Sophia Visits Santa 2008

I'm Goin' to get my little girl

The day has arrived. I am going to get princess Sophia on Sunday, November 23. I received the almighty pink slip from the US Embassy today. It's acutally happening. I will be with my little girl on her 1st birthday and for Thanksgiving. God is good.

Hannah and Dad

Sam learning how to swaddle Hannah. A sweet moment.

Hannah Bradley Seiden Est Arrive!

Hannah Banana is here! 11/13/2008, 8:30 PM. Seven pounds 8 ounces. The family is doing well.

DELIVERED - 3 syllables I thought I would never be so glad to hear

Nov 13, 2008
4:23 PM
Delivered
GUATEMALA CITY GT


4:13 PM
On FedEx vehicle for delivery
GUATEMALA CITY GT


3:30 PM
At local FedEx facility
GUATEMALA CITY GT

The tracking of the DNA results to the US Embassy. Which I have been tracking like off track betting. Fedex needs to reimburse me for the time I spent on their website.

Choosing Single Motherhood

This was a choice for me. I want to be a mom and I can't wait to become Mrs. Right before this happens - the ole clock is tick, tick, tick'n. I wonder if this will be more difficult, raising a child on my own. I gotta tell ya, it's not often I hear my female friends rave about all the help their husbands lend. I don't hear often their tales of hubby saying, "Go out! Go on out with your friends, or go get a spa treatment. You work so hard raising our child, you deserve it. I'll watch little Jimmy while you have your girl time." It sounds more like an extra child they are taking care of, most of the time. I don't begrudge anyone the choice to be married, then have children. But very rarely do I hear the upside. It's a lot of scorecard tallies, how many times I have watched the kids while you were out with your friends - and if it's not even - god forbid you ask for an evening out. A lot of tit for tat - If I give you sex 3 nights in a row can I go away next weekend with the girls?

Of course, I will readily admit that I am, perhaps, not equipped to give of myself to someone else and to a child. That's muster I may not contain.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

31 October 2009 Sophia Seiden gets her Guatemalan Passport
3 November, 2008 Orange slip received from US Embassy. Second DNA test performed.

Yes, mamacita, we are making progress. Sophie Seiden will be home for Thanksgiving and her first birthday! Am I ready to be a mommy? That remains to be seen.

Recapturing the Milestones

Timeline of Events:
November 2006 Attend Adoption Expo - Decide to adopt
December 18, 2006 Bike accident - adoption on hold
June 2007 Start Adoption paperwork
August 2007 Decide to adopt from Ukraine
September 2007 Home Study Done
November 2007 I171H approved for Ukraine
November 30 Ukraine quota filled for the year
December 7, 2007 Sophia is referred to me. Guatemala!
December 7, 2007 Switch documents from Ukraine to Guatemala
December 9, run Kiawah 1/2 Marathon (had to toss that in!)
December 12, I-171H Immigration update Approved
December 18, Depart Guatemala to meet Sophia
December 19, 2007 POA was registered
January 2008 DNA test performed
February 11, CNA Registers my file
February 13, 2008 Social Worker -1st Interview of Birth Mother
February 29, Pre-Approval Letter Issued from US Consulate
March 2008, File submitted to PGN
June 11, 2nd Birth Mother Interview scheduled. Birth mother didn't make it because of mudslides in her village.
June 23, 2nd Birth Mother Interview
July 9, Fingerprint Renewal at USCIS
July 14, Previo issued
August 27 File re-submitted to PGN
September 12 , out of PGN, Adoption Decree issued
September 14 into RENAP
October 28, out of RENAP
October 27, New Birth Certificate Received
October 28, Sophia's Passport Created
_________ file submitted to US Embassy
_________ Orange Slip issued - DNA test ordered
_________ Pink Slip Issued - Visa Appointment Date
_________ Travel to Guatemala to bring Sophia home

Sophia's 10 month pictures

Look at those teeth! And we got a smile this time!

