Help I can't make up my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought Olivia 2 dresses for christmas and I can't decide. Please vote for the red, which is velvet on top and has a cute pettycoat under the skirt, or the white, which is has little gold snowflakes sewn into it. She will wear the dress to sit on Santa's lap, and for our big Christmas eve celebration at my Aunts house.

An ode to my Mom

Here is the picture I had on our Christmas card/birth announcment. I would have posted it but Vinay doesn't like me putting our last name on the internet.
It said "Our Christmas present came early" and then Olivia's birth date and the date she came home.


Thanks to everyone for all the nice comments about my Mom. Yes she is beautiful, but she is shy about taking pictures.Becoming a mother myself has really made me appreciate my Mother all the more. She was a single mom, and in 1974, that was not the norm. She had the courage to have me on her own, and build her life around me. She had to be strong enough to be both my father and mother. She has been my biggest supporter, especially throughout the adoption. Now when I'm taking care of Olivia, I think how did she do this on her own. I think about how scared she must have been, and how hard she worked to support us. And she did it all with the best sense of humor and the most relaxed attitude. Now I get to see another side of her as a grandma. The soft side, that only grandmas have. Now we are so lucky to have Liv, and share the girl bond that my Mom and I have.
Happy weekend everyone!!!!!!!!!

Liv ia 7 months and finally a picture with Grandma

Olivia is 7 months old today. Everyday she is doing something new. Last week she started getting up on all fours, and this week she is rocking, getting ready to take off and crawl. She is just amazing, and I never knew I could love someone so much.
I found this Christmas bear in with the decorations and it sings the most annoying song, Liv thinks it's hillarious. When she hears it she stops what she's doing and lays flat on her belly and screams with delight.
















My Mom finally let me take a picture of her with Olivia. She hates to have her picture taken. We visit with her at least 2 times a week. She is crazy about Liv and needs her weekly fix of her. Liv loves to go to her grandmas, and she takes the best naps there, sometimes there three hours long.

Deck the halls

Our Christmas tree is up.
We carried our tree up from the basment fully assembled, because we were to lazy to put it away correctly last January.
We are finally in the Christmas mood in our house.






Olivia is in love with books, and when she plays with them, it really looks like she is reading

Olivia takes a bite out of the "big apple"

Yesterday Liv visited New York City for the first time.
14 years ago I was treated for Rabdomayosarcoma, at Sloan Kettering hospital in NYC. I have been cancer free ever since, but yearly I have to go back for check ups. So yesterday, the day they were lighting the Christmas tree, we made the trip. Of course all my Dr's thought she was just the cutest, which she is. We wanted to take Olivia to see the tree, but it was a mad house around that area, so we opted to go to my favorite place to eat, Angels. It is all fresh homemade Italian pasta. Luckly they had a little tree there so we took a picture in front of it.
In the other picture you can see the empire state building, which is decked out in red and green. I just love the holiday's in the city!!!!!!!!!!!

Feeling better

I'm happy to report that both Vinay and Liv are feeling better.
I must say the whole house smells like Vicks vapor rub. I had a plug in, in Olivia room, I had it on my chest, and I was giving Liv vapor baths. The minute you walk thru the front door your nasel passages open up.
Last night the 2 of them we so exhausted they fell asleep like this watching "The Amazing Race"

Thanksgiving : Turkey and the sniffles

Thanksgiving was great. We went to Vinay's Mom's and ate way too much. We slept over thanksgiving night and the next night. Olivia slept great in the pack and play. Unfortunatly both Vinay and Liv came home with a cold. Last night she was up every 2 hours because she was so stuffy. Luckly it's just a cold and no fever. My poor baby I think I feel worse for her than she actually feels.

Shoe therapy is good for the sole!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I took my blogger friends advice.
Today I went to my Mom's house, she watched Liv while I went to Macy's to pay my charge.
While I was there the shoe department was calling my name, so I wondered over and found a great pair of boots for $49.99 and it was 20% off if you used your credit card.
I can't pass up a great deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't even go up to the children's department.
Just an hour to myself.

It's beginning to look allot like "Winter"

Ok is suppos to be Christmas, but I'm not ready for the Christmas season yet. I just don't know how I'm going to do any shopping this year.
Today was cold here and it's the first day I had to bundel Liv up. She is doing great but we're still waiting for those pesky teeth to make an appearence.

