For the Love of Savanna

The staff at work are full of Halloween spirit and demonstrated their decorative skills by decorating my office door with pictures of ghosts and goblins and jack-o-lanterns (see Album).

One of the pictures of Savanna kept on my door was decorated with a carved pumpkin placed around her face. She appears to be having a very Happy Halloween. She is so cute.

Next Halloween I will bring Savanna to work to trick or treat, but mostly to trick :)

I hope it will be a safe Halloween for all.

Betsy

 

My co-workers gave me a very nice baby shower at work on 10/27/05. Nora, our secretary, organized the shower and made me feel very special by placing flowers in my office before I arrived at  work. She pinned a rose corsage on my blouse, made pink beaded earrings and bracelet for me to wear, and placed  a "mother to be" tiera on my head. I wore the tiera all day, and my mom told everyone I had wanted a tiera since I was born.

They had a cake made with Savanna's 3 day old picture on top. Everyone commented on how cute Savanna's picture was. It was frosting and very tasty (see Album). 

While we were eating finger food and drinking soda we looked at pictures of Savanna on the streamers that were attached to the balloons. A great idea.

I received many nice gifts consisting mostly of sleepers, gift certificates, bedding, toys, bubble bath, theater tickets, and books.

My mom attended the shower, and it was her first visit to my work site. She was impressed with the size  of the building and the "state of the art" equipment. She remarked many times on what great people my co-workers are (I think so too).

Betsy   

Savanna saw her doctor on 10/3/2005 for her 2 month check up. Her height is now 22.047 inches, her weight is 8.14 lbs, and her head circumference is 14.17 inches. She still drinks Similac Advance for her meals. Savanna loves for her foster mother to sing and talk to her. She smiles a lot. She appears to be a very happy baby. Her health is described as PERFECT!

 

The DNA test from Savanna and Ramona matched with a 96.99% probability that Savanna is the biological daughter of Ramona. I received a picture of Ramona and Savanna together. Ramona looked very sad, and I was sad for her. I wish I could tell her how courageous I think she is and how I will honor her every time I look at Savanna. I hope to raise Savanna in a way that would make any birth mother proud.

 

The social worker in Guatemala interviewed Ramona 10/19/2005 and must write a report documenting the reasons why Ramona must relinquish her parental rights. This could take up to1 month during which time I will be waiting to receive the US Consulate DNA consent email (could take 4-6 wks). Once the report and DNA consent is completed the dossier will advance from Family Court to the PGN (Guatemala Government) where a judge will review all documentation for completeness. It is a very nit picky process. If a certain paper is not done to the judge's satisfaction everything stops, goes back to the attorney who is working on my case. She must correct the problem and resubmit the paperwork. If everything is correct before submission to the judge it could be a smooth process, about 1 month. So, to make a long story short, if everything goes perfectly I could get Savanna near the end of December, if not, more likely sometime in January.

 

I received Savanna's 2 month pcitures today (see Album). Everyone, including me, thinks she is adorable. I can't wait to get her. The waiting is getting harder and harder. I love her with all my heart. 

 

Savanna's room is almost ready for her. I have to buy a glider and hang a few pictures. She will fit beautifully in there :)

 

Love to all,

 

Betsy   

 

 

 

                             

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 2 month old birthday Savanna!! I love you and can't wait to bring you home. Your Auntie Karen finished making the curtains for your room (see "Album"). They are beautiful. Your Granny had to make sure the curtains and valance lay perfectly. Now I need to find a rug that will match.

Our entire family is overjoyed that you will be joining us soon, hopefully around Christmas (I don't know if I can take a longer wait!!).

I love you,

Momma Betsy

 

 

There are many steps that are involved in adopting a baby from Guatemala. The adoption agency guides you through each step. The first few steps are really the most challenging. I was really glad when that process was OVER! I was running around town to get finger prints (Mom too since she lives with me), police clearance letters, doctor's letters, employment verification letters, etc. All of the paperwork had to be notarized, but some had a different type of notarization. I really had to pay attention to my P's and Q's.

