New Pictures!!!

Thank you so much for your advice. Looks like everyone is definitely liking the shelf the best... me too! Now the best news of the day -- we received new pictures of Cohen!

Notice the washcloth he is holding -- it is his security blanket. His foster mom is doing such a great job taking care of him. He does not take a pacifier or suck his thumb, just loves holding on to his washcloth.

Obsessing about the nursery...

I am so not a perfectionist. Usually I like to think about the "big picture" and I don't worry too much about details. Which is why it is not like me to be this obsessed about Cohen's room. I think I feel like his room is one of the only things I actually have control of right now so I want it to be perfect.

Things have been coming together with his room... Robby painted and installed extra shelves in the closet. We both loved the furniture this time -- remember how we hated the original furniture and sent it back? But I still can't make up my mind on how to hang Cohen's quilt. So please vote for your favorite...


Curtain rod with nickel clips


Wooden shelf


Wire with clips (not sure if this would be strong enough)

Shopping for Cohen

Yesterday our niece Katelyn celebrated her ninth birthday with her friends. She had a spa theme and so I helped out with manicures and pedicures. After their "spa treaments" we took the girls shopping. While Limited Too, Claire's, and Build-a-Bear were fun, I had the most fun at the clearance rack at Strasburg... I got Cohen's Christmas outfit for $12.97! I get so excited when I picture him sitting in front of our Christmas tree this year!



Someone asked me this weekend if the waiting was getting easier since we are getting closer to bringing Cohen home. I guess you would think that since each day brings us just a little bit closer to the day when Cohen is finally with us for good, it would get easier... but it doesn't. The uncertainty of WHEN is starting to drive me crazy. The fact that tomorrow he will be six months and not here is very difficult for me. I just don't know how much longer I can go through each day smiling and pretending like I am fine.

I shouldn't complain ... I am very thankful that we were able to spend time with Cohen. I treasure every picture that we took and every moment that we were able to share together. I know that God is working to bring our family together. This little guy is what keeps me going each day.

We're in PGN!!!

Just got an update from our agency and we are officially in PGN! I am excited and nervous at the same time. Excited since this means we are one step closer to bringing Cohen home. Nervous because I have heard all the horror stories about PGN. Right now we are just praying for a miracle that our case will move through quickly without any delays.

And of course I cannot post without showing off our precious boy. These swimming trunks were given to us from a friend and I just had to see Cohen in them before he outgrew them. Thank goodness he is a patient baby. He let his mommy play dress-up with him a lot while we were with him.

A few more pictures...

from our trip to visit Cohen. I really hope we get updated pictures this week. Can't wait to see how much he has changed since we were with him. We were showing a friend from our Spanish class (who has two precious little ones from Guatemala) some pictures of Cohen and talking about how it looked like his head had been shaved in some pictures. She said that many people in Guatemala do shave their babies' heads, so that their hair will come in thicker. Don't worry, Cohen. If they shave your head again, Mommy just has a really good excuse to go shopping for more cute hats!

Trying to stay busy and accomplish things that may be difficult once Cohen comes home. This week I am going to be talking with the pediatrician we plan on seeing, working on a little make-over for the guest bathroom, and spending a little time doing some yard work (anyone who knows me well is laughing at that last one... Emily Carr, I really need your help!)


Hola! Just hanging out in GC enjoying the warm weather.


My mommy loves this little grin.


Now be sure to tell Nana how much I love the quilt she made for me.


Let me get this straight, Dad. When I come home, you're going to take me rock climbing? I can't even walk yet!

Still no news?

Here we are at the end of yet another week and still no news. I checked in with our agency earlier and our case worker assured me that she would pass on any news or information the minute she received it. I can't help but think, "How hard is it to let us know if our case is even in PGN?"

So here I am, wishing it were Monday morning already so that the world of adoption craziness can begin again. I'd be a complete mess if it weren't for your kind words and e-mails. Thank you for keeping Cohen in your prayers! We've just got to get that sweet baby boy home!!!!