Comic relief

I've figured out life with a baby is allot like living in a frat house.
Everyone up at all hours of the night,
Bottels lay everywhere, ok there baby bottels, but still bottels.
The toilet's haven't been cleaned in a long time,
The place is just a mess,
Dishes piled up in the sink,
No laundry being done,
Some people have gone days without showering.
Pizza boxes litter the garbage,
And thanks to Parker, there is now even puke on the lawn.

Life is good, even if it isn't perfect.

I just wanted to say thank you to all the Mom's who have reached out to me, with their comments, phone calls and emails. It's so comforting to know that I'm not alone.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

4 weeks

Well today marks 4 weeks since we got home.

It feels like she's been here longer.I love this picture of Vinay and Liv because they look so comfortable together. I also must say Vinay has just been incredable with her and seeing him with her, makes me fall even more in love with him.

Well last week I told you how good Liv was eating. Well the cereal was making her bloated so she wasn't drinking her bottel. One of my many mistakes. Liv has also decided that she wants to wake up during the night but not drink a bottel, or go back to sleep.

I am finally realizing how tough being a parent is. I love her so much and I want to do everything right so I have been stressing out. Big time!!!!!!!!!!! Last week was a killer.

Vinay worked late Monday and Tuesday, got home at 10 then Wednesday he had to catch a 5Am train to Baltimore. He didn't get home till 4pm Thursday. I did as best I could without him, but it was hard. By Friday night I was fried. My wonderful, fantastick husband. Let me sleep in the guest room friday night, so I wouldn't hear the monitor, and got up with her all night. Did I mention Liv has been getting up more than once. He is so wonderful.

I have really been enjoying being a full time Mom, but I have my moments, when I think "I don't know what I'm doing? I don't know how I'm going to do this? Or how I will be the Mom she deserves?" The sleep deprevation isn't helping me much either. I know this is all first time mommy stress, and I really didn't think I would stress since she's already 6 months, and we waited so long for her, but here I am. A stressed out crazy lady, who needs a haircut, bad, and is just trying to figure all this stuff out.

And you all thought the drama was over once the adoption was complete.

Eating good in the neighborhood

This cutie is eating like crazy. Cereal that is. Tonight she ate 3 bowls. I started with 2 tablespoons, she gobbled it up so I made another tablespoon. She finished that off, so I made another. Then I said to Vinay she must be thirsty with all that food, so I put some water in a sippy cup. No dice, so I took the top off the cup and put it too her mouth. Guess what she drank. Ok she was licking it up like a cat, but still. Then I started crying, nooooo, she growing up too fast.

Next week it will be 1 month since she's been home. Wow did that go quick. It feels like she's always been here, but still when I hear her babbeling thru the monitor in the morning I can't believe she's home. We are so lucky that she found us, and I am so grateful to the wonderful agency we had.

Rock the vote

Yes today we spent the whole day in our jammies, but we did make it out to vote. The poll workers must have thought I was crazy taking pictures in there, so I had to explain the whole story on how she is adopted and this will be her first vote as an american.
Food update: Olivia has started on cereal last week and is doing great, she loves it, and will just keep eating and eating. By the end of the week we hope to start on some veggies

1st date

On saturday Olivia's boyfriend finally came to see her. This is Nicholas and Liv loved him.Although the date was short, because both Liv and Nicholas had to take a nap, Liv is looking forward to spending more time with him. On Sunday I took Liv to her first baby shower, and of course she was a hit. She looked especially cute in her red outfit complete with beret.

Tastes like chicken

Here she is, our little chicken. Liv had a very busy halloween. I took her to my Mom's, then it was off to work to show her off, finally Vinay came home and we took her to some of the neighbors to show her off some more.
The poor little girl was exhausted, and had to go to bed early.
Her first halloween was so fun, and I am so happy she was home for it.

