VISITORS

WE MADE IT HOME

Sorry about the cliffhanger for those following along. Not posting for a couple of days left you hanging. We left the hotel on Wednesday at 6:00am and after the lengthy process of checking in and a little waiting our plane left at 9:30am. Just being in the air and knowing you are heading home brings a sigh of relief. Mallory and Jackson slept for half the flight and then ate snacks and ripped up paper for the reamaining time. We had a empty seat by us, so that worked out great. Our layover was in Dallas and Jim's dad was also there on a layover so he got to see Mallory and hang out with us for a couple of hours. Our plane was delayed leaving Dallas because of weather and delays in various parts of the US. We finally got loading on the plane - back row. After about 20 minutes of waiting with nothing happening, the pilot comes on and announces that they have maintenance problems they can't fix and we have to get off the plane and they will have to reschedule us on another flight. Yuck! There was a flight leaving later that night, but since we were the last ones off the plane (back row), we were the last in line for that flight and didn't get a seat. Some people will think were crazy for the next move - but we drove home. We were faced with no luggage (yes - they won't give it back), formula diapers only planned for one day, and no hotels (many flights were cancelled). For awhile we could not get a car, the 1-800 numbers were saying there were none available. We took the shuttle to the car rental desks and finally got a minivan with 2 car seats. About 7:30pm we headed home! After a stop for dinner, two stops for gas, one stop for an hour and a half nap we made it home at 8:00am on Thursday morning. Ian, Sidney, Jan and Janelle were there to greet us in their pajamas. As we sat around the living room looking at Mallory it kind of felt like Christmas morning with everyone in their pajamas. We had many lots of family visit today. Mallory let everyone hold her and especially seemed to like my dad. Ian and Sidney seem to like her and are happy we are home. Ian went with me to Sam's club last night and on the way home said, "I missed you in Guatemala." We made it through our first night at home with no problems. Mallory cried a little when we put her to bed, but slept until 7:30am. Can't complain about that! She is doing better eating and had a banana and a few cheerios this morning. Jackson is a little jealous and crying for mom's attention. Right now were are watching a spanish Barney video that the foster mother sent with her and I'm trying to get this blog done. We will check in later with an update.

OUR TRIP TO GUATEMALA

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LAST DAY IN GUATEMALA

We are glad this is our last day in Guatemala. We had to stay today to wait for Mallory's visa. They are available at 3:30pm the day after you apply (which was yesterday). Mallory's foster family came and visited us today and brought Jackson's foster mother. They stayed for a couple of hours and we had lunch together at a mall attached to our hotel. I was able to ask some more questions about Mallory which was nice and exchanged e-mail addresses with Vania, the foster mother. It was nice to see Mallory and the family interact. Vania's daughter, son and sister came with her. Actually the sister drove them all and picked up Dora (Jackson's foster mother), who otherwise would have had to spend a couple hours and take 3 different buses to get to us. Dora was absoulutely thrilled to see Jackson and was very surprised by how much he had grown and developed. She brought him a present - a toy and some socks. I think she was a little sad that he didn't show signs of recognition towards her, but he was very friendly and let her hold him and hug him. She lives quite a distant from the city and had never been to a mall. It was a real treat for her to eat out at a restaurant. She saved some of her fried chicken to take home to her family. She is exactly what you imagined a sweet old grandma to be like. Vania's sister, Ana talked very good english because she lived in the United States for 33 years and married some one from Arkansas. They are retired now in Guatemala. She said she spent a lot of time with the family and Mallory and she helped make the Dora pinata for Mallory's birthday. I have a picture of this pinata and its like 2-3 feet tall and looks just like Dora (the explorer - not to be confused with the foster mother Dora), I can't believe they made it. It sounded like the party was at her house because she said she invited all her family and friends. After everyone left, we spent some time walking around the mall and bought Mallory a pair of shoes and an umbrella stroller to leave for Vania to use. We have had a few minor accidents today. Mallory fell off the bed and also hit her head I think two other times. Jackson fell down and cut his lip. We are going to try and get out of here tomorrow before we get arrested for child abuse.

Our flight gets in tomorrow at 5:25pm and we would love to see anyone who wants to come out and welcome Mallory to the United States.

