Hi from Majuro - the breakfast order is in the kitchen and Peter and the 3 kids are outside on the patio exploring. Hannah has already run in here to tell me she saw a crab in the ocean. This is the start of day #6 of our journey here. It must have rained overnight because everything is dripping wet this morning! We don't hear the rain with our air conditioner running all night long.
Yesterday morning we walked over to the copy place across the street to make some copies for the U.S. Embassy appointment. We came back to find the birth family and a neighbor waiting for us. We visited some in the room and served some of our many snacks! Then we got a call from the lawyer to come to his office to prep for the embassy visit, so went there. Then back to the hotel for a bit, then the lawyer picked us up and took us to the Embassy. Just as last time - I love being in the US Embassy and seeing the President's picture hanging there. The picture of Peter and the kids above is in front of the hotel - waiting for our ride to the embassy.
Anyway - Embassy appointment went great - truly a breeze - birth mother interview, nice people, we had all the papers ready - no surprises. The kids were running around the embassy as if they had played there lots of times before. Jacob and Hannah were all eyes at the security we had to go through to get into the Embassy. The security was very interested in my epi pen and what it was used for. After the Embassy appointment, we went right to DHL and got the package of Boston's immigration documents ready to ship to Guam, Honolulu and then Manila. What a relief it is to be done with those first few days of business! Now we wait. The DHL package will leave here on Thursday - as that is the next flight out. After the embassy we all went to the pool, then brought some dinner back to the room. Showers and baths for all the kids - Boston did NOT like his so we did it super quick! He also did NOT like brushing his teeth! All the kids were asleep by 8pm and slept thru the night til about 6am. It was the best night of sleep for all of us since the trip began.
Boston is doing well - he had two really hard times yesterday when he saw his birth mother and then she left again. We have asked that we not see the birth family now for these next two days to give Boston a really good start in getting to know us. Then we will continue to add days between visits for Boston's attachment to us. Today we just have some errands to do, grocery store, laundry, a fax to our health insurance. That's it. We hope to begin visiting birth families for Jacob and Hannah too.
Well, breakfast is done - Boston enjoyed his short stack of pancakes! He has a good appetite and had chicken and rice for dinner last night. The clothes we brought that are 24 mo and 2T fit him well. He likes the toys we brought - but then also likes the vitamin bottle and shaking it to make noise. Bye for now! I'll send this with our love and thanks for supporting us on this journey! Lois
So so very glad that everything is going so smoothly paperwork-wise! Wonderful photos of your THREE kids, Boston's smile is so sweet and he looks very snuggly!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry he's having a difficult time, but I think it's really good you asked for time to bond. I hope each day gets better and better.
Thanks so much for posting too, I'm sure you have millions of other things to do! :-) Take good care of yourselves - wishing you all good nights of solid sleep for your whirlwind days - we miss you all!
xoxo Neil, Carol & Liana
Sounds like an adventure around every corner for the kids! Just having the ocean so near must be a huge draw to them. And I imagine that having Hannah and Jacob there really help Boston and his adjustment to the family. Love seeing Peter holding Boston.
ReplyDeleteHe sucks his thumb like Maddie does! We are both going to have to break them of that when they are 10- aren't we!
And so happy that the paperwork went smoothly and the facilitators are wonderful. Makes the entire journey so much more enjoyable.
Miss you- but am so enjoying your posts.
I have been having a taste for banana pancakes and may have to break down and get some in your honor!
Hugs and enjoy this day of errands and bonding as a family.
Love,
Kerry, Dave, and the girls
hi auntie lois,
ReplyDeleteim enjoying reading your posts!! boston is just beautiful! glad your process/paperwork is going so smoothly. what a huge answer to prayer! i look forward to more pictures! blessings and love to you all!
love, ang
Good morning Stenstrom 5
ReplyDeleteHope you had another wonderful nights sleep. Lois when we were there we woke alot of mornings and noticed it had rained. And like you unless it was a big downpour we couldn't hear it over the a.c. Glad to hear the embassy visit went smoothly and the new personal are good. On our trip to the embassy they were interested in a bottle of water and the dry formula in the bottle all in the diaper bag. I laugh it is always going to be something. I wondered if Boston was going to have a rough time with his birthmom still coming and going. I think you and Peter made a good choice in asking for sometime. Know it is hard on both sides but sometime life isn't always easy. It does seem like he is a happy little guy with lots of smiles and we can't wait to meet him.
Have fun seeing H.& J. birthmoms. I bet they will be amazed at how big and beautiful they are. You guys are so lucky to have 3 happy, healthy energy packed kids.
Enjoy the wait time and have fun visiting and bonding. Take care and know we are thinking of you lots.
Love,
Jerry, Deb, Anmaria and Lydia