People like to adopt from Guatemala because the babies are very healthy and young (infants) at the time of placement. Males are more availabe than females. The mothers get prenatal care and the babies see the doctor monthly. The babies get tested for different diseases and immunization shots are given shortly after birth.

The process of adoption will vary slightly depending on the state you live in but generally speaking, will follow these steps:

1. Begin a homestudy with an agency in your area or state social worker. This will enable you to learn about issues related to an international adoption and determine your suitability to parent an adopted child.
2. Submit an I-600A application to your local Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) office. This is the process by which you will generate the I171H approval form giving you permission to adopt in Guatemala. This can take several months.
3. Prepare your dossier, a folder of documents required by Guatemala such as your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), employment letters, references, and medical and police clearances. These documents must be notarized, certified, and authenticated by the nearest Guatemalan Consulate. The adoption agency will provide you with step-by-step instructions about dossier preparation.
4. Send dossier and INS approval to Guatemala.
5. Consider a child referral made by the adoption agency. Accept referral.
6. Wait for the legal adoption process in Guatemala to be finalized while receiving updates of your child's development from the adoption agency.
7. Prepare for travel and your stay in Guatemala. The adoption agency will provide information on who to contact in Guatemala. 
8. One or both parents travel to Guatemala to meet the child and finalize the adoption. Most trips will last 3-5 days.
9. Obtain an immigrant visa for your child from U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City. Return home with your child! 
10. Participate in post-placement supervision. This may include several visits by your home study social worker to make sure that the placement is going well and to offer support and assistance in the event that outside services are needed. 
11. Readopt your child in California in order to obtain U.S. birth certificate and adoption decree. This may or may not be required depending on your location.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. Some steps are more involved than others. All in all, it hasn't been so bad. The waiting period to pick up Savanna has been my least favorite aspect. I am now cleaning the garage, closets, and reading a lot of parenting material to keep myself busy. It's a bit compulsive but does makes the time go by.

Love to all,

Betsy

 I spoke to the gal at the adoption agency yesterday. Savanna and her bio mother were given a blood test which is a requirement in Guatemala. This is done to prevent baby trafficking (babies were actually stolen from their mothers and sold to prospective adoptors). The blood test is a means of identifying mother/baby, and to make certain that the birth mother is relinquishing her legal rights. The adoption agency deals with an attorney in Guatemala who assures that the  legal rights of both parties are met.

A picture was taken with Savanna's bio mother recently. I haven't received it yet. I was told the pictures are a bit blurry. At least Savanna will have some idea of what she might look like when she grows up. This will be important to her later when she explores her identity. 

Several people have asked me about the entire process involved in international adoption. Believe me, it is a huge undertaking but well worth it. I will look for concise information and post it later.

Thank you for your interest.

Betsy

As of September 1, Savanna's weight increased from 5.3 lbs to 7.2 lbs. Her height is 23.23 inches and her head circumference is 13.77 inches. She is drinking Similac Advance, 2 ounces every 3 hours. Savanna falls asleep at 10 p.m. and wakes up at 12 a.m., 2:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. for a bottle (I am so hoping she'll not be so hungry in the middle of the night by the time she comes home--smile). She is described as very attentive and likes to be talked to. She also likes to listen to music, hopefully not violins!).

All of the paperwork involved in the Home Study is being translated from English to Spanish. When this is completed the adoption can be referred to the "Family Court" at the PGN. It seems that the translation is taking a very long time. The paperwork for a single person is not as extensive as the requirements for a couple. Another factor could be that countries in Latin America have a more relaxed feeling regarding time. Probably, it is just my impatience with the adoption process; it takes much longer than I can prepare myself for.

 I should get another status report in the near future. 

I am so eager to bring Savanna home. 

Betsy