8 month Pictures

Sophia turned 8 months on July 25. She's such a big girl now! Jacqueline was very sweet in sending me picutres of her with the family. The other little girl is Cristina, who just came home to Charlotte with her forever family on Friday, August 1. She and Sophia have been together since birth.
Jacqueline, Cristina, Sophia
In this picture is (L-R) Katie, Jacquie Jr., Sophia and Cristina.
The Sanchez family with Sophia.
Cristina and Sophia

7 Month Physical

Jacqueline took her to her medical check-up on July 5. I don't think Sophia liked it very much, but who does?

"Her weight is 19 pounds, Length 69 cms. and Head circumference 42 cms, she have all her vaccination complete for her age (3 doses), her doctor said he found her in a good health. She has been very healthy, she doesn't have any allergic, she drink formula Enfamil Premium 2, she is eating cereal, banana, apple sauce, baby cookies. She have 2 teeth in the bottom. She use diapers medium or number 3. She is sleeping more through the night. "

I bought a crib today. It was worth it, I think. I had to go out to Wesley Chapel and on my way home, ended up oustide Monroe in Union County. Some of the people hadn't even heard of Charlotte. "You want'n to go where?" I tried to keep my reply simple, "Some place North, I suppose. A place called Charlotte? Have you heard of it? Tall buildings, snobby people with no accent." Someone was finally able to get me on 74. Lawdy, lawdy.

I received word from the faciliatator that one previo was issued. Some kind of date stamp issue. It is getting resolved and my file should be back in que quickly.

7 1/2 Month Photos!

July2 pictures! What a nice treat. She's laughing in this one. I can tell Jacqueline and Edwin are taking such good care of her!

7 Month Photo!

It's getting closer. Sophia needs to come on home to North Carolina. We are all waiting for her.

The second birth mother interview took place last week. It was very difficult for Sophia and her BM. But she kept her original decision to give Sophia a better life than she could offer. I grieved for several days for the BM, as this was a tough decision for her.

I am blessed to have this little angel as my daughter.

Frosty's for Foster Care

Let's Rock!

Sophia's 6 Month Update!

"She has two teeth, she went to the doctor on June 2 and she weigths 17.9 pounds Length 67 centimeters head circumference 41 centimeters, she had her first 3 doses of vaccination DTP, HiB, Polio Hep B, she has started to eat rice cereal."

Wow! She has grown a lot. I just received this update from her foster mother. Two teeth! And look at those big brown eyes. My heart is melting.

Sophia is 5 months old now! I do not have a date yet, but still hope to bring her home this summer.

Sophie at 4 Months

She's looking chunky and happy! These pictures were taken in Mid-April. We are still waiting for word from PGN on the status of our case.

Sophia's 3 Month Check-up

Sophia weighed in at 11.4 lbs! She's doubled in size since I saw her in December. And, Monday was her 3 month birthday. What a cutie patootie.

Sophia's Valentines Day

Newest pictures of Sophia. She's eating 6 ozs at each feeding now and I can tell she has grown a lot. I am waiting for the confirmation letter from the US Embassy in order to get my documents into PGN. Hopefully it will arrive this week.

Susan

January Pictures of Sophia

She is doing well. Going for her doctor's appt this week. Is she not the most perfect little chiquita?

Mi carina!

January 9, 2008

The new year brings many hopeful thoughts and excitement as I plan the addition to my family. Sophia may not be able to come home until the end of summer, though. However, the Sanchez family continues to take very good care of her and I know she is in good hands. Here are pictures of her on Christmas and New Years.

The younger girl in the center is Katerina, being adopted by the Sanchez's. I met her whilst in Gautemala, and she is a precious little girl.

I will continue to build the nursery and pray she will be wih me soon.

December 18, 2007

The flight from ATL to Guatemala City is 3.5 hours. Not bad. The time zone is Central, so only one hour difference. Flying into the country was beautiful. Mountains as far as I could see, part of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas and Sierra de las Minas range. We flew over a volcano, too. It's named Volcan de Agua.

When I landed, I was amazed at all the Mayan people I saw. It was beautiful. A sea of brilliant bright colors of their handmade (loomed) clothing. They were obviously there waiting for the arrival of their families from the States.

