So Precious!

I had to grab my camera first thing this morning to catch a few of Cohen´s new tricks. He is so much stronger already and enjoying being on his tummy now that he learned he can move!

Let´s see... So much to tell, but I only have about 4 more ounces until Cohen needs me! Today we went to the children´s home (Semillas de Amor) and toured the home. It was very nice and yet heart-breaking at the same time. Most of the children there have been matched with families, but are just waiting for their adoptions to be complete. You know I kept asking, "Does he have a family waiting?" They were all precious!!! We will definitely be going back. I think when Robby comes, he and Cohen can have some bonding time while I go hold some babies. Some were just a few days old and so tiny!!!

Cohen is doing new things every day. He can now roll over several times and thankfully we will be borrowing a crib on Friday -- thank you so much Holly! We will be meeting Myriam (very nice Guatemalan lady who is a friend of a friend)in the city on Friday to pick up the crib and exersaucer. Friday will be a busy day. Doctor´s visit for Cohen, pick Robby up at the airport, meet Myriam, back to Antigua. Because of traffic, our driver is picking us up at 6 in the morning.

OK, I´m sure you want to see more pictures. Cohen is loving playing in the grass. We have a tiny little courtyard area in the middle of our apartment, which is perfect for him to roll and practice sitting independently. Today he did a great job and did not even fall over! So proud!


Sweet little girl we met at the market. She loved Cohen! He played hard-to-get.





That last picture is our view as we step out of our apartment. That volcano is our compass -- as we wander and explore, we always find our way knowing that the volcano is south.

Hope you are all doing well at home. Thank you so much for your comments and email. It is so good to hear from home! As much as we love our time here, daily tasks are so much harder in a foreign country where we barely speak the language. So good hearing from you!

Don´t Drink the Water!!!

Not sure exactly what made me sick, but yesterday was not so good! Thank goodness I am feeling better today. Just wanted to post a few pictures of Cohen at the pool. He loved the water and I can´t wait for Robby to see him swim!

I brought lots of books for Cohen to enjoy and he has chosen his favorite... Brown Bear. He studies each page and especially likes the page with all the children. He has the longest attention span and enjoys all his toys. Are you wondering why he is dressed in his bathtub? Our floors in the apartment are not the cleanest and hard wood and since he is still falling backward at times his inflatable tub is the perfect play area.

More pictures soon!

A Great Day!

We had the best time at Hotel Antigua this morning. We met several other adoptive families while enjoying brunch and swimming. Definitely going back next Sunday! My mom got some great pictures of Cohen´s first time in the pool, but of course I forgot to put the camera cord in the diaper bag again. Oops! He loved the water and just splashed and kicked for the longest time.

We found an internet cafe that Cohen seems to enjoy. The deal at this one -- buy one beer and get 15 minutes of free internet! Ha! I did not take advantage of the deal, but you know my crazy mom... Just kidding!

More pictures tomorrow and five more days until Robby comes!!!

More pictures!!!!

OK, I am sure I sounded a little stressed in my last post. Things are getting a little easier each day. Here are just a few more pictures of Cohen. He really is the most precious baby! Think I am spoiling him -- I don't have a crib or pack 'n play, so he has been sleeping with me. I love waking up to see him smiling each day!!! He doesn't cry when he wakes up -- just starts kicking his legs. His favorite game is peekaboo. He covers up his entire face with a blanket and laughs and laughs when I under cover him.

Another cute story -- the other day my mom was holding him and said, "Baille! Baille!" (Dance!) He smiled and started dancing! Hoping to get video of that soon -- just adorable!!!

Relaxing in Antigua?

Well, when I imagined being in Antigua I sure thought the days would be slow-paced and lazy. Boy was I wrong! It has been wonderful so far, but we are so much busier than I thought! Maybe after a few more days things will slow down. Cohen has been perfect through all the craziness. He just smiles at me patiently as I make a bottle or try to find a bib. The only time he gets a little impatient is now when we are at an internet cafe trying to show off our latest pictures of him. So my posts will probably be scattered and not make much sense for a while.

Here are a few pictures from this morning. He is wearing one of my favorite outfits (size 12 month -- Hunter) with a shirt that says My Mom Rocks.

Guapo Nino!!!!

Things here in Antigua have been busy and wonderful! Yesterday we spent most of the day trying to find places around the town and get settled in the apartment. Should I mention that we got locked out of the apartment briefly? The key wouldn´t work, but finally did work -- shew!

