William Jaime is HOME!

As I'm sure you've guessed we are back at home and although this post is a little late, I figured I should finish the report. The trip back was a bit stressful as we were still not feeling too great and baby and equipment were alot to manage through the airports, security and immigration, but with the help of a friendly and speedy cart driver in Houston we made it. Jaime was actually a pretty good plane rider except for getting sick once and a little fussing on landings, but since both planes were packed and David and I had to sit separately from Pauline and Jaime, he never bothered me a bit. Everyone seems to have finally shaken "the bug". David bounced back the quickest, but it took me a full week to turn the corner. It was very disappointing that we didn't get to do the sightseeing or shopping that we planned, but we were so relieved to be back that it seems pretty insignificant. Anyway, Jaime is home and seems to be adjusting quite well. He really has a fun disposition and is not very shy especially with men it seems. He lights up to see Uncle Billy and Uncle Kenny (of course Kenny says he is the favorite). He also is definitely attached to "momma" - when he is upset or if Pauline leaves the room he looks for her and goes to her for comfort. At least it appears that the sickness was good for bonding purposes. A few choice photos for: 1) David's true memories of Guatemala, 2) Jaime's first photo after immigration in Houston -- thrilled to be a US Citizen, and 3) Touchdown at BWI - we made it.

Day of Recovery (we hope)

I will spare you the gory details, but it is safe to say we have given up all hope of any sightseeing trips for today. We are laying low at the hotel and probably will call the doctor later, and praying we feel a little better for the flight home tomorrow. Yesterday, David and I did get to the zoo for a short trip. He was still feeling well then and I wanted to let him do something. Here are a couple of pictures.

Adoption Complete

Pauline finished at the Embassy yesterday. Just a matter of picking up some papers. We are free to come home, but unfortunately do not have a flight until Sunday. We were hoping to spend the time sightseeing, but as Jaime is recovering, I seem to be going under the weather. David has been a trooper. He is keeping occupied with his legos, DS and the journal he has started. As you can see, he doesn`t seem to distressed. We haven`t given up all hope of getting to Antigua tomorrow - keep your fingers crossed for all of us. Anyway, here are a couple of pics.

Step One Complete

We arrived safely in Guatemala City and are now at the hotel. Pauline had the interview at the US Embassy yesterday, which went pretty smoothly (a bit of waiting around of course). And today she will go to pick up the visa. So far things have been pretty mellow - between getting in late and waking up early for the appointment, we are all tired. Also, Jaime seems to have a bit of a bug. He was sick in the night but seemed to be holding his own today until just recently he got sick again. We are going to lie low and the hotel is having the doctor come over. It seems like just a stomach virus, but with the plane trip ahead I guess it is better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully we will still be able to visit the historic city of Antiqua, but we will just have to wait and see. I will try to post pictures later, I just wanted to get a quick note out while I had the chance. The internet signal has been down most of the time we have been here.
David is keeping himself occupied exploring the hotel and we have had a few walks. It is the rainy season (I think they have 6 months of it) and it is not hard to see why they call it that. It goes from being sunny and beautiful one minute to a downpour the next. No one goes anywhere without an umbrella. More later, Fran

Home Again

We are back home safe and sound. Pretty uneventful flights and we are thankful for that. Saturday we did not leave Guatemala until 3:30 in the afternoon so we had the morning to do a little sightseeing. Pauline has never been anywhere but the hotel since she is always with Jaime, so we got out to the open air market and did some souvenier hunting.

Friday, February 29

Last Full day here and our last day with Jaime (until next time). Checked with Mary to see if she wanted to go sightseeing, we have heard the zoo is nice and there is a Museum and a Children's Museum not too far from the hotel. I could have been talked into any of them, but couldn't drag Mary away from her cousin and all the other babies she has met here. I did take a nice long walk to the grocery. I have only seen the one main road in the city, we all know if I turn a corner I will get lost, but I have to say it is a pretty place. There is an odd mixture of new, modern office buildings and some much older less attractive shops, but all in all pretty clean and well kept. I took a few pictures, but mostly with Pauline's camera so I don't have those to share. Here are a few more pics of our star though. It is very comforting to know he is well cared for, but I know Pauline can't wait for the day to be taking him to his new home.

Thursday, February 28

Mostly hung around the hotel today, soaking up the nice weather and hanging out with new friends.
Mary and I did take a walk in the afternoon to a souvenier shop a few blocks away. It is an upscale shopping center with a Borders type bookstore/cafe, a ladies dress shop and the souvenier shop -- with prices in US dollars. They had some neat stuff, probably overpriced, but it was a good walk and we enjoyed it.

