I'm Legal Guardian!

I became Willow's legal guardian this week. That means that her adoption decree has been legalized by the Guatemalan governement. HUGE step to say the least. Today they are submitting paperwork to receive her birth certificate with our last name. When we receive that (1-2 month wait) we will travel about 4 weeks later. It is very likely that I'll travel in January, but a lot depends on how long it takes to get this birth certificate. In the mean time:

Here is the last care package I sent:
Apparently Willow loves dolls and she didn't want to put any of these down the day they took her to this store:

This is Sandra and Veronica's brother's daughter. She spends a great deal of time with Willow and is 10 months old:

Sister's perspective

Lily is writing a note to her sister (check out the fancy slippers and velvet dress):

The other night Lily was talking to her "students" after I'd tucked her in for the night (she does this every night). I thought I heard her screaming/crying, so I went running to her room. She asked what I was doing, but when I told her I'd thought I heard her crying she said "Mom, I thought of Willow and I just started laughing!" Here's what she's most excited about:

• Playing Littlest Pet Shop with Willow


• Teaching Willow how to color


• Showing Willow the Children's Museum - she thinks the bubbles will be her favorite


• Getting a Build A Bear of her own (remember when we made a Build A Bear for Willow? Back then I promised Lily that when her sister finally gets here we'd go back and make one for Lily, bringing Willow with us this time). She wants a Hannah Montana dress for it.


• Letting Willow eat rice and chicken and fish (my girl - always thinking of food)


• Watching movies - all of us watching together in my bed

My social worker thinks we'll travel in January or February. We are waiting now to be submitted to the govt. agency that creates the birth certificate - this takes about 2 months to receive. After we get the birth certificate it should be about 2-4 weeks 'til I travel. January is definitely not out of the question, but I'm thinking February based on recent timelines.

O - U - T

We are out. Yes we are. WE'RE OUT! I have been waiting to write those words since last March!!! One more time: WE'RE OUT!

Now we wait for a new birth certificate (with my last name), another DNA test (to prove she is the same baby we started with), a few signatures, etc. etc. I would expect to bring this bundle home in February. I'll get 6 weeks off work to stay home with her, and then she'll join her sister at day care with Diane.

On a side note - I had an email from Sandra the other day. She wrote that Willow has started biting her friends when they try to take her toys. She also wrote that she is usually loving and affectionate and loves to kiss and hug other children. YIKES! Does this look like the face of a biter: I sent her this cute little blue dress. She sort of looks like she knows we're out, huh?

Last time, I promise: WE'RE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!