The facilitator picked me up and we went to his house. The whole family was there. His wife and two children as well as three young children waiting to be adopted, and two infants, one of which is Sophia. After signing some papers they took me and Sophia to the hotel and I had the rest of the night with her. The family was very nice and accommodating and have a warmth that immediately put me at ease.

December 17, 2007

I just received word that I should travel to Guatemala to make sure I get my paper work submitted on time, and to prevent any issues with the upcoming 2008 changes to adoption procedures in Guatemala. The excitement of booking travel the day before and getting to see little Sophia so soon was not a difficult decision to make. I found a flight and hotel in a matter of minutes and started preparing to leave Tuesday for Guatemala.

This time tomorrow I will see my (hopefully) soon-to-be daugther! God is good. So, Deb and my Mom are out shopping for baby things for me to bring down and I am wrapping up work items and packing to leave.

Flexibility - Habla Espanol?

Flexibility is the backbone of all great efforts. The ability to adapt to change without an anxiety attack, is what I am talking about. I learned a few weeks ago that Ukraine had set their quotas for US adoptions, 452. Of those, less than 100 would be fore children under the age of 6. OF that number, how many would go to single women????? Not very many.

After spending time thinking about what kind of child I could see myself raising, I know that I want a younger child. At least under of the age of 2. Then, just a few days ago, my facilitator called me to say there was a newborn baby girl in Guatemala that could be referred to me. Wow. This is it. This is the answer to many days and nights of prayers and all the prayers of friends and family around me. Somehow, I know, this is my child.

I received one email with her birth certificate and the birth mother's id. Then, the next day, I recieved the photos. A beautiful little angel with a full head of hair. She is beautiful and she will hopefully be my child to raise.

Rumination

When I started thinking about adopting a child, my first choice was international adoption. Then, when I started thinking about countries, Guatemala was the first choice. They have young, healthy babies that are raised in foster homes, not orphanages. It made sense. I could get a baby, less than 9 months old, healthy and only have to travel 2 hours by plane. The in-country stay is only 3-5 days. It all made practical sense.

But....something didn't sit right with this decision. I can't explain it. And, I didn't realize it until something inside my head came alive and said, 'heritage.' Immediately I thought of Eastern Europe. Then, once that ruminated in my head for a few days, it started to become clearer. All of a sudden it didn't matter that I get an infant aged child, in foster care. It didn't matter that I would have to travel overseas for 10 plus hours and stay in-country for 4-6 weeks. It didn't matter that the child would be over age 1 and live in a state run orphanage. I have been called to adopt from Eastern Europe.

Next question, which country? I called my Dad and he reminded me my Grandmother's family is from Minsk, Belarus. We can't adopt from there, so I started looking at neighboring countries. Russia, Ukraine, Moldova. Then, Ukraine struck me. I must go with Ukraine. I don't know why - but then I happened upon Everything is Illuminated, and Chernobyl Heart and it became clear. Illumination is exactly right. Heritage is important - and helping a child in an orphanage is even more important. Now, all this resonates in my heart. God led me to this decision. I am not 100% sure why, but I know it will all make sense when I get to Ukraine, and when I see my child for the first time. It will all make sense.

Paperwork Update - Getting Closer!

I received the updated SBI clearance on Saturday! Yeah! Now all I need is my medical evaluation and employement verification and I should be all set to send to Raleigh to be apostilled. This could be a very good week if I get my dossier completed.

