Today's word "rápido"

"rÃpido"= quick

Things have been moving very quickly since we found out about getting out of PGN.

After PGN here are the steps

-Birthmother signs off for the last time

-A new birthcertificate is issued with her last name as ours.

-we are submitted to the US embassy for our visa

-A visa appointment is assigned to us at the embassy in the form of a pink slip.

-We travel to go to the embassy appointment and bring Liv home.

On Friday we got the call that Liv's birthmom had signed off and she already has a new birthcertificate. So she is legally ours already.

So next week we will be sumitted to the embassy and we wait for an appointment. The agency thinks we will travel either the week of the 9th or the week of the 16th.

I can't believe this part of the journey is almost over. I am so excited and running on adrenalin.

Next week will be spent preparing for her arrival.But it also will be spent resting. I am still recoving from the Mono, and on Thursday we found out Vinay now has it. So he is on house arrest and trying to recover as soon as possible.

One thing I will be doing next week is hunting for the perfect dress for her embassy appointment. It needs to be something really special. Any ideas where I can find something different?

Today's word is still "OUT"!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes we are still out, and still in shock. Yesterday was such a whirlwind of emotions. It was such an amazing day that I will never forget and I look forward to telling to Olivia someday.

The morning began with a call from the agency with more information on our previo. Turns out we were kicked out back in August. So we went back in August 16 not September. So that was good news and I was feeling positive that maybe we might get out in about 2 weeks. We also found out that our lawyer agreed we could go on another visit trip. Good news right.

Last night we came home from work as usual, ate some dinner, and Vinay's friend Dennis came over. I went upstairs to take a shower. Before getting in the shower the phone rang, I looked at the caller ID, a telemarketer. I just got in the shower. While in the shower I heard the phone ring. I figured another telemarketer. I got out of the shower, taking my time, and remembered about the phone. I look, it's my case manager from the agency. I think that weird, I just talked to her this morning. I didn't even think to listen to the message. I go downstairs. "Vinay the agency called, did you answer?"
"No"
" Should I call her back? What if it's bad"
"Just call" Vinay and Dennis said in unison.
I shake as I dial, see it could be good, it could be another previo, or it could be nothing.
She answers "Hi Nicole, You know how you said your family would send you on your visit trip"
"Yea" I say, all the while I'm thinking, oh this is about the visit trip. I start to shake my head no to Vinay
"Well when was your birthday?" she asks
"It was friday" I answer.
"Oh too bad, because this birthday present came late, your out of PGN"
"We're out?" was all I could get out before the tears started to stream down.
All I could say was thank you between sobs. I handed the phone to Vinay.
Vinay hugged me, Dennis hugged me, Vinay and Dennis hugged. Parker growled, because no one was paying attention to him. It's all a little blurry after that.
It's a moment I'll never forget. To feel such relief, such excitment, and such happiness was amazing.
I'm so happy Dennis was there to witness it. Thanks Dennis for being so happy for us and for being such a great friend to both of us.

Thanks to everyone for all their congratulations and the nice comments on yesterdays post.
Tomorrow I promise to post the next steps, and when we think we might travel.

Today's word OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes we are OUT of PGN.
Thank God Olivia is coming home.
I will post more information tomorrow on the next steps.
Our agency called at about 6:30 tonight, I still can't believe it. I can't believe how luck we are to be her parents.
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who prayed so hard for us, everyone who has kept us in their thoughts, and everyone who has supported us along the way.

Today's word "aguja "

aguja = needle
So I am finally feeling better this week. Unfortunately Vinay thinks he might now have Mono. He went for bloodwork yesterday. We should get the results by tomorrow. I'll feel really bad if he did catch it from me.
So I never let everyone know how the acupuncture went. It wasn't that bad. I don't really have a problem with needles so it didn't bother me. The DR found my pressure points and diagnosed me, saying my low immune system was because of my nerves. No really. So he put the needles, 2 in each foot. 2 in each arm, 2 in my stomach, and 2 in each earlobe. Then I just lay there in a dim room with some spa music for about 20 minutes. It was very relaxing and I did sleep like a baby that night. I go back again Friday.
I am still waiting to hear from the agency, concerning the exact date we reentered PGN.

