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

Post from: Blisstree

Guatemala Adoption Frequently Asked Questions

Last week the AP reported that at least Guatemalan officials annulled at least 15 cases due to “improprieties”. Of the 160 cases they had reviewed 15 cases had anomalies and 2,126 were yet to be investigated. Thankfully, the 145 cases that were “clean” were allowed to move forward.

Unfortunately, the AP reported that criminal complaints are being filed against lawyers, doctors, social workers, and birth mothers because of these cases. The problem is that they have misled officials and adoptive families throughout the entire process and they have taken money for the work they have done for children that may not officially be available for adoption.

For good news;

Two couples that we know heard from their agency that their birth mothers were interviewed and their cases will now move on to the review process in PGN.

Post from: Blisstree

Positive Birth Mother Interviews

And I remember, once again, that I still don’t know what time AJ was born.

Whew…that is a lot to download.

Now if I could only wrap my arms around the little man again. I think I will have to hug AJ just a tad tighter tonight.

Post from: Blisstree

What Time He was Born (and POA)

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

In January 2007, just after we decided to adopt our second child I decided to journal the process. I told myself it wasn’t going to be an ordinary journal…it was going to be spectacular and everyone of our friends could read it. Some of our closest friends and relatives read my personal blog, My Two Boys, or my Discussing Autism site where I blog about AJ’s health issues, developmental progress, and about special needs and education. I also now write at One Book, Two Book for b5media. That certainly comes in handy because I have my master’s degree in Young Adult Literature…at least I can do something with it!

But sometimes, just often enough, they venture over to my sites and ask me why I write online…Perhaps they saw an interesting post on sensory integration and they want to know more about it or why AJ struggles with it so much and I answer the question about writing with this; its because I want to help other moms help their kids who have sensory integration or Autism. I want to help teachers be better teachers or adoptive parents adjust better to those first few weeks home when it is terribly hard. Or, I tell them that its because I want to help parents find resources that can assist them instead of being left out in the dark like I was when AJ first entered our lives.

And so I continue to add to my blogging and I diversify a little more each and every day because readers ask me to.

I also advertise stores and products that I like because I believe in them. Do I get compensated like other bloggers? Sure, but its not necessarily why I advertise. Companies like eBeanstalk, Oompa, or Therapy Shoppe are stores that I know offer educational, sensory, and developmental products that I purchase for my family.

So, don’t forget to check out Adoption Products or forget to get the feed to this blog so you can stay up to date.

And, while you are at it make sure to check out my favorite B5Media blogs:

• Autism Vox
• DeClutter it
• Babylune
• OffBeat Homes

Or, take a look at my favorite posts…

Post from: Blisstree

About A Child Chosen