Friday, June 22, 2007

Emma's first US doctors appointment

Today was Emma's first doctors appointment since arriving home. We took her to the adoption clinic at the University of Minnesota. The visit was long but Emma did very well. She had a battery of tests done and we received a ton of very useful information and advice. According to the doctors she is progressing normally. I think that Emma's patience is getting a bit better as time goes on. Or at least today she had an extra dose of patience. We were there for about two and half hours and she hung in there for the entire time.

Then came the blood draw. Considering what Tera told me about how the last blood draw went (at the hospital in Antigua) I was a bit worried. The woman who took the blood did a really good job and she was really quick. The element that made the difference that this other woman who had this "noisy" toy and blew bubbles to distract Emma from the obvious. Emma was a champ. She did cry for a bit but by the second vial she started to play with the noisy toy. Once the blood was taken she assumed her cuteness and we headed back home.

It was good that we did this as a family. Together we learned a lot today. We have much to look forward to. Emma is growing everyday and is constantly refining her crawling skills and "getting into things that are forbidden" skills. Go Emma Go!!!


J

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Time out

Emma has been home for over a week now. She is feeling much better and has gained some weight I must say. Her appetite is is more balanced and we all are getting used to the new schedule. No more getting Pizza Luce at 2 in the morning :)

I was looking at where we were a year ago this last week and I was speechless thinking about all that Tera and I have been through since we began this process. The piles of paperwork, the endless appointments and re-appointments. Then there was the waiting and the praying and the daydreaming. PGN was another animal unto itself. To this day I am still amazed of the stress that we experienced during our wait in PGN. PGN really did a number on me. When Tera and I were in Guatemala City we drove by the PGN building the day before we left. For a second I felt like holding on to Emma as if PGN might take her away from us or something. PGN has done and is doing a number on quite a few people. We are hoping and praying that those who are being held up in this part of the process will get through very soon.

But now we are home...as a family.

I am tired. I'm going to bed.

Congrats to Sofia getting our of PGN!!!!!!!!

J

Thursday, June 14, 2007

She's still here.

And I love it!!!!

...and we are really busy. Too busy to post for now.

Ciao

J

Monday, June 11, 2007

What in the world!?! There's a baby in my house!!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERA!!!

We are home. I must admit it is strange to say that. I am overwhelmed and stricken with awe that when I enter a room there is this little baby girl smiling at me. And the incredible thing is that she is not in the form of an email attachment or a picture. She is here in person!

We arrived home a bit before midnight on Saturday and the flight went much better that we originally feared. Needless to say that we were worried that Emma would have a perpetual meltdown on the plane. Emma being stuck in the same place for any amount of time is not her cup of tea. She wants her scenery moving and changing and it better be good! The Lord blessed us with a sleeping child and a very uneventful flight home.

When we got to the airport we were greeting with a welcoming party of family and friends and it was very appreciated since it was midnight by the time we saw them and it was way past everyone's bedtime. Tera introduced Emma to everyone and we were on our way home for our first night home together. Emma went to sleep in her new room quickly and Tera and I fell asleep even quicker. The past two mornings have been surreal. Tera and I find ourselves looking at each other from time to time just floored that Emma is now home in Minnesota with us. We feel truly blessed.

The months of waiting, praying, daydreaming and hoping for Emma's homecoming are behind us now. It is hard to believe that Emma is home with us. I still can't believe that we exited PGN for pete's sake! The Lord has been faithful as He always is and always has been. We are forever grateful for our adoption agency and all the ways that they came through for us. For our two very special friends that we made in Guatemala who helped us while we were there and to the foster family who we feel forever indebted to for treating and caring for Emma so well while we waited for her to come home to us. Also for all the people who have helped, prayed for, encouraged and cheered us on through this almost year long gauntlet.

I'll post again soon. And I will post about how I was supposed to come down to Guatemala to help Tera and Emma and their illnesses only to get really sick myself (I passed out and fell down even!)

Till then,

Jason (Emma's dad)