Our Little Gigglebox

No update today on our progress, but here's my favorite video of Cohen we took while we were down there. I guarantee you will fall in love with him as you watch this!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Call from Qatar!!!

So, I get home from work around 4:00 today and decide to make a bacon and tomato sandwich -- my favorite! As I am sitting down to take my first bite, the phone rings. Unknown name, unknown number. Usually I would just let the phone ring, but today I answer... nothing. A minute later, the phone rings again and I answer... nothing. The third time the phone rings I am ready to scream at whoever it is that is calling me. I answer with my meanest voice, "HELLO?" "Can I speak to Lori?" "This is Lori." "Lori, it's Amy. Can you hear me, I have a sore throat."

Oh my goodness! It's my friend Amy who lives in QATAR! (I posted a map of the Middle East because I guess I never really knew exactly where it was.) For those of you who know Ben and Amy, they are doing fine. They will be coming home in July and staying until September. The last time we saw them, Amy was expecting their second son and he was born two days after Cohen! Can't wait to get those two boys together!

Amy told me that she and Ben check our blog and have been praying for us. Wow, Cohen, you have people in Qatar praying that you will come home soon! I tear up just thinking about it. Amy, thank you so much for calling. On a day where I was disappointed because we didn't get any update on Cohen, you put a big smile on my face!

Big Congratulations to Kellie, Scott, & Gabriella!

While we were visiting Cohen in Guatemala, we met some wonderful families who were also waiting to bring their babies home. We just heard the news today that one of the families is OUT OF PGN!!!! YEA!!! Here is a picture of Gabriella (who we all nicknamed Princess) with her mom Kellie.



Hearing about Kellie and her family this close to bringing Gabbie home gives me so much hope. We complete mountains of paperwork, go through blood tests, home studies, and fingerprints, and feel like our entire life in under a microscope. Then there is the waiting... We don't labor in a hospital, but for months and months we are in emotional "labor." But after all of this craziness, I guess it hits you. It is worth it.

Who knows exactly how much longer it will take for our case to make it through PGN. All I know is that every crazy hoop we jump through in order to bring Cohen home is worth it.

The e-mail that made me dance...

We just received Pre-Approval from the US Embassy!!!! That means that our case is on its way to PGN, which is like the federal level court. How long will we be in PGN? Don't I wish we knew! PGN is the scary part because many cases are kicked out for crazy reasons. We just pray that our case is assigned to a reasonable reviewer that allows us to pass through PGN without kick outs or unnecessary delays.



Oh, and Cohen wants to wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Cohen's Montage

Since Grey's was a rerun tonight, I decided to experiment with creating a montage for Cohen. I am crossing my fingers, hoping that I will be able to pull this off. Enjoy!

What You've All Been Waiting For...

Just a few minutes after meeting us, Cohen showed us his beautiful smile.



We took this one as he was "talking" to us. He loved having conversations with us and saying "goo." And of course I think his voice is the most wonderful sound I have ever heard!



Happy baby!

We have so many more pictures and videos that we want to share. I'll just post a few at a time to space them out. And then when I run out I guess we will have to go back to Guatemala and see him, huh? :)

Together At Last!

There is so much to say that I can't even begin to describe how wonderful the past week has been. First of all, we weren't even planning on taking a visit trip to Guatemala. After we decided we should go and purchased our $1300 plan tickets, we received a $1300 check in the mail due to overpaying our taxes last year. Through this we were able to see more of God's work with Cohen's adoption. He is definitely showing us the power of prayer!

We will always treasure the time that we were able to spend with Cohen in Guatemala. I can't tell you what a precious baby he is! He is so easy-going and happy and simply a joy to be around. We were able to meet his foster mother who is wonderful -- such a relief to know that he is being loved and cared while we can't be there for him.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers! We are still waiting for pre-approval from the US Embassy and once we get that we will enter PGN. Many of you are asking how much longer -- we have no idea. Some people are in PGN for a few weeks and others get kicked out again and again. There is no rhyme or reason. Just pray that our case is reviewed by a reasonable reviewer who will allow us to exit PGN without any kick-outs so that Cohen can come home as soon as possible.