Today's word "dieciséis"

"dieciseis"= sixteen
No we haven't been in for 16 weeks,that'ss the date we reentered PGN. September 16. We found this out today and it was so disappointing. We really thought it was back in sometime in August. This is also weird because the 16 was a Saturday, which is not possible. So we are inquiring about it.
I posted this picture because Olivia looks so happy. And you can see how much hair she has.

Today's word "once"

"once" = eleven

Well Friday was eleven weeks in PGN. This is definitely longer than I ever thought it would take. But we are trying to stay positive and know that she will be home.

Today we got new pictures. She is getting so big. I just love her perfect little nose and lips. She is just so beautiful.

Today's word "televisión"

television= television
Well I have been resting up and pumping myself full of vitamins. Tomorrow I'm even going for an acupunture treatment. My chiropractors office does it and I'm going to give it a try. I figure having both the shingles and mono in the last 6 months is just not normal. So I'm giving alternative medicine a try. Let me tell you this little hiatus could not have come at a better time, with premier television week. Just for fun I thought I'd rate my picks for this season.
Survivor- The teams are split up by ethnicity this time. To me it's still the same old show.

Till Death- Brad Garrets new sitcom. I was excited for this show because I like him. I didn't find it very funny. Not a keeper for me.

The Biggest Looser- I really like this show when they do couples against eachother, but it didn't hold my interest last night. I might give it another try next week.

Dancing with the stars- I really like this show. I'd watch it just for Mario Lopez. Come on you know you had a crush on him in Saved by the bell. I love the dances. I only watch the end of the results show on Wednesdays, too much fluff.

Now I'm really excited for tonight's premier of Gray's Anatomy. I thought last season was excellent and although it's far from reality it always manages to make me cry. The previews make you think that Meredith is going to choose either McDreamy, or Vet, but I know it will take at least half the season to get her to make a decision.
Also tonight is The office, which I love so we will TiVo that and watch it after Gray's

The last show I'm looking forward to is Desperate Housewives. I was disappointed with last season but I will still stay faithful. Hey it's better than watching football right.

Today's word "cansado"

"cansado"= tired I hope everyone enjoyed my post yesterday. I must say every word of it was true. Vinay is really the funniest person I ever met, especially when he doesn't mean to be funny. Since it is never a dull moment in our house, the hits just keep on coming this week. Last week I was feeling like I had a cold coming on. Achey, tired, head ache, but not much else. This started on Sunday, by Thursday I still felt sick so I decided to go the the DR. She said it was just a virus, but took some blood work anyway. The weekend I was felling a bit better but still really tired. One night I actually slept 14 hours, no kidding. Monday there is a message on our voicemail from the DR. "Hi Nicole, this is the nurse from Dr Jordans office, We have your bloodwork and it came back that you have mono". Yes I have mono, at 31 years old I get mono. The weird thing is that I had mono once before when I was 13. So no work for me for the rest of the week. DR orders were rest and plenty of fluids. Maybe I'll try to break my sleeping record and go for 15 hours. It's something to shoot for.

Today's word "oído"

"oi­do"=ear This weekend we had a huge surprise party for Vinay's Mom's birthday. She was so surprised and it worked out really well. Yesterday Vinay left on business trip to Baltimore, he's trying to get as much travel out of the way now before Olivia comes home. So this morning Vinay called me at about 10. He said "Nik you know how you yell at me for using q-tips in my ears", "yes" I answered, "well one got stuck in my ear". I don't buy them for him because I think it's bad when he stickes them in his ears. So when he's at a hotel he uses the ones in the travel kits. Well apparently those are cheap ones because he was cleaning his ears, and when he went to pull it out, the cotton stayed in the ear canal. Now this was funny, but what was funnier , is that he was sharing a hotel room with a colleaguee, and this morning the guy was trying to help pull out the cotton. Neither one of them could get it out, so Vinay decides to just go to his meetings. While trying to participate in the meeting Vinay is talking so loud, everyone looks at him like he's crazy. Why is he yelling, finally the other guy tells them what has happened. They make Vinay go to the emergency room. This is where Vinay called me from. I'm happy to report that theDR removed the cotton, and besides a little embarrassment, no harm was done.