Cheers, Susan

Chernobyl Heart

On April 26, 1986, the worst nuclear accident in history occurred when a reactor exploded at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Sixteen years later, award-winning filmmaker Maryann De Leo took her camera to follow the devastating trail this radiation left behind in hospitals, orphanages, mental asylums and evacuated villages. Winner of the Academy Award ® for Best Documentary Short. "
This movie was on HBO recently. Sixteen years after the incident, Maryann De Leo, from Ireland's Chernobyl Children's Project, created this documentary showing the after effects. The highest population affected were the unborn children to parents who were exposed. Ninety-nine percent of Belarus was contaminated. The way the winds blow, and where Chernobyl is located, sent most the reactive materials into Belarus. There is a small area around Chernobyl that was contaminated. Only 15-20% of babies born in Belarus are healthy. Many are born with multiple holes in their hearts, which is now called "Chernobyl Heart." This condition can be fixed by surgery, but the funds are not available.
"The Chernobyl Children's Project has increased the quality of life for thousands of young girls and boys from the heart of the "Chernobyl zone." Since its establishment in 1991, the project has sent more than 30 million euros in aid to the Chernobyl region, and has brought more than 10,000 children to Ireland on recuperative holidays. "

Ukraine Adoption Statistics

As of July 1, 2005, 14,535 children were adopted by foreigners since 1997 (of who 5,611 orphans adopted by U.S. citizens). 3,573 children in total were adopted in 2004, out of which 2,081 were adopted by foreigners and 1,492 by Ukrainians.

(This report was compiled and written by Steven A.Vetterlein, Executive Director of the UOCFP. Much factual information used in this report courtesy of an Assessment written by Konstantin I. Yakubenko, M.A., with statistical information provided by The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine).

The Children’s Life in a Ukrainian Institution

The children sleep in large rooms with 8 to 40 beds in one room. Boys and girls have separate bedrooms from age 7 and up. Very rarely children have their own bedside cabinets, but may have some closet space outside of their common bedroom. Most of the time the children spend together, in class during lessons (for children over 6 or 7), outside near the orphanage facilities walking or running around as there are almost no educational games or quality sports opportunities in most orphanages. They eat together in large canteens and are almost never allowed to participate in cooking. Exception to that is tedious, un-educational work like peeling potatoes and doing all sorts of cleaning that children are asked to do throughout the day. Sometimes, there is one caretaker/teacher for 30 children or more, while the amount of all orphanage staff may reach to one staffer per two children. Children do not know what they deserve or have rights for (let alone general rights of children adopted by the UN). More than frequently, the same teachers indoctrinate children on many subjects, like math, literature, physics, music, etc. due to the lack of qualified staff in any given institution. Children abide by strict rules, stand in line to get their food or receive their bedding after fairly rare linen/clothing washing days. Most institutions don’t even aim to prepare children for future life – very rarely outside of institutions life skills or job skills are taught to children. Showers or baths (if available) are allowed in groups (boys and girls separately) as rarely as once a week or even more rare than that. Frequently, there would be no hot water so special arrangements have to be made to heat the water during the cold season. In summer, most times arrangements to heat the water would not be made and children are "encouraged" to use cool water available in the shower. Majority of orphanage staff are elderly women, some of who have been raised in institutions themselves and have not gone through any training on how to work with at-risk children. In fact there are no university educational programs in the nation that train students to become orphanage teachers or orphanage social workers! Furthermore, there are no educational programs preventing professional burn out for orphanage staff, most of who work with children with special needs just by virtue of their institutional status.

Most facilities would greatly benefit from repairs that have not been funded for years or decades. Frequently, the roof would be leaking in this or that part of the facility (ies). The same applies to institutions’ equipment and supplies. Institutions’ material base is described as "extremely poor". Some are in very critical condition and fail to perform even the most basic functions.

Illumination

One day last month I came across a treasure of a movie on HBO. It's titled Everthing is Illuminated. It's an independant movie based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer. It's te story of a young man who goes on a "very rigid search" for the woman who saved his grandfather's life during Nazi invasion. The story takes place in Ukraine. You get a good sense of the scenery (although I just found out they filmed in Prague - very similar countryside) and the culture. Liev Schreiber directed and wrote the screenplay for this gem. Once again, highly recommended. And, the music is great - a mix of folk and gypsy punk. Dyakuyu.

Recognition

I want to thank Marc and Amy Dickman for sharing their adoption blog with me. It inspired me to get cracking on mine! They are adopting from Ethiopia and should be bringing home their little angel soon. My prayers out to them for a safe journey.