EMBASSY DAY

Today we went to the embassy to apply for Mallory's visa. Our appointment was at 7:45am. Mallory was pretty fussy while we were there, but I think it was just the environment because once we got back to the hotel room whe was happy and has been ever since. She seems to enjoy just crawling around the hotel room playing with dresser drawers, the phone, and light switches (yes, for some reason some of them are low). We have seen a lot more smiles today. I think she is on a hunger strike. We have yet to get her to eat anything. She won't open her mouth and she will only drink her bottle in the crib. She did not have anything until 11:00am this morning when we got back from the embassy. I dinner I got a few cheerios in her mouth. She won't eat them herself, but she let me feed them to her. If you give her any food, she holds it for a while, looks at it like she has not idea what it is and then eventually drops it. Strange - usually the first things kids do is shove everything in their mouth. Her foster mother is coming to see her tomorrow so maybe we will ask some more questions and invite them to lunch and see if she eats for the foster mother. She has to be starving, but she is not even fussy. I found myself typing Sidney's name because they look so much alike especially when she is wearing Sidney's old clothes. She might be wearing the outfit above everyday because I'm not sure the clothes I brought will fit her. Only elastic stretchy pants for this gal. I think Jackson said "hi." Doesn't sound like a big deal, but up until now it has been mom, dah and sometimes dog if he sees an animal. He walked up to her crib, waved and said "hi." They seem to be getting along rather well. They had a small spat over the ball earlier today. Mallory will grab it right from him. It's kind of like Ian and Sidney all over again, just a size larger. We went swimming this afternoon at the hotel. They have a baby pool with about two feet of water. Mallory really enjoyed splashing with her hands and we heard her laugh for the first time. Of course, wild man Jackson had fun too! As we were leaving for dinner, Jim looked down at Mallory and said something and she just gave him a huge smile. Jim said, "I think she has already figured out this is a lot more fun than where she was at." Well the kids are sleeping now, so its tv time for the adults. Mallory slept all the way through the night last night, so we are keeping are fingers crossed for tonight. I will leave you with one question. Why do they have the worlds smallest trash containers in hotels? I have not been to a hotel ever that I did not fill it up and leave it overflowing on the floor. I bet Mr. Hilton has a big container in his office.

Hair - ON THE GO

Jim here - we just put cousin "it" to bed.

INTRODUCING MALLORY

Mallory's foster mother Vania and her son Alejandro brought Mallory to our hotel at 10:30am. We visited for awhile and Vania told us about Mallory's rountine. Vania was very sad to see her go, she had never had a foster child for this long. This was I think her 17th foster child. They really treated her like she was one of their own. Vania gaves us a frame with two pictures from Mallory's first birth party. She had a cake made with a picture of Mallory put on it and a big Dora pinata. One of the disposable cameras was used exclusively for her birthday party. We can't wait to get home and see what's on it. She also gave us some souveniors from inside the pinata and some pictures that her son drew for Mallory and a note that she wrote to Mallory to give to her when she is older. She also mentioned that Jackson's foster mother has called her several times since February to see if Mallory was still with her because she wanted to know if Jackson was coming with us and if Vania got to see him. I'm glad Vania can call her and tell her a little about Jackson. Mallory has been a little sad today since they left, but just in the last hour seems to be perking up. According to Vania she spent a lot of time in a pack and play and watching television. She loves Dora and Barney. She is not walking yet, but pulls herself up and walks around things.. She crawls very slowly, I think due to her weight. When I asked Vania if they called her Mallory or Natalia, her response was that we called her Gorda. For those of you not up to date on your spanish, that means fat. She was serious and called her that several times while we were together. She said I would have no problem feeding her because she likes to eat. So far today she hasn't wanted to really eat, but I think she is a little stressed. I'm sure in a couple of days we will report otherwise. As I write this she is already becoming more active and smiling. We are justing letting her roam around the hotel room and I think she likes the freedom. Jackson seems to be adjusting fine and the two are already in collaboration causing trouble together as you can see above. We had to make a hotel change this afternoon because the Marriott was only available one night due to a conference starting this week. So, we are in a new hotel and a unfamiliar area. It's not the Marriott, but it's nice, but I think we will stay in the hotel. Well, were off to dinner so we will share some more later.

While all this is going on

While all this blogging is going on, I'm not sure what all is happening with this blogging stuff.....I just wish "I breathe like Darth Vader Jackson" would be quiet and go to sleep so that I could watch this movie in spanish. Adios, buenos noches, hasta manana banana, etc.

WE MADE IT

We made it to Guatemala City safely and without incident. Jackson wasn't the best flyer, but we kind of expected that. Only two items exploded in our suitcase - no major damage. Right now we are trying to get Jackson to sleep. This is the most current picture of him at 10:25 pm. He has never slept in the room with us, so he is a little distracted. Oh well, at least he is happy. We will post tomorrow after we get Mallory. We have to make a call in the morning and hopefully she will arrive before noon with her foster family. Bye for now.

Here we come Mallory

This is the last picture of Mallory we received from our adoption agency. She is opening a birthday present we sent her. Her birthday was September 26th and she turned 1. If we sent a package to Mallory her foster mother always included some of the items in the monthly pictures that were taken. That was very kind of her and we know she is going to be really sad to see Mallory go since she has been with her since October 2005. We are off to Guatemala on Saturday and we will try to update from there.

Sibling Group of 3

This will be the last picture I take of the kids as a sibling group of 3. It was a really nice day and probably the last nice day we will see before winter, so we went out to a nature trail and walked around. Sidney had a lot of fun, Ian was cold and Jackson enjoyed eating the leaves.

Our Trip To Guatemala

We are going to make an attempt at this Blogging thing by starting with our trip to Guatemala.