For the Love of Savanna

I am happy to report no one received injuries from Roxanne/"Big Ass" (see previous post). In case you wanted to see what she looks like, I took a couple of pictures. Isn't she pretty? Well, looks can be deceiving, just keep that in mind. She didn't get eaten this trip. Roxanne is one lucky bird! She could snap your finger in two with that beak!

On to a more serious subject... on the way to Karen and Darryl's house Savanna was quite fussy in the car. I didn't think much of it as she is "sassy" in general. I stopped a few times, let her walk around, got her some food, gave her some lovin's and proceeded North. When we arrived at my sister's house Savanna was lethargic, breathing shallowly and rapidly, and felt hot to the touch. I didn't bring a thermometer (very STUPID of me). I started to feel intensely anxious and my mind wasn't functioning normally. I decided to take Savanna to the nearest emergency room. It was a good thing.

Savanna had a temperature of 103.5. The nurse had me take off all her clothes and give her some Motrin to get the fever down. We were then moved to a "room", just a bed, in the hallway. The emergency room was BUSY, patients were every where. I gave clinical report as best I could-- Savanna was really sick 2 weeks ago with diarrhea and projectile vomitting. She seemed to be fine after 5 days. The doctor ordered blood work, a chest x-ray, and a urine tox screen. Savanna cried with all three procedures but the WORST experience I've gone through with her thus far was watching the nurse attempt to catheterize her. There were four nurses, plus me, holding my sweet baby down while another nurse poked, prodded, and shoved a tube up her tiny urethra. I was told by one nurse, "it won't hurt her". Well, let me tell you, IT HURT. Savanna was screaming like I've never heard. She was bleeding from her little "twee twa". I couldn't keep the tears back and finally asked, "isn't there something else you can do?"  The nurse finally gave up, after 10 minutes, and taped a little bag over her privates and we waited another hour and a half for Sass to pee. All the tests came back fine (except blood in her urine from what the nurse did to her). So, after 5 hours in the emergency room, I left not knowing the reason for the visit. The doctor speculated that the flu might be returning and her body was fighting off infection. The Motrin got her temp down pretty fast.  She is back to herself today, thank God.

Here's a couple of pictures of my dear mom with Savanna in the emergency room.  Even though she was sick, Savanna managed to smile and say "hi" and "bye bye" to whoever walked by.

The next day we ate the best damn Thanksgiving meal we've ever had. My sister is one hellava cook!

Oh, and Roxanne was afraid of Savanna, so it was a very successful trip!

Savanna, Mom, and I are heading to my Sister, Karen,  and brother-in-law, Darryl's, tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner. (Major thanks, Sis, for doing the meal, and hosting. I've got Christmas covered). Let me tell you about Darryl. He is a bit nuts, outright crazy. First, he drools over his food, eats with his hands, licks his fingers, talks with his mouth open, is quite gaseous at meal times, and he eats until he pukes. Secondly, he's got this bird, a very LARGE bird, a pretty bird at that. This BIG ASS bird lives in the house and has full reign over all the comings and goings. Big Ass will chase you out the door if he/she (sex of this bird is a whole other story) doesn't want you there. Now, I'll have driven 3 hours for some good eatin's. I don't want this EVIL bird chasing me out the door with that BIG ASS BEAK of his/hers. My poor sister, having to live with Darryl and his evil bird. Poor, poor, Karen. I'm sure Darryl loves this bird more than any human (my sister might be a close second), but you would think someone who loved their bird as much as he does would know the sex of the bird.

Darryl has had BIG ASS, real name is "Rocky", for close to 25 years. Last year he/she laid his first egg! So, do you think Darryl would change his name to "Roxanne"? You guessed right. Oh, and one more thing about "Roxanne"-- she S-Q-U-A-W-K-S so loud that you think the house was going to cave in. In the middle of the night I was awakened by this high pitch scream from this EVIL bird. Pure evil, is this bird. Last time I visited, "Roxanne" made my head bleed and from her claws. I came home with bald spots too. I hope this trip she doesn't poke my eyes out!

So, I wonder how this trip will be. I wonder if my sister has had enough of Darryl's love affair with BIG ASS and we'll be eating "Roxanne" instead of turkey. 

I love my family. I even love Darryl.

And, I love my baby girl. More than anything in life, I'm thankful for Savanna and the opportunity to share my life and love with her. Hmm...I bet she could get Roxanne under control. She could pluck a few feathers and chase her around the house a few times. Savanna isn't afraid of anything! This trip is going to be FUN!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

(Gotcha, D!)