Today's word "Previo"

"Previo" = in the adoption world, your case has been kicked out of PGN

We basically found out this morning that PGN kicked us out for some document on the Guatemalan side. We don't know the specifics. But we do know that the case is already back in. I will learn more details next week when the director of the agency can speak face to face with my lawyer. So what does all this mean. It basically means we are back to where we started in July. The case has to get reviewed again and then wait for the signature, again. Is this bad news? Sort of. We know that we won't be getting a call for the next few weeks, but at least our case was looked at. It's not the news we were hoping for but it is some news. I was feeling very sorry for myself, but then I heard that one of my lawyers other cases, the baby is in the hospital and is very sick. I can't imagine what that must be like for the parents. To be so far away, and have your baby sick and in a foreign hospital. I will definitely be saying extra prayers for that family. We are lucky that Olivia is safe, healthy, and in good hands, so please don't feel sorry for us. Olivia will be home, it just might not be in the timeframe that we thought.
So I haven't found a book yet keep those book suggestions coming, and have a great weekend.

Today's word "libro"

libro= book.
Well I don't know about you but I can't stand my complaining anymore. I'm really starting to annoy myself. So I thought today's post I would ask for some good book suggestions. I haven't read a book since the beginning of the summer. The last book I read was "The bookseller of Kabul" I really liked it, and would recommend it. It's about life in Afganastan after the fall of the Talaban. Ok my loyal readers, give me some ideas of what book I should read next.

Today's word "loco"

"Loco"= crazy
Yes I think I am finally going a bit crazy. I use to daydream about where I would be when I get the call. I would think about bringing her home, her first party, what she will be for Halloween. But lately I've been in a really pissy mood. To frustrated to think happy thoughts. Lately I've been daydreaming about breaking into the building where Olivia's file is held. Crazy right! I think about how Vinay could lower me into the building, like they did to Tom Cruise in "Mission Impossible". I would sneak from room to room looking for the file. Suddenly I'd be able to crack security codes and read Spanish. Then I would find the file, as someone must be using it as a coaster or a paper weight, forge the directors signature and leave it at the front office window. So when My lawyer goes to the window the next day and askes if any of her cases had come out. They would wonder where this one came from and say "oh here this one is ready, call the parents". Of course as a law abiding American I would never do anything like that, but I can dream right.

Today's word "correo"

"correo"=mail On Monday my agency always emails me updates. Eventhough there are no updates to my case. Just the same information. Case was submitted to PGN 7/7/06 No word yet. Next week the director of the agency will be down in Guatemala, checking on the babies, taking videos and pictures. I asked that they check on Olivia's diaper rash. The poor little girl had a baboon butt when she came to us but I cleared it up with A&D cream and left it with her foster mom. Here is how the rest of the email went. Dear Agency, Sounds like you had a great weekend. Since the director is going next week, could you ask her to just check on Olivia's diaper rash. It was bad in June when we went, I think I had discussed it with you back then. Also not sure if you heard back about our visit request if we get a kick out, but I'd like to request to just go see her September 28-Oct 2. I really can't wait any longer, and with no end in site to the pGn wait I just need to go. My birthday is Sept 22 and my family offered to to send me as a gift. Please beg them to let me go. Thanks so much and have a great week.
I'm not sure what the answer will be, actually I didn't even discuss it w/ Vinay. I just sent the email. Yesterday my Mom asked what I wanted for my birthday, my answer, Olivia. So at least I will be able to see her again. I'm sure the wait will be that much harder when I come home, but my secret wish is that we book the ticket, and we get the call, and I can either reschedual the ticket or go and just stay there till she can come home. We'll see what happens.

