WE HAVE PINK!!!

We got our e-mail this evening from the Embassy with our appointment date. It is set for Monday, July 28 at 7:15 am. We will probably be flying out early Sunday morning and getting back late Friday night. I cannot believe we will actually be holding our baby girl in less than a week! I already have Olivia packed and I have myself about half-way packed.
I am not going to be able to sleep or think all week!

Baby Shower #1

2nd DNA test is on its way

I was just informed that the results of Olivia's second DNA test is being sent out today to the US Embassy. That means we will get our appointment date next week and should be out of here the week after!

The Last Stages

I was told today that on 7-10 Olivia had her last DNA test done as well as her final medical exam. They said it usually takes 7-10 business days to get the results and then just a couple more before the US Embassy issues a visa date.

Embassy

Our cordinator told me today that we were submitted to Embassy today. She said we should be traveling in 3 weeks! It still all seems so unreal.
I don't know if we will still be in the states for our baby showers, but that's okay - I'll need stuff when we get home! :)
I'm still freaking out about making the travel arrangements and stuff. I hope it all goes smoother than I think it will.

Unbelievable News!!!

I just found out that Olivia's new birth certificate is complete! It was expected to not be done for a few more weeks, but I saw it - it has our names on it and everything! Our cordinator said she expects to hear about Olivia's passport next week. Looks like we will be traveling this month!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have so much to do, I'm kind of freaking out. Paperwork, her room, baby showers, travel arrangements, clean the house, Rachel's birthday, work, etc., etc. . . .

Another Roadblock :(

Last night I got home after 9:00 from work and checked my e-mail. I had one from my cordinator at FTIA titled "Guatemala City Birth Certificate." My heart started beating faster and I'm thinking "Seriously, that was super fast." Then I opened it and saw that it was bad news instead. I had been told when we got the call that Guatemala City would not be going through RENAP like a lot of areas of Guatemala are. Now it turns out that they are. From what I can tell by the information in the e-mail, it will probably be atleast the end of August when we get the birth certificate. So, I guess it could be closer to Olivia's birthday in October when we bring her home. I had not allowed myself to get too emotional through this process, but when we found out we were out of PGN I finally let myself feel something. I've been beyond excited. I guess that was bad, because now I'm feeling a huge let down.

She's officially ours!

I got word today that last Tuesday the birth mom signed the final adoption decree making Olivia officially ours. So, now we are waiting on Olivia's new birth certificate. It could be a couple of weeks.

Baby Showers

I can't believe we are finally far enough along to have baby showers! My friend Ginger is throwing one for me on July 19 and my family is throwing one on July 26. We don't know where yet for either. I have registered at tons of places (I've had plenty of time). It has given me something to do that has to do with the baby. There is a list of the places at the end of my blog page.
I know everyone is going to want to see Olivia when we get her home. My plan though is to just stay home for about a week before taking her out to see people. Then I plan on having a big 1st birthday party for her and everyone will be able to see her then. It will only be 1 to 2 months after we get home. I'm still jumping for joy that we are going to have her home by her 1st birthday. I had resigned myself to the thought that she would be older.

We're Out! We're Out!!!!

We got the call today that PGN has approved our case! That means we should be bringing Olivia home in the next 6 to 8 weeks!!!! We are actually going to have her home for her 1st birthday. I have so much to get done now. We really weren't expecting to get out for a while with the way things have been going there. I'll post as all of the little things get done that have to happen before we can bring her home.