For the Love of Savanna

Well, I'm as nervous as a jitter bug but as happy as a clam... about the trip to meet and bring Savanna home, that is.

I leave 2/22 at 10a.m. and arrive in Guat at 8:20 p.m. I have a two hour lay over in TX. I am looking forward to meeting Savanna and her foster mom but am dreading the time when it is time for them to say "good bye" to one another. Savanna is six and a half months old now and is surely very attached to her foster mom. I hope it won't take her long to feel comfortable with me. Yes, I'm still obsessing about this....

Overall, I'm still HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY.

I want to thank all my RL and internet friends and family for all your support, encouragement, and kindness during this adoption process.  It's been quite a journey, and it's only just begun :)

I will try to post while I'm in Guatemala.

I will leave you with Savanna's six month old pictures.

Picture me dancing and shouting the following: Hip hip hooray! Woo Hooooo! Yippeeee!  Glory hallelujah! Yay baby, yay baby, yay baby! It doesn't get any better than this! I've been waiting for THIS day for MONTHS! So completely overjoyed that I'm about to piss on myself.

Okay, details....  my Sister, Karen, and I will fly to Guatemala on 2/22, meet Queen S. at 10 a.m. on 2/23. The Embassy appt is on 2/24 at 7:15 a.m. (dear God, help me, I'm such NOT the morning bird). The Visa will be ready for pick up on 2/27 and we will travel home on 2/28. I am hoping to see Antigua but I have to admit I am more than a bit anxious about Savanna getting sick (stories I've heard from other adoptive parents). I have antibiotics and other meds for her but I've never taken care of a sick baby and it does frighten me. I'll have to play it by ear.

I am also excited because Angel and Stacy may be at the Mariott too. I've been following their blogs for awhile now. How cool would that be to meet some of my bloggin' buddies?! Hey, my loves, when are your travel dates?

LOVE TO THE WHOLE WORLD! LOVE TO THE UNIVERSE AND BEYOND!

I'm just so so happy, happy, happy, happy.

I just received the call (on Valentine's Day) that PINK was submitted yesterday afternoon. I will find out tomorrow afternoon when I travel. This time I was so happy that I cried.

There is hope my friends in internet land. Hang tight and your time will come too. I've never been on such a roller coaster ride!

 Stacy and this site are helping to organize petitions, letters, etc., to senators and representatives to resolve the Embassy problems in Guatemala. I would like to encourage everyone to visit these sites and write letters, send emails. They have done a great job in getting the ball rolling. Our collective voice can,  and will, make a difference. I already sent my emails.

I wish I had something happy to report. I heard today that the attorney was not able to submit for PINK on 2/6, or all of  last week, because of U.S. Embassy problems. The lines are too long. I have NO idea how much longer it will take before I get PINK. I was assured that the attorney was doing all she could to resolve the problem. It is clearly the U.S. Embassy in Guat that is holding things up.

For more complete details regarding the Embassy problems read Angel's and Stacy's blogs.

It certainly isn't a pretty scene. I'm holding on to faith that I will meet my daughter SOON. That's all I can do in reality. This process has taught me how little control I have over most things. All I can do is BELIEVE and HOPE that there is an end, and a beginning, in sight.

The Agency might be sending 6 month pictures of Savanna later today. That should keep me chipper for a few hours, hopefully longer.  

ALL I WANT TO DO IS MEET AND BRING MY SWEET DAUGHTER HOME!

Happy birthday Savanna. Your mom is very close to meeting you. Last week-end I packed all of your things, minus a few onsies for the trip to Guatemala. I can't believe how much room all of your stuff takes up in my suitcase. And, it took me all day to pack. Things in my life will be changin' right quick! I am so looking forward to beginning our lives together.

I thought I would have PINK today but no such luck. Guess who is T-I-R-E-D of WAITING?!

Love,

Mom

 Dear Aura,

I will never be able to thank you enough for giving my little Savanna all the loving care she needed in her first happy home. The bond of love and trust that you two experienced will help Savanna accept the love I give her so we can establish the same kind of relationship built on trust and unconditional love.

