He is a child that is so endearing and beautiful that one can’t help but stare at him when he is awake or asleep. He is timid with strangers, loving and cuddly with those with whom he is familiar, and simply put, he radiates happiness.

He…

• loves to dance to music (his favorites right now are an Elmo boom box and my RideMakerz Princess car that plays music)

• he is a sucker for a jumpy (and even fell asleep in it this evening)

• follows me everywhere
• sleeps like a champ
• rarely cries…mainly if he is hungry or if he can’t get Elmo to play music
• will eat almost anything
• loves water just like AJ
• had a perfect well-visit
• loves to cuddle and give hugs to his mama and papa
• LOVES the dog
• plays keep-away
• loves Dora, Diego, and all things Noggin (in Spanish)
• Really liked the snow this morning
• is ticklish and has the BEST giggle in the world
• shares
• And, is a mover and a shaker.

However,

We are starting to see some small control issues already…he is already demanding things his way. And in our house that does not fly. A little work now means a lot less later is our philosophy. So, we will set to work now.

If you want to follow our journey please stick with me. It should be interesting. The next two weeks may be sporadic but I will be back in full swing soon. Just bare with me.

Post from: Blisstree

Radiating

When we first received AJ’s referral we were very happy with his first name, Alexander, and decided to keep it. We had long ago decided that Eric’s middle name, Joseph, would also be our first son’s middle name because it was Eric’s father’s first name as well. However, Alexander paired with our entire last name is very long so we brainstormed some alternatives. Fortunately, it didn’t take long. Eric and I were looking at his picture one evening. Eric turned to look at me, said the name AJ, and then smiled. I looked down at the picture, back at Eric, and just knew that little name fit him.

With our second son the process was much more difficult and took much longer. We were not fond of the first name his birth mother had given him, nor did we like the middle name, as it is traditionally the birth father’s last name. Ideally, we wanted to honor his birth mother and keep some part of the name she had given him as well as honor his Guatemalan heritage with an Hispanic name (but we had to find one that went with our last name, right?). We were in for it…

On Christmas Eve we had our family brainstorm Hispanic names and we kept a list of ones that we liked (none of which we ended up using). Some, like Gabriel, Marcus, and Xavier, made the short list.

Like last time, we knew that we wanted my father’s name included. However, this time we had two choices; Anthony or James.

What was really interesting was that although we did not like his given name we did like his surname, rather known as his birth mother’s maiden name; Agustin.

So…without further ado…

Gus.

He is another AJ. Augustus/Agustin (we can’t decide) James. The most important thing is that we call him Gus. AJ calls him Gussie.

Gus.

I just love the sound of it.

Gus.

Post from: Blisstree

Keeping a Part of Him…I’ll Tell You This Time!

I believe that it was in January that I stated I would tell you all The Bebe’s name once we were out of Family Court and had the DNA results. It looks like it is finally that time. And, to be honest, all I want to do right now is breathe a sigh of relief, as we were kicked out of Family Court and sent back in after getting a new document.

But, all is well now in Guatemala. we are finally in PGN and awaiting a interview with the birth mother, one of the new requirements with the new officials. According to the Guatemalan Law it looks like they are not supposed to be able to imposed new restrictions but are choosing to do so anyway.

I understand that they want to insure the children and birth mothers are being treated fairly but it seems all so superficial to me, as if they are trying to create problems that really are not there.

Post from: Blisstree

The Name? Oh, That…

My “unofficial sources” (meaning list serves and other adoptive parents) are telling me that Birth Mother and Foster Mother interviews have already been scheduled and will be conducted according to entry date into PGN.

Apparently, grandfathered cases are not being processed under the old adoption process but rather being scrutinized however the new officials want to.

But, according to some adoptive parents, the birth mother simply has to come for a third sign-off (and interview) that is scheduled by the court and that PGN is actually moving quickly.

There is also speculation that PGN workers are creating this delay because once the grandfathered cases are all through there will be little work for them and many will be out of jobs. However, some also state that most of the original PGN workers have been replaced due to corruption.

 Note: At this time I have not had any official word from my agency. They tend to hold back until they have ALL of the pieces together so that they can give the right information.