Popular girl

Olivia had another busy weekend. On Saturday she went to her first Haloween party, she was dressed up as a Chicken.
Then that night her Aunt Sara and Uncle Dennis came to visit. She really got a kick out of them and she stayed up very late.
Then on Sunday she had a whole group of friends come and visit her. Her friends Ava Bella, Addie, Evan and Alex.
Liv was so tired that she slept a full 8 hours last night.
sorry blogger won't let me post pictures I'll try during the week.
I hope to post a big halloween spread on Wed.

my 2 cents

After watching the Madonna interview on Oprah

today I thought I would climb up on my soap box and talk about adoption. In the interview Madonna says that what hurts her the most with all this bad press is that it might discourage other people from adopting. if you did not see the interview I would hope that people would try and read the transcrips from the show. What struck me the most was that Madonna did go thru the steps of a homestuday, an interview with the birthfather in court. During this interview the father stated that he did want his son, whome he put in an orphanage at 2 weeks old, to have a better shot at life. So he did agree to the adoption. Then this man was hounded by the press and countinually asked time and again if he was sure he made the right decision. Of course the press is now twisting his words and saying that he did not want the adoption. This hit home for me. I can't imaging Liv's birthmom going tru this. I can't bear to think that this woman would have to relive probably the most difficult decision of her life.

Do I believe that celebrities get special treatment in adoption, of course, they do in everything. However Adoption is hard anyway you cut it. Not just the paperwork, and the travel, and the not knowing. I never could imagin how someone could love a child that they never met. Or that you could long for a child that you only held for 5 days. But I did. The only way to descibe the feeling is to imagin yourself with a huge gaping hole in your chest that never goes away. Adopting Olivia was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and I've beat cancer. But this was 10 times harder. But I can honestly say I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. It was the hardest but the best thing I have ever done, and I thank God for giving her to us.

So I would say that if you every even thought about adopting to look deep inside yourself and follow your heart. Their are so many children all over the world who need families, who need someone to love them. The press should be showcasing them and not be worried about just gossip.

But that just my opinion.

Our weekend of visitors

This weekend our house was filled with people and Olivia loved every minute of it.

On Friday her Aunt Vaishu, and Uncle Jake came to see her, and she was all smiles.

On Saturday her Bapamom came to see her again.

On Sunday her Uncle John and Aunt Jenene came to visit. They will be having a little friend for Olivia in February, and we can't wait.

Then came to big meeting of the weekend. Olivia and Parker meet for the first time. Olivia loved him. Parker was less than thrilled. He kept wanting to lick her. Then he didn't like it when she cried. He also didn't want anyone to pay any attention to her. He just wanted all the attention. After awhile he did calm down and finally he even snuggled up to her.

Olivia is doing great she is sleeping well, and is generally happy. we are switching her forumla so she is getting some stomach achs, and her burps are starting to sound like Homer Simpson. But we are sticking with it so she can start on cereal next week.

Sometimes I can't believe she is home. Every once in awhile it hits me. Like during her 4am feeding when I see her big dark eyes staring up at me over her bottel. I just want to cry I love her so much. She is truly a blessing and we are so lucky to have her. I will try to post more this week, and especially with Halloween coming up.

Have a great week everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1st trip to the doctor

Doesn't she look huge in this picture. Well she's not, it just that she is all bundeled up to go out in the rainy windy weather.
The Dr went well, she now weighs 14 pounds, and she is 24 inches, so she is our little munchkin. She was such a good girl at her appt. happy and content, and luckly she was up to date on her vaccinations so no shots.
Tomorrow I start swiching over her forumla, and in about a week she can start on some cereal.
As per my friend Kwis's comment on my last post. Yes she has been having a pacifier a few times. I really try to not give it, but yesterday I wanted to take her for a walk, and the last 2 times I took her in her stroller she hated, Like I had to turn aroung and carry her back. Which is strange since she loved her stroller at the hotel. So I gave her the pacifier and she was nice and calm and enjoyed the walk. I have always been anti pacifier, and since she never had one with her foster mother I didn't want to start it, but once again I am breaking the mommy rules I set up for myself. Oh well she's the boss now.
Happy weekend everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

Just playing at home

I am happy to report Liv is setteling in nicely at home. It is hard to catch a smile on film, since she is sneaky with her smiles. She tends to smile after you are done doing something silly. If I lay down on the floor next to her and pretend to sleep, she thinks that is hilarious. In the pictures you can see all the drool on her chin. That tooth should break through any day now.
Today Vinay took Liv into work, she was such a good girl Thank goodness because he didn't even carry in the diaper bag. Vinay has requested his own diaper bag, since he says mine is too girly. So I'll have to go out and buy a manly one for him.
Tomorrow we have our first DR appt. for Liv. I'll try to remember to take more pictures, I tend to get so caught up in her that I forget.