Having the time of our lives!

Well, we have tried several times to upload some pictures, and it is just not working. We have been able to email pictures, so if you would like to see some, just leave a comment with your email address and we will send them that way.

So much to say, but we want to spend every minute loving on Cohen, so I will make this one short and sweet. Cohen is an absolute doll. He is such a sweet baby and very easy-going. We have been taking pictures and video like crazy -- he scrunches up his eyebrows for most pictures.

We love it here at La Casa Grande. There are several other adoptive families and we all spend time together on the balconies and patios located around the hotel.

It is going to be so hard leaving, but we are so glad we were able to come. We will post pictures when we get home!

We're Here!!!!

We made it to Guatemala! The translator just called our room to tell us that the attorney, foster mom, and Cohen will be here in less than an hour. Too excited for words right now. We'll post pictures soon!!!!

Six more days until we will be...

in Guatemala! I know what you're thinking. This does not look like the Radisson or the Marriott or the Westin. They are all booked! So the attorney found us what we are calling our "charming hotel." We're a little nervous about it, but hoping that this will be a fabulous, authentic trip to Guatemala.

Cohen is packed and everything else is coming together. It is just beginning to sink in that in six days we will be holding our son!!!!

We're Leaving on a Jet Plane!

On March 19th we will be heading south to Guatemala to visit Cohen for a week. We still have many months before his adoption will be finalized, but by visiting him now he will become a U.S. citizen as soon as we bring him home. We are so anxious to hold him and spend time with him and feel so blessed to be able to take this trip.


We also received an update on our little man today. The pictures are a little blurry, but you can still see how cute he is! He is up to 14 pounds -- Robby says 12 of those pounds are in his cheeks! :)

I am basically running around like a crazy person because of the excitement. Guatemama's who have taken a visit trip, please tell me what I need to be taking down there. And for all of you Mommies, any advice about keeping a 4-month-old happy will be greatly appreciated!

A Big Thank You!

A big thank you to my doctor for passing on her little boy's adorable clothes! (Don't I have the BEST doctor?!) She gave us a huge box and bag full of things I can't wait to see Cohen in.




I love these swimming trunks and think they will be perfect for Cohen's first trip to the beach!


Nothing cuter than a little boy in overalls. And look at these shoes!

Ready to Stand!

What a great song for those of us who need a little encouragement! I know Cohen will be home one day and I might as well be brave as I wait.

Apartment Hunting...

Yes, I am ready to start searching for an apartment... in Guatemala! No, for us this is not financially possible, but if I win the lotto... Our agency sent us some information today explaining that because of some unethical adoption practices by some facilitators in Guatemala, the US Embassy would be "scrutinizing" over adoption paperwork before issuing visas for our babies. Funny, I thought they already spent enough time "scrutinizing" over our paperwork!

This news breaks my heart! A process that takes entirely too long is now going to take longer and there is nothing we can do. I know that this decision has been made to ultimately protect children in Guatemala from being kidnapped and smuggled into the US, but I also know that our attorney and her staff in Guatemala are doing everything by the book. Here's the site with the latest news:

http://www.travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3147.html

So... Who wants to share an apartment in Antigua with me? I am going to start hunting and dreaming!!!

The Latest...

I was trying to hold out and not post again until we received Cohen's latest pictures, but I just got an email from our agency that said we would probably not be getting the pictures today. (Our attorney's assistant had a death in the family.) So, I know I keep saying this, but we really do expect new pictures any day now!!!! :)

Last Friday we received a copy of the DNA testing along with two pictures of Cohen and his birthmother. These are going to be special pictures just for Cohen when he is older. How can I describe his birthmother? Of course she looks sad as she holds the son she is not able to raise, but she also looks hopeful because of the life she knows he will have here in America. Our agency gives us the opportunity to meet the birthmother if that is something we want to do and the attorney feels like the birthmother can handle that. We decided that we would like to meet her because we know that Cohen is one day going to want every little detail about her that we can give him. Our attorney's response to whether or not she thought we should meet Cohen's birthmother -- YES!

