PGN getting closer . . . maybe

We were told this week that last week PGN interviewed our birth mother. And we were informed that the interviews done last week that included our attorney went well and were signed off on. So, I take that to mean that we have had our interview and the birth mom signed off on it and that is one less thing for me to worry about. I had been getting worried by the day because of things I have heard about the interviews. I know that part of the interview (which includes our attorney, our birth mother, Olivia and her foster mother and some people from PGN) is that the birth mother is supposed to hold the baby during the interview. I cannot even imagine how hard that would be for the birth mother.
We heard from FTIA today that PGN has released a few cases. They really don't know anymore than that. They said most of the cases that were released where KO'd with previos (changes needed), but they are not sure if any of those cases are with FTIA. So, we still wait for news . . .
I'm looking for new measurements for April any day now. I haven't sent the 6-9 month clothes yet, so hopefully she won't be grown out of them before they get there. I also have not called our foster mom yet. I need to find a good international phone card to call Guatemala.

The days drag on . . .

So, everyday that goes by since we found out about the PGN shutdown it all sinks in a little more. I think I have just been numb for the last several days, but the more people who ask about the adoption, the more I realize what it all really means. If the investigations in PGN take as long as FTIA expects them to we will likely not be able to pick up Olivia until the end of the year. I can say for certain that, at this point, it will be no earlier than September. Olivia just turned 7 months on May 9. Last night I went through the clothes I had recently bought that are size 6-9 months so that I can send them on over. I'm still holding on to some hope and keeping the clothes that are 12 month size. Olivia should be just starting to wear the 6-9 month sizes going by her latest measurements. I guess I should also be revising my registries. I have registerd at tons of places just to keep myself busy.

PGN Pain

We found out today that not only the main guy at PGN was replaced, but so was everyone else that worked there. PGN is saying that there will be a hold on cases for a month while they investigate current cases before things start back up again. However, according to FTIA we should not expect to hear anything about our case for atleast two to three months since there will be all new people learning a new job and they have about 3,000 cases to review. We have been in PGN for 51 days and may now be on hold for several months. There are a few things that help me not to be too upset: 1. we are in there with 3,000 other people and 2. there are people in our group who have been waiting in PGN since the beginning of December who now have a longer wait while their babies celebrate their first birthdays.
So, I am upset about the what is going on, but I will find a way to deal with it. I guess I will go ahead and send the 6-9 month size clothes I had bought to Olivia's foster mom and keep sending pictures of us. And I will remind myself that Olivia was blessed with a wonderful foster mom. I still have not called Eva, our foster mom, but plan to very soon. It is much overdue.
On the bright side, we did get new pictures of Olivia. She is 6 months old in the pictures. Olivia will be 7 months old on May 9.

The latest on our PGN status

We were told Tuesday that FTIA got word on Monday that we have been resubmitted to PGN. However, they are seeing cases go in, but none come out. Their theory right now is that PGN is still not reviewing or signing off on cases though.
We should be getting new pictures at some point this week. Probably Friday.

Measurements

October: 6 days old
48 cm long; 7lb,8oz
November: 1 month, 21 days old
54 cm long; 10lb, 4oz
December: 2 months, 21 days old
56 cm long; 11lb, 4oz
January: 3 months, 21 days old
56 cm long; 12lb, 6oz
February: 4 months, 21 days old
58 cm long; 13lb, 14 oz
March: 5 months, 21 days old
61 cm long; 15lb, 4 oz
April: none
May: about 7 months old
64 cm long; 16lb, 8 oz

PGN closed - April 28

We just found out yesterday that PGN is closed. We know this is because they are working on replacing Barrios, the guy over PGN. This will hopefully make things a lot quicker and more efficient when they are done, but we don't know how long it will take. It could be closed for only a couple days, could be a couple months or more. Olivia turns 7 months old in just over a week. We really want to get her home as young as possible. At this point it will likely be at least July when we are able to go get her and bring her home. We had been submitted to PGN on 3/17 and were kicked out on 4/17 because PGN wanted a new copy of the birth mother's birth certificate. We were due to be resubmitted last Friday, but I haven't gotten word that we were resubmitted, so I guess it will be after PGN reopens.

Timeline

Here is our timeline so far:

2/14/07 - application to FTIA
10/9/07 - Aura born
11/1/07 - referral of Aura
11/26/07 - DNA authorization
12/27/07 - enter Family Court
2/5/08 - DNA results - it's a match
3/12/08 - Pre Approval from US Embassy received
3/17/08 - exit Family Courty
3/17/08 - enter PGN
4/17/08 - Kicked out of PGN
4/28/08 - resubmitted to PGN
4/28/08 - PGN closed for investigations
5/23/08 - BMI in PGN
6/16/08 - OUT of PGN!
6/17/08 - Adoption Decree Signed - She's ours!

Aura Suhey Molina Castillo

On November 1, 2007 we got the referral for Aura Suhey. She was six days old in the pictures we got. Her birthday is October 9. She was a beautiful baby with lots of dark hair. Ken and I decided to rename her Olivia and keep Aura as her middle name.
Shortly after we accepted her referral Guatemalan adoptions were cut off.
We were lucky that her referral pictures included a picture of her birth mom and her foster mom holding her. We will treasure it for years to come and I know she will also. Olivia's foster mom is great. She has a husband and three teenage boys, so she keeps Olivia dressed pretty girly.