First Week

Well, we've been home a week now. Charli has been to see all of Jama's (my mom) bridge ladies, the water aerobics "posse", a trip to the doctor, out to the airport to meet my cousin Lisa and even in the pool. She's been a real trooper. Actually, she LOVES people.

The doctor appointment went well. She's 19.6 pounds and 29" long. She is now on whole milk and table food!!! I haven't found a food she doesn't like yet. As a matter of fact she can't get enough of any fruit I put in front of her.

Naps are still pretty difficult. She prefers to sleep while being held. As for bed time, I thought we had a routine down of a bottle, a little rocking and then off to bed. Well, now she doesn't want the bottle. And she still cries for a few minutes before falling to sleep. Last night she woke up at 3:30AM and the only way to settle her down was a bottle. Tonight I tried to give her a little cereal but she only ate a very small amount. And would NOT take a bottle. I am hoping it's enough to get her through the night. We'll see.

I have taken pictures during the last few days, but have yet to post any. I needed to get wireless set up here at home and I've now accomplished this. Of course, we are off to Iowa Thursday afternoon for a work thing. We won't be home until Sunday so, I don't know how much I'll get done before then. Oh, well, just another part of motherhood I'm adjusting to. :-)

sara

HOME!!!!

We did leave Guatemala on Saturday. Got to the airport around 10:30AM and landed in MSP at 10:30PM. Travelling is exhausting. Charli was a trooper. She slept on both legs of the flight. She also flirted with the customs officer in Atlanta and I do think he liked her.



We landed in MSP and were greeted by Tony and Dani Murillo, Juli Pelletier and then Eric and Karen showed up. It was very nice of them to be there so late at night. We finally got home around 12:30PM. Charli would NOT leave my side. Let's face it, it was a whole new environment AGAIN!!! She slept with me. (it was easier) Sunday we got up and mom came over to help me out so I could get a quick shower. Then we went to their house and ALL of Eric's family came over at some point. Amanda loved her, so did Doby. Emma and Jake got right down on the floor and played with her. They also spoke to her in Spanish. It was a great day. She did sleep in her crib after fussing for about 20 minutes. She didn't get up until 7:30AM today.



Today, she fought naps real hard. So, again, I asked mom to come over. After showering, we went to Woodbury as I needed to get gates. Mom's bridge group was playing in town as well. Of course Charli fell asleep in the car. But didn't nap again all day. She just fought going to bed again, but this time only fussed for 15 minutes. I guess it's getting better. I am going to spend more time this week working on establishing a schedule. Consider all she's been through, she's a very good baby with a sweet disposition.

Again, thanks for all the support and we hope to see you all soon.

sara

Coming Home???

Ken, Maureen and Jane spent over 3 hours at the airport and got the best option for us. We are set to leave Guatemala at 12:50PM and fly to Atlanta. From Atlanta we are on flight #1134 and are supposed to arrive at MSP at 11:06PM. I know many of you wanted to meet us at the airport but due to the time do not want you to feel obligated to be waiting for us. We will certainly be hosting a "Sip N See" in the coming months.

Of course depending on Ike, things could change. But we're pretty confident of getting out of here.

sara

HURRICANE IKE

Do NOT come to the airport on Friday, Septem,ber 12, 2008!!!!! We will NOT be there. Our flights our cancelled.

We are going to attempt to go back to the airport tomorrow to see if we can get out Saturday or Sunday!!! So far they have us confirmed out of here tomorrow going to Houston, sit thru the storm and then fly out Monday. Or they have us confirmed out on Tuesday. That's why we are going to go to the airport tomorrow. I will do my best to keep you all informed.

thanks.

Sara

Day 3 in Guatemala

Sorry I didn't get anything posted last night but the battery on my laptop died. And then today by the time we got home from touring the city and getting Charli to bed, it's after 11 in MN. Here's a quick recap of the last few days. Monday night was rough!!!! Charli didn't want to sleep other than ON me. She likes to lay on your chest to sleep. Part of this is from co-sleeping with the FM and part because I've discovered is she has what we call "tummy twisters" or gas. She is in sooo much pain until she toots or burbs and then she settles down. And then of course, we had to be up at 5:45AM to be ready for our 6:40AM pick up. We then spent 2 hours at the USE. Can I just say that process is a joke. You hurry up wait, attorney turns in more documents, pay the fee and wait some more. You are called in groups to stand in line (you must stand) and then go to door #10. When I went in there it was what I'd envision if you were to visit an inmate. The USE employees sit behind a glass wall and pass forms to me through the glass. They stamp it and then I go back to the "bull pen" to wait for my name to be called. Once it's called I must swear to the documents accurracy etc. Then that's it. Come back the next day (today) at 3:30 for the VISA.