Today's word "oración "

"oración " = prayer
The subject of prayer and religion have been coming up allot in my life lately. It came up at baptism class, obviously. Did I mention that Vinay made friends with a guy there, they exchanged phone #, only Vinay. Then we went to a bbq onSaturdayy night and we had a very indepth conversation about the role of religion in our lives. Then today I got an email from a friend who told me how prayer has helped her life, and to let me know that she was praying for us.
I thought today would be a good day to post a prayer that has been for me a great comfort. My Mom started praying to St Jude 14 years ago when I was very sick. I started to pray to St Jude 5 years ago when Vinay's Dad passed away.
I really believe in the power of prayer and I know I would not have survived, these past few months without it.
I just hope some people will find this prayer and use it to find their own comfort from it.
I do request that this prayer not be said just for me, Vinay, and Olivia. We are already so blessed and there are so many others in need of prayer.


O most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, people honor and invoke you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, for I am so helpless and alone. Please help to bring me visible and speedy assistance. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (insert request here) and that I may praise God with you always. I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you by publishing this request. Amen

Today's word "preparado"

"preparado" = ready
The room is finally ready for Olivia. Her room is all set up as you can see. We spent Friday and Sunday putting the furniture in place and accessorizing her room. The crib was sooo easy to put up, we actually put it together twice. Once downstairs, then we carried it up and it wouldn't fit thru the door so we had to take it apart, and put it together again in her room. I just love to look around her room and see all the wonderful things people bought for her. So we are ready. Do you hear that PGN we are ready for her to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please let us out this week so we can bring her home. PLEASE!

Today's word "nueve "

"nueve " = nine, unfortunately another week has gone by with no news.
Hope everyone enjoyed Vinay's blog yesterday, he was quite nervous, and upon completion, he said, "this is hard, how do you do this everyday". Perhaps it's the English Major in me, but I find it therapeutic.
So Vinay had a rough 2 days. To say he is not handy is an understatement. This wonderful, smart, personable man, has been know to really have some mishaps when trying to do manual labor. Need I remind everyone that he has been known to mow the lawn backwards, install door locks so that we can lock the robbers in the house, and put together tables with the wrong legs. I could go on and on.
I will tell you one funny story about the last 2 days.
On Wednesday I come home to a house in complete chaos. Dust and carpet remnants everywhere. In the middle of this on the floor I see my good crystal water pitcher. The one I only use for guests, and special occasions. Ok I make sangria in it but it's a good piece. I say "Vinay why are you using this pitcher?" "I was giving the installers some water" was his answer. Now I like to treat people nice but do we really need to serve them with my crystal. I told Vinay to never touch the pitcher again and I hid it so he could never find it. I also informed him where the plastic pitcher was.
On Thursday I come home and can you guess what Vinay was serving water in ? He was using my tea pot. All I could do was laugh.
Well this weekend we have a busy schedule. We are picking up Liv's crib and furniture. We also have our baptism class on Saturday.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!
PS Sara, thanks for reminding me of that bet, I forgot. Now Vinay will have to make it up to me.

Today's word is "vacaciones"

vacaciones = vacation

Since Nicole started work this week and I am on my vacaciones I decided to guest blog. This week has been very interesting, vacation is time spent away from work for a little rest and relaxation but it has been the complete opposite. As Nicole mentioned in yesterday's blog we have decided to carpet our house. I have spent much of the week in the kitchen as the rest of the house has been occupied by the people installing the carpet. I will give you a break down of my last two days for your entertainment:

Wednesday morning Nicole leaves for work at about 7:00 am the installers are supposed to show up at about 7:30 they show up at 9:00. I quickly set up shop in the only room that is not getting carpeted which is the kitchen. Three people show up and I ask myself how in the world will these guys rip up the old carpet and put down the new carpet in two days. What I was not aware of was that they were supposed to have a fourth worker that could not make it... Me being the "team player" that I am offer my assistance.. For those of you who know me I am not the handiest person in the world actually I would probably categorize myself as the least handiest person in the world.

