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.