Homecoming

Yesterday we came home. Finally Liv is home and last night she slept in her bed.
She was such a good baby on the plane. She slept most of the way and had her first pacifier, she loved it.
When we got to the airport we had such a nice surprise. So many of our friends and family had come to see us bring Olivia home. We are so fortunate to have a wonderful circle of friends to support us and love Olivia.
Thank you to my family My Mom, My aunt Pat, and my cousin Vicki, sister in law Vaishu and future brother in law Jake.
Thank you to our friends, Chris Mike and Emily, Jenene and John, Janet, Jules, Scott and Janet, Brad, Maria, and Addison, Dennis and Sara, Brian. You guys made Olivia's homecoming extremely special and she was excited to meet all of her uncles and aunts!!
I hope to post some pictures tomorrow

I've loved these days

Our days in Guatemala are coming to an end. I have really enjoyed are time here and this trip has gone quickly.
Yesterday we went to visit the city of Antigua, an old colonial city that was the capital untill a few eathquakes destroyed it. The city has been restored and is so pritty. Olivia rode in a car seat for the first time and she really enjoyed it. We had to carry her in the baby bijourn and she did good in that too.
Today we spent another day by the pool. Olivia slept and played, while her Mom worked on her tan. Vinay is so good at taking care of Liv, and he loves to get her all ralled up and crazy.
She really is a very content baby. But boy is she active we put her in a bouncy seat in the playroom and I thought she was going to flip it over she was bouncing so much. However when she sleeps that girl can sleep. Last night she went down at 9 got up at 5 for a bottel, and a diaper change, went back to sleep till 9. I am such a lucky Momma.
I must admit I am a bit sad to leave, we have enjoyed ourselves so much, and it pains me to take her away from her birthcountry. But I know the wonderful things waiting for her in NJ.
So tomorrow we land in Houston first and she is offically an american citizen. Then at 7 we land in NJ and she is offically our little jersey girl.
Thank you so much for your prayers for Olivia's homecoming. She is finally leaving on that jet plane, with us!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoying our girl

The first picture was taken today beofe we went to the pool. Here is our picture before the embassy appt. Yesterday we went to the embassy, and everything went great. Olivia is such a dream. She only gets fussy when she is tired, other than that she enjoyes being in her stroller, playing with her toys, and rolling over. She is catapulting herself all over the place. We are having so much fun just enjoying being with her. Today we spent most of the day by the pool, and Liv went in the pool.

2 funny stories for you. The first night we put Olivia to bed and we were getting ready ourselves when Vinay goes in his bag and says' Oh no. I forgot my contact stuff again" Yes I even went out and bought him a bottel especially for this trip and he forgot it. Too funny

Second story. The morning of the embassy we had 2 clocks set for the moring and a wake up call. The alarms went off we got up, got ready, and headed downstairs to wait for our ride. Our ride is late, Then we see another couple who's appt. is an hour before ours. We said wait a minute what time is it. Yes we were an hour early. The clocks in Guatemala had their time change last week so they are 2 hours behind us not 1. Poor Olivia was awake an hour early because her parents are idiots.
I will try to post more pictures tomorrow.

Together at last

Today has been some day.
Olivia was finally in our arms forever at 6:30. The tears started to flow for me about a half hour before she got here. I just couldn't believe that I will never have to ask someone permission to see my baby again.
Olivia looks just like her last pictures. She is happy and active and drooling like crazy. I think a tooth is coming soon. Right now she is sitting on her daddys lap waiting for her last bottel of the night. We are totally smitten with this precious girl.
I will try to post pictures tomorrow. Good night for now.
Oh by the way we were told her bed time is 10pm central time. That translates to 11pm eastern time. I think we have a night owl on our hands, she really is our daughter.

Today's word "mañana"

mañana= tomorrow
"Tomorrow, tomorrow I love you tomorrow, your only a day away." A little number from "Annie" for you. To think that all those months ago, 10 to be exact, Vinay and I were laying in bed, discussing if we should go forward and adopt. Now here we are the night before we are to pick up our daughter. I can't believe it. It really all feels like a dream. To think that someone will call out Mommy, and it will be me. I am so thankful for this opportunity in my life.
Ready or not here we come Liv.
I hope to blog from Guatemala. I will try to post pictures too.
Thanks to everyone for their good wishes for this trip. It means so much to have everyone cheering us on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

today's word "carta "

carta = letter
Today I finally sat down and wrote a thank you letter to Liv's foster mom. I was worried I would never be able to express how greatfull I am to her.So I kept putting it off. It was so hard to put into words how I feel, I owe this woman so much. To think that poor Liv could have spent the first 5 months of her life in an orphanage, just makes me thankful that she had a foster family.
So I finally sat down this afternoon and wrote. I know the note did not do justice to my feelings but I tried.
We are so close to seeing her that I get these intense feeling of excitment. I can't wait to hold her, and kiss her little head. I can't believe we are almost there.

