Darling Damaris June 7, 2006 - 1month check-up

These pics were taken at the doctor's office during Damaris's 1 month check-up. She's just so darling. We are still struggling to find the perfect name for her. Dave likes Mia although neither of us are thrilled by how popular it's becoming. I really like Alora, but Dave's not big on it. I really want to figure it out so we can start calling her by it. It's looking like we'll be going for a visit trip in August, and then in October or November we'll go back with the kids. Our dossier is in Guatemala being translated and we're waiting for our attorney to request authorization from the U.S. Embassy to do the DNA test. Not a lot to report on that front, but the pictures were a fun surprise! Any name ideas would be greatly appreciated! Please keep us in your thoughts. ~Heather

Damaris - 4 weeks old June 2, 2006

These pics were taken by the coordinator helping with our case. Damaris weighs 7 lbs. 5 oz. now, and is, reportedly, sleeping through the night. She's wearing the outfit and Evie's bow that I sent. She's just so cute! I can't wait to get my hands on her.

Moving Right Along

We had some great progress last week. On Tuesday we received our 171-H (US approval to adopt internationally) and on Thursday our agency finally received our authenticated home study from the Guatemalan Consulate. With those two documents our dossier is complete and is on its way to Guatemala at this very moment. At this point the ball is out of our court. Our attorney in Guatemala will do most of the rest of the work which is quite a relief ~ I could use a break from the incessant paper chasing! And with the kids out of school I'm glad to be able to focus my attention on them. We're hoping for a quick DNA test so that we can visit our little girl soon.

Baby Damaris May 7, 2006 5lbs, 14oz, 48cm

Referral Photos

The beginning

In January of this year we decided that we wanted to have a bigger family. At least, I wanted a bigger family, and Dave, being the ever supportive husband, agreed. We have alway been drawn to adoption, and the timing finally seemed just right. We spent the next two months researching our options and finally decided to adopt a baby girl from Guatemala. We signed with an agency in March and began the tedious paper chase. By mid-May with our dossier (international paperwork) just about complete we became eligible to receive a referral. On May 11 we received pictures of a beautiful baby girl named Damaris. She was just four days old, and as soon as I saw her face I knew she was mine. She looked just like my other babies with a head full of dark hair. We were smitten. We took Mother's Day Weekend to review her medical record and consult with our pediatrician, and on Monday May 15 we officially accepted her referral. The last few weeks have been sluggish as we work out a couple of kinks in our dossier, and our home study is being held hostage at the Guatemalan consulate. (Not actually ~ The consulate has to authenticate our documents, but they're backed up and taking way longer than normal.) We are also waiting for final approval from USCIS (INS) which should arrive early this week. Our baby girl is five weeks old today, and we are trying to find her the perfect name. We will likely keep her given name of Damaris as a middle name as we have grown rather attached to it. Dave and I hope to go and visit her sometime in the next 4-6 weeks for a few days, and if all goes well we are hoping to bring her home around the end of the year. Until then she is being cared for by a foster family in Guatemala City. Please keep us in your thoughts. ~Heather