Now, more about Cohen: He is a CHUNK! He will fit right in around here. Robby and I were both very chubby babies. His foster mom had him dressed in denim overalls and a little striped shirt. So cute! Remember all that hair? He lost it! I can't wait to show off his new pictures. He has those cheeks you just want to squeeze!

Some days are harder than others

To say there are ups and downs throughout the journey of adoption is a major understatement. One day I find myself jumping up and down over a cheek swab and the next day I can't seem to get rid of that lump in my throat that tells me I just need to have a good cry. So today (after my good cry) I found myself curled up in a rocking chair in Cohen's semi-empty room writing in my journal.

You worry that toys are scattered everywhere
I cry at the sight of unopened toys in his room
You feel overwhelmed about your endless laundry
I find another outfit that is now too small for him to wear
You have a headache from all the noise and commotion
I have never heard him laugh or coo or cry
Your back hurts from picking them up for the thousandth time
My arms are painfully empty
You plan a birthday celebration
I mark the passing of yet another year
You say "Enjoy your freedom."
I say "Cherish your children."

It's a Match!!!!

First of all -- we received the DNA results and it's a match!!!! Whew! Robby was not worried about this, but with international adoption, you never know. So I am so happy to get the great news from our agency today. We will eventually get a picture of Cohen with his birthmother that was taken the day that they took the cheek swabs, but haven't gotten that yet.

We also found out today that Cohen won't go in for his check-up until the 15th, which means we won't get any new pictures until sometime after the 15th. Our adoption worker does not work on Friday's and the following Monday is President's Day, so all I know is we will be getting some soon. (I guess I can stop checking my email every time I walk past the computer, huh?)

I saw the cutest baby things on another Guatemala blog (she found them at cafepress.com and there are so many other cute ones I did not post) and had to show some of my favorites. Of course I think Cohen needs all of these, but I will try not to go too crazy... Let me know what your favorites are!

Cohen's Quilt

My mom is working on the quilt for Cohen's room. She brought it over on Saturday to show us her progress and we LOVE it! It is going to look so cute in his room!

Yesterday I went to a S t a m p i n ' U p party and ordered some things so that I can make Cohen's adoption announcements. The cards are going to have a pirate's map in the background and say, "Our treasure has finally arrived!" I can't wait to get started on them -- anything to help keep me busy and feeling productive!

Still Waiting

Yes, we are still waiting for new pictures of Cohen and even Bailey is growing a little impatient. We did hear that the lab in North Carolina received the cheek swabs, so in 7-10 days we should hopefully have a DNA match!

Funny story about our three-year-old niece Elizabeth:

"Mommy, what's that?"

"That's a present for baby Cohen."

"Is he at Robby and Lori's?"

"No, he is still in Guatemala."

"Can't we just sneak down there and get him?!" (My thoughts exactly!)

"I wish we could."

BRRRRRR!!!!!

For those of you who haven't met our puppies (well, they are three and four, but still puppies to me) here's Boo and Bailey. Boo is the cuddly Maltese and Bailey is our sweet little rescue dog. They are both excited about the snow and have already enjoyed playing in it.

Robby and I signed up to take a Spanish class, which we thought would be helpful when we travel. Our class is a small group made up of adoptive parents with children from Latin America. Our first class is supposed to be tonight, but it may get cancelled because of the weather. Of course Robby is all for braving the roads -- he is ready to see how the new Jeep handles the snow. It could be an interesting night...

My husband...

is the best! Today he put up blinds in Cohen's room and shampooed the carpet. Precious!

No big news about family court or DNA, but the attorney's office in Guatemala did answer some of our questions. We found out that Cohen is sleeping in his own crib -- Yea!!! There is another foster child, a baby girl, in the home as well as the foster mom's two grandchildren. I am so happy that Cohen has children close by. I am sure he loves the entertainment of watching a three-year-old and a five-year-old run around.

We are crossing our fingers for new pictures this week!!!!

Three Months Old!!!!

