Man, What an experience.

It's dad this time. Yes I am up a little late to be blogging, but it is before 6. We have a big day today at the embassy and I have thought a lot about what it will be like so I will be curious to see how it compares. We have been enjoying Bianca so much. She is awesome and we are definitely getting reeled in. She is such a ham and a little person already. I have loved being able to be in another country where all we can do is get to know Bianca. I do admit I am communicating with my office via email a couple of times a day, but only minutes. I have put my office in God's hands and am asking him to allow us to totally detach from that world for now. We are so happy. Chantelle is an amazing mommy. She is such a natural. I love watching her do everything with Bianca. I also find myself asking her what Bianca needs and what I should do like she has had more experience than me. It's her first time to, but you sure wouldn't know it. She was made to be Bianca's mom. We are loving life and can't wait for the daily adventures Bianca provides. She swam in the jacuzzi yesterday and the day before. We hold like she is floating on her belly and she actually moves her arms and totally kicks her feet. Our foster parents told us how agile she is and that she is a natural athlete. She loves soccer on tv and she is already kicking a ball if you help her. Who knows where this will take her. We think she is pretty awesome. It will be funny for her to read someday how into her her mom and dad were. Well I am going to get ready for our big day. Bianca is still hogging the bed and totally asleep. She takes up the whole bed and she is not even 2 feet long. Actually she was officially measured yesterday, but I didn't ask. Thanks for all the support.
Eric

you are going to be upset! Forgot the camera cord!

Okay so soooo sorry everyone, but momma forgot the camera cords to download the fabulous photos!!! I mean, I did have a FEW things to think about in the packing process, but I know this is a hit for many of you,,,,Hopefully you will recover or I can find some poor soul with a compatible camera.....Yikers! Anywho, I also have heard that many of you have been checking the blog religiously for an update... and it is my fault for not having an update. I have been knee deep in Bianca lovefest. Eric got here on Saturday and since then we have been living in bliss. Okay, it does have it's moments where I am just not sure what the heck I am supposed to do, but for the most part I am catching on to this mom thing. Eric is so fun to watch with Bianca..it is really awesome to see. I came down on Wednesday with my mom and we had 2 days with Bianca before she left and Eric got here. Those 2 days were pretty tough for Bianca, It was like this time she knew that something MAJOR was changing. We had 2 days of some prety major stress and confusion for her, and though I thought I had prepared myself for this, I will admit I was pretty sad also. I had a few times that I just kind of cried along with her. It is just really tough to look at your baby and know they are so sad, and at the same time to realize there is not much you can do about it other than just love on them. After about 2 days Bianca really came around and was for the most part back to her old self. She laughs all of the time and just does some really hilarious stuff.....She just loves attention! Big surprise, she is a little entertainer.
I am once again "that woman"....And pretty sure Eric is "that guy". Bianca is really into waving at us and patting us on the back and we think it is the most genius thing....I feel like everyone HAS to see it...Just so adorable! So alas, we are parent freaks that think their kid is more amazing than one could ever fathom.
Tomorrow is the BIG day. We will leave at 6:45in the AM for our US Embassy appointment....We have been waiting for this day for so so long. And yes, I did say 6:45 in the morning. It takes a bit longer to get ready in the morning when you have an baby attached to your hip! We are just so so happy that we have this time together as a family....Being here is so therapeutic....No one to call, nothing that MUST be done, no distractions at all. Just us, getting to know our daughter.
It seems that Eric and Bianca are on about the same nap schedule here and I GLADLY sleep in with Bianca in the mornings...9am! Meanwhile, Eric is making it happen up at 5:30am!
I PROMISE to post photos ASAP! I know you guys are dying to see the little turkey! Wow how she has changed in the 3 months since our last visit. SOOO much curly black hair and 2 bottom teeth, in addition to packing on another few pounds. Her personality so so unique. We have been able to spend time with her foster family this trip and what a wonderful family they are. We ALL went to dinner last night and had a translator. It was such a moment in time to see Bianca's other family in action and to learn stories about her, We said goodbye today to Iris, Bianca's foster mom and it was really almost more than anyone could handle. Please keep her in your prayers, She loved Bianca like her own daughter and will be very sad for some time. What a wonderful woman, and family. I thank God for them.
We will post more soon. Much love to each of you-Chantelle

Celebrate Good Times....C'Mon!!!!

