Categories
Uncategorized

Bogota Update

We arrived, somewhat late, into Bogota. Bogota has a new airport, all shiny and modern with everything rated “Green”. Customs was a breeze (I was mistaken for a Colombian…awesome) and the fun conversation of the evening was with two American kids (20ish) who wondered if it was okay to sleep in the airport (my two cents, go for it). They were basically bumming through South America for the next few months. He even had the stereotypical guitar slung over his shoulder.

Different decades, different adventures.

Casa Latana is pretty much exactly the same way I remembered it from 3 years ago. The morning we sat with a French couple who didn’t speak much English or Spanish – so lots of puzzling out latin roots and making fun hand gestures. They’ve two little Colombian girls with them. We also had a short conversation with a couple from Indiana. They’re off to adopt two kidos from a fairly remote part of the country. Fun times.

We took coffee with Lucia, getting caught up on all the adventures in Colombian adoptions. She’s wonderful, matter-of-fact, and has the excellent ability to communicate quite well with facial expressions. A good 95% of my brainpower at the moment is spent trying to switch linguistic modes. It takes a while for the ears to adjust. Any body language is helpful.

We catch the plane to Neiva in 2 hours. Looks like we won’t be staying at the Hotel Picande (apparently an exciting political reunion is happening there…best to avoid). I think we’ll be renting an apartment – which may have it’s pluses in that we can cook our food.

Categories
Uncategorized

Airport Waiting

Got about 2 hours to burn at Atlanta airport. Eating soup and stretching the legs. Next up: 5 hour flight.

Last chance to catch Gluten Free labels on menus. I can’t say I’m looking forward to eating arepas for the next 4 weeks. But I can’t wait to eat the fried corn dough thingamajigies that Chris and Mary make when we get together.

It was really hard to say goodbye to the girls this morning. I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around not giving them hugs and kisses for a month. Thankfully we’ve our technology to in place to shorten the distances.

20130128-152221.jpg

Categories
Uncategorized

Where Are We Going?

The hope is that by Tuesday we’ll end up here: Neiva, Colombia.

Neiva
Neiva

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Day Before Ramblings

We came home in 2010 on January 28th. We’re leaving in 2013 on January 28th. January 28th is also Monica’s birthday. This feels oddly symmetrical.

Being repeat adopters (with the same country and same family!) you can’t help but continually run comparisons. The next month will stir up lots of memories – many of them told through this blog – and I’m excited to create a layer cake of experiences with Colombia, ICBF, Neiva, Lucia, and, of course, my girls and son. Traveling will easier. There are maps in my head of where we’re going and how we’re getting there (the simple things like finding grocery stores and ATMs).

While there’s less stress concerning traveling, there’s more stress at home. It’s hard saying goodbye to our girls for a few weeks. They’re nervous. When they get nervous the ticks come out. Lots of blinking and funny facial contortions. It’s sort of cute. Life for the past three years has been blissfully predictable and stable. It will continue to be so, but the family equations will run a bit differently. Plus, mommy and papi are gone for a long time. Stressing out is understandable.

Still, their behavior and spirits are upbeat. Which, in the end, says a lot and amazes me at the same time. It’s a reminder of how much they’ve grown and matured in three years. And a memory I’m going to take with me to Diego (ha! especially the first time he wigs out over something simple like brushing his teeth).

Also interesting to compare is the fact that back in 2010 I started a new job (eLearning Coach) and this year I started a new job as well (Director of Technology). I’m a sucker for figuring out new professional responsibilities while trying to figure out this parenting thing at the same time (and balancing the two…which, for me, is really, really hard). That said, if you want to be an adoptive parent I’m not sure there’s a more supportive professional field than education (perhaps the ministry?).

It sounds cliched, but I’m feeling pretty good about Renee and I living life to the fullest. And we’re only 35!

Categories
Uncategorized

Happy Gotcha Day: Year 3

Right now, as I write, Kelly is curled up at on my feet playing with her teddy bear. Monica still sleeps – she’s tired because she spent yesterday at a gymnastic meet – but I know the slow rumbles of a house waking up (coffee maker, dogs playing, the furnace kicking on) will soon send her downstairs where she’ll first give me a hug and then ask if she can watch PBS Kids. I love weekend mornings because they’re slow and full of cuddle time, hugs, and hot chocolate.

Today marks 3 years of being a Papi.

Frankly, I’d love to reflect more on this. About how becoming a family of 4 seems so normal. About the constant, energetic vibe of two daughters bouncing around the house. About how blessed I feel every day, waking the girls up, making breakfast, and yelling at them to knock off the bickering over who combs the hair better (Kelly: “Monica’s making fun of my bed head!” Monica: “Kelly’s hitting me.”)

Adoption is such a cool thing.

But I don’t have a lot of time to reflect on this because we’re scrambling to finish the bits and pieces of Colombian Adoption 2.0: Diego. We may be leaving in a week (possibly two), and there’s just so much to do.

Still, today is about the girls. We’re going to Church. Then swimming at the YMCA. The dinner with family at our favorite place to eat, the Green Papaya (our Colombian by birth, Dutch American by adoption daughters love Thai food). Tonight we’ll give them gifts from Colombia (we bought enough to give them a gift every year until their 18th birthdays).

And tomorrow we start on the Gotcha for Diego.

Gotcha Day: Year 3
Gotcha Day: Year 3
Gotcha Day (Original Gotcha)
Gotcha Day (Original Gotcha)