Post from: Blisstree

Birth Mother Interviews Scheduled in Guatemala

The new Attorney General Baudilio Protillo Merlos took over on April 24, 2008. The new Sub Attorney General is Flory de De Leon. Apparently de De Leon is holding off making any critical Constitutional Court rules and Merlos has requested an audit of in process cases.

So, what does this all mean?  Cases that were ready to go will be delayed.

Additionally, PGN  is on hold until agreements are settled. See Guatadopt for meeting updates.

Currently, our case is in Family Court. It got reviewed and kicked out for a Certificate of Citizenship paper. Our representative/lawyer got the requested document and resubmitted the case to the same court so we hope that it will end quickly and we will be on to PGN.

Post from: Blisstree

Guatemala in Trouble Too?

And so is Mama?

While the Bebe grows 3 pounds and 3 inches his Mama is growin’ a little too while waiting for him to come home. I can’t exactly call that pregnancy weight though can I?

Is it adoption weight, waiting weight, baby weight?

I’m not too worried, though. I lost over ten pounds when AJ came home. I don’t think I EVER sat down (or slept).

An update on the Bebe…DNA and Family Court are being scheduled and we are, thankfully, registered with CNA. It looks like things are moving but it still looks like he won’t be joining our family until at least fall.

On a side note: I’m at Props and Pans reviewing Lemonsquare’s new CD for kids..and its a giveaway!

Post from: Blisstree

New Pics of The Bebe!

From Guatadopt:

The news for the day:
1.) The Good News: The CA is accepting registrations again. Attorneys do receive a stamped document showing the date the case was submitted. The Bad News: To my knowledge, no contrasenas were released.
2.) The courts denied the amparo of Anabella Morfin. This means that the three CA appointees are all official for the time being.

The ADA has posted a great FAQ on the CNA that you can find here: http://www.adaguatemala.org/English/news/

From A Child Chosen:

3. The Bebe was registered.

Okay, so that is not what YOU wanted to hear, right?

4. While I still don’t understand the entire process it looks as if CA is up and running with three members, they are able to access funding, and if your case was submitted you SHOULD be safe. It looks like you have until February 12 to do so.

Post from: Blisstree

The Good Central Authority News

Actually, he does have a name, two, in fact. He has his birth name that his birth mother gave him and he also has a name that we have given him. We have chosen NOT to reveal either of those names until the birth mother has officially relinquished him in family court because until then she can still change her mind (and it does happen).

However, we believe that she made an adoption plan either during her pregnancy or just after his birth because our agency knew of his adoption plan when he was three days old. She has been accommodating and quick to respond to requests like blood tests (completed on the 5th of January).

But, I will say this…we now have three “rulers” in our household and I am the odd man (woman) out.

Post from: Blisstree

On Why “The Bebe” Does Not Have a Name

What is even more confusing is that the sign on the door to PGN stated that all cases have to be registered with CENTRAL AUTHORITY, a NEW division.

Unfortunately, this could put a BIG damper on our adoption process…not sure how but it certainly could. We have been told that our Power of Attorney ** was registered and that our lawyer is preparing documents for Family Court so PGN is still a long way out. By that time things may be cleared up.

The bebe seems to know what is up…he crossed his fingers while drinking his milk on his Papa’s lap. It is one of my favorite pictures of him. Perhaps by posting this picture it will bring us some more luck.

To view how the entire system is supposed to work head to the JSCIS flow chart.

* ‘PGN (Procuraduría General de la Nación)’: (the equivalent to the Solicitor General’s office), Guatemalan Government entity responsible for reviewing cases and issuing approval to complete the Notarial Decree of Adoption or ‘Escritura Final de Adopción’.

**Power of Attorney: legal document in which parents authorize another person to represent and act on their behalf during the adoption process. The authorized person is called an “attorney-in-fact:. Strictly speaking it is not always the case that a person granted a power of attorney is an attorney at law, but in Guatemalan adoption cases, the person granted the power or attorney is usually a Guatemalan attorney at law.

Post from: Blisstree

Guatemala Adoption Woes