It is time for one heck of a party! I have been having a party for one for almost a week now!!! Eric joins in while he is home also! In just a couple of days Bianca will be with us, for the rest of her life!!!!! Yeee Haw! I am a total nut case right now and I am taking in every moment of it..I can't wait to get some new photos of Bianca posted while we are there also...I know she has changed so much...Wow, we have a lot to do...So many outfits to try on! I mean I have been buying like Bianca is not one, but three kids!
We are going to have such a great vacation time while in Guatemala this trip...I never again have to get back on a plane to come home without that little squirt...So this will be to the great pleasure of all of the poor ladies and gents that have shared a row with me in the past....I have had more than 1 "not great" return flights...Yep, cried for at least the first 30 minutes of the flight...Of course no one had a clue as to why I was crying and as many of you women can understand (and a few guys..you know who you are), the more I would try to stop the more choked up I would get resulting at times in kind of a snort...And on occasion would really revert into the ugly cry..you know, the uncomfortable one, that NO ONE wants to watch but they just cannot help themselves!
I feel sheer GLEE these days! I know you guys are FULLY aware of this already... I just wanted to remind you!
Not much to report today just loving this Bianca countdown....Much Love-Chantelle

What Does Dad Have To Say?

Good morning all. I am up at 5 a.m. my typical day even though it's Saturday. Chantelle and I have joked so much because our schedules couldn't be more opposite. She is up writing and I am up reading soon after as she sleeps. Today happens to be my 33rd birthday and I couldn't think of a more exciting gift than our amazing Bianca coming home. What an amazing journey this has been and what an experience. This, honestly has been the most amazing thing I have ever been a part of. So much emotion has gone into and come out of this, but to literally watch our huge God orchestrate this entire thing has increased my faith and belief in our wonderful God like nothing I have ever known. I am so thankful. It has also been awesome to see my wife in this new light as a mommy. She is going to be and already is such a loving and caring mom. We laugh about getting our little short stack home, that's what we call her jokingly, because we have been kidless for nearly eleven years of marriage. We have been blessed in that way because we have totally experienced life together and we can't wait to be parents and start a whole new journey. We had one of our "last suppers" last night and it is really starting to set in. We sat in one of our long time favorite restaurants and realized this is the last Friday we will eat together without Bianca, or without a babysitter of some sort. Last time. Our life is changed forever and what a realization. I am just now starting to realize a lot of things because I stay pretty consumed with my work so I haven't been as good as Chantelle has with taking in every single moment and thought, but it certainly is starting to set in now. I am just happy. I am so excited just thinking about what our days are going to be like giving little Bianca baby massages and reading her stories and making her laugh. I told Chantelle I think it's a gift that we get to experience life for the first time through someone else's brand new eyes as she sees everything for the first time. I can't wait for all of the firsts. Bath time, cartoons, snow angels, story time, bed time rocking and going to sleep, waking up every morning at our house after living in Guatemala every day of her life and just watching her grow up and become her own person. I am pumped. Like Chantelle, I want to thank everyone that has participated in this with us. We appreciate so much how your love, support and prayers have literally paved the way to allow us to finally be bringing Bianca home. Thank you. Thank You. Thank You. We are the most blessed people in the world and we know that. We know how good God has been to us. I am normally not one to talk a ton about God even though I think a lot about God, but this experience truly has allowed me to see how much God cares about the details of our lives and how involved He really is. Thank You God for the blessings. I don't get on here much so my entry is getting kind of long. I just want to say we are happy, I am happy and I wait for the first time we have our little one in between us, in our bed, waking up for the first time with us on a Saturday morning and it hits us. How far we have come and what we have experienced to see that moment. How cool? Talk to everyone soon.
Eric

Mega Thanks!

