No news this week

Hello all -

We just wanted to let everyone know that we have no new news to report. Unless something big happens, we probably won't have anything new to report until after we return from our visit trip on May 15 - 19. It's so hard, but there's not a thing we can do about it.

Have a great week,
Keith and Kris

UPDATE! Weight gain and more

Earlier this week, we received the results of Caleb's latest doctor's appointment. One (of many) nice things about Guatemalan adoptions is that he is taken to the doctor monthly to monitor weight gain, growth, overall health, and developmental steps. He is looking great, and now weighs 20 lbs! As you can see in the pictures, he is doing very well and looks fantastic.

We also received an update on how our case is going. Quite frankly, we are in for a long, long wait until we can bring Caleb home. When we first began this adoption, we were hoping for summer, or at least by his first birthday on July 30th. Unless something changes majorly, that simply won't happen. Here is a simplified breakdown of what still has to happen, followed by estimated timelines (based off of other parents who are currently adopting - trust me, we keep track of each other's timelines to know where we're at).

1. Family Court, including interview with birthmother: I estimate this to take at least another month, especially since the interview with the birthmother hasn't even been scheduled yet. (This done on the Guatemala side)
2. Pre-Approval: This is done by the US Government, and takes place at the same time as the Family Court process. Pre-Approval currently has been varying anywhere from 6 to 8+ weeks. Some families have been waiting for Pre-Approval since January and still don't have it. We have been waiting for P.A. for about 4 weeks already, so between exiting Family Court and getting Pre-Approval, we'll be waiting a minimum of another month to move on to step #3.
3. PGN (Procuraduría General de la Nación): We've been told that this basically is like the attorney general's office, who oversees adoptions, all of the paperwork, to make sure that everything is complete, legitimate, ethical, and legal. Currently, this process is taking a minimum of 8 weeks. Additionally, if there is something "wrong" with our paperwork (a missing form, a spelling error, the reviewer doesn't like the color of ink that was used, for example) then our file is "kicked out." Our attorney then has to correct what is "wrong" and re-submit it, starting the 8 week review process over again completely.
4. "Pink" slip/US Embassy appointment: After approval from the PGN, the US Embassy again can review the files. A new birth certificate is also issued for Caleb, with our last name on it (because, after all, he's going to be a Wondra!!!). Finally, an appointment is scheduled at the US Embassy where we can complete the paperwork and finalize the adoption in Guatemala. This currently is taking about 6-7 weeks after exiting PGN.
5. BRING CALEB HOME!

If you add up the timeline, you'll see quickly that we're looking at September or later. So if you're wondering "when will they be bringing him home", you know it isn't for a very long time. It's so difficult that paperwork and government bureaucracy is keeping our family from being together, but that is how it apparently has to be.

As always, we'll keep you posted as we learn more.

Kris and Keith

We're Going to Guatemala!!!

Thanks to an amazing travel deal that we learned about, we have booked airline tickets and hotel room to go to Guatemala and visit Caleb. Keith and Kris will be flying out on May 15th, and returning late on May 19th. We are so excited!!!

During our visit trip, Caleb should be able to stay with us the entire time. We also hope to have some time to meet his incredible foster family that is currently taking care of him. We'll be able to shower him with love and attention, plus take tons of pictures and movies! Also, we'll get our first taste of Guatemalan culture, and Kris will get a chance to see how much she's learned in her Spanish classes.

WE ARE SO EXCITED and will let you know more as the date gets closer.