In my last post I stated one of the first things I did when Isabella and I got to our hotel room was put her in the "Rena" Dress.
The "Rena" dress is one of the dresses I bought my friends Angela & Bill's daughter when she was a newborn. I love(d) that dress. It is white with a gauzy overlay with little pink flowers on it. I always thought Rena looked adorable in it as a newborn (and Auntie Becky certainly wouldn't be partial).
When Rena was about 3 years old Angela gave me the dress back. I remember saying to her, just give it to Jasmine (her sister) for her one of her daughters. I think I was about a year out from my hysterectomy; I never in a million years expected having a daughter who would fit in that cute little dress.
Angela adamantly refused to send the dress on to Jasmine; she insisted I take the dress back (and those of you who know Angela understand the statement "insisted"). I am so glad she made me take the dress back.
That first day with Isabella I remember proudly taking her all over the hotel (the adoption agency rules forbade us from leaving the confines of the hotel). I remember going into the Jade Shop at the hotel and the gentleman waiting on me asked if I was in the country on business or pleasure. I remember saying I was there to visit my daughter. He asked me if she worked at the Marriott; I laughed telling him Isabella was my daughter. (OK, so he thought she was my Granddaugher),
So after strolling the hotel grounds...and showing off the most beautiful baby, we went upstairs to our room where I received a phone call; I initial thought it was my cousin, Lorei who was in Guatemala with Physican's without Border's group, but it was Auntie Angela. Isabella was cooing away, and Angela was the FIRST of my friend's to hear Isabella...in her "Rena" dress.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Love at First Sight
I received the referral for Isabella in December. The first of February I let the agency know I'd be going to Guatemala in late February. I was told the paperwork was going quickly, and this may not be soon enough for Isabella to be a US citizen when I finally brought her home. Oh what to do?? I really wanted her to be a US citizen as soon as she entered the country because it was less paperwork. So on Friday February 12th I decided to fly to Guatemala on Sunday morning...yes, two days later. Oh yes, and I would only be staying over night.
So the flight and hotel were booked. Now I just needed to sit back and relax...right.
On Saturday I was so excited, anxious, nervous, and a little frightened I couldn't sleep. So naturally I stayed up all night making a baby blanket. I've made many, many blankets for my friends over the years, but this one was for MY baby. I'd like to tell you it was a beautiful pink, lilac and purple, but oh no, it was a pee green.
So I am up before the sun on Sunday. I am pretty sure Angela took me to the airport that morning. I flew into Miami and then on to Guatemala City. I remember waking up as the plane started to descend into Guatemala. My first thought was, "What a beautiful city, all ringed with mountains." My next thought was, "What if this is a big mistake!! What if she hates me? Maybe I don't want to be a Mom?" Terror, absolute terror.
It was about 10 am when I got to the hotel. I called Fifo, my contact; we would meet in the lobby in about an hour. Jitters, nerves...
Finally I head downstairs to meet my daughter. When I first saw her she was in her Foster-mother's arms (Ruby), sound asleep. I took her into my arms and burst into tears. She was perfect. Simply perfect. What had I been thinking being nervous. So silly. I just cried and cried, telling her what an amazing, perfect baby she was. Ruby was trying to give me information about Isabella (eating schedules, etc) and I am completely oblivious.
After about 10 minutes or 12 hours, I am not sure which I stopped staring at Isabella and asked questions, "how long does she sleep at night?" (all night), "how frequently does she eat?" (every three hours), "what do I need to do for her earrings" (the only words of English Ruby didn't need translated; nothing she had them pierced at a week old).
So Ruby and Fifo were getting ready to leave when Isabella woke up. What amazing brown eyes; and then she smiled, her "gummy girl" smile. She was the most beautiful baby in the world. Really.
She was perfect; I took her upstairs and counted fingers and toes, checked her hips and back. And then dressed her in the "Rena outfit". It was the best Valentine's Day EVER!!
So the flight and hotel were booked. Now I just needed to sit back and relax...right.
On Saturday I was so excited, anxious, nervous, and a little frightened I couldn't sleep. So naturally I stayed up all night making a baby blanket. I've made many, many blankets for my friends over the years, but this one was for MY baby. I'd like to tell you it was a beautiful pink, lilac and purple, but oh no, it was a pee green.
