More Shannon Pictures!!

COMING HOME WEDNESDAY DEFINITELY!!

With a BIG smile on my face I can say we are definitely coming home Wednesday afternoon. Let's just say this past week was a huge TEST in patience and NOT being an ugly American. Apparently my Centencia process has been the extreme. Most are not like this. The best luck I had all week was while out on a walk with Shannon and Nana, a bird used my head as a toilet. And yes that was the best part. How many different ways can they misspell Stegmaier or Kathleen or Shannon??? For anyone that wants the full story, ask me sometime over a tall glass of wine. But we've dropped off the Visa application, and pick it up next week (after Homeland Security checks to see that Shannon is not a threat to National Security!!). Shannon of course has made every spelling mistake, traffic jam, sorry we're closed, worth while. It will be seven weeks to the day when I arrive home and I miss home very much. Trying to upload pictures, but computer not cooperating. Will try again soon!

COMING HOME TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY:{{{{{

As it turns out we will not be home this weekend. We will hopefully finalize EVERYTHING by Monday and home Tuesday, WEDNESDAY at the latest..I CANNOT WAIT TO COME HOME!! Luckily the sun is shining and Shannon is wonderful.. She's cut her SECOND Tooth!! Who know's she could be walking by the time we leave..I will post pictures tonight I promise. FRUSTRATED but OK, wish I did have better news but in reality what is a couple more days if I get to bring home a happy healthy beautiful baby RIGHT?????

CENTENCIA FINISHED

We were hoping to get more done today but I spent the WHOLE day completing the Centencia.. It's done thank goodness. Now we need to power through tomorrow since Wednesday is a holiday, we have to hope to get new birth certificate, passport and Embassy Doctor tomorrow so we can move on to the VISA..

Shannon hanging with the boys!!

CENTENCIA

CENTENCIA MONDAY NEED I SAY MORE???We hope to be home next weekend!!

Thanks to all for the support!! Can't wait to bring her home!

NEED SUPPORT

I am so tired of waiting for the Centencia call, another day no news, the judge has our papers sitting on his desk, just needs to sign.. DON'T know YET when I am coming home, and I need encouragement to make it through, silly quotes, comments and or ideas for staying busy in COLOMBIA.. One good news, my spanish is really improving and I am eating like a horse, along with my daughter. They may have to roll me off the plane when I FINALLY can go home. Shannon is wonderful and WORTH ALL OF THIS I KNOW!! She's finally broken a tooth and it is the most beautiful tooth I have ever seen..I will try to post a picture of it, if I can muster up the enthusiasm...

Playtime at Betty's Place

Friday

Mom and I got out for some girl time. We enjoyed the beautiful view of Bogota, above the smog, from Monserrate. We arrived home to get Shannon up from her nap..After skyping with the Stegmaiers, we headed out for a walk. To avoid getting caught in the torrential rainstorm, we ducked into a coffee shop for some Chocolate caliente..While waiting out the rain, we discovered that Shannon is about to pop her first tooth, on the bottom in the front. Guess were here at teething time. Thank goodness we came with some teething supplies. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving,..

Thanksgiving

Good food good times!! Yeah for the PATRIOTS

11/24

Ok, as I type here I am listening to Shannon put herself to sleep. My new favorite sound..She is amazing but of course I am biased..I promise to put a picture up tomorrow of Shannon in her party dress for Thanksgiving. Sean my computer guy/photographer is gone so I have to step up. Highlights over the last few days are Shannon scooting around in a walkerd as she's finally grown enough to work her feet. She is really becoming the social butterfly these days.We're staying busy (AND OUT OF THE HOUSE) as much as we can, one with the dorm life here and two with trying not to wait by the phone for our call for Centensia. Today we found the NAVIDAD Store. Colombians truly go all out for Christmas. While waiting outside the store with Shannon, a women commented first on Shannon and then said how no one celebrates Christmas quite like Colombians and she is right. The store included a blinking lights display of the Nativity scene. The hair salon up the street has the entire building decked out in a winter wonderland theme including white sheets on the sidewalk to represent snow. Feliz Navidad!!!