I am so anxious to hold Savanna in my arms, to kiss her sweet face, to smell her adorable body, to hear her little baby voice, the laughter and the cries. While I am looking forward to so much happiness with little Savanna, your heart must be breaking with the sadness of giving her up. Please know that I will be feeling your pain through my feelings of elation, and I will be praying for God's tender mercy for you. I hope you will be comforted by knowing that you will be kept alive in Savanna's life by my telling her of your love and caring during her first six months of life. Her first experience of life and her perception of the world was through her loving experinces with you. I will always be grateful to you for that.

If you would like to be part of Savanna's life through letters and pictures, I will be happy to share that with you. And I'm sure Savanna will like to know of  your life also. I plan to take her to Guatemala when she is older and I think she would like to see you again too. Give me your address and I will keep you informed of how she is growing and what she is doing.

I hope you can keep Savanna in your heart and be reminded of her when you wear her birthstone (peridot) necklace I gave you.

Words cannot express my gratitude to you for loving and caring for my daughter. You raised her for more than six months; you nourished her, waking up at night to care for her; you gave her her first bath; you heard her first sounds;  you rocked her and sang to her;  you played with her;  you experienced her first tantrum; changed her diapers; dressed her; took her to the doctor; and prayed for her. You have been everything I hope I can be. For all these things, I love you.

May God richly bless you as you continue to care for other children.

With gratitude and love,

Betsy

Well,  the process is movin' along... at a snail's pace.  The attorney picked up the new birth certificate today (2/2/06). It took 11 days to get the new BC. The attorney will submit for "PINK" on Monday, 2/6, but I'll not find out about my Embassy appointment until 2/9, my dear Savanna's 6 month birthday. So, it seems as though I will not be travelling to Guatemala until 2/14 at the earliest (hey, that would be so sweet if I met Savanna on Valentine's Day!).

I am D-Y-I-N-G to meet Savanna. In order not to go completely insane because of the WAIT I've been knitting Savanna a blanket and updating her scrap book. I bought most items needed for the trip months ago (I did buy an ear thermometer and umbrella stroller last week-end thanks to Soud's, Julie's  and Barb's advice. You gals are great!).  All the paperwork for the trip is done. Just waiting to get the "PINK slip" which will tell me when my appointment is at the Embassy. 

I need a quick PINK, PINK, PINK, PINK. Continue the chant, my friends. PINK, PINK, PINK.  I can't hear you... louder... come on...  don't be shy!

I found out today that Savanna's foster mother's name is Aura Marina. I've have been thinking, thinking, and thinking about all the questions I would like to ask her. Ready? Here goes...

Living Environment

How old was Savanna when she came to live with you? Were there other children in the home with her? If so, what games did she like to play with them? Was it a quiet or noisy home? Does Savanna like the outdoors? Where have you taken her? Does Savanna like animals?

Eating Habits

What does Savanna eat/drink? How often does she eat/drink? How do you prepare her food? How much do you prepare? What is her favorite food? What is her least favorite? Could you show me how she likes to be burped?

Sleeping Habits

What time does Savanna go to bed at night? What time(s) does she wake up during the night? When does she wake up in the morning? What time does she take a nap? What position does she fall asleep in? Does Savanna sleep with you? Does she like to be rocked to sleep or left alone in the crib? Do you have any bedtime rituals (listen to music, sing lullabies, sleep with a night light on)? Is there anything that you do that makes her sleepy?

Health

Has Savanna had any illnesses? How have you treated them? Have you given her any medicine? Has she had any fevers? Does she run high fevers? Is she teething? When did she start teething? What symptoms does she have? What do you do to make her feel better? Has she had any reactions to fabrics, chemicals, animals, food, medicine?

Personality

Could you describe Savanna's personality? What does she like? What does she dislike? What are her favorite toys/activities? Could you show me what you do to make her laugh? What does she do to comfort herself? Does she use a pacifier? What makes her happy, angry, sad, frustrated, and anxious? Could you show me what you do to soothe her or calm her down?

Future Contact

Would you like to stay in contact with Savanna and me? Would you like for me to send you pictures and letters? What is your address and phone number?

I'm glad I wrote this all down.  How could I ever remember all of these questions once I see my sweet baby girl for the first time?! 

I hope you will find these questions helpful too. 

 Have I forgotten anything?

Betsy