Today's word "emoción"

emocion= emotion.
Well this adoption process has definitely been emotional. I have been at some very highs, the day we got our referral, and in some very lows, those last few weeks in PGN. And although I am definitely at a high right now the emotional rollercoaster continues.
Like this past weekend, I have been so happy getting ready to pick her up and then Olivia got her first piece of mail. An invitation to a little Halloween party, thanks Aunt Chris and Emily, and to see her name on that envelope just made me cry. They were tears of joy. The joy that she will be here for Halloween and every holiday from now on. But I'm also sad for her foster family who will be saying goodbye to her this week. They have spent the last 5 months with her and I'm sure they will be so sad to see her go. I almost even feel guilty that I'm taking her away from them. I have heard that fostermothers consider it a privilege to take care of these babies, and that they are really happy that they are going to a good home. That makes me feel a little better.
Yet for the first time in this process I'm scared. Scared that I won't be good enough for her. Frightened that we will be bad parents. The other day Vinay came home from work to find me crying. When he asked me what's wrong I said, "what if we're not good at taking care of her". His answer, "Of course we're going to be bad, we don't know what we're doing". I laughed at this. "But we'll learn, and we'll get better". That why I married this wonderful man, for the comic relief, and for his wonderful heart.
So I guess we will learn and we will make mistakes, I have to be OK with that, but one thing is for sure, we will love that little girl more than we ever thought we could.

Today's word "príncipe"

príncipe= prince
Yes our little prince has less than a week to be the only baby in the house.
Here he is wearing the crown my Mom bought for Liv.
I am really hoping he likes Olivia and that she likes him too. Parker is very gentel with kids but when he realizes that Liv is here to stay I think he will be jealous.
We can only hope they will be friends!!!!!!!

Today's word "silla"

silla=chair.
I am happy to report the bouncy chair was put together with no problem. Vinay read the directions, and finished the chair in about 1/2 hour. It is sturdy and I can't wait for Liv to sit in something her Daddy built all on his own.
In one week we will have our little baby with us and we will finally be a family. I can't wait!!!!!!

Today's word "Pink"

Pink= Our visa appointment in the form of a pink slip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes we have a date. Our Embassy appointment is on Oct 13.
We fly into Guatemala on Oct 12. Go to the appointment on Oct 13, and pick up the visa on Monday the 16. We will then fly home Tuesday the 17.
Since we have to wait till monday for the visa, we will use the weekend to see some of the country.
I can't believe in one week Olivia will be placed in my arms forever.
Olivia here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today's word "espera"

espera= waiting
Well we are still waiting for our visa appointment. We have been filling our days with preparations for Olivia's homecoming. I have been cooking and freezing some meals for us to eat those first few days home. Doing laundry. Putting the finishing touches in her room, and packing. I have also been compiling the things we will need to travel. There is some paperwork that we have to take with us, but mostly we needed the basics, diapers and such.
Vinay has been promising to put together her bouncy seat, and tomorrow is the day he said he will do it. His last day in quartine. I was going to do it a few weeks ago, but when I took it out of the box it was in about 15 pieces. I didn't even look at the directions I just put it back and told Vinay to do it. So he is in for quite a surprise, and I'm sure tomorrows post will be filled with funny stories.
Stay tuned

Today's word "poema"

poema= poem

Here is a poem I found on another blog. I think it really describes how these past few months have been.

The sickness I did not suffer.
The weight I did not gain.
The maternity clothes I did not wear.
My body felt no pain.
I wasn’t there at your birth
For we were worlds apart
You may not have been of my womb
But I was pregnant, I was pregnant in my heart

I really want to keep this blog going once Olivia comes home, however I think I would like to pass on my spanish word of the day. It has helped me to get a feel for the language, and it's been fun. But I think I would like to start learning Spanish along with Liv, maybe getting some kids tapes. So to all my blog friends please let me know if you would like to takeover once Liv comes home.

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!!!!!!!!!