Cohen is three months old today. We should be getting new pictures and a medical update any day now! Yea! We did get an update from our agency today --

"The appointment for the family court social worker to visit the foster home is Feb. 6. I also received the approval notice from the Embassy today that will begin the DNA process. This step will take at least 3-4 weeks (getting the birth mother and Cohen to the doctor for cheek swabs, sending the samples to the lab, the lab completing the test and preparing the paperwork, the paperwork going to the Sec. of State and Guat. Consulate, then going to the attorney). They will run concurrently to the family court process and will, hopefully, time out about the same on the other end (DNA paperwork in Guat. and the SW’s report ready and given to the attorney) for submission to the PGN."

Translation: Our case is moving once again! We hope to be out of Family Court by the end of February and be submitted to PGN sometime in March. Then (you guessed it) more waiting.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Check back soon for pictures of our 3-month-old baby boy! Any guesses on how much he will weigh?

Our Furniture Adventure

Where do I begin with the story of Cohen's furniture? About a month ago we ordered the furniture for Cohen's room. We went back and forth between two different stains for the wood, but Robby gave in and we went with my first choice. Well... when the furniture finally came in I hated it. I tried really hard to like it as we assembled it, but it did not look anything like the sample they showed us in the store. We looked on the receipt, which said: "All furniture sales are final." I begged Robby to call the store and see if they could do anything, but he smiled and reminded me that he didn't choose the stain, I did. I called the store and they were extremely nice. They said that if we were not happy with the furniture we could bring it back and find something we liked better. So, we were hoping to post pictures of Cohen's room this weekend, but we will have to wait until our second order comes in.

By the way, the furniture we ordered today is completely different than our first order. Hope it turns out just the way we are imagining it -- don't think they will be as understanding with us the second time around. :)

To see Cohen's furniture, click here.

Goodies from Guatemala

On Saturday we had lunch with two other couples. One couple has three adorable girls from Guatemala and China and the other couple is anxiously waiting for their son from Ethiopia to come home. It was so nice having lunch with them -- we had so much to talk about!

Along with having us over for lunch, Holly also gave us some goodies from Guatemala! Cohen now has two shirts from Guatemala -- thank you so much Holly! She shared with us some of her pictures from their time in Guatemala and had some great tips for when we travel. Seeing her pictures made me so excited and I am so thankful to have her close by since she has been through the whole process.

¡Todavía no tenemos ninguna noticia!

We still have no news! I have been trying so hard to be patient, but I am about to go crazy! As far as we know we have not even made it in Family Court yet. I was really hoping to be out of Family Court by now. Maybe we will get a really good update on Monday...

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We are praying for Cohen to remain healthy and happy, for his birthmother to have a sense of peace about her decision, and for our case to move quickly through the necessary courts without complications.

Happy Birthday, Robby!

This is actually a picture of Robby on his birthday last year. (I had the great idea of putting candles in the lasagne -- notice how quickly they melt!!!) I had to work late tonight, so no home-cooked meal this year. For those of you who know about "Wheeler Birthday Parties" -- don't worry, we will be celebrating next Friday. Happy Birthday, Robby!!!!

True Bravery

I read this article on RainbowKids.com and loved it so much I thought I would post it. It was written by Violeta Garcia-Mendoza. On days like today when I come home to find "no news" it is good for me to think about true bravery.

"I think of my husband and myself as brave. After all, we have embarked on one of life's ultimate adventures: an international adoption. We put on our bravest faces every day when we pass the still baby-less nursery, when friends and family continue to ask, Any news yet?, when no one seems to understand how difficult it is for us to put our total faith in the hands of adoption professionals in a different country, and most of all, to wait when our arms ache for the presence of the daughter we know only from dreams and from pictures. Day after day, it amazes me that we keep persevering, having faith that our family will be united one day. It makes me very proud of us, but I can get a little self-pitying too. On those days when we're waiting for updates, when we feel so alone in our personal struggle, we need a sense of perspective that we won't take from those around us, unless they're adoptive parents themselves.

At least that was how we felt until we got the ultimate perspective in the form of a new personal heroine: our daughter's birth mom.

