[BebitosMama]

I'm back from Guatemala. Ended up leaving Wednesday, which was good, as I didn't have the slightest idea that the hurricane was on its way. (No newspapers handy, and wasn't watching the Guatemalan news on TV at the Westin!) Went through Miami coming back, as usual, and you better train for a marathon to make a connection there. It was 3 miles (and I tracked it) from the arrival gate, to passport control, to baggage, to customs, to my departure gate... big sigh...that place is a mess...

It was so wonderful to be with my Bebito, but it was very tough the first few days...he is so very attached to his foster family, and they are just wonderful and adore him. At 11 months, he was very unhappy to be separated, and it took a few days for him to relax and not be just shriekingly unhappy. I also had a room at the Westin that had NO air conditioning, and they kept sending guys to fix it who insisted it was fixed, but it wasn't. I finally had to make an issue of it, and they moved me to another room at the same price which was much nicer, huge, and had working AC!! So we were much happier in the new room.

I was able to get him to the pool for some paddling around in the hot tub...but beyond that, he wasn't happy going out and about, and most of our meals were room service as he simply wasn't in the mood or temperament for dining out. We spent most of our week sitting on the bed, napping, snuggling, playing, looking at a little photo album I brought him, or having his "pachita" (bottle). One night he particularly enjoyed watching American Idol, though, and danced and bounced through the whole program! Just precious!!!!!

He is walking unaided, can even run, and says a few words. I taught him how to say "Hi!" By the end of the week, he was comfortable with me, and very affectionate, I even got a hug and a besito when I left.

His foster mom and her family joined me for dinner the day they brought Bebito him for dropoff, and they were amazing. I'd met foster mom and her adult son before, but this time I met adult daughter, two nephews, a niece, and the 5 month old chubby little baby boy she is also fostering. All were warm and wonderful, from the pre-teen niece and nephew who live next door, to the grown children who dote on Bebito. It's definitely a loving family that has given him such a wonderful start. I'm so grateful to them -- they are family to all of us forever. They are making a birthday party for him next month, with a pinata, and cake, and his foster mom promised to take photos for me so I had a record of his first birthday. She's a dear dear person, and she knows how hard it is for him to still be there. As much as she adores him, and he's part of her family now, she too wants him to come home with us where he ultimately belongs.

I had a chance to meet my attorney briefly while there. Found out we still have the same reviewer as before the shakeup...not sure if that's good or bad, and while attorney suggested it doesn't matter, I can't help but feel that, at 100+ days in PGN and counting, it's definitely NOT a good thing for us... His "interpretation" on the PGN scene -- there were 10 reviewers, 5 were fired, 5 remain, and each has a different speed/approach and attitude about adoption, and some are not very favorable toward adoption, and that accounts for the 2 weeks some people speed through, versus the 2 millenia it seems to require for others... I don't know how accurate this info is.

I met a number of families who were bringing home babies when I was there for the week. Almost every single family or parent was bringing home a 6 month old or less, and they all were with the same agency. Not my agency, by the way. If anyone wants to know who that agency was, PM me. If I had it to do over again, that's the agency I'd choose...all their parents seem happy, and it seems they know how to get the babies home quickly.

Anyway, nothing else I can do but wait, wait, wait, wait, as usual. But at least I saw my Bebito.

But next time, darn it, I'm bringing my Bebito HOME!!!!!!!!

BebitosMama

P.S. The news that next season's Survivor will be in Guatemala has distracted me from feeling frustrated and sad that I had to leave Bebito behind in Guatemala, again (see my separate post).

[shelbydog]

I just wanted to say welcome back - sounds like you had a wonderful time spent with your little one, and I wish you a speedy process so that you can bring him home very, very soon! I also PM'd you as I'm curious who the agency is that you mentioned....thanks!

[lovelivvy]

Another Welcome Home Bebito. I Am Happy You Had Some Special Time With Your Baby. I Think It Is Wonderful How You Have Such A Great Relation With The Foster Family. You Make So Many Bonds Through This Adoption Process, It Is So Heart Warming.
I Have To Go And Read Your Guatemalan Survivor Post Again-i Am Hooked.
Tracy

[jcelestino]

Bebitos Mama,
Welcome back!
Janet

[wvamom]

Congrats on your baby doing so well! And rats, on not getting to bring him back yet! That's the hardest thing, to see your child and then have to leave. At least you know he's well cared for--and what a positive outlook you have toward his foster family!

Here's hoping you're down there within a month to bring him home!

[JessKem]

Congrats on a great trip! We just got back also. We too had a wonderful. I probably saw you but just didn't know who you were. I was amazed at how many adoptive families were at the Marriott. Our agency had a lot of families there this weekend picking up also, but I don't think that they are the fast one. Our babies were all between 7-9 months.

[Amykk]

I'm glad that you had a nice visit and that Bebito is doing well. I pray that you get to bring him home soon!

[Princesa's Mama]

Welcome back!! We've been "bored" without you!! You always know how to liven things up here!
I am glad that you had such a nice time with Bebito! I wish that I could see my baby girl too--I am afraid that she will have forgotten us and will not be happy to leave her birthfamily, who is fostering her. I hope that we all are out of PGN soon!!!

[csw]

Hi
Glad you had a nice visit..aside from the air conditioning! I am glad you got to meet the foster family and talk with the lawyer..you boy sounds precious..it is a hard adjustment at that age but I am sure he will do fine.

[desilu1991]

Hey,

I'm sorry you had such a rough start to your visit.. I know 11 months must be a tough one because Luke turned 11 months today and he's got definite stranger anxiety now... it doesn't take long for him to warm up to just about anyone, tho and I know you saw the same thing with your little guy in the short time you were with him. I'm hoping and praying that they will release you soon... I can't imagine still being in PGN prison... Hang on.. I hope it's soon.. Luke is rooting for his "timeline buddy"... I'm glad that he has such a wonderful foster family and I know that makes you feel better, altho, it doesn't still hurt... I hope next week brings some great news for you and that soon I'm reading your post about your pickup trip!!! You are in my prayers, as always! Welcome home!

Judy

[nina03]

Welcome home, we've missed you! Soon you and bebito will be together forever. It sounds like your little one is amazing....