Dominic's Homecoming Countdown

Well, we were hoping that we would get some good news when we returned from our trip but we didn't. PGN is requesting another document. Not from us . . . from there. Our lawyer doesn't have that document yet. So I guess you could say our file has been kicked out of PGN. Once we get the document, it will be resubmitted and go from there. So we are at a standstill and Dominic won't be coming home as soon as we had hoped. I know that lots and lots of people get kicked out and resubmitted, but of course I am sad that it happened to us. It is really hard after meeting him . . . we know how wonderful he is and we want him here! Now, because I always TRY to look at the bright side of things, here we go.BRIGHT SIDE OF THINGS LIST #1. Someone has actually looked at our file in PGN. That is good, because it sounds like things aren't moving very quickly there. #2. We really haven't been in PGN that long because we went in right before Christmas and they were closed until January 6th. #3. Our visit trip will definitely gave us an IR-3 visa; Dominic will enter the USA as an automatic citizen. #4. He needs to get a little bit bigger for that long plane ride! His foster mom will help him "ripen" a bit more, and he won't be too scared (or whiny!) on the plane. Wow . . . I'm good! I just managed to make my miserable self feel better! We'll get there. When God decides it's time for him to come home, he'll come home. . .BUT your prayers and good thoughts might persuade the Big Man to do it soon! Thanks for checking in . . . it might be a bit before I post again because I don't have much news now. I'll leave you with a picture because I have over 70 from our visit!

We pulled into our driveway around 1 a.m. this morning and I have been bouncing off the walls ever since! Our visit with Dominic was amazing. He is the cutest, happiest, sweetest little boy that I have ever met. Our flights went smoothly and we got to the hotel around 3:30 p.m. We were supposed to call our lawyer and she was going to call the family to bring Dominic to us. When we walked in the lobby of the hotel (which was BEAUTIFUL!) we noticed a woman, a young man, a little girl and a baby sitting on the couches. They looked at us. I turned to Frank and said "I think that's him! I think that's Dominic and his foster mom!" Frank said that he didn't think so and we went to the desk to check in. The waiting family kept staring at us and finally the woman brought the baby our way. I looked at her arms and I knew that she was holding little Dominic Carlos. "Carlos?" I asked her. "Si! Si!" she said as she smiled and put this beautiful little boy in my arms. Dominic's foster family is wonderful. It is so blatantly obvious that they ADORE him and treat him like gold. It was so very hard to take him away from them. Our lawyer joined us and translated feeding, sleeping and general survival details to us. She told us that our case was still in PGN and that PGN had just started to pick up from the holidays. Everything was still moving smoothly and she would relay news as soon as she had it. After a tearful goodbye, our lawyer and the foster family left. Dominic came upstairs to our room with us. He was laughing and giggling and showing us that he is a very, very happy little boy. Unfortunately, we had learned that he was teething and running a temperature. He became upset when he realized he was in a new place with new people. After about 2 hours, he was fine and was nothing other than pleasant for the rest of our visit. We had so much fun with him. He is a very funny little boy! The hotel was amazing and everyone was so kind. We met many, many wonderful people who are on this journey as well. We spent lots of time in the adoption room and learned so much about taking care of this very special little boy. When his foster family came back for him, we made our goodbyes short and sweet. We gave them lots of gifts for the family and for future babies in their care. I am so glad that we made the decision to visit Dominic. I recommend it to anyone adopting if it is within their means. Fortunately, we were so lucky to be given the gift of free flights from Aunt Linda. I would not trade those 2 days with him for anything in the world! I feel like I "know" this baby now. I know how he likes to be held and when he likes to eat. I know that he LOVES to watch people go by and is very content to sit and stare at everything going on. I know that he likes to make funny noises with his lips and that his giggle is the sweetest sound that I have ever heard. He adores Frank and fell asleep many times clutching Frank's pinky finger. He doesn't cry when he wakes up at night and loves to sleep with his arms stretched out. Today is hard on us both because we now know the reality of the pictures we have been staring at for 4 months. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and please say a prayer that we exit PGN soon. We need this little boy to come home with us! Thank you for all the kind wishes and thoughts . . . our trip was a success!

I thought I'd write today because I know that I will be running around like a maniac tomorrow before we leave. I can't even begin to find the words to express my excitement about going to meet Mr. Dominic. I am about to explode! Frank, on the other hand, is a bit nervous (travel + baby = scared). He's excited, but I think we need to get there and actually have Dominic for a few hours before he'll relax. I think we have everything ready, including lots of gifts for his foster mom and lots of fun stuff for him! Our lawyer will meet us Tuesday at the hotel. I called the hotel today to arrange for our shuttle from the airport. We still need to pack our suitcases. Sidebar for people adopting . . . get the vacuum bags from Bed, Bath and Beyond. You stuff them with stuff and then put the vacuum hose in them to suck the air out. AMAZING! You can fit so much stuff in them and they become flat. Anyway, I think we are ready. Video camera is charged, cameras have batteries, baby clothing is being washed, lots of snacks are being packed, and the immodium has been purchased (bad times in Punta Cana!) Oh . . . by the way, our adoption facilitator thinks we will be out of PGN soon. I'll ask our lawyer while we are there. Ok . . . this is it until we come back! I'll try to post a picture as soon as possible :) Please say a prayer that we have SMOOTH SAILING! Yippee :) PS Congrats to Betsy! She's OUT! Savanna will be home soon!

Just a little update! The little guy is 4 months old today. We received and update yesterday. He is still healthy and he's getting all of his vaccinations. He is still just a little over 11 lbs. and he is a little bit longer. We are still officially in PGN. Unfortunately, PGN has been on vacation. Not much movement on our case, but we expected that. All that matters is that he looks happy. Guess what! In this picture, he's wearing the outfit we sent him AND laying on the blanket we sent him! I LOVE that! We will meet him in 12 days, I don't think I could be more excited! Stay warm and healthy!

2006 is here! We don't have any new news about Dominic, but our week vacation was so much fun and so full of great news! We celebrated the Christmas holiday with both sides of the family and had a wonderful time. As always, we were spoiled rotten. We had wonderful visits with my grandfather Val and Frank's Aunt Mary. I had dinner with two of my oldest friends, Mandy and Chuck. I made it through "King Kong" but I did sob like a baby for about the last half hour (I might have been the only person in America who DIDN'T know how it ended before I saw the remake!). We went ice skating at the River Rink (see picture). For New Year's Eve, we had a traditionally great time at Perry and Chrissy's house; unfortunately, our good friends Pat and Aimee were really sick and we didn't get to spend New Year's Eve with them for the first time in about 7 years! My dear friend Amy and her husband Tony celebrated the early arrival of Alyssa Rose on Friday the 30th . . . Mommy and baby are doing great! Angela & Ryan, Kathy & Rick, and Meredith & Mark gave us MORE good news; Dominic is going to have a GANG of friends in the near future :) My blog friend Dennise and her husband have been visiting their little girl in Guatemala all week and will be home soon. My other blog friend Betsy is hanging in there and should be out of PGN very, very, VERY soon. Julie's baby Dylan is doing great and he enjoyed his first holiday with his forever family. Frank put a beautiful new floor in our kitchen and we are almost done with Dominic's room. It's been a great week. Tomorrow is back to work! I think you all know why Frank and I are VERY excited about 2006 . . . whether it's one month from now or 11 months from now, I can't wait! Goodbye 2005 . . . I wish everyone happiness, joy, and health in 2006!