Departure Day

Not much to report, except we are very excited to leave this beautiful hotel today! It has been wonderful, but there is no place like home. Here is a photo of Maya and Papa enjoying time poolside.

Yes, that is a beer bottle in the foreground! Damon discovered Moza beer this week, a dark, tasty beer.

See everyone soon!

Tuesday

We are just waiting for the visa today, and we depart tomorrow. Maya is doing well. We hear wonderful reports from the Grays in Cincinnati. Grandma and Grandpa report that Silas used the potty today!! He is also singing lots of new songs, and eating Deweys pizza, probably!

Video of Maya crawling on Monday, November 26

http://www.youtube.com/user/siguyvideos

Video of Maya in a walker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqmb_n8okVw

Embassy Day

Embassy Day

Yesterday we didn't have access to a computer, so we will put up some pictures soon. Melissa and Maya are napping after our long wait at the US embassy to finish up the process and apply for her visa. All went well and we will get the visa tomorrow afternoon and be on a plane Wednesday. Yesterday was fun...we spent the day getting to know our girl better. She is making more sounds and is starting to like to play with her Papa. She sleeps very well once she is asleep. Getting her to go to sleep has proven to be a bit challenging as we get to know what she expects. Melissa remarked today that her personality reminds her of Silas, and I do agree. She is mostly upbeat and likes to be around people. We miss everyone and can't wait for all to meet Maya. Melissa will post pictures soon and maybe a video of her in a walker.....she's fast. Maybe its because of the motorcyle rides. Did we mention that yet? If not, more later.
damon

Guatemala visit HH on Saturday

Today we had the unbelievable privilige to visit our friend´s baby. She is just a few months old, and is in a wonderful orphanage. I am posting photos and video here so they can see their little girl.

Saturday in Guatemala

Maya slept very well last night. This morning, we are seeing much more of her personality. She has taken well to Mama and seems to rely on her for feeding, comfort, etc. When Melissa walks away, her eyes look for her. She is definitely warming up to Papa, but a bit more slowly. She likes it when Damon rocks her to sleep.

She likes fruit, like her brother, Silas! Also, she eats scrambled eggs, bread, and chicken cooked in carrots for lunch, though we haven't tried that yet!

Friday in Guatemala

We are here! We met Maya at 4 pm. Just before that, Damon noticed a woman who looked exactly like the foster mother hop off a motorcycle with a baby. Another man was driving, but she had the baby in a snuggly, and Damon said he thought that was her. Sure enough, it was! So, Maya rode in on a cycle!

We had some adjustments, but after an hour or so, she seems very happy. We showed her photos of Silas, and I think she will love meeting him!

It has been a long day, but we will post more tomorrow.

PINK!

We adopted Silas in March of 2006. In February of 2007, we received word that his birthsister was being placed for adoption.

Fast forward to 9 months later (hmm, the length of a pregancy!!) and we are traveling to Guatemala in exactly one week to pick her up!

Pink is the color of the official document from the US Embassy in Guatemala with the appointment date. We received our Pink document today, the same day we received in the mail our Polaroid photo of Maya at her second DNA appointment, verifying she is the same child that was placed in February.

We opened a bottle of champagne and all three toasted to Maya's soon homecoming (Silas had a sippy cup with water!) We took photos of Silas with the Polaroid! What a resemblance!