[lou0728]

Since our daughter will be "legally" ours when we exit PGN, do we have to have our agencies approval to go stay in Guatemala and wait for pink? Since we just had the k/o this week, dh and I decided that my boys and I could head down when we FINALLY get out to stay with the baby until we can all come home. I know all cases are different, but if we get out in 8 weeks that puts us at the end of the school year, and we could just pack up and go for the 4-8 weeks it takes. I don't want to miss another month in between PGN and pink. Anyone else do this???

[mommy2gabi]

We got out on March.16th. And my agency said if we wanted to we could come down and wait for pink. I couldn't go right away but am leaving on Apr.19th. I am planning on being there about 3 weeks. Our BC is taking longer because it is from Livingston. And then the embassy is so backed up.I wish I could have went sooner. Oh well I can't wait to hold our baby girl!!!!

[Hartclan]

As soon as I am officially in...and then out...I am going to try to go down there and be with this little man until we can bring him home! I am hoping to be able to work this out, but might need to get very creative to finance the extended trip!

[dac_cincy]

It depends on your agency's policy. But your baby is not yours until the birth mother signs off the final time after you are out of PGN, but right before the new BC, so they might want your wait until after the new BC in your name is issued.

[Mariais5]

With Bryce, we had planned a visit trip during Christmas break. We unexpectantly got out of PGN and had pink on 12/21, but our Embassy appointment wasn't until 1/6 because of the holidays.. We picked her up on 12/28 and kept her with us from then on..

I'm planning on going to Guatemala after my kids get out of school and waiting it out too.. We aren't allowed to foster, so I'll be on an 'extended' visit!

[lou0728]

I don't think that our agency would let me foster, but I'm hoping that they would let me go wait it out for pink with my boys!

[Mindybeth6]

We did not because DH only had 4 weeks of vacation time..he is in law enforcement...and didn't want to take family leave...they are under contract and can only use one week of their sick time for family leave anyway. Plus we just didn't have the mony to do so. However, we had a QUICK timeframe from OUT to PU...about three weeks and we were traveling...and I know things are much different now. BUt still we would not have been able to go and I had a fear that even going a LITTLE early...like after we were submitted for PINK that if we got an Embassy previo that if we were in Guat and they needed something that was home we would have had no way to get it. GOod luck in your decision!
Hugs

[jeannecr]

Not all agencies encourage it, but ours did. I went about a week after getting out of PGN, and ended up staying almost a month because of an I-72 and Embassy app't. backups. It was expensive, but I loved the bonding time with my son. If you are prepared to stay even if it takes a bit longer, then go!

[guatparents2be]

our lawyer generally does not allow fostering but will allow it after we have the baby's new passport (we just got out of PGN on 3/27). in the interim we could stay with him in the hotel in GC but we decided to wait until we can take him to antigua and not be trapped in the hotel.

my husband will be leaving in a few weeks & i'll join him around the 6 week post PGN mark hoping that we'll be coming home shortly thereafter.



good luck!

[guatamama]

After PGN, the birthmother has to sign one more time.

When this happens, your child is yours. Even if you have problems with the Embassy or anything else, that child is legally yours and you are responsible. If your child never is able to leave Guat because of legal issues, that child is YOURS!!! If there is any illness, physical issues, the child is yours!!!

You can do back flips and turn orange. If your child can never leave Guat because of any issues, whatsoever, the child is still yours and your responsibility.

This is something that alot of people don't understand, you have adopted this child and they are legally yours even if something happens between the last sign off and the embassy. Hard to understand after so many issues inbetween the last steps.

You have a child. If they become ill inbetween, the child is still your child!

GO!!! If you are able, ENJOY!!!

HUGS!!

[GuatMommy2Be]

It depends on your agency. I imagine that if they allow fostering, they will allow you to go down.

[DPline]

While what Guatemama says is correct - once the birthmother has signed for the fourth and final time after you exit PGN the child is legally yours - many agencies and attorneys will not allow you to travel until Pink is issued. Or at least highly discourage it because the time can be so variable. (Of course you can choose to fight that as the child is legally yours.)

Personally I did travel down the day before we expected Pink with our daughter, but that was at a time when Pink basically always came in 48 hours (Monday - Thurs.) and I72's were rarely issued. Also, there were no appointments so you could go the Embassy the day after being issued Pink. I know of people who have spent a month or more unexpectedly stuck in a hotel in GC because of unforseen delays getting the BC or Pink.

There is no right or wrong answer (though I would definetly wait until the final signoff has taken place) but just weigh the pros and cons.

Good luck!

[jemmawag]

I am hoping to be able to spend some time bonding in Guat before we come home. I too may have to call it an extended visit.

[wvamom]

Dpline--
Boy those were the "good old days," weren't they? We got pink with Joseph on Wednesday, flew to Guate on Thursday, had our Embassy appt. on Friday, then home on Monday--

Marcy,
Even 2 weeks from pink to appt. is looking good these days!

I would love to go down and wait it out--but the kids have school, dh and I have work, with limited annual leave, etc. It's a great idea, as long as you're prepared to stay awhile!
Carolyn

[JustBarbara]

Hi - Deb is right - there has to be one more relinquishment. You are very, very close - some agencies allow you to go at this point - others strongly suggest you wait.

Good luck - Barbara