The trip home.

With 3 giant suitcases (thanks pam and ky), one soft suitcase, a diaper bag, a food bag, 2 carry ons, a stroller, and the 3 of us, we said farewell to our new friends, packed up all of our stuff, and hit the road to the airport. Waleska, who works for our lawyer in Guatemala kept Julian entertained for the drive and we got to the airport with a few hours before our flight.





We got the baby bump to the front of the line and got checked in. All was perfectly smooth. About 2 minutes before boarding I noticed that they checked Julian in as a lap baby so we had to have someone switch seats to get back the third seat in our row which we had reserved for the baby. A little scramble and we were in great shape.

The first flight was 2 hours, and the baby woke crying as we landed. Otherwise, smooth sailing. Immigration took all of 15 minutes so we had a 4 hour layover for catfish at the houston airport. Second flight was 4 hours and Julian slept take off to touch down.









Liz picked us up at the airport and of this we have no photos because it was just about midnight and we were so bleary it was all we could do to just get loaded into the car. We still haven't found either of our sets of keys but thankfully the contractor had left a set in a lock box that we used to get in.

The chest cold I started to get in Guate turned into bronchitis so as of today I am doing little bits and pieces but mostly trying to rest. Jon is a trouper and both he and Julian are doing great.

Finally got the camera battery recharged and are busy taking pictures of all of the "firsts" at home. More to come...

Sorry to keep you waiting.

We got back last night after midnight. Our friend Liz was SO kind to pick us up at the airport. Julian traveled like a champ.

The house is a pile of clothes and junk from our trip. I've got a nasty case of bronchitis, and the baby is a bit discombobulated (did I spell that right?) so Jon is walking him around so he will nap- otherwise he wont sleep. Other than that, we're all doing great. I am soooo happy to have Julian home.

Re: posting- it may be tomorrow or Tuesday depending on how I'm feeling. Right now all I can think of is lying on the couch and drinking hot tea. Thanks everyone for the love and support.

Oops, packed the camera cord...

No more photos then, until we get home. Spent the day packing then dinner out with the folks in our apartment complex. I am actually sad to be leaving- the lovely city, our little apartment, our new friends, but mostly leaving Julian's birth place. I hope we will be able to bring him back soon...

We take off at 9am tomorrow to catch our noon flight.

Liz picks us up at home at 11:30pm- very very sweet of her!

And home in time for Mother's day.

Part-ay.

Here is how last night went...
We are on our way to dinner.
Jon: "Do we have Julian's paperwork?"
Sam: "No, why don't you go back and get it, it's in the plastic folder in my backpack."
Jon: "OK"
Sam waits on the street. 20 min later Jon comes back.
Jon: "I can't find it."
Sam: "What do you mean?"
Jon: "I can't find the folder."
So, we go to dinner with an old tattered photocopy of Julian's papers. No big deal. Jon isn't always the best at finding things.

Morning comes and we're headed out again so I decide to find the folder that Jon couldn't find. Um, nowhere. We try to remember what was in this missing folder- nothing, thankfully that we need to get the baby and us out of the country BUT it does contain Julian's certified passport copy, all of his medical information, and serioiusly folks, a copy of our 2005 TAX RETURN.

Called the embassy lost and found, not there. Called the hotel, not there. Called the attorney to check the car we travelled in, not there.
Cut to the next 4 hours of trying to get the 3 credit agencies notified that we have lost all of our identifying information. Hello, Sam in a dither.

Well...the story has a happy ending. When the lawyer's assistant went to pick up our visa for Julian they had the folder at the window- it had been left there at our appointment yesterday. I am seriously the most cautious, neurotic person about paperwork etc. What the...?!

So I was able to relax for the afternoon, the nausea has passed (please note I am still having heart palpitations) and we attended Miss Maria's 3rd birthday party in the back yard. The biggest pinata I have ever seen was smashed to bits by a group of super cute 3-5 year olds.

And tomorrow we pack.



that IS a big, red, dog


hope clifford did his business already (sorry, couldn't resist)


rachel took it home


whew, that was a lot of work!

The 9th.

First of all, the magic words...ready?
IT'S A DONE DEAL!
Just in time for Mother's day here in Guatemala (tomorrow.) :)

We spent last night at the San Carlos in Guatemala City, where we have had our last 2 visit trips. It is 2 blocks from the American embassy so we simply walked to our appointment this morning at 7:15 to get the final OK to bring Julian home. It took 2 hours, Julian was a zombie from being awakened 2 hours before he usually gets up (on top of another not so great night of sleep...stuffy nose, fussy...teeth?) but we made it. The process was pretty simple. Wait here, go to this window, wait again, go to another window, sign this, come back tomorrow to pick up his Visa. When he sets foot on US soil he will be an American citizen.


totally unsafe crib


whoah, i'm tippin over

You're not allowed to photograph the embassy from any direction so we have no photos of the process, but some pics from before and after.


Getting to Antigua

We had the opportunity last night to have dinner with Lucas and his parents. Lucus is the little boy that Julian lived with at his foster home. They live in Madison WI and we had lots of chatting to do about organic this and organic that. It was great.


Little Lucas

After our appt we drove back to Antigua to spend our last few days before heading home on Saturday. Here are also some photos of the Antigua tour I did yesterday am before we left for GCity. It was very informative. Hopefully Jon will have time to do it tomorrow or Friday.


church on the main square


inside the church- they are doing partial restoration.
the city of antigua has been severely affected by earthquakes over the years...
we had a small one sunday morning




mayan ritual candle lighting inside the catholic church

oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIO DOUG!!!

Monday again, already?

Mr Julian had a rough night last night. Up from 3-5am. Couldn't tell today though- he was a champ.
We are so enjoying our friends here in Antigua. I can't imagine a lovelier transition for all of us.

Tomorrow we head back into Guatemala City for an overnight as our appointment at the embassy to receive Julian's visa is Wed morning at 7:15. We'll stay at the same hotel we have been at the last 2 visits. We are excited to have dinner tomorrow with the family that is picking up the little boy that was fostered with Julian. The boys are one day apart and we are really excited that the other family wants to stay in touch.


Our backyard again. Lori and Talia (Julian's girlfriend) came to visit (r) and that's Kathleen and Christopher in the middle. The kids were all born within 2 weeks of each other.


I'm still scared to use the nail clippers but our boy keeps scratching his face...ouch.
One book suggested I nibble them off and it seems to be working ok.


The Lovely Talia. I let her gum my finger and guess what? She has teeth. Yowza!


Mr. Expression.


Winding down for the night.

Hasta luego!

Settling in.

We're getting the hang of Julian's schedule and starting to get into a rhythm. Naps are getting longer and sleep is getting better. Nothing particularly remarkable going on, just settling into the day to day.

I'm heading to bed early because last night one of the students staying in our apartment complex brought a boy back to the courtyard and stayed up talking right under my window until (seriously) 5am. Jon asked me why I didn't go out to tell them to be quiet but truthfully it didn't even cross my mind. Next time I'll let 'em have it. :)



hangin in the courtyard


miss maria brought julian a toy


seems we have a camera ham


no weapons allowed at the place we had breakfast yesterday.
at least they said "please"




the market a block from our apartment