[Bella'sMomToBe]

Is there a specific floor at the Marriott for adoptive parents? I am going over Labor Day weekend (first time) and just wondered about this. Thanks!

[Marie4]

I've been there. There is no specific floor for adoptive parents.However, if you want internet access, I believe there is a certain floor you have to stay on. Marie

[pjtbarnes]

I stayed at the Marriott in July, and was placed on the 12th floor, along with a several other adoptive parents. The hotel organized a social hour each night in a special suite on that same floor (beverages, toys for kids, etc.). It was a chance to compare notes with those who were at a similar point in the adoption process, ask questions of those who were a few steps ahead of me, and to celebrate with the parents taking babies home.

P.J.

[soozeek]

We are going over labor day weekend and staying at the Marriott too. Maybe we will see you there. We are also going for our first visit, and I am trying to figure out everything I will need to bring. Does anyone know what type of bottles are used by the foster Moms in Guatemala??
Sue & Mike
waiting for Erik 5-26-03
in family court

[jlwcats]

Hi,

We stayed at the Marriott end of May, and stayed on the concierge level. There was a lounge on the 8th floor where many of the adoptive parents visited in the evenings. It was very nice, and they had food! I believe you only had access if you were on the concierge floor.

[Bella'sMomToBe]

Sue,

I asked someone about bottles and she said they use the Gerber nipples. I ended up buying the flat Playtex ones...they are the old fashioned ones that are flat on the top. They have them in slow, med or fast but I bought the adjustable flow ones that flow depending on the baby's suck. I am using drop-in bottles so I only will have to wash the nipples. I have no idea if these will work but we will try.

We are staying in a concierge room that allows my husband and I access to the lounge.

I am planning to bring almost everything I can think of but let me know if you thought of something unusual that I might need. Hope to meet you when we are there!

[carterj6]

Bellasmom,
Do you mind telling me how much it is a night to stay on the conceirge floor? I did not realize they had a floor like that. I would love to have known about it when we were there in May. Have a great time on your trip! Jenny

[Romans828]

Hi Christine,

Since I just got back from my visit at the Marriott I can share a few things with you. First, the hotel was wonderful! You will be amazed at how kind the people in Guatemala are!
I brought three things that I would not want to be without if I were to go again. First, I bought a vibrating bouncy seat. I used it so much-we brought it everywhere with us(restaurants, the pool, etc.) She was too small for an umbrella stroller(so I did not bring one this trip) so I would just carry her and then we would put her in the bouncy when we got to where we were going! I left in for the Foster Mom and I think she was very happy to get it! I packed it in pieces in the bottom of my big suitcase and just brought a small screwdriver(in my check-in bag) and the batteries it needed!
Second, I brought an electric kettle. It looks like a tea kettle that plugs into an outlet and boils water in minutes. Since you can't use the water there for anything we always had boiled water to drink, brush our teeth etc. The third thing I brought was a thermos to keep water warm for bottles. I just poured it straight from the kettle into the thermos and it stayed hot for a long time. Then I used like two ounces of thermos water and two ounces of cool water to make bottles the perfect temp. I used the plastic gerber bottles and gerber nipples-that's what Isabel's foster mother used too! So I brought several and left them all for her. I had a bottle brush and would wash the bottles with dish soap that I also brought.
You will have sooo much fun! Enjoy your time with her and e-mail me when you get home! Send me pictures too!

[khanak]

I brought a bottle warmer that was $20. Room service at the Westin brought a hot pitcher of water when requested. Even if the water cooled, I could just mix the water with formula and heat up the bottle in 1-2 minutes. The bottle warmer is very small and very convenient.

Good luck.

[Beth M]

The first time I went I brought a bottle warmer and had thermos' delivered to my room for sterilizing. The second time, my son was 6 months old and he wasn't having a warm bottle at the point so I didn't even warm it. Per someone else's suggestion, I used the coffee pot in the bathroom for sterilizing the bottles and nipples and life was so much easier!!! The water at the Marriott is already purified so I got more relaxed by my third trip and didn't use bottled water to brush my teeth...I just used the faucet.

Have fun....the Marriott is wonderful. I'm planning my 4th trip down over Labor Day!

Beth

[soozeek]

I didnt book our tickets in time, so we will now be travelling 9-4 to 9-7. Enjoy your trip.
Susan