Any day now we'll get the call, and hopefully be leaving within a week from then. Shannon is worth the wait. I will definately post pictures tomorrow!

First Mom and Daughter day

Shannon and I had our first Mommy/daughter today practically alone in the house. The rest of the group went off to the Botanical Gardens. Shannon and I went for a walk and played together. I loved every moment of it. We are hoping that our Centencia will come soon and we'll be home soon..Tomorrow we''re taking Shannon to church with us and watching the PATRIOTS (hopefully!)

Visit to the Old City and Gold Museum

11/18 Jorge picked us up promptly at 10 to go off on our adventure. We toured the Old City with it's cobble streets and beautifully decorated buildings. There was quite a protest happening in Old City Plaza!! We ate a wonderful traditional Colombian lunch..After lunch we headed to the Gold Museum. The gold pieces are incredibly beautiful and ornate. I almost feel inspired to get a GIANT nose ring!!! We visit the bazaar just across the from the Gold City and did some quick shopping for family and Shannon. I really had to test the limits of my Spanish in the Bazaar. I wanted to get out and go home, as I missed Shannon. She spent a quiet day at home with the baby nurse. We all swear Ms. Alicia has magic powers with the babies!!

Lunch with Mercedes @ FANA

Today 11/19 we were invited to FANA to join Mercedes (the founder of FANA) and the rest of the staff for lunch. We arrived promptly at 1230 and at 2 they served lunch. Shannon slept for the first hour and then was up charming all until she wanted food (LIKE HER MOTHER). I was hoping she'd catch another cat nap on the ride home but she spent the whole ride smiling laughing and entertaining both me and Nana. We were all worn out when we got home. As it was another off schedule day for Shannon she crashed a few minutes early tonight. I am looking forward to a quiet day with Shannon tomorrow while Nana and friends visit the Botanical Gardens. By the way thank goodness Nana brought some new outfits for Shannon. She's growing so quickly she wont fit in most of the clothes we brought her soon!!

11/16-11/17 Hanging with the girls

First great breakthrough, Shannon slept through the night 7ish to 7ish. I was glad to know that we can cut out the 11pm bottle!! The last two days have been relaxed playing with Nana and taking long walks. Shannon is really determined to sit up on her own and works really hard at it all day. She's also babbling like crazy all the time. She really seems to respond to my voice which makes me so happy, and is beginning to respond when she hears her name. I can't believe how much you can love a little person in only 3 weeks!! Another family just found out they got their final court appointment tomorrow, so hope for news for us soon!! We're having fun but we're ready to come home even if it's cold!!

First Day with NANA

Mom made it to Betty's Place about 1015 last night. It's so nice to have her hear. Shannon was a busy girl today!! We skyped with Sean this morning (We miss you daddy!), went for a walk to the park, ate slept and walked again. She's growing so fast we're going to run out of clothes for her before we leave Colombia. We're going to brave forgoing the 11pm bottle tonight and see if she sleeps through the night. Nana and Shannon had a blast playing and talking to each other. Best of all we found good wine at the local grocery store. We're just waiting for the call that we have our final court appointment. Once we have that date, we know we're leaving Bogota within a week.

Day one Solo launch

Day one as a single parent went as smoothly as could be expected. She wasn't hungry at bedtime so who knows if I will pay for it tonight. Now I just have to power through staying up to give the 11pm bottle.