So guess who ends up being the 4th worker for two days.... This is where the fun begins!! I began helping them at about 9:30 by about 9:45 I think they realized the skill level that they were dealing with.. I went from helping them on some important tasks to getting demoted to doing the grunt work moving the furniture, taking apart the bed (with supervision ofcourse) etc.. At about noon I was ready for a lunch break/siesta unfortunately that wasn't in the cards.. With most of the rooms cleared out I took a step back and looked at the house which at the time was a complete disaster and most likely a fire hazard as we had put much of the furniture in the hallways, kitchen, etc.. My "new boss" finally gave the rest of the workers a well deserved break!! At this point I need to get out of working for the rest of the afternoon I log onto my computer thinking that this would buy me some time I was sadly mistaken.. It was now time to put the furniture back into the rooms... Needless to say by the time Nicole got back from work I was exhausted and not looking forward to day two... That evening we finally got sometime to relax and watch some TV but "someone" did not hook up the TV's right all we had was fuzz....I will leave it up to your imagination of how long it took us to re-hook up the TV's but for a period of time we only had sound but no picture... To tell you the truth it is not to bad listening to your favorite TV shows...

My last two days reminds me of a mastercard commercial

Carpet - $3500.00

Padding - $1500.00

Installation - $1000.00

Lunch for two days - $50.00

Having Vinay as your 4th worker - priceless

There are some things that money can't buy for everything else there is mastercard...

On a serious note, I would like to thank all of you for your support during this very exciting time. We are truly fortunate to have such great family & friends!! We are keeping our fingers crossed & praying that we get to bring Olivia home soon!!

Vinay (guest blogger)

Today's word "trabajar"

trabajar = work
Today while I was at work they started putting down the carpet. Instead of just doing Liv's room and playroom we decided to do the whole house. Well Vinay called me and said the house was in an uproar. Well when I came home it was a mess and Vinay was working with the installers. No not installing the carpet, but helping them put things back and clean up. So maybe tomorrow Vinay will blog, but I have a feeling he'll be busy finishing with the carpet people.
When I got home Vinay said, "I really thought we would get the call today". This is the first time he ever said that. My response " I know I think that everyday." It's so hard to sit home and wait, and I feel for Vinay who will be stuck in the house till the carpet is done.

Today's word "cumpleaños"

"cumpleaños"= birthday
Happy 4 month cumpleaños Olivia. Yes 4 moths ago my little Liv was born. I often wonder what that day was like in Guatemala. I also wish I could remember what I was doing that day. But at least I know next year on that date we will all be together as a family.
Tomorrow I return to work, and my summer of discontent is over. I am happy to know that I will no longer be waiting by the phone, I'll be busy, but I'm also anxious that I won't be sitting by the phone, what if I miss the call. Vinay however is off this week, the carpet is being put down tomorrow. So he gets to take over the sitting home and waiting. Vinay also wants to take over as a guest blogger for a few days, I said we'll see if I'm too busy to blog maybe I'll let him.

Today's word "ocho"

"Ocho" = eight

Eight weeks in PGN "Olivia can you count to 8" "Good you made it up to 5 in this picture"

I really thought this week was the week, but God has his own timing. I did email my agency to ask them if we get a kick out, having to redo a document, could we do a short trip to visit her then. I'm still waiting for a response. So hopefully next week we will hear some good news.

I just want to say thank you to everyone near and far who have been so supportive, and are praying so hard that Olivia comes home soon. You will never know how much it has meant to us. I also wanted to give a special shout out to Mrs. Saglibene, Our friend Brian's Mom who I know has been faithfully following along. Thanks Mrs. Bene!!!!!!!!!!

Happy long weekend everyone!!!!!!!!!