Posted in Adoption
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Getting the call to go pick up your adopted child is an incredible experience. This time, we did at least have about a week's notice. And, you know an estimate of time about 2 weeks ahead. Ashley and Briana went with us. We drove to Atlanta (about 4 1/2 hours away) to fly out. Our plane was very late leaving because of mechanical problems. They had to bring in a new plane. Otherwise, we had a great flight this time, and were only in the air for 3 1/2 hours, with no stops. This was actually only the 2nd trip that I had ever been on a plane, so a short, easy flight was quite nice. The hotel had a taxi waiting at the airport for us. Taking a ride through the streets of Guatemala City in a taxi is a wild ride. We stayed in La Casa Grande, which was such a neat hotel. There is no AC, which is very hot during the day, but they do give you a fan. The nights are pretty chilly, though. In the center of the hotel is a pretty courtyard where the restaurant is. Almost everyone in the small hotel has a baby or child that they are adopting, so the atmosphere is so fun.
We arrived at the hotel at about 9:30 that night. The next morning we had free time to do some shopping. That's a lot of fun, but you have to cross La Reforma Avenue, which is a 6 lane street, and no one is doing under 60. Whoever is in front or beeps their horn the loudest wins. It is dangerous to cross, and pedestrians have no rights of way. We went to the "safe" shops, not the downtown market. There's a McDonald's across the street, so that's where we grabbed lunch. Guatemala City is basically like any other large city--traffic, high rise buildings, stores (even Chucky Cheese and Rooms to Go), but you have to throw in the occasional women in traditional dress carrying baskets on their head, or the man pulling a horse cart down this crazy road. Once you step outside the city, though, you are transported to another time. We went back to the hotel just after lunch, and waited for them to bring Daniella to us. It was a nerve wracking wait. I guess we felt like a nervous dad pacing while mom is in labor. They came around 1:30. We were on the upstairs balcony waiting, and jumping at every car that pulled in. : ) When they stepped out of the car with her, we snapped a couple of quick shots, then took off running to meet them at our room. It's a small hotel, but I did not want to miss her coming up the stairs. I was in sandals on a marble floor, and I almost busted it trying to turn and hurry to the room. I was shaking and in tears.
This was an extremely emotional experience. This foster mom had had our little girl since she was just 3 days old, and she was now about to turn one. The foster mother was crying before she even got to our room. She cried so much. She would cry, and I would cry. It was such a mixed feeling--finally holding my little girl, but feeling like I was taking away her little girl. In the midst of all of this emotion, you are having to have a meeting with the Guatemalan lawyer who has represented you in court, and the translator, trying to complete paperwork that has to go to the U.S. emabassy the next morning.
Daniella with her foster mother Daniella was somewhat bewildered when she first came in, but she took right to us. Never once did she cry that day. In fact the only time she ever cried was the next day when James came in the room, and it startled her. I had so tried to prepare us all for it to be a difficult transition for her, but it never was. It was like she knew this is where she was meant to be. (Many prayers had gone into this.) We had to be at the Embassy the next morning at 7:00. The appointment went smoothly, and we picked up her visa and other papers that afternoon. The rest of those 2 days were spent playing with our sweetie.
There were so many babies in the hotel that they ran out of cribs, so the first night they pushed 2 highback wicker chairs together and put a sheet on it. She was sandwiched between the wall and our bed. She had been sleeping through the night, but that first night, she woke up, crawled out of her makeshift crib over into our bed. She crawled up on top of us and just grinned. It was a priceless memory. Daniella had a ball on the plane trip home. There was a Guatemalan lady sitting behind me and she bounced on my legs (about killed me) half way home, playing peek-a-boo with her.
Looking out the airplane window
The only problems we had was after that episode where James came in and it startled her, she would not go near him. Everytime he tried to hold her she cried. She would only go to me or the girls. So, that meant I got to carry her through the airports and hold her most of the plane ride. She sat, or I should say stood on, Ashley or Briana part of the time. Man, I was worn out by the time we got back to Atlanta, and then drove that 4 1/2 hours home. I ended up with a severe sinus infection, and was in the bed for several days. So, Daniella had to do some Daddy bonding time whether she wanted to or not. By the time I was out of bed, they were best buddies.
Daniella now at 5 years old So those are the highlights of our 2nd adoption experience. It is a difficult and emotional job, much harder than my 2 pregnancies with c-sections, but it is so rewarding and worth it. It is an amazing journey.
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