[mksilvermoon]

well - Carmen and Mum are home at last

attaching photos seems to be more than my brain can manage at the moment!

i promise i will figure it out somehow!

we actually had a really ok trip back - i was dreading 28 hours of travelling with a such wee baby (only 7 months) - but she was such a trooper!

she charmed everyone from guatemala to panama - we got back onto the flight and she then slept in her sky cot for 8 hours until we landed in Madrid
from madrid to bristol she napped and played - and sucked her bottle for takeoffs and landings each time (how lucky am I?)

we cleared UK immigration quickly in Bristol and then another short flight to Belfast - she arrived smiling ...

the car seat caused a minor meltdown - but once she got into the house and had a shower with me (!) she loves showers and all things watery by the way - she was ready to socialise again

there was a very small number of my closest friends at the house - and yesterday - and i have been very looked after by them - i feel so lucky in so many ways

she is sleeping now - she slept 12 hours last night and is now napping again - i think its exhaustion so i am letting her rest up

Carmen loves vegetable soup more than any baby food, may walk very soon because she keeps trying to pull herself up - so she may skip crawling completely

and through it all - she has sad moments - and i have cried when i think of how much she has been through in her short life - and how vunerable she is -and how much i hope that i can support her in making sense of her life - i am very aware of attachment and taking care to wear her in her sling loads, which she loves (ergo baby carrier - can't praise it enough!) so far so good - but i know it is very early days - I was glad to see Larue's post - i don't expect a quick transition - and love is a process not an event (imho)

and then she smiles and looks at me with an expression of pure love ... and time stops and nothing else at all matters

after such along process - 2.5 years - it seems surreal that she is actually here with me - i keep having to pinch myself

i am so happy to see the outs - and also remember only too well how awful the wait is at every point

B_fettes (Lu's Mama) is travelling home today - 28 hours too - so i am hoping they have safe and easy travels

I am so in love with Guatemala too - and so proud that is it now a part of my family heritage - what an incredible country - i can't wait to go back and keep learning more and more about it on all levels

must go look at her sleeping now!!! (what did i ever do before with my days?)

Mary-Kate

[grandmom2]

Thank you for posting. Glad you all survived that long trip. The OUTS are coming, at long last. Ours may be here too. My grandkids are siblings - boy 2+ yrs and girl 7 months. My kids just came back from 2nd visit. We have been trying to adopt for over 3 yrs and 2 countries, so I know what you mean. I have their pictures all over the walls but still find it hard to believe we will have them soon. I also carry and show their pictures to every one. The kids from Guatemala are so very beautiful, healthy, and well adjusted. Our foster mother is great and is also a nurse. She even took boy to dentist for checkups and is sending him to daycare to adjust to other kids his age. He is picking up English already. We are so very lucky. Sorry I am rambling but I am up at all hours waiting and waiting. Carol

[wvamom]

MK-that is soo sweet! I'm glad you had a good trip back. You certainly had an arduous process to get to bring your wonderful baby home.

Carolyn

[lburg]

Congrats, MK!! You've had such a long road!! I'm so happy you and Carmen are home safely!!!

[mildredjohn]

Mary-Kate where in the world I was that I missed your posts and more that you were OUT!!!!

ANyway we are very happy that all your hardwork and patience for being a mom is true and your little one is with you at home!

Enjoy your mommy time!!!

Congratulations.

[myguatbabes]

Mary Kate,

I am so happy to hear you are home. You have had such a long journey and now, finally it ends happily with your beautiful little Carmen home safely with her Mommy! I hope her transition continues to go smoothly and pray that God will continue to bless your family.

Blessings

[kvondera]

I have been following your journey here and on soul of adopt too, I am so happy for you. What a journey you have had! Now, your new life can begin as a mommy, many happy blessings for you both!

[KKR213]

Mary Kate:

Welcome home to you and Carmen! Sounds like you have a world traveler of a baby! I am so happy for you after your long process.

Enjoy every wonderful moment!

Kathy

[wannabamom]

I'm so happy for you and your baby !!!!! I'm so glad that the baby had an easy travel and you all had a good journey home too !!!!!!!!! congrats on making it home and I'm sure you'll need time now to get back to a routine !!!!!! Thanks for sharing your journey and your baby looks like a doll !!!!!! Can't wait to see pics!!!!!!!

[purplecat]

Mary Kate,


Girl, you did it...Congratulations! Enjoy every minute of this special time with Carmen.

Now...rest and share photos when time allows



Cathy

[ana-mom]

So glad you got home safely - what a long trip!

Get some rest and post some pics when you can.

[CEB]

Mary-Kate - it is wonderful to hear that Carmen is doing well and the joy in you just shines through your post! Welcome Home!!

[annaguat]

Congratulations upon bringing home your baby girl! Anna

[keirasmom]

Wonderful news, I'm so happy to hear you and Carmen are home safe! Can't wait to see pictures!

[knarfmo]

Congratulations on being home. It sounds like things are going very well.