I am so sick and tired of coming across articles such as this. This article, and so many like it these days, are misrepresenting the facts about the Guatemalan adoption process. The truth is, there isn't any "baby selling". This isn't to say that this was not a problem approximately 5 years ago. But the problems associated with "baby trafficking" have been resolved. Furthermore, I do think the overall adoption process could be much improved, but "baby selling"? Pu--leez... what a crock of horse dung!

First of all, birthmothers have to sign legal documents that relinguished their rights FOUR times during the adoption process. At any point during the adoption process the birthmom can change her mind and the entire adoption process is stopped. Additionally, the birthmom meets with a social worker, court appointed, who does a complete evaluation regarding the birthmom's decision to have an adoption plan for her child. Most importantly, DNA is taken from the birthmom and baby to make sure the baby really is hers. This alone, assures babies are not being stolen from their mothers. The Guatemalan adoption process is legal, arduous, and honest.

It is true that the adoption process is expensive. The total costs, include the attorneys fees, court fees and all the translation fees, care for the baby (diapers, formula, food, doctor visits, foster care in my case), and prenatal care for the birthmom and baby. There is also a fee that is given to a facilitator who assists the birthmom, but who is not associated personally with the attorney. This person acts as an advocate for the birthmom and makes sure she gets to her appointments and understands the ramifications of her actions. The fee the facilitator receives isn't stated anywhere, and I've heard this person makes as much money, and sometimes more, than the attorney does. I know, not good, and this part of the process should be standardized. It cost me between $25,000 to $30,000 for Savanna's adoption. In reality, this amount is about the same as it would have been for infertility treatments (never an option for me) or adopting a kid in the U.S. (which would have taken much longer with many more expenses, emotional and financial, associated with it than an international adoption).

It breaks my heart to think of the possibility of U.S. ending Guatemalan adoptions. Please go here http://guatadopt.com/ for details. What will happen to the children? There is no infrastructure, no welfare system, to care for the poor. And Guatemalans don't adopt children. Perhaps they don't have the money for this to be an option? Perhaps it isn't culturally acceptable? I don't know the answer, but it greatly saddens me for the birthmoms who cannot afford to feed or clothe their children (the main reason why children are adopted) and the children who would have had an opportunity to be loved, nurtured, and well cared for in a family who is able to meet all of their needs.  

Lastly, I have to say that if Guatemalan adoptions close, and even if they don't, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of Guatemalan families and children. I sponsor a child through Potter's House, http://www.pottershouse.org.gt/ . I pay $35 a month which helps to pay for a beautiful little girl's education, medical expenses, and daily food. This donation helps her to remain with her family and gives her brighter opportunities for her future. Additionally, I donate $75 a year to Global Action International at: http://www.global-action.com/ which pays for an entire year of a Guatemalan child's education and food. I also send baby clothes to Eagle's Nest orphanage at: http://www.specialdelivery4kids.org/books/index.html, as I feel this fills an important need for older children who are not adopted.  I share this with you in hopes that you will find it in your hearts to help too, however big or small. Together, it all helps. What greater gift can we give than to touch the life of another?

Yes, my dear family and friends, I have cleaned up A LOT of puke, pure, nasty (I mean REALLY NASTY) puke. I hate puke, especially the kind that explodes from the oral cavity like a geyser.

And... baby diarrhea ain't  pretty smellin no where, no how!

So, how was your week-end? 

My baby sitter was not able to watch Savanna on last Monday, so my dear Mom (who I  adore) watched her for me. This is no easy feat for her because she has several medical problems, bad arthritis in her back, feet, and hands, etc. Well, this is the scenario that Mom relayed to me after I arrived home from work.

My Mom goes to the bathroom. Savanna follows her (as privacy NO LONGER EXISTS). Mom pulls down her undies (the Baby Huey kind) and sits down and, goes (pee. In case you needed to know ALL the details). Savanna pulls a tampon from the drawer and is very intent on shoving it up my Mom's "twee twa".  Mom was a bit shocked, confused, bufuddled, as she hasn't had the "blessing" for nearly 35 years!

I wish Savanna would get off the tampon kick! Why buy toys when there's a box full of tampons?!

My kid....

After getting the "Queen" all dressed up in her Tigger costume she proceeded to go to sleep (at 6 p.m.). And, I thought I could depend on her for a few goodies! Off to the store I go...