11/12-11/13 Eating adventures

It's been a calm couple of days. Beautiful weather in the am. Shannon and I have gotten out for walks two days in a row. She's growing like a weed and still eating alot but not like the horse of the last few days. I guess her latest growth spurt has slowed down. We'll be ready for the next time. She's talking all the time, and working so hard to sit up on her own. I think she'll be sitting up independently by next week. It is amazing how everyday there's something new. Thursday the whole group of us from Betty's place walked over to a local hamburger place called El Corral (get it??!!) for lunch. Delicious burgers and the best chocolate malt I have had in a long time. Last night the group of us went out to dinner to a local steak restaurant. We had Sangria, steak and the best fried plantain I have had in a long time. And yes Ricardo, I finally had my first Arrepa. It was mom and dad's first night not putting Shannon to bed but we all survived. Shannon actually slept in (after her 530 talkabout) till just after 7. I was completely confused when I woke up. Sean leave tomorrow and my mom comes in Monday night. Sunday and Monday should be busy, interesting days. I am hoping she and I survived, relatively unscathed.. Probably wont have much time to blog until Grandma comes in to help out.

First Swing Set Ride

Guatavita and FANA Visit 11/8.11/9

What a busy two days sorry. Yesterday (Tuesday) 11/8 we spent the day outside of Bogota, visiting an Indiginous village up into the mountains above the village Sesqueila.. We received a tour of the village from a local medicine man..We ate at a local restuarant and after chicken and rice we were ready for our next adventure. We drove to Guatavita the lagoon that holds the legend of El Dorado. The Spanish heard that this lagoon held a treasure trove of pure gold. In their brilliance they decided to blast into the mountain and drain the lagoon. Turns out NO GOLD!! Who thought of that??? We hiked to the top of the mountain, an incredible view of the Andes. We then planted a tree in Shannon's honor on the mountain..We arrived home just in time to put Shannon to bed..
Today we had a wonderful visit to FANA to see where Shannon was for the first 4 months of her life. We also had the honor of learning more about Shannons background. We are truely lucky to have this angel brought into our life!! She enjoyed her visit to FANA wrapped in Cashmere!! Realized today that her color is plumb thanks BETTY!

11/7 and 11/8

Last two days have been much smoother as we figured out that poor Shannon was starving that's why she had been a cranky girl. Now we know when she's cranky she's hungry just like her mother. NO TEETHING, yet!! Highlights of the last few days. We tried feeding her rice cereal but she got frustrated eating from a spoon, TOO SLOW! She wants to gulp it down so we're adding rice cereal to her bottle which she's sucking down. Also, she had her first ride in a swing outside in the sunshine while it lasted. She seemed to enjoy it but also a bit tentative. What a day, we walked we swung, we ate and we pooped, WHAT A LIFE!! As for our court appointment we found out this afternoon it's court five. Not bad so we've heard. Tomorrow were off with Jorge to Guatavita where the legend of El Dorado originates from. We will also be planting a tree in our daughters honor while we're there. They will place a plaque with her name on it so she will always have a piece of her here in Colombia.. Early to bed tonight as Shannon was an early riser. MB thanks for skyping this am it was great to talk to you and see munchkins!! Also thanks for the sleep schedule it's definately helping too!

Cabbage Patch Kid look-a-like

Tia Betty brought her daughter's cabbage patch kid to the house today to show us.  Spitting image of Shannon.

Walk to local bazaar and little napping

On the good side, I believe Shannon is bonding to Sean and I as she will only sleep if we will rock her to sleep in our arms. She was so well trained from FANA that she would sleep no problem in the crib. I guess she's realized our arms are warm an comfy. I know it's wonderful!! But I want her to associate sleep and bed. But after another no napping afternoon, I don't care how she falls asleep for now as long as she's getting on a routine. Walked to a bazaar at the Country Club of Bogota. Very exclusive or so they like to think. Shannon charmed everyone after downing her bottle. She's was thirsty from all my pushing. Someone requested more info about Shannon. She's a talker like her mother, enjoys watching soccer like her father and has tickle spots on her neck and belly. She loves to be out for walks and charms all the old ladies in the park. We can't imagine our life without her!! Will get Sean to work on posting pictures.

