Two Years Ago

Two years ago today, I traveled to Guatemala to take full custody of Emma and to live there with her for several weeks before we were able to travel to the U.S. together.  Oh, how excited and nervous I was! 

My gigantic rolling duffels, well worn from three previous visit trips to Guatemala, were packed to the MAX with supplies.  I remember the butterflies in my stomach when the plane touched down in Guatemala.

The next few hours were a whirlwind…  Shopping for Emma at Hiper Paiz (sort of like Walmart)  “How many packs of diapers should I buy?  What types of jar fruits and veggies should I purchase?  Hmmm…would she prefer pears or applesauce?  How many cans of formula should I purchase?” 

  

After a quick stop at a pharmacy, my sweet driver took me to the Westin Camino Real in Guatemala City.  I was a little frazzled so I went to freshen up quickly in the bathroom.  It wasn’t long before Emma’s beloved foster family arrived with Emma.  As I walked down the hall towards them, my eyes brimming with tears, I could see that Emma’s foster father had already been crying…tears were streaming down his face.  I just could not keep it in…I let the tears flow...I was (and still am) immensely grateful for the love and care that Emma’s foster family gave to Emma for the first seven months of her life.  The next several minutes went by so quickly…many exchanges were made…  Hugs, kisses, tears, instructions, thank yous, promises of love…  And, finally, sweet Emma Grace Esperanza was put in my arms…forever.  We then traveled to Antigua to get settled in.  (I purposely have never posted the photos that I took of Emma at the Westin that day…Emma was so confused…I have chosen to keep those photos private.  The photo above was taken a few days after she had warmed up to me). 

Our first night together was HEARTBREAKING.  Emma screamed and screamed and screamed…she was completely inconsolable. 

She missed her foster family so much…they were WONDERFUL to her…they loved her so dearly and she missed them so much. 

The next few weeks were difficult in that regard but she did warm up to me. 

The photo to the right was taken the very next day.  Emma and I traveled from Antigua to Guatemala City together for Emma’s passport appointment.

The next few weeks in Guatemala were nuts!  The stove exploded where we were staying and Emma became very sick with rotavirus and she was hospitalized for a few days.  After we left the hospital in Antigua, we moved away from Antigua before we had originally planned to so that we could be closer to Emma’s doctor in Guatemala City.  And, I could NOT understand why Emma was spitting up SO MUCH, not eating well and vomiting and not tolerant of bumpy/long stroller rides and carriers (later we discovered the true extent of her struggles with reflux).  Jason arrived a few days after we left the hospital and I was SO grateful to have extra help.  However, he became sick and was vomiting and passing out!  What a crazy trip!!  We are excited to go back to Guatemala some day so that we can enjoy the country more and see what we were not able to see because of all of the craziness. 

Hanging out by the pool at the Westin in Guatemala City.

 

Emma seeing Papa for the first time in months.

Hanging out at the pool with Mommy.  I miss the blue and white lounge chairs.

 

Left:  Emma with Papa on the plane.  Right:  The 3 of us on Embassy appointment day.

We are SO BLESSED to have Emma in our lives!  We love her so much!!

God bless,

Tera

A Fall Family Day at the Zoo

Monday's high temp was in the high 60s.  Yep, the SIXTIES!  It was sunny, crisp and absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

We decided to take Emma to the zoo.  The Minnesota Zoo has a brand new Grizzly bear exhibit and is it ever cool!!

Pics from our day...

Jason took this photo while we walked around at the zoo...and look!  The leaves are changing! 

The only thing that separated us from the grizzlies...a pane or two of glass.  *gulp...double gulp*

The Minnesota Zoo has the coolest family farm exhibit!

Well hello there, Mr. Goat...it's me, EMMA!  Wait one minute and I'll give you a SNACK!

*giggle*  Okay, here you go!!!!!!

*clapping clapping clapping and giggling*  YAAAAAAY!!  That was fun!

Uh oh!  TWO GOATS?  Don't get too greedy, Mr. White Billy Goat...you have a friend who wants a snack too!!  Here you go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Playing in the fountains.  : )  She really had a wonderful time at the zoo!

Yes, that is an outfit change.  : /  It was a tough reflux day...she lost her lunch for the first time in a public place.  : (  We take Emma out and about all of the time...  It is amazing to me that after well over 100 (known to us) incidences, this was the first ever public incident.  For that, I am grateful!  A wonderful thing and a sign of Emma's resiliency...about ten minutes after the fact, she was running and giggling and playing in the fountains...she is a wonderfully amazing child...a true JOY and GIFT and we love her very, very much. 

