[my2boops]

What I learned on the pick up trip...

1. Be prepared to WEAR your child everywhere! They usually don't want to be put down!
2. Don't dress formal for embassy appointment. Wear nice pants and dress shirt / blouse. Baby doesn't need to dress up. We dressed up our baby and had to change her because she broke out in a heat rash!
3. Rockers work really well in the middle of the night!
4. My doctor suggests 1/2 tsp Children's Benadryl if child is too upset to sleep.
5. When leaving, be at the airport at least 3 hours early! We almost missed our flight because of their computers being down.
6. Never lose track of your "sealed packet". One couple on our plane never had it when we arrived in the U.S.!

Anyone else have helpful hints?

[rapf777]

Thank you for this information...Its good to know...and CONGRATS on bringing baby home!!!

Rose

[Mariais5]

Just out of curiosity, what happened with the family who didn't have the 'sealed packet'??

[carrie2adopt]

I wondered about that too Marcy.

Ok, here's my contribution...on the plane, the tray table covered in a blanket makes a fairly decent bed for baby when someone keeps a hand on their back (in case of turbulence or something). An empty middle seat works even better.

Pack granola bars or something in case a flight is running late...we had an 8am flight out which didn't leave until 10am and both my mom and I are diabetics and neither of us had eaten...not a great thing, but we did have granola bars with us!

Pack an extra change of clothes for baby and you (I didn't need them but thought this was a great idea).

They only allowed us one bottle of water into the gate area because we had a baby, otherwise no bottles allowed. Once in the US...they didn't care how many we had as long as we bought them in the airport.

One of the best baby toys ever...an unopened bag of pretzels! Grace played with it for at least an hour.

Congrats on being home!

[Disneycrazed]

1. Guatemala is not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.
2.If you like coffee drink as much of it as possible in Guatemala because you will never have it made that good again. Also you can buy it and make it at home but no matter what you try it will never taste as good as it did there.
3. At the Embassy go to the side room and wait. It is nicer, there are places to sit, there are all adoptive families in there and you will hear your name called.
4.I will say again as an above poster stated... get to the airport EARLY... our plane took off a half hour early... I've been told that this happens A LOT.
5. There are no soda machines at the Westin.... And all the shops are closed on Sunday evening.
6. Talk to other adopting families.... This was one of the best parts of our trip.
7.The Westin is a wonderful wonderful Hotel.
8. Have the time of your life... This is a trip of a lifetime!!!!!

[Disneycrazed]

Ohhh one more thing... We didn't take a stroller.. we wore the baby. BUT... we WISH we had a stroller. There were so many times when it would have been so handy to have one.

[maxine10018]

All goood suggestions. Here are a couple.

1. Find a store and get some Diet Coke, soda for your room. If you are at the Marriott, Econo Super is right by the hotel. If your at the Radisson, Westin, etc, there are pharmacies and smaller stores all around.

2. Tylenol works well if your baby is not sleeping. It may sound crazy, but if you and your baby don't sleep you'll both be unhappy.

3. Bring your stroller. It can be gate checked and used right up to the door of the plane.

4. Bring enough formula and diapers for a flight that is twice as long as your schedule. That way you'll be prepared for any delays. Always ask at the gate if there is a place with an empty seat as your travelling with an infant.

5. Don't bother dressing up for the Embassy. I wore jeans and it was fine. The Embassy is packed... and the people you talk to are Americas. The important thing is to be comfortable. I was number 7 in line and still had to wait 3.5 hrs last week.

6. Get out of the hotel as much as you can. The babies love the interaction with others. GC is safe in the daytime and there are lots of places to walk around to.

7. Some of you say to be at the airport 3 hours early - man I can't image that. My flight was at 830am and we left the Radisson at 7am with no problems. We had enough time to even sit down and have some breakfast at the airport. Do what is right for you.

8. MOst important - have as much fun as possible.

If anyone has any specific questions - just PM me. I got back from out pu trip on Friday.

Karen

[MJane]

My comments ....

1. Take a umbrella stroller for sure.
2. Pack light.
3. Buy baby necessities in Guatemala - formula, pampers etc.
4. Agree with others Embassy casual dress.
5. Be at the airport 3 hours early..... we had flight problems and the Guatemalans are so casual they were flirting with each for 45 minutes while they worked on our flight... I was about ready to lose it... I was so glad we were there early.... I was so ready to get home..... If you don't have problems then bring a book.....

[widgit]

Go a day early and see Antigua or other parts of this gorgeous country and shop before you meet your baby.

Have a grandparent or neighbor set up to buy some perishables for your frig the day you return.

[CashCrew]

I agree with the airport suggestion! We waited almost 2 hours in line just to check in. It was a nightmare. We arrived at our gate within minutes of them pulling away for take off and we were there over 2 hours early. If we had missed that flight it would have been awful, but not the worst thing in the world because we didn't have a baby with us (visit trip) but I kept thinking about how horrible it would be with the baby. LOL

[tmlewis]

I ditto everything said above!

We came home from Guatemala almost a month ago now! We have been sick with sinus, ear and bronchial infections!

We are on the mend now and are currently in Missouri visiting my family. It is so special to share our joy and our son with family!!!!

Suggestions:

It is humid and warm during the day.....go swimming! We stayed at the Westin, Hotel San Carlos and Marriott and have experience with all 3 on our 1 trip to Guatemala. So much to say about that trip...anyway.....swimming is wonderful and relaxing! Our baby loved the water!

The mall just a few blocks away from the Marriott and Westin is really great. We found it at the last minute in Guatemala and didn't have time to shop!

The Mercado de Artesian (Artisan Market) near the airport has some really nice things and is a secure shopping area with a VERY good restaurant with a thatched roof!

Melodie

[my2boops]

Another thing I forgot to mention:

Give yourself an extra day before the embassy appointment. It is just in case of airline delays. Also, it will be better for attachment. Our baby SCREAMED the entire first night with us! I would have hated to go to the embassy the next morning with none of us having enough rest.

Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to the people who lost the sealed packet. They came in the waiting room and told the Immigration officials that they didn't have the packet. They then were taken elsewhere. I sure hope everything worked out for them. It's stressful enough to go through the process and to have that happen right at the end seems unbearable!

[linda512]

Be careful with the benadryl- some kids have a paradoxical reaction to it. My son did not sleep with it.
Take lots of pictures- you will want them for your scrapbooks. Include the foster family if they will let you.
You can bring bags into the embassy, just not cameras or electronic devices so you can bring a diaper bag and toys. It can be a long wait so bring stuff to entertain your baby.
I used a stroller and was glad to have it.
You can buy diapers and wipes in Guatemala if you don't want to carry them with you.

[maramal]

Bring an umbrella stroller - It saved us, Isabelle would fall asleep in it then we would move her.

Triple check that you camera is working before you meet your child!

I would say be at the airport at least 2 1/2 hours early. It took us forever to get through checkpoints.

[beverlyanderic]

all great info- thanks! one quick question about bringing electronics into the embassy. do they check for cameras and other electronic devices? just wondering if i can bring one in and then just not use it. i like to bring my camera everywhere

thanks.
eric