11/5 BIENASTAR and a Cranky Afternoon

After a little bit of rough going down last night (bad formula mixture makes baby VERY VERY UPSET). She still cute even when screaming her lungs out (REMIND ME OF THAT!!!). This morning we had a 630 pick for our Bienastar appointment so all of us were out of sorts sleeping. Shannon woke up for the first time at around 430 and after 15 minutes of gurgling and slightly protesting I got up and got her back to sleep in about 15 minutes. Unfortunately our alarms started up at 545 and she was up and rolling. She slept through half the Bienastar appointment and charmed the pants off the Bienastar official the other half, who happens to be a formal special education teacher here in Bogota. We met our lawyer for the first time, who reminds me very much of Grandpa McNamara, taking smoke breaks about every 10 minutes. He files with the courts Monday and we learn out court number. THINK UNO UNO UNO. The latest picture on FB was morning playtime, talking and laughing. Then naptime turned into CRANK TIME.. She didn't sleep well and was cranky/sleepy the rest of the afternoon.. Right after dinner we tried a cold teething which brought our happy Shannon back and the rest of night went pretty smoothly. I think a good night sleep will do us all good. Is she starting to teeth???TBD..

Wednesday 11/3

Shannon awoke with a smile, and ate a FULL breakfast. The baby nurse came about 10 to watch Shannon so we good make a day trip to Monserrat (The church on the mountain) and Candalajara (The old city). Both were amazingly beautiful and we lucked out with the weather. The view of Bogota from Monserrat was stunning. Candalajara holds the presidental palace and incredible architecture. The Church of St Carmen was my favorite sight. We arrived back around 330 after fighting the traffic and the rain. The traffic in Bogota is indescribably chaotic and loud. Shannon smiled when she saw me for the first time!! What a moment!! It's hard to be away from her for any time but I know I don't want to miss any of this experience so I can share it with her in the future. We found out today that our BienStar appointment is Friday morning 8am, which is a step forward in bringing her home!!

THE AMAZING RACE!!

TUESDAY 11/2: A relaxing day after the busy day at the zoo..or so we thought. Just after lunch, we got a call that we would go register for our Colombian permit (comparable to a licence). We were told that we would have to get a blood sample to document our blood type, make a deposit in the local bank and get 2 passport photos. Oh and the agency closed in just over an hour. We scrambled around Bogota in a MAD DASH, and made it back into the Agency at ten till closing. After being fingerprinted and photographed AGAIN we are now the proud owners of a Colombian permit. All of this because the consulate in DC gave us six month Visas. Shannon is eating up to 6 ounces at a bottle and seems to be growing daily!!

Trip to ZOO/AMUSEMENT PART

Headed off with all the families to the ZOO/AMUSEMENT PARK in Bogota,. The drive there and back gave us great 360 degree view of the Andes Mountains. It was Shannons first big outing!! She slept for about half the trip and smiled at everyone half of it. Towards the end of the day, she was ready to be home as was mom! The drive home was beautiful with the sun setting over the Andes.. Quick highlights from the Amusement park: The anatomically correct MALE Stature of Liberty, one crazy teacup ride, and the replica of the Taj Mahal..We got home about 615 and rushed through dinner to get Shannon to bed. Note for the future, keep the bath cooler...Mommy made the water too hot tonight and Shannon was not pleased. She definately has some lungs on her. Dad, the baby whisperer, got her calmed down and hopefully all is forgiven. She did pee on me so we're even I suppose!! Shannon got sleep about 45 minutes later than usual so hopefully we don't regret that later. Tomorrow will be a quiet day at home...

