Irish whiskey, a plate of spaghetti, and a warm tostada

Today the agency called to tell me that the birth mother has signed off for the final time. After your file is approved, they require one last signature from the birth mother before they can apply for a new birth certificate. We were submitted into the civil registry (birth certificate department) of Guatemala City and will wait for a week or two until Mia is officially a McGrath. Mia and I celebrated with a shot of Irish Whiskey (dad), a plate of Spaghetti (mom), and a warm tostada (Mia).

Seriously, there are many milestones during this process, but this was one that I was really looking forward to having completed. Dennis and I can handle any administrative delays that may come our way, now that we know she is legally ours.

This is Mia's first experience in the baby swing at Hotel Antigua. 

Martha, Steve and baby Jonathan have arrived in Antigua. Martha and Steve are from Minneapolis and fostering Jonathan as well. We're having a great time together and Mia loves her new friend. We've told them all about the fun they will have walking Lake Harriet when we all get back to Minneapolis. 

Sharing a day in the life

Yesterday was one of those days that I am reminded of how amazing this experience has been for me. It was a beautiful sunny day in Antigua. I gathered Mia in the carrier and walked to Café Condessa for my morning coffee. We walk by the prison every morning and over the last couple of days, I noticed a half-smile from the guard on the roof holding a very large machine gun. For the first time, he actually asked me the name of my baby. It made me smile. Ruth, the street vendor, was walking on the other side of the street. She said hello and asked when my husband would be returning because she has a nice gift he can buy me and she will give him a very special price. The waitresses at Café Condessa hold Mia while I look at a few used books in the front area of the restaurant. Mia and I then do our usual walk through central park and stop to look at the fountain. She loves when the water splashes. She clenches her fists and kicks her legs whenever we get close to the water. I´m certain she was a fish in her past life. On our way back, we stop at Dona Luisa for a scone and a loaf of banana bread. Mia is beginning to fall asleep and I´m excited to start the new book I just bought. We walk back to the apartment and Mia’s little friends are sitting on a blanket in the middle of the grass. I stop and chat for a minute and then bring Mia inside for her nap. I start reading and Mia sleeps. After a few chapters, I feel a tug on my ponytail. It is her way of telling me she is awake and ready for her bottle. It always makes me laugh. I’m trying to take it all in and remember how fortunate I am to be doing this with her.
When I decided to foster I was a little worried (okay, a lot worried) about what it would be like to spend time in Guatemala. Most people would agree that this is a pretty big leap for me. I thought about not only living in a new environment, but being a first time mother pretty late in the game. Dennis and I talked at length about what this would mean for both of us, but I now realize that we didn´t even begin to understand. The biggest gift I have been given during this time (other than my beautiful daughter) is an appreciation for her culture that I can share through a first hand account, tons of pictures, journals and relationships that we have made together on our daily walks. I remember when Dennis first said that I should look into fostering in Guatemala. It seemed so out of reach and impossible. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I don’t remember ever being this happy…

Mia is half a year old on friday...

i'll be traveling on friday, so i have to post this early... happy 1/2 birthday my little pickle i can't wait to show you around your room and play with you at home here in minneapolis.

To Daddy...

I was just thinking about you and wanted you to know that I remember all the things we did when you were here. You are the best!

P.S. Can you make sure my crib sheets are at least 300 thread count? I have very sensitive skin.

Love and Miss You...Mia

When you fed me cereal 

When you made me laugh 

When you read to me 

When I fell asleep 

When you fed me at the rice and beans place 

When we went shopping for Mom´s ring

We are approved!

Dennis and I received word from our lawyer today that we are out of PGN. We need to apply for the birth certificate and we will be on our way home. This is the best news I could have received on this rainy day in Antigua. I´m thrilled because the hard part is over for us. I´ll keep you all updated on the progress. We couldn´t be happier.

More soon

Mother and daughter

i couldn´t resist posting this one...

All together now...

today is my last day here at sta. rosa i will be leaving for the airport soon. this visit was so amazing for me to see how big mia has become, she has developed muscles for squirming, and she is mastering loud googles with eye-contact. i am so sad to be leaving without mia and laurie today... not to worry, they are both doing just fine here, mia has the most courageous mom and she is well cared for by her.

we hope all goes smoothly in PGN this week so that next week we can hear from our attorney that we are able to move to the next stage in the process. hearing that we have made it through PGN would mean that we have about 3 weeks to go. all good wishes are welcome at this stage in the adoption.