One more photo "just because" Emma is so cute!  : )

Emma right away in the morning.  She likes to bring cow and bear to breakfast.  : D

Before I sign out...SIG is CANCER FREE!!!  Yippeeeeeeeeeeee!

God bless,

Tera

The Invitations Have Been Sent...

My baby girl will be TWO in less than one month!  I am having a very difficult time wrapping my mind around that.  I have said it before and I will say it again...when I look at her "baby" pictures, I would love to be able to reach into the photos and scoop up that sweet baby so that I can snuggle her.  *sigh*  I really am cherishing each day with Emma...even the challenging days ("the twos" are HERE...hee hee).

I have been thinking about her party for a while.  It is going to be a simple party with immediate family and PIZZA.  : )  We are celebrating her birthday at the end of September.  On her actual birthday, we will be at the Apple Festival in Bayfield, Wisconsin!

I completed the invitations a while ago but I wanted to wait until they were "in the mail" before I posted one to my blog.  (Click the photo to see a larger version)

Speaking of little Emma...  She could use some prayer.  She has at least four teeth coming in right now.  Babies/toddlers who have reflux can really struggle with teething.  Teething can exacerbate reflux and this has been very true with Emma.  She has maybe had 4 - 5 decent meals in the past three weeks.  : (  This is very disheartening.  For most meals, she will not even swallow one bite.  : (  We have her on a daily Pediasure regime to make sure that she doesn't lose a lot of weight.  We are SO GRATEFUL that she drinks!  Please pray.

It's officially FALL (well, at least it seems like it is to me)!!  MY FAVORITE season!  I could not resist giving my blog a fall/harvest look!  Have a great week.

God bless, Tera

If I Had a Hammer I'd Hammer in the Mornin'...

It has a been a while again since my last post.  I have sat down a few times to blog but I have been just too beat.  We have been working on household projects.  Also, because it has been so nice outside (finally) we have been spending A LOT of time outside and that makes me extra sleepy by the end of the day.  And, Emma has really been struggling for the past couple of weeks with not wanting to eat, reflux, spitting up and vomiting.  : (  It has NOT been fun.  Right now, she is kind of in a pattern...  She can go a few weeks without vomiting and then for whatever reason, she will vomit...and, it's like that one time of vomiting reminds her "oh yeah, I vomit...that's what I do..."  : /  and then she has a whole streak of vomiting.  Ugh.  And, we are currently in a streak of vomiting.  : / I don't know if it's teething or what (teething can really exacerbate reflux)...she is drooling a lot and her diapers have been yucky.  Anyway, this is all why you haven't seen a post from me...we have been pretty wiped.  We could really use prayer right now for Emma.

Between all of the craziness, we have been up to other stuff too.  : )  Warning...  LOTS of photos ahead!  : D

I titled this post "If I Had a Hammer I'd Hammer in the Mornin'" because of this...  Jason has been building a fence for the past two mornings. 

When we were first married, I had to show Jason how to hammer a nail...sad but true (don't shoot me, honey).  And, he has slowly become more and more handy as the years have gone by.  : ) 

Our old fence was pretty dilapidated.  Above you will see him tearing down the old fence...

Here he is putting up the new fence.  : )

Oooooo...the new fence complete with a gate!  Way to go, Jason!!  Now we just have to treat it with some sort of protective coating.

While we are on the subject of Jason, here are photos from Father's Day!  I LOVE this sweet photo!

I LOVE this pic too!!!!!!!!!!

Emma the morning of Father's Day.  I love this cute top (Target).

 

"Hey Izzy, I am diggin' this coupe.  THANKS for letting me have it for keeps!!"

Pool time with Emma's cousins Grace and Isabel.

Emma and Izzy.  Emma loves Izzy.  If we are at a store and Emma sees a young girl with blond hair she points and yells, "IZZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Oh Gracie, you are SO FUN!! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Here are a few other fun pics from the past week...

Emma loves books.  This is a Sesame Street book.  She can say quite a few Sesame character names...  "Cookie", "Elmo", "Bert", "Ernie", "Bird" and "Grover".

Silly smile.  : )  Here is Emma in her Guatemalan soccer jersey.  She could not wait to get in the pool!

Watering Mommy's "pweety fwowahs"

My "fwowahs" are WELL WATERED.  ; P

She is getting more and more brave in the water.

Such a sweet and smiley baby girl!  (Yes, she is still a bebe to me!!)  : )

God bless,