Jwaye Nowèl To Us!

That means Merry Christmas in Creole.

We received a letter in the mail today from Vivian with Heritage Adoption Services saying that our dossier should be in Haiti by early January! Now breath a sigh of relief with me. I am so excited. One more step down only a few more to go. Our dossier is all the paperwork we gathered, each document was authenticated, and translated and now is ready to be presented to IBESR in Haiti. I'm not sure what else has to be done with it in Haiti before it goes into IBESR but it shouldn't be long now!

IBESR is Haiti's Social Service Department. IBESR is where a social worker will look over all of our documents and decide whether to approve OUR adoption request.The director of IBESR, the IBESR lawyer, the head of adoption services at IBESR, and the IBESR social worker must all sign off on our dossier. This is four stages of approval.

Our file could be in IBESR anywhere from 2 months to 6 months or even longer but this is the typical range. In an effort of positive thinking I'm going to hope for two weeks. Realistic? Probably NOT but what can I say I'm eternally optimistic.

Also, in one last effort of positive thinking could everyone please send lots of positive happy birthday thoughts to Kobe on January 9th? He turns one and it would be really good for him to know he's loved all over the world.

More pictures!

So cute!

I think he's waving "hi mommy and daddy!"

This has to be the most precious little hand ever!

Do you think he loves the photos?

Seems to be very interested.

How cute is he?!?!?!?!?!

Ok so this is our darling son with his Aunties at the Creche!

Very sweet email

I just wanted to post this email from the couple in North Dakota. It makes me cry, I'm so happy!


I am so glad that we got to meet your son. He is absolutely gorgeous and has perfectly soft little skin. He has dimples in his elbows and on top of his knuckles, just like a plump baby should. I took lots of pics of him holding your photo sheet and holding his new soft rattles and chewies. He was getting ready to go to Port-au-Prince, i think for a Dr. checkup and was dressed so cutely in short overalls. He smelled of fresh baby powder and lotion and is a quiet, sweet little guy. He sat on Marc's lap and looked back at him occassionaly, trying to figure out who we were. He notices everything going on around him and looks at you with these large, sensitive eyes that seem to say "hold me." He never cried when we would see him and always seemed content. We are making a disc for you today. It has all of our pics on it but you will know for sure when you get to Loudince's photos. One photo I really like is a close up I took of his little hand. He was sitting in the chair by the door with his little hands on his knees and each dimple was so sweet to see. I hope you like it as much as I did.
He is quite a special little boy and I know he will love you.

December visit group home!!

Ok I'm admitting it, I know it is incredible selfish to say but I'm soooo happy that the December visit group is home from Haiti. It means photos are coming soon! Some really nice people from North Dakota took some small presents down to Loudince with some photos. They personally handed them to him and said they gave him lots of hugs and kisses for us. They will be mailing a CD with the photos to us!

I know this is going to be a long process (it already is). I am over the top optimistic and I have to say this adoption is so fun. I recommend it to everyone. Every morning I wake up wondering what Kobe is doing and if I will get photos or an update.

The other day in the mail I got his duvet cover for his bed, a box of enfamil formula for the creche, and an American Baby magazine. All in one day! I have to say it's about time I had baby things in my house and it is so cool!

Anyway, keep watching, we will have photos VERY SOON!!!!!!

Tropical Storm Olga

It sounds like Haiti is going to get another storm. Keep in mind a tropical storm for us is very dangerous for a country like Haiti. This was posted on the Creche forum regarding the tropical storm. The Creche is where Kobe is right now. He is no longer at the transition house. I am confident the creche is well built and he along with all his friends will be safe and dry!

At 7 a.m. EST, Olga was centered about 110 miles west-northwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, and about 65 miles off the eastern tip of Cuba, according to the hurricane center.
The storm passed through the southwestern areas of the Dominican Republic that were hardest hit by Tropical Storm Noel six weeks ago.
Authorities evacuated 22 communities in eastern provinces to prepare for the storm.
“Every civil defense agency has been activated,” emergency services spokesman Luis Luna Paulino said.
In neighboring Haiti, the government earlier had warned people in coastal areas to prepare for evacuations and urged fishermen to remain in port, said Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste, head of the country’s civil protection department.
Olga was moving westward at about 19 mph. Forecasters predicted it would gradually weaken into a tropical depression as its center continues across the Caribbean between Cuba and Jamaica.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for the northern coast of Hispaniola, the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, meaning tropical storm conditions were expected there within 24 hours.

Update!!!

Well we got our November update yesterday! This is so fun. To summarize:

Kobe is: Joyful, Nice, Handsome, Observant, and Cute! He is crawling very well and has perfected holding things to pull himself up. His health is good although he had the flu he is all better. He is now 20 lbs and 28 inches tall.

Wow have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE this boy!