We received the DNA results required by the government for Guatemalan adoptions on a Saturday afternoon in April. My husband got our mail from the box and leafed through it while walking up our driveway. We were not expecting to get the results, which include scientific proof of parentage and a picture of your child in the arms of their birth mom, for another week, so we were surprised to find a large Labcorp envelope peeking out just in front of our junk mail. Anxious to see another picture of our daughter, and to finally see her birth mom's face, we tore the envelope open. What we saw inside can only be summed up as a revelation.

Imagine the emotions that you might feel when looking at a photograph of a work of art, such as the Mona Lisa, or a natural wonder such as the Grand Canyon . Take that sense of awe and wonder and multiply it by a million. That's what we felt when we saw the picture of our daughter's birth mom holding her in her arms. We were amazed by her beauty, her lips and skin and eyes a carbon copy of our daughter's. Most of all, we were silenced by the strength and courage that emanated from her birth mom's eyes, and by the admiration that this made us feel.
After all, in all of our bravery as adoptive parents, could we compare ourselves to this young woman, making the ultimate sacrifice of losing her child to provide her with a life of opportunity? Could our love ever be that brave?

We will never know the answers to these questions. Our love for our daughter will play a different role in her life. But what this experience of coming face-to-face with her birth mom's presence has shown us is that we must always honor her bravery; how could we ever downplay or ignore something so significant? Because although she is thousands of miles away, this woman will always be part of our parenting- that part which urges us and shows us how to be better parents every day by opening our hearts in the face of both easy and challenging circumstances. She will forever be a part of our lives as our family loves her in silence and in conversation. We will cherish the force of her birth mother's love so that our daughter may always know where her own brave eyes came from."

Our Weekend

Pretty as a Princess! Happy Birthday, Hayley!

Ethan loved his birthday dirt cake, but was a little concerned about the smoke from the candles.

Saturday evening we met our friends Todd and Bekah for some ice skating in Lexington. It was pretty dark on the rink so the pictures of our jumps and lifts didn't turn out. :)

Todd and Bekah -- such a cute couple!

I had to take this picture of Todd falling down -- he was not a big fan of ice skating.

We had a great weekend, but still couldn't help wishing Cohen was here already to share in the fun... Hoping for some little update this week from our agency. Anything to let us know the adoption is moving in the right direction.

Catching up from Christmas

Here's a little update from our adoption worker on where we are in the process:

"The DNA test will start when the Embassy receives the cable of your approval and issues the orders to begin the test. Since your approval was received just before Christmas, it’ll probably take the Embassy a week or 2 to catch up from all the holidays. When we get the notice from the Embassy and we’ve paid the lab, I’ll let you know that the process has started. I don’t always know the date the doctor in Guatemala takes the cheeks swabs, but we’ll be informed when the lab physically receives the samples. Then it takes a couple of weeks for the test to be performed and the paperwork to be prepared.

As of the last update just before Christmas, they were still working on getting your dossier translated and stamped off by all the necessary government agencies, which is required before the case can be entered into family court. I’ll have to see what the next update says since their office was closed last week. They are probably playing catch up as are the rest of us! I’ll let you know as soon as I hear."

I know this all might not make sense if you aren't familiar with the whole adoption process in Guatemala, so I will explain just a little. We are waiting for two things to happen right now. First, we need to be approved by Family Court. This usually takes about a month, but things are hectic because of the holidays. While we are in Family Court, we are also working on the DNA test. This is something required by the US Embassy. The doctor in Guatemala will take a cheek swab of both Cohen and his birthmother, the samples will be sent to North Carolina and tested, and then the results will be sent back to Guatemala. Once we are out of Family Court and have a DNA match, the case will be submitted to PGN. This is the court of the federal level. Most cases get "kicked out" at lease once, require corrections, and are then resubmitted. After PGN approval, we will wait for a "pink slip" from the US Embassy in Guatemala telling us when we can travel to bring Cohen home. It's such a complicated process and difficult to explain, so feel free to ask questions!