So I am up before the sun on Sunday. I am pretty sure Angela took me to the airport that morning. I flew into Miami and then on to Guatemala City. I remember waking up as the plane started to descend into Guatemala. My first thought was, "What a beautiful city, all ringed with mountains." My next thought was, "What if this is a big mistake!! What if she hates me? Maybe I don't want to be a Mom?" Terror, absolute terror.
It was about 10 am when I got to the hotel. I called Fifo, my contact; we would meet in the lobby in about an hour. Jitters, nerves...
Finally I head downstairs to meet my daughter. When I first saw her she was in her Foster-mother's arms (Ruby), sound asleep. I took her into my arms and burst into tears. She was perfect. Simply perfect. What had I been thinking being nervous. So silly. I just cried and cried, telling her what an amazing, perfect baby she was. Ruby was trying to give me information about Isabella (eating schedules, etc) and I am completely oblivious.
After about 10 minutes or 12 hours, I am not sure which I stopped staring at Isabella and asked questions, "how long does she sleep at night?" (all night), "how frequently does she eat?" (every three hours), "what do I need to do for her earrings" (the only words of English Ruby didn't need translated; nothing she had them pierced at a week old).
So Ruby and Fifo were getting ready to leave when Isabella woke up. What amazing brown eyes; and then she smiled, her "gummy girl" smile. She was the most beautiful baby in the world. Really.
She was perfect; I took her upstairs and counted fingers and toes, checked her hips and back. And then dressed her in the "Rena outfit". It was the best Valentine's Day EVER!!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Fireflies
Just a short reflection....
Tonight Isabella & I spent the evening at TOP (Top of the Park) in Ann Arbor. I watched my daughter run around with her "new friend" she'd meet this evening trying to catch fireflies. The joy on her face when she would catch a firefly. She proudly showed it to all of our friends.
Is there any greater joy than this? It brings back wonderful memories of my own childhood. And I hope this will someday be a part of Isabella's sweet memories.
Tonight Isabella & I spent the evening at TOP (Top of the Park) in Ann Arbor. I watched my daughter run around with her "new friend" she'd meet this evening trying to catch fireflies. The joy on her face when she would catch a firefly. She proudly showed it to all of our friends.
Is there any greater joy than this? It brings back wonderful memories of my own childhood. And I hope this will someday be a part of Isabella's sweet memories.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Bucket List??
So this last weekend we spent the weekend with my college room mate, Laurie. At one point she asked me what was on my "bucket list". My only response was "raising my daughter."
When I really think about this question, I still don't have a different response. My dream for so many years was to have a child. Anyone whose done the fertility route can pretty much tell you what an obsessive compulsive, all consuming roller coaster ride it is. And then I became the Mom of the most special baby in the entire world.
Of course I have dreams for Isabella and I. Someday I hope we will work in the National Park system together. Her during her summer vacations from college and me in my motorhome/camper. She can live in the dorms of NPS and me in my quiet camper. I am hoping she gets over her fear of all bugs before this.
So I guess my bucket list of Summer 2011 include: going to DisneyWorld in the next year, getting a good enough second job for the fall & winter so I can take most of next summer off to spend with Isabella, scrapbooking once a week with friends and getting my house clean.
I don't think this is what Laurie had in mind.
When I really think about this question, I still don't have a different response. My dream for so many years was to have a child. Anyone whose done the fertility route can pretty much tell you what an obsessive compulsive, all consuming roller coaster ride it is. And then I became the Mom of the most special baby in the entire world.
Of course I have dreams for Isabella and I. Someday I hope we will work in the National Park system together. Her during her summer vacations from college and me in my motorhome/camper. She can live in the dorms of NPS and me in my quiet camper. I am hoping she gets over her fear of all bugs before this.
So I guess my bucket list of Summer 2011 include: going to DisneyWorld in the next year, getting a good enough second job for the fall & winter so I can take most of next summer off to spend with Isabella, scrapbooking once a week with friends and getting my house clean.
I don't think this is what Laurie had in mind.
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