Just checking in...

We have no new news except for a flurry of concern about the whole Guatemala adoption program coming to a halt (at least temporarily.) Very political, and if you're interested I am happy to forward more info. It should not affect adoptions currently in process, but we do hope that changes can be made in the program so that concerns about possible unethical adoptions are fully and completely addressed.

We do feel completely comfortable with the assurance that our baby has been relinquished voluntarily by his birth mother. For those curious, there is DNA testing done on the baby and birth mother to make sure he is actually hers, the birth mother is interviewed extensively by a social worker and it is made clear to her that she is not required to continue with the process if she chooses not to. The birth mother is required to sign off on the adoption 4 different times, with the last time after we exit PGN.

That all said, I guess we do have some new news. Updated medical. See side bar for new measurements. FYI Guatemalan babies tend to be much smaller than American babies...and we know that Julian's birth mother is 4'9" and his birth father is 5'2". Studies do show that when these children grow up in the US they tend to be at least a few inches taller on average. The malnutrition rate for kids in Guatemala is reported to be at 47%. The likelihood is that in actuality it is higher than that.

We leave to visit again in less than a week. Hoping to post photos from there.

-Sam and Jon