My Adoption Journey: 2008 Christmas Portraits

Every year I get the dog's photos taken for a Christmas card. This year there is finally a real baby in my Christmas portraits! These photos were taken this morning.

Adoption Timeline

06/09/07 - Contacted Angel Adoptions (Homestudy Agency) to Pursue an International Adoption Homestudy
06/12/07 - Consultation with Social Worker from Angel Adoptions
06/14/07 - Application to Adoptions International (Adoption Agency) Sent
06/26/07 - Completed Massachusetts Approaches Partnership in Parenting Program (MAPP)
07/08/07 - Homestudy & Social Worker Visits Complete (Meetings with the Social Worker were Held on 6/23/07, 6/30/07, and 7/8/07)
07/26/07 - Application to USCIS for I-600A and Fingerprints Submitted
07/31/07 - Homestudy Report Received
07/31/07 - Homestudy Submitted to USCIS for I-600A Application
07/31/07 - Dossier Apostilled/Certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth
08/01/07 - Dossier Authenticated/Legalized by the Consulate of Guatemala
08/23/07 - Referral Received
08/27/07 - Referral Accepted, and Power of Attorney and DNA Authorization Completed
08/28/07 - Referral Acceptance, Power of Attorney, and DNA Authorization Received at Adoptions International and on-route to Guatemala
10/16/07 - I-600A Approved and Forwarded to National Visa Center
12/17/07 through 12/21/07- 1st Visit Trip with Grammy to meet baby Gabriella
01/10/08 - DNA Authorization
Enter Family Court
01/25/08 - DNA Taken from Gabriella and Gabriella's Birth Mother and Social Worker Interview is Conducted
02/09/08 - DNA Match
02/11/08 through 02/15/08- 2nd Visit Trip with Grammy and Grampy
03/14/08 at 11:53 AM - Pre-Approval from the US Embassy (Day 48)
03/26/08 - Exit Family Court
03/27/08 - Enter PGN
04/13/08 through 04/19/08- 3rd Visit Trip with Grammy and Tia Candace
05/08/08 through 05/15/08- 4th Visit Trip
06/09/08 - PGN Birth Mother Interview Complete
06/18/08 - Exit PGN
06/26/08 through 07/03/08 - 5th Visit Trip with Grammy
07/03/08 - Final Decree
07/28/08 - Birth Certificate
08/05/08 - Passport
08/07/08 - 2nd DNA Test
08/30/08 through 09/05/08 - Pick-Up Trip with Grammy!
09/02/08 - US Embassy Appointment
09/05/08 - Gabriella is home forever!