Mia and some of her friends at sta. rosa...

this is how mia spends her time, socializing with her friends on the couch in the apartment.

Laurie reading to Mia at bed-time...

from the new people magazine of course!

The rainy season in Guatemala...

rain doesn´t stop us from running around antigua to explore the city... mia has become quite the little helper (notice her holding the umbrella)

Mia sends a big hug to all her blog-fans!

XOXOXO and a big hug to all...

we took mia into guatemala city this afternoon for her final "well baby" doctor appointment. she weighs 17.5 lbs. is 72 cm. tall and had to have polio drops and a vaccination shot in her thigh. she was a trooper through it all and slept most of the way home to antigua in the car.

laurie and i ran some errands and had a quick dinner by ourselves this evening while the nanny looked after mia. we noticed a lot of soldiers with big guns on patrol in the city. we were a little concerned at first, but then found out the president of guatemala is visiting antigua today, so it´s just beefed up security. i have one more day here before leaving for minneapolis. it is going to be hard to leave this time without the girls.

papa´s back in town...

i arrived in guatemala city on friday afternoon and took a cab to antigua to see the girls. it was so wonderful to see laurie and mia after the last three weeks apart. mia has grown so much, and she is very talkative too.

mia and i enjoy walking through the city looking at all the wonderful sights, the first stop we made this morning was to cafe condesa for coffee... our first errand together to bring back a latte for laurie.

we are all going out this afternoon for lunch and to the pool tomorrow morning.

Good-bye Kellie and Leah

Kellie and Leah left this morning after a great four day visit. They were both becoming baby pros by the time they left. Mia had so much fun spending time with them and was sad to see them leave. They fell in love with Antigua and plan on returning. Mia recieved a box from her aunt Debbie today filled with lots of surprises. She is very thankful and will send a picture to show how much she loves the teething necklace. She hasn´t stopped chewing on it since I gave it to her. We are having a great time. We really don´t have anything new to report on the adoption front. We´re just looking forward to seeing Dennis on Friday. Hope everyone is doing well.

Kellie and Leah have arrived...

My friends, Kellie and Leah arrived on Thursday and we´ve been having a great time shopping, eating out and just visiting. Mia loves playing with them and really likes it when they tell her all about their pets...(Bernie, Gracie and Gilda)

We´ve tried a few new places to eat and went to the market for a few hours yesterday. Today was Mia´s first pool visit. She really liked getting in the water and watching all the other kids playing. I think it wore her out since she took a nap and slept right through all the screaming kids playing in the water. Dennis has booked a trip for this Friday. Hopefully, he will be making a trip back soon to take us home. I´m thinking that I will hear something next week.

Enjoy the pictures.

kellie and Mia

Mia and Leah having a talk

Leah, Kellie and Mia

Mia resting for her first big pool adventure

Mia´s first swim

More pool time

A nap after a swim 

Antigua´s public transportation (aka Chicken Buses)

Central Park 

Mia´s new toy

Back in the process as of July 1st

Hello,

I found out yesterday that we are back in PGN as of July 1st. PGN is the last stage of the process. I´m hoping for a speedy approval and trip home. The lawyer will check back in the next few days to see if there has been any progress. Things are going well in Antigua. Not much to report. I´m waiting for friends to arrive tomorrow and looking forward to the company. Mia loves to have people stay with us because it gives her more things to watch. She loves to stare and I call her a little ¨news nose¨ because she is always watching everyone...

We miss everyone and can´t wait see you.

More soon.

Mia´s 5 months

Hola,

Mia is now 5 months and changing every day. She is eating cereal and as you can see...really filling out. Heather left this morning at 4:00am. She was such great company for Mia and me. Mia keeps looking at the stairs waiting for Heather. I´m not going to break the news to her that Heather is gone until later today. We found a wonderful little place for food. It is called Frieda´s and we´ve been there at least three times over the last couple of days. We keep trying other places but nothing compares. Tomorrow we are going to the pool at Hotel Antigua. I´m not sure how Mia will react to swimming. She likes her bath time, so maybe that will be a good sign. I (Heather) was able to send Dennis a short movie of Mia saying goodnight. Every little bit helps when you´re this far away.

We miss everyone. Enjoy the pictures and happy 4th!

Mia´s new little friend Mel gave her a doll.

Mia and Heather 

Mia and mommy�s morning coffee stop 

Mia with her cousin Heather