we return. Just 4 weeks in between visits. I can handle that. I can wait 4 weeks. I look very forward to our return. This time we should be staying in a little town called Antigua. I will post more when we get ready to leave.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
More Aaron Pictures
Here are some additional pictures from Saturday and Sunday in Guatemala with Aaron. I am missing him terribly. I can't post much about it right now but here are some pictures of my "beautiful, beautiful boy".
You can click on any of the photos in Lily or Aaron's blog for a larger image view.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
First Full Day with Aaron
Aaron was a great little baby today and he’s quite the eater. He always wants his bottle. We gave him a pacifier (not used in Guatemala from what I understand). He loves it and it really sooths him if he’s restless. We are having such a good time with him. The day passed though so fast. It is just a blur really. I guess 4hrs of napping will pass the day pretty quickly. We met one couple that is here for their pick up trip. They are first time parents and have been able to visit every month. I am seething with extreme jealousy. I’m already trying to image what it will be like when I hold the babies again in a few months. I’m sure they will change so much. They are both so tiny right now. It’s such a privilege to hold them and be with them at such a young age.
It rained all day (drizzled) and is a bit chilly, so we could not swim. After dinner tonight we did go for a short walk around the hotel and into the courtyards.
I am posting a few pictures of Aaron from our first full day together – Friday, October 12, 2007.
It rained all day (drizzled) and is a bit chilly, so we could not swim. After dinner tonight we did go for a short walk around the hotel and into the courtyards.
I am posting a few pictures of Aaron from our first full day together – Friday, October 12, 2007.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Emotional Overload-Meeting Aaron
My first son! Wow! It’s amazing. He was so late coming to the hotel. We had Lily for about an hour in the lobby before Aaron arrived. The FM was here but the translator that came for Aaron’s hand off could not find us. She just didn’t realize it was us because she saw us with another baby and didn’t realize we were getting 2 babies. Anyway, it worked out and we got Aaron about 7:30pm. The hand off was quicker than with Lily since it was late.
We spent about 5 to 10 minutes with the FM. We got a few notes about his schedule and one picture then we were off to be a family of 6 for the weekend. It all happened seamlessly and easily. When we got back to the room I must admit I thought for a while we were certainly crazy. I thought somebody really should have shaken us up to reality before we accepted the referral of 2 babies. But as I looked at them and realized that meant we would have to give up one of these babies…I realized NEVER, never would we do that. And, I became so grateful that nobody brought us back to our senses. Sometimes the craziest things you ever did are the best things you ever did.
Aaron is about the same size as Lily, even though he is 11 weeks younger. He also has more hair. They both have big beautiful eyes and everything about both of them is completely perfect. Aaron had me wiped over with emotions. He was the 2nd to arrive, so my nerves were already calm and I was tired, very tired. I didn’t get to hold him at the hand off.
Dale did as I had Lily and we forgot strollers and baby carriers. We were just ready to get to our room. It was all so quick, no real time to sink in. As the evening wore on my emotions started to grow more than I imagined and he has stolen my heart. The middle of the night feedings were fabulous! I loved every second of it. I laid him next to me in bed and we snuggled as I fed him. It was just beautiful to have a quiet room, dark, cozy and this little bitty baby next to me and to watch him stir awake and then to fade back off into his slumber sleep. He only has 2 nighttime feedings (2am and 5:30am). He woke up on target and the bottle was ready to go. He was only awake maybe 10 minutes each time and we both slept very soundly in between. I woke several times to look in on both babies but fell back to sleep easily and soundly. It was a terrific night.
(By the way, we finally get dinner about 8pm. We were able to rent strollers from the hotel before dinner. The babies were very good during dinner. The hotel has a Champions (bar-grill), which is the same restaurant at the Marriott in Tampa, which we have eaten at before. Everyone speaks English. It really just felt like we were at a hotel in the US. The Marriott is very comfortable and a wonderful place to be.)
We spent about 5 to 10 minutes with the FM. We got a few notes about his schedule and one picture then we were off to be a family of 6 for the weekend. It all happened seamlessly and easily. When we got back to the room I must admit I thought for a while we were certainly crazy. I thought somebody really should have shaken us up to reality before we accepted the referral of 2 babies. But as I looked at them and realized that meant we would have to give up one of these babies…I realized NEVER, never would we do that. And, I became so grateful that nobody brought us back to our senses. Sometimes the craziest things you ever did are the best things you ever did. Aaron is about the same size as Lily, even though he is 11 weeks younger. He also has more hair. They both have big beautiful eyes and everything about both of them is completely perfect. Aaron had me wiped over with emotions. He was the 2nd to arrive, so my nerves were already calm and I was tired, very tired. I didn’t get to hold him at the hand off.
Dale did as I had Lily and we forgot strollers and baby carriers. We were just ready to get to our room. It was all so quick, no real time to sink in. As the evening wore on my emotions started to grow more than I imagined and he has stolen my heart. The middle of the night feedings were fabulous! I loved every second of it. I laid him next to me in bed and we snuggled as I fed him. It was just beautiful to have a quiet room, dark, cozy and this little bitty baby next to me and to watch him stir awake and then to fade back off into his slumber sleep. He only has 2 nighttime feedings (2am and 5:30am). He woke up on target and the bottle was ready to go. He was only awake maybe 10 minutes each time and we both slept very soundly in between. I woke several times to look in on both babies but fell back to sleep easily and soundly. It was a terrific night. 
(By the way, we finally get dinner about 8pm. We were able to rent strollers from the hotel before dinner. The babies were very good during dinner. The hotel has a Champions (bar-grill), which is the same restaurant at the Marriott in Tampa, which we have eaten at before. Everyone speaks English. It really just felt like we were at a hotel in the US. The Marriott is very comfortable and a wonderful place to be.)
Monday, October 8, 2007
Welcome
Welcome to Aaron's Photo Log.
We will soon be visiting our baby boy for the very first time. We will post pictures of our trip to the new photo log. We will also use this photo log to post any future visits and pictures of the final trip to bring home our baby boy. Don't forget to check out Aaron's Main Website for all other great Aaron Information.
We are also adopting a baby girl. Check out Lily Bug's web site and photo logs!
We have also provided a link to our family page, as we have 2 beautiful daughters already at home that have filled our life with so much joy!
Many Blessings,
Dawn
Aaron's Newborn Referral Photo - July 2007
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