Hola- This will be short tonight, as I am exhausted from joy and my face hurts from smiling! Eric and I just want to thank all of you guys who have been the utmost in the support department. I know I have not been easy to be around at times in this process and I love it that we have so many wonderful people in our lives that support us. From our awesome families-parents especially, our great friends, church, blog and adoption forum friends, and so many extended friends who have come to know us through our adoption journey. We say thanks...Sounds too simple really. Like it is not nearly enough to cover the territory, but I am at a loss for better words...
I am, for the most part, kind of "tell it like it is" and these last months I really started to struggle with my feelings...Just being sad because I knew the whole situation was out of my own control. I know there have been times that I have not been the most fun to be around...I kind of have a hard time faking my emotions. And so many of you showed me such grace in these times. I will forever be thankful for it. And what an immeasurable gift God has given us through this long journey!
I have taken the past day and a half and really just let myself take in these moments. Moments I have waited so long for....So for the many of you who have called and I did not respond please do not take it the personally...I am just taking a bit of time to really feel my way through this and it is ALL good!!!! It has just given me a fresh perspective on life, and I do not want to miss out on this time in life...It is just so precious. In less than 1 week I will finally be with my daughter forevermore! And once Eric gets there on Saturday we will complete our little family unit. What a great time in our lives...Yes, I am a big mush right now, but I know life will get busy again and for now I do not want to miss out on this time. -We love you guys- Chantelle & Eric

PINK IS MY NEW FAVORITE COLOR!!!!!!!!

It is TRUE!!!! The day has come and I am going to shout it from rooftop! Bianca is in the PINK!!! The coveted PINK SLIP has been issued for the Beckings!!!! Holey Schnikeys!!!! I called today and the first time I called I was told it was a no-go. I found out a few minutes later that some of my forum friends that had been FedEx'd with me, had in fact been given the Pink...So I called back and was on hold for MANY minutes....After explaining my situation they checked again, and YES!!!! We have LIFT OFF!!!! So, I am heading down next Wednesday...I will be there with the little short stack until Eric gets there on Saturday...We will take Bianca to her embassy medical appointment on Monday, and Tuesday morning she will have her Embassy Appointment!!!! I can still hardly believe it!! We will be coming back to the US on the 27th, so get ready!!!! We will have a brand new little American citizen with us that many of you have been looking forward to meeting!!! I will keep you in the loop as we know the details of our upcoming trip! Just sooo pumped right now!!!! Much Love! Chantelle & Eric

DNA results at the US Embassy!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that our DNA results are at the US Embassy as of 3:40pm yesterday!!!! Now it is LITERALLY only a matter of time!!!!!! Let the count begin!
We did find out yesterday that the Embassy will not be open ALL next week...Bummer, but we are hoping to have our appointment one week from Monday or Tuesday...I will keep you posted...but look for PINK!!! It is THE KING of of the adoption process...Elvis level!

Perisistence Pays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick update!!!! We just found out that Bianca's DNA sample has been processed and as of tonight will be FedEx'ed back to Guatemala to the US Embassy there!!!! This is WAY faster than scheduled...Now that is a first!!!! I will keep you posted as we follow the package back to GC!!!! We will be traveling soon!!!!!!

Busting at the Seams

That is how I feel...I can hardly believe this wait is almost over. I have been telling people over the weekend that we will be traveling in 2 weeks and the feeling is CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been sitting in Bianca's room in the rocking chair...and let me say again, her room is FABULOUS!!! I need to take a few photos and post them. Eric's mom did such an awesome job...Bianca is gonna love it!!! As, I was saying..I have been sitting in the rocking chair in her room and I am just blown away by the fact that so soon she will be in there playing. So many days I would sit in the floor of that room just praying that God would bring her home. And what an answered prayer.
So, the latest news is from Labcorp. As most of you know, we are waiting on Bianca's 2nd DNA test results. As of Thursday night her DNA sample is at Labcorp for processing. They said it would take about a week to process, so I am looking for the US Embassy to issue her PINK SLIP one week from Monday or Tuesday!!!! Wahoo! This will give us the date to be at the embassy to be able to bring her home!!!! I am sick about it with shear delight! I will keep you posted as we learn more. What a blissful time! I can hardly wait to get my hands on that little turkey!!!- Love Chantelle

Diaper Etiquette on a Plane...Give a Girl Some Help!