SUNDAY HALLOWEEN

Sunday morning we took Shannon to the local church for 10am Mass. Shannon slept all the way to church, woke up at church, and charmed everyone around her. Mass was completed by 1045, as they do them on the hour every hour. After a big lunch, skyping with Leah, Seth, Ethan, Salla and Adi, and a good nap, she met Alicia the baby nurse. Alicia came to watch her while we went to the soccer game. Great game, the Bogota team came back to tie it in the 85 minutes, great singing in the stands and the stuffed pig treat (we did not try!!) Loved seeing all the workers at the stadium dressed up in costumes and the seated cheerleaders!! They really embrace Halloween here in Colombia. Thank you Jorge for a soccer fix in Colombia. Shannon decided to wait for Alicia to leave 3 deposits, not that we minded but poor Alicia!! Good day today and the next day, the ZOO/Amusement part.

Busy day 2

Shannon took her first walk to the park with Sean and friends, and slept the whole time while I took my first Spanish lesson. After a BIG lunch and a LONG nap she skyped with Aunt Liane..Tonight we went out with the two other families for pizza at Archie's, and everyone successfully ordered, ate and survived with no major meltdowns. Tonights bathtime was short and sweet and went much smoother. She's now down and out and hopefully dreaming sweet dreams.. Tomorrow, our first trip to church together and a local soccer game!!

First Night/Day

Hard to believe but we all actually slept last night!! Shannon went down at 730, woke up for her 11pm bottle then slept until 639 this am. Sean and I lept out of bed at 3am, and eached checked on her 3 or 4 other times. Great day, ate a lttle more, slept on me this afternoon. Next big obstacle first bath. Everything was going relatively smoothly including a luxurious lotion massage until I tried to put a onsie on her and the sleep sack for bed. Guess we really enjoyed being the naked baby. We'll see what day two brings. Skyped with Grandma and Grandpa McNamara, went great. Skyp you tommorow anti Liane.

Arrived in Bogota/Presentation

We arrived in Bogota last night after a relatively easy flight (left 30 mins late).  Apparently it rained here for a good 5+ hours yesterday afternoon and it just started raining here after a lovely sunny day.  We unpacked last night and got a good nights rest.  Woke up this morning and meet the 2 other families staying at Betty's Place.  Had a nice breakfast and then we were off to FANA.  A 24 year old girl that was adopted from FANA presented Shannon to us.  That was very special to have that experience.  We stayed at FANA for about an hour and then headed home as Shannon feel asleep after the bottle they gave her right before the presentation.  We are back at Betty's place giving Sharron her first bottle from us.  She is eating like a champ.  Here's to wishing for a good nights sleep!!!!

Got our Visas

After a hectic trek into DC we picked up our visas and are ready to go tomorrow! Can't wait!

Car Seat installed

Today I dutifully waited in line with all other expectant parents to intall a car seat into the ESCAPE, it feels so real now with a car seat permanently fixed in the car!!

Trip to the Consulate

We made through the trip to the Consulate relatively unscathed!! I tried to use my Spanish.. it is definately harder when people are speaking in "real time" guess Bogota will be a great learning experience for that..Can't wait to go!!

Officially booked to fly out Wednesday afternoon Oct 27th!!

We're free to travel

Got word that our visas have been issued to the Colombian cosulate and we're free to travel!! Booking our flight..

First Day of leave

After a weekend of crazed shopping (thanks LEAH!!) I spent most of today drowning in laundry, toys and bottles. I loved every minute of it. No news about our Visa's maybe tomorrow!! We're coming baby girl!!

I800 approved!!

We came home from our family vacation to the actual letter of approval.  So excited that this means we're heading to Colombia soon.  Funny enough tonight the US Mens Soccer is playing Colombia in Phillie.   Do you think we could hitch a ride back with the Colombian team???

I800

Dear all,
We got good news that our I800 is hopefully set for approval today.  That means we are now only two steps away from flying off to Bogota!! We've both been immunized to the hilt and are ready for anything else Colombia can throw our way!!

Put Bugaboo Together tonight!! IT's getting more real!!

Tonight Sean and I redid a registry at BabysRus!! So exciting!!

Moving Forward!!

Ok, one small step forward baby girl!! We sent off our I800 this afternoon. One more form to send off, then we wait.....Each time I look at her I can't help but smile!!!!!

First Picture