Feliz Cumpleanos!

February 27th
Today is the big day, Jaime is one! Started the celebration by sleeping in and waking up with a little "bad hair" but happy all the same. Our guide yesterday told us that February was the month of crazies - just like the weather in February, people born in February are a little loco. Might be something to that as happy and silly as this guy is...
Next a casual breakfast at the hotel, and then off to the "spa" for a bath, massage, new outfit and a stroll on the lawn A little peek-a-boo and then a siesta. After nap and a diaper change it's time to eat again, yea! Some fresh air with his cousin a few more strolls around the garden and you guessed it - nap time again. Finally, it is dinner and FIESTA! Had a cake and party hats and celebrated with all our new friends at the hotel.

A big day with lots of fun to share!

Lake Atitlan Tuesday, Feb. 26

Mary and I had a big outing today, we took a guided tour, which ended up being a private tour, of Lake Atitlan. I probably should have researched it a little to take advantage of our tour--we ended up the only ones so they would have taken us to whatever sights we requested, but didn't know what to request. Anyway, the lake is either the result of several volcano eruptions or an actual volcano crater with very clear blue water (still wouldn't drink it though) and an unknown depth! Couldn't remember all the guide told us, but guess what?! it's all on the net http://www.panajachel.com/aboutpanajachel.htm It was a pretty overcast day and I would love to see it on a clear day, but still very beautiful. And I don't know about anyone else, but the whole volcano thing is pretty cool to me!
The ride there and back was at least half the adventure. Up and down very steep mountain roads and through lots of construction, which is not at all primitive, but a great deal more human labor intensive and less big equipment. The guide was timing things so we could make it through during the breakfast break - he said they close the roads while working and let the cars through at breakfast or lunch break.
We went shopping at the market which was very intimidating, especially for me since I even find the Mall intimidating! Hector, our guide - who by the way has not only seen more of the US than me, but also speaks better English than I do - did the bargaining for me. There was way to much stuff to choose from and the sales people are very, very persistent. I am really not sure what I ended up with, so I hope no one expects good souveniers from me. Stopped at a couple of good resteraunts and passed amazing plantations with crops practically straight up and down the mountains. Yes Billy, there does seem to be quite an aptitude for agriculture here.

pictures

Sunday and Monday

Hopefully, I'm getting the hang of this. As you can see, Mary is sharing her page with me because she is having more fun journaling the old fashioned way. I wanted to try to post a picture of the church and for David, one of the food for sale outside church - their version of church breakfast Dave! Today, 2/25, Mary and I walked to the grocery mostly for baby food. We made a couple stops on the way back, a bookstore for postcards, checked out a clothes store (where I thought a man was just very curteous and opened the door for us, but then realized he was a kind of guard / they keep it locked and let you in and out), and the cafe for lunch to go so we could try something a little more native than the hotel food. The hotel staff encouraged us to walk, and we don't seem to attract much attention, this is probably not too different than cities in the US. I will say the weapons the police carry on the street are a little intimidating (David and Po would love them). Tomorrow we are taking a guided tour to a lake that is actually an old volcano crator I think. The hotel clerk suggested it and according to books I think we will see more tourists there than natives. Whatever they suggest for Mary and I is fine with us, it's all new to us so I won't be too worried about what we missed!

Sunday 2-24

A short note to say 'hola' from Guatemala. We are here enjoying the weather, enjoying the sites, but mostly enjoying our new family member. I have to say that he does seem to be one of the happiest most good natured babies I have had the pleasure of spending time with and already definitely seeems to have a bond with his mom! The hotel is lovely and the staff extremely friendly. We were pretty tired after a long day yesterday and are taking it pretty easy today. Mary and I did venture out to Mass, and pretty much it was the same as at home - pretend to pay attention, sit and stand when everyone else does, and drop a little something in the collection basket -- oh yeah, and a sign that reads roughly "por favor apagar celulares y beepers... gracias" we got that! I am sending a picture of Mary and Jaime playing in the courtyard - which we did but only for a short while, because as much as I would love to go home with a glorious tan we all know what would really happen! I hope the picture goes ok, haven't gotten too many good shots yet as I am still trying to learn the camera. Love to all, or for one more try at my poor Spanish, 'adios' Fran

getting started

tommorow we r going to see my cousin. he lives in guatemala city. i have 2 go to the airport at 5:00 am. i'll be really tired. my mom is probably nervous b/c she's being a grouch. i'm going 2 bed, hopefully i can post from guatemala.