Today we had hired Victor Estucay to take us on a tour of the City. He was fantastic. My dad got along famously with him. He's the guy in the pix with dad and Charli. He took me to the embassy for another round of waiting. But it's all done now. And she is ALL mine!!!!

Tomorrow we are headed to Antigua and again we will have Victor as our guide. I expect another fun filled day. Each passing night and day, Charlotte has settled down. She LOVES having 5 adults fawn all over her. Typical Wenzel girl - princess through and through. Dad had her mimicking him tonight. What a hoot. And the poor girl has only taken about 10 steps since we got her. Actually, she prefers it too. She's a real snuggle bug. Can't wait for you all to meet her. Now, I must head to bed.

sara

First Meeting

The foster family arrived at 9:30AM with Tania's sister Mara who happens to live in Seattle. She was able to translate for us. It was wonderful to meet the whole family. There was Rudy (dad), Tania (the mom), Rudy Jr, ( the hottie - only 2o though), Melanie (13) and their adopted son Michael (18mo). We spent about 1 1/2 hours before the attorney showed up (late). It was great for both families to see how much she is loved. They had her dressed like a princess. She's petite, big nearly black eyes with the longest lashes I've ever seen. She has black hair and it may just have some wave to it.

Tania also made a pink satin memory box for me to have. It has the outfit she came home from the hospital in, the first toy I sent her, one red shoe (Tania kept the other). I will say there was NOT a dry eye when they finally left. Rudy Sr. was walking out the door backwards filming the whole time. This is the last child they will be fostering due to the law changes down here.

After we brought her upstairs she took a bottle, fell asleep and when I went to move her she woke up. We had melt downs from about noon thru her tubbie until about 8:00PM (Guat time). She is now sitting here happy as can be.

Here are a couple of pix of our first moments.

BTW, it's only 9:00PM here, so this is not late to be posting (eric.....)

Wow....

I am still in shock and disbelief. Funny though my stress/migraine headache I've had since April doesn't seem to be around anymore. However the stomach doing cartwheels has intensified. I've wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember and now I'm just days away from meeting my daughter. I'm excited, scared, nervous you name it.

This was Eric's chemo week and as he left the office Thursday, he stopped by my door and laughed a little. (which is a good thing this week) He told me once again, "your life is going to change". Oh, I know that but like I told him it's not like I have some wild social life. I mean all you have to do is look at my blog. I tend to sit down to do entries around 10:30PM or later. Now that's a social life. :-) And yes, I will now be responsible for another person. I look forward to caring for her, teaching her, watching her grow and most importantly just loving her. I hope and pray I will be a good mom to her.

I'm sure as the hours tick by before I leave I'll get more nervous and excited. I guess this is "adoption labor". As I said before, I will be taking my laptop with me to post some pictures. Check back soon.

sara, "the mom"

PINK!!!!!

I got my PINK email today at 3:30PM!!! My appointment is for next Tuesday 9/9/08 at the USE in Guatemala City!!! I've booked the flight and the hotel. Maureen, Jane and Mom all came to the office to get this done right away. Mom stopped to pick up dad and we headed to Barker's for Burgers, fries and beers!!!

This is still very surreal. We leave Sunday 9/7 at 2:55PM on Continental and arrive in Guatemala at 9:00PM. Charlotte won't be brought to me until Monday. We'll do some sight seeing and shopping while we're down there. We will then fly home on Friday 9/12 arriving in MSP at 4:47 PM on Continental flight #CO2950. For those interested we will come down into luggage by door #1 and I believe it's baggage claim #14. (when looking at the front of the airport it is the farthest door on the right!!!- I'll verify all of this too)

As I know more and my brain starts to fully function, I'll pass it on.

sara

Waiting for PINK!!!

I stalked the FedEx and by 11:30AM CST it was updated to say that as of 10:24PM (Guatemala time) the package was delivered to the USE!!! Now I am waiting - NOT too patiently for my PINK slip. I am thinking it will be here tomorrow and therefore my appointment will be next Wednesday 9/10. However, those who got PINK today have appointments for next Monday 9/8. So, if I get it tomorrow it could be for Tuesday 9/9. I don't care, just send me that all important email.

But I did have a pleasant surprise in the mailbox tonight when I finally got home from Juli and Dan's house. I have my copy of the DNA report along with a polaroid of Charlotte. It is dated 8/18/08 (her first birthday) and can I just say, she's adorable. She still looks like a peanut but I can't wait to hold her!! What a treat tonight. I'll head off to bed now with a smile not just on my face but in my heart.

I hope to post soon(like tomorrow) that I'm PINK!!!

sara