Dillon's new haircut

Thanks to Angie, Dillon got a nice haircut. It was NOT easy but it is done. Next we will be attempting to have the kids pictures taken. I can only imagine how he will sit for that!!

Chloe and Hannah each brought home EXCELLENT report cards. We are very proud.

Pictures

Dillon continues to do well. He is sleeping much better, all night and all of his nap are in the crib with NO crying. The girls continue to enjoy having a little brother. I'm sure that will come to an end as soon as he gets into their stuff. As of now he is not allowed in our computer-playroom because it has too much stuff that he just can't have (like all of the girls toys). So our livingroom is wall to wall baby toys which keeps him very busy. Last night he really enjoyed laughing at Hannah run around the kitchen table while he was in his highchair. It is amazing what he finds funny!

We're home

We got home Wednesday morning around 1 a.m. Dillon was a bit "wild" on the flight from Guatemala City to Charlotte, but slept from Charlotte (10 p.m.) until 6 a.m. the next morning. He must have been shocked to wake up in a crib after falling asleep on an airplane. He also had two very eager sets of eyes watching him!! It was like Christmas morning for the girls. They were so excited to meet him. Chloe saw him when we got home, but he was asleep. The girls are adjusting well. Hannah has done better than I expected. Dillon acts as if he has been here his whole life. We were so spoiled with the girls. Basically no "baby proofing" with the girls. Dillon is another story. He is into everything. He loves the dogs and taking a bath. I'm sure he had never seen a dog before so our dogs were a new experience for him. We have two large dogs that are very, very friendly. The weather here is very cold, but he doesn't seem to mind (what little he is out). He went down to get the girls off the bus yesterday. In Guatemala our old school buses go down there for "public transportation". They are painted red and usually don't have a lot of windows, so Dillon must have been impressed with the school bus. Dillon is having a hard time sleeping. He was up a lot last night. Overall if this is the only transition problem we have, then we are doing good. This will pass. We had to go shopping yesterday, so I don't have a lot of pictures yet, but will post some now and then again later.

Dillon's ready to come home

We just received Dillon's passport with his VISA and a packet of papers for immigration. We are leaving Guatemala tomorrow at 3:30 pm and will be in Albany at 11:55 pm-if all flights go as scheduled.

embassy appointment completed

We went to the US Embassy today, to file the paperwork to obtain Dillon's visa. Basically we spent the morning waiting; first outside on the street, then inside in a cramped room. Throughout the four hours we were there, we moved from one spot to another, completing different tasks. The interview portion of the day was a breeze, despite Darr's fears.
Dillon isn't sleeping the greatest, but that is expected. We have messed up his naptimes, today he slept on Darr's lap in the embassy for a hour. Other than some minor sleep issues, Dillon is great. He is a VERY BUSY boy.

More pictures

Pictures

Here are some pictures. Dillon is doing very well. Tomorrow we are off to the Embassy for our appointment and then Monday his visa will be issued and Tuesday night we come home.
Check out his "curls". They are only on the top of his head though!!

Dillon has arrived

Dillon got to the hotel today around 11:30. He is adjusting very well. He seems to be very happy with us. No nap, but it is so new for him. He normally sleeps from 10 until 2!! He goes to bed at 8:30 and gets up around 6:30. I will post more pictures later.

We made to Guatemala

We made it to Guatemala today without any flight delays and with all of our luggage. Darr and I have been to the store (pharmacy) and are ready for Dillon. He is supposed to be brought here to the hotel around 10, probably closer to 11a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). We'll post pictures tomorrow.

Guess What.......

Dillon is coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be home on Tuesday the 15th.
Watch for pictures.

No Appointment YET

Yesterday we made a lot of progress if DHS did as we were told. Our documents should be with the people who issue the appointments. I'd like to say Monday we will get an appointment for Friday, but honestly I've never read of anything that quick. It is possible because of all the intervention we have had from Senators, etc. and the fact that they know our I-171 expires on the 12th they may feel sorry for us and issue the appointment for Friday the 11th. Either way we are leaving Tuesday and will be gone until the next Tuesday. Dillon will stay with us while we are there. Worst case, he goes back to the foster home and we come home and schedule the social worker to do the update. I really don't know how long that will take. They have to come to our home and do an interview type thing. I'm not sure as this is only an updated homestudy, not a new one. Then the SW writes up the report and it goes to Homeland Security in Latham. Actually it goes there after our fingerprints come back (I think???). Our fingerprints were taken on Dec. 22nd and should be done soon. I'll keep you all posted and look for pictures on Wednesday!

Things have gotten MUCH BETTER!!!!

We received an email from our lawyers with the "documents" in question. It shows that they were submitted, however the guy from homeland security said they weren't submitted correctly. He did say he would accept what we had and release our file!!! We should have our appointment date tomorrow and we expect it to be next week because the embassy seems like they will work with us on an appointment because of the I171 expiring. I think Darr will agree with me that today was the MOST STRESSFUL day of this whole adoption. We will be leaving Tuesday and coming home the following Tuesday. We are still telling the girls that he might not be coming home this trip. I hate to get their hopes up. I hope to be posting tomorrow that this is a pick up trip and not just a visit trip!!!!

Where do I even begin?

I don't even know where to begin. Back in Nov. we were issued an I-72 by the US Embassy. This stated that they were missing a document. We told our lawyers and they resubmitted it. Well, today we found out (from the "head" of Homeland Security in the US embassy, in Guat.)that the person that the lawyer sent to do this did not have "permission" to enter the Embassy, so it never happened. I must say the "man" was so helpful and nice. Now the lawyers side to the story is the Embassy has all needed documents. Who do we believe?? Like I said before, someday I will do an entry about our "lawyers", but not today. Now the lawyers must resubmit the document to the embassy and it is closed to them tomorrow. We are hoping they have it resubmitted on Monday. Darr and I are going down there on Tuesday until Tuesday the 15th in hope that the US Embassy will take pity on us and give us an appointment after the lawyers submit the paperwork. This is a long shot, but they have been sympathetic towards our situation given that our I-171 (permission to adopt) is going to expire on the 12th.
Darr told Hannah this (in 5 year old terms) after school. Chloe isn't home yet. Hannah at first was excited but then came in the house and put her face down in a pillow. Darr told her their is a chance that Dillon is not coming home yet. Hannah has not shown much emotion about this whole adoption, until today. I will say she got over it fast. I will keep you all posted.

Happy New Year!!!!!!

All right, it is almost Jan. 2 so the US embassy better get ready. Adoptions are changing this year in Guatemala. Good or bad, I'm not sure but it won't effect us. Some say this is part of the delays at the embassy. On all of the message boards I have not seen anyone that has been waiting as long as us (Dec. 11). It is our turn-lets go. Darr's fathers cousin is now helping us with this nightmare. She worked for a Senator (until recently) and has many connections with Immigration and Homeland Security. Hopefully after a few phone calls this will be resolved. The other problem is our I171 expires on Jan.12. I will post any new information.