Okay so of course I cannot sleep....Eric and I have been ending the nights talking about Bianca and our lives together...Then he goes on to a joyous snore and I stare wide eyed into the night!
So, I started to think about our trip home, and I am stumped....More than likely on several issues, but one comes to mind quickly. Let's say Bianca has a diaper blow out during the international flight. Do I change her right there in our seats to the displeasure of our neighbors, or do I take her to the bathroom???? Hey, don't be fooled...Bianca is completely adorable, and yet she can still drop a bomb that can clear a room. Okay is there any possible way there is enough room to change a diaper in one of the in-flight toilets???? I mean, I have spent more than my share of hours on a plane in my lifetime and never have I considered this emergency diapering situation...My life is much like a sitcom as it is, so I can only envision what might take place between Bianca and myself in one of the airplane toilets! Someone give a girl some help!!!!
Of course I will feel like a fool when I talk to one of you tomorrow and you explain in simple NEW parent terms how there is a secret compartment on all planes designed especially for these diapering situations. A compartment I have never been granted access to up until this point in my life..because I have never had the "key". It is almost as if you must hold up a stinky diapered child on a plane and one of the lovely flight attendants escorts you away to a wonderful diapering oasis....Okay, I guess I am getting off track here....But you get the idea.
So many things to think about...and I am stuck on this one.
On this note I better sign off tonight...I should not reveal too many of my "unusual" thoughts in one setting....I do not want to alarm anyone!
Peace out-Chantelle

Bianca becomes a Heavyweight.....

Finally the fix we have ALL been waiting for! We received Bianca's 9 month medical check up and photos today...And as stated in the title..she has become our little heavy weight! Okay, not really so much a true heavy weight but I am so proud...Last month she did not gain any weight and finally at this month's check, she had gained a whopping 1 pound 3 ounces!!!! What a time to celebrate! This little turkey was in need of these extra ounces as she is such a tiny and petite little lady. Now she is weighing in at a hefty 15lbs. 4 oz.....And the crowd goes wild!!!!
I have to say...It has been far to long since I have seen my little girl and seeing these photos totally made my day!
Looks like she will have NO shortage of hair, and looks like it will be curly. I wanted to make sure and try to get a photo in of her foster mom with her. She is really fantastic and has loved Bianca like her own daughter. What an awesome woman. I know she will have a tough time sending Bianca home with us.
Bianca's 2nd DNA test was on Monday and as far as I know everything is moving forward....Now guess what...we wait! We are hoping to get the much adored Pink Slip next Friday, but that might be a bit soon...A girl can dream, right? And wouldn't that be just great timing as it is her daddy's B-Day on Saturday!
Wow, is just such a short time she will forever be ours, and at home with us. Please be in prayer for her transition...Okay for all of our transition. I know it will rock my world. Everything around her will be totally different and new so we are trying to be very aware of that as she comes home...So no HUGE parties immediately, but that time will of course come!
We want to give her time to learn who we are in her life....She will have to adjust once again to new parents...And that can be confusing for babies. So please bare with us if we do not pass her around for everyone to hold right off the bat. No worries though, there is plenty of Bianca to go around...Let's just give her a bit of time to adjust. I know she has so many wonderful people who love her and I can hardly wait for her to know you all.
What a great time in life...What a long wait for something so special...It is unexplainable for me really. Eric and I are just so blessed to be given Bianca. Man, God is so good! I will end on that note of PRAISE! -Love & Peace, Chantelle