Go Diego Go Live

We took the boys to Go Diego Go Live today. They loved it and behaved so well! Heres some photos of Ryan and Evan Jaguar (they handed out the masks at the show). As you can see Evan is VERY happy!

On the adoption, no news right now. Things are still uncertain as for politics. Guatemala is still threatening to close off adoptions completely next year leaving almost 5000 cases in process without anywhere to go. But a few other adoption organizations have put out some statements saying they believe in process cases will be grandfathered in based on new amendments and such they think will be passed in Guatemala. We have a conference call with our agency tomorrow to find out more.

2 month medical visit

Shes growing like a weed! Up to 8lbs 9oz and 50 cm long. Shes smiling when spoken too and making little baby noises "as if trying to talk herself" the doc says.
Here she is in a baby ponytail! No smiles for the camera yet but hope to see her sweet smile soon in person! Only 3 more weeks till we can hold her (at least for a little while).

FC update

We were thrilled to get the update today from our agency that the social work interviews have been completed with Nora's birthmom as of 9/21. The director said its taking on average 3-6 weeks after the interviews to get the final ruling from the judge. These interviews are a huge milestone completed for family court.
After the judge approves Nora's case, we can move onto the next step, PGN. I will post more about that when we get there.
Our fingers are crossed we get a speedy judge!

PA!!! SHOCKED!!!

Excellent news!!! We are still in FC/family court as far as I know. FC is a Guat side process. In the meantime, since DNA match we were also waiting for PA or preapproval from the US Embassy. The PA is basically the US saying we have looked over Nora's documents and we approve her as an adoptable "orphan". On average it was taking 60 days from DNA match. A few lately have been 35-40 days.

Well, we got PA today!! Thats only 17 days after we got DNA match in the mail. Unbelievable!! What an awesome email to get from the governement. :)

Yeah!! We really needed this news! Now if we could only get out of family court!

Please sign this online petition!

On Tuesday, the US Dept of State came out with a warning saying people should avoid adopting from Guatemala. We went into this knowing changes could take place but the US Dept of State and Guatemala both had agreed that in process cases as of Jan 1, 2008 (like us) would be "grandfathered" in and safe. The US is now saying they arent sure this will happen. Meaning, people like us in process may never bring these children home. Our adoption agency and others in the adoption community are outraged at this latest statement by the US. Why arent they forcing Guatemala to comply to the rules of the adoption laws instead of just warning everyone?

So please take a minute to sign this online petition. They only need your name and email address for verification.
We need to let the US know that it is not okay for them to allow Guatemala to ignore the rules and disallow inprocess adoptions to continue. Thousands of children, like Nora, would be left in foster care instead of having permanent loving homes.

So please, help us get Nora home!!

http://www.petitiononline.com/foafoa1/petition.html

Thanks Jeri!

Someone decided the background of the photos wasnt the most photogenic option. I must admit the horn coming out of her head in the one pic cracks me up. Shes still beautiful though. So thanks to Jeri, she made a couple a changes to highlight our daughters pretty face.