DNA Test

Gabriella's DNA sample was taken this morning and should be mailed off to the lab today. Payment and the forms are all set with the lab as well. I am expecting results in about one week. Gabriella had her one year vaccines today too.

I am Orange!

Orange is the term that the adoption community uses when the 2nd DNA authorization is received because it comes from the Embassy on an orange slip of paper. Gabriella's 2nd DNA Authorization was received this morning and her 2nd DNA test is scheduled for tomorrow morning! The lab has to process the sample, send the results to the US Embassy in Guatemala and then the Embassy will issue a pink slip with my final interview date! Let's pray we keep things moving at this awesome pace!

Gabby's Passport is Complete!

N.'s appointment this morning at the Embassy was for Gabriella's passport photo. They waited for the photo and received the completed passport!

The final step now is the 2nd DNA test. I have to wait for an "Orange" slip from the Embassy giving permission to take the 2nd DNA test. After the results of the 2nd DNA test are received by the Embassy, they will issue a "Pink" slip with our final interview appointment - this is when I will go to pick her up. We are getting so close...!

N. said that Gabby was very quiet today, as if she knew something were happening. I get so sad when I hear that. N. has been crying during each of our recent conversations because they are going to miss Gabriella immensely. I promised that we would always have a relationship with them; their family is part of my family now. N. asked if they could come to the airport with us when we leave and I agreed. Saying goodbye is going to be so hard for them.

Process Update

N. told me this evening that she has to take Gabriella to the US Embassy tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM. She did not know what the appointment was for but I am assuming it is for Gabriella's passport photo. I doubt it is for the DNA swab, but that sure would be nice. N. said they would e-mail me after the appointment.

Gabriella's First Birthday Party

I received photos from Gabriella's birthday party which was yesterday. The theme was Dora which is the same theme I would have chosen for her!

There was a photo of Gabriella and I on her cake. The guests at the party were commenting on how much Gabriella and I look alike.

They had 2 piñatas - one for the older kids and one for the babies.

There were two other babies who are being adopted, in addition to Gabriella and Evan, at the party. They had a crawling race! Evan won! I hadn't even realized that Gabriella had learned to crawl. N. says that she is crawling and pulling herself up to a standing position.

The banner in the background translates to "Year of Sanctity"

It looked like she enjoyed her first bite of cake...

...but then something upset her.

It looks like the presents were her favorite part of the day! N. said that she was tightening up her whole body and sticking out her tongue because she was so excited by all of the presents!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY GABRIELLA!

Happy Birthday Gabriella!

My friend Geovani, who lives in Guatemala, purchased cards, translated birthday wishes from my mother and I, and mailed them to Gabriella for her birthday. We have met so many wonderful friends in Guatemala and I am so thankful for them.

This is what I wrote in the card that I had sent to Gabreilla:
Happy 1st Birthday baby girl! Mommy loves you so much and wishes she could be with you to celebrate. You are such a special and amazing little girl and I am so blessed that you are my daughter. You have so many people who love you like crazy. Everybody is waiting for you and can’t wait for you to be home. We have a big party planned for you when you come home. Have a great time at your party and have a wonderful birthday! Eat lots of cake and enjoy your special day!
I love you lots
Hugs and kisses
Love, Mommy

This is what my mother wrote in the card that she had sent to Gabreilla:
Happy Birthday to my special girl. I am very sad that mom and I cannot celebrate your first birthday with you in Guatemala. I am very happy, though, that your wonderful family who cared for you for your first year will be celebrating your first birthday with you. Remember how much we love you. Grampy and I are counting down the days until you come home.
Happy, Happy Birthday
Love, Grammy and Grampy

Tomorrow is Gabby's Big Day

Tomorrow is Gabby's big day - her first birthday. We helped N. arrange a birthday party for Gabriella and today N. was having the party. I think about Gabriella often every day, but today, especially, I have been thinking of her and of her having fun at her first birthday party. I was wishing that I was there or that there was a way that I could have listened in to the party via phone at least. I keep checking my e-mail for photos of the party but have not received any yet. I am longing for any type of connection to celebrate her first birthday with her. The date that she will be home, though, is getting close - very close. It is going to happen and I just have to keep that thought in the forefront of my mind to help me through these final crazy weeks.