Today we had our first shopping experience at La Bodegona. We walked there (about eight blocks) and then caught a tuk tuk back to our apartment. Wish I took pictures of Cohen then ... he LOVED bouncing around the cobblestone streets!

More later... Cohen is ready for some down time at the apartment. We have been keeping him really busy and I think he is ready for some quiet days in the apartment now that we are almost settled.

Hola!!!!

Just a really quick post from Antigua ... Cohen is getting antsy in the internet cafe. He has been happy and sweet, even after a very busy day yesterday. He has the cutest hair that spikes up at times and two bottom teeth! I wanted to post some pictures and a short clip of him splashing in the sink last night, but I forgot to bring the cord for the camera with us. So many things to remember! We are off to the park for now -- hoping to visit with other fostering families and buy a Guatemalan sling for Cohen. (The Baby Bjorn is great, but a little snug on our little hombre.) More posts later and I promise to post lots of pictures!!!! Thank you for your prayers! Still amazed that we are out of PGN and will be bringing him home soon -- the attorney said she thinks only one month! Adios!

They made it and we got some news.......

Lori and her mom made it safe and sound to Guatemala today and are enjoying some quality time with Cohen. To our surprise the attorney had some news for us, yes that's right Cohen is OUT OF PGN!!!!!!!! We couldn't be happier or more surprised about the amazing timing of this news! Thanks to everyone for your prayers to bring Cohen home, it truly is a blessing to see God answering your prayers throughout Cohen's adoption.

Lori will update more tomorrow with some pictures and more details about their travels. I (Robby) just wanted to keep everyone up to date about our wonderful news.

Happy Father's Day Weekend!

This will probably be my last post from the US for a while! Today I will be finishing up with work and then heading to a Mom's Night Out with the Latin Family Connection group. I have learned so much already from this group of moms -- most with children from Guatemala. Tomorrow we are celebrating Father's Day with my parents and Sunday with Robby's parents. Then I will be leaving for Guatemala bright and early Monday morning! I should arrive around 11:45 (their time -- two hours behind our time) and meet Cohen at the attorney's office at 12:15!!!

In honor of Robby's first Father's Day, I thought I would post of few pictures of my two boys during our visit trip. I know some first time dads are a little nervous about their new role, but being a dad just comes naturally for Robby. He changed diapers like a champ and always had that magic touch for getting Cohen to sleep. Robby is going to be one of those dads who not only makes it to every soccer game, but coaches the team. I know I have to soak up every minute of being with Cohen in Guatemala, because once we come home I have a feeling he is going to be Daddy's Boy for sure!

Earthquake in Guatemala

My blogger friend Lou is in Guatemala City with her precious daughter Anne Pearce and she just posted that there was an earthquake in Guatemala. I almost think it is better for me not to know about these things. Reminds me of a few months ago when my dad called (on the weekend when I could not contact our agency!) telling me about the huge sink hole in Guatemala. Lou said they were all OK at the Marriott, so I will try not to worry.

Here's what CNN is reporting:

(CNN) -- A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Wednesday just off the Pacific coast of Guatemala, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Early reports indicated some homes were damaged and people may be missing, journalist Patzy Vazquez told CNN en Español.

Torrential rains have made telephone communication difficult, hampering efforts of rescuers trying to reach the region.

The USGS has received no confirmed reports of damage or casualties, and no immediate reports of aftershocks, the agency's Rafael Abreu told CNN.

As a precaution, authorities were evacuating high-rise buildings and homes that might be vulnerable to damage if there were any aftershocks.

The quake struck at 1:29 p.m. (3:29 p.m. ET), about 70 miles from the capital, Guatemala City.

The quake's intensity, according to the USGS, was such that it was also felt in El Salvador.

The quake's epicenter was about 40 miles below the Earth's surface, the USGS said. Earthquakes centered closer to the Earth's surface generally can cause more damage.

In this case, the quake's depth and distance from shore are likely to limit the extent of the damage, Abreu said. "Had it been closer to the surface, then you would expect, certainly, more critical effects," he said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.

The disaster coordination team was trying to contact local municipalities, Benedicto Giron, a spokesman for the nation's disaster coordination agency, told CNN en Español.

Earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater are considered "strong" by the USGS.

CNN meteorologist Chad Myers noted that seismographs on Midway Island -- in the north Pacific, some 1,800 miles away from Guatemala City -- registered the earthquake.

The seismograph detected the shaking about seven minutes after the quake struck, he said.

On Friday, a 5.8-magnitude quake struck offshore Guatemala in almost the same spot, the USGS said. Its epicenter was about 60 miles from Guatemala City.

Busy, Exciting Times... And a Really Long Post!

It has been busy and exciting around here. On Saturday, Robby's family held a shower for Cohen. It was so much fun and Cohen got so many adorable things!


This basket was too cute filled with my favorite Eric Carle books. I will definitely have to remember that idea for future baby showers.


Robby's sister Melissa made the sweetest shower favors -- candles with a note attached that said:
"Here's a candle for you to light
Once Cohen has made his homeward flight
And with the flicker of the flame
Please say a prayer in this family's name."



Cohen's room is also almost ready for him! My mom finished the quilt, curtains, dust ruffle, and even made the sweetest little wallhanging:


We've got his car seat and stroller...just have to get Cohen home!! I keep praying that we will get the call soon so Robby can head to Guatemala too.




It's hard to believe in less than one week (six days to be exact!) Cohen will be in my arms. I am so thankful that I have this opportunity to be with Cohen in his birth country. I am looking forward to so many things -- watching him try new foods for the first time, teaching him patty-cake, kissing those chubby cheeks. I won't be taking a laptop with me, but I have found a few internet cafes in Antigua so I will be stopping in frequently to check email and post pictures of our little cutie.

I also feel like this extended stay in Guatemala is a great opportunity for me to make a small difference in the country. A friend of mine told me about Semillas de Amor (Seeds of Love) which is a children's home outside of Antigua. I have contacted the director and we will be bringing a few supplies for them. The problem is that our suitcases are full! I am hoping that with the help of our church, family, and friends we can really make a positive difference for the children at Semillas de Amor.

My mom is going to be working with the older children -- helping them make a quilt of their very own. I know that is going to be something they will cherish. I am not sure exactly how I am going to help. Maybe loving on the kids and making their needs known to others who can help will be my role. I will be posting more about this children's home once we visit.

Thank you all for keeping Cohen and our family in your prayers. We continue to pray daily for all the babies in Guatemala who are waiting to come home!

Sweet Dreams

There's nothing better than new pictures of our little man! We also received a medical update today... Cohen is up to 19.8 pounds! When I looked at these pictures, my first thought of course was how gorgeous he is. I mean, look at that sweet face! Then I noticed what his foster mother had dressed him in -- a little blue outfit we brought for him. She even tucked the quilt his Nana made for him behind his head. Cohen's foster mother is so loving and thoughtful. My heart breaks for her when I think about the day that she has to say good-bye to Cohen. Of course we will stay in touch with her and send her pictures, but this is a baby that she loves and has taken care of since he was born. I have started writing her a letter... but how do you truly thank a person who has done so much for your family?

I have also started writing a letter to Cohen's birthmother. This letter is even harder to write! I want her to know how much we love Cohen and how our family and friends can't wait to finally meet him. I just can't put into words what I feel in my heart. I look forward to meeting her, hugging her, and writing down things she wants us to tell Cohen as he gets older.

Just look at our little guy... I think he is dreaming of his Mommy and Daddy. Cohen, we are praying that you get out of PGN very soon so you can be home where you belong!

Let's Start Packing!

I am almost afraid to say we have an apartment, but I really think we do this time! Someone who had fostered recently in Antigua gave me the name of a very nice lady she rented an apartment from. She was very helpful and we think we found the right place for us -- an affordable, 2 bedroom apartment (with laundry) near the park. Yea! So, I booked the airfare and let myself get excited about the trip. It's starting to feel real... in two weeks from tomorrow I will be holding Cohen!!!

So it's time to start packing! I have been mentally packing for a while now, but this weekend I actually started putting things in suitcases. And boy did my suitcases fill up fast! Cohen's suitcase was stuffed first and now mine is half-full of things he will need as well. Can you picture me walking (gracefully, I'm sure) through the airport -- two suitcases, a carry-on, a diaperbag, a stroller, and no baby. I might as well face it, I am going to get some strange looks!

I know so many of you have been praying for our family from the beginning. We appreciate it so much and have seen how God has answered our prayers again and again. We continue to pray that Cohen's case will move quickly through PGN without any kick-outs so that Robby can join us